A/N: Hey guys! I am so sorry for the long hiatus. I had to go through physical therapy and all kinds of stuff! But I am officially all healed according to my doc and am back to writing. I hope most of you are still reading and I promise now that I will be updating regularly. Here is the next chapter and we are getting pretty close to Chase meeting Godric! Anywho read and review and again I am sorry about the long wait!
Chapter Seven: Bad News
An alarm woke me, shrill and buzzing right at the bedside making me groan and open my eyes slowly to turn it off. The clock read 8:00 am and I remembered with a sigh that I had a meeting with the Director at 10:00. I felt rested for once and had actually gotten a good night's sleep even after my encounter with Eric. My stomach was feeling slightly queasy but I knew it was from nerves, I was nervous to find out about where I had come from. I yawned and rolled over onto my back, thinking about laying in bed for a few more minutes when I felt something cold against my shoulder, making me frown. I rolled over slowly to find that I wasn't alone in the bed.
Eric was laying beside me, sleeping peacefully on his back with one arm behind his head. He was shirtless, his skin looking extra pale from the sunlight pouring into the room. His hair was perfectly slicked back as normal and to be honest he looked dead. But he still looked gorgeous. I sat up, frowning down at him as I remembered that I had asked him to sleep on the couch… But he wouldn't be Eric if he had listened to me and slept on the couch. He wouldn't be the tall Viking vampire that had stolen my heart and then shattered it into a million pieces. I still couldn't even look at him without feeling that pang of betrayal mixed with longing, hate, want, and love in my stomach. I wanted to forgive him. I desperately did. I wanted to go back to the blissful yet chaotic days when I just couldn't wait to be in his arms again and the nights when I laid there beside him.
But I couldn't. It just wasn't that easy.
I sighed and rolled out of the bed quietly, trying not to wake him as I tip toed to the bathroom and turned on the shower. I was as quiet as possible as I showered, brushed my teeth, washed my face, dressed and did my hair. I wore on the black dresses, the most professional looking one with only a low cut front, and the black heels. I pulled my hair up into a bun with a bang hanging down in my face and was ready by 9:20. Eric hadn't made one movement as I moved throughout the room. I reluctantly brushed a kiss across his cheek before I went to leave unable to resist this rare moment when I saw Eric in his most vulnerable state. He only moved the slightest inch as my lips brushed across his and then he was deadly still again.
As expected Joseph was waiting for me downstairs in the main parking lot. He greeted me and let me in the backseat. I tried to remain calm and keep a clear head as we made the drive to the home, but it didn't work. When we finally arrived I felt sick as a dog and my stomach was in knots. My head and heart were pounding and I had the sickening urge to release the apple and glass of orange juice I had forced myself to consume for breakfast.
The home was large and looked like a school with three smaller but still big buildings surrounding it. There was a play yard and a basketball court, both were fenced in as well as the entire area. I saw and heard children playing of all ages and ethnicity, running across the grass or swinging on the swings. I stood outside the limo after Joseph parked and helped me out, trying my hardest to remember this place, but I couldn't. It didn't even jog one memory which made me even more uneasy. I should remember this right? I thought to myself. I should remember something….please please make me remember anything from this place. I have to know who I am.
"Chase?"
I jumped at the sound of my name and turned to find that a woman had come up behind me in the parking lot. She was beautiful with flowing waves of red hair and a warm smile. She was wearing a casual but professional black dress and heels and holding what looked like a large file folder in her hands. She was smiling softly and looking cautious as if she expected me to explode at any moment. She looked to be my mother's age nearly and as hard as I tried I didn't recognize her either.
I nodded. "Yes, that's me. I am, Chase," I swallowed hard, not wanting her to know how nervous I was and to keep from being too emotional. I didn't want my new telekinesis ability to manifest and hurt someone.
"It has been so long. You are so beautiful, just as I expected," she moved forward to hug me and I let her.
