Two Weeks Later

Welcome to Bon Temps

The Bon Temps welcome sign greeted me as I drove back into town after a two week absence. It was a perfect day outside, the sun shining brightly overhead, the air surprisingly cool and breezing through my rolled down windows as I drove down the main road.

Truth be told I had missed Bon Temps, even though I'd only lived here a short while, it felt more like home than any other place had.

After leaving my home in a frantic and emotional state I had decided that solitude was what I needed. I needed time away from everyone in my life, away from the vampires and the danger and most of all my parents. I needed time to think. To process. And I'd ended up in a hotel in Bossier City, just outside of Shreveport.

A part of me felt bad for leaving my brother without saying goodbye, as well as Sookie given what we'd gone through together, and not clearing the air between Jason and I, and Sam without letting him know I'd be going leaving him short staffed, but I needed space.

I'd turned my cell phone off after checking in and hadn't turned it back on since, though I was tempted many times, especially when Eric did not come looking for me as I'd assumed he would.

I hadn't wanted solitude from him, not when I'd finally given in and felt like we'd had a breakthrough during our last encounter. I'd expected him to show up at the hotel the moment night fell on the first night, easily able to find me through the blood bond, and ask me what the hell exactly I was doing, maybe keep me company, perhaps tell me I was being foolish, but to come nonetheless.

But he hadn't.

And it had stung more than I expected it to.

I got over the confusion and hurt feelings that I'd felt after the third day, telling myself that Eric and I weren't 'boyfriend and girlfriend'. He had made that quite clear. He didn't owe me anything. I'd thought of calling Fangtasia once or twice, to see if he was angry that I had left, but knowing he could sense me and that he had decided to not come looking for me told me enough. If he wanted to be angry that I had left, he could be angry.

I chose to spend my time in solitude focusing on trying to find out about my past and trying to get a hold on the new power that I had. With very limited information I was unable to find out anything about my biological parents, quickly realizing that google didn't hold the information and I would ultimately have to talk to my parents about my past.

Google did have plenty of information on telekinesis and telepathy and I spent many nights reading about it and practicing. I tried to practice calling forth and controlling the energy that I felt whenever I was in danger, to use it on command, but hadn't had much success. It seemed the power was tied to my emotions and survival. And after spending three hours trying and failing to move a spoon across a dresser I'd given up when it proved futile.

The two weeks passed faster than I expected and I knew that I had been gone long enough when my savings dwindled from paying for the hotel and food. I knew that I couldn't keep running from my problems and would have to face them and my parents. I missed my friends and life by then. I accepted that change was going to happen, a change that I may not like and that may not have been easy, but I'd learn to deal with it. I'd packed my duffel and drove back to Bon Temps after check out.

I wasn't too eager to return home and decided to stop at Merlotte's first to see Sookie and beg for my job back from Sam. I hoped that though my track record with work wasn't exactly great, he'd give me a second chance and I could prove that I could be a good employee.

When I stepped into the building I was surprised to find the place pretty empty, which was unusual given that it was during the lunch rush. Sam and Tara stood behind the bar, drying glasses and Sookie and Arlene were on the side, sitting on the stools and staring up at the television.

The ding of the bell alerted them to my presence, multiple sets of surprised eyes turning to find me. Sookie was the first to move, jumping off the bar stool and running to me, Sam and Tara followed closely behind me. Her arms wrapped around me, hugging me tightly, I welcomed her embrace and let her hold me/

"Where the hell have you been?" Sookie demanded, pulling back to look me in the eye with a stern frown.

"Yeah, between you and Lafayette missing I am way understaffed," Sam added facetiously, waiting for Sookie to move aside to embrace me next. "We've been worried sick."

"I didn't mean to worry anyone," I sighed into his shoulder. "I had some things to take care of out of town. And honestly after what happened with…" I didn't need to elaborate. He of all people knew the most. "I needed some time."

"Without telling anyone? Your mom and brother have come in every day looking for you," Tara arched a suspicious eyebrow. "Asking us if we've heard from you."

"Yeah, everyone was really worried. We all were," Sookie added with a grave look. She lowered her voice a little and leaned in closer to me speaking so softly only I could hear. "Including Eric."

I was surprised at that. Had he come here looking for me as well? Why would he have when he could sense me through the blood bond. He had to know that I was alive and well. I chose to ignore that comment when something that Sam had said finally registered in my brain.

"Wait, did you say Lafayette was gone as well? Did he quit?"

