A/N: Hello faithful readers! Here is an update and I hope you all enjoy it.

Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place

"Chase...Chase, honey can you hear me?"

I recognized the voice. It was Sookie Stackhouse's voice. I don't know how long she had been in my house or what she was doing there. I couldn't see her. I couldn't see anything. My vision was just a blur. My body was numb. There was a giant gaping whole within me that was starting to consume me. I couldn't take anymore. I had finally reached my limit. I had thought I had reached it before, after everything that I had been through with Eric, after finding out that I was half witch and half fae, after finding out that the only reason I was born was to be a vampire king's play toy to use as he pleased. I thought I had been done then. I thought that that was all that I could take, but it wasn't. I had reached it now. I had finally reached it and I felt as if it had broken me. I couldn't move. I could barely manage to breathe.

I had lost the last person that could understand me, that could teach me how to control the power inside of me that was still throbbing at an intensity that I had never felt. I had lost the only real family that I had.

I felt like I had lost a piece of me.

"Chase…" It was Sookie's voice again, filled with concern and fear. She was worried. "Chase?"

I felt a warm hand, her hand, right on the bare skin of my arm. And I felt something else. Something that I had never felt before when she and I had touched. I felt her power. The power that was inside of her. It was weak, like a fledgling. It seemed faint in comparison to the beast that seemed to be roaring within me, but it still surprised me none the less.

She's lost it. She's really lost it. Come on Chase, snap out of this. I need you now.

Her voice sounded like an echo and I knew immediately that she hadn't spoken aloud. I had read her mind. I had heard her thoughts. I looked at her in surprise. I couldn't help myself. I had never been able to read her mind before.

Connor had done something to me. He had changed me somehow. My powers were stronger than before. I felt different. He had unbound them.

I saw her sigh just a little, in relief, and a smile spread across her face. It didn't reach her eyes. "Chase, are you alright?" she asked me, her hand still on my arm.

I blinked feeling like my brain and body were coming out of a fog. I looked around, taking in the sight of the dead bodies and blood. I swallowed hard.

"Sookie," I said with a frown. "What are you doing here?"

"Bill said that he felt that you were in trouble and as soon as we were done dealing with the wolves and Russell Edgington we came to make sure you were okay," she said looking around behind her.

"Russell Edgington came to your house?" I said in disbelief.

Sookie nodded. "Yeah and he sent wolves in too. I see he sent some for you as well," she commented looking around my house.

"It was Debbie," I said looking down at my clenched fists. "She came to get me for Russell…and to kick my ass about Alcide I'm presuming." My eyes started to water again when I glanced at Connor's body. Sookie had no idea who he was. I had never got the chance to tell her about what happened to me in Dallas. I wasn't ready to tell her now.

She hugged me and I let her. I knew she was just trying to comfort me but I found no comfort in the embrace. The hole was still there. The numbness still hadn't gone away. I pulled away from her after a moment, wiping at my face, swallowing back the tears. I couldn't stay like this. I had to clean this mess up. I had to get the bodies out of my house. I had to do something with Connor.

"I have to…clean this up," I said looking around my living room once more attempting to rise to my feet. "I have to do something…"

Sookie grabbed my shoulders stopping me. "No, you don't worry about this. Let me and Bill take care of it. We will get the bodies out of here. Bill will get rid of them. You go take a shower, clean yourself up, and go into your room and relax. You have been through a lot you don't need to deal with this."

I looked at her in amazement, surprised that she was willing to do that for me, but also surprisingly thankful. I really didn't want to deal with this mess. In fact the only thing that I wanted to do was crawl into my bed and sleep this night away, but I hesitated. I didn't want Connor just disappear, his poor body dumped into the swamp or wherever else Bill got rid of bodies. He didn't deserve that. He deserved a proper burial and funeral. He didn't deserve to just vanish from the face of the planet.

"Not him," I said looking at Connor's body. "Don't...don't…don't get rid of him."

Sookie hesitated looking confused, but nodded slowly. "Okay…I can have Bill put him somewhere where he can be found?"

