I was surprised to be awoken the next morning at 8:00 am by the alarm on my cell phone. Sookie was supposed to come get me for dinner, but she never had, leaving me to sleep through the night. Sleepily, I reached out and turned off the alarm, checking my messages to see that I had one from Sookie, telling me that she wanted me to rest and that she would see me in the morning. While I felt bad for leaving her hanging the moment we got to Dallas, I felt more rested than I had in the past few days. Promising myself that I would check in with her immediately after my meeting, I sat up in bed realizing that I wasn't alone in it.

Eric was lying beside me, sleeping on his back, one arm tucked behind his head, shirtless and still. He looked extra pale in the sunlight streaming in through the UV protected windows of our room. I didn't expect him to come back to the room after our spat, but then he wouldn't be Eric if he actually listened to what I had said. He wouldn't be the vampire that had stolen my heart and then smashed into a million pieces. I still found it hard to look at him without feeling the pang of betrayal mixed with longing, hate, want, and love in my stomach. A part of me, larger than I cared to admit, wanted to forgive him. I wanted to go back to the blissful, albeit chaotic, days when I just couldn't wait for the sun to set so that I could see him; when I couldn't wait to just be in his arms again.

But I couldn't forgive him. It wasn't that easy.

I turned away from him and slid out of bed, walking lightly to the bathroom to not wake him. I showered leisurely, brushing my teeth, washing my face and dressing in one of the black dresses that looked the most professional I could find in the suitcase Eric provided. I was ready by 9:20 and downstairs by 9:30 where Joseph was already waiting for me.

He greeted me and opened the rear passenger door, ushering me inside. I tried to remain calm during the ride, but my stomach was still in knots. I was nervous and anxious, my mind running through a million different scenarios about what I might find out about myself or my parents.

The Dallas Children's Receiving home was large and gated with multiple buildings and play yards. Children of all ages and ethnicities played happily outside as we were let in the gates and Joseph stopped to let me out. Joseph promised to wait for me and I thanked him, walking slowly toward the entrance. I stared hard at my surroundings, trying to call forth a memory if possible, but found that I couldn't. This only added to the uneasiness I felt in my stomach.

"Ms. Morgan? Chase?"

I startled at my name being called, turning to find a woman walking toward me from behind. She was beautiful with flowing waves of red hair and a warm smile. She was wearing a casual but professional black dress and heels and holding what looked like a large file folder in her hands. She was smiling softly and looking cautious as if she expected me to explode at any moment. She looked to be my mother's age and though I tried to find some familiarity in her features, I didn't.

"Y-Yes, that's me," I swallowed hard and tried to smile to hide my nervousness.

"Hello, I'm not sure if you remember me, I am Audra Lancaster," she greeted as she came closer, extending a hand. "It's good to see you all grown up."

I hesitantly took the hand that she offered and immediately I was flood with her thoughts and memories. Memories of a little girl with dark hair and grey eyes playing in the school yard with the other children, eating, sleeping. It was me. These were her memories of me. I looked like a happy toddler, always smiling and grinning, but then her memories shifted.

The memory of a rainy night, of Audra standing outside in front of two police officers, one of which was holding a younger me. I was soaking wet, my clothes and face stained with blood, a blanket wrapped haphazardly around me. A look of terror on my face. My gut wrenched at the sight and I pulled away with a small gasp that made Audra flinch.

"Are you alright?" She asked touching her chest, her face full of concern.

I nodded, clearing my throat, shaking my head. "Yes, yeah, I'm sorry. I-I'm fine."

Audra looked hesitant, but gestured to the entrance doors. "Please, come inside. We can talk in my office."

Her office was at the end of a long hallway adorned with pictures of children and drawings with the words."Dallas Children's Receiving Home" in bubble letters. I took a seat in a soft chair in her office and watched her sit behind her large desk setting the file down.

"You probably don't remember me, but I have been here since they first brought you in that night so many years ago….you seem to be doing well for yourself. The Morgan's are wonderful people. How have you been?"

"I have been great," I lied with a smile. "Thank you so much for seeing me today."

"Well we don't normally release too much information in regards to a closed adoption, but after the very generous donation your employer provided..." she trailed off as if the rest was obvious. There was a brief pause.

