Chapter Twelve:

Henley was still struggling to breathe as she shakily slipped to the kitchen floor, Moony curling against her as he sensed her need for comfort. It had barely been five minutes ago that she had lain in her own home, unconscious and nearly dead. She could still feel Jackson's hand clamped around her throat. She didn't need to look in a mirror to know of the bruises there. She could feel them aching with every breath she took.

The pain and struggling, however, didn't matter to Henley. All that mattered was where Jackson had gone. And where was Godric? Where had her ghost savior gone? Had it been Jackson's doing? Had the doctor hurt him? Henley was surprised at the anger she felt at the prospect.

"How is it possible that you were talking to Eric's maker?"

Henley had almost forgotten about the vampire still standing gob smacked at her front door. She sighed as she slowly turned her head towards the brunette. She looked exactly how she felt. She had no idea what was going on, how this evening had turned into an absolute nightmare. Henley had actually felt relieved when she left Fangtasia, knowing that she would be helping Godric and his child. But now she just wished she could go back in time.

"You were talking to Godric, weren't you?" Willa pressed. It wasn't a demand though, and Henley was surprised. She hadn't interacted with many vampires in her life, but she was certain Godric's commanding nature had rooted from his undead existence. This vampire was just as curious as Henley was, just as surprised and shocked at what had happened.

She didn't know what to tell the vampire though. She knew Eric, that was clear. She knew who Godric was, and that worried Henley. What did she tell this vampire? What did she admit to?

"I could…" Willa's eyebrows furrowed as she tried to comprehend what exactly she had heard. The voice, it caused her blood to sing, caused her mind to react, almost as if it wasn't even her own. It had to have been Godric; it had to have been her own maker's maker. It was the only explanation. But how? "I could hear him."

It was just one thing after another, it seemed to Henley. Godric had somehow been able to touch her, to physically touch her, and now some vampire was able to hear him.

"Did you see him?" Henley winced with each word spoken. When the vampire shook her head, Henley sighed in relief. At least Godric wasn't just suddenly popping up for the world to see. But then how did Jackson know of him at all. Sure she had acted odd at times around him, but how would he know of Godric specifically?

How was any of this possible?

"Where did they go?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," Henley mumbled, cringing as even the slightest sound caused her pain.

They fell into an odd, comfortable silence, both caught in their own thoughts. Henley knew she should have been worried that some vampire was at her door with the knowledge she could talk to a dead vampire. But she had utterly no strength to care. Her eyes fluttering close, she allowed herself a moment to try and calm her erratic nerves.

"Henley."

Her eyes popped back open at the sound of his voice, relief flooding her face. "Godric."

He stood across the room from her, almost hesitant to move any closer, but he was at least there. She tried to tell if he was hurt at all, but saw no evidence that Jackson had done anything.

"Did he…"

"Don't talk," Godric frowned, his gaze solely on her bruised neck. "He did a number to you. Are you all right?"

"Are you?"

He ignored her question as he approached. He still kept his distance, however.

"Godric, how…"

"Stop talking," Godric sent her a pointed look. "Just rest for now."

"But…"

"Stop being stubborn," he hissed, the sudden change in tone causing her lips to clamp shut. Certain she wouldn't strain herself by speaking another word, Godric turned towards the young vampire looking for answers. Willa was staring into the house with wide eyes, trying to understand what was happening. Was she still able to hear him? "Willa?"

When her head snapped to his direction, only for her to frown in confusion, his doubts vanished. She could hear him. But how? How was it possible? He was a mere ghost.

But Godric was reminded of the very rare times he had been able to speak with Eric in his greatest time of need. He hadn't been certain if Eric had simply been delusional, or if he had truly been able to see and hear him. But Willa hearing him now, it raised not only his concern, but also his intrigue. Was it possible that he would be able to speak to his child himself?

"Godric," Henley started to push herself to her feet. She had too many questions to remain quiet for long, even if she was in agony. Not even his low growl as he turned to glare at her stopped her. "What…how…."

"I don't know," Godric admitted. This was entirely new to him, entirely unexpected.

"Where did you…" Henley gulped as she trailed off, her hand rising to her throat as she tried to massage some of the pain and anxiety away. It wasn't helping, though. "What happened to him?"

"I used too much energy," Godric explained with a sigh. "I lost the ability to be visual and needed a moment to recuperate."

Henley nodded in understanding, but there were still so many questions left to be answered.

"We can't," he shook his head, as if reading her thoughts. "Not here. It's too dangerous. He could return at any moment."

