AN: I apologize for the extremely long delay in updating. My kids keep me on my toes. I thought I had posted this chapter. It's been finished for like a year. The italics quotes were taken directly from True Blood. And I have the next few chapters written they just need to be edited. But enjoy and I'll try not to wait so long to post the next chapter.
flashback*
Sookie knew Eric was it for her when Gran came home from rehab after her stroke. She had been there longer than expected because the stroke had temporarily paralyzed her right side. She stayed in the nursing home six months. She finally came home the following January. Sookie stayed with her at the farmhouse the first week. She got up at 4 am. Had Gran's breakfast by six. Left for school at 6:30. She had classes starting at 8:30. She was in class until 12:45. Then she left the school and drove the short distance to Eric's house to get started on her paperwork as well as the massive amount of homework. She left everyday by 2:00 pm with the dry cleaning. She would start the two hour drive home after leaving the dry cleaners. She was home by 4:00pm. Where she would cook dinner for Gran by 6:00pm. Most of the time she was to exhausted to eat so she would go shower. After Gran ate she would help her with her shower and into her night clothes. Then Sookie would tidy up the house, take out the trash and clean the kitchen. Finally around 10pm she could get to finish homework until Eric could get there around 1:00 am. She'd let Eric in and he would hold her until she fell asleep. She was so tired by that point she couldn't even fill him in on everything. She just curled up against him and fell asleep. He would stay with her until she got up at 4:00am and then leave before Gran woke up. Eric watched her carefully and let her try this schedule for about a week before he said something. Gran had insisted on her going out Friday night. She had dropped off Eric's clothes at the cleaners on Friday afternoon and was half way home when her car just stopped in the middle of a busy intersection. She tried everything her little old car was just done. There was smoke coming from the hood and the engine said it was running hot. The sun was out so she couldn't call Eric. Gran hadn't been cleared to drive. Jason had left earlier to go to a rodeo with Hoyt. A very nice older man and his wife stopped and helped her get the car out of the middle of the road. She called a tow truck but something just felt off when they got there so she let them take her car but refused when they offered to drop her off at home. Eric called her a little after 5:00 to find out what was wrong. It would be another forty-five minutes before it was dark enough for him to leave to go get her. He stayed on the phone with her until he got there. Sookie broke down when he finally pulled up. Eric pulled her in his arms and held her while she cried. "It's ok Lover, you can use one of my cars until we fix yours." She shook her head. "I miss you." She told him as she sobbed. Eric twirled a strand of her hair around his finger. "I miss you too Lover. Do you think your grandmother would agree to stay with us until she's able to be on her own again?" Sookie shook her head. "She won't leave home willingly." Sookie sighed. "We should talk to her. It's not safe for you to keep going the way you are. I can replace your car but it would make little difference if you pass out and run off the road because you are so exhausted. And I'm worthless until after dark. I don't think Adele wants that either." Sookie shook her head. "I know we're supposed to go out but can you just take me home and hold me?" Eric pulled her to his side as he drove towards Bon Temps. She was asleep when he pulled up to Grans. He got out and effortlessly lifted her in his arms. Gran opened the door for him and Eric carried Sookie upstairs. He took her clothes off , leaving her in just a camisole and her panties. He covered her up. Adele was waiting for him downstairs. "Eric can I talk to you for a minute?" He nodded and sat down on the couch.
"Sookie can't keep going like this." Eric nodded at the older woman. "We were talking about it earlier. Do you have an suggestions?" Eric asked her. "Would you consider coming here until she can return to your house?" Eric nodded. "I'd do anything for her to make it easier. But I have a small guest house behind my house. You would have your own bed, bathroom and a small kitchen and sitting room. I could get someone to come in during the day and prepare your meals while Sookie has to be out. Would you consider staying there for awhile?" Gran nodded. "You're a very generous man Mr. Northman. My granddaughter chose well." Eric shook his head. "It is I that am the most fortunate one. Mrs. Stackhouse I love Sookie. But I have the means to make both of your lives easier." Adele nodded. "Yes Mr. Northman. I accept your offer." Gran said surprisingly. "What happened with Sookie's car?" Gran asked. "I think it's just worn out. She had it towed before I got there. She can drive mine until we get it sorted out. But even if they are able to fix it. That car is a death trap." Eric told her. "I suppose Sookie has told you by now of her gift?" Adele asked she knew Sookie had told him. Sookie had told her. She was just wondering what Eric would say. "Of course. Don't worry about anything Adele. I would never betray her trust." Eric told the older woman. The way in which he said it took away any doubts she had. This man would take care of her granddaughter or die trying.
