A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. The are the property and creation of the wonderful Charlaine Harris. The lyrics to the song "The Girl from Ipanema" are not mine as well, it's by Astrud Gilberto and the Stan Getz Quartet. It's an awesome song which I urge you to listen to. I did, which is why I wrote this. Enjoy!

I'm probably the only person I know that hates elevators but ironically loves elevator music. I have a good reason for my love of the soothing sounds that flood the four metal walls. Whenever I hear elevator music, it reminds me of the time I was trapped in an elevator with one of the most gorgeous men I have ever seen. One song in particular really gets my libido going. Every time 'The Girl from Ipanema' starts playing, I get an uncontrollable clench that stops me in my tracks. I cross my legs to contain any more impulse contracting from my lady parts. The cool sway of the samba beat gets me rocking back and forth then my mind starts to drift back to that day…

My Monday started off like any other boring day in my life but ended quite differently. Every day back then seemed to be repetitive and not in a good way. I would get out of bed at six, go to my little kitchen to start coffee, head to the bathroom to shower and dress, make my lunch, enjoy my coffee, then walk the long five blocks to my office. I maneuvered through my apartment like clockwork and was always out the door by seven on the dot. I was never late, never early, and always right on time.

Clockwork.

Living in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, well, there's nothing "small" about it compared to my hometown of Bon Temps, Louisiana. I still hadn't gotten used to city living but I loved the quiet little neighborhood I called home. At least, I liked to think of it that way. I plugged in my iPod ear buds and waved to everyone that I saw as I walked through the tree lined streets.

You would never guess that the Philadelphia Museum of Art is literally five blocks away from my apartment. It's in a rather traffic-heavy part of the city. It resides on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, which is not your typical two-way street. It's a jumble of lanes, a huge traffic circle and utter chaos. If you don't watch yourself you can be mowed down in an instant. I had my walk timed so that I could make it across the street just as the light turned green.

I walked up the towering front steps to get to the museum's entrance. I had to stop at the top to catch my breath (those steps are killer). I stared at that damned 'Rocky' statue every day. It got old after a while. He stands planted in the same place with his hands raised over his head in triumph, taunting me with his perfectly sculpted abs. I hadn't seen a pair of abs like that up close and personal, ever. The sight depressed me as it reminded me that I hadn't seen a naked man in, let's just say a while.

My boyfriend Bill had been off touring the country, promoting his new book, How Not to be a Douche. I laughed every time I heard that title. Bill has an interesting sense of humor. My only complaint was that I hardly got to see him anymore. Once his book was published, there were books tours, signings, and promotional parties. That meant less and less time for us. At least I had my cat, Tina, to keep me company.

Actually, Rocky's physique reminded me of the newest museum employee who'd been a part of the daily water cooler gossip. Not that I'd seen his abs, but I wanted to.

I fantasized about him every time I saw him in the hall.

He would look up, smile and walk toward me. Our bodies would crash into one another and he'd back me into the nearest wall. His hands would go up to my face, my hands would tangle in his hair pulling his face to mine and we'd kiss passionately. He would grind his hips into me and I'd push my breasts into his chest. He would pull back and look deeply into my eyes, revealing his secret love for me.

I'd snap out of my daydream whenever he walked out of view. It only made me want to get to know him more. But I digress…

Every day I watched the new museum director walk to and from his office, his head always down, glasses hanging off the tip of his nose. I'd never considered glasses to be a sexy accessory, but the way he wore them made me rethink my stance on the subject. His long blonde hair created a curtain that hid his chiseled jaw, which was always covered in day old stubble. I was never one for facial hair either, but I'd happily welcome the feel of his 5 o'clock shadow tickling my face, or any other surface of my body.

His eyes, which I declared to be his most mysterious feature, are always kept hidden. I never saw them. He was usually wearing his glasses or his hair was in the way. We hadn't been formally introduced, as I was nose-deep in my books, or frantically running around overseeing the exhibits. Sometimes we would meet on the elevator at the end of the day but I was much too shy to look up at him. Maybe that's not exactly true.

I'm claustrophobic. I dreaded the metal contraption that carried me floor to floor but I had to use it on occasion. Whenever I did, I quickly shut my eyes and held my breath until the ride was over. It was the only way that I could get through it, that and the soothing elevator music. No one knew about that but Tina, my confidant. I liked to call her my steel trap because once something went in, it didn't come out. She can't talk therefore she couldn't tease me about my phobias, as I knew my friends would.

I had to stay late that Monday–one of the exhibits was missing a few pieces. My job as curator is to make sure that everything is in its place. I love my job and am very good at it. I'm quite the organizing freak so it worked out great for me. Since I had to stay so late, I thought I'd be the only person leaving at eight. The museum is usually closed by five but stays open late to the public on Fridays.