Her skin made contact with mine and I jumped as I was assaulted with her thoughts. Thoughts of me as a child playing in the school yard with the other children, eating, sleeping. I realized then that these were memories she had of me. I looked happy for the most part which made me happy. Maybe being at this place hadn't been so bad. I hugged her in return as suddenly her thoughts shifted and I was in the arms of some strange man that I didn't recognize dressed in a cops uniform, soaking wet and my clothes stained with blood. I was crying, and the utter look of terror on my face made my gut wrench. I pulled away with a small gasp that seemed to go unrecognized. Her face didn't show that she had been thinking about that horrible memory of me, she hid it well as she touched my cheek and sighed.
"I am Ms. Audra Lancaster. I am the Director of this facility. You can call me Audra. I haven't seen you since the day you left with the Morgan's," she said shaking her head and stepping back to take me in. " You may not remember me, but I have been here since they first brought you in that night so many years ago….you seem to be doing well for yourself though. The Morgan's are wonderful people. How have you been?"
"I have been great," I lied with a smile. 'I've just turned into some magical thing and have been sleeping with a vampire who I don't trust' I added silently to myself. "Thank you so much for seeing me today."
"Well we don't normally release too much information in regards to a closed adoption, but after the donation your employer provided..." she trailed off as if the rest was obvious. There was a brief pause. "Come inside. We can talk in my office."
My eyebrow arched. My employer? I am going to kill Eric Northman. She turned on her heels and headed for the main entrance. I followed walking quickly behind her as I watched the kids play in the yard. The building was large inside and her office was at the end of a long hallway adorned with pictures of children and drawings with the words."Dallas Childrens Receiving Home" in bubbled letters. I took a seat in a soft chair in her office and watched her sit behind her large desk setting the file down. She looked at me and then slid it towards me.
"This is all the information we have on you, Chase," she said softly. "I hope this helps."
I didn't touch the file. I was too nervous. "Were you here when I was brought in?" I asked cautiously.
She hesitated, her face hardening and her eyes gazing off as if she was trying to remember. "I was. I wasn't director back then, just one of the live in teachers, but I was awake when the night they brought you in," she answered with a nod. "The police brought you soaking wet in the rain and covered with blood. They said your name was Chase, that you were one, and that if anyone came to claim you that you were not to be released under any circumstances. They had a cop car sit outside the building for a month after that and still did not let us in on any information as to regards of who you were, who your parents were, or what happened to you. You were here for 6 months when a lawyer showed up to state that the Dallas Childrens Receiving home was granted custody of you and that you could be put up for adoption. We asked for more information then, but we were given none. It was as if you were in the witness protection program. We didn't even know your birthday so we let you pick out the date and month of when you wanted to celebrate your birthday. The Morgan's came a few months later and….they took you home practically that day."
My stomach did a flop as it took that information in. I had been brought to the home by the police and then guarded. Why had I been covered in blood? Where did I come from? Were my real parents even alive? These were all questions running through my head, but I was too scared to ask. I was afraid that the answer would be more bad news.
"Do you know who my real parents were? Did the police say anything about them? Who they were? Where they found me?" I asked hurriedly.
Audra hesitated just a moment, her eyes shifting to the floor. "Well...we have no clue as to who your parents are," I deflated at these words. My face falling in confusion. "But you were found at a house in town...near the poor area."
Great so my parents were poor?
I sighed and put my head in my hands unable to resist the urge to crumble to a million pieces right on the office floor. I had come all this way only to find out they truly knew nothing. I felt as if I had taken one step forward and two steps back. I jumped when I felt a hand touch my shoulder and looked up to see that it was Audra looking sympathetic. I wiped at my watery eyes feeling ashamed.
"I'm sorry I just..." I sighed and looked down at my hands. "I just really would like to know who I am and where I came from."
"Before you leave Dallas go down to the police station and ask to look at your case file. They may have found something and not have told us. Or try and speak to the detective working your case if there was one," Audra offered. "If your lucky they may tell you something."
I nodded and wiped at my eyes. "Thank you."