Sookie came down the stairs a few minutes later. She sat down beside Eric. "Gran shouldn't you be laying down?" Sookie asked concerned.
"Well Sookie, your fiancé has made me an offer I can't refuse." Sookie looked at Eric.
"What is that?" Gran smiled at her feebly. She had come a long way but she still had so much further to go.
"I asked your Gran to consider staying in the guest house while she recovers. We'll hire someone to come in and sit with her during the day and do some light cooking. She agreed." Sookie looked at him shocked. She couldn't hold back her tears she was so happy. She threw her arms around his neck and cried tears she didn't realize she had been holding back.
"Thank you." She whispered to them both. Eric kissed the top of her head. "What am I going to do about a car?" Sookie asked. "Don't worry about it, I have a car you can drive. That Honda is a death trap." Eric promised. Sookie yawned. "Come on let's get you to bed. Rest. We'll figure it out tomorrow." Eric said.
"Gran did you eat anything? I've got to help Gran get ready for bed." Sookie told him.
"I'm fine dear. I can skip a shower tonight and I think I can manage getting to bed myself. You go get some rest. I'll need your help tomorrow packing." Gran ordered her granddaughter. Sookie looked from Eric to Gran but she was to tired to argue. She simply stood up, leaned down and kissed Gran on the cheek, and let Eric lead her back upstairs. Once they were back in her room. Eric pulled her shirt over her head. She pulled her pajama bottoms down and left them on the floor. "Lay down, I'll stay here until you fall asleep." Eric whispered softly in her ear. She crawled into her bed and slid over as far as she could as Eric got in beside her. The bed was to small for him and his feet hung off the end and this bed was nowhere near as comfortable as the bed she and Eric slept in at home. Sookie laid on top of his chest and he wrapped his arms around her.
"Lover you know you don't have to take all these extra classes just for me right?" Sookie looked down at him.
"I know, it's just you're trusting me with so much. I don't want to screw anything up." Eric kissed her forehead.
"Sookie, look at me. There's nothing for you to screw up, if the numbers ever don't add up. You come to me, and we'll figure it out together. If you want to continue with school, by all means continue, but don't feel obligated to take all these extra classes to appease me. " Sookie looked down at him. "It's just hard because I miss you and Gran needs so much help right now." Eric kissed the top of her head
"Sleep, it will make you feel better." He didn't have to tell her again. She finally fell asleep in his arms. Eric held her a little while longer until he had to leave before the sun came up.
"Sook! Sook! Wake up!" Jason whispered loudly, shaking Sookie's arm. Sookie groaned and buried her head further under the covers against Eric's chest.
"What is it Jase?" Sookie groaned with a big yawn.
"I just can't sleep." Sookie brushed her hair away from her face and sat up enough to look at Jason without the covers falling off her. She had been perfectly happy to sleep the day away with her Viking. But now that she was awake she was very aware of how hungry she was.
"Okay, give me a minute I'll get dressed and be out there soon. Do you want to order us some breakfast?" Sookie asked her brother.
"Sook, it's 2:00 in the afternoon! You slept all day!" Sookie looked at the bedside clock. Sure enough it was 1:57.
"Ok. Order us something for lunch and coffee. Please!
Lots of coffee! I'll be right there. You can tell them to charge it to the room." Jason left the room and Sookie laid back down on Eric's chest for a moment and sighed. Eric opened his eyes briefly and ran his hand down her back until he was resting it on her butt.
"Everything alright?" Eric asked her squeezing lightly.