"But…" she was impatient. She wanted to know what had happened. She deserved that.

"Not now."

She opened her mouth to argue, but a single glance from the ghost caused her to comply.

"Oh god, I'm going crazy," Willa groaned from the doorway. "I'm going to be a crazy vampire. Oh god."

Henley raised an eyebrow at Godric, silently asking the ghost what they were going to do with the vampire. Before they could decide on any sort of plan, though, a ringing phone caught their attention.

"Shit," Willa jumped, quickly grabbing the phone from her pocket, her eyes growing wide at the caller ID. "Pam…"

Godric's forehead wrinkled as Willa whispered into the phone. This was getting out of hand. If Pam knew of any of this, Henley's life wouldn't just be threatened by Jackson.

"Okay. Okay. I'm coming. Stop telling me what to do, Pam," Willa snapped before glancing behind her. Henley stared back at her, the only one she could physically see in the house. But there was someone else there, she was certain of it.

Shaking her head, the brunette took off for Fangtasia to appease her sister. She wouldn't be able to concentrate for the rest of the night, however, not when she was sure Godric was somehow communicating with this girl.

And her.

The moment Willa was gone, Henley cursed and moved her way towards the door in hopes of stopping her. She was stopped, though, as a hand curled around her wrist. For a moment, she panicked, fear coursing through her as she turned with the expectance to find Jackson once again in her home. She only found Godric, though the panic still remained.

How could he touch her?

Henley stared at the hand circled around her wrist without blinking. She could feel it. It felt as real as if another human was touching her. It just wasn't possible, she decided. But then how was it happening before her eyes in that very moment?

"You need to go," Godric's voice pulled her from her confused thoughts.

"What?" her gaze raised to meet his. He didn't appear any different, almost as if he hadn't even realized he was touching her.

"It's not safe here," Godric nodded around her. "Jackson can return at any time."

She knew he was right. "What do I do? Go hide out with my sister for a few days?"

"No," he shook his head sharply. "He'll find you easily if you stay with any family or friends."

He was right again. She couldn't put her sister in harms way, even if she didn't completely understand how or why.

"Then what? A hotel? Leave the city? Hell, leave the country?" travelling halfway across the world sounded like a good idea to Henley at that moment. The further she could get from Jackson, the better.

"Unfortunate, I don't believe an entire country between you and Jackson would help," Godric sighed heavily, his hand suddenly dropping away from her as he started pacing the length of the hallway. "Leaving the city would only lure you away from my child."

"Are you really thinking about me helping you right now?" a surge of anger hit her. Was he seriously thinking more about that than the fact that Jackson was some deranged psychopath, he could now touch her, and that Willa was able to hear him?

"I didn't mean it like that," he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "If Jackson's threat increases, Eric will have the ability to protect you. Having him near will be in your favour."

"If he even believes any of this," Henley pointed out.

"Willa may just prove useful in that case."

Henley groaned, only to cringe at the sharp pain in her throat. She went back to massaging her throat as she thought of what to do. A hotel could work for a few days. She was certain there were some seedy motels at the edge of the city that wouldn't care about her dog or her business, as long as she offered cash. She hated to admit it, but Godric was once again right; if worse came to worse, she could go to his child and pray to all that was holy that he would believe her about Godric. If he knew she could speak with his maker, perhaps Eric would want to protect her, if only to communicate with his dead father. It wasn't a perfect plan, but it was at least a safety net, one that she desperately needed to know was there.

"A hotel then?"

Godric nodded. "Yes, that might be the best option."

"Okay," she was already moving passed him to collect some of Moony's things. She felt exhausted, and wanted noting more than to crawl into her bed and pretend none of this had ever happened. But she couldn't. Some psychopath wanted her dead, and she'd rather not spend eternity as a ghost.

Godric watched her closely as she moved around the house at a slow pace, throwing various things into a bag and dropping it at the front door. She tried to hook Moony onto a leash with shaky hands, only to fail and give up. He could see how affected she was. He could sense her exhaustion and fear. She refused, however, a moment to show her weakness, and he admired that. She was only a mere human, despite her great ability. She should have been curled into a ball, sobbing, and Godric wouldn't have blamed her a single bit. But there she was, remaining as strong as she possibly could, even though he could see right through her façade.

"Henley," he began. He found that he wanted to comfort the pain she far deeper than the bruises on her neck.

"How did Jackson do any of that?" she questioned in a small voice, gazing up at him in confusion. "How did he just disappear?"

"I don't know."

"How did he know about you? How could he possibly know about you?"

