After a hot shower and unpacking my bag I spent the hours before sunset spending time with my brother and parents. The air was tense at first, but the tension slowly eased the more we talked and it almost felt like old times from back home in Austin.

It was nice to spend time with them, actively avoiding the topic of my adoption, and just be in the moment.

When the sun set and I changed into more Fangtasia appropriate clothes I saw my parents worried look when I told them I was going out and would be back later. I had to reassure them I would be coming back and that I would be safe, but they made no comments besides my father telling me to 'have fun'. My brother gave me a knowing look when I slipped out of the door, calling after me to be careful.

Fangtasia's parking lot was full with cars and people, a line formed at the door though it was barely an hour past sunset. The night air was warm around me as I walked toward the entrance. I made sure to keep my face calm, but my insides were burning with nervousness.

I could only imagine what Eric's reaction to seeing me again, alive and well, would be after he had spent the last two weeks assuming the worst. I didn't know if he would be angry or happy, though I hoped it was the latter. Despite my worries, I felt compelled to go see him and let him know that I was alright, and figure out why exactly he could no longer sense me.

I bypassed the line, ignoring the frowns on the waiting faces of people in line. Pam was at the head of the line standing just outside the door, carding people. I was surprised to see her in a stylish fuzzy baby blue blazer skirt suit. Her long blonde hair was hanging around her face and her eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning when she saw me approaching. She smiled slyly when I stopped in front of her, one eyebrow arching.

"So you are alive," she said darkly, eyes quickly surveying me.

"Yes I am," I answered.

"You have had Eric in quite the fuss. Would you mind telling me how you managed to block the bond from him?"

"I honestly don't know, Pam. Is Eric in?" I answered truthfully.

She didn't look as though she believed me, but her smile widened as though she knew something I didn't. "Yes, he's in his office. If he doesn't answer when you knock just go on in."

She stepped aside, but when I moved closer leaned in, invading my space and making me tense. She sniffed the air around me, making me look at her in surprise. "Mmm….I am beginning to understand why he is so interested in you."

I gave her a bewildered looking, choosing to say nothing, and moved past her quickly, hearing the shouts and protests of the people who had been waiting in line.

The music was that loud as I stepped through the door. I ducked my way through the crowd, avoiding contact as much as I could. The anxiousness in me grew as I reached Eric's office and I paused at the door, sucking in a deep breath before knocking.

There was no answer.

Remembering what Pam had said, I gripped the door knob, twisting it and pushing the door open.

His desk was empty, but the room wasn't.

I froze when I saw him, my stomach sinking when I realized he wasn't alone.

He sat beside a young woman on the black couch in his office, his face buried in her neck, large pale cradling her head as she clung to his shirt. I could see his Adam's apple bobbing quickly as he drank in her blood. Neither noticed my presence.

Now I knew why Pam had been smiling that way. I couldn't stop the pang of jealousy that stabbed my gut, but I decided against jumping to the conclusions which I assumed what Pam and all her sneakiness wanted.

Instead I cleared my throat, loudly.

The girl's eyes snapped open and she withdrew from Eric, whose blonde haired head whipped around to see who had interrupted his meal.

The minute he laid his blue eyes on me, the anger that had been on his face drained and his eyes went wide. His blood covered fangs retracted with a soft click and his tongue swept over his lips slowly to catch the blood that covered his supple lips. I remained motionless under his gaze, my hand still gripping the doorknob as I looked back at him. The only way to adequately describe his gaze was that it looked as if he was staring at a ghost.

And I was that ghost.

"Leave," he said simply, his eyes still on me.

I felt immediately like I had been punched in the gut. Still, I turned to do just as he commanded.

The wind whipped around me and I jumped when I saw Eric standing in front of me, my arm firmly in his grip.

"Not you, Chase," he said looking at the girl who sat confused on the couch. There were two puncture marks on her neck that were still bleeding. "You. Leave. Now."

The girl was obedient as she was pretty; she jumped to her feet quickly and walked briskly out of the room. Eric shut the door behind her before turning back to me, his blue eyes flaming.

His lips were on mine before I could think of anything to say, kissing me deeply, putting the faint metallic taste of blood in my mouth. His arms came around me tightly, holding me to him until his mouth finally relented and let me catch my breath.

I hadn't been expecting this reaction to my coming back, but was pleasantly surprised.

"Where have you been?" He demanded looking down at me. He sounded both relieved and angry.

"I was in Bossier City, staying at a hotel," I answered, licking my lips. "I had some things to work out."

"Then why couldn't I sense you? I believed you to be hurt or worse," he questioned, sounding more angry than relieved now.

