Hi! here comes finally a new chapter. I hope you'll like it... Some of you might disagree with Beth's behaviour or how she'll handle things with Talbot, but do not forget that she is already very lost because of the strong dreams and now the gunshot!

Please let me know if you like :)

This chapter was betaed by my dear friend Ancholia and the amazing and fantastic Moonjat54 :)

Chapter 8: Trust

He held her hand. She was cold like ice. The world was spinning fast around him as he sat on the ground holding her tight against him, without moving.

Everything had happened so fast. He'd just heard the violent sound and seen her slowly fall on the ground. He'd forgot all his anger as he'd realized what happened. The only person he'd trusted and loved was in his shaking arms, dead.

Talbot lifted his face as he heard the people yelling in front of the TV of the pub. It was completely surreal. No one had heard the gun shot. People in the pub were living their own life when someone had just lost his. He was all alone in the street holding Beth Turner's body.

He took a look at her face and saw how peaceful she was. Tears filled his eyes as he understood that he wouldn't hear her warm voice again. His hand tenderly caressed her face, her skin was cold and soft. He thought that he'd heard a low moan and suddenly he saw her blue eyes open and her mouth gasping for air.

Talbot fell back on the ground as he watched Beth moving.

"What the - Beth, are… are you okay?" Talbot realized that his question was stupid. He'd held her in his arms, she was dead and now she was trying to stand up. He pulled back to her and tried to keep her down. "Beth, you need to go to the hospital."

Beth looked at him like she just realized where she was. She said nothing and tried to stand up.

"Beth, they shot you. I saw it, you were dead!" She saw his pallid and scared face.

"You need to see a doctor, Beth."

He finally stood up and lifted her up. She tried to go by herself but Talbot held her tight against him. She looked at him and finally talked: "I need to go home."

"Home? Are you crazy? I'll drive you to the hospital, right now."

She stopped and looked at him serious. "No, Ben. I can't. Please let me go home." Her face was worried, something was wrong.

Talbot didn't understand what happened. He stared at her and finally nodded. He took her arm and drove her to the car. "I'll call a doctor there." He knew that it was all wrong, but he couldn't resist her. He'd almost lost her and he was afraid to lose her again.

He sat her in her car and drove to her appartment. He kept an eye on her, worried. Her shirt was covered by her blood and he was telling himself that it was a big mistake as he saw the hole in the material. They had to see a doctor but Beth might have a good reason and he wanted to give her a chance.

Beth looked through the window. Her body was terribly weak and the need of blood became urgent. The smell of her own blood on her shirt awoke her senses. She heard a weak sound beat in rhythm and felt her fangs extend. She slowly turned her eyes and realized that it was the sound of Talbot's living heart. She could clearly see the veins of his neck and the vital liquid running in the direction of his heart. He suddenly looked at her, his face worried and she avoided his look. She tried to concentrate on the road and forget the sound of his heart. The situation was strained. She couldn't bite him, she couldn't show her true nature and she had to find an explanation for what happened. Beth tried to think but her mind was attracted by the sound of Talbot's heart.

He stopped the car right in front of her building and stepped outside. He opened her door and helped her to get out. They walked down the corridor and Talbot held her tight against him. He could feel that she was weak by the loss of blood. Beth's face was close to his neck and she licked her lips as she felt the blood pump through his vein. She was going to bite him but he sat her on her couch. She realized that she was in her appartment and that she couldn't hold herself longer.

"You have to leave."

Ben looked at her surprised. "No, you need to see a doctor."

He went to her and stood next to her. He leaned down as his hand slowly touched her shirt. He found the hole and as his fingers opened the hole, he saw that there was no wound, only dry blood.

Beth hadn't moved as she'd seen his hand approach. She only heard his heart pumping loudly in his chest, his blood running through his veins and her nose catching his scent. She closed her eyes as she felt his fingers on her shirt. He had to go, she couldn't stop herself any longer.

"You have to go!"

Ben said nothing and looked at her with eyes wide opened. "your wound…"

She pulled his hand away and tried to stand up. Her legs could barely held her and her head was fuzzy. His presence was intoxicating to her and she knew that she was going to jump upon him soon.

"Go away Ben!" Her voice was a low growl. His face was pallid. She could smell his confusion. She felt her legs slowly lose her. Talbot went to hold her and didn't see her white eyes nor her fangs. She pushed him violently on the floor and tottered to the kitchen.