Godric sighed. He honestly didn't know.

"How was she able to hear you? How did she know you and Eric? What are we going to do about that? What if she tells someone? What if…"

"I don't know, Henley," he admitted sadly.

Her breathing started to pick up, which Godric noted, only pained her further. "H-how are you able to touch me? How is that possible? How…"

"I don't know."

"There has to be some sort of explanation. You're dead. You shouldn't be able to…"

"I don't know!" Godric suddenly snapped. He didn't mean to. He could see the hurt in her eyes as she shrank back, busying herself with successfully latching the dog's collar to the leash. He didn't know what to say to her, however. He didn't even know how to begin to explain that he honestly didn't know. "I'm just as clueless as you are, Henley. I'm sorry."

She nodded as she stood and prepared to leave. She opened the door a crack, but Godric used the little energy that remained to close it. Henley immediately snapped her gaze onto him, confused at his action.

"I will find out, Henley," he promised her. "I will figure this out."

Her forehead wrinkled at his vow. "You're not coming with." It wasn't a question. She could see it on his face that he had no intention of anywhere with her.

He couldn't. He wanted to explain to her that he needed to learn all that he could on Jackson, on why Willa – his own blood – was able to communicate with him, on why suddenly he was able to touch Henley. He wanted to apologize, but assure her he would come to her with answers. But Godric found that he could speak none of it. He couldn't go with her, and yet, he found, he couldn't not go either.

"I am," the words spilled from his lips without a second thought, surprising Henley. "Jackson could return; I cannot put you in the position of being alone if that does occur."

"So you're coming?" she tried not to sound hopeful. She had spent weeks begging for him to leave her alone. But the last few days without the ghost around, they had been the most miserable days she had had in a very long time. And now, after what had happened, she found that she didn't want to be alone.

Godric couldn't speak and instead nodded, ushering her out of the house. The longer they lingered, the more dangerous it would become. A hotel may not deter Jackson, but it would help keep her away from the threat. It was the best he could offer her.

Henley sat in her car as she parked in the parking lot of the seediest motel she had ever laid her eyes on. She wanted to turn back around and head straight home, but knew that she couldn't. As unsafe as the motel appeared, it would be far safer than returning home and possibly straight to Jackson.

"Henley," Godric pulled her from her thoughts. He hadn't taken his eyes off of her the entire ride there. She could feel his orbs boring right through her and it was unnerving. And yet, she knew the moment he looked away, she would feel like a scared little girl again. His gaze gave her a strength she didn't understand. "Are you all right?"

"Fine," she managed out before unclasping the seatbelt and hurrying out of the car. Talking about her feelings was the last thing she wanted to do.

"Is your neck…"

"I'm fine," she insisted as she grabbed her purse and made her way towards the motel office. His gaze was still on her, and it was until she slipped into the small, dingy office. The moment the walls of the room blocked his stare, she felt small and fragile and she despised it.

Returning outside, key in her hands, Henley was more relieved than she would care to admit to find Godric leaning against her car, waiting for her with his worried gaze.

"You're not all right," he followed her into the room as she ushered Moony through the door, tossing her bags onto the nearest double bed. The room was everything she expected, right down to the disgusting smoke smell that lingered in the sheets and walls. It would have usually made her gag, but the action only would have caused her pain. "Henley,"

"I said I'm fine, Godric," only when she latched the door did she feel even the tiny bit safe. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

"You are anything but fine," he watched her move through the small room.

"Stop telling me what I may or may not be," she hissed at him. She was tired and full of questions; the last thing she wanted was Godric hounding her when he couldn't even give her the answers she sought.

"I'm only trying to help."

"Well just stop!" she turned on him angrily. "Just stop and leave me alone!"

Henley dropped onto the second bed, a strangled sob sounding as she tried to push her emotions back. It would do no good to cry. It wouldn't fix anything. It wouldn't change a single thing.

The moment Godric began to fade away and leave, Henley knew it. Her head snapped up, her eyes growing wide and desperate. He was leaving her? He was just going away?

"Stop!" it sounded more like begging than she would have liked, but Henley didn't care. "Please stop."

Godric stopped his vanishing act, frowning at not knowing what this girl wanted. One moment she was indirectly pleading with him not to leave her, and the next she was yelling at him to leave her alone. What did she want?

"Please don't leave."

"You just…"

"I'm an emotional woman, Godric; I don't mean what I say half the time," she swallowed hard, trying not to wince. "I…I just…I'm anything but fine Godric. But the minute I become not fine, well I…"

"I'll stay," Godric assured her quickly, a surge of relief relaxing Henley immediately. "But you need to sleep. You may say you are fine, but your body suggests differently."