"No," Sam answered, shrugging. "He just stopped showing up for work and nobody has seen or heard from him. Poor Terry is back there working the kitchen all alone. I swear he's seconds from a mental breakdown."

I hadn't known Lafayette that long, but it seemed odd. He made it clear to all he was 'serious about his paper' and in all the time I'd known him he'd never missed a shift. But as much as I knew he was serious about his money I'd heard he'd like to party and perhaps the partying had gotten intense.

Tara didn't seem worried, waving it off. "He does this sometimes. I'm sure he's fine."

I tried to think optimistically about Lafayette and nodded. If Tara, his own cousin, thought he was alright and this was nothing to worry about then I wouldn't argue it.

"Hopefully he's okay," I commented before I turned to Sam. "Can we talk in private?"

"Sure, let's go to my office."

Sookie was frowning beside me. I knew she wanted to talk. "You're next on my list, Sookie. I promise," I assured her.

She nodded in answer watching me follow Sam to his office. Sam ushered me in, shutting the door behind us, regarding me with a hesitant look. The last time I had seen Sam he had saved my life, and Sookie's, and may have possibly been a dog when he'd arrived. I'd never thanked him for that or questioned if what I believed was true.

I wrung my hands nervously. "I just wanted to say first that I am sorry for leaving town without talking to you first. I know that you said after my ordeal with Renee I could come back whenever I was ready, but I should have touched base with you first. I just needed some time away from this town. But I am back now and I'm just hoping that… I still have a job?"

Sam huffed a laugh, grinning at me. "Of course you do, Chase. I'm just glad you're okay. Everyone was worried about you and we were starting to think the worst."

For the first time since I'd left I started to feel some regrets about it. I expected people to worry, but did not account for how much they'd worry and how it would affect others.

"I'm sorry about that. I am going to go home and talk to them after I leave here."

"Well you can have your job back, of course, you let me know when you want to start. Hopefully it's soon because I could use the help," he chuckled. His chuckle died down and his expression turned sincere. "And Chase, you know if you need to talk, I am here for you."

"Thank you, Sam, that means a lot. I'd like to start tomorrow if I could?"

"Perfect, how about an afternoon shift?"

"Great, I'll see you tomorrow," I slowly made my way to the door. "Thanks again, Sam."

"No problem."

I paused at the door, gripping the doorknob, a question on the tip of my tongue. I looked over my shoulder and saw that he'd moved to his desk and was shuffling through some papers. He looked up when he didn't hear the door open, both eyebrows raising expectantly. I released the doorknob and turned to face him.

"Was there something else?" He straightened, dropping the papers back to his desk.

"That day in the cemetery...with Renee…" his face fell as I spoke and he shifted nervously on his feet. "Were you...a dog when you got to the cemetery?"

His face reddened. His eyes dropped. "Well…" he rubbed the back of his neck. "That's a...a long story."

"If you were somehow able to turn into a dog, believe me I would understand," I replied, sensing his hesitation. "There are things about me that you don't know… and I think that you and I might have a few things in common."

His face brightened with intrigue, he stepped toward me, lowering his voice. "You're a shifter too?"

I raised an eyebrow. So he could turn into a dog. My boss was a shapeshifter. I didn't know what was weirder, the fact that he could do it or the fact that I wasn't at all shocked or scared by it.

"I'm not a shifter, but...I am something...different. I'm a telepath…" I left out the telekinesis. It was still too new.

Sam's eyes went wide and unlike me, he looked surprised. "A telepath…like Sookie?"

"Well yes…but I can only read thoughts by touch," I explained. "And I keep my hands to myself for that reason."

Sam shook his head in shock. "And here I was thinking that Sookie was the only unique girl in this town," he turned away from me for a moment. "So this doesn't scare you?"

"What doesn't scare me?"

Sam huffed as a smile played at his lips. "The fact that your boss can turn into a dog? And other things..." he added as an afterthought.

"No, that doesn't scare me. You saved my life that day," I answered. "Sookie and I would probably be dead if you hadn't showed up…as that dog."

Sam's blush went deeper, his smile grew. "Well…you're welcome…"

I grinned at him. "I should be going…I have a lot of catching up to do with people…but this was nice, Sam…thank you for being honest with me," I said reaching for the door.