My eyebrow arched. My employer? Right. Eric. I suppressed an eye roll. "He is quite generous. And I appreciate any information you're willing to share."

"This is all the information we have on you, Chase," she said, sliding the file toward me. "I hope this helps."

I cautiously took the file, placing it in my lap, too nervous to look inside. I instead looked to Audra. "So you were here the day I arrived?"

Audra hesitated, her face hardening. "I was. I wasn't the director back then, just one of the live in teachers, but I was awake when they brought you in. The police brought you to us, soaking wet from the rain and covered with blood. They said your name was Chase, that you were one, and that if anyone came to claim you that you were not to be released under any circumstances. They said that they had found you in an abandoned house…" she cleared her throat and shifted in her seat. "At the scene of what they believed to be a homicide. Concerned for your safety, they had a cop car sit outside the building for a month. They never gave us any more information than that, and after 6 months, a lawyer from the state showed up stating we were allowed to release you for adoption. We asked for more information then, but we were given none."

"They told you nothing?" I asked in shock.

"Nothing. We didn't know your birthday, or medical history, nothing about your past. As far as we know the homicide case was never solved though we knew nothing really about that either. The Morgan's came a few months later and...you became a part of their family."

I leaned back in the chair trying to absorb the information that I'd been told and only found myself with more questions. Where did I come from? Who were my real parents? Who had been killed? Were my real parents still alive?"

"And there were no clues as to who my family was? My real parents?"

Audra shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry, Chase. Before you leave Dallas, you could try going down to the police station and ask to look at your case file. They may have found something and not have told us. Or try and speak to the detective working your case if there was one," Audra offered. "I don't know if they can or will release the information to you, but if you're lucky they may tell you something."

Not wanting to rush out after Audra had taken the time to meet with me I spent another a few hours at the facility, allowing her to give me a tour and listening to stories of my time there. It momentarily took my mind off the multitude of questions that I had now thanks to my visit here and the worrying feeling in my gut about just where I'd come from. I managed to keep myself collected, saying my goodbyes to Audra and met Joseph at the car, apologizing to him about the long wait.

"Don't worry about it Ms. Morgan. Back to the hotel?" He asked as he opened the door for me.

I wasn't ready to go back to the hotel and sit in a room where Eric slept and stew in the new questions I had. I also didn't want to have to see Sookie and pretend that I was okay. I still needed time to process the information and feelings from today and for that I needed space.

"Actually, I would like to go for a drive for awhile if that's alright Joseph?" I asked hesitantly.

"I'll take a scenic route," he answered with a smile.

"Thanks," I said sitting down and allowing him to shut the door.

I leaned back into the leather of the seats and looked at the file sitting in my lap. I fingered the edge considering opening it, wondering just why I was so apprehensive to look inside when Audra told me there was pretty much nothing to see. I still wasn't ready to look and see what the file had to offer anyway. I tossed it onto the seat beside me and sighed, shutting my eyes.

Joseph drove me around till the sun set with no complaining. We stopped to eat and go to the bathroom a few times, but aside from that I sat in the back trying to keep a clear head and not assume the worst about my past.

I was watching the night skyline of Dallas as we whipped down some freeway when my phone rang. I didn't recognize the number, but flipped it open anyway and answered it.

"Hello?"

"Good evening, lover."

I let out a soft sigh. "What do you want?" My tone was not a pleasant one.

"How did your meeting with the director go?"

I blinked at the sincerity and general curiosity in his voice. If I didn't know it any better I would think that he actually cared.

"Chase?"

I snapped back to attention as his voice weaved into my ears. I clenched the phone tighter. "It went fine, Eric. Is there something else you need or do you just enjoy annoying me?"

"Well Lover you are in a feisty mood aren't you?"

"Did. You. Need. Something?" I repeated.

He sighed into the phone. "There will be a meeting at the missing sheriff's home in ten minutes. Sookie and Bill will be in attendance as should you be."

I wasn't in the mood for a meeting about the missing vampire, but it was what I had come to Dallas for and what I was being paid for.

"Okay."

"Joseph will bring you. I have already given him the address," Eric continued.

"Got it."

I hung up before he could reply.