Ben looked at her scared and terribly confused. "Beth you need help. You're dying."

Beth realized that she had to feed now, even with Ben around. It would be him or the bottle. She opened the hidden fridge and took out a bottle. Her hands were shaking. She forgot Ben and everything as she smelled the fresh blood. She pulled the glass against her lips and drank the liquid.

Ben tried to understand what she was doing. He was still on the floor as he saw her drink. His mind was burning. He wasn't sure what she was drinking but his body was feeling that it was something wrong, dangerous. He distinguished a red liquid in the bottle Beth was holding. His head began to hurt him as he tried to think. Was it what he was thinking of?

He slowly stood up and walked to her. He could clearly see her now. His heart jumped and beat heavily in his chest. She was drinking blood.

Beth noticed that he stood next to her. She stopped drinking and looked at him. His face was all shock. Talbot saw her ice-blue eyes and the blood on her lips.

"What… what are you?"

Beth tried to take the control of her body and not scare him. Her eyes became half blue, half white; she needed more blood.

"Answer me!" his voice was quivering.

She heard his heart beat fast and heavily in his chest. He was afraid of her.

"Ben, please."

"It can't be real!"

"No, it is real. Ben, I'm a vampire."

He didn't know if it was the five glasses of whisky, the shock of seeing Beth shot or knowing that she was a vampire, but things around him began to turn very fast, his eyesight began to shrink, a loud sound vibrated in his ears until everything became dark.

*

He heard some steps around him, he was feeling sick. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Beth standing next to him, worry in her eyes. He noticed that she'd changed her clothes; there were no marks from the gunshot, nor from the blood. Nothing that could show him that she was a vampire.

He was lying on the couch and tried to sit down. He was still shocked about what had happened earlier, Beth could feel it too.

"Are you okay, Ben?"

He looked at her. He didn't know what to think. She looked like a human, she seemed to be the same smart, beautiful girl than the one he'd met at Buzzwire.

"No, not really. I just discovered that you're a vampire."

Beth sat in the chair in front of him. She knew he would need space. All this situation reminded her of the night she discovered Mick was a vampire. A sudden shiver shook her body.

"I know it's difficult to get." She hold a smile as she remembered Mick's voice.

She felt that Talbot was still sick and confused. She looked at him waiting for the question she'd once asked to Mick.

Talbot held his head between his hands. He felt a little fuzzy and noticed a glass of water in front of him. He slowly took the glass and drank the water. He felt a little better, but his head was full of questions. He slowly lifted his eyes and met hers. She was looking at him and he knew that she was prepared to answer his questions. He tried to make a sound but her eyes disturbed him and Beth felt it. He caught a shy smile on her face and it gave him courage to ask everything.

"How did you become a vampire?"

There it was; the question. It would be the first time she'd tell someone how she'd became a vampire. She suddenly remembered how Mick had reacted. It had been a difficult memory for him and now it was her turn to answer.

She involuntarily smiled, because if she told him about her turning, Talbot would know everything and she would be released from that burden. What would happen next wasn't her priority now.

"It'a long story." She paused, thinking of how she would explain it. The simple way was the best one. "Mick's ex-wife turned me."

Talbot's eyes grew wider. She could feel his heart race faster, that wasn't what he'd expected. He'd suspected St John of hiding some dark secrets, but he'd never imagined that being a vampire was one of them. She studied his reactions and felt that he'd made the connection between her new life and Mick. He cleared his throat and tried to ask her more.

"How long have you been a vampire and how did that happen?"

She smiled at his questions. He couldn't hide his impatience. She leaned her head between her hands, her elbows on her knees. She looked at the empty glass in front of Talbot, trying to remember how long she'd been in this new situation. It seemed so long, but it only had been two months.

"Well, you've known me as a human and as a vampire. She turned me two months ago. It happened after the missing babies case." Beth leaned back in the armchair and looked at him. "Do you know that I was kidnapped when I was four?" Talbot nodded. "Well, Mick's wife was the woman who'd taken me." She could feel all the feelings change in his body. "Mick had saved me from her. I met her again two months ago when she was back in L.A. She kidnapped me again and that night Mick came too late. She'd turned me." She looked at the floor as images from that night came back in her mind. "She died that night while I rose as a vampire."