"I'm not tired," she shrugged, but her body had another thing in mind. She was crawling under the sheets without even realizing it, her form curling into itself protectively. Yawning, Henley patted the bed beside her, Moony jumping up with ease. "What are we going to do about Willa? What if she tells Eric or…"

"It's out of our hands at the moment," he appeared on the edge of the other bed, his gaze sweeping over her. "Don't worry yourself over this. There's nothing else that can be done."

"But," she protested.

"Go to sleep Henley," he ordered pointedly. "You need to rest."

Henley rolled her eyes. "You're getting a bit too demanding."

"When you begin to listen to me, perhaps I'll cease," a small smile tugged at his lips. "Now go to sleep. All we can do is wait until tomorrow night. Should Willa say anything, we will know then."

"Aren't you worried?" her eyelids began drooping, but her worry forced her to stay awake.

Godric sighed at how stubborn she was. "Sleep."

"What if…"

"Go to sleep."

"Godric," her eyes narrowed.

"Henley," Godric mockingly narrowed his as well. "Sleep, little one."

She sighed heavily as she tried to ignore the nagging. But it was near impossible. They had no idea what Willa would do with this information. Would she tell Eric? What would he even do if he knew? Would he think she was crazy and not believe her? Would he wonder about Henley and come looking? Or would he simply want her dead because of the ruckus she was causing? There were just too many unknowns.

She didn't even want to start thinking about the dozens of questions concerning Jackson that she had.

"Willa may have been turned after I died, she is still of my blood; I trust her. She will do what is right," Godric tried to ease her concern. "Now go to sleep."

"Stop telling me what to do."

Godric rolled his eyes. "Just sleep. You have nothing to worry about."

Henley rose up onto her elbow and shot the vampire a glare. "Really?"

"You're going to continue to strain yourself," his fingers moved on their own as he reached across the space between them, the very tips every so lightly grazing across the bruises.

She immediately froze as her gaze dropped to his touch. She waited for the clutch of death, for the icy chill to rush through her. But it never came. Godric was nothing more than a ghost, his transparent form told her that. And yet, as he touched her now, actually touched her – a feat that should have been impossible – it no longer affected her in the same way. She used to cringe and recoil, never wanted the cold, dark feeling on her skin. There was a tingling now, however, a tingling that felt warm and right.

"H-how…" she stumbled over the single word.

"How many times do I have to tell you that I don't know," it wasn't harsh like the statement had been earlier. Godric merely didn't know. He didn't understand how he could touch her now, how she wasn't throwing herself across the room like she had whenever even a finger passed through her. Something had drastically changed, but he didn't understand what or how. "Are you going to go to sleep now?"

"You're demanding again," she was caught between feeling relieved and empty as Godric pulled his fingers back, letting his hand fall into his lap.

"Well just do as I say, you stubborn girl."

"Well where's the fun in…" she was interrupted by her own yawn, a blush rising on her cheeks. He sent her a knowing look, pointing at the pillow. "I'm not…"

"Go. To. Sleep," he ordered softly, but there was no room to argue. If he had been alive, he would have forced her. Perhaps he could now that he could touch her. Henley just didn't know what the rules were anymore. "Sleep, Henley."

Giving in, Henley dropped back down to the pillow, shifting until she found just the right spot. Her eyelids felt heavy again, but she didn't fight the pull this time.

"You won't leave, right?" she asked in a tiny voice, that had she been fully awake, she would have hated herself for.

"Not for a single moment," he vowed. "Sleep."

"Yeah yeah yeah," Henley stuck her tongue out at the ghost before drifting off to sleep.

Godric listened to her steady breathing before glancing at the closed and locked door. It would do nothing, if anyone truly wanted to enter. But it was the only thing protecting Henley tonight. He could watch over her as long as he could. He would use whatever energy he could muster to protect her. But it wouldn't be enough, not against Jackson and the great power that seeped from him.

Jackson was a witch, one that was beginning to grow more familiar to Godric with every passing thought.

A/N: Start want to say you all rock. Like totally rock. Thanks for all the reviews and just reading in general. You guys make my day. I'm super excited where this fic is headed, and I hope you are all too. Willa is a sort of permanent part of the story, mostly because I just adore her, though Pam will be making a more constant appearance starting in the next chapter as well. Eric is, well he's coming. I'm the worst and dragging their meeting out, but I mean, that just makes it even more great, I promise.