A/N: Sorry for the delay. You dont care about my excuses I am sure! Just enjoy the chapter and leave a review! :) It's kind of filler, but things will pick up next chapter I promise.

Setting It Straight

The cup of tea was warm in my hands. I turned it back and forth nervously as I looked at my father who was busy adding sugar to his own tea. After I had spent a few moments crying my eyes out on his shoulder he had walked me to the very diner that Alcide had taken me to the night had rejected me. He plopped me down into a booth, ordered tea for the both of us, reminding me a lot of my adopted mother, Mary. He remained silent as I composed myself and forced calm upon myself. He didn't push, he didn't question, he just waited. When the waitress brought the tea, he offered me the option to order food, but the thought of food alone made my stomach churn. I was too frazzled to eat.

We sipped our tea in silence, until he looked at me expectantly, but patiently. "I would ask how you have been…" Connor started slowly setting his cup down. "But I can see that it hasn't been…'well'…"

I huffed and took the first sip of my tea. "I have been…in a whirlwind of trouble…"

"You want to tell me what's going on? Or why you are in Jackson?" he probed cautiously.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. This was going to be a long story. "For you to fully understand everything I would have to start from the beginning," I replied.

He leaned back in his chair and took another sip of his tea. "I have all the time in the world, Chase."

I started slowly; beginning first with where my life had taken a drastic turn: my best friend Cassandra's death. Connor listened to me unwearyingly as I told him everything that had transpired from my first night at Fangtasia to the moment where he had found in me in the park. I glossed over the parts that he knew about; skipping over my ordeal with Charlotte and straight to when Annabelle had come looking for Dominic. By the time I had finished the waitress had come to refill our tea's twice and an hour had passed. I had poured my heart and soul out to my father and it had been the first time that I had truly told my story to anyone aside from the brief excerpt that I had told Alcide. It had felt good to talk about it. It had eased the uneasiness in my stomach somewhat, but it didn't change the fact that my feelings were hurt. That I was done with Eric. That I was done with the danger and the drama with Sookie. That I felt as if the world was crashing down on me and felt I was close to a nervous break down. That I wanted nothing more than to be normal.

Connor had remained silent while I spoke, only gave a nod or two to indicate that he was listening. When I finished talking he was frowning. I waited anxiously to hear what he had to say. I half expected to hear an 'I told you so' in regards to my situation with Eric. He had warned me after all, but I was too dumb to listen. Too deep into my feelings for Eric that I was blind to the truth. However to my surprise he didn't, he reached across the table and placed a warm hand on mine, squeezing softly as his frown turned to a weak smile.

"When I gave you up and bound your powers I wanted nothing more than for you to have a happy and normal life, free from vampires, magic, and everything else that is supernatural. If I would have known that this is how things would have ended for you I would have never let you go," Connor said thoughtfully with a sigh as he leaned forward and placed his elbows on the table.

"Trust me this is not what I wanted for myself," I replied. "Everything in my life was pretty normal and then I went to the vampire bar and suddenly my best friend is dead, vampires are after me, I started developing new powers and my life just turned to…shit."

"And now there are werewolves after you?"

"The ones that worked for Dominic are certainly trying to take me."

"To who?"

"I don't know."

Connor rubbed his chin thoughtfully before crossing his arms. "And how do you know that the werewolves that took your friends boyfriend aren't the same ones looking for you?"

I hesitated. I hadn't given that idea much though. Sookie had warned me in the beginning that the wolves may have been after me too; but I barely knew Bill, what would him being kidnapped have to do with me?

"….I don't… but I don't see the connection."

Connor weighed my answer for a moment. "And there is also the possibility that the vampire authority may be looking for you as well?"

"If Annabelle told them that she thought I was the one that killed Dominic or had something to do with it then yes. Eric definitely seemed to think so."

"And you have no way of knowing if she did or not."

"Right."

"And the werewolf…you got nothing out of him before you…" he trailed off looking around the diner to make sure there was no one eavesdropping. "Killed him…?"

I looked down as I thought back to the sight of James' dead body lying in the woods across the street from my house. "No, I didn't…"

Connor sighed and shook his head, cupping his chin as he gazed past me. I could see the gears turning in his head as he thought my situation through. I took another sip of my tea and wiped at my sore eyes that I was sure were puffy and red. Connor seemed to come up short on an answer to my situation as he changed the subject.