"Yes, please," I said looking back at her. "I want him to be found… he helped save me."

Sookie was still looking at me curiously. I could tell that she had questions, that she wanted to know why I wanted this man to be found, but she didn't ask me anything thankfully. "Okay, Chase, whatever you need. After what happened the last time you saw Bill I wasn't sure if you would be okay with him coming inside…can I let him in?" she asked cautiously.

"Yeah sure," I said nodding. "That's fine."

I wiped at my eyes again and Sookie helped me to my feet. I took a moment to steady myself, my body slightly shaky. Sookie watched me for a moment before walking to the front door and pulling it open revealing Bill on the other side. My eyes met with his and I saw something change in them. His head titled to the side as his eyes surveyed me and they darkened suddenly. I heard a soft growl escape his lips.

I felt fear creep down my spine, my instincts screaming 'danger!'. "Bill…" I said warily.

His fangs unsheathed with a click and suddenly he was blurring in front of me, rushing toward me at vampire speed. I screamed and felt the energy within me flare. He stopped unexpectedly barely an inch from me, fangs extended, a look of pure hunger on his face. He tried to move, another growl escaping him, but he was stopped. It was if someone had placed an impenetrable invisible wall between us and it was the only thing that was stopping him from ripping my throat out. Bill pounded his fists against the unseen wall, growling fiercely, his eyes never leaving mine. I knew that it was me. That I had done this somehow with the new power Connor had awoken inside of me. I could feel the power inside of me surge every time Bill tried to lunge towards me.

"Bill!" Sookie screeched running over and giving him a hard shove. She caught him off guard, the shove enough to make him stumble to the side and nearly fall over. He turned to Sookie angrily, but the minute he saw her he froze, blinking as if he was coming out of some trance. "Bill Compton what the hell is wrong with you?"

Bill fangs retracted and his face fell as he looked from me to Sookie and back. He stepped backward from me raising his hands. "Chase, I am so sorry…I do not know what came over me…" he apologized.

"What the hell was that?" Sookie questioned. "Why the hell are you trying to attack Chase?"

"I was overwhelmed," Bill explained, flustered.

"Overwhelmed?" Sookie questioned crossing her arms.

"Her scent it's… it's…" he looked at me, seeming to be at a loss for words. "It's irresistible."

"I don't understand. You have smelt Chase's blood before. You have been around her before for god sake and you never tried to attack her then," Sookie reasoned.

"It's different now," Bill continued, eyeing me. "She smells… different."

I still hadn't managed to speak. I was still in shock. Both at the display of my power and the fact that what Connor had said was true. He had warned me that I would be different; that the magic in my blood would be stronger and make it hard for the vampires to resist. I had foolishly doubted him in that moment, but apparently he had been right. He had been right about everything.

"Go Chase," Sookie said snapping me out of my thoughts. "Bill and I will take care of this…he isn't going to hurt you, right Bill?"

"My apologies, Chase. I am in control of myself now. Please forgive me. I will not lay a hand on you," Bill insisted raising his hands in surrender again.

"Dang right you won't," Sookie agreed.

I hesitated for a second eyeing Bill for a moment longer before I turned my back on him. My hands were shaking as I turned on my shower as hot as it would go. It felt weird leaving Sookie and Bill to clean up the disaster in my living room, but if I didn't have to deal with it then it was better for me. I hesitantly looked in the mirror not surprised to see that my face was bruised, cut, and bleeding. After the fight that I had with Debbie I had expected worse. I stripped down and stepped into the shower, surprised that the water didn't burn me at all. I watched the blood drip down from my skin and mingle with the water before circling the drain. I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes unable to keep my mind from wondering back to Connor and what had happened. I would have to deal with these powers and learn to control them on my own, even though it seemed my body's natural instinct was to protect itself like any normal person. I couldn't risk exposing myself. Vampires weren't the only things that I had to worry about, I couldn't risk humans thinking I was some freak and trying to lock me up like a lab rat.

