As usual, thank you for all of your reviews! Honestly, they always motivate me to keep up with this story.

Enjoy the next chapter!

The next night, I was at Godric's house, sitting on the leather couch in his living room, still trying to find information on Shawn's whereabouts. So far, we didn't have much luck and the suspects we confronted knew absolutely nothing. Or so they said. I was beginning to think that maybe Shawn was in a different city, or even in a different country. He could have been halfway around the world for all I knew.

"It's hopeless," I said, letting my head fall into my hands. "And it's total bullshit that none of these vampires know where he is! They've all got a hidden agenda and they've probably got him locked up somewhere, torturing him!"

Godric wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close to him. "It's not hopeless," he said. "We'll find him, Annabel."

"I know he's still alive, Godric. I can feel it. He's scared as hell but he's alive."

"I trust that feeling."

I gave him a sad smile. Hm, I never really noticed how the light from the fire in his gas-powered fireplace was so flattering. The way it played off his pale skin and flickered in his eyes gave me a moment of happiness. And he smelled so good, like a woody, oriental cologne only sweeter.

"I just don't think I can handle this." I snuggled closer to him, breathing in his aroma. "I never thought that someone I knew could just disappear without a trace like that. I guess most of my life has been pretty sheltered."

"Try living for two thousand years." He laughed slightly.

"I mean, I'm not a total stranger to loss. You see, my momma died when I was four."

He tilted his head. "I don't think you ever told me that."

"I barely even remember it. All I can recall was that our house was on fire and she couldn't get out. And it was snowing too, because it was winter and our house was in New Hampshire. Everything else is just a blur."

"That's terrible," he said. "No one should grow up without a mother."

I shrugged. "It wasn't that bad. It's not like I actually knew the purpose of a mother in a child's life. My dad remarried a couple of times, but those marriages both ended in divorce. Those women pretty much sucked the life out of my father. I guess all ex-wives are the same."

"How did you get to Bon Temps?" Godric asked.

"He grew up there. His family has been there pretty much since the town was founded, so he moved back and brought me with him after my momma died." I shook my head. "Wow, I'm unloading all of my sad, emotional baggage on you right now. I must be making you very depressed."

I slinked out from under his arm that was draped over my shoulder and reached for my jacket and purse that I dropped on the floor. "I think I should go," I said as I rose to my feet and pulled my brown shrunken leather jacket over my white crochet mini dress.

"I'd highly recommend a funny Adam Sandler or Judd Apatow movie to counteract the negative feelings you must be having." By this time, I was just about to reach for the front door. Godric was already in front of me, blocking my exit. Damn that vampire speed.

"Please don't go," he said, his voice subdued and slightly pleading.

I crossed my arms. "Well it's not like you'll let me."

"I hate seeing you so upset like this."

I sighed. "Godric, you don't have to worry about me. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."

"I know you can."

He pushed a loose strand of my hair away from my face and locked his eyes with mine. In those fascinating green orbs, I could see centuries of pain and loneliness. My trivial depth of hurt just couldn't compare to his. Imagine all of the things those eyes have seen! He probably witnessed thousands of events over the course of his history, from heartbreaking tragedies to joyous, cheerful occasions. He has seen nearly every triumph and every mistake mankind has ever made. At that moment, I felt for him.

I couldn't move. My feet might as well have been glued to the floor. Godric slowly inched closer to me, his face directly in front of mine. My heart rate spiked rapidly and I almost forgot to breathe, feeling ready to tumble to the floor in a faint. Yeah, I'm sure that would have ended well.

"Don't go," he said again. This time, his voice was barely above a whisper. "Not yet."

I couldn't speak. I tried to respond, but the words wouldn't come out. He was too close now, only a centimeter from me. My eyes met his once again before they closed, when his lips pressed against mine. It caught me off guard, let me tell you that. At first, I wasn't even sure if that really happened. But sure enough, his hands were lightly touching my neck and the chilly feeling from them almost sent a shiver down my spine. Before I could fully process this information, he pulled away, not looking at me.

"I'm so sorry," he replied, embarrassed. "I shouldn't have done that." If he wasn't a vampire, then he would have been the color of a tomato.

"You don't know how long I've waited for that," I said breathlessly, my heart just about ready to pound out of my chest with so much force that I could hear it.

I grabbed him forcefully by the back of his neck and brought his lips back to mine. He slipped his hands around my hips, bringing us closer together, connecting our bodies. The kiss this time became more passionate and slow, so I could focus on his soft skin and the taste of his beautiful lips.