"Well I'm not so you can relax and just admit that you are happy to see me alive and here."

He ignored that of course. His hold on me loosened. "Why were you in Bossier City?"

"I found out that I was adopted," I replied. "My mom told me after I questioned her about the things that I could do. That was what I meant when I said I had some things to work out."

"Are there no phones in Bossier City?" He asked with an arched eyebrow and a pointed look.

I frowned up at him, not liking the accusatory tone he was taking. "There are phones, but I was expecting you to come to me."

"And how was I to do that if I could not sense you?" He countered irritably.

"One, I didn't know you couldn't sense me and two...I don't know…sniff out my scent? Can't vampires do that?"

It was his turn to frown. "I am not a dog, Chase."

"And I was not very level headed at the time or too concerned with your feelings, Eric."

"I thought you had died, Chase. Clearly you could see that as a predicament for me."

"Well I'm sorry you thought I was dead, but my whole world felt like it shattered two weeks ago. I have no idea where I come from and I found out I have been living a lie for the past 20 years. Not exactly a pleasant experience, Eric."

Eric's face fell and his eyes darkened. "Make no mistake, Chase, I am pleased to see that you are alive, but do not think that I am not upset. You could have placed one simple phone call to let me know you were alive and well. Or simply turned on your phone, and returned one of the many calls I placed," He released me and his strong arms crossed over a broad chest. "And any vampire could have told you that you are adopted. You have an entirely different scent than your parents and brother which makes it impossible for you to be their biological child."

I huffed, my face falling in shock as my fists clenched tightly in anger. "Oh really? Then why didn't you say anything Mr. Northman, if you are such a know-it-all," I asked, flustered, raising my eyebrows as I crossed my own arms.

"I did not pick up both of your parents' scent until you were good and gone and I had not been able to sense or find you so therefore I could not, Ms. Morgan," he snarled. "Had you used the good technology of today and called I would have been more than happy to tell you and I would have invited you to stay with me where I would know that you are safe."

I was seething now. This was not the reunion that I was expecting. I wasn't sure what I expected, but this wasn't ideal. But I didn't want to argue, though he was acting like an ass, he had a point. I should and could have called. I couldn't get angry at him for worrying about me.

I sighed. "Look, I am sorry okay? You are right. I should have called. I don't want to fight."

I almost laughed at the surprised look that passed his face before it softened.

"But for the record it is not polite or appropriate to tell someone that they are adopted because you can smell it, which is also weird."

He was frowning again before he relaxed and uncrossed his arms. "I would not have told you, had I known."

"Good."

"And thank you for the apology and not running out of here because you were upset."

My eyes narrowed. "I do not run from you, Eric."

One blonde eyebrow cocked and he looked at me incredulously.

Okay he had a point.

I did run from him.

A lot.

I decided to change the subject. "Should we try to figure out why you can't sense me anymore?"

"Later," he answered simply.

In a matter of seconds I was in his arms with his mouth back on mine. His arms wrapped around me tightly drawing me in until I was flush against him, deepening the kiss. I moaned heatedly at the feel of him against me, yielding to his kiss. I had missed him more than I had realized and it hit me in that moment when I was flooded with fiery desire. Two long weeks of not seeing him had me feeling hot and needy in his arms and I felt as if I would rupture with it if I did not get any satisfaction. Satisfaction that only Eric could provide.

The kiss turned feverish as my hands found the cotton material of his shirt and I pulled against it, wanting to feel his cold hard skin against mine. My heart was thudding in my chest and my breath was coming out of my nose in furious pants. I knew it was inappropriate and if it continued and we ended up doing it in his office it would be just as undignified as my first time, but I didn't care. Want had taken me over and I was going to give in to it and Eric.

I pulled away from his mouth with a gasp trying to catch some of my breath as I reached for the hem of my shirt, pulling it over my head and letting the material drop to the floor. A devilish smirk slid across his gorgeous face and I saw his fangs unsheathe, making a surprising thrill rush through me. He followed my lead and pulled his shirt over his head in the blink of an eye, revealing his sculpted body. I sighed in longing and jumped him, wrapping my arms around his neck as he caught me by the thighs letting me enfold my legs around him. He turned as my mouth found his again, my tongue sliding carefully between his fangs.

The world blurred around us and we were suddenly on the couch. The couch surprisingly soft against my back, his body laying heavily over mine as I kissed him desperately. My body tingled in response, every nerve sparking under his touch, making me wetter. I impatiently went for his belt buckle, fumbling blindly as I worked to get it undone. His kiss relented, and his mouth was suddenly on my throat

"Someone's eager, lover," he chuckled into my skin, clearly amused by my impatient attempt to undress him.

