A/N: Quick authors note to thank everyone who reviewed, or added me to their favourites or alerts. It means a lot! I had previously planned to put this up sooner but unfortunately work was busier than expected and my free time has been limited, but hopefully it will be worth the wait. Not to mention this chapter had begun at 2,000 words but after proof reading it, as you can see it expanded ;) xx

Disclaimer: I do not own True blood; I just borrowed the characters for a bit of fun!

Chapter Five
Shameful Judgements

Waking up in the arms of two vampires was unexpected.

Never before having woken up so refreshed, Sookie had no idea how long she must have slept for. It wasn't that she had suffered any difficulty sleeping since the vampires had come out of the coffin, but as she began to drift back to consciousness she couldn't help but feel as if she had slept for days.

It felt good.

As a child she had suffered from severe problems concerning concentration, even trying to sleep had been a nightmare when the house had been full. Don't get her wrong, she loved her parents even when they avoided mentioning her disability, but with them combined with Gran and Jason in the house, adding her brother's friends when they stayed around, sleep had been impossible.

The majority of his friends' thoughts had mostly centred around her unfortunately, or more accurately they had been focused on her growing assets.

When Jason had moved out and their parents had gone to heaven it had been easier. Gran had never allowed a bad thought to passed through her head, her soul was as pure as could be. It was one of the reasons why she felt even when her parents were still alive that Adele was more of a parental figure than both her mother and father had been.

It was hard not to think that way.

It wasn't until she stretched, her eyes lazily fluttering open, that she was greeted with the surprising sight of Eric Northman in bed with her. She startled, enough so to realise not only was she in bed with the Sheriff of area 5 of all people, but if the slight pressure against her back was anything to go by than his maker had joined them sometime after she had dosed off.

She squeaked slightly, her face growing hot.

It wasn't every day that a virgin found herself surrounded by two very enticing vampires who seemed unconcerned with personal boundaries.

Didn't vampires have an aversion to physical contact, especially when humans were concerned?

Momentarily freezing, Sookie struggled to take in the situation she had seemingly gotten herself into. The last thing she could recall was speaking to Godric on the roof after he had ordered a devastated Eric away, and yet even that didn't seem to explain when she must have fallen asleep and how she came to be in the same bed with two of the eldest vampires in the world.

What exactly happened last night?

She may have been relieved that clearly Eric and Godric had rekindled or bonded in her unconscious state, but a large part of her was disappointed she had missed their sort of reunion. While she doubted it would be all roses and daisies as she pictured in her head, she knew Eric must have been overjoyed.

That was enough for her.

Surprised but definitely relieved that she was still dressed, with the exception of missing her heels, Sookie pulled herself up into a lineal position, curling her legs underneath her all the while scrubbing her hands against her face. She needed to get a grip.

Since when was it common practice to wake up in bed with two shirtless, yet incredibly attractive, vampires?

She hadn't even spent the night at Bills yet.

Gran would be rolling over in her grave if she could see her granddaughter right now.

It wasn't that Bill hadn't offered, on the contrary he seemed very enthusiastic about making love to her. Her virginity had never been a big cause for fuss in her life, her inability to read vampire minds meaning if she ever was to have a lover it would have to be of the supernatural kind considering humans were out of the picture.

She could control her disability to a certain extent, but all that touching and concentration wasn't going to bode well for her maintaining her shields. She would hardly be able to relax enough for sex if she was trying to block out unwanted thoughts from her lover.

They would no doubt be unpleasant.

She may not have a aversion to some dirty talk considering she didn't know what she liked and didn't like with her lack of experience in concerns to sex, but a consistent murmur in the back of her mind of her faults – she didn't have enough self-confidence not to feel insecure about her body when she could heard every thought that passed through their head.

It was hardly an incentive to have sex, even if it was only a casual experience. But honestly, while her brother may laugh she was more of a fairy-tale romance than a quick tumble in the back of a pickup truck.

She had more worth then that!

She couldn't even begin to describe the pure relief she had felt when she had been introduced to her very first vampire. The inability to read them, to be hit with unwanted comments about her mental health and her body….it had been heaven on her senses! It made her question whether jumping into a relationship with said vampire had been the right move on her part.

Had she been too unexperienced?

It made her wonder whether she had allowed herself to become swept away too easily by the first person who gave the impression of genuinely wishing to date her? She had been approached more than once, but she had hardly entertained the idea.

Bill had represented hope.

Hope for a somewhat more normal love life.

Trying not to freak out, her human needs quickly crept up on her when she winced at the slight pang of her bladder, telling her that she needed to pee quickly or risk embarrassing herself further. She blushed, knowing it would be mortifying even if both Godric and Eric were dead for the day.

She had no doubts they would somehow know even if they were currently unaware of their surroundings.

Squirming out of their grasp, relieved they hadn't been holding onto her tightly enough to unknowingly restrain her, Sookie quickly made her way to the bathroom, eyes widening when she took in the extravagance she was presented with. Eric's bathroom definitely put her own to shame, something she hadn't even thought possible as she took in the glass shower. It was clearly big enough to fit in multiple people at once.