"Yeah, I think my brother got bored." She said with a yawn. Sookie sat up and leaned up to kiss Eric. "I'm going to get dressed and go see what he wants and I guess eat something." She said as her stomach growled again. Eric kissed her softly before going back to his day rest. Sookie got up and stood in front of the mirror for a moment. There wasn't a mark on her from the day before but she still felt everything that she had been through. It would take her some time to be okay again. Right now she wanted to stay as close to Eric as possible. Sookie reached into his bag and pulled out one of his black t-shirts. She slipped on a pair of her panties and a pair of pink Nike sweatpants. She ran the brush through her hair before throwing it in a ponytail. She still looked tired. She was more than ready to let Eric turn her. She just wanted things to go back to how they were. She wiped a stray tear that ran down her cheek as she walked out of the room thirty minutes later.
Her brother was letting room service in when she walked out of the bedroom. The smell of bacon and sausage filled the air. "Turns out this place serves breakfast all day." Jason said gleefully as he sat down and dug into a big plate of waffles. Sookie smiled at the bell boy as she signed the receipt and left a tip. There was something off about him but she was to exhausted to think it through. "Thank you Barry." Sookie said with a forced smile.
Sookie grabbed her tray as Berry left. Jason had ordered her coconut pancakes and a side of sausage. It really did look delicious. She grabbed her cup of coffee. Sookie was hungrier than she realized and ate every bite. She and Jason talked and cried for the next few hours. She didn't realize how much she missed her brother. They talked about their parents and Gran. Sookie told Jason all the trouble Hadley had caused for her. Jason was angry for her and wanted to go to the police. It took Sookie a few minutes to get him to see that it wouldn't do any good. She was in the safest place she could be with Eric. If he couldn't protect her no one could.
Eric got up around 5:30 and joined them even though it was a few hours until the sunset. Sookie stood up to hug him and he held on to her tightly. "How are you feeling?" Eric asked kissing her softly. "Better, I think" Eric smiled at her. "Lover, Nan Flanagan is coming tonight to speak with Godric, about last night, I need you and Jason to stay in Pam's suite. I don't want you to be mixed up in this." Eric said looking at Jason.
"Is Godric in trouble?" Sookie asked. Eric sighed. "He'll be fine. He always is." Eric sounded more like he was trying to convince himself. "Honey, Nan Flanagan was at our wedding. Wouldn't it be ok for me to be there? Please." Eric looked at her for a minute. He knew deep down what Godric was planning and he really did want Sookie with him. He leaned down to kiss her. "You'll stay next to one of us the entire time?" Sookie shook her head yes. "Ok, it'll be around 4:30 in the morning before they get here. We'll leave tomorrow. I'm going to arrange it with Anubis tonight and Jason can you stay with Sookie until we are home tomorrow afternoon?" Eric asked.
"I guess we have to go back home?" Sookie said with a nervous sigh. Eric wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"I got a call last night, with everything going on it went to my voicemail. It was from the Queen. I have to be at the palace in New Orleans by Midnight tomorrow and she's demanding I have you with me. " Sookie felt like she'd been kicked in the stomach.
"She can do that?" Eric wrapped his arms around her. "She can summon me. But there's little she can do about you since you are mine. Short of executing me she can do nothing. I'm her most powerful sheriff. I don't see her doing that. I make her to much money." Sookie couldn't say anything. Her chest felt tight, like it was going to implode. She felt light headed and she slumped against Eric. "Do you want to lay down?" Eric asked kissing the top of her head. She shook her head no. The last thing she needed was to be in a smaller room when everything already felt like it was caving in on her and smothering her.
"Maybe some fresh air will help?" Jason suggested. She shook her head no again. The thought of going out of the room without Eric was almost more terrifying than being inside. Eric cupped the back of her head in his hand. She leaned against his chest and took deep breaths until the room stopped spinning. She noticed the look Jason and Eric exchanged and she heard Jason thinking about how he was concerned about her mental state. She didn't have to read Eric's mind to know he was just as concerned about her. She imagined this was what criminals on death row felt like right before they were executed. Only she hadn't committed any crime. She heard Godric greet them as he and Pam joined them. She heard Eric mumble something and suddenly they were back in their bedroom.