I bit my lip in anticipation as I finally mastered the buckle and yanked it from his pants tossing the belt to the floor. Feeling bold I went for the button to his pants next as his mouth slid down my throat, licking his way down my neck, his fangs scraping against my skin making me moan. I was burning and impatient now, my fingers trembling as I finally released him from his pants and I gripped his length tight. The groan that escaped his lips excited me, my hand sliding from tip to base, his veins throbbing against my flesh.

"Eric, please," I all but whined, wanting him to touch me in return, my hips bucking upwards toward him.

"I want to hear you say it," he growled, pulling back, hands gripping the sides of my jeans. He wrenched them from my body with one swift graceful move. "Say you want me."

I was opening my mouth to respond, ready and willing to say and do anything that he wanted if it meant that I would finally get the pleasure that I had been longing for when the door to the office burst open.

Jessica stepped through already in mid rant with an irritated looking Pam following closely behind. I couldn't help the scream that I let out and in a second Eric had me on my feet with his large body standing in front of me and his pants back in their rightful position. I crouched behind him trying to hide the fact that I was only in my bra and panties now.

Pam and Jessica stopped in their tracks, Jessica's face falling while Pam's face turned from irritation to amused interest, a large smile spreading across her face.

"Well. Well. Well. What have you two been doing and why was I not invited to partake in it?" Pam asked slyly.

"Eww, were you going to do it here in the office?" Jessica spat in disgust making me frown. "I sit on that couch you know."

"Jessica, quiet," Eric ordered angrily through clenched teeth. "Pam, you are supposed to be keeping an eye on her."

"I have no control over the girl. And she is growing to be quite annoying Eric," Pam said rolling her eyes. "I think she needs to be returned to her maker."

"For what? Just because I was going to feed on a human that was more than willing and who even offered himself to me? What is the big deal?" Jessica screeched stamping her foot like a spoiled child. "Eric, you let me-."

"Enough!" Eric shouted so loudly that even Pam startled slightly. "Get out of my office. I will deal with this matter later; obviously I am busy at the moment."

Jessica continued to frown, muttering to herself, stomping out of the office. Pam reluctantly followed, not before passing me another sly smile and shutting the door behind her. Eric sighed and turned to me, catching me already pulling my jeans back on. As much as I wanted him, I would prefer this be done on a bed, in a bedroom, preferably with a dead bolted door.

"I should go," I buttoned my jeans and moved around him to retrieve my shirt and slip it on. "Clearly you have things to take care of here and I should get back home. My parents are more worried than usual since I disappeared for two weeks."

"Wait," he said, grabbing my arm to stop me."I do not like not knowing where you are."

My eyebrow rose slowly. "And what you would like for me to do about it?" I asked with a small smile. "Apparently there is something wrong with your blood….maybe it ran out?"

He scowled at my attempt at a joke, which didn't surprise me.

"Eric, I have a cell phone you know. You could call or text and ask me where I am."

"That is not the same. How am I supposed to know if you are in danger?"

He wasn't going to let this go. "So you want me to drink more of your blood I am guessing?"

He didn't answer me, instead his fangs unsheathed once more and he raised his wrist to his lips.

There was a sharp rapping on the door.

"Eric, I am going to stake this newborn if you do not get out here and deal with her."

Eric let out an aggravated growl at the muffled sound of Pam's voice, blurring around the room until he finally went still by the door, his shirt and belt back in their rightful place. He smoothed his hair with one hand and pulled the door open revealing Pam and Jessica still on the other side.

"Jessica, get your things," Eric said calmly. "I intend to have you back in Bill's possession within the next thirty minutes."

Jessica huffed and looked at Eric in shock. "You are really going to make me go back to Bill's?"

"I will not repeat myself," he said through clenched teeth.

"I am going to go," I announced again, making three pairs of eyes look at me.

Eric stopped my attempt to slip past him. "I will come to you soon. Until then stay out of trouble," he added sternly.

I nodded and saluted him. "Aye aye sir."

He wasn't amused.

I wasn't ready to go home just yet and decided to make a trip to Merlotte's instead. I hadn't seen everyone in awhile and it would be nice to hang out as a customer instead of a patron.

The bar was fairly busy as normal when I stepped through and was greeted with the sounds of everyone's mixed talking and some old country tunes playing on the jukebox. I spotted Tara working the bar right away, serving Andy Bellefleur a drink and Sookie serving food. I walked toward the bar and took the stool beside Andy who looked at me crossly. He was drunk. Very drunk.

"Well if it isn't Ms. Up and disappear for two weeks," he grumbled, looking me up and down with his beady eyes.