Probably an incentive for Eric…

Ignoring the slight twinge the thought gave her, she quickly finished her womanly needs before moving to wash her hands in the sink, shaking her head at the fact even the taps were automatic.

Since when did people struggle to turn a tap? It was hardly that much of an inconvenience.

Patting her hands dry with a towel that was far too soft, Sookie stared at the shower approvingly. Would it be rude for her to take advantage of Eric's high standards? She felt disgusting.

Wincing at the risk of being caught unguarded, naked and vulnerable in Eric's shower, Sookie shuddered at even the idea of it. She wouldn't put it past the Viking to try and catch her off-guard, and she knew him enough that he certainly wouldn't give a toss about her dignity, not to mention her Gran would most likely be reprimanding her in heaven at her not minding her manners.

Retreating back into the main bedroom, she paused against the doorway just before setting foot in the room. Before she could stop herself she found her breathing hitch at the sight presented in front of her, her breath stutter and her cheeks flush as she quietly observed.

Gorgeous didn't even begin to describe it.

For such opposites physically speaking, they complimented each other perfectly. Eric's physique was masculine in every manner of the word, his defined chest combined with his impressive height giving the impression that even the king sized bed he was lying on was small in comparison. He looked very much a Viking.

Godric on the other hand Sookie couldn't help but see more as an enchanting beauty, his youth visible in his more soft facial features. He wasn't feminine, not at all, his height still towering over her smaller stature. She could only begin to imagine the sheer strength and power confined within such an unthreatening from. However, she held no reservation that Godric could be just as – if not more so – threatening than Eric if the situation arose.

She had quickly learned that outside appearances didn't reveal all.

Unable not to appreciate the sight in front of her, Sookie chewed her bottom lip, worrying it between her teeth. She may not have the type of shallow personality which solely based her opinions on another's looks, but even she couldn't deny how beautiful they looked together.

Not wanting to intrude on their vulnerability more so than necessary, Sookie entered the room before quickly making her way towards where her shoes had been neatly arranged in the corner. She smiled at the consideration, making a mental not to both thank and apologise for falling asleep on them.

She wasn't usually so rude.

After attempting to retie her hair without a brush, Sookie cast one final look towards maker and childe before making her way into the hallway. She tried not to think about the fact both Eric and Godric had held enough trust in her to allow her to be with them when they were at their most defenceless.

Godric she could understand, she had managed to convince him to spare his life after all so he must trust her enough to reassess his decision, but Eric…Eric allowing her to sleep so close to him surprised her.

Since when did his trust for her run so deep?

Not wanting to dwell on such a private issue, the fact it revolved around Eric of all people made it even more uncomfortable. Since seeing a whole new side of Eric she didn't know what to think.

Not realising until she was standing outside her own designated hotel room that they locked from the inside, Sookie sighed after remembering Bill would have shut himself in when she hadn't returned.

She couldn't get in.

Not only hadn't she had the forefront to take her hotel key with her, but all of her belongings were inside. Other than the sleep crumbled dress she was still wearing, she wasn't carrying anything.

Crap on a cracker!

Figuring it would be worth it to kill a few hours in the restaurant area near the bar, sunset not that far off, Sookie made her way to the elevator located down the hall. She only needed to waste a few hours at the most before she could sooth her worries and talk to Godric properly.

She could only hope he hadn't changed his mind.

~~ ( ) ~~

The restaurant was just as elegant as Sookie remembered. She had only caught a brief glimpse of the place before the meeting with Nan Flanagan, but up close it seemed even more stylish than she had predicted. Walls painted in deep reds or dark blacks surprisingly looked sophisticated rather than cliché with the use of the two colours usually stereotypically identified with brooding vampires and blood.

She could see why it was a highly desired place to both stay and dine, especially in the evenings.

Already feeling out of place before even stepping foot towards the hostess station, Sookie observed her surroundings. Her mental shied was firmly in place, a good night sleep doing the world of good for her concentration levels, but she didn't need the ability to read minds to see the disinterest and curiosity on the other humans presented, females and males alike who seemed to be dressed for a ballroom rather than a simple dinner.

She didn't need a good school education to know what was running through their heads, nor did she need to put her disability to use. It was obvious they were concerning themselves by trying to figure out how she had been let inside, her lack of expensive clothing combined with her creased dress raising questions. Considering this hotel mainly catered to vampires and their guests if the abnormally high prices were anything to go by, she held no doubts that these were obviously either their…uh…pets, or companions.

She would never assume, not wishing to risk offending.

She shuddered at the thought of how much their outfits must have set them back. She may not be ashamed with her upbringing; her Gran had raised her as best she could with what she had, but to waste money to such an unnecessary extent…it made her uncomfortable.

"Good afternoon, ma'am!" a young blonde suddenly came into view with a bright smile. Sookie immediately relaxed. "Would you like a table for one?"

