Chapter Nineteen:

Eric left immediately, the office door banging closed after the furious Viking. Henley remained where she was, her mouth gaping open in surprise. Her gaze flickered to where Godric was only moments ago, and she was caught between being both relieved and angry.

Where the hell had he been last night? Or five minutes before Eric had attacked her? He thought that was the perfect time to show himself?

Frustrated, Henley snapped herself out of her trance and stormed towards the door. If Eric could leave, so could she. She refused to be a prisoner any longer. Jackson was out there, and there was no doubt in her mind that he would know where to find her if she stayed at Eric's side. Godric plea be damned; she wasn't going to even give the vampire the opportunity to protect – or kill – her.

But as she grasped onto the door handle and twisted, she found that it was stuck in place, not budging.

The asshole had locked her in.

"You've got to be kidding me!" she wanted to tear out her hair. What the hell had become of her life in the span of only a few weeks? She was happy to continue avoiding annoying ghosts that would eventually just go away. But no, she just had to literally run into Godric, only for her entire world to be turned upside down. She wasn't cut out for this.

After furiously trying the door handle in the hopes that it would magically unlock itself, Henley took to pacing the entire office. It wasn't long before the exhaustion crept up, forcing her to settle on the leather couch with her head in her hands. The throbbing of her neck had dulled, the blood finally drying to her skin. She wondered if the bar full of vampires were aware there was a bleeding human sitting ten feet away. If they didn't, no one acted on it, as she was still in the same position when the door opened once again barely an hour later.

"You can't just lock me in here, you asshole," she snapped at the Viking with narrowed eyes. "Not after you attack me and…well, your dead maker appears."

Eric ignored her as he crossed the room in only a handful of strides before reaching down and grasping onto her arm tightly. She struggled in protest, but it did nothing more than irritate him as he began dragging her out of the room.

"Stop it! Let go!" she cried out. When they grew closer to the basement door, her eyes grew as wide as saucers. She wasn't going down there again. She couldn't. "No! Let me go!"

"Will you shut up!" he slammed her against the wall suddenly, his fingers pressing firmly into her shoulders.

"You can't just keep me locked up down there," her breathing was labored as she eyed the basement. "Godric wouldn't…"

A growl rumbled out of the vampire. "Do not speak his name."

"You know I'm not lying to you. You saw him for yourself," Henley tried to reason, the panic rising. She honestly wasn't sure who she was frightened of more, Jackson or Eric.

No, that was a lie. She had a gut feeling that Eric wouldn't truly cause her any harm. The appearance of Godric assured that much. Jackson had no heart whatsoever. He didn't care about a single soul. Not a thing could stop that maniac. There were at least limits for Eric, it seemed.

"I don't know what Jackson wants with me or with you. I don't know why he's doing any of this. I don't know what his plans are," his gaze was wild, and for a moment, Henley wondered if perhaps she had been wrong. "All I know is that for some reason, I can see Godric. That's it. That's all I know. I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask for any of this. Please don't lock me down there again."

His grip never lessened, and at the sight of his fangs, Henley braced herself. She was surprised when he instead roared his frustration and began moving them back down the hallway. The closer they got to the basement door, the harder she struggled. As they passed the door, she fell completely still.

What the hell was Eric doing?"

"Where are we going?" her voice was tiny as she glanced over her shoulder, as if an answer would just appear and fix everything.

"Somewhere safe," he grunted gruffly, tugging her along and through the back door leading into an alleyway.

"What?" Henley was flabbergasted. What did he mean somewhere safe?

Eric sent her a glare in annoyance. "Godric ordered me to protect you, and I can't damn well do that here."

"But…" she could feel a headache starting to form. Nothing was making any sense anymore. "I don't…"

"Look, you little brat," he twisted around, his grasp on her arm bruising. "If it were up to me, I wouldn't even give a crap about whether or not this witch finds you. But apparently I'm involved, and I'd rather not have my children attacked because of you. Godric ordered this of me, and I'm complying. That's it. Now shut that mouth of yours before I rip your throat out."

