A/N: Reviews were amazing as always, and I've managed to post this chapter up quickly! Surprised? Oh, and Bill's back! Hope you enjoy xx
Disclaimer: I do not own True blood; I just borrowed the characters for a bit of fun!
Chapter Twelve
Interfering Makers & Damaging repercussions
Awakening to a glass of water and from what Sookie could assume in her dazed state an iron tablet to try and replenish the vitamins she had lost in her blood, was both a surprise and a delight.
Groaning, Sookie managed to pull herself into an upright sitting position before the slight ache in her neck made an appearance. It was itchy, but from what she had expected it wasn't painful as such, but it was a sensation strange enough to recall at a later date. It was just a relief that the trust she had placed in Godric had not been broken. Not that she had expected anything less. He had not only looked after her, but he had opened her mind to another aspect of vampyric life.
She blushed as she recalled asking for Godric to bite her harder.
Had she really been so bold?
Attempting to push such erotic thoughts to the back of her mind Sookie gratefully drank the water which had been thoughtfully laid out for her, the tablet going down with ease. It hadn't even filtered across her mind that donating blood would have had any cost on her health, but if those girls could do it on a daily bases then surely the few mouthfuls that Godric had taken wouldn't do her any permanent harm.
She would get herself checked out if she thought she would be able to cover the health insurance she didn't have.
Not wanting to put a downer on the evening, it still being dark out, Sookie figured she must have dosed off for no more than a few hours. It was a relief; she wasn't exactly keen on wasting another night by sleeping.
Pulling herself out of bed she smiled softly when she caught sight of Godric sitting on the couch, a book which looked to be older than herself in his hand as his eyes flickered across the pages at an impressive speed. She would have believed he was skimming the pages had he not been a vampire. She had no idea what he was truly capable of, she wasn't about to undermine the possibilities which came with him being a vampire.
Licking her lips nervously, she made her way over towards him. "Hey."
Godric didn't hesitate to give her his sole attention, a boyish grin appearing at his lips as he took her in. She blushed slightly when his eyes focused on her neck, her fingers self-consciously rising to her throat only for her fingers to brush over the raised surface of two puncher holes.
"Are you in any discomfort?" he enquired with concern. She shook her head. "Are you sure?"
His tone suggested to Sookie that it would be almost impossible to get anything by him. He had experienced too much of life to take things at face value, that his past had resulted in him being vastly knowledgeable, unable to not completely observe his surroundings.
Surprisingly, that fact affected her very little.
"It aches a little, but that's expected, right?" She relaxed at his nod; even if he looked less than pleased she was feeling any negative side effects at all.
"You do not feel any light headedness? Fatigue?"
Shaking her head Sookie couldn't help but feel her heart ache slightly at his obvious concern for her. Unlike Eric he didn't seem focused on hiding it from her, but rather fully expressed what he was feeling.
"Nope, should I?"
Smiling a boyish smile she couldn't help but mirror it. She didn't think it was appropriate to think he was handsomely cute, but she found she couldn't help herself. However, it wasn't long until Eric joined them, a low slung towel at his hips as droplets of water slid down his sculptured abs.
She couldn't help but stare.
Was she drooling?
Flushing deeply, she tried to look away. If thinking Godric was cute wasn't appropriate, than she didn't even need to think about whether or not staring at a half-naked Eric was.
Why couldn't she look away?
"See something you like?"
Looking up Sookie rolled her eyes at Eric's familiar smirk, his eyes sparkling with both amusement and lust at her expense. She really needed to get control over her emotions, especially if she was lusting after Eric of all people.
Bad Sookie!
"You need to get dressed," she huffed.
His smirk widened. "Really? And why is that?"
Sookie didn't let his amusement affect her, outwardly anyway. "Because don't we have a party to attend?" she remembered Godric mentioning about the celebration Isabel was throwing in another location. It was close to where the bombing had taken place, but apparently it was a frequent location for Godric's nest. Sort of like a second home she figured, if vampires referred to it as such. "Like, soon?"
Glancing at the time Sookie realised they were indeed going to be late if they didn't get a move on, and considering she wished to change into something less casual and more fitting for the occasion it wasn't as if she was prepared for the event herself. At least Eric had showered, even if he didn't sweat.
Trying not to dwell on both Eric's and Godric's reluctance for her to leave she knew she couldn't stay with them when she needed to get changed, and while it was nice that not only was Eric actually being kind of sweet to her in his own kind of way, an event was an event. She didn't want to offend Isabel by being late, nor did she want to upset her if Godric was as well. Not when she had gone to so much trouble planning the celebration.