I didn't know how long I was in the shower, but the coldness of the water forced me back into reality. I washed myself quickly and climbed out, drying myself, and changing into sweat pants and a tank top. I didn't bother drying my hair and put it up into a messy bun, stepping out of the bathroom to find Sookie in my kitchen. I noticed immediately that all the bodies were gone even Connor's and Bill was noticeably absent.

"Feeling a little better?" she asked me as she set my dish strainer back onto the counter.

I nodded, hugging myself. "Thank you, Sookie, for doing this. I really appreciate this. I don't think I could-."

"Don't mention it," Sookie said cutting me off. "I know you would do the same for me. I just wish that Bill and I could have been here to help you."

I felt my eyes welling up and wiped at them quickly. I didn't want to cry anymore. I hugged myself tighter and swallowed hard.

"I hope you don't get mad over this, but I called Alcide," Sookie said hesitantly. "I didn't think you would want to be alone…someone should be with you. He promised to be here in a few hours."

I had almost forgotten about Alcide, which I could have laughed at if this situation wasn't so serious. I surprisingly wasn't mad at Sookie about it, for once her stepping over her boundaries was a good thing. I wanted Alcide to come. I needed his comfort.

"Thank you, Sookie."

"I can wait with you until he gets here," Sookie said crossing her arms. "I can make us some tea?"

I shook my head slowly. "If you don't mind, Sookie, I kinda want to be alone before he gets here. I feel bad rushing you out after everything that you have done, but…I need to…process…"

"No, Chase, it's fine. I understand completely…you'll call me if you need anything…and I mean anything," she replied.

"I will, Sookie. I promise."

She hugged me then and I let her. She lingered in the hug for a few moments before she pulled back and I followed her to the front door. I pulled it open, surprised that it was still on its hinges and saw Bill leaning against Sookie's old yellow car. He straightened when he saw us, but he didn't move from the spot he stood. I watched Sookie reach the car and offered a wave before I shut the door on the sight of them. I turned and made a beeline straight for my bedroom, crawling onto my bed and covering myself with my comforter.

I didn't remember falling asleep, but I awoke to the sound of my doorbell ringing followed by insistent knocking. I glanced at the clock and found that it was late, almost two in the morning. I sat up groggy, wondering who or what it could be when I remembered that Alcide was coming. I jumped to my feet and rushed to the door, wanting to be in his warm embrace, to hear his deep voice tell me everything was going to be okay even though I knew it wasn't. I unlocked the door quickly and pulled it open, stopping when I saw Eric Northman on the other side.

He was wearing a button down striped shirt which was open, revealing his blood splattered skin, and dark slacks. What looked like an old crown was clutched tightly in his fists. I felt my stomach drop at the sight of him and anger flared within me. I almost thought that he would attack me like Bill had tried to, but he didn't. My eyes watered and I felt warm tears sliding down my face. I hit him before he could utter a word. I slapped him right across the face with enough force that his head jerked to the side. I didn't stop. I hit him again, feeling the energy in me surge as I struck him. He didn't move. He didn't try to stop me. He took every hit.

"You should have came! You should have been here! You could have saved him!" I shouted as I shoved him hard, right in the chest, forcing him a step backwards. I stepped out of my house to follow him, the energy throbbing inside of me excitedly. I hit him again as hard I could, my fists clenched and pounding against his chest. My tears blurred my vision and I struggled with the throbbing energy begging to be let free. "You selfish, egotistical, asshole! You don't care about anything do you?! You have no feelings! You are just a cold, dead, monster!"

He grabbed my wrists, finally stopping the blows, and I broke down feeling my knees give out. He caught me and held me to his chest, keeping me on my feet as I sobbed into his chest. His arms tightened around me, holding me close, one of his hands in my hair, his cold lips against my temple. I found more comfort in his embrace than I wanted to admit. I felt like I always did when I was with him, like he was the one, like he was the missing piece to my puzzle. I couldn't help it.

His lips brushed my ear. "I am sorry, Chase. I am sorry that I was not here for you."