"And Eric…" he started slowly.

I swallowed hard.

"You think that he is in love with your friend?" he finished with an arched eyebrow.

"I think that he is a manipulative lying asshole that likes things that are special and Sookie is special," I answered with a shrug. "I don't know whether or not he loves her, but he does have feelings for her."

Connor looked puzzled. "As much as I hate to admit it, Chase, I would swear that he cared for you more than anyone. He must be one hell of an actor, because he had me completely fooled. From an outside perspective I couldn't say he doesn't…love you."

Those are not words that I need to hear right now, I thought bitterly. "Eric cares for me because he sees me as valuable. He protects me because like I said before he values special things. I am special, so he likes to know that I am safe."

Connor looked disapproving. "Perhaps it is time that we unbind your powers."

"You think so?" I asked him hesitantly.

"If you are truly done with Eric, which you should be, then you will need to be able to protect yourself. You still have abilities with them bound, but if you are going to have werewolves- and most likely vampires- after you, you will need your full power. With the bind in place you will always feel weak when you use whatever power has managed to slip through, which can get you killed."

"I used to be able to read thoughts just fine and I never felt weak. Then I started developing these new powers and…." I trailed off. He knew the rest.

"Well I can tell you what happened to make you start developing new powers," Connor said pushing his now empty cup away.

Curiosity took over my face. "Really?"

He nodded. "It was the vampire blood."

My face fell a little. "What do you mean?"

"Vampire blood makes witches magic stronger, just like it makes a normal human stronger. You are already powerful enough which is why the bind is weak and some power- your telepathy- seeped through in the first place. But the minute you ingested Eric's blood it started breaking down the bind even further," he explained. "The more blood you ingest, the stronger you are, the weaker the bind gets while the vampire blood is in your system."

I sipped more tea as I took that information in. I had never even considered that it was the vampire blood that was changing me, even though now it all made sense. The first time I had drank Eric's blood something had happened to me, I had had some sort of vision and felt intense power. It also wasn't until after I had drunk Eric's blood that I had developed the telekinesis. And when I drank Godric's blood I had used a lot of power and hadn't felt weak after. It all made sense now.

"Well you won't have to worry about me drinking anymore vampire blood," I replied setting my cup down. "And I don't think that I am ready for my powers to be unbound. If I want some sense of normality I need them to go away actually."

Connor smirked. "Chase, you have let them out of the bag. And given that even as a child with only pre-developed powers I could not bind your powers fully then I don't think that I could do it now, especially since you have ingested vampire blood."

I frowned at him. "So I am screwed then?"

"Not screwed," Connor contradicted. "Special."

"I don't feel very special. I can't control what is happening to me. Earlier I got so upset and I felt like I was going to…to…I don't know…explode!"

"Chase, you are a walking, talking, unlimited power source. Most witches would kill to have that kind of power. The only way to control those feelings is to learn how to control your powers…which I think it is time for you to do."

I sighed and put my head in my hands. I didn't want to unbind my powers. I wanted nothing more than to just be normal. A regular powerless human girl. But just like Eric had so forcefully told me the other night on my porch, I was not normal, not even anywhere close to normal. I may not have been ready, but Connor was right; with vampires and now werewolves after me I would need to be able to defend myself. Alcide would not always be able to protect me and I didn't want to even be in the same area code as Eric, so that left me and me alone to protect myself. It was time that I got over my idiotic wish to be normal. I needed to face the reality that I was not and accept it.

"So how do we do this?" I asked looking back up at Connor.

"Well we definitely don't do it here," Connor said with a smirk.

"In Texas?"

"Somewhere private is definitely in order," Connor answered. "Just releasing the blind can trigger your powers. There is no telling what will happen. I don't want to expose you or worse, hurt anyone."

"Well I can't just leave with you tonight," I sighed. "I need to go back and talk to Sookie and Alcide. At least tell them goodbye."

"We can do this on your schedule, Chase. It truly is up to you. If you want to keep your powers bound then I will not stop you. But if you are in danger then I think that you should use the natural gifts given to you to protect yourself," Connor reasoned.

"I am planning to go back home to Bon Temps tomorrow. You can come meet me there and we can do it then?" I offered.

