Bella flew from her bed with a gasp. She had a nightmare about the bombing at Godric's nest. Shivered she remembered the destruction and state of poor Godric's home. She thanked god that most people survived. As soon as she returned to her hotel room, she had a shower then collapsed on the bed completely exhausted and drifted off to sleep. Yawning and blinking at the bedside clock, she noticed she had only been asleep for just over an hour. Bella rose slowly from the bed and slowly padded her way to the main room of her suite. She pondered the consequences of Eric giving Sookie his blood, wondering if it will help their relationship in the long run. It didn't bother Bella much, oddly. Unless Sookie felt like sharing her Eric dreams. Then she would have to put her foot down.

Stumbling groggily out of her room in a pair of pyjama shorts and a baggy t-shirt, she regretted her chosen attire as Godric and Eric both stared at her. She blushed and looked down bashfully.

"Hey, how did the meeting go?" She inquired politely, hoping to distract the pair of vampires watching her. She remembered they mentioned having to go to a meeting with an AVL representative.

Godric answered, "It went fine", min skönhet (my beauty). I have been removed from my position as sheriff effective immediately. I shall be returning to Louisiana with you and Eric" He spoke calmly, in his usual manner.

Bella plopped down across from him with a happy smile dancing on the corners of her mouth,

"Well that's great" She stated. Although he was drop dead gorgeous literally and knew she had no chance in hell with him, she could still see them becoming good friends. He seemed really interesting. Godric smiled back at her but Eric smirked.

"It is great that Godric lost his position?" The Viking raised an eyebrow. Bella flushed again.

"Well, no, that's uh.. not what I meant" She muttered, embarrassed and avoiding eye contact with everyone in the room. The carpet was a nice shade of beige.

Eric smirked back, "Ah, so it is great that he is returning with us? Why is that great?" Both of his eyebrows raised in question. 'Oh great, not the both of them. Double annoyance'.

Bella scowled at him and threw a couch cushion at him hoping this would deter the great lug. She stood up and yawned,

"Well, if that's all I'm going back to sleep, I'm beat. I'll see you tomorrow guys, night" She said to them quickly lest Eric embarrass her further and she walked back into her separate room. It had been a long day, too long with too many blows to the head. Snuggling happily under her cool duvet, Bella briefly worried about brain damage until she drifted off.

The vampires sat in silence until they heard the young human girl's breathing even out and heart rate slow indicated she had fallen asleep. Godric turned to face his progeny.

"What is your relationship with her, my child?" He asked, expectantly, monitoring his child's face and the bond closely.

Eric replied immediately, "I do not have one, master. We met only a few days ago. She is cousin to a human I hope to make mine and nothing more"

Godric threw a reproachful look at his son and send a trickle of disappointment through the bond. He needed to know if Eric had developed some sort of emotional bond with his mate. He did not wish to hurt his child more than necessary but to establish this he needed to know his true feelings on the matter.

"Do not lie to me, my son. I can sense your feelings for her through our bond. I will not ask again. What is your relationship with her?" He repeated with a tinge of warning lining his voice.

Eric sighed and really considered his question. He had no idea how to classify her. They had known each other two days and yet the pull towards her was as sudden as it was undeniable. Almost as rapid and sudden as his bond towards Sookie had developed. As his mind was swirling up possibilities he then remembered her note. She signed it, your friend...'Ah a friend', he thought. That was the closest thing he could think of.

"She and I are... friends" He replied voice clearly showing the uncertainty and tasting the odd sounding words on his tongue.

Godric raised a brow skeptically and continued calmly watching his Eric.

"I do not believe you, my son" He replied matter-of-factly. Eric stood up and zoomed into his room and returned. He showed the note where she signed, 'your friend' as proof of their relationship.

Godric read the note and raised his gaze to his child,

"This reveals what her relationship is with regards to you, not what yours is in regards to her" He continued staring impassively and closely, "You do not have friends Eric, you never have" He continued.

Eric frowned and started considering this. He wouldn't immediately think of her as his friend. He wasn't sure what the notion of a friend was, that was a human concept. His feelings for Bella ran deeper. He felt affection, worry and protectiveness for her. More familial relationship pull he experienced. He realised he thought of her as more of a little sister. When he guessed at Godric's intentions in turning her he had been mentally thinking of her as his little sister since and it seemed appropriate to his feelings towards her. Even if he was wrong about Godric he was still planning on claiming her as his sister for a measure of protection.

Godric sat patiently, waiting for Eric to reply.

"I see her as more of a little sister. I had not considered this until I noticed your interest in her and realised that I would very much like her as a sister. I already see her as one" He answered confidently.

Godric was pleased with this answer, it was better than he could have imagined. It seemed Eric had not confused the natural pull he felt towards her for something different. Eric was destined to be her sister as Godric was her mate. He felt a brief flicker of pride at his son for recognising this. If he had mistaken the bond it could have been problematic. He allowed his son to feel his pride.

