"Make yourself at home," Eric offered, setting his keys down on the small black table near his front door, shrugging out of his leather jacket.

I stood stunned in his foyer, taking in the large vaulted ceilings and floor to ceiling windows of his modern one story home. I'd had no idea where he'd planned to take me when he took off at Fangtasia, but I never imagined he'd bring me to his home. His house sat right on the banks of the Red River, with an amazing view of the water. While there were no personal photos I could see, art lined the walls of his home, bold paintings with dark colors that matched all the black furniture that filled the place. It fit him very well and was almost what I had pictured when I envisioned his home. Except for the large windows which I wondered how he managed during the day, there wasn't a curtain in sight.

"There's no food obviously," he gestured to his large open kitchen, all grey marble and chrome appliances. "I'll have to ask Ginger to stock the kitchen for your next visit. But if you're hungry we can order something."

I felt butterflies at the thought of him wanting my 'visits' to continue. "Ginger comes here?"

"Yes, three times a week to do laundry, pick up things I need from the store, and to clean. She's a good little employee."

Of course he had someone he paid to do the mundane day to day things that everyone else dealt with. I imagined it was hard to pick up your dry cleaning when it closed at 5:00 and you were a vampire that slept till sundown.

"I may not have food, but I do have running water," he continued. "Are you thirsty?"

I shook my head and dared to take another step further into the house. It felt surreal to be in his home. It was so… domestic.

"Are you hungry? I can order you something?" He repeated.

I shook my head again. "I'm fine, thank you."

"Are you going to tell me what is the matter now?"

I hesitated.

"Can we sit?" I asked, looking at his enormous leather sectional couch. I briefly wondered how long he had lived here, because it looked brand new.

He didn't answer, taking me by the hand instead and leading me to the couch. He sat first and I followed, relaxing into the soft comfortable leather. He placed his arm on the back of the couch and looked at me expectantly.

I felt silly suddenly, wanting to accuse him of having feelings for Sookie when he was here with me. When he had brought me to his home, his personal space. When he was sitting beside me, seemingly, genuinely curious and concerned about what I was feeling.

Still I couldn't ignore that feeling deep down in my gut, not when it was so strong.

"You have feelings for Sookie, don't you?"

The words fell from my lips like an accusation, jealousy dripping from them more than I intended.

Eric blinked, the concern leaving his face to be replaced with annoyance. "Chase, you are mistaken."

"Am I?" I questioned. I wanted to be mistaken.

"I do not have feelings for Sookie Stackhouse," he said, his tone serious, his stare deep.

I hesitated. I wanted to believe him. I truly did.

"Then why were you so concerned about her? Why did you want to give her your blood?"

"She's your friend. My blood is stronger than Bill's," he answered simply.

That certainly was a simple enough explanation, but something still didn't feel right. I thought about touching him, making skin to skin contact just to invade his thoughts and find out the truth, but I didn't want to do that. I wanted to believe him.

"Tell me that I can trust you," I said turning to him and looking him in the eye.

Eric stared back at me blankly, his head tilting. I almost expected him to say no, but instead he leaned in closer.

"You can trust me, Chase."

His eyes gazed so deeply into my own that I almost felt like I was being glamoured.

"I can?" I asked hopefully.

He reached up and touched my cheek, his fingers brushing gently over my skin. "You can."

And I knew then I would have to make a choice. That either I would trust him completely until I had evidence not too, or I would have to end things between us for my own sanity. If I didn't trust him, if I was constantly doubting him, we were doomed.

"You can trust me," he repeated leaning in.

He kissed me then and like all the other times I melted right into him. I made up my mind then that that would be the end of me questioning his feelings for Sookie. I chose to trust him… again.

The kiss turned heated in no time at all, Eric pulling me closer, tongue delving deeper into my mouth. With some maneuvering I was suddenly in his lap, straddling him as my fingers found his hair and his hands gripped my hips tightly. I felt something growing between us, making my skin hot and my center ache.