"Sookie." He said her name in a way that sent shivers down her spine but at the same time she felt grounded like the whole world wasn't beyond her control. "Talk to me Lover." He kissed the top of her head.
"When is it going to stop?" Sookie said with tears running down her cheeks. She pulled away from Eric and threw her hands up in the air. Suddenly she was very mad. She picked up the tv remote and threw it against the wall. "How can she get away with this? It's my life, our life. How can she just order me to go somewhere with you? Eric! How can she get away with controlling our lives!" Eric looked at her and ran his hands through his hair.
"Lover, it's because you are mine that she can order me to bring you. This is my fault. I should have prepared you better for this." Sookie looked at him. "I'm not talking about that Eric. I don't mind going anywhere with you ever. I know most vampire human relationships aren't like ours. I love you and I'm yours mind, body, and soul. But she thinks she has some kind of claim over me. How can she get get away with it?" Sookie sat down on the loveseat and dropped her head against her knees. Eric sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her in his lap. "You've been through so much. Can you hang on just a little while longer? She can't take you from me and soon you'll be turned. If by some chance you're still telepathic after you're turned then we'll have to convince her you're not. I think she will give up then."
"Her only proof is what Hadley's told her right? What if we told her I had gotten sick, and I lost my telepathy as a result." Eric looked at her for a moment. "It could work. She may try to prove it untrue. I promise you she won't lay a finger on you tomorrow." Eric brushed her hair away from her face and leaned down to kiss her. She rested her head against his shoulder, letting the coolness of his skin calm her nerves.
"Eric, I'm scared." She said as tears started to well up in her eyes. "All the time, I can't even stand the thought of leaving the hotel room without you." He ran his hands up the back of her shirt.
"That's understandable, you went through a lot yesterday. I'd be more worried if you weren't." He kissed the top of her head.
"Are you sure you're up to going tonight?" She shook her head yes. "Maybe I can help somehow. And I just really don't want to be away from you tonight." Sookie said running her arms up his chest.
Later that night, Sookie slipped her dress on. It was red gingham. Pam helped her fix her hair and do her makeup. Nan Flanagan was supposed to arrive an hour earlier than planned. Sookie was just coming out of Pam's room when there was a knock on the door. Godric offered her a weak smile as he opened the door so he and Isobel could take their seats. Eric took her hand and pulled her beside him on the couch. Nan Flanagan walked in with several other Vampires. Sookie had a bad feeling and clutched Eric's hand. She could feel it in the bond her husband was about to lose control. She squeezed his hand.
"Do you have any idea of the fucking PR mess you've made?" Nan asked annoyed. "And who has to clean that shit up? Me. Not you. Me. I should drain everyone of you bastards." Nan said glancing at Sookie and licking her lips.
"Stan went after the church on his own. None of us knew anything about it." Eric spoke up. "Oh, really. Because everyone who met Stan in the last 300 years knew he had a kink about slaughtering humans. But you, his nest mates, his Sheriff, had no clue." Nan shot back.
"And how were we supposed to know that this time he meant it?" Isobel asked. "Not my problem. Yours" Nan said looking at Godric. Eric had finally heard enough he let go of her and jumped to his feet.
"Don't talk to him that way!" Eric said finally letting go of Sookie's hand and leaning over to rest his elbows on his knees. "Don't talk to me that way." Nan told him. "Let's get to the point. How did they manage to abduct you?" Nan asked Godric. "They would have taken one of us sooner or later. I offered myself, or didn't fight them." Eric raised his eyebrows. "Why?" Nan asked shocked.
"Why not?"
"They wanted you to meet the sun and you were willing?" Nan asked. Eric looked surprised but quickly dropped his gaze. The bond was wide open and she felt his fear.
"What do you think?" Godric asked looking at Eric.
"I think you're out of your mind. And there's rumor of a traitor?" Nan said.
