AN: So...this chapter is a bit angsty...again...but hang in there! Good things are coming! :)

Enjoy this chapter! Happy Reading! :)

Chapter 7

SPOV

I race through the now empty house, following the large void belonging to Godric before I'm approaching large, glass doors that lead to the ever lightening backyard. Oh, thank God. I had worried he might take flight and then I'd be totally screwed. I slide open the glass door and glance up to see Godric standing stoically, his serene face raised to the heavens and my heart aches for him.

"Please don't do this, Godric," I say softy, as he turns with a small smile. My head tilts curiously; realizing that smile of his is just so achingly familiar. I have a sudden urge to rush to him, to pull him into my arms and for the life of me; I can't understand how he is affecting me this way.

"Ah, but it is my time, dear one, and I am ready," he says softly, complete assertion lacing his grave words. I find myself approaching him then, my feet trailing over the lawn as if of their own accord, until I'm standing directly beside him.

"It will kill a part of him to lose you, you know," I whisper, reaching out to take firm hold to his cool, alabaster hand. He squeezes my hand gently, letting out a small sigh.

"My Eric has a warrior's heart," he says, glancing down to me with a tender smile. "It was the inner strength he possess that called me to turn him all those centuries ago. He shall persevere." A frown forms on my face to hear his words. I have no doubt just how strong the Viking Sheriff is, but this, I fear, may be the thing to finally break him.

"We could help you, Godric," I offer, squeezing his hand gently, realizing I'm fighting to keep him with both Eric and I at this point. "I would help you; just give us a little more time." He turns to face me then, looking me over curiously before reaching up to touch my face once more. His cool fingertips trail down my cheek, sending a tremor through me as I'm hit with yet another wave of déjà vu.

"You look so much like her," he says, shaking his head lightly as my face pinches in confusion. "And you share her loving nature, but surely my eyes deceive me for you could not possibly be my beloved, Chloe." And there's that name again, the same name he mentioned back at the Fellowship.

"I don't know who this Chloe person is, Godric, but I do feel a strange draw to you," I admit. "Do you feel it as well?" I question as a deep frown settles upon his face.

"I feel nothing but sorrow and centuries worth of guilt," he whispers miserably. "It is time to end this pain. I am ready to go, dear one, I want to burn," he adds softly as hot tears sting my eyes and panic begins welling up within me. He reaches up once more to brush away the first tear as it trails down my cheek, shaking his head with a soft smile.

"Please stay, stay with me, Godric," I plead, not understanding why I feel this urgent need to stay with him, to hold him close.

"A human begging for my life," he says with a light chuckle. "Shedding tears on my behalf; never, in all my years, did I think I would have the privilege of witnessing such a thing," he says as more tears begin streaming down my cheeks. "Back away, dear one," he cautions, dropping my hand to step further away. "At my age this will not take long."

"Please," I plead once more, seeing the sun creeping steadily higher on the horizon.

"Take care of my Eric, dear one," he says with a soft smile before stretching his pale arms out wide. "Perhaps we shall meet again, in another life," he adds just before his pale body alights in a bright, blue flame.

"No," I whisper, dropping down to my knees in defeat as my heart rips to pieces, feeling as if a piece of myself is burning within those hot, blue flames. Within moments, Godric's body is rendered to nothing more than a pile of black ash upon the lawn and I find myself crawling forward, weeping earnestly over his ashen remains.

Why? Why did it have to go this way? If only things could have played out differently. If only there was a way to ease Godric's sorrow, to make him happy again. If only I could ensure Eric had his Maker back with him once more. If only I knew what was causing this strange connection I feel with this man; why his death is literally breaking me in two. I've never grieved this hard, not even with the loss of my Gran. I have no idea why his death is affecting me so and now I fear I will never have my answers.

Eric. Shit, I need to get to Eric. God knows what he'll do feeling the loss of his Maker. I work to brush away my tears as best I can before looking down to the now tear drenched, pile of ash, looking at the only remnants left of Godric with a deep frown.

"What?" I whisper in shock as the damp ashes begin floating into the air above me. I sit memorized, unable to move as I watch the darkened cloud begin to swirl through a completely windless environment. What the hell is going on? The murky particles begin glowing then, suddenly transforming to a beautiful, sparkling glitter before I feel the cloud caressing over my skin, mimicking a lover's touch as it grazes over every inch of my exposed flesh.

I'm left gasping then as the sparkling cloud envelops me fully, the glittery smog soaking into my skin to send a wave of chills through me as ice begins traversing through my every vein, running over my entire body and leaving me gasping for air before the sensation finally settles once more. What in the ever loving hell was that?

I'll figure all this out later, but first, Eric needs me. I jump to my feet before rushing back into Godric's house, racing towards Eric whilst praying he's really as strong as Godric assured me his child is. Please, Eric, don't give up on me now.

EPOV

I'm numb. Lying motionless, sprawled across the cool tile of the bathroom floor as my worst nightmare is realized. He's gone. Godric truly went through with his plans to end his life, to leave me forever. I had foolishly thought between Sookie and I, we might convince him to stay at least a while longer, but I should have known we couldn't change his mind. He was completely resolute in going forward with his plans.

Fucking Odin, this hurts. An aching emptiness is all that's left of Godric's presence within me, a sprawling chasm emanating from my chest that taunts me with its dark emptiness. Why? Why couldn't I save him? Why couldn't he have let me help him carry his heavy burdens?

"What?" I whisper then, raising my blood stained face as my face pinches in confusion. A flair of recognition begins to pulse deep within the dark crevasse left within my chest, a soft glow shining dimly within the consuming darkness. What the fuck is that? I pull myself into a sitting position, my blood stained face creasing in confusion as that familiar flair seems to be drawing closer, glowing ever brighter.