"Do you want to go home, Lover?" Eric questioned between kisses, trailing them down to my throat and lingering over my pulse.

I tried to think through the fog of arousal taking over my brain. This was a drastic change from the conversation we were just having, but I knew what I wanted. And it was him.

"No," I moaned when his mouth closed over my pulse. "I…I want…"

"What do you want?" He asked huskily, sucking right over my pulse point.

"You," I breathed without hesitation. I had never said a truer word. Everything else just slipped away in that moment of lust, I didn't care about the doubt and jealousy that I felt. I wanted him then and for the foreseeable future.

That was all the answer that he needed. With no warning he rose from the couch, carrying me with him, my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. I didn't stop kissing him as he made his way blindly through his living room and down the hall, stepping right into his very large bedroom. He didn't give me a chance to look around, both of us falling into the lushness of his bed landing with him on top of me between my legs.

I kicked off my flip flops while he went for my shirt, his kiss finally relenting to pull back and allow me to lift so he could get it off. I went for his, taking it from his body and tossing it over his shoulder. My pants were gone next, his followed, and his mouth began a thorough exploration, cold tongue leaving a heated trail down my neck to the valley between my breasts and over my stomach. I arched into him, gripping the black duvet I lay on top of, pleasure sweeping through me in waves at the barest touch.

"Eric," I gasped when he reached my panties, mouthing over the material, spreading my legs wider to fit his broad shoulders. "Please."

He didn't make me wait, ripping through the material like paper and pulling the pieces out of his way. I didn't have the time to react before his mouth was on me, eagerly tasting, tongue swirling and licking up and down. I was a panting and trembling mess in a matter of seconds, feeling the orgasm start to bloom and threaten to take me over. Eric's efforts only increased when my moans grew louder and my thighs startled to tremble around his head.

I was coming before I could warn him what was happening, his name bursting from my lips as the pleasure took me over. He didn't stop, only continued until the orgasm shot right back up and washed over me once more sending me squirming and moaning again. It was only then that he relented, kissing his way back up my body and positioning himself between my legs.

I braced myself when I felt the thick tip at my entrance, slipping along my folds before he was kissing me again. I could taste myself on his tongue, as it danced with mine, and he deepened the kiss. With one thrust he was sliding home, stretching me around him and giving me no time to adjust before the next thrust. He brought me to the brink in what seemed like no time at all, kissing me deeply and mouthing along my throat, while all I could do was cling to him and let the pleasure take me over.

He groaned in my ear, one hand tangling in my hair to pull head back, granting him more access to my throat. I heard the click of his fangs releasing and felt them scrape along my skin. I was a little shocked at the way I arched into him, silently inviting him to bite, anticipating the pleasurable sting and the pull of his mouth that followed. He didn't bite down though, leaving me wanting.

"Eric...please…" I repeated unsure of what I was asking for exactly.

Eric groaned at my arching, whispering something in Swedish that I didn't understand. "Is that what you want, Lover?" He asked, still scraping his fangs over my pulse. "You want to feel my fangs in you?"

I was trembling now, on the edge of orgasm. "Y-yes."

"Yes what?" He questioned, never stopping the roll of his hips.

"Bite me, please," I gasped.

"As you wish."

The pleasurable sting I craved came immediately, sending my back arching once more and a loud cry from my mouth. The orgasm came next, swift and thundering and rushing through me, amplified by the pull of his mouth. Eric followed right behind me, thrusting hard once more and groaning loudly against my throat. He withdrew with a soft growl, blood stained fangs retracting and his tongue licking over his teeth and lips before his mouth was back on mine.

He kissed me until I came down from my orgasm high, rolling off me after and relaxing against his black pillows.

I laid there for a moment, trying to catch my breath and suddenly feeling very exposed on the top of his comforter. Eric almost seemed to sense it, scooting closer and wrapping his arm around my waist. He might have been cold, but being near him brought warmth to me. A comfortable silence fell over both of us and I soon drifted off into a blissful darkness.

The sound of my phone ringing woke me.

