“You’ll care for him? Eric?”

Oh, how that question haunted her. Sookie rolled over on her side. Again. She’d done little else in the hours since she’d witnessed Godric’s last moments on Earth. Sleep, despite the fact that she was exhausted, refused to come. At least not in any great quantity. She’d doze off and see Godric going up in flames. Bill, of course, had no such trouble. His corpse-like body lay still and peaceful beside her. Frustrated, Sookie climbed out of the bed and headed for the couch, quietly turning on the television in hopes of distracting herself. It didn’t take long for her to realize that she had no idea what she was watching. Angrily she turned off the offending tv.

 “You’ll care for him? Eric?”

How could Godric ask that of her? Didn’t he know all the terrible things Eric had done to her and those she loved? Didn’t he care? But Sookie realized that Godric did care – about Eric. They had been together for centuries. Godric made Eric. Their bond went beyond mere parent and child. A thousand years was a long time, longer than Sookie could wrap her brain around. They’d shared everything together. And yet, despite Godric’s own ennui and desperation, he was determined that Eric would not share in his fate. Godric knew that Eric didn’t understand why he’d decided to end his existence; he knew that Eric would grieve. So Godric asked the little human girl who’d showed him kindness to extend that kindness to his grief stricken child. How could she refuse him? It was the last wish of a dying man.

Sookie glanced at the clock. Nearly six o’clock. It would be dark soon and they’d finally be headed back to Bon Temps. This trip to Dallas had changed and challenged her in ways she still didn’t understand. A big reason for that lay in the room across the hall. She thought again of the events on the roof. If she hadn’t witnessed Eric’s devastation she wouldn’t have believed it. Her heart broke for him. She knew then that despite her words to Godric she would care for Eric, insomuch as to give him what little comfort she could as he dealt with Godric’s death. Her friends had been a rock for her when Gran passed. She couldn’t let Eric face this chasm alone.

Filled with a renewed sense of purpose, Sookie quietly headed for the bathroom to shower and get dressed. Twenty minutes later, she was across the hall knocking on Eric’s door. There was no answer. She knocked again, louder this time. Still no answer. Sookie glanced at her watch. It was past sunset. On a hunch, Sookie headed for the roof. As she got to the top of the stairs, she saw the tall form of Eric silhouetted against the vestiges of the setting sun. It was a breathtaking sight. Slowly and carefully, Sookie walked over to him. He didn’t knowledge her presence.

“Eric?” she asked quietly.

Silence. She stepped in front of him. There was no trace of anger or sadness in his face, merely resignation. “Eric?”

“You shouldn’t have come.” His eyes remained fixed toward the east. Seeing, she realized with a start, the last thing Godric saw.

Sookie turned and followed his gaze. In her mind’s eye she saw the blue flames. “He was very brave.”

She felt, rather than saw, Eric moved closer to her. He placed a large hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. “Thank you for staying with him.”

Sookie placed her hand over his. “You’re welcome.”

They stood together in silence watching the sky grow progressively darker. At length, Sookie asked, “Ready to go home?”

“Yes.”

As they descended the stairs, both wondered if life would ever be the same.