Her eyebrows furrowed as he continued to lead her down the alleyway. "So you're actually listening to a ghost?" Eric didn't seem like someone to take orders from anyone, especially someone who wasn't even really there.

But that was exactly what he was doing.

When Eric didn't answer, she couldn't help her budding curiosity. "You've seen him before, haven't you? I mean, he mentioned it, but I didn't actually believe him. But you've seen him."

Again, the Viking was silent. The only indication that he had heard her at all was his tightening grasp.

"Why take orders from someone who isn't even there?"

"I thought I gave you an order," his head whipped around to stare at her darkly. "Don't tempt me, Miss Martin."

"But you won't actually hurt me," she was feeling braver than she should have been. Just because she had her initial beliefs that he wouldn't harm a hair on her body, didn't mean that he wouldn't. "Because Godric ordered you not to."

The look on his face took her by surprise. His expression had softened just a touch, enough for Henley to see passed the hardened mask he seemed to always have settled in place.

"The bond between maker and progeny is unlike anything that little brain of yours could even imagine," he stared over her shoulder, refusing to meet her gaze. "Even after death."

Henley saw for the first time just how much Eric cared about his maker. Even if he was nothing more than a ghost now.

"Now come," he yanked her to his chest, his arm snaking around her waist securely.

"But where are we…"

Henley squeaked in surprise as Eric took off into the night sky without warning, the ground suddenly gone beneath her feet.

"You brought me to a bar?" Henley raised an eyebrow, glancing between Merlotte's and Eric. "You wanted to take me somewhere I would be safe, and you chose a bar in the middle of some tiny, shithole of a town?"

"Don't hurt their feelings now," he mocked hurt.

The red head rolled her eyes. "I feel safer already."

Eric simply shoved her forward through the parking lot. Before they could reach the entrance, however, a chill ran up her spine. Henley shuddered as the familiar prickling at the back of her neck began. They were certainly not alone.

"Fantastic," Henley spun around, her orbs darting every which way in search of the ghosts that were littering the immediate area. "You bring me to the most infested place possible."

Eric watched her with intrigue as she searched for something he couldn't see. He had never met another like her in his long life, but he had heard tales of such gifts. He never thought of the abilities as useful, never seeking one for his own disposal. And now he was forced to protect one. It was ridiculous.

But she could see Godric, the Viking had to remind himself during the short flight to Bon Temps as he battled himself whether or not to just drop her and be rid of her just like that. It was the only reason he cared, the only reason he was following Godric's demands. If he had to protect some boring little human from this mysterious witch, if only just to be able to speak with his maker one last time, Eric certainly would.

Even if it might be the end of him.

"Come along now, pet," he laid a hand on the mid of her back and urged her around.

"Why did you have to bring me to the haunted bar?" Henley groaned, trying to back peddle. The last thing she needed right now was a bar infested with persistent ghosts. She was exhausted. She was confused. And most of all, she was just really in need of a very very strong drink.

"Stop complaining," he grunted in response, pushing her up the stairs to the entrance.

Henley never had time to prepare herself for the ghost that stepped right through her, oblivious to the fact that she could see them. A shriek sounded from the girl as the cold touch of death latched onto her. It wasn't as strong as whenever Godric had touched her in the past, but it was still unpleasant. If she went another day without having to experience that sensation, she would be one happy person.

"You humans are always so melodramatic," Eric sighed. "Hurry up."

Henley threw him a glare as she tossed a look over her shoulder at the ghost, her eyes growing wide when she found a woman with no chest. No, Henley realized, she did have a chest. Only it was ripped open, no heart to be found.

"You brought me to a place that have ghosts without hearts," Henley hissed at the vampire. "How in the world am I supposedly safe here?"

Eric raised an eyebrow, glancing over to where Henley's gaze kept shooting towards. He saw nothing but the parking lot, not a single soul in sight. But he supposed he would never see what she did.

Thank god, Eric thought.

"Just hurry up, pet," he reached around her to yank open the door and shove her inside. He had no time to deal with her dramatics. He wanted to drop her off in the capable hands of someone else and begin dealing with this witch. Eric needed to know exactly whom he was dealing with and why to ensure neither of his children found the same fate as Willa the previous night.