"Well hello to you too, Andy," I answered.

"Ignore him, Chase. He is beyond drunk and doesn't mean half of what he is saying," Tara placed an empty glass in front of me. "What's your poison?"

"Oh no thanks, I don't usually drink. I am just here to enjoy the…" I looked around taking in the dead animal art and the few patrons drinking or stuffing their faces with food. "Ambiance," I finished.

Tara's eyes looked around taking in everything I saw. "Trust me, chase, there is no ambiance in this place. It isn't a bad thing to have a drink every now and then, it's about knowing when to stop," she said, giving Andy a pointed look. He grunted drunkenly at her. "So what will you have? It's on me."

I shrugged. "Okay. Give me a shot of something strong."

Tara smirked at me and grabbed a bottle from beneath the bar, pouring a shot in my glass. I lifted it to my lips and tossed my head back, downing its contents in one swallow. It burned alright, but in a completely good way. It was warm as it went down my throat and to my belly, making my whole body tingle. I pushed the glass back toward Tara who took it from me with a smile and turned in time to see Sookie coming my way. She beckoned me over to her with a wave of her hand.

I slid off the stool after thanking Tara and followed after Sookie finding her standing by the pick up window shuffling through her tickets. I leaned against the wall with arms crossed as she placed her tickets on the ticket carousel on the window sill.

"Hey…how did everything go at home?" she asked quietly.

I shrugged. "They went alright. I found out I was adopted in Dallas at the age of two and…" I trailed off. "That is pretty much it. The only way to find out more information is to speak to someone at the children's home."

"Well at least you have something to go on," she offered.

I nodded. "Yeah…how are things going with Bill?"

Her face instantly brightened and she smiled widely. "They are going great. Really, really, great. We are going to celebrate them passing that vampire law tonight."

I smiled. "Well that is good."

"Have you seen Eric yet?" she asked.

"I just came from Fangtasia."

"And? Did you figure out why he couldn't sense you?"

I blushed. "We...well we didn't do very much talking after I explained where I was."

Sookie's jaw dropped. "Chase!"

"Calm down. It didn't get very far. We were interrupted."

She didn't look like she believed me. "Sure. Are you going to be staying here for awhile?"

"I thought I'd hang out a bit…I am starved, can you put an order in for me?"

I stayed and ate my favorite meal at Merlotte's, a bacon cheeseburger and fries. It wasn't as good as when Lafayette made it, but Terry had done his best and the burger was not completely disgusting. It just didn't have Lafayette's touch.

By the time I was done eating it was nearing closing time and I decided to stay and help Sookie and Tara close up. Sam had been locked in his office since my arrival and I got the feeling that he didn't want to be disturbed so I didn't go knocking. The only thing left to take care of was Andy Bellefleur who still sat at the bar, drunker than he had been when I first got there hours ago.

"He ain't listenin' to me," Tara said as Sookie and I approached, she glanced at Andy as she toweled off a drinking glass. "You two can give it a shot…good luck."

Sookie sighed. We moved to stand in front of Andy. "We're closing, give me your keys," Sookie said holding out her hand.

Andy growled. "I ain't giving you shit, Stackhouse."

Sookie and I both blinked, taken aback. Her face scrunched up as she answered one of his private thoughts aloud. "It would never make me happy to see someone in pain. I'm gonna call your sister to come pick you up, Detective Bellefleur."

"I'll stay with him," I volunteered.

Sookie went for the phone and I stayed at Andy's side. It didn't take much to guess why he was having a hard time. I didn't need to read his mind to know that he probably felt like an idiot for putting all his ducks on Jason when it turned out to be Renee. I reached forward and touched the bare skin of his arm, feeling all of his self doubt and pity as well as hearing his thoughts that matched his emotions. The man was just one big depressed heap.

"Andy, you are a good detective," I said trying to be nice.

He frowned. "You don't even know me, Chase."

I ignored his icy tone and pulled my arm away from him.

"Don't be such a jerk, Andy," Tara said, moving to stand next to me. "Chase is just trying to be nice."

"Well I don't need no one's pity compliments," Andy stated angrily, rising to his feet and stumbling for the door.

Tara rolled her brown eyes. "Go on home, Chase. Me and Sookie will go after him."

"You sure?"

Tara nodded.

I wasn't really in the mood to deal with Andy's attitude anyway. "Okay, I'll see you guys later. Tell Sookie I said bye."

Tara nodded again offering a wave.

I went out the back door of Merlotte's to where I'd parked near Sam's trailer and drove home. By the time Sookie and Tara started screaming about the dead body in the back of Andy's car I was halfway home.