"You do not desire her? She is very beautiful" He prompted, wanting to find out more about Eric's feelings and ignoring the flare of possessiveness and jealousy that bubbled up. Bella was a goddess and Eric would be a fool not to admire her.

Eric's brows furrowed and vaguely confused, "Yes, she is beautiful, but no I do not... desire her. I would enjoy pleasuring her and vice versa but I do not feel a...need to, I would enjoy the closeness but I do not have any strong inclination to fuck her" He looked so baffled by this it was comical. It was like he was just realising it himself.

A small chuckle escaped Godric's lips, "Just because you find a woman attractive does not mean you need to bed her" Godric told his son. Eric shot him an 'are you crazy' look and Godric laughed even harder.

"What about you, fader? Are you sexually attracted to Bella? Do you want to fuck her?" He asked curiously. Godric hadn't fucked in what seemed like centuries. If Eric's suspicions were correct, It was no surprise if he offered himself up to the fellowship and was so depressed if he had not been laid in so long, Eric thought. 'I would be too'.

"Yes, I do" He admitted calmly.

Eric hesitated. He loved his maker above all others and could deny him nothing but didn't want Bella to be hurt. She was an innocent. As a human, she most likely couldn't separate fucking from romantic feelings. If his makers libido had magically returned there would be plenty of fangbangers at home for him. He did not need to break her heart.

"Forgive me, it is not my place to say. However, if you are interested in fucking again may I advise you do so with the bloodbags in my club? Bella is much like Sookie in that she does not take kindly to quick fucks" Eric explained to his maker.

Godric shifted forward in his seat and eyes hardened, "You are right. It is not your place to say" He responded sharpened. Eric bowed his head in difference to his maker. Godric continued, "However, I do understand your concern. Rest assured it is not an issue. I am interested in her more than just sexually. There is something I must tell you, my son" Godric spoke very gravely. Eric furrowed his brows but nodded.

Godric took a deep breath, "Bella is my mate, Eric" he declared with pride, joy, wonder and awe making his voice a symphony of sounds that conveyed how amazed his maker was.

Eric sat there stunned. 'Mate? Bu-wha-how-MATE?' Eric's thoughts were racing a mile a minute. Godric had found his mate. It was extremely rare for a vampire to find their mate, almost impossible despite their long lifespans. A mate was your other half, your chosen one and every living creature had one. Only supernatural's have the ability to correctly identify their mate.

"How do you know this, fader? Are you completely certain?" Eric asked uncertainly. It seemed so... unusual. His mate? Perhaps he was mistaken. Eric wanted to make sure his maker was right, he had been suicidal recently, perhaps his mind was slipping a little.

Godric threw his son a reproachful look and shook his head in disbelief, "Of course she is" He sighed.

Eric was now the one assessing his maker and frowned, "But how do you know this?" Eric asked, genuinely unsure.

Godric sighed again, "It is just something I know, my son. Deep, deep down, I felt it when I was in her presence and our souls connected, they rejoiced, basking in the presence of their other half. When we touched for the first time our souls came together" Godric breathed in wonder. He remembered the remarkable feeling of witnessing and smelling her for the first time. He felt it. It was his very soul that reached out to her and when he touched her, they intertwined for eternity, glad to be home.

Eric was still uncertain but trusted his maker, "Congratulations, master. I am extremely happy for you. I am also unsurprised the gods have blessed you in such a way. You deserve this" Eric bowed his head and spoke seriously for a change.

Godric sent him a small smile.

"Does she know that she is now yours for eternity?" Eric asked curiously. He wondered why he hadn't claimed or even fucked Bella yet. Bella needed to be claimed soon if she were to remain safe. He had seen bite marks on her neck but that was all.

Godric shook his head, "No and I will not tell her" He said firmly. Eric paused and did a double take, "You... you are not going to make a claim on her? A soul mating is so rare it is not recognized by some vampires. You must claim her properly!" Eric seemed appalled and worried.

Godric was getting irritated at his sons tendency to jump to conclusions, "Of course I will. I wish to make her mine then turn her at an appropriate time. But only if it is her choice. I will give her that option." He calmly explained his intentions to his son hoping he would be supportive.

Eric thought this was incredibly stupid. Bella was his whether she accepted it or not. Nevertheless, he grinned back, "I am relieved. I will help in any way that I can. However, I must warn you, Bella is innocent" He sent Godric a significant look.

"yes, yes. I noticed she-" Godric said dismissively, missing Eric's point.

"No, fader. I mean she is innocent. Completely untouched, in every way I believe" He said, waiting for the bomb to hit.