I blinked, disoriented and confused for a moment as I found myself shrouded in darkness. It took a few seconds for my tired brain to catch up and remember that I was in Eric's bedroom, his sunproof bedroom. I sat up, holding the sheet against my naked body and seeing the dark form of Eric's body in the bed beside me. He didn't stir at my movement or the sound of my ringing phone.

I slipped from the bed, feeling around on the floor until I found clothing that felt like mine and gathered it in my arms, pulling my cell phone from my sweat pants pocket. I didn't recognize the number, but walked blindly forward towards where I remembered the bathroom being. I slipped into the darkened room and shut the door behind me, waiting until then to turn on the lights.

I shouldn't have been surprised to find that Eric's bathroom was as large and lavish as the rest of his home.

"Hello?" I answered the ringing phone, slipping on my clothing.

"Chase, it's Sookie."

I felt relieved to hear her voice. I didn't get to say goodbye to her last night or make sure that she was really alright, before Eric had brought me to his home. "Sookie, thank god. You're alright. Where are you calling me from?"

"Fangtasia," she answered with urgency in her tone. "You need to get down here right away before sunset. There's something you need to see."

I blinked in confusion. "Something I need to see-?"

"Just hurry, Chase. Please."

The line went dead before I could question her further and I was left staring at the phone.

What could she possibly want to show me and why before sunset?

I freshened up quickly, splashing water in my face and fixing my hair as I best could before slipping out of the bathroom, trying not to disturb Eric. I thought about waking him to tell him that I was leaving, but thought against it. I didn't know if disturbing a vampire's slumber was such a good idea.

I left the room and called a cab, waiting outside until it arrived. I had slept most of the day with Eric after our late evening, arriving at Fangtasia with barely an hour to spare before sunset. Sookie was sitting in one of the booths with Ginger, wasting no time in sliding out when she saw me. She took my hand without a word, leading me to a door behind the bar, pushing it open and yanking me in after her.

"Sookie, what the hell is-?"

I was cut off by the stench that overtook me, making me cover my mouth and gag. It smelt like something had died, the smell overwhelming and pungent. We descended cement steps into a dark basement, barely able to see my surroundings, and the scent growing stronger the further we went. My eyes slowly adjusted allowing me to see the blood stains on the walls and floor, there was a constant dripping sound coming from somewhere. What the hell went on in this place?

I was about to question Sookie again when I saw him and froze.

Lafayette sat on the ground, leaning against a stone pillar, clad only in a pair of camp pants. He looked filthy, weak, and fang marks covered his chest and what looked like a gunshot wound in his leg. His head was slumped against his chest.

"Oh my god," I breathed rushing to his side. I touched his arm hesitantly, watching the rise and fall of his chest to make sure he was still alive. His skin was cold and clammy to the touch. "Lafayette?"

He didn't answer.

"What the hell happened to him?" I asked looking back at Sookie. "Why is he here?"

I had a sickening feeling that I already knew, that Eric was responsible for this. But I didn't want to believe it. Not after last night, not after he had looked me in the eye and promised that I could trust him. Maybe Pam had done this without Eric's knowledge or the other vampire that I sometimes saw around Fangtasia. Perhaps Eric didn't know.

"Eric happened to him," Sookie answered me angrily. "Please tell me you didn't know about this."

My face fell. "Of course I didn't know, Sookie. How could you think that? I would have never let this happen if I had known-."

In a sudden realization it all came together in my mind. This was why he had asked me not to come to Fangtasia, so I wouldn't find out about Lafayette. He was behind this for whatever reason. Eric had kidnapped Lafayette, fed on him, most likely tortured him and god knows what else. Everything he had said about not keeping things from me and being able to trust him had been a lie.

I felt like a fool.

I felt like I was going to vomit.

The anger hit me next and with it came the energy, flooding me with an intensity that I had felt the last few times. I clenched my fists, trying to keep it at bay so I didn't hurt anyone.

"Is there a key? Can we take him out of here?"