"Irrelevant, only a rumor, I'll take full responsibility." Godric said. "You bet you will." Nan told him.
"You cold bitch." Eric told Nan.
"Listen, this is a national vampire disaster and nobody at the top has any sympathy for any of you. Sheriff, you fucked up. You're fired." Nan told Godric.
"I agree, of course. Isobel should take over, she had no part in my disgrace."Godric spoke calmly.
"Godric, fight back" Isobel urged.
Eric finally lost it.
"What are you saying? She's a bureaucrat. You don't have to take shit from her."
"Do you want to lose your area, Viking?" Nan asked Eric.
"You don't have that kind of power." Eric challenged.
"I'm on Tv try me? How about that pretty wife of yours? You know Sophie -Ann actually petitioned the authority for her? You're lucky The Guardian is a mainstreamer and threatened to give her the true death if she ever spoke of taking a human against their will again." Eric pulled Sookie behind him protectively and growled as he dropped fang.
"Enough! I remove myself from all positions of authority." Godric interrupted "Works for me. Godric, come to my suite and fill out the forms. " Nan said sounding satisfied. "I'm terribly sorry for all the trouble I've caused, for all our lost ones, both human and vampire. I will make amends. I swear it." Nan stood up. Sookie looked at Eric, he was sitting still as a statue looking off into the distance. Through the bond she felt his pain. It felt like her chest was going to cave in. "Relax, it's just a few signatures. Come by my suite before dawn." Everyone left rather quickly. Sookie went to Eric. She had an awful feeling.
"Godric no. You have to listen to me." Eric said once everyone was gone. "I've made up my mind there is nothing left to say." Godric said sadly. "Yes there is." Eric shouted back.
"On the roof." Godric walked out of the hotel room and suddenly Sookie understood what was happening. Godric planned to meet the sun. Sookie stood up and reached for Eric's hand. He pulled away from her. "Don't touch me right now, I don't trust myself." He snapped at her. Eric was hurting more than he would ever admit so she wouldn't let his words get to her. "Let me go with you." Eric looked at her. "No!" He yelled dropping fang. "For once just listen and stay with Pam." He was gone before she had a chance to speak. Sookie grabbed her flip flops out of her bag and slipped them on her feet. Jason came in the room just as she was leaving. "I'll be back Jase, I've got to go to Eric, it's bad he needs me." Sookie said walking out and closing the door behind her.
She made her way to the stairs and quickly ran up them two at a time. She was absolutely terrified something was waiting for her behind one of these doors. But she loved Eric more than she was afraid. She was out of breath by the time she got to the roof. She pushed the door open and her heart ripped into a million pieces when she saw Eric standing behind Godric. "Two thousand years is enough." Godric explained. "I can't except this, it's insanity."
"Our existence is insanity." Godric told Eric never looking up at him. Eric pleaded his voice breaking with every word. "We don't belong here." Godric said finally looking back at Erin. "But we are here." Eric's yelled but his voice cracked.
"We're not right." Godric whispered.
"You taught me there is no right or wrong. Only survival or death." Eric argued. It was breaking Sookie's heart to see them arguing. Eric fell to his knees. "Please, please Godric." Eric argued as bloody tears fell from his eyes.
"We have centuries of faith a love between us. Fader, brother, son. Let me go." Godric said.
"I won't let you die alone." Eric said. Sookie's heart sank. No this can't be happening.
"Yes you will, as your maker I command you." Godric said touching the back of Eric's neck to comfort him. Eric stood up without another word, his head hung down and sadly walked away from his maker. He stopped when he got to Sookie. She reached for his hand.
"I'll stay with him as long as it takes." Sookie promised touching Eric's cheek and leaning up to kiss him. He held her tightly for a minute. "I'll wait inside the door for you to come in." Sookie watched Eric start to walk away. She knew she had to do something. She felt Eric's pain through the bond.
She took a few steps toward Godric.
"It won't take very long, not at my age." Godric told her.