There was a noticeable pause in the room. As soon as this registered with Godric, his fangs dropped and his cock hardened straining against his linen trousers. He let out a low growl. He was extremely pleased that no one would had ever touched what was his. He would be the only one to touch her, to pleasure her perfect body, to sample her divine blood.

Eric watched as his maker went off the deep end in his possessiveness. He saw him staring hungrily at Bella's door and decided to intervene for his own good.

"Master, stop. I know what you are thinking. You are wanting to rush in there and fuck, bite and claim her, but you cannot. Remember what you said? Her choice. She is too innocent. You must tread carefully. She seems to know very little about sex and I do not think she would appreciate you going in and trying to claim her in the state your in" He said.

Godric reluctantly and with difficulty, retraced his fangs and sent one last longing gaze at Bella's door before turning back to his child.

"Your right. I may need help. I have never seduced one so innocent before. I don't believe I have ever even fucked a virgin" He admitted. He never had patience to deal with them but he knew his son was very fond of virgins and had had many over the centuries.

"I would be honored to aid you in such a way, fader" He smirked at him.

Suddenly they heard Bella speak very quietly from her room, "Godric..." She whispered.

Both Eric and Godric looked at one another before rushing to her room. They scanned her room for any threat, thinking that is why she called Godric's name. They only saw her lying peacefully in her bed, fast asleep. Godric and Eric looked quizzically at each other before they heard her again.

"Godric..." She muttered again, turning over in her sleep. Both vampires shot quizzical looks at one another until they realized.

"She talks in her sleep" Eric whispered so quietly a human could not hear.

Godric grinned hugely, "It appears so" He answered back. Godric felt so much joy, his Bella was dreaming on him, him. He started purring in pleasure.

Eric chuckled quietly, observing the look of pure delight on his makers face. He watched as he moved silently over to her bed and lay down next to Bella, facing her, staring at her intently.

"uh... mm... Godric... so perfect" She murmured in her sleep. Godric's purring increased and he started nuzzling into the bed spread, taking in Bella's scent. Eric shook his head.

"I am off to find a donor before sunrise. I will leave you two love birds alone" Eric announced before zooming out to locate his meal.

Eric left the hotel suite and found a decent smelling ginger to sedate his hunger. She did not appeal to him particularly and there was not much time till sunrise so he did not fuck her and refused her offer for a handjob.

When he returned to the room, he found his maker in the exact same position as before. He was gazing at Bella in total rapture even though she was deep in slumber. Eric spoke from the doorway,

"You cannot go to rest here, Godric. She would not take too kindly to waking to your dead body next to her come sunrise" He whispered to Godric. He was not acknowledged but knew he was heard from the displeased growl he heard from his maker. At that sound Bella sighed and moaned very slightly in her sleep. His maker was instantly enthralled again, staring at her in awe. Eric sighed. He walked over to his maker and put a hand on his shoulder.

"You will see her at sundown. Come, master, let us to go rest" He said quietly. Godric sighed very quietly and placed a gentle kiss on Bella's forehead as he whispered to her,

"Goodnight, min ängel. I shall see you soon"

Eric walked to the door, pleased his maker was leaving the girl in peace when suddenly he saw Godric flash away, quickly and sneakily stealing Bella's pillow from under her. He replaced another gently under her head before zooming out of her room. Eric shut the door behind him and walked to his own room.

What he saw made him laugh and groan simultaneously.

There was Godric, cuddling Bella's pillow taking deep breathes from it; purring with a look of sheer happiness on his face. 'How on earth am I supposed to deal with this?' Eric thought dejectedly as he crawled in beside his maker, letting the sun pull him under. Godric caused enough trouble on his own, who knows what would happen now that he had found his mate.

Bella woke to the sound of someone pounding at her hotel room door. Who would wake her at this ungodly hour? She groaned and rolled over, praying whoever it was would go away. Or have a heart attack. Either way she could go back to sleep.

"Bells, you in there?" Called Sookie's shrill voice. Bella groaned and knew she had to get up. Bella sat up in her bed grumpily and made her way over to the door before Sookie could wake up the entire hotel, vampires included.

She opened the door and looked at Sookie, bleary eyed.

"Mornin' Bella. You not up already? It's a beautiful day out. I went and picked us up some breakfast" Sookie said cheerily. Bella scowled. How on earth was Sookie always so chirpy. Bella grunted and held the door open wider for her to enter. Sookie giggled, making her way over to the couch.

"Still not a mornin' person huh?" Sookie said cheekily. Bella shook her head and yawned.

"Na, just give me couple minutes to wake up" Bella said and sat on the chair next to the sofa and picked up a cup of coffee that was sitting on the table. She took a sip and sighed happily. She needed coffee after a day like yesterday.

Sookie dug into her bacon and egg roll while giving Bella hers. They ate in silence for several minutes, savoring the greasy deliciousness.