Sookie shook her head. "Ginger says Eric is the only one with the key."

My fists clenched tighter.

"I'm sorry, Chase," Sookie sighed. "I didn't mean to accuse you, that wasn't fair. I just...can't believe that Eric would do this."

"Neither can I," I huffed.

With no choice, we went back upstairs to wait for the sun to set.

The energy had never died down, fueled by my anger and rolling through me in a constant wave. I kept a tight rein on it, worried about what might happen if I slipped up. I was furious beyond reason, seeing that there would be no way that Eric could explain his way out of this. He had lied to me, right to my face on numerous occasions, and it made me sick to think of what might have happened to Lafayette if Sookie hadn't found him.

It was Bill rushing into the club to greet Sookie that let us know that the sun had set, and with that realization my anxiety went up at the thought of confronting Eric. I watched silently as Sookie and Bill embraced, Bill doing so enthusiastically, while Sookie seemed tense. Bill noticed.

"Are you still mad about our fight?" Bill questioned softly, looking at me warily. "Please, none of that matters anymore. The only thing that matters is that you are alive."

"I know. I am alive and well and happy," Sookie answered with a smile and a nod. "Unlike my friend Lafayette, who Eric chained up in the basement and bit and shot and did god knows what else!"

Bill frowned, looking at me with confusion. "What on earth are you talking about?"

"I assume she is referring to the human in my basement, who traded sexual favors for vampire blood, which you know is a grave offense."

I froze at the sound of Eric's voice, feeling a chill race down my back. I rose from the booth, turning to see Eric striding into Fangtasia wearing a green t-shirt and blue jeans. There wasn't an ounce of remorse on his face as he strode toward us, it was clear that he didn't find what he had done wrong.

It only made the energy rushing through me burn like the sun. I felt as if I was going to burst with it. I clenched my fist tighter.

"It's impolite to sneak out of bed without letting your lover know you're leaving, Lover," Eric said approaching me.

I ignored him. "That human that you are so coldly referring to is named Lafayette."

"Yes it is and you should be ashamed of yourself for what you have done to him," Sookie added seething.

"Oh no," I cut in as Eric opened his mouth to speak. "Shame would require a working heart, but Eric's is quite dead. He has no feelings. He cares about nothing and that is abundantly clear now."

"I don't believe that was the opinion you held of me last night, Lover," Eric answered, a smirk on his lips.

The anger flared and before I thought about what it was I was doing, my hand was cocking back slapping him right across the face. His head whipped to the right with the force of it, and my hand stung like hell, but I found it oddly satisfying. I heard Sookie's gasp and practically felt Bill tense behind me as they waited for Eric's reaction.

Eric turned his head back to me slowly, revealing a cut on his lower lip. His tongue snaked out, licking the wound and the blood there. The cut healed before our very eyes. He stared down at me with a cold glare.

"You're a monster, Eric," Sookie piped up from behind me, making his eyes turn to her.

He looked her up and down with a long gaze and stood taller. "It's good to see that you are feeling better , Sookie," the smirk returning to his face. "By the way, might I add, red suits you quite well."

"Go to hell!" Sookie snapped.

I quietly seethed at the compliment, choosing to ignore it, almost certain he was saying it to get a rise out of me. I wasn't going to play his games.

"I'm calling the police unless you release Lafayette right now," I said determinedly.

Eric's reaction was quick and instant. His fangs unsheathed with a click and in a vampire blue he was inches away from my face with a hiss. I couldn't stop the gasp, feeling my body tense and the energy in me threaten to burst.

"I do not respond well to threats," Eric said quietly, though his tone was threatening.

I steeled myself and squared my shoulders. "And I don't respond well to having my friends chained up in basements."

"Neither do I," Sookie added, stepping up to my side. "Go and let him go, now ."

Eric remained unmoving, fangs bared and eyes still cold.

"Perhaps we can come up with some arrangement for Lafayette's release," Eric said, retracting his fangs and straightening, his voice less threatening and pleasant. He motioned to the door that led to his office. " Bill...Sookie…please."

