A/N: Sorry for the wait but work has been crazy! Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter and forgive me for making you wait so long for it. Fingers crossed it's worth it. xx

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

Chapter Sixteen
Rescue, Protection & Hypocrisy

Screaming out in shocked surprise, Sookie hit the floor with an audible thump as she cringed away from the fist that was swung in her direction, clenching her eyes shut as she waited for the inevitable impact only for it to never come.

It was quiet which worried her.

Hesitantly unclenching her eyes Sookie frowned in confusion; taking note that the young man who had attempted to attack her was still sitting on the wooden chair. The only exception was the renewed paleness to his skin; his shirt damp with newly released sweat as he quietly whimpered in a manner that he hadn't done so before, not even with Eric.

"What happened?"

It had only been a few seconds at best, barely a minute, since Eric had left her with a crazed revengeful V dealer. Looking around she soon caught site of Godric's form carefully helping her up. Still, she couldn't help her confusion.

"Godric?"

"Forgive me, Eric is impulsive when it comes to his area vampires being in distress. He should not have left so abruptly, however, he was fully aware I would make sure nothing happened to you, little one" he helped her to her feet.

Sookie brushed herself down. "Thank you," she smiled. "Does that mean Eric knows who Felicia is then?"

Godric nodded, eyes bright with confirmation and awe. "You truly are incredible, älskling. I have not seen such talent in all of my years."

Blushing, "I doubt that" she knew he had to be over two thousand. She wasn't that special.

"You sell yourself short" Godric didn't relent. "You may have saved a young vampires life, älskling, and that is no easy feat."

She shrugged. "I guess." Chewing her bottom lip she stared at the sweating man slumped in the chair, his expression on of combined fear and defeat. She couldn't help but find it surprising that he wasn't even making an attempt at fleeing. "What did you do to him?"

Silence.

When he didn't answer Sookie decided not to push it, not entirely sue she wanted to know the answer. She knew Godric would tell her the truth if she pushed him for it, but his silence told her that in this case ignorance was bliss. "Did Pam go with Eric?" she took note of the gothic vampires lack of presence. Godric nodded. "Whose going to open the club then?"

"It is not important."

"Oh," she guessed if that was what Godric thought. "What about him then?" she pointed to the bloke slumped in the chair. "Should I still read him?"

"Do you feel secure enough to do it solely in my presence?" Godric enquired, brows risen.

"Secure?"

Lost, Sookie simply stared at him confused. She had no idea what Godric was referring to.

"I have come across past gifted humans" he lowered his voice due to the other humans' presence she guessed, "who have been unable to perform unless they feel safe, secure and comfortable in their surroundings."

Oh.

"I don't think that's how it works, I have enough trouble trying to shut it off rather than get it to work" she explained. If it was possible Godric looked even more impressed, once again increasing her confusion. "So…"

With Godric's nod of approval it didn't take more than a half hour before she had gleamed all she could out of the human. Whatever Godric had done, or threatened the male with, had clearly worked a treat since while he didn't outwardly give any information she asked him, his thoughts were a lot more giving then they were previously.

Panic did that to a humans thought patterns.

Taking the human by the scruff of the neck, Godric dealt with the prisoner while she made her way towards the bar where Chow was getting ready for opening time. He stared at her intently as she slipped into a stool.

"Ma'am," he nodded, cleaning a glass.

Smiling, "hey Chow, do you mind if I have a glass of water, please?"

Seemingly surprised she even knew his name he nodded, Sookie not being able to help but grin when a glasses of water accompanied with nice, a slice of lime and a small umbrella was placed in front of her.

Taking a sip, "thank you."

"You are welcome, ma'am."

Sookie took another sip, "you can call me Sookie you know" she offered before turning on her seat to scan the empty club, oblivious to the stunned look Chow had given her before his features melted into something unrecognisable.

Spotting Pam, Sookie perked up when the red-lipped vampire made her way over, looking just as seductive as she always did. It made her wonder whether that kind of elegance came with vampirism or if it had to do with her upbringing.

Red lips curled up in amusement, "Godric tells me you continued to question the pathetic blood-bag."

Sookie would have cringed had she not already witnessed the disturbing images which had been present within the man's head, but that reminded her "did you manage to find the vampire?"

Pearly teeth sparkled white as Pam's smile widened to a shark-like grin. "Indeed, Eric was very impressed. Felicia is a vampire within Eric's area, it will be seen as a good political move on his front that he did what most vampires were unable to. Her maker was unaware of her disappearance, it was pure coincidence he called when Eric was on his way to secure her safety."

That had to be the longest she had heard Pam speak.

"That's a relief."

And it was. She may not know the vampire personally, but it was a very good thing that the bad humans in the world hadn't managed to kill off another innocent simply because they desired their blood.

It was disgusting.

Some people were truly meant for hell rather than earth and heaven.

"We are now about to open. Eric is dealing with a angered maker who is determined to go on a killing spree, you will need to stay until he has finished."

Sookie opened her mouth to protest, "but-"

"He requires you presence" she repeated, annoyance replacing any previous amusement. "I do not know why, nor do I particularly care."

Pursing her lips, Sookie relented.