Sam nodded. "No problem. Thank you for coming back."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

I slipped through the door in time to see Sookie at the pick up window. She placed her orders on a tray and looked up to see me approaching. She looked different, happier if it was possible. Her eye had almost healed and you could barely see the faint hints of yellow and black around it. She was wearing her hair curly which I had never seen her do. It was clear she had gone through some changes over the past two weeks as well.

"Do you want to talk now or we could meet up later?" I offered.

"No, I want to talk now, let me just put these orders out and I will meet you outside."

I nodded in answer and headed for the front entrance, halting when Arlene stepped in front of me. Her face was a mask of emotions, her hair a red mane around her head. She and I had gotten along fairly well since I'd begun working there, but I hardly knew anything about her outside of work. All I'd known was that she was engaged to Renee and obviously that hadn't ended well.

"Hey Arlene...what's up?" I asked carefully.

Without warning she pulled me into her embrace, hugging me tightly, thankfully managing to miss skin to skin contact. She let out a loud pitiful sounding sob. "Chase, I never got to tell you how sorry I was about Renee," she cried into my shoulder. "I had no idea what he was doing. I swear it. I never imagined he'd hurt you or Sookie like that. I just-."

"Arlene, really, it's okay," I insisted, gracefully ducking out of her embrace. Her dark mascara had started to run in black trails down her cheeks. I reached over to the nearest napkin dispenser and handed them to her. She wiped at her eyes, somehow making it worse.

"I just really wanted to apologize. To let you know how truly sorry I am," she frowned, wiping again and smearing her make up more.

"Arlene, really, it's fine. I don't blame you. You have nothing to apologize for," I assured.

She sniffled and wiped at her nose. "Okay...Excuse me, I gotta go fix my face."

I stepped to the side to let her go and saw Sookie behind me. She didn't say a word, only took hold of my arm and led me out into the thick Louisiana air. She rounded the building, pulling me along, stopping near Sam's trailer.

"Okay, spill it." She crossed her arms. "How did you do it?

I frowned. "Do what?"

She huffed. "You disappear for two weeks without telling anyone, even Eric couldn't find you. How did you manage to block him?"

I was genuinely confused. "Block him? What are you talking about?"

She sighed exasperatedly. "Eric called Bill asking if he or I had seen or heard from you, which we hadn't. Bill told me that Eric said that he could no longer sense you and thought you were…dead. Once Bill told me that we all were assuming the worst."

I deflated a little.

Eric couldn't sense me anymore?

That was why he hadn't come to find me.

But why couldn't he sense me?

"Whatever I was doing I wasn't doing it on purpose. I have no idea what's going on."

Sookie regarded me with skepticism. "Chase what's going on with you?"

"There's been a lot going on and I left because I needed to get away. I wasn't trying to worry anyone."

"That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about you throwing Renee off of Sam with touching him and then you somehow sever the bond you have with a thousand year old vampire. I asked Bill about it, he said that doesn't happen."

I wished that I had answers for her, for myself, but I didn't. I had no idea what was happening to me. "I'm questioning all those things myself. I really don't know. Before I left, my mother told me that I was adopted. And that means that I could be anyone. My biological parents could have had these powers. My biological parents may not have been human for all I know."

Her face fell in surprise. "Adopted?"

"Yes. Adopted. That's the real reason I left town. After hearing that I just...needed space."

"Oh gosh, Chase," she wrapped her arms around me again, hugging me tightly once more. "I'm sorry for being so damn nosy and demanding answers like that. I really was just worried about you is all."

I didn't try to duck out of her hug like I had with Arlene. I let her hold me. "It's alright." I knew she meant well. "I'm sorry that I just left without saying anything, especially after what happened with Renee-Drew-whatever."

Sookie finally released me. "It's fine. It doesn't really matter...Are you going to try to find your biological parents?"

"I feel like I dont have much of a choice," I shrugged. "If I want to understand what's happening to me, I have too."

Sookie nodded absently, her face scrunched up in thought. "You know I am here if you need me for anything."

"Yes, I know and thank you. I should head home and call off the search parties."

"Call me later alright? I have plans with Bill, but if you want to talk or anything you just call me and I'll cancel," she said sincerely.

"I will. Tell Sam and everyone I said goodbye."

I spent the car ride home practicing what I planned to say to my parents. I would apologize for worrying them of course, but I still wasn't sorry that I'd left. And I had questions that needed answers. Questions I hoped they answered. My parents had always been the over protective and sheltering kind, always in the favor of 'protecting me' rather than tell me the truth. I knew the conversation wouldn't be easy, but It was one we needed to have.