"Stop calling me that," she huffed, stumbling over her feet.

He ignored her as he stepped through the threshold with grace, his orbs scanning the bar. There weren't many patrons, only two tables filled, and a lone woman settled at the counter. He knew she was here. He could feel her. But it was more than that. More than her scent that littered the air. More than the flutter from the bond that they shared. It was the same reaction whenever they were close to one another, whenever they were within distance. Eric didn't understand it – he wasn't sure he wanted to – but it was always a welcome distraction.

"Why are we here again?" Henley questioned in a low whisper, glancing around the bar in uncertainty. How was a mere bar, a human one at that, supposed to keep her safe? "How exactly am I safe here?"

"I need to talk to someone," he grasped onto her arm, forcing her down onto the closest bar stool. "And you are going to sit here and not…"

"Eric?"

Both Eric and Henley's heads snapped to the side at the sound of the woman's voice. Henley gazed at the blonde waitress in minor interest before her focus returned to Eric. She was surprised by what she found. His expression had softened considerably; she wasn't even sure this was the same sour faced vampire from mere seconds ago. His eyes were locked on the blonde with such intensity, that it caused Henley to shift uncomfortable. The sexual tension between the two was outstanding, and if the rest of the bar didn't sense that, then they were all just delusional.

"What are you doing here?" it was almost a hopeful question, Henley realized, sending the blonde another look. She seemed average enough. Completely normal. She was just a small town waitress. So then why was Eric staring at her like she was his entire world?

Henley had to cover her mouth to stop the giggles that were threatening to escape. Eric friggin Northman was in love. The vampire that had locked her away in Fangtasia's basement had threatened her again and again until his dead maker showed up, was in love!

At the sound of her laughter, Eric was yanked from his trance, sending her a dark stare before returning his focus onto the waitress.

"Miss Stackhouse," Eric stepped forward, his entire body becoming relaxed as he grew closer to her. It was difficult to even care about anything else whenever he was in her presence. She lit up a room, even if she never realized that she did. A simple glance, a mere smile, and it was all it took. Even after all this time, Sookie Stackhouse still held his heart.

He wanted to despise her for it.

But never could he detest her. He loved her, after all.

"Eric," the blonde tried her best not to smile, fighting away her own happiness at seeing the Vampire. She hadn't seen him for what felt like too long. The last time had been months ago when she had been curious about how he was doing. He had been miserable, of course, with every reason to be. Sookie still hated that she hadn't been able to help Eric, that he hadn't been able to save his sister.

Unfortunately, Alcide never cared for when she brought the Viking up, or snuck to Fangtasia.

The were didn't matter any longer, however. He hadn't for quite some time.

"What are you doing here?" she repeated her question, pressing down on the apron wrapped around her waist as she tried to contain her excitement that Eric had finally come to her.

"Can we talk?" he nodded towards the door he only just came through.

Sookie glanced over her shoulder to the one table in her section. Holly could handle the trio for a few minutes. "Sure."

As Eric offered the waitress his arm, Henley's amusement dropped. "What exactly am I supposed to do? Just sit here?"

"Yes," he sent her one last glare before sweeping Sookie right out of the bar.

Sighing, Henley's shoulders fell as she took another look around the bar. There wasn't anything spectacular to it. She had been to countless of more exciting ones in Shreveport and during her college stint. It was just another small town watering hole. So why did Eric think she was safe there?

Then again, Henley doubted Jackson would think to look for here there. Maybe that was the point? Either way, she had a feeling she would never know. In the short time Henley had known Eric, she realized he was more than just a little bit secretive. She supposed he got that from his maker.

"Really could use you popping up again," she muttered under her breath as she turned on the stool, relieved when she found another waitress slip behind the counter. Henley was going to need a drink. Maybe several. All stronger than the last.

"Can I get you anything, sweetheart?" the blonde's southern twang was sweet as she wiped down the counter. "I don't think I've seen you around before. You just move here?"

"Just visiting," Henley shook her head. "I'll take a…"

She trailed off when she realized she had no way of paying. She had nothing with her, not even her phone. Whatever she did have on her when Jackson had attacked, Eric had likely taken from her before locking her up in the basement. Everything else was probably back in that motel room.