"You heading back to Bon Temps tonight?" Bella asked, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, Bill needs to get back to Jessica and I've got to get back to work. Sam's been real great 'bout all the missed time but I wouldn't feel right just leaving him hanging like that" Sookie said between bites. Bella nodded.

"You sure you can't stay for a little while? Please? Eric's going to show me around Dallas and it be nice to have someone to spend the day with" Bella asked hopefully. She wanted to spend some time with Sookie, their relationship had been somewhat strained recently and they needed to fix that. Sookie shook her head and shot Bella a glare.

"Thanks for the offer Bells, but no. I don't wanna be anywhere near where Eric Northman is" She spat out bitterly. Bella sighed. Eric really wasn't helping himself when it came to Sookie. Sure he had tricked her into taking his blood and would make her have dreams and she'd be more attracted to him. What Eric didn't realize is attraction was not the problem here. It was trust. Bella supposed Eric wouldn't realise this as he didn't have much empathy and would never consider trust a deciding factor in a relationship. Bella groaned internally. He really was making things difficult for himself here.

"Oh, I get it. Fair enough. I'm sorry about what he did to you, by the way. It's a really stupid thing to do" Bella said.

Sookie eyed Bella cautiously and then sighed, "Its more than stupid Bella, its sick and wrong! Its an invasion of my privacy. Only Eric would do something like this" She said scathingly. Bella did agree with her there, it seemed only Eric was stupid enough to do. She nodded absent-mindedly, hoping not to get into any argument with her. Eric was a sore spot between them.

Bella was wondering what to do for the day until the vampires rose when Sookie's voice broke the silence.

"So, tell me about your fang marks"

Oh shit, Bella thought.

Bella looked at the expectant face of her cousin and sighed, "Its nothing, really" She muttered, hoping it would be dropped. Of course, knowing Sookie, she wouldn't relent,

"Oh no missy, you tell me what happened this instant. Did someone bite you without your permission at the nest? Was it Stan?" She asked slowly, becoming furious. Uh oh, Sookie had gone all mother hen on Bella and she knew she had to tread carefully.

"No, stop jumping to conclusions. I offered my blood to Godric in the church. He hadn't fed in god knows how long and I was worried about him" She blushed, hoping that Sookie wouldn't notice.

She did.

"Oh my gosh" She gasped, "you like Godric!" She exclaimed loudly. Bella looked at Eric's bedroom door praying that they didn't hear.

"Shhh, be quiet! they might hear you" She whispered desperately.

Sookie giggled, "Aw Bella I've never seen you with a crush before! You and Godric would make such a cute couple" She grinned at her blushing cousin.

"Don't, just don't. Yes, he's stunning and yes I like him but don't go there. He's two thousand years old Sook! There's no way he would be interested in me" She finished glumly.

"Oh honey" She went over to embrace her cousin, "He's a fool if he doesn't see what an amazing girl you are. Its his loss, not yours" She said soothingly. Bella felt better being in the arms of her cousin.

"Just promise you won't say anything? Please don't tell anyone. I don't mind being his friend but it would be way too embarrassing if you said anything" She said quietly at her cousin, pleading with her.

"Of course, hun. Your secrets safe with me" Sookie murmured into Bella's hair as she cuddled her cousin.

They spent the day lounging around Bella's hotel room. They went for a bath together and fixed each others hair and painted each others nails; bonding as cousins.

Her phone rang and Bella hobbled over to it trying to keep her nail polish for smudging, "Hello" She answered.

"Hey Bells! What you up to?" Jacobs voice said cheerily. Bella smiled, she liked hearing from Jake. It reminded her of a simpler time.

"Not much, just sitting with Sookie. What about you? Anything happen back in Forks?" She asked as she walked back to the couch.

"Na, nothing really. Oh, Seth just shifted for his first time. Been helping him through the transition and that. Other than that, just the usual" Jake said. Bella nodded and listened to him tell stories about the pack. She inquired about Charlie and thankfully, he had been spending more time on the reservation and was fine.

They hung up after about half an hour of friendly chatter. Bella turned to see Sookie eyeing her in a critical manner.

"Jake?" She questioned. Bella hummed in acknowledgement and picked up the nail polish, to do Sookie's feet.

"Boys got it bad for you, Bells. He's not just goin' to give up on you" Sookie said seriously.

Bella sighed, "I know. I hope that he'll realise soon that I'm gone and won't be coming back. We are just friends but I don't think he has fully grasped that yet" She said sadly. She hated hurting her friend but didn't know what else to do.

Sookie nodded, not knowing what else to say.

Later, Sookie decided to leave as she needed to pack her and Bill's things before sundown. They would need to leave as soon as the sun set to make their plane. Bella and Sookie hugged fiercely, saying goodbyes and making promises to call each other. Bella shut the door behind Sookie and plopped down in front of the television. She decided some mind numbing reality tv was in order until the vampires rose for the night.