I blinked in surprise at the utter sincerity of his voice, unable to stop myself from looking up at him. Something had changed in him. I could sense it immediately. Something had happened to him. I could see fear and worry in his eyes and something told me that it wasn't for me. His hands cupped my face and I didn't put my block up this time. I invaded his mind, finding it much easier than before. The energy in me flared and I was propelled into his thoughts. One singular thought stuck out in his head, just an encounter, playing on repeat.

It was of Eric and Talbot, Russell's husband, and what I assumed was one of Russell's studies in his mansion. Both men were naked, the light from the fire casting shadows across their muscular forms. Talbot on the on the floor in front of Eric, on all fours, his face a mask of pure ecstasy.

Eric's face twisted behind Talbot, grasping a rolled up scroll with sharp wooden ends firmly in his grasp. He raised the scroll. "Russell took my family. Now I take his," he growled, fangs extended. His arm drove down to strike.

I came out of Eric's thoughts with a gasp, looking up at him in shock and surprise. This is why he was splattered with blood and why he looked so scared. He had killed Talbot and the only thing that meant was that Russell was coming for him; his days were numbered. My anger for him unexpectedly disappeared. His face remained blank, the fear and worry only showing in his bright blue eyes.

"Eric, what did you do?" I breathed looking up at him. "Why-?"

"If I meet the true death without ever having told you the truth then that would be my greatest regret," he interrupted making me fall silent. His thumbs brushed away my tears.

My stomach dropped. I didn't like the way he was talking. "What truth?"

He took a deep unnecessary breath. "I love you," he admitted, the words didn't pass through him without trouble.

I felt my eyes widen, but he didn't give me a chance to react. His lips came down upon mine and I lost myself in him. I couldn't lie and say that I didn't miss his kiss, his lips, and his touch. Everything about him was so different from everything that I had fallen for in Alcide, but it didn't stop me from loving him. I loved Eric with every ounce of my being, no matter what I said or how I tried to fight it. I had waited so long to hear those words from his mouth that I never thought he would say them. That just didn't seem like the Eric I knew. But I had never known an Eric who thought he was going to die.

I pushed against his chest and his mouth left mine with a wet pop. It was then I heard the sound of an engine approaching and looked to see Alcide's work truck advancing down the road. I withdrew from Eric completely, seeming to come back to my senses which had escaped me with his kiss and declaration. Eric turned and took in the sight of Alcide's truck coming to a stop in front of my house. He turned back to me with a frown on his face, his back straightening, the old Eric returning before my very eyes.

"Your wolf approaches," he said looking down at me.

I remained silent I didn't know what to say. I was inbetween a rock and a hard place. I loved Eric, but I cared for Alcide too. Just because Eric had finally admitted he loved me it didn't change the fact that our past was filled with lies and pain; and I didn't know if Eric would ever be able to change.

"Do you love him?" he asked me blatantly.

I hesitated.

Eric's eyes dropped. "I see."

I heard Alcide's truck door open and close and he appeared from behind the vehicle, walking carefully up the walkway eyeing Eric and me. "Is everything alright, Chase?" Alcide called cautiously as he came closer.

"Everything is fine, wolf," Eric said turning as Alcide came up the porch steps.

I took a step backward from Eric as Alcide came to my side, his arm wrapping around me, his eyes never leaving Eric. "I was asking Chase," he replied to Eric.

"I can't take any fighting tonight you two," I said before Eric could get a response in. "Not tonight."

"Then it is time for me to take my leave then," Eric said turning his back on us. He descended the porch steps before he stopped and turned back to me. The fear and worry had returned to his eyes. "Remember what I said, Chase."

I didn't think I could ever forget.

"Goodbye, Chase," he added. His eyes turned to Alcide and he paused for a moment. "Take care of her wolf."

Alcide's arm tightened around my waist and Eric frowned slightly before he went soaring straight up into the air. I watched him go, unable to shake the sickening feeling in my gut, that, that could have been the last time that I would ever see Eric Northman again.