Connor nodded. "Whatever you would like."

"It won't hurt will it?"

He chuckled lightly. "No, not at all. You should feel better than ever actually."

"And what will I be like after?"

Connor hesitated, shrugging. "I honestly can't tell you, Chase. But at least you will be able to protect yourself."

Connor finally convinced me to eat something. I was not hungry even though I hadn't eaten since the day before. My stomach was still uneasy despite the fact that I had calmed down and the energy in me had died down long before. I attributed it to bad nerves and put it to the back of my mind as I ate a full plate of breakfast food, which left me feeling nauseous by the time I was done.

I changed the subject from my damaged existence and began to question Connor instead; asking him what he had been up to without having to worry about Charlotte trying to murder me anymore. I was happy to hear that he had rejoined society. His father, my grandfather, had owned a successful national construction company in Texas and when he died Connor became the sole owner. He was still young at the time and wanted nothing to do with his father who he had been estranged from since he was a young boy. He also had just become a father and was the only thing standing between a vampire and his daughter. He only took advantage of the wealth that came with being the owner of the company and left all other decisions up to the board, using the money to build a home in a secluded area to raise me in and take care of his daily needs. Now that he did not have to worry about Dominic or Charlotte anymore, he had taken his place at the head of the company and was learning the business. It had not been that long since he had seen me, but I was still happy that he had begun to live his life. And I hoped that he would continue to. He deserved it.

When I was done eating he walked me back to the very park he had found me at, which was the safest place for him to teleport from. It felt weird to say goodbye to him again, the same feeling of losing something creeping up in my stomach just like last time. I promised to call him tomorrow when I made it safely back to Bon Temps and I was ready to unbind my powers. He seemed reluctant to leave me, warning me to be careful in the meantime, but hugged me nonetheless and disappeared in a flash of white light. Even though I felt much calmer I still was not ready to face Sookie or Alcide and found myself circling the park.

My mind kept going back to my outburst at Sookie and then Eric. As much as Eric had deserved my rage fueled outburst, Sookie hadn't deserved it as much. She did indeed deserve a portion of it, but not the full lashing that I had given her, and definitely not in the tone or decibel of voice that I had given it in. She had been nothing, but a good friend to me, but I still had resentment towards her. For the way that she made Eric feel about her and how I foolishly followed her into dangerous situations. I couldn't place all the blame on her, I did have a choice and I chose to follow her, but it was clear that I needed to distance myself from Sookie and all the danger. I had my own problems to deal with and couldn't let myself get sucked into hers anymore. I didn't want to stop being her friend, but I did need to put some distance between her problems and mine.

"I was hoping that I would find you here."

The voice was familiar and made me stop in my tracks. I turned slowly to find Alcide approaching me, looking quite casual in a pair of blue sweats and a white tank top. He smiled at me cautiously, probably worried that I might still be in a bad mood, and slowed down. I softened my face and attempted a smile, which seemed to make him relax.

"You mind if join you?" he asked with a small shrug.

I beckoned him closer with a wave of my hand, turning and continuing what had to be my 3rd lap around the park path. He caught up with me quickly, walking beside me in silence. I found his presence comforting and was glad that he had come to find me. He had let me go when I knew that he didn't want to and I respected him even more for that. Eric would have stopped me and forced me to talk or not go. Alcide had given me time to myself which I really needed.

"I am sorry about snapping at you earlier before I stormed out," I said looking up at him. "You didn't deserve that. I know you just want to keep me safe. Which I appreciate very much."

"I knew you needed some time to yourself to calm down. I could feel how tense you were. I thought you were going to level my apartment with all the energy I felt inside of you."

I looked at him curiously. "You could feel my power?"

"Animals have a heightened sense of awareness and can sense and feel things that humans can't. Being a werewolf means I have that heightened sense of awareness too."

"Well that's cool."

"Being a were has its perks. Are you alright now though?" he asked, his tone turning serious.

"Yeah I am feeling a little bit better," I said shoving my hands in my pockets. I decided to skip the part of telling him about my biological father who can teleport. Alcide had, had enough mind boggling events for one day. "I just felt like I was going to explode in there. I am not always in control of my power. I didn't want to hurt or destroy anything."

Alcide huffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "I am still getting used to the idea that people can even have powers."