Deciding to grab a booth before the crowds of people waiting outside filled the place she grabbed her drink from the corner of the bar before making her way towards Eric's booth. If he was forcing her to hang around when she had to be up early for work tomorrow morning than the least he could do was allow her to sit down, out of the way from the latex dressed humans out for blood and sex.

She shuddered.

It wasn't until the loud music started that she wondered where Godric had gotten to, having noticed his lack of presence. The thought barely had the time to pass through her mind before the he was sitting in front of her, one of the human waitresses immediately having a glass of trublood sitting in from of him without Godric even having to ask.

Sookie was impressed.

"Does Ginger still work here?" she asked absently, remembering the hysterical waitress from her last visit.

"Yes."

Nodding, a little lost on where else to take the conversation Sookie simply sipped at her water as she scanned the club. She had never been one to people watch, but it was hard not to find both amusement and shock at observing those around her, in particular the vampires standing in various places around the club as surrounding humans attempted to gain favour with them while also making sure to keep their distance.

"Does that actually appeal to vampires?" she turned to face Godric.

"Does what, little one?"

"The latex, the skin on show, the…uh…" struggling to think of a way to word her thoughts without sounding like a bitch she found she didn't have to, Godric quirking a brow in undisguised humour.

"No. Humans who hold no shame only appeal to those desperate enough for a meal or bed companion without desiring any effort. It is clear from their brazen and unashamed attitudes that they will have no restraints. It is appealing to some."

"And you?" she blushed. Godric raised a brow. "Do you like humans without restrictions?"

Amusement coloured his features, "a lack of reservation and respect for themselves is not an appealing trait I look for. Companions represent their vampire, none of these humans will mean more to a vampire than either blood or sex."

Sookie guessed that made sense. She may hate herself for it, but she knew if she saw one of the clubbers who wore clothes that barely covered their skin on the arm of a vampire she would judge them both in a disapproving manner before she could help herself. She would never outwardly express it, but internally she doubted she would be able to not express such judgemental thoughts.

She sighed, disappointed in herself for doing so.

"You are aware you are nothing like them, little one" Godric broke the silence between them. She doubted he even blinked at those dancing close to the booth, hoping to attract his attention. He may have the physical form of youth, but he extruded power and experience without any effort on his part.

It was compelling.

"Oh," Sookie blushed further. "I would never wear something so…revealing" she cringed at the thought. The only dresses she owned were all suitable for church, something she had been neglecting lately. With the business trip along with the extra shifts Sam had given her she just hadn't had the free time to visit the house of God.

"You dress pretty, älskling."

Such a charmer, Sookie mused.

"Thank you."

"The willingness they have to use their physical attributes to attempt to gain favour with our kind is not an attractive quality," Godric continued without her even having to ask. "You, on the other hand, are a very desirable companion."

Sookie startled at that. "What? I highly doubt my talent makes me a desirable companion, Godric" she rolled her eyes.

"You continue to sell yourself short, little one. Every vampire present here would willingly take you on as their companion even without being fully informed of your potential."

At that Sookie did roll her eyes, thinking it would be highly doubtful that was the case. She had come across many charming vampires since she had been introduced to their kind, but that didn't mean she was desirable to all of them. Honestly, she thought Godric was simply trying to flatter her even if it was unnecessary.

"What about you, Godric?" Draining her glass she barely had to glance towards the bar before Chow was neatly placing a replica in front of her. She smiled brightly, "thank you!"

"You are welcome, Miss Sookie" he shot her a fanged smile, it widening when she didn't so much as flinch.

Turning her attention back to Godric she continued where she left off. "Do you have a companion?"

"Unfortunately, no" he admitted. "I have never taken a human companion; it isn't until as of late that it has become a more tempting consideration."

"Oh," partly pleased he wouldn't be alone but also slightly disappointed at the fact soon he would have another taking all of his attention, Sookie once again scanned the club as a desired distraction only to do a double take when she caught sight of a familiar face she hadn't expected to make an appearance in Fantasia of all places.

"Tara?"

Frowning, Sookie couldn't resist peaking over the edge of the booth's seat to catch sight of her dark skinned friend nervously looking around the place. Keeping out of sight she observed her friends reaction while inside silently fuming that for all the grief Tara gave her about her involvement with vampires she made an appearance at a vampire club!

What was she thinking?

It wasn't that she had never dealt with hypocrisy before, in fact she had to deal with it on regular bases, but Tara was so straight laced that if she hadn't expected it from her of all people. Tara spoke her mind…

…so why was she here?

"Is everything alright, little one?" Godric caught her attention.

"Mm," she hummed in acknowledgement, watching as Tara looked around before making her way over to the bar. "My friend just came in," she muttered.

"Would you like to invite her over?" he offered politely, even if she doubted Godric would enjoy her company. She was positive it would only be for her benefit, which again was sweet.

"Not really," she mumbled honestly. "I don't even know what she's doing here, she isn't exactly very accepting of your kind. It's confusing."

"Is she prone to cause trouble?"

Sookie didn't know. She would have instantly said no before, but she was so out of her element that she didn't know what to think. One moment she thought she knew Tara, but now…now she was attempting to figure out whether her so-called friend was hiding something serious from her, something she needed help with.

It was worrying.

Review = forgiving me?

xxx