"Godric look at me, you don't have to do this, please. We still have time to get you inside." Sookie pleaded tears running down her cheeks. Godric looked at her. "Do you think God will punish me?" Sookie shook her head. "God doesn't punish, he forgives. But Godric, we need you, please you don't have to do this." Godric took a step towards Sookie. "You have each other. You will both be fine." Sookie shook her head and took a step infront of him as if to block the sun rising.
Sookie was pissed. She saw red. This couldn't happen. She'd been through to much trying to save him and she felt Eric's pain and it was just to much. She balled her fist up and swung just as hard as she could. She got Godric square in his jaw. She felt her hand shatter. But she pushed through the pain.
"Don't you dare do this to us! You can feel his pain. I was beaten, thrown down a flight of stairs, almost raped, and shot trying to get you out of the fellowship. And why? So you can just give up? Godric, you are one of the kindest people I have ever met and I love you but don't you dare do this. I'll never forgive you." Sookie said, her yells turning to sobs. The pain from her hand was radiating up her entire arm and she fell back against the rail and fell to the ground, clutching her hand to her chest. In the distance she heard Eric yelling her name and banging on the door. She didn't say a word as she felt two powerful arms pick her up under her arms. He walked her to the door and ushered her inside just as the sun lit up the horizon. The door slammed loudly behind them. Eric was waiting for Sookie and Godric let her go just as soon as Eric reached for her. She fell crying against his chest.
"I think she broke her hand on my face." Godric explained as Eric gently took her hand in his.
"Sookie, you're right. I apologize I was being selfish. I no longer think like a vampire. You've been hurt more in the last few months than anyone should be. If you promise to hang on I guess I can as well." Godric sighed. Eric was checking her hand over as best as he could without hurting her. It was definitely broken. Sookie sighed and fell forward against Eric. He brought her hand to his lips and gently kissed it. "I'll heal it when we get settled back downstairs." He looked at Godric and Sookie felt his relief and gratitude flood the bond. He stared at Godric a moment then down at his exhausted wife. He would forever be grateful for whatever Sookie did to change his maker's mind. Eric lifted Sookie in his arms and the three of them walked silently to their room. When they got to the room Jason was already asleep on the sofa bed.
"Take care of your wife, we will talk first dark. I understand you've been summoned back to Louisiana?" Godric asked. Eric nodded. "We were going to leave today but if we leave by first dark that will give us plenty of time to get to the palace." Godric nodded. Eric put Sookie down on her feet and kissed her forehead. He bit his finger and offered it to her. She took it and leaned against him as his blood healed her hand. "Get ready for bed lover. I'll be there shortly." Eric told her. She looked at Godric. "Thank you Godric," Sookie said sadly as she walked in the bedroom and closed the door behind her. She took a deep breath and unzipped her dress. She let it fall to the floor. She took her makeup off the best she could with a wipe and crawled in the bed. She managed to pull the covers over her head before she lost her battle with tears. She was still sobbing when Eric came in. He took his clothes off and climbed under the covers with her. Her hands were shaking. He pulled her in his arms and she rested her head on his chest. "It's alright Lover, whatever you said to him you changed his mind. Just breathe." Sookie ran her fingers through the hair on his chest. Being close to him had a calming affect on her, even with everything spinning out of control. She let out a small forced laugh. "I told him he was being selfish after what we went through to get him back and then I felt your pain and then I punched him in the face." Eric looked at her and wiped her tears away with his thumb. He softly kissed her the top of her head.
"When are we leaving?" Eric ran his hands up and down her back. He unhooked her bra and helped her slide it off.
"After we rise tonight and pack. With everything happening I haven't had time to make travel arrangements. You'd feel better if I was awake?" She nodded and kissed the spot on his chest where she was laying. "Ok." She looked up at him.
"You know I'll die first before I let her hurt you?" Eric told her. "I know. But that's not a life I want either." She whispered. "Please Eric. Don't get yourself killed. I think that scares me worse than anything she could actually do to me." She sobbed as she drifted off to sleep. Eric kissed the top of her head and pulled the covers over her protectively. Something had to be done.