"Says the guy who can turn into a wolf," I countered with a smirk.

Alcide chuckled again. "Touché…you and Sookie going to be okay?" he asked me hesitantly. "She was real worried about you. Said she heard you yelling at someone on the phone…"

"That was Eric," I replied absently, crossing my arms over my chest. "And Sookie and I will be fine. I am going to talk to her. I was a little…harsh to her after the whole Lou Pine's thing. But I can't get dragged into her drama when I haven't even fixed my own yet. Sookie is the closest thing to a best friend I have these days, but…I just need to distance myself from her and her crazy drama filled world and figure out my own stuff…."

"Well that I can definitely understand. I don't think she wants to cause you any trouble on purpose, but when it comes to that fanger of hers she is a little blind to what she gets herself and others into," Alcide replied.

"Tell me about it."

"So you want me to take you back to Bon Temps tomorrow then?" he asked reluctantly.

"Yes…I am ready to go home."

"And what about your…vampire and werewolf problems?"

"Don't worry about me, Alcide. I am a big girl. You aren't my body guard anymore remember?"

"Yeah, but I am your friend right?" he asked looking down at me.

"Yes, you are, but…I have been saying for far too long that I need to learn how to take care of myself," I answered with a sigh. "Ever since Cassandra died there has been danger knocking on my door every day and someone has always come to my rescue and what if one day no one shows up? I need to be able to fend for myself."

Alcide stopped walking with a heavy sigh, grabbing my hand and making me halt as well. He didn't let my hand go as he stepped closer to me and looked down at me with a serious expression. The butterflies fluttered around like a mad frenzy in my stomach and heat rushed through me at the close proximity of our bodies.

"Chase, I care about you. Knowing that you could be still in danger and taking you home to be alone and fend for yourself doesn't sit well with me. I don't want you getting hurt."

"Alcide that is very sweet, but what are you going to do? Drop everything here and move to Bon Temps to protect me? I don't think so," I countered crossing my arms over my chest. "You can't watch me every second."

Alcide frowned. "I just don't like it."

"Most men don't."

He smirked at my remark, but the smile only lasted a few seconds before he was serious again. His hand was still holding mine, warm and calloused, sending sparks through me. I looked up into his eyes, trying to shake the breathless feeling that washing over me as we made eye contact again.

"Chase, about the other night-," he started slowly.

I didn't need him to elaborate. I knew exactly what night he was talking about. I really did not want to relive the moment again and cut him off quickly. "Alcide, it's okay," I said raising the hand that he was not holding. "I completely understand. It was too soon-."

"No, it wasn't…well a little, but I wish I wouldn't have stopped myself," he cut in making me fall silent. "I wanted nothing more than to kiss you, Chase. I really did. And I stopped all on account of Debbie. Which was real foolish, especially after what I saw at Lou Pine's. I can't keep letting her hold me back, especially from what I really want."

His hand left mine and went to my cheek next, his thumb brushing my skin gently as I looked up at him. I didn't know what to say to him. His words were echoing in my head as I stood there frozen. I wanted him to kiss me in that moment, to make me forget about Eric and Sookie and everything else. I wanted to get lost in him and never find my way out. But I was leaving in the morning and I wanted so much more than a one night stand for my next relationship. I deserved more than that and so did he. I didn't expect him to drop his life in Jackson and follow me to Bon Temps no more than he would expect me to. There was so much going on in my life that I didn't know if indulging in my feelings for him was such a good idea any more. I needed time to find myself and solve all my problems before I could even think of starting a new relationship.

I sighed and broke eye contact, reaching up and placing my hand over his. "Alcide…. I can't…the timing is just…." I shook my head and looked up at him. "There is so much going on... and I want too. I hope you know that. I really, really, want too," I breathed with a sigh. "But honestly I have no idea what is going to happen to me in the next few days and…" I broke off as I looked away from him.

"Chase, it's alright. I understand," he replied, surprising me. "I just wanted to apologize."

"There's no need Alcide," I assured. "If it was at any other time in my life then…." I broke off again. He knew what I was going to say.

His thumb continued to brush against my cheeks as he looked down at me. "I know the timing sucks."