Crap.

"Never mind," Henley felt so deflated. "I'm just waiting for a…friend."

Holly raised an eyebrow and nodded before taking in the girl's appearance. There were light bruises around her throat, and her clothes and skin were covered in filth. She looked like hell. And Henley knew it. She could feel the waitress' eyes on her, and all she wanted was to hurry back out of the bar and ignore Eric's attempt at keeping her safe.

"You look like you've had a tough night," Holly mused. She had spent enough time working in that bar to be able to recognize a troubled soul. Especially in the chaos of a town they lived in.

Henley snorted. That was an understatement. "More like a tough couple of days."

"Are you sure you don't want anything?"

"Point me in the direction of the bathroom?" the least Henley could do was clean herself up a bit.

Without another word, Henley headed in the direction the blonde pointed, trying to overlook the glances sent in her direction as she passed the few occupied tables. She ignored them as she pushed through the bathroom door, relieved when she found she was alone.

"Fucking hell," Henley's eyes widened when she looked herself in the mirror. There was blood still staining her neck. She had forgotten about that. How the hell had she not been thrown right back out of the bar when they saw her covered in blood? Then again, why had there been a ghost with their chest ripped open waltzing out of this very same place? "Why do I have a feeling this entire place is fucked up?"

She groaned as she turned the closest tap on, grabbing paper towels and doing her best to clean the dirt and grime from her skin. As she grew closer to the bite marks, Henley shuddered from the pain that shot down her spine. She was a mess. No, she was more than a mess, if that were even possible.

"How the hell did these people not think I was crazy?" Henley muttered, shaking her head as she dabbed around the small, but painful wounds.

It didn't take long before she was clean of any blood and dirt, though her clothes were still a mess. She could only shrug it off, as she tossed the last paper towel into the garbage. Her hands attempted to pat down her mass of hair in hopes to appear as normal as possible when she reappeared in the bar. Before she could even take a step towards the door, however, the lights in the room began flickering. Henley didn't even bother to suppress her moan as she knew exactly what was about to happen. She didn't really need to deal with any ghosts. She only had one that she wanted to see, one that she wanted to yell at. The others could take a number and wait.

When the lights flickered off one last time, they didn't turn back on. The few customers in the bar could be heard through the door panicking, with the waitress trying to assure them it was only a quick power outage. And she had been right, in a way. Not even a full minute had passed before the lights were brightening the room, and the bar, once again.

Only this time, a grin was plastered across Henley's face.

She had only known one ghost to have the ability to wreck havoc with the electricity to such a degree.

"And where the hell do you think you've been?" Henley twisted around. It was hard to force herself to frown, to remind herself that she was angry when Godric appeared before her. Because damn it, she was just very relieved to see him.

Godric ignored her question as he suddenly appeared directly in front of her, his hand reaching out to grasp onto her chin. She shivered at the touch, but it hadn't felt as cold and clammy as it once was. In fact, his hands felt warmer than she remembered, even more solid than they already shouldn't have been.

"Are you in pain?" he tilted her head to the side as he inspected the bite marks, concern littering his transparent face.

Though as Henley peered closer, he wasn't nearly as see through as he was supposed to be. What the hell was going on?

When the pad of a finger lightly caressed the wounds, however, she was pulled from all other thoughts. "I wouldn't be in nearly as much pain if you had showed up a bit sooner. Like before your idiotic progeny attacked me."

"I'm sorry for that," he released her chin, only to glide his fingers across her cheek. "I wanted to be there, you must know that."

"Where were you?" she questioned. "I could give you a long rant about you just disappearing, that you promised me you wouldn't leave me, blah blah blah. But I'm honestly just so exhausted. So where were you? That's all I want to know."

Godric sighed but nodded, knowing he owed her an explanation. "I was at Fangtasia watching over Eric when he felt Willa's pain and I felt yours…" before Henley could question how it was even possible that he was able to feel her pain, he held up a hand to stop her. "I don't know, Henley. I truly don't. Just one of the many answers that I still seek."