I spent another hour and a half with Audra, talking to her about what I was like as a child and getting a tour of the facility. I tried my best to keep a clear face to hide my disappointment and the fact that I was upset, but I knew that it showed. By the time I was ready to go I was near tears. I hugged Audra goodbye and she wished me luck and I headed for the parking lot. Joseph was waiting to greet me when I came walking out of the building a smile on his face. I forced a smile on my own face as he opened the door.
"Back to the hotel Ms. Morgan?" He asked politely as he helped me inside.
I wasn't ready to go back and deal with Sookie's questions or see Eric lying in bed naked and trying to suppress my want for him. The anger was still boiling in me for what he did and I was disappointed and hurt that I had barely found out any information and that the information I did get was bad news. The energy was still swirling in my stomach and I wasn't really in the mood to deal with Eric or Sookie. I would pass a few hours doing something else until nightfall and then regroup. A part of me wanted to head to the police station to see if I could find out anymore information, but I would save that bad news for another day. I had, had enough for one.
"No, I would like to go for a drive for awhile if that's alright Joseph?" I asked hesitantly.
Joseph shook his head. "Not at all. That will be fine. I'll take a scenic route," he answered with a smile.
"Thanks," I said sitting down and allowing him to shut the door.
I leaned back into the leather of the seats and looked at the file sitting in my lap. I fingered the edge considering opening it and wondering just why I was so apprehensive to look inside when Audra told me there was pretty much nothing to see. The idea of reading about my childhood in a file scared me though. I wasn't ready to look and see what the file had to offer anyway. I tossed it onto the seat beside me and sighed, shutting my eyes.
Joseph drove me around till the sunset with no complaining. We stopped to eat and go to the bathroom a few times, but aside from that I sat in the back trying to keep a clear head and not assume the worst about my past. It couldn't be that bad. I was a good person so that means I had to come from good people right?
I was watching the sun set as we whipped down some freeway when my phone rang making me jump. I didn't recognize the number, but flipped it open anyway and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Good evening, lover."
I let out a soft sigh. I was in no mood to deal Eric at the moment. "What do you want?" My tone was not a pleasant one.
"How did your meeting with the director go?" He asked softly.
I blinked at the sincerity and general curiosity in his voice. It seemed as if he really cared. I hesitated. Did I truly want to share anything with him? He could probably find some sick way to use it against me. And I did not want to be under Eric's thumb anymore.
"Chase?"
I snapped back to attention as his voice weaved into my ears. I clenched the phone tighter. "It went fine, Eric. Is there something else you need or do you just enjoy annoying me?" I asked in an icy tone.
"Well lover you are in a feisty mood aren't you?"
"Cut the crap, Eric," I sighed. "You want me back at the hotel or something?"
He sighed into the phone. "There will be a meeting at the missing sheriff's home in ten minutes. Sookie and Bill will be in attendance as should you be."
I groaned and ran my hands through my hair. I was so not in the mood for this, but I supposed I did have to earn the ten thousand dollars he was paying me.
"Joseph will bring you. I have already given him the address," Eric continued.
"Okay," I replied. "I will be there in a moment."
I hung up before he could give any reply and slid off the bar stool after placing a hundred dollar bill on the bar for a tip. Joseph was waiting for as expected. He drove me to a large modern looking house that sat by the lake. I said goodnight to Joseph before slinging my purse over my shoulder and heading towards the door. I knocked three times on the door and jumped when it swung open.
A tall man stood there with dark hair and facial hair and a scowl. He was wearing a black button down and jeans to match with cowboy boots. I would have classified him as handsome, but the scowl and look of utter disgust on his face was not pleasant at all. I frowned in return.
"Are you another one of Eric's humans?" He drawled as he looked me up and down.
My frown deepened. "I am not Eric's anything."
The scowl left his face and was replaced with a sly smirk that I didn't take as a good sign. "Then what are you doing here?" He asked taking a step toward me.
"Stan."
It was Eric's cold voice as he appeared behind Stan. His face was blank and void of emotion, but I could hear the anger in his tone. Stan sighed and rolled his eyes as he turned to face Eric.