He placed his forehead against mine, bending a little so that he could reach me. The heat in me amplified and I pressed my body into his, wanting to feel his warmth against me, missing the touch of a man. His arm came around me tightly, muscles flexing against my back as he pressed me against him so that there was no space between us. I sighed at the feeling of longing that swept through me, my mind racing with the thoughts of what could be. But it wasn't fair to either of us. I didn't want to rush into another relationship, sexually or otherwise, not so soon. I just couldn't. I turned my face away from his and shook my head.

"I'm sorry, Alcide," I breathed against his shoulder.

I felt his hand in my hair and his lips against the side of my head. "Don't be Chase."

We stood there for a moment longer, pressed against each other, before Alcide finally withdrew from me. "It's getting late. Let's get you back to the apartment."

I nodded and allowed him to lead the way, walking closely beside him. We made it back to his apartment building sooner than I had expected and by the time we reached his floor I was feeling ready for bed. We took the stairs when we realized that the elevator was out of order, much to my dismay. Alcide stayed right next to me, holding a protective hand against the small of my back as though he was afraid I was going to fall down the stairs.

I was the first to reach the landing of his floor and I was also the first the see Debbie pacing outside of his apartment door. I hesitated and turned back to Alcide, who frowned at the sight of her, her back still to us.

"Shit," he muttered. "Stay here, Chase."

I nodded and allowed him to move past me, staying put like he had ordered. I wondered what she was doing there. Had she changed her mind? Realized just how stupid she was and came back to accept Alcide's offer. The thought alone made my fists clench so tightly my knuckles popped. I watched as Alcide moved forward, making sure to stand in front of me, blocking my view of her and her view of me. I turned my back on the situation.

"Debbie, what the hell are you doing here?" Alcide growled angrily.

"Oh thank god. Where the hell you been?" I heard her question desperately.

"What the hell are you doing here Debbie?" Alcide retorted, ignoring her question.

"I came to warn you. You can't tell no one what you saw in Lou Pine's tonight. You-," she broke off making me turn to see that Alcide had shifted, allowing her to see me. A giant frown came over her face and she looked from me to Alcide and back. "What the fuck is this?" she shouted gesturing to me.

"Keep your goddamn voice down," Alcide snapped moving in front of me again. "You are going to wake the damn neighbors."

"I don't give a shit about the damn neighbors! I come here to try and save your life and this is what I find?" she snapped. "You spending time with some tramp?"

"Liar! Drug Addict! You sold your soul to a vamp! I saw you," Alcide growled irritably. "Just get out of here, Debbie. Go crawling back to your vamp and shitty pack."

"Oh he's more than a vamp!" Debbie spat back. She seemed frustrated as she turned her back on Alcide. "You are such an ignorant red neck!" She turned back to Alcide looking desperate. "If he knew what you saw-."

"Fuck him!" Alcide shouted making her jump.

Debbie frowned. "I'm warning you. If anyone finds out what happened in Lou Pine's-."

The sound of Alcide's apartment door opening made Debbie halt and we all turned to see Sookie stepping out into the hallway cautiously. Debbie's face fell again and she turned back to Alcide before looking from Sookie to me and back to Alcide.

"Oh hell no…what the fuck is this?" she shouted again. "Which one of you bitches is fucking my wolf in my house?!"

"Okay I have had enough of this shit," I said finally stepping out from the protective wall that was Alcide. Debbie turned to me in surprise. "Nobody is fucking your wolf, although I could be."

"What did you say to me whore?!" Debbie shouted lunging towards me.

Alcide came to the rescue before I could stop her. He grabbed her in a bear hug, holding her firmly. "I'm still strong enough to throw you out of here! Blood or no blood!"

"Your stupidity knows no bounds," I continued looking into Debbie's face of fury. "You traded this good person that loves you for some damn V, the stupid brand on your back and idiot redneck biker who is half the man- and wolf- that Alcide is. You have no one to blame for Alcide 'fucking' or being with anyone else but yourself, because you are the one who threw him away!"

My words had gotten to Debbie. She was practically turning red with anger as she struggled against Alcide's hold. "I will fuck you up! I will cut you!" she threatened.

"Alright that's enough! Chase, back off. Go in the house with Sookie. I need to get her out of here," Alcide said releasing Debbie long enough to take her by the arm and drag her towards the stairs.