Bill hesitated, but took Sookie by the hand leading her to Eric's office. Eric's gaze returned to me once they were out of the bar area, one eyebrow arching when I didn't follow.

"I'm not doing this with you. Lafayette isn't some bartering chip. You're not going to use him to manipulate me."

"I don't want to manipulate you," he answered surprising me.

"That's funny, it seems that's what you've been doing all along in addition to lying to me," and hurting me , I wanted to add.

Eric's face softened just a bit, barely noticeable. It only lasted a second before he squared his shoulders and motioned again to the office. "If you want your friend released, go to the office."

I shook my head in disbelief. It was hard to find myself here with him, in this moment when only last night I trusted him and believed that he was worthy of that trust, thinking that he was a vampire capable of love and compassion. Now I saw that he was truly a monster. I felt used and disgusted with myself. I had given him parts of myself that I knew I was never getting back.

"Go into the office, Chase," he said, his tone commanding.

I felt that I had no choice, not if I wanted Lafayette released. There was also a part of me that wanted to know just what he was trying to barter Lafayette's life for. I moved around Eric, following after Bill and Sookie finding them both waiting in the office. Eric entered next, leaning against the edge of his desk.

I was surprised to hear just what it was he was bartering Lafayette's life for.

The sheriff of Area 9 in Dalla was missing and Eric believed that he had been abducted by humans. He needed our help to find him, he wanted Sookie and I to go to Dallas and investigate.

"So if we agree to go to Dallas and look for this missing vampire then you'll let Lafayette go?" Sookie asked in clarification. I remained silent, unsure of if I wanted to do this.

"You nearly died last night you are not going to Dallas," Bill said sternly looking at Sookie. He turned his eyes on me. "Chase, you are free to do as you please, of course."

"Gee, thanks, Bill," I huffed.

I hadn't made up my mind either way, though at the moment I was leaning towards telling Eric to shove it. Although it seemed Sookie had already made up her mind about going, given the determined look in her eye. I wouldn't want her going alone, and if I was going to Dallas, that meant I could potentially find out more information about myself like I wanted.

Sookie frowned at her boyfriend. "Bill, I can make up my own mind."

"I will pay all of your expenses of course," Eric added. "And yes I will release your friend."

"I want five thousand dollars," Sookie said boldly crossing her arms. "Chase gets five thousand dollars as well and you help her find her real parents."

"Sookie," I gasped, turning to her.

I appreciated that she was trying to help, but I didn't want Eric's help. In fact I wanted nothing more to do with Eric Northman. I'd consider going to Dallas, only because I knew Sookie had already made up her mind about going, and I wanted to make sure that she got back in one piece. I didn't want Eric's money or his help. I could find my biological parents and information about myself on my own.

"Your human is getting cocky, Bill," Eric said softly looking at Sookie.

"Yeah Sookie I don't need his money or his help," I spat looking at Eric with all the disgust that I held for him.

Sookie frowned, leaning in closer between Bill and I. "I know that you are upset with him, believe me I am too. But think about all the work we've missed? And the work we're about to miss. Not to mention I need a driveway and you want to find your parents, Eric probably knows someone who can help you. It's the least he can do."

I put my head in my hands. She had a point. Five thousand dollars could make a lot of headway into the search of my past as well as go into my savings and keep me afloat for a while. And I was desperate for answers about my birth parents and my past.

"Fine, I will do it," I answered finally to Sookie's expectant gaze.

Bill spoke up for the both of us after my declaration. "They will take ten thousand each , you will help Chase gather information about her parents, and I will escort them."

"I don't think so. No," Eric answered uncrossing his arms.

"Ten thousand and you help Chase, and Bill comes or it's a deal breaker," Sookie said definitively.

Eric stared Sookie down, weighing his options before making a disapproving face and reaching behind him to press the intercom button on his phone. He mumbled something in Swedish and then turned back to Sookie. Sookie smiled triumphantly looking between Bill and I, while I stood on the sidelines feeling unsure of my decision. Finding my parents would be great, but I was working for Eric and potentially putting myself in danger.