"Okay," her shoulders slumped as she pulled her arms around herself.

"When Pam told Eric about you, I knew I would need to conserve all the energy that I could. I knew Eric wouldn't understand, and he would attack you out of confusion or anger. Perhaps even fear," he continued.

"He could have killed me last night, you know," Henley pointed out.

"And I would have intervened then if I needed to. But I knew that he wouldn't have. Curiosity has always been his greatest strength and weakness. That and his loyalty," Godric offered. "Harming you wouldn't have quenched his intrigue."

The red head snorted, waving at her neck. "Yeah, some intrigue that one has. You never told me you turned a raging lunatic, Godric. A heads up would have been nice. Some cliff notes maybe. A summary of the psychotic vampire you call a son."

His lips began twitching upwards. "I should have been there, Henley, and I am sorry for that."

She should have been angrier. And a part of her was. But all she wanted was to curl up and sleep the rest of the week away and not think about Jackson, or Eric, or anything else supernatural. She deserved it, after all.

"Just don't do it again," she wagged her finger at him, trying to be intimidating and failing miserably. "I hate that I have to depend on anyone, especially a ghost. But I do. Because I'm just some girl who happens to see dead people. I'm nothing special. I can't exactly go head to head with some powerful witch."

His smile caused her to frown.

"What?" her eyebrows furrowed. "Don't smile. This isn't a night to smile, Godric. Stop it. Now. That isn't allowed. You're stupid progeny attacked me; stop smiling."

"You are wrong, you know," he began growing closer, causing Henley to take a step backwards, only to meet with the sink behind her.

Henley wasn't so sure she liked the way Godric was staring at her, his orbs boring right through her. She had to lick her dry lips as she struggled to find something to say. "Wrong about what, exactly? Because I don't know if you realize this or not, but Eric Northman is absolutely, positively nuts."

Godric's smile never faltered as he caught her chin between two fingers, holding her steady. "You are far more special than you can even begin to realize, Henley Martin."

She had no idea how to respond. How was anyone supposed to respond to that?

Thankfully, the bathroom door swinging open saved her from stumbling over her words.

"Hi! Sorry if I'm interrupting," Sookie stood in the doorway, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind an ear as she offered Henley an apologetic smile. "Eric was having a mild temper tantrum when he saw you weren't where he left you. I assured him you were just in here and made the idiot leave."

"Oh," Henley shot a glance at Godric, who hadn't budged at inch, before trying to relax and smile in return. "I guess I should thank you for that. Though I have no idea what I'm supposed to do now."

Leave it to Eric Northman to leave her high and dry in some random bar alone with a witch on the loose that wants her blood.

"Don't worry, Eric and I talked about it. You're more than welcome to stay with…" Sookie froze, her eyes widening. She hadn't meant to peek into the girl's head. She had just been curious who Henley was to Eric. It hadn't been on purpose, not really. "Oh my god, Godric?"

The colour drained from Henley's face as she stared at Sookie in shock. But the blonde wasn't staring at her at all, and instead, right at Godric.

"What the hell?"

A/N: So it's been a little while. Oops. My bad. As an apology, I gave you Sooric (and there's more in the future), so you're welcome. Ahem. Don't hate me.

Just as a note: This fic takes place post Season 6. That means that yes, Sookie was with Alcide (keyword, was - there is no way I am not going to have our proper love birds together). However, Eric didn't run off to some mountaintop. That didn't happen. He was just the broody vampire at Fangtasia with Pam and Willa all worried about him (because Eric NEVER should have released Willa, I will definitely never get over that. Thanks show!). There is no such thing as Hep V. That didn't happen. Lets just pretend that when Eric and the other vampires destroyed all the Tru Blood bottles outside of the camp, that was it. None were released to the public. No crazy zompires. Oh, and Bill just doesn't exist. Like just no. Nothing.

In no shape or form is this EVER going to follow season 7. Because it was terrible, and Sooric needs happiness, and really, I feel like if Godric WAS a ghost during the last season, he would have knocked sense into everyone and all would have been good.

THANK YOU to all that are still with me on this fic. I promise not to disappear for awhile.