I walked to the elevator as usual and was shocked to see Mr. Northman (I caught his name while getting water one day) leaving at the same time. He looked over at me, probably noticing me staring. He smiled gently before turning back to stare at the elevator door. I felt like such an idiot ogling him like that, but I couldn't help it. Gorgeous, remember?

I finally got to see that his eyes were blue. Not just any blue but a dark blue that matches the color of the deepest parts of the ocean; I was lost in them. It was as if he had some type of gravitational pull that drew me to them. If he hadn't turned away I would probably still be staring at him.

The elevator dinged its arrival and he gestured for me to go first. Quite the gentleman, I noticed. I stepped onto the elevator prepared to hold my breath and squeeze my eyes shut. I could feel Mr. Northman beside me, maybe standing a little too close for comfort.

I was taking a deep breath, preparing for the short ride, when his scent overwhelmed me. He smelled incredible. I had never been around a man who smelled good enough to jump. Shyness be damned, he was in for a serious leg humping at the very least. Then The Girl from Impanema started playing overhead. My head fell back and I started swaying to the music.

Tall and tan and dark and lovely

"Mmm…"

The girl from Ipanema goes walking

And when she passes

"Excuse me?" Oh God! I moaned out loud.

Each one she passes

Goes "aaaah…"

"Um, sorry, I didn't…" I dared a peek over at him. I could feel my panic start to settle in.

Oh but he watches so sadly

How can he tell he loves her

"We haven't met, have we? I'm Eric. Eric Northman, the new director here." His voice was so smooth; it rolled right over me almost putting me into a hypnotic state.

Yes he would give his heart gladly

"I know."

"Oh." He pulled his hand back. I hadn't noticed he offered it to me.

But each day when she walks to the sea

She looks straight ahead not at he…

Then the worst possible thing that could happen did happen. All at once the music stopped, the lights shut off and the elevator jerked to an abrupt stop, sending me careening into the rear of the car. Eric's arms reached out to prevent me from crashing into the handrail stretched across the back wall. Standing there in his embrace I felt safe and secure until he abruptly let me go, making sure I had my balance first.

Once I realized what happened, I stepped forward to press the button for the first floor and nothing. No lights, no music, no movement. I could not believe my luck. There are only four floors in the building and I happened to get stuck in the elevator just as we reached the second floor. The emergency lights cut on all of a sudden. That was not good.

I pushed at the button frantically. Eric reached forward, removing my hand from the dimmed button. His voice was so calming and soothing that I couldn't help but to listen and obey.

"That won't help any. I think we're stuck. I'll try calling for help."

"We can't, we can't be stuck. It's just not possible."

"It seems to be possible because we are."

"But I'm claustrophobic! I can't, I can't…breathe…" I was panicking. I slammed into the corner of the elevator and slid down to my ass. I put my face in my hands and quietly chanted to myself, "I'm okay, I'm okay, everything's okay." My breaths were coming out in fast, heavy pants.

I could feel Eric hovering nearby and chanced a look up at him. He smiled down at me, removing his glasses from his face. If anyone could make glasses look sexy, he sure could. They were slightly thick rimmed, black frames–the cutest things I had ever seen. He knelt down in front of me so that we were face to face. I focused on his eyes as he talked to me.

"Calm down there now. What's your name? Can you tell me that?"

"S-s-s. Sookie." I stuttered.

"Good, good. Listen Sookie, I see that you're freaking out but I need you to calm down for me. Can you do that?" He was so calm. How was he so calm? We were stuck in a deathtrap and he was so calm…panickingpanickingpanicking…

"I can…try but…you have to…you have to talk to me. You, you have to keep talking. I can't…breathe…" I was trembling uncontrollably at that point.

"Okay, how about I keep you talking? It'll help you get your breathing under control."

"No, you talk. Your voice…it calms me down." Under normal circumstances I would not have been so forward with him, but I was scared shitless and my mouth opened before my brain had time to register what I was saying.

"Okay Sookie let's compromise. I'll ask you a question, you answer and I'll keep asking you questions. That way we both keep talking. Um, let's see, oh! What do you do here at the museum?" His hand moved to my shoulder. I felt as if I was hypnotized by his voice, his touch, his scent.

"I, I um, make sure the exhibits have all of the pieces…" Deep breath in. "I make sure the exhibits are complete and in order before they are put on display." My words were slow and controlled.

"Good. Okay. Is that what kept you so late tonight?"

"Yes. The new Monet exhibit had a few pieces that were missing. I had to track them down and make sure they weren't damaged, which I did. Everything was fine. Some new employee got the pieces mixed up and put them in a storage room in the basement. It was a simple misunderstanding." I laughed. Well, it seemed Mr. Northman was right.

"You're staying so late, there's no one to miss you at home?"

"Oh, just Tina. She's my cat. I think she's fine without me all day. I leave her food out during lunch so she's fine." I rambled.

"During lunch? That means you live close by?"

"I do actually. I'm only five blocks away."