"You surprise me," Eric said, drawing my attention. He was looking at Sookie. I felt the angry burn of jealousy in my veins. "Which is quite a rare quality in a breather."

"You disgust me," Sookie countered, her expression matching the statement.

Eric tilted his head. "Perhaps I'll grow on you."

"I'd prefer cancer."

Eric smirked, glancing at me for a moment before his eyes were back on Bill. "You will need to leave immediately."

"I will make the travel arrangements, but I will need your credit card number," Bill replied.

The door to the office burst open, revealing Lafayette being tossed into the room by Pam. He landed hard with a pained grunt and Sookie and I both went to his side.

"Such a shame," Pam sighed, putting her hands on her hips. "I was hoping that I could convince Eric to let me keep you."

"You have enough pets," Eric chided.

"No offense, but you ain't exactly my type, Bitch ," Lafayette answered shakily.

"Can I kick him?" Pam questioned, looking to Eric for the answer.

Bill stepped forward. "You can try."

Pam's eyebrow arched at the challenge and brought one leg forward, seemingly unphased by Bill's threat. I was relieved when Eric spoke up, halting the fight that was about to happen.

"Enough," he said tiredly. "Have Chao fetch their car."

Pam took her sweet time sauntering out of the room, eyeing Bill the entire way. Eric straightened, coming closer to Lafayette and kneeling down beside him and Sookie. I watched as Lafayette whimpered at the sight of him, cowering against me. I put my hand on him in hopes that it would calm him, forgetting that I had never touched Lafayette before and being flooded with the images of Eric and Pam feeding on him, torturing him, keeping him locked in the basement hungry, thirsty, and afraid. He'd believed he was going to die. It made my stomach flip.

"I'll see you soon, I'm sure," Eric whispered, running cold fingers down Lafayette's arm.

"Oh don't bet on it baby," Lafayette answered. "I am retiring. I am done with you crazy ass fuckers. Done."

Eric only smirked, rising and moving out of the way, motioning for Bill, who easily lifted Lafayette into his arms. Bill carried him from the room, Sookie following them and I straightened to follow, still reeling from what'd I'd seen in Lafayette's head.

Sookie paused at the door, waiting for me to catch up. "Come on Chase, I will take you home."

I nodded and had barely made it to the door when Eric appeared in front of me in a whirlwind, shutting the door in Sookie's face. I heard her shout of protest as he slid the lock into place, blocking my exit. Sookie shouted in protest, her hands banging on the door.

I wasn't scared of Eric or what he might do and stared up at him with a frown. "Sookie, it's fine," I shouted hoping she'd hear me through the door. "I will meet you outside in a minute."

There was a brief pause from the other side of the door before I heard her footsteps shuffling away and my silent staring match with Eric continued. I knew that he might try to talk his way out of this or even attempt something sexual, but I wouldn't let him. There was no talking his way out of his, there was no touch that could change my mind.

He didn't say a word, only stepped closer to me, reaching out in an attempt to touch my cheek. My hand came up on reflex, swatting it away to which he frowned.

I didn't want him to touch me ever again, not after the lies, not after what he'd done to Lafayette. After I helped him find his missing vampire and Sookie and I were paid, I didn't want to ever see him again.

"Do. Not. Touch. Me," I said through clenched teeth as I looked up at him. "You will never touch me again do you understand? I want nothing more to do with you and after all this is over I don't ever want to see you again."

I did my best to hide the hurt from my face and blink back tears, but knew it was pointless, he could feel everything through the bond. I hated that he would forever know how to find me and feel what I was feeling. I didn't want that connection with him any longer and I was kicking myself for foolishly letting him in, in the first place.

I avoided looking at him, not wanting to see his reaction and pushed past him, unlocking the door, opening it and closing it behind myself. I prayed that he wouldn't follow.

For once, he didn't.