"What, Northman?"
"She is mine. Now leave her be and let her pass," Eric ordered through clenched teeth.
Stan's smirk widened and he turned his back on Eric stepping towards me. One cold long finger reached out and ran along my jaw. It wasn't much contact, but it was enough to get a read off of him. He was thinking about blood, my blood, he didn't know it for a fact but judging from my blood he assumed it tasted sweet and he wanted it. I came out of his head with a gasp, just in time to see Eric surge forward in vampire speed and grab Stan's wrist breaking the contact with my face. Stan's fangs unsheathed with a click and Eric's followed, both growling animalistically as Stan turned to him.
"She is mine," Eric growled again.
"She says she belongs to no one, Northman."
Eric turned cold eyes on me and I visibly flinched. There were heavy click of heels before a beautiful Latina woman appeared looking irritated.
"Will you two stop it already," she sighed placing her hands on her hips. "We have business to discuss."
Neither of the two male vampires moved for a moment until Stan wrenched his hand from Eric's grip and went walking past him. The female vampire moved to follow leaving me and Eric alone in the foyer. He frowned down at me before wrapping cold fingers around my wrist and yanking me completely in the house. I yelped as he slammed the door shut, and pulled me close to him. He leaned down, lips caressing my ear, as he started to speak softly, but in a threatening tone.
"I know that you are still angry, lover-."
"Eric," I started as my heart began to pound.
"Shut up," he cut in through clenched teeth. The arm around my waist tightened, crushing me into him further. "Trust that I have not forgotten that, but Dallas vampires are not the same as the ones from Bon Temps. They are cold and vicious and given the opportunity would snap you like a twig and drink from your separate parts. So for now, here in Dallas, where it really matters, you are mine. Do you understand?"
I remained quiet, my eyes staring dead ahead. I knew he was just trying to keep me safe, but it didn't mean I liked his attitude.
He jerked me against his body once more coaxing a small moan from my throat. "I said do you understand?" He repeated.
I nodded quickly, feeling that now was not a time to test his patience. "Yes, Eric. I understand."
I shivered as his lips brushed my cheek as he pulled back. He turned on his heel and walked into the living area. I moved to follow after regaining my composure. I saw Sookie and Bill standing with Stan and the female vampire and relaxed somewhat. Eric moved to pace around the room as I went to Sookie and Bill's side, standing opposite the female vampire and Stan. Sookie smiled at me and I returned it before turning my attention back on the vampires.
"Now that we are all here, we can discuss what to do about Godric," the female vampire said.
"You could have told me Eric hired some fucking humans, Isabel," Stan drawled as he looked me and Sookie over.
Sookie and I both frowned, the energy beginning to swirl in me as my anger flared. "Excuse me?"
"Now what just a minute," Sookie snapped.
Bill held up a hand before coming to our rescue. "Respect them," he commanded to Stan with a glare.
"Thank you," Sookie said passing Bill a smile.
"I couldn't tell you, Stan. You have been off on your own for days," Isabel snapped with crossed arms.
"Are you certain that Godric was abducted by the fellowship of the sun?" Eric piped up from where he paced near the dining room table.
"No."
"Yes."
The first answer came from Isabel while the second came from Stan. Both sounded sure. Both looked at the other irritably. Stan brought up facts to back up his assumption.
"They are all the only ones with the organization and man power."
"But they are amateurs," Isabel reasoned. "It does not make any sense." She turned her eyes on Sookie, Bill, and I. "This is Godric we are talking about. 2,000 years old."
Sookie and I shared surprised glances. She mouthed "2,000 years old?" To me. I shrugged. Two thousand years was such a long time. I couldn't imagine being alive that long.
"Old don't make you smart," Stan countered.
"Besides," Isabel continued, passing Stan a glare. "There is NO proof."
"If they have him, I will hear it," Sookie said stepping forward. "Chase will too. She can hear vampires thoughts even though I can't. If she tries hard enough she may be able to hear Godric."