I didn't move from the spot that I stood, my eyes locked with Debbie as we stared daggers at each other. It wasn't until she was out of my sight that I finally relaxed and let out a deep sigh. I reached up and rubbed my weary eyes with my fingers when I felt a hesitant hand on my shoulder.

"Are you alright, Chase?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yeah I am fine. Just tired. Let's go inside."

I shrugged off her hand carefully and headed into the apartment, my feet aching from all the walking I had done. I went into the bedroom feeling Sookie's presence behind me. I sat on Alcide's bed and began pulling off my shoes as Sookie leaned in the doorway.

"Chase…I think we need to talk," she said hesitantly.

I huffed. That was an understatement. "Yes, Sookie, we really do."

She came towards the bed and sat down with a heavy sigh, looking at me cautiously. I curled my legs before me sitting Indian style on the bed as I looped my hair behind my ears. Her brown eyes were on me, anticipating that I start this much needed discussion.

"Sookie…I owe you an apology for the way that I yelled at you earlier. I am very sorry that I was so harsh…but everything that I said in the van was true and I meant it. I could have told you in a very different and nicer manner, but it needed to be said. I value your friendship and I feel this weird obligation to make sure that you are alright and to be by your side especially after all that we have been through, even though we haven't known each other long. But I can't do that anymore. I have my own problems to deal with. I can't keep putting my life on the line for you and Bill and Eric and everyone else. So I am going back to Bon Temps tomorrow and you are going to have to continue your search for Bill on your own or with Alcide's help if that's what he wishes," I explained, hopefully sounding as sincere as I intended.

Sookie was frowning slightly, but she nodded. "I'm sorry too. With Bill going missing and everything then that phone call and what we saw at Lou Pine's I just know something more is going on. And I have to find out what is going on."

"Well you cannot do that at the expense of other people, Sookie. The only life you should put in jeopardy is your own," I replied shaking my head.

Sookie seemed taken aback by response, her eyes dropping. "You know that I would never intentionally want any harm to come to you."

"I know that, Sookie."

"I wish you would stay, Chase. I only want you here because I trust you and I know you would have my back in any situation. I am not trying to take advantage of you I swear. I hope that is not what you think, because I would never do that to anyone. I just…like having a trust worthy friend around who can understand the things I am going through," she admitted turning to face me on the bed and pulling her legs up underneath her.

"I don't think you are trying to take advantage of me, Sookie," I replied. "I understand where you are coming from… but I hope that you understand that I just… can't."

Her frown deepened just a bit, but she nodded. "I understand, Chase… I hope when all this vampire and werewolf stuff is over we can start over? Try and be normal friends?"

"You have no idea how much I would love that…" I answered actually allowing a smile to form on my face.

"Did you get a chance to talk to Alcide tonight?" she asked suddenly changing the subject. "He's been thinking about you loud and clear, just kickin' himself for not kissing you the other night."

I rolled my eyes. It was damn near impossible to keep anything from her. "Yeah, he and I talked and we came to the conclusion that now just isn't the right time for either of us. It's too soon. We both want to move on, but honestly I value Alcide too much to use him as a rebound or a one night stand."

"Who says it will just be a one night stand?" Sookie countered. "It doesn't have to be. He cares about you a lot."

"I am sure he does, but what is he going to do? Just up and leave Jackson and move to Bon Temps? How on earth could we make it work? It just wouldn't right now…" I answered with another sigh, beginning to fiddle with the ends of my hair.

Sookie didn't seemed convinced of my logic. "Chase, if this is cause of Eric-."

I threw my hair over my shoulder as I felt anger creeping up in my stomach. "This is NOT because of Eric," I snapped cutting her off. "This is because of me and my decisions and feelings. Eric Northman has no say or influence on anything that I do anymore. He and I are done. Actually we are past that. We are WELL done. Burnt. Crispy. However you want to describe it. But we are through."

A wave of surprise had come over Sookie's face during my mini rant, but by the time I was finished with my proclamations she looked unconvinced once again. "Okay, Chase….none of that is important to me though just as long as you and I are still friends and you are happy…"

I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm the anger that was threatening to take me over again. I urged a small smile to come onto my lips as I looked at her anxious blond framed face. "We are still friends Sookie. That has not changed," I assured. "And I will be happy when I am back home in Bon Temps."

I hoped that, that was true.