Joseph drove me to a large modern looking home that sat by a lake. He offered to wait for me again, and unsure of how long I would be I told him that it wasn't necessary and I could find my way back to the hotel. I thanked him for all the driving he had done and offered him another tip that he refused again. I would just have to tell Eric to make sure he tipped Joseph generously for his services.

I approached the large double doors of the home and knocked, waiting for someone to answer. The door swung open moments later, revealing a tall man with dark hair and a scowl. He wore a black button down and jeans with cowboy boots. He looked me up and down with a general look of disgust.

"Are you another one of Eric's humans?" He drawled boredly.

"I belong to no one," I answered with a matching scowl.

The scowl left his face and was replaced with a sly smirk. "Then what are you doing here, sweet thing?"

He opened the door wider and stepped toward me. I felt the energy start to swirl in my stomach as a response. I clutched my purse tighter.

"Stan."

It was Eric's voice. He appeared behind Stan, his face blank and void of emotion, but there was a threat in his tone. Stan rolled his eyes and sighed, turning to face Eric.

"What, Northman?"

"She is mine. Now leave her be and let her pass," Eric ordered through clenched teeth.

Stans smirk widened, turning his back on Eric he set his sights on me. One cold finger reached out to run along my jaw lightly. It wasn't much contact, but it was enough for me to get a small read off of him. He was thinking about blood, my blood, he was imagining how sweet it would taste based on the smell of it. I came out of his head with a gasp, just in time to see Eric surge forward in vampire speed and snatch Stan's hand away by his wrist. Stans fangs unsheathed and Eric's followed, both growling animalistically at each other.

"She is mine," Eric barked again.

"She says she belongs to no one, Northman."

Eric balked at that, turning cold eyes on me in surprise. I visibly flinched at the raw anger I saw in his eyes.

The heavy click of heels sounded before a beautiful Latina woman appeared looking irritated.

"Will you two stop it already?" she sighed, placing her hands on her hips. "We have business to discuss."

Neither of the two vampires moved, until Stan wrenched his hand from Eric's grip. He stormed past Eric with a growl, the female vampire following after him leaving me and Eric alone in the foyer.

I stood frozen in the door, feeling the anger that was practically coming off of him in waves. With no warning at all he wrapped his hand around my wrist, yanking me into the house as I yelped. He slammed the door shut, wrapping an arm around my waist and stepping forward to force me against the door, closing the space between us. I was trapped between him and the door, staring up into his fiery blue eyes, feeling my heart start to race. He leaned down, lips caressing my ear, speaking softly but in a threatening tone.

"I know that you are still angry, Lover-."

"Eric-."

"Shut up," he cut in through clenched teeth. The arm around my waist tightened, crushing me into him further. "Trust that I have not forgotten how angry you are, but Dallas vampires are not the same as Bon Temps vampires. They are cold, ruthless and vicious and if given the opportunity, they would snap you like a twig and drink from your separate parts. So for now, here in Dallas, where it really matters, you are mine. Do you understand?"

I remained quiet. I knew he was just trying to keep me safe, but it didn't mean I liked his attitude.

He jerked me against his body once more, coaxing a small yelp from my throat.

"I said, do you understand ?" He repeated.

I nodded quickly, feeling that now was not a time to test his patience. "Yes, Eric. I understand."

He pulled back slowly, lips brushing along my cheek as he did, inducing a shiver. He released me, turning on his heel and walking out of the foyer, not waiting for me to follow. I took a second to compose myself and smooth the wrinkles out of my dress with a shaky hand. Taking a deep breath I followed after him, finding Sookie, Bill, Stan, and the vampire woman in the living room. Sookie smiled at me, beckoning me closer.

"Now that we are all here, we can discuss what to do about Godric," the vampire woman said.

"You could have told me Eric hired some fucking humans, Isabel," Stan drawled as he looked me and Sookie over.

Sookie and I both frowned, the energy beginning to swirl in me again as my anger flared. "Excuse me?"

"Now what just a minute," Sookie snapped.

Bill held up a hand before coming to our rescue. "Respect them," he commanded Stan with a glare.

"Thank you," Sookie said, passing Bill a smile.

"I couldn't tell you, Stan. You have been off on your own for days," Isabel snapped with crossed arms.

"Are you certain that Godric was abducted by the fellowship of the sun?" Eric piped up from where he paced near the large fireplace.