My house looked the same when I pulled into the driveway, aside from a car that I didn't recognize and assumed was a rental car for my mother. I got my bag from the trunk and walked up the porch steps, finding the front door unlocked when I tried the knob. I could hear the televisions and signs of life as I pushed the door open.

"Chase?!"

It was my mother, Mary's, voice full of hope and surprise. She was running out of the kitchen and pulling me into a strong embrace before I could shut the door behind me. I let her hold me, wrapping my arms around her and feeling her sigh in relief. She pulled back after a few seconds, looking me in the eye, tucking my hair behind my ear, looking me over with parental concern.

"Are you alright? I am so glad that you are back. We've been so worried."

"I'm fine. I just needed time. I wasn't trying to make you worry on purpose."

"Where did you go?" She released me then, stepping back so I could shut the door.

"Bossier City. I stayed in a hotel."

She frowned at that. I knew she wouldn't approve of it, but she thankfully said nothing about it. I decided to change the subject.

"Is Isaac home?"

"He's in the guest room with your father. He's been just as worried about you as your father and I."

"Dad is here?"

"Yes, he's been worried sick as well. You know how he-."

"I know, mom. I know. I am sorry again," I interrupted. "I'm going to go say hi and then we can talk."

I knew she'd want to ask me more questions, no doubt lecture me on running out, but I wanted to see Isaac first. I at least owed him a hello after disappearing on him while he was still in the hospital. I moved past her and made my way to the guest room where they had set Isaac up. The door was partially closed, but I could hear the television playing when I pushed against it. They had filled the previously empty room with furniture, including a bed, dresser, desk, and mounted tv. My mom had no doubt taken it upon herself to decorate it for him, making the room look similar to his childhood bedroom back in Austin.

Isaac was lying on the bed, his back leaned against the headboard, his casted leg elevated on a pillow. My father, Christopher, was sitting in the desk chair, remote in hand. They both looked up when I entered, their faces falling.

"Chase!" Christopher blurted, jumping to his feet and rounding the bed. I was in his arms seconds later. "Oh sweetheart, we were worried sick."

I shouldn't have been surprised that my dad was there. I'm certain my mother called him in a frantic state the moment I'd left. My dad had always been the more level headed parent. Where my mother was stern and strict and, frankly, judgemental; my dad was always calm and lax and understanding. I could talk to him about anything. And he always found a way to level my mom out. They were completely opposites and I imagined that's why they worked so well.

I didn't find any anger toward my father, not the way that I had been angry at my mother, which I knew wasn't fair. But our relationship was much different than the one I had with my mom which always seemed strained.

"I'm sorry, Dad," I whispered into his shoulder. "I didn't mean to scare anyone."

"It's alright, Kiddo. I just wish you would have called at least to let us know you were okay," he replied, releasing me. "Your mother and I could have sat down and had a talk with you about...everything before you did something...rash."

"I want to have that talk, but first I need to talk to my brother," I said looking over at Isaac who sat up straighter.

Christopher nodded and left us alone, shutting the door behind him. Isaac watched me join him on the bed with a sad look in his eye. His face full of apologies before he even spoke.

"I didn't know, Chase. I swear."

"I know you didn't."

"I feel like an asshole."

"Don't."

"All those times I made fun of you when we were younger and told people you werent my real sister," he shook his head.

"Isaac-."

"I don't care if you're not my blood sister. You're still my sister and I love ya'. And I'll kick the ass of any who says otherwise."

I chuckled. "I just wanted to apologize for leaving without saying anything."

He scoffed and waved my statement away. "Don't worry about it. I probably would have done the same. I knew you were okay."

A comfortable silence fell over us and Isaac shook his head again. "I still can't believe it. It doesn't make a lick of sense to me. You have the same hair and eye color as me. People always talked about how much you look like dad. I'd never know by looking at you."

It was true, I did bear a strong resemblance to Christopher, I had his dark hair and light eyes. But depending on how old I was when I was adopted that could have been one of the deciding factors of why they chose to adopt me.

"Are you going to try and find your biological family?" He asked hesitantly when I said nothing.

"I have questions that only my biological parents can answer, but me looking for them doesn't change anything. Mom and Dad are still my Mom and Dad and you're still my brother. I just need to know why I can do the things that I do…"

He nodded in understanding.

"I'm gonna go talk to Mom and Dad. I'll be back alright?"

"Sure."