Quickly showering, Sookie was in and out within ten minutes before taking a blow-dryer to her hair. Bill still hadn't made an appearance which annoyed her more than worried her, the fact he seemed to disappear frequently almost making her want to roll her eyes at him.
What was he up to?
It only reaffirmed the fact she didn't know Bill as well as she had believed she had. It had been made clear when not only had he seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth, but he hadn't told her. She may not be the type of girlfriend who demanded to know her boyfriend's whereabouts 24/7, but it would be nice if he mentioned what he was up to once and a while.
Especially, considering he expected the same, if not more so.
It was a vampire event after all, so where was he?
Deciding on a simple purple dress with white lace it only took another few minutes to apply a dash of make-up before she was ready to go. She may wear a little blush and massacre, but she had never been the most talented when it came to applying make-up.
Not like Arlene and Dawn could anyway.
A quick glance in the mirror left her satisfied enough that she wouldn't stand out like a sore thumb in a room full of beautiful companions and even more beautiful vampires. She would still look like a slob in comparison, but at least it was obvious she had made an effort. Being constantly surrounded by so many attractive people did not have a positive impact on her self-confidence; she could say that from personal experience.
Still, she had yet to meet a vampire who had been cruel about her appearance.
Isabel turned out to be a lovely lady that Sookie could see herself enjoying the company of. She had met the woman only briefly when Eric had introduced her to Godric's nest as they tried to formulate a plan of rescue, but from spending no more than a few minutes in her company Sookie could tell that she had a sharp tongue, an almost morbid yet entertaining sense of humour that had her having to smother her giggles against the palm of her hand as she sipped at a soft pink cocktail that tasted of cherries.
Godric had gotten her hooked on the deliciously fruity drinks!
"So, Sookie" Isabel smiled at the southern belle fondly. The blonde may not be aware of the fact that both Godric and Eric's interest in her went further than simply being friendly, but if she was important to Godric than she wanted to make an effort to get to know the telepath. "How has your stay in Dallas been so far?"
In response, Sookie smiled brightly. "Oh, it's been lovely. It's a shame I haven't had the time to see the sites, from what I've heard from Sam Dallas has some great locations."
"You could always extend your stay."
Sookie shook her head, blonde curls twisting and curling around her shoulders at the movement. "I can't. I'm scheduled to work the day after we return to Bon Temps so I have to get back."
It was a shame; from the little she had seen of Dallas it was lovely. It was so rare that she got out of Louisiana, the plane ride over the first time she had actually been abroad.
"We will come back and visit," Godric cut in smoothly, an arm moving to curl around her waist, "perhaps once Sookie has arranged an appropriate time to get some vacation off work."
While the thought was sweet, Sookie couldn't bring herself to confess to him that waitresses didn't get vacation pay, well she didn't. Sam wouldn't be able to afford it and it wasn't as if she would feel good taking it. She had worked since she was fifteen in at Merlotte's, it would feel like stealing if Sam paid her for doing nothing.
She also didn't doubt that while she loved Tara like a sister, her and the other waitresses wouldn't think twice before taking advantage. Sam may be a friend, but when it came to money she knew Dawn especially wouldn't feel one ounce of guilt about cashing in her vacation pay multiple times whenever she felt like it.
It just didn't feel right when Sam had given them the opportunity of working in such a small town. Work was slim to none.
Still, she smiled brightly and answered with a perky "sure!" which hopefully would bring an end to the subject.
The next hour and a half saw to Godric introducing her to members of his nest, Sookie raising a brow when she caught sight of a tall vampire in a cowboy hat that she remembered from the Fellowship of the Sun.
"You're Stan, right?" she guessed.
It was hard to forget such a rememberable character.
Quirking a brow Stan took in the physical touch his previous sheriff had on the blonde, sending a shark like grin in Godric's reaction, eye glistening with what looked like smugness, before bowing extravagantly, taking off his hat as his human father had raised him to.
It was hard to rid yourself of such engrained habits.
"Good evening, ma'am" he purred.
"Still not managed to catch yourself a woman, huh Stan?" Eric's amused tone cut into the conversation while Sookie couldn't help but giggle. She highly doubted that many vampires could get away teasing a vampire like Stan.
"And you have? The last I heard you hired a new dancer, what was her name…Yvetta? I hear from the grapevine she has legs that go on for miles" he wiggled his brows.