Talbot didn't know what to say. That wasn't how he'd imagined Beth's turning. He slowly realized that it must have been difficult to her. He looked at her with tender eyes. Beth felt his sudden pity. She smiled at him as a thanks.

"You knew that vampiress, Ben. She was the photographer you worked with. Her true name was Coraline Duvall."

His heart jumped in his chest. There were too many things to get at the same time. Beth Turner being a vampire, Mick St John and now the woman who'd helped him on the missing babies case. Suddenly the name grew in his mind, Coraline Duvall… It was on the list. Talbot's mind burned and his cheeks became red. Beth felt the blood rush to his head. There was anger and something else.

Talbot understood now what connected all the names. Mick St John and Coraline Duvall were vampires and it explained why Caesar and Rasputine's names were on the list too. He stared at her as he realized why she'd hidden the name on the first body.

Beth felt that he was connecting all the elements from what she'd told him.

"The names on the list, they're all vampires, right?" His voice was shaking.

"Yes. They're all vampires."

"And of course you knew it from the beginning."

Beth only nodded.

"And that's why you hid the first paper from me too?"

"Yes, Ben. I had to." She felt his anger grow. "You have to understand that we have to keep our existence secret. Someone tried to reveal us by sending you this list. But think one second how it would be if everyone knows about us."

"How was it possible to keep such a secret?"

"Vampires have rules. Severe rules and that's why we can leave among human people."

"Yeah, humans… your food, right?"

His reflection made her realize that she'd reacted the same way than his, when Mick had revealed his secret.

"Blood is our food, not people. Some humans know our existence and give us their blood." She felt his reaction and added "We don't kill them, Ben. And some vampires take the blood from the blood bank." She smiled as Mick appeared in her mind again.

Talbot ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't get it. It's surnatural."

"I was like you when I discovered that Mick's a vampire. But I promised to keep their secret and I did. Now it's your turn."

He stared at her begging eyes and felt confused. It was an important case and even if vampires were killed, the D.A's office was involved.

"I don't know. Beth, I trusted you, you lied to me."

"Listen, Ben. I had to hide that information." Beth was worried, Ben was more difficult than she'd thought. If she wanted him to trust her again, she had to tell him the truth. She took a deep breath. "You saw the name on the list Ben. All those vampires are living in L.A, if someone finds out about us, all the vampires will be in danger. Josef Kostan asked me to hide the real identity of the victim from you, while Mick tries to find the killer. He asked me the same thing about the list. Ben, you have to understand that this is more than only discovering that I'm a vampire. There's a whole community in danger and I have to protect this community and it also means myself." She paused and looked at him intently in the eyes.

Talbot listened to her and felt angry, stupid enough to trust her. She'd played with him. He slowly realized her last words. If the vampires were in danger, Beth was in danger too.

"Ben, now you know our secret and this means that you could be in danger too. If some vampires discover that and don't believe that we can trust you, they'll kill you."

He stared at her shocked. It wouldn't be an ordinary challenge. They were vampires, it was dangerous. "Who would kill me?"

"Any vampire who finds out that you know about us. Ben, I told you my deepest secret, you know everything now."

He listened to her and realized that she was worried. Her face was so pale, he missed the sweet colours of her cheeks. But she was still as beautiful as he remembered. "I know you told me the truth, Beth. But…"

"Ben, even if I'm a vampire, I'm the same woman as before. There's nothing different."

Inside Beth knew that somehow she was different, but she had to reassure him. "I was always loyal to you. So I have to know if I can trust you."

Talbot said nothing. He was lost in his thoughts. It happened so fast, he had to make a decision and didn't know what would happen to him after. He pulled his face in his hands, trying to think. Her sweet voice disturbed him.

"Ben, can I trust you?"

***

Josef stood up and the freshie walked fast to the door.

"You have an important message for me? I'm sure you have."

At the same time, steps echoed down the corridor and Mick appeared in the door frame. He looked surprised at the two vampires who were facing each other. He felt the tension in the air and slowly recognized the other scent. It was confirmed as Henri turned to look at Mick. The French vampire seemed worried.

Mick and Josef exchanged looks. The silence was strong and Josef decided to break it. He went to his desk and made a gesture to the two vampires to follow him. As he sat down, he crossed his fingers and looked at Henri.

"So Henri, we are ready to listen to you."