I slid off the bed and offered him one last smile before leaving the room. I found my parents sitting at the kitchen table across from each other with steaming mugs in hand. There was another mug still steaming sitting in front of the empty chair. Mary offered me a small smile and motioned to the empty chair. That was my mother, always thinking ahead. I took the seat, catching my parent's nervous and anxious looks. I wrapped my hands around the mug, taking in the warmth and letting it flow up my arms.

"So how should we start?" I asked lifting the mug to my mouth to take a sip. It was sweetened tea.

My parents shared a long look. It was my dad who spoke first.

"Your mother and I tried to have a child for a long time and it just wasn't working. And after a few years of failure, we decided to look into adoption. We signed up for a few agencies and went to a children's receiving home, which is where we found you."

"They didn't know exactly how old you were, but guessed that you were around 2 years old," Mary cut in. "They didn't know your birthday. You had been there for 6 months and you were very cute and smart. We knew right away that we wanted you. You were legally ours and living at home with us three months later-."

"And you took to us right away," Christopher cut in. "You were such a happy child. You never asked for anyone else."

Mary nodded in agreement. "And you made us happy."

I took my time processing that information, worried that letting my emotions run wild would trigger my power. I had more questions now after hearing about my adoption than I'd had before. I had assumed I was adopted as a baby, my biological parents giving me up right after my birth. Had they wanted me a first? Was I taken from them? Why didn't the receiving home know my age or birthday?

"They didn't know my birthday? Did they say anything about my parents? Did they know who they were? Or where I came from?"

My dad smiled sadly at me. "The children's home said that you were brought in one night by the police. They weren't given a lot of information and wouldn't tell us much. We were worried at first, we'd wanted to know your medical history and other important things, but the home said they couldn't release information they didn't have."

"They told you nothing about my biological parents?"

Mary shook her head. "No, sweetheart."

"Not even a name? A last name?"

They both shook their head.

I deflated slightly. I was left with more questions than answers.

"And my name? Chase is my real name?"

"Chase is the name that the receiving home was told when you were dropped off. No last name. We didn't change it because we didn't want to traumatize you by giving you a name you didn't recognize. We only changed your last name to Morgan."

I took a moment to let that sink in, my thoughts turning to my brother.

"And Isaac? If you couldn't conceive… was he adopted from somewhere else?"

"No, he was a miracle baby…" Christopher shrugged half heartedly. "Your mother found out she was pregnant with him shortly after we adopted you."

I nodded and took a deep breath. "I'd like to know the name of the receiving home. I'd like to call them myself and try to get more information."

"Listen Kiddo, are you sure you want to go down that road?" Christopher asked.

I didn't feel that I had much of a choice. I needed answers. I nodded.

Another look was shared by my parents. My mother nodded reluctantly at my dad, as if giving permission for him to tell me.

"Dallas Children's Receiving Home in Texas is where we adopted you," Christopher sighed in answer. "That is where we found you."

I rose from the table and hugged Mary. She tensed in surprise, but hugged me back. "Thank you for telling me the truth."

She was still my mother, in every way besides biologically, she had been the one to raise and love me, which is more than I could say for whoever my biological parents were.

"You are home to stay now correct?" Christopher asked with an arched eyebrow as I pulled away from Mary.

"I am, but I may go to Dallas," I sat back into my chair. "I need to find answers to my questions. Something is happening to me and I need to know why."

"Chase, I really wish you would reconsider this…what if you find out something horrible about whoever your… other parents were?" Mary asked me carefully.

"What if they know some way to take my abilities away and make me normal?" I countered.

They didn't look convinced about what I had said and I knew that they were thinking the exact same thing I was thinking in the back of my mind. What if I wasn't human? Or what if my parents were crazy telepathic and telekinetic psycho axe murderers? I had considered all of these things during my two week stay at Bossier City Hotel and had decided that in my case, ignorance was not bliss.

"I am going to find out who my biological parents were," I said determinedly as I rose to my feet and picked up my mug of tea. "I have to do this. I hope you understand that."

Christopher nodded and Mary offered me a tight lipped smile.

"We do, Kiddo," Christopher said.

"I am going to go lay down for a bit."

They said nothing, only nodded again. I went to my bedroom and shut the door behind me. I leaned against it for a moment, taking a deep breath before drinking in a long swallow of the now lukewarm tea. I had little to go on, but I was going to find out who my biological parents were.

But first I had a few things to square away with Eric Northman.