"That would be lovely, thanks."

Relieved that she had received no trouble, understanding that to someone unaware of her situation she may give a few people the impression that she didn't belong, she followed the perky blonde to a window seat. Years of being judged and looked down upon made it easy to ignore the distasteful looks she was on the receiving end of, but that didn't mean she had to like it.

People shouldn't judge so easily.

"I'll just bring you a menu, but is there anything I can get you to drink?"

Feeling it was still too early for her usual favoured drink of a vodka and tonic, "a cranberry juice would be lovely." She figured it was a safe option that wouldn't leave her doubting her decision. It wasn't until the girl started to make a move to leave that she remembered her lack of purse. "Am I able to charge to the room, I'm locked out till sunset and I don't have my purse?"

She recalled Eric mentioning about being able to do so. Many customers preferred it to paying each purchase separately, especially those on business trips who were here for more than a short stay.

Watching the girls' expression change just slightly, Sookie brushed it off when the girl smiled with a nod before leaving. It wasn't until less than five minutes later she returned with an older female on her heels that almost instinctively she felt her shields lowering just enough to escape a few stray thoughts…

…sick of tramps sneaking in here….

…blood-bag…

…whore…

She should have expected the judgemental treatment she would be on the receiving end of. It was a shame, when she had accompanied either Eric or Bill she hadn't been subjected to any issues.

Was she really that deprived looking that they believed she had simply walked in and sat down without the intention of paying?

Did people even have the guts to actually go through with such a thing?

Jesus, for a woman dressed so respectfully Sookie couldn't believe the crassness of her thoughts. She may understand that she wasn't dressed as the other clearly high maintenance human companions were, yet in all her years of waitressing she always made sure to dismiss a person's appearance in order to deliver good customer service.

Surely a hotel with such high clientele had a similar – if not better – policy?

"Could I see your key-card, ma'am?"

Sookie frowned at her bluntness. "I…um…got locked out of my room."

Had she not already explained this to the hostess?

Unimpressed, Lisa as her nametag identified, frowned. "As my hostess informed me, I am under the impression that you do not belong in the hotel. We do not allow tramps, nor gold-diggers, who hope to catch a rich vampire into our establishment. Unless you can provide me with any proof of your stay here, I will be forced to call security if you do not follow me quietly."

Staring, Sookie was stuck on the same thought.

Did she really look that bad?

Having visited Eric's club a few times she had witnessed fir herself what fang-bangers both looked at acted like, but what she didn't understand was how quickly they assumed she was only after a vampire for their money? She may not be wealthy in her own right, but it wasn't as if she had the type of personality that made her seek out a richer man.

Not to mention vampires had a hell of a lot more to offer than simply money.

Looking down at herself she brushed her fingers lightly over her pink and white checkered dress. Yes, it was slightly wrinkled from having slept in it, but she hadn't felt safe enough to order room service to a room that wasn't her own while Eric and Godric were dead for the day, and her clothes and key card were still in Bill's hotel room.

How many fang-bangers dressed as she did? She had worn this dress to church for heaven's sake!

She genuinely hadn't believed it would be this big of a deal, not when the staff had been exceptionally polite last night.

Taking the time to scan the room, it was hard to miss the elegant dresses and diamond incrusted jewellery the other human companions were wearing. Self-consciously, she touched the small charm decorating her neck. It had been a gift from Tara, a late birthday present. It was hardly expensive, yet it meant more to her than a diamond necklace would.

Flushing in both embarrassment and shame at being subjected to the managers' clear dismissal of her, in front of a crowd of people no less, Sookie played nervously with the hem of her dress. She knew her face must have been blushing horribly, her cheeks hot with shame.

Feeling everyone present in the restaurant staring, Sookie clenched her fingers against her lap.

"I can show you as soon as night-"

"Could you come with his, ma'am?" was firmly repeated.

Not wanting to make more of a scene, Sookie rose from her seat with reluctance. She hadn't thought charging an item to the room would cause this much of a concern with security. Was it simply her appearance that was the issue? She didn't want to look into their minds to find out if it was more. She doubted she would like the answer.

"Is this going to take long?" Sookie pushed her chair underneath the table.

It was a shame she was unable to eat, positive that this place would do delicious meals. She had hoped to savour the rare experience of being here now that she knew Godric was safe, that Eric would look after him to make sure he didn't revert back to damaging thoughts. Wanting to be close when Godric arose was also her intention, not wanting him to have the impression that she was deserting him, not before she checked he was ok.

It wasn't simply Eric's tears that had pushed her into helping Godric, but she had her own personal reasons as well. He was very much deserving of the life he had been given, that she did not doubt in the slightest.

A tut of disapproval was all she received in return.

This was certainly not the way Sookie had foreseen her afternoon going.

This chapter was a tad more difficult to write I found, but finally I am somewhat satisfied with the outcome. I am hoping the next chapter will be ready to post a lot sooner than this one, so fingers crossed!

Reviews = me adoring you ;)

xxx