"Eric?" Sookie questions softly, peeking around the frame of the bathroom door as I stare at her in equal mix bewilderment and wonder. No fucking way.

"Sookie?" I question back as she steps before me, dropping down to her knees as a pained sob escapes her.

"I'm so sorry," she cries out. "I tried to save him, Eric, I really did," she assures me through her tears as I reach out absently, running my fingers over her tear streaked face in amazement. How is this possible? It's as though Godric is sitting before me, somehow hidden within the slight form of the blonde telepath. The Maker- Child bond is suddenly buzzing just as strong and clear as ever and I let out a choking sob of my own as I grab onto Sookie, pulling her tightly against my chest.

"But don't you see, Lover? You did do it, you somehow managed to save him," I cry out joyously as she looks up to me in confusion, shaking her head, apparently completely oblivious to the source of my sudden exuberance as I feel my Maker's comforting presence flowing through me once more.

"What?" she asks in puzzlement. "Eric, I was there, I couldn't save him. Godric met the sun," she explains softly as I abruptly rise from the floor, keeping Sookie wrapped tightly in my arms. I carry her into the adjoining bedroom before gently laying her upon the soft bed, looking over her in amazed reverie.

"But he's not fully gone, Lover, for his spirit is alive and well, burning brightly from within you," I explain as her jaw drops in shock. I crawl onto the bed beside her then, my hand reaching out to brush over the silken skin of her arm as I revel in the closeness of my Maker, a feeling I was sure I had lost forever only moments before.

"The ashes," Sookie whispers then as I look to her in confusion. "Godric's ashes," she says excitedly. "I was crying over them, Eric, wishing things could be different and then they lifted into the air," she says, waiving her arms through the air as I listen intently to her words. "The ashes turned into this beautiful, sparkling cloud just before they were absorbed into my skin."

"Truly?" I whisper incredulously as she nods vehemently. "Lover," I cry out, pulling her into my embrace once more. "I don't know how you managed such a thing, but I could never thank you enough for this incredible gift," I inform her, running my hands through her silken tresses as I feel her rising anxiety through the small bond we share.

"But Eric, Godric is gone," she says softly, her cerulean orbs shining with unshed tears. "I watched him die. He burned in the sun, I wasn't able to do anything to save him," she admits as sorrowful tears begin trailing down her delicate face.

"Lover, shh," I comfort softly, rocking her small form in my arms as she clings onto me tightly. "His physical body may very well be gone, but so long as his spirit endures, I refuse to believe he is truly gone," I explain as she turns her tear stained face up to meet my gaze.

"You think there's a chance we can save him still?" she whispers as I feel hope flaring within her.

"Surely more miraculous things have happened," I muse thoughtfully. "Just look at what you were able to accomplish without even trying, Lover; you've kept my Maker's spirit alive and are even now carrying his life force inside you," I explain, gently brushing away her tears as she nods lightly, her determination setting firmly through the bond.

"You're right," she states firmly. "You're absolutely right, Eric. We live in a world full of magic and miracles, my own life is surrounded by as much every single day, surely we can find some way to get him back, to give him another chance at life," she says excitedly as I nod my agreement.

"Thank you," I whisper then, pulling her tighter against me as she lets out a soft, contented sigh. "I'm not sure what would have come of me had I truly lost Godric for good," I admit softly as she runs her small hands over my arms soothingly, wrapping me in her own sweet aura, along with that of my Maker's.

"I'm not sure what I did, or how I managed to do it, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat, Eric," she admits softly, looking up to me with soft adoration shining in her bright blue eyes. "And I'll do whatever it takes to get him back to us once more," she adds as a wide grin spreads over my face.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you're finally softening up to me, Lover," I tease as she smirks up at me, shaking her head.

"I think I have been for a while now, actually," she admits with a warm smile, tucking her head into the crook of my neck as we both let out matching sighs. I can't seem to wipe the smile from my face, hearing her endearing admission whilst knowing all hope is not lost to be reunited with my Maker.

"I believe the same is true for me, Lover," I admit, eliciting a small snort of amusement from the blonde telepath. "What?" I question, lifting a brow at her as she looks up to me with a smirk.

"You," she says, shaking her head. "I didn't think you'd ever admit your true feelings," she teases as I smirk down to her, shrugging my shoulders dismissively.

"It may have taken me a while to finally accept what I've undoubtedly been feeling for some time now, but now that I have, you must know, I have no intention of letting you go," I inform her, pulling her tightly to my chest as delighted giggles erupt from the amused fey hybrid.

"And there goes that possessive, vampire streak of yours acting up again," she teases as I find myself joining in her mirth, chuckling lowly. She's certainly not wrong about that.

"That's right, Lover," I admit with a wide grin. "I'm very much a possessive vampire whose sights are set solely upon you; this is something I fear you must learn to accept," I explain, knowing there's no way in hell I'll let her walk away, especially now that she holds my sole connection with the one who made me.

"Oh, I suppose I could give it a try," she teases, before letting out a jaw cracking yawn. I pull the covers up over the two of us then, smiling fondly as the exhausted miracle worker snuggles her heated form against me before letting out a soft sigh.

"I would be truly grateful for such, Lover," I admit softly, placing a soft kiss to her golden head as she nods lightly. "Tomorrow we go back home and start our work to bring Godric back to us once more," I inform her, receiving a small hum of acceptance. "Sleep well, Lover," I whisper against her ear, pulling her tightly into my arms.

"Sleep well, Eric," she breathes against my chest as I finally succumb to the pull of the sun, falling contentedly into my daytime rest.

AN: Just to ease your worries, no, Godric is not gone! Sookie saved him, though a bit unconventionally...Trust me, I really do have a plan! :)