Henri stared at Josef then at Mick who sat next to him.

"I came here because I have to save you from a great danger."

Mick suddenly looked at Josef who only nodded. They half knew what it would be, but Josef wanted to hear it from Henri himself.

"After Coraline's death, I was called under a family council. They wanted to know how Coraline died. I told them that Coraline had kidnapped a human and how you killed her. I told them that it had been the best thing to do. I also explained them that her ex-husband was now your fledgling. I hoped it would be enough to make them stop. But it wasn't. I discovered that Lance had sent a list to an attorney. He made a call to that man in front of me. I don't know what it contains exactly, but I know it has something to do with you, Kostan. They tried to keep me away from the most important, but I succeeded to catch one word, "war". My sire wants some revenge and he's ready to do everything possible against your bloodline. That night I left the castle. I understood that it wasn't the place I belonged. I took my jet to New York so they wouldn't find out where I am. I met Cynthia there but she thinks I'm going to Canada. She called Lance when she thought I couldn't hear it. She told him where I was going and I staked her before I left. No one knows I'm here."

Mick was completely shocked. He knew now that the list had a terrible purpose, but he didn't know if there was a connection with the murders. Henri had said nothing about them. He didn't know who was on the list, so it meant that his brother didn't trusted him. Mick was thinking hard of all the elements that he tried to connect with each other.

Josef smiled, he recognized the naïve brother Coraline loved so much. "I'm not so sure, Henri. They'll quickly find out that you're not in Canada, but here with us. I just wonder why you came here?"

Henri looked surprised at Josef then at Mick. Josef was very calm but Mick seemed extremely worried. He understood that he hadn't been clear enough and this visit could be dangerous to him. He looked at Josef straight in the eyes. "I'm here because I want to help you. I'm a pacifist and I don't want this war. You're not guilty of her death, she deserved it and somehow she wanted to die." Henri looked down. "She wouldn't want a war between you and our bloodline. Neither do I. I just want to grieve in peace." He lifted his eyes and met Josef's. "I want to stand by the good side, not the dark one."

Mick and Josef looked at each other. They hadn't been prepared to see Henri come back. His visit would change many things and maybe help them. Mick turned to the French vampire.

"So it's sure that your sire sent the list?"

"Lance sent the list and made the call."

"What about the murders?"

Henri looked at Mick, Josef then Mick again. He didn't know what they were talking about. "What… what murders?"

Josef looked seriously at Henri. "The list contains the names of all vampires in L.A, Henri. Two vampires from the list have been killed."

Henri felt that the two vampires were studying his reactions. "I didn't know about the murders. I don't know what to say." He looked down and thought. "It would explain why they were talking about war." He looked at Mick. "They only talked about the list, I swear. They think I'm stupid because I'm against violence. But pacifism doesn't mean stupidity."

Mick looked at Josef and they read their thoughts in each other's eyes. Henri stared at them and added. "You have to trust me."

Mick turned to Henri with a serious look. "I do trust you." He finally stood up and looked at the two sitting vampires. "I'm sorry, I have to go." He turned to Henri. "I'm glad that you came here, Henri. I hope you'll help us."

Henri smiled to him and stood up to strike his hand. "My pleasure, Mister St John."

Mick looked at Josef who was rubbing his chin on his fingers. His friend was thinking of the whole situation before he could give his trust to someone. It made Mick smile, because he knew that Henri told them the truth. Josef finally looked at him and smiled as a goodbye.

***

The Mercedes drove to the place he'd missed so much. He'd thought about her all day and night long. Last time he'd seen her, he'd given her space, but now it was enough. He needed to see her, smell her, feel her.

He parked his car in front of the building and jumped outside the car. He entered the building and as he walked down the corridor, he caught a scent that he knew; it was mixed with fear, pain and blood. Mick hurried to the door and opened it without knocking.

The first thing he saw was Beth sitting in her couch. She lifted her face as she heard someone coming in. Mick saw the tears covering her cheeks and inhaled the scents that grabbed him. He smelled blood, anger, despair and worry. One scent was all over the livingroom and around his own Beth; he knew who it was. He stood in the apartment staring at her with worry.

She couldn't believe that he was there; she hadn't expected his visit, not now. The tears couldn't stop falling and made her vision troubled. His eyes were asking her what happened and with a quivering voice she tried to prononce the three words.

"Talbot knows everything."