"Visit and your welcome to her," he smirked, "for a price."
Uh! Were they bargaining with an actual person? She may not know of this Yvetta, but she was still a human being and she couldn't help but be a little disturbed with how the conversation was going.
Did Eric really not see people as…well, people?
She wished she could say she was surprised.
Sensing her disgust Godric bent down to brush his lips against her neck. She shuddered, but didn't force him to move away. "He is joking, little one. Vampire humour."
While she doubted Eric was joking she shook it off. Now was not the time to make a scene. The party was going well, everyone was having fun, so the last thing she wanted to do was ruin it for everyone.
She had not been raised to be petty.
It wasn't until she caught sight of Bill entering the room that she excused herself from Godric and Eric's side, hating herself for missing his touch as she made her way over to her supposed boyfriend who seemed to be disappearing on her every few minutes.
Just what was he doing, in Dallas of all places? From what he had told her he didn't know anyone from the area, nor did he have ant business in this state.
"Bill," she called out, making sure not to shout him loud enough to disrupt the atmosphere in a rude manner. "Bill, can I have a word with you, please?"
Why wasn't he answering her?
Sighing, Sookie reluctantly placed down her drink before making her way over to him, frowning when she took note of a taller brunette affectionately touching her boyfriend. She bristled, though took a deep breath and told herself not to overreact. Godric had been touching her earlier after all, however, nothing was happening between them but innocent friendship.
She would not make a scene.
"Bill?" she asked hesitantly, finally seeming to catch his attention.
His eyes widened. "Sookie?" he looked hesitant, almost as if he was uncomfortable with her presence if that was possible. Why wouldn't he want her there, by his side? He had complained enough at the beginning of the trip that she hadn't been constantly standing by his side, and yet now he looked as if he wanted her anywhere but there. "What are you doing here?"
"I was invited, Bill" she stared at the beautiful women in front of her. "I was present at the bombing; it isn't completely surprising that I would be asked to attend the celebrations."
"You need to leave, Sookie!" he gritted out, surprising her with his harsh and unforgiving tone. She couldn't help but flinch slightly. Not having the time to get offended, the tall woman who was clearly a vampire with red stained lips all of a sudden seemed very invested in their conversation.
"Ah! This is the famous Sookie Stackhouse" she purred, flashing her fangs, "how lovely to meet you."
Sookie frowned, the sight of white fangs not affecting her in the slightest. Being around Eric's temper had pretty much desensitised her to the physical presence of anger. Something wasn't right. "It's nice to meet you to, though; unfortunately I don't seem to recall who you are."
The woman threw her head back and laughed. Sookie flinched, unaware that such bitterness and hate could be twisted in such a tone. "Oh Bill, she is such a delight!" she giggled manically.
"Lorena!" he hissed, looking nervous. Was that fear in his eyes? "Sookie, please would you just leave!"
Narrowing her eyes she couldn't help but feel offended. "I will do no such thing, Bill! It would be rude to leave this early, not to mention I'm very much enjoying meeting Godric's nest-"
"It is no longer Godric's nest-"
"Oh please," she waved him off. "As if that means anything, the respect still stands."
"Ooh, you didn't tell me she was so smart, William" Lorena laughed. She looked more and more delighted at Bill's discomfort.
"Sorry, but who are you?"
"I'm Bill's lover, darling" she purred while Sookie's blood ran cold.
She managed to stutter a "L-lover?" simultaneously as Bill shouted "Lorena!"
What was she talking about?
"Bill," Sookie looked in her boyfriend's direction, her tone soft and unbelieving. "What does she mean by lover?"
"It means we fucked," Lorena stated shamelessly. "I would ask if he was gentle with you, but I think everyone in this room is very much aware that you are a virgin" she spat in disgust.
Sookie flushed with humiliation. Could they smell that? The possibility hadn't even crossed her mind.
"I…I-"
"But it looks like you've been busy yourself," her lips curved as her gaze found the bite marks present on her neck. She hadn't even thought to hide them; she had felt no urge to. "What pathetically desperate vampire did you manage to convince to feed off the likes of you?" she sneered.
Sookie visibly winced, not even a split second later Godric's familiar form was standing by her side. To say he did not look pleased would have been a major an understatement.
Did you think I managed to pull Lorena off?
Reviews = love!
Next update: Hopefully the beginning of next week. Have a busy weekend so fingers crossed.