I gasped slightly as Stan and Isabel turned curious eyes on me. "Sookie, you know my ability doesn't work like that," I said quickly.
"It doesn't matter what the little telepath can do. There's no point in waiting," Stan said. "We need to take these fanatic down. Full out attack. Exterminate them like the vermin they are. Leave no trace."
"Hmm. Vampire hating church annihilated? Wonder who did it? Fucking brilliant," Isabel mocked.
"I doubt the king of Texas would approve of the destruction of our international political agenda," Bill added.
Stan huffed. "Fuck that. The great revelation was the biggest mistake we ever made."
"Don't use Godric to start your own little power play!" Isabel snapped.
"You are completely incompetent!" Eric snapped making me jump. All eyes turned on him as his voice rang over us. "What happened to Godric is that he surrounds himself with clowns."
"We invited you as a courtesy. This is not your area. You have no say here," Isabel replied walking toward Eric.
"Yeah sheriff," Stan piped up. "Why don't you run back to Louisiana. We don't need you or your puppets."
I frowned as Stan passed a glare my way. "We are no ones puppets," I snapped passing the same glare right back.
"And I am not going anywhere," Eric replied.
"What we need is a plan," I said drawing attention back to myself. "No matter what the situation you can't go running into a church killing innocent people."
"I have a plan," Stan said angrily.
Isabel huffed. "Its not a plan. Its a movie!"
Stan's gaze darkened. "It's not a movie. Its a war."
Silence hung in the air at his admittance to what he had in mind. Now I realized what Eric meant when he said Dallas vamps weren't the same as Bon Temps. These were cold blooded killers. It was amazing the lack of humanity they had.
Eric shook his head. "Idiots."
"Look we take them all out at once," Stan said. "Preemptive strike."
"Right so the federal government can send us back to the middle ages," Isabel replied.
"Things were better then," Stan huffed.
"Then go back to Romania and live in a cave you ranchero poser!"
"Rancher-."
Glass shattered against the wall startling me. I turned to see that it was Eric. He looked angrier than I had ever seen him. None of this made sense to me. Why was he so concerned with this missing sheriff. He seemed to care about this sheriff a lot which made me wonder why. As far as I knew Eric cared for no one, except Pam maybe and me, but I knew he had a hidden agenda for caring about my well being.
Eric growled. "Godric has protected you. Made you rich. Yet you stand here spitting and scratching like infants!"
"Don't any of you care that there is a traitor in your midst?" Bill asked loudly.
The whole room practically froze. Isabel and Stan huffed. "No," Stan answered honestly.
"Impossible," Isabel countered.
"Someone tried to kidnap me from the airport," Sookie informed. "And if Chase hadn't gone in a different limo then they probably would have gone after her too."
"You were the only ones that knew they were coming," Bill reasoned.
Eric came striding forward, his whole body tense. "Yes. Explain?" He growled.
Isabel and Stan seemed moderately surprised by the information. They both turned on each other accusingly. I growled and ran a hand through my hair. All the arguing was getting on my nerves. I was tired and irritated and disappointed. I didn't want to deal with this.
"Look if you all keep arguing I am either going to fall asleep or go crazy. So this is what we are going to do," Sookie announced. "Chase and I will infiltrate the fellowship."
I huffed. "Sookie. No way."
Bill nodded in agreement. "Absolutely not."
"Let her speak," Eric ordered stepping towards us.
"Bill glamoured the kidnapper so they don't know who we are. Chase and I can pretend we want to join and read their thoughts," Sookie reasoned nodding at me.
"Sookie they probably want to kill us!" I said crossing my arms. I didn't really want any part in this. I was sick of being in life or death situations.
"Chase is right, Sookie," Bill agreed. "During the day none of us can help you."
"Come on," Sookie sighed. "Chase it will only take a little while. Bill, its really simple."
Stan huffed and began striding through the room. "Its a waste of time when we can drain them all. I want no part of this," he scowled grabbing his hat and exiting the house.
"Aside from the killing aspect I am on his side," I piped up with a frown.