"No."

"Yes."

The first answer came from Isabel, the second came from Stan. Both sounded sure. Both looked at the other irritably. Stan brought up facts to back up his assumption.

"They are all the only ones with the organization and manpower."

"But they are amateurs," Isabel reasoned. "It does not make any sense." She turned her eyes on Sookie, Bill, and I. "This is Godric we are talking about. 2,000 years old."

Sookie and I shared surprised glances. She mouthed "2,000 years old?" To me. I shrugged.

"Old don't make you smart," Stan countered.

"Besides," Isabel continued, passing Stan a glare. "There is NO proof."

"If they have him, I will hear it," Sookie said, stepping forward. "Chase will too. She can hear vampires' thoughts even though I can't. If she tries hard enough she may be able to hear Godric."

Stan and Isabel turned curious and wide eyes on me. I shook my head. "Sookie, you know my ability doesn't work like that-"

"It doesn't matter what the little telepath can do. There's no point in waiting," Stan cut in. "We need to take these fanatics down. Full out attack. Exterminate them like the vermin they are. Leave no trace."

"Hmm. Vampire hating church annihilated? Wonder who did it? Fucking brilliant," Isabel mocked.

"I doubt the king of Texas would approve of the destruction of our international political agenda," Bill added.

Stan huffed. "Fuck that. The great revelation was the biggest mistake we ever made."

"Don't use Godric to start your own little power play!" Isabel snapped.

"You are all completely incompetent!" Eric snapped making me jump. All eyes turned on him as his voice rang over us loud and angry. "What happened to Godric is that he surrounds himself with clowns."

"We invited you as a courtesy. This is not your area. You have no say here," Isabel replied, walking toward Eric.

"Yeah sheriff," Stan piped up. "Why don't you run back to Louisiana. We don't need you or your puppets."

I frowned as Stan passed a glare my way. "We are no one's puppets," I snapped passing the same glare right back.

"And I am not going anywhere," Eric replied.

"What we need is a plan," I said, finally finding my voice to speak up against Stan's ridiculousness, drawing attention back to myself. "No matter what the situation you can't go running into a church killing innocent people."

"I have a plan," Stan said angrily.

Isabel huffed. "It's not a plan. It's a movie!"

Stan's gaze darkened. "It's not a movie. It's a war."

Silence hung in the air at his admittance to what he had in mind. Now I realized what Eric meant when he said Dallas vampires weren't the same as Bon Temps. They were cold blooded killers.

Eric shook his head. "Idiots."

"Look we take them all out at once," Stan said. "Preemptive strike."

"Right, so the federal government can send us back to the middle ages," Isabel replied.

"Things were better then," Stan shrugged.

"Then go back to Romania and live in a cave you ranchero poser!"

"Rancher-." Stan started with a huff.

Glass shattered against the wall startling me. I turned to see that it was Eric who had thrown a vase. He looked angrier than I had ever seen him. It was clear to me suddenly, that whoever this missing vampire was, was very important to him. And I wondered why.

"Godric has protected you. Made you rich," Eric growled. "Yet you stand here spitting and scratching like infants!"

"Don't any of you care that there is a traitor in your midst?" Bill asked loudly, calling everyone's attention.

The whole room froze. Isabel and Stan scoffed.

"No," Stan answered honestly.

"Impossible," Isabel countered.

"Someone tried to kidnap me from the airport," Sookie informed. "And if Chase hadn't gone in a different car then they probably would have gone after her too."

"You were the only ones that knew they were coming," Bill reasoned.

Eric came striding forward, his whole body tense. "Yes. Explain?"

Isabel and Stan seemed moderately surprised by the information. They both turned on each other accusingly, which quickly turned into a shouting match. I sighed, putting my head in my hands. This was going nowhere. It was clear none of these vampires trusted each other enough to come up with an actual plan to help Godric.

"Look if you all keep arguing I am either going to fall asleep or go crazy. So this is what we are going to do," Sookie announced to my surprise. "Chase and I will infiltrate the fellowship."

I turned to her gaping and shocked. "No, we will not."

Bill nodded in agreement. "Absolutely not."

"Let her speak," Eric ordered, stepping towards us.