I finally broke away and licked my lips, savoring his sweet taste while I laced my fingers around his. I looked into his eyes once more. I don't think I'd ever seen him so melancholy.

"What's wrong?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.

He flashed a sad smile and pressed his lips on mine again. "Nothing's wrong," he quietly replied. Then, he stepped to the side to let me out. "Drive safe."

"No such thing when I'm behind the wheel," I joked. "I'll see you later." I released his hands from mine and walked over to my car. I felt like a flustered teenage girl, finally kissing her long-time crush.

A week had passed after that kiss, and I didn't hear a thing from Godric. I called him and text messaged him a few times, but he never responded or called me back. I had to admit that I felt like I had been played. Typical man, I thought. Just decides to ignore me for no plausible reason. He may be a vampire, but he's still a dickhead. For the first few days,I didn't even bother going down to the bar or go out to Arlington to his house, thinking I'd look desperate and clingy. Finally I had enough by the end of the week, so I jumped in my car and drove to his house.

The short ride felt like an eternity as I prepared for the worst. Would I look like an angry bitch if I confronted him? Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, right? But deep down, it felt like something was dead wrong. Godric wouldn't lose touch with me if everything was all fine and dandy.

When I made it to his house after driving about ten miles above the speed limit, almost causing numerous accidents and narrowly avoiding being pulled over by a cop, I ran to his front door and banged on it until someone finally opened it. Isabel stood on the other side, looking a bit weary, but still elegant in her Chanel suit.

"Isabel!" I exclaimed, out of breath. "Is Godric around?"

She looked down. "I think it's best if you come inside and have a seat."

My stomach dropped. "What's going on?" My knees felt all wobbly and I sank down into an armchair. I saw a good number of people around. Dru was there, and so was Stan. But Godric was nowhere to be found.

"Isabel, where's Godric?" My heart began to pound wildly.

She didn't say anything.

"Dru?" I glanced over at her. She may have been wearing cheery red lip gloss, but there was an undeniable air of sadness around her as she nervously bit at her manicured fingernail.

"Stan?" I turned my head the other way to face him. His fists were clenched so tightly, that his knuckles could have popped out. He looked even more angry than usual, if that was possible.

"Don't bullshit me, people!" I said. "Where is he? Did something happen?"

Dru knelt down in front of me and took my hand. "Honey," she began hesitantly, as she broke the terrible news. "We haven't heard from him in a week. He hasn't been home and he hasn't shown up at the bar since then. We haven't been able to contact him. His cell phone and other belongings are still here."

My eyes scanned over everyone in the living room, as if I was looking for reassurance. Surely, Dru must have been lying.

"What?" I asked, confused. My stomach fell even lower as I jolted to my feet.

"Godric has gone missing, Annabel," said Isabel in her Spanish accent. "There is no other explanation."

"Do you think he just up and left like that? He wouldn't do that!" At least I thought he wouldn't.

"No, no, no." She shook her head, her brown waves of hair dancing around her face. "Something must have happened to him."

I looked at her like she was insane. "Oh come on! Have you seen how strong he is? He would win in a fight against Chuck Norris and Rambo!"

"The Fellowship has something to do with this. I know they do," said Dru, who was pacing around.

If I heard her correctly, then she was talking about the Fellowship of the Sun, the "religious organization" based in Dallas that didn't preach the name of God and the teachings of Jesus like they say they do, but instead served as one big pep rally against vampires. I'd seen the creepy leader, Steve Newlin and his equally unappealing wife on T.V. before. They were on the news not too long ago, arguing with Nan Flanagan, the head of the American Vampire League. I merely laughed and changed the channel.

"Do you honestly think those tools could kidnap him?" I asked, as if it was the most ridiculous statement I'd ever heard.

"We can't rule anything out at this point," she replied. "They have tremendous influence."

"Why didn't anyone tell me about this sooner?" I couldn't help but be miffed over that minor detail. "You can't pick up the phone and call me?"

"We didn't want you to worry. You had enough on your plate, trying to find your cousin."

How very considerate. Godric has been missing for a week and I didn't even know it. And to think that during that week, I was extremely furious because he never called me. Life certainly has a way of making you feel like a dick, doesn't it?

I sighed. "So what are we supposed to do? I don't think the police will get involved." I knew for a fact that they couldn't give a fuck about any vampire.

"We came up with somewhat of a plan." Dru stopped pacing. "Apparently, this involves Godric's progeny, a sheriff from Area 5, Shreveport."