"There's no easier way to find out if they are involved," Isabel said now visibly calm in Stan's absence.
"If it leads us to Godric we'll do it," Eric said softly. "The decision is made."
I sighed and plopped down on one of the plush white couches. "Great."
"Eric," I heard Bill say in a hushed angry tone. "A word?"
Bill lead Eric out of earshot as Sookie came to sit next to me on the couch. Isabel disappeared down a long hallway leaving the four of us alone in the living room.
"What's wrong?" Sookie asked me softly.
"I am sick of being in life or death situations," I sighed. "You have no idea what is in that church. For all we know they will kill us or do something crazy on principal."
"Its a church, Chase."
"A vampire hating church. And we both happen to be involved with vampires."
"Chase, we will be fine."
I shook my head. "You don't know that."
She took my hand. "Yes I do."
I looked at her, surprised at how determined she sounded. I didn't know how she could be so sure, but I decided to trust in her. It didn't mean that I wasn't going to worry and assume the worse. Or be angry for Eric putting me in another horrible death situation.
"Sookie," Bill called. "Come. It's time to go. Chase, you may accompany us."
I shook my head as my eyes turned to Eric who stood alone with his back to me, his eyes staring into the fire. He seemed to be having a rough night, but I had a bone to pick with him.
"I am fine."
Sookie and bill shared a glance, but nodded. "Okay, I will see you in the morning," Sookie said.
I nodded as I rose to my feet and watched them walk out. Eric didn't move as I approached him from behind, his hands remained on his hips, his eyes on the fire. I wanted to be angry, but I couldn't help but feel as if he was in need of a hug. He seemed so emotional about all of this and I still didn't understand why. I wanted the truth out of him for once.
"Eric."
"I am in no mood to fight, lover," he said darkly, still not bothering to turn around. "We need to leave. I have business to attend to at the hotel."
He turned on his heel and headed for the door. I followed after him quickly and grabbed his arm, turning him to face me. His teeth were clenched as he gazed down at me, his body tensing. Even though his face was blank, the vulnerability showed in his eyes. It surprised me. He was truly upset.
"Eric, what is going on? Who is Godric and why is he important?" I asked softly. I put my hand on his arm, squeezing gently.
"That is not important. Your only concern should be to find him," Eric replied in an icy tone, pulling his arm from my touch. "Now as I said before, I have business to attend too. And I am starving. Let's go back to the hotel."
"No Eric," I said angrily. "We need to talk. I will not let you keep doing this to me. Aside from the fact that you are putting me in danger again. I really don't know why and its pissing me off. Who the hell is Godric and why is he so damn important?"
Eric growled turning back to me with unsheathed fangs. "Chase," he said seeming as if he was trying to stay calm, but his tone was angry and his voice grew louder with each word he spoke. "I grow tired of your pestering pathetic human questions of things you do not understand."
I blinked, taken aback by what he had said. " I have a right to know why my life is in danger. I am here to help you, Eric," I snapped as calmly as I could. I was growing angry now. "Even though you kidnapped my friend and lied-."
Eric growled angrily, cutting me off. "You never stop do you? I have paid your expenses. I have arranged meetings with important people for you to find your parents. I have made donations. I have given you gifts. Yet you are still angry with me. What more do you want from me?" He shouted stepping closer.
"I want you to open up to me dammit!" I shouted in response before I could stop myself. "I know you are supposed to be a big bad ass vampire, but for god sakes Eric try and show some humanity! Be honest with me for once. I don't care about your gifts or you paying my expenses or any of that crap. I want you Eric. I want to know the real inner you. I want to know the human in you."
His face fell at my words, his whole body relaxing as he looked at me in slight surprise.
I took a deep breath forcing myself to calm as I looked down. Warm tears slid down my face. I reached up a shaky hand to wipe them away. "You can't buy my affection or forgiveness so stop trying. Try having a heart."
Eric said nothing. He turned on his heel and stormed toward the door. He pulled the door open slipping through to leave standing there alone with tears on my face.
I couldn't wait to get out of Dallas.