"Bill glamoured the kidnapper so they don't know who we are. Chase and I can pretend we want to join and read their thoughts," Sookie offered, nodding at me.

"Forgive me, but I don't think us infiltrating the very church that probably wants to kill us is a good idea," I replied shaking my head. "There must be something else we can do."

"Chase is right, Sookie," Bill agreed. "And during the day none of us can help you."

"Come on," Sookie sighed. "It will only take us a little while and it's very simple, in and out."

Stan huffed and began striding through the room. "It's a waste of time when we can drain them all. I want no part of this," he scowled grabbing his hat and exiting the house.

"Aside from the killing aspect I am on his side," I piped up with a frown.

"There's no easier way to find out if they are involved," Isabel said, now visibly calm in Stan's absence.

"If it leads us to Godric we'll do it," Eric said, softly. "The decision is made."

I sighed and plopped down on one of the plush white couches. "Great."

"Eric," I heard Bill say in a hushed angry tone. "A word?"

Bill led Eric out of earshot as Sookie came to sit next to me on the couch. Isabel disappeared down a long hallway leaving the four of us alone in the living room.

"What's wrong?" Sookie asked.

"I think I've experienced enough death and near death for a lifetime already. So I am not exactly eager to infiltrate a place that might want me dead to rescue a vampire," I admitted.

"It's a church, Chase."

"A vampire hating church. And we both happen to be involved with vampires."

"We will be fine."

"You don't know that."

She took my hand. "Yes I do."

I looked at her, surprised at how determined she sounded. I didn't know how she could be so sure, but I decided to trust in her. It didn't mean that I wasn't going to worry and assume the worst.

"Sookie," Bill called. "Come. It's time to go. Chase, you may accompany us."

I hesitated turning to see that Eric was standing at the fireplace, his back to us, gazing into the fire. Something told me that I should stay and while I was still mad at Eric I could see that he was upset, and might need someone to talk to.

"I will find a way back to the hotel. I just need a minute with Eric. You guys go," I said.

Sookie and Bill shared a glance, but nodded. "Okay, I will see you in the morning."

I waved goodbye to them both and waited for them to leave. Eric remained silent and unmoving as I approached him, his hands on his hips still gazing into the fire. I wanted to continue to be angry at him, but I couldn't ignore that there was something clearly wrong with him. He was very upset about Godric and I didn't understand why.

"Eric."

"I am in no mood to fight, Lover," he said darkly. "We need to leave. I have business to attend to at the hotel."

He turned and headed for the door, walking right past me until I stopped him by grabbing his arm. When he turned to face me, his teeth were clenched, his body equally tense. His face was blank, but there was something in his eyes.

"Listen, clearly you are upset. I'd like to know why. Who is Godric to you? Why is he so important?" I asked softly, squeezing his arm gently.

"That is not your concern. Your only concern should be to find him," Eric replied in an icy tone, pulling his arm from my touch. "Now as I said before, I have business to attend to. And I am starving. Let's go."

I felt my face fall at his cold response. "If I am going to risk my life to find this vampire for you, the least you could do is tell me the truth. Who is Godric?"

Eric growled, bristling with anger, his fangs unsheathing. "I grow tired of your pestering pathetic human questions of things you do not understand."

"I have a right to know why my life is in danger. I am here to help you, Eric," I snapped. "Even though you lied and kidnapped my-."

"This again!" Eric cut in throwing his arms into the air in exasperation. "You never stop, do you? I have paid your expenses. I have arranged meetings with important people to help you find your parents. I make donations. I give you gifts. Yet, you are still angry with me. What more do you want?"

I was bordering on irate now, the energy swelling and swirling. "I don't care about any of that! I don't care about your money or your gifts. I just wanted you to be honest with me. I wanted to trust you! I wanted you to open up to me and prove that you actually have a heart in there somewhere! I just wanted you, Eric." I shouted angrily.

Eric froze at my words, his face falling. His fangs retracted.

I took a deep breath forcing myself to calm, trying to stop the energy. I didn't realize that I was crying until I felt the tears slide warmly down my face. I reached up a shaky hand to wipe them away. "You can't buy my affection or forgiveness so stop trying."

Eric said nothing. He turned away and stormed toward the door, leaving me standing there alone.

I couldn't wait to get out of Dallas.