"Wow, what a coincidence. So am I. Well not five blocks but I live pretty close. I drive in when I have something to do after work, but I usually walk." We had something in common.

"I walk here every day."

"That would explain your beautiful legs. Shit, I'm sorry. That kind of slipped out." I laughed, nervously that time.

"It's okay. I take a little pride in my legs. They're my best feature."

"I think I'd have to disagree with that."

"Really? I've been told that–"

"No offense but whoever told you that is an ass. Your eyes are by far your best feature. Actually, I'm finding it hard to look away from them. It's how I'm keeping calm." I blushed. I could feel my neck and cheeks warming up as he stared at me.

I couldn't say anything after that. I felt pretty good though. No panic attack setting in, no anxiety about being trapped in the elevator! Panickingpanickingpanicking…

"Please, keep talking; I'm starting to panic again." My breathing picked up as I took in my surroundings.

"Look at me, Sookie. Just relax. I'm here and I won't let anything happen to you. This is an old building. Sometimes things break down but there are people here who handle this type of thing." The whole time he had been speaking to me he had one hand on my shoulder and the other on my back rubbing soothing circles, which helped to keep me calm. "Now if you'll be okay for a minute I'll step away to place a call and–"

"No, no. Don't move or I'll lose it. You're keeping me calm. Please. Please?" He nodded vigorously.

"Okay, I'll stay right here then. I'm sure someone will notice the elevator isn't working and will call maintenance. Um, so okay, when did you start working here?"

"I've been here for about three years now. You're new though, right?" Duh!

"Yes. I was just brought in by the new Board of Directors. Apparently they wanted some fresh blood to bring in more members. I guess my reputation precedes me in that respect. The last museum where I was director, membership skyrocketed within a matter of months. I implemented a few plans that seemed to gather publicity for the museum which was just…Anyway, here I am, attempting to work my magic at the beautiful Philadelphia Museum of Art." He was working his magic on me. I could see why membership jumped. If women saw him walking around the halls of a museum, they'd want to be members just to get to see him every day. I know I would, and I'm an employee.

"So, you like it here so far?"

"I do actually. I'm a little lost as to why I'm just meeting you, though. I walk the floors quite a bit and sit in on most of the monthly meetings."

"I don't go to the meetings unless mandated. I live in my office and the storage rooms. The only time I get to see anyone is during lunch and when I have to oversee the exhibits."

"So you have lunch in the café?"

"Sometimes, I do. Most of the time I eat in my office or just go home."

"Well, maybe the next time you don't want to eat in your office or you haven't gone home, we can meet at the café. My treat?"

"Oh, um, I don't know. I usually have to cut my lunch short to feed my cat anyway. But…"

"I understand."

"I'm sorry. I'm not very good with people. I know you're trying to be nice and I'm being…" A total dork. This hot guy asked me to lunch and I turned him down why? Oh yeah, my boyfriend, Bill.

"Don't worry about it. You did tell me that you go home to feed your cat. Besides, you're not feeling very well and I'm trying to keep you calm." He laughed nervously and started fidgeting. Was I making him uneasy?

"Okay, so we've covered who's waiting at home for me. What about you?"

"No one's waiting at home for me but I do have a girlfriend, sort of." Sort of…

"What does that mean?"

"Um, well Sophie Ann, she's just not very…"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you such a personal question. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"I don't mind. I don't think we'll be together for much longer anyway. We're not interested in the same things. She thinks working as a museum director is beneath me. She'd rather I follow her on her trips to Europe, lazing around on beaches all day."

"Well that sounds exciting to me."

"It is for a while but it can get boring. I want someone I can talk to, who can relate to me and not ridiculous material things. She and her friends are so vapid. It's like talking to air. That's how much they grasp when you speak to them. You know what I mean?"

"I think I do."

"So, Sookie how is it that a beautiful woman like yourself doesn't have a boyfriend?"

"I do, um we just don't spend much time together. Well, I'm sure I could make the time but I'm very into my work. So is he. He's never at home, always traveling–which works for me because I don't go out much. I'm a bit of a homebody."

"I see. So if I invited you out for drinks or dinner you wouldn't go because…"

"Are you inviting me out, Eric?"

"I was speaking hypothetically of course." He cleared his throat. I was making him uneasy.

"Hypothetically, I would probably say no." He looked a little hurt and I realized it was because of my answer. "You have a girlfriend, I have a boyfriend. I would think that might be a problem."

"Not if we're going as friends. There's nothing wrong with two co-workers enjoying each other's company, right?"

"I guess you're right about that. Then I would probably say yes, but only because it's not a date."

"No, not a date. In that case Ms. Stackhouse, should we get out of here in a timely fashion, would you have dinner with me tonight?" I didn't know what to say. This gorgeous man was asking me out. Me, Sookie Stackhouse.

"Um, sure. Why not? Are you sure it's okay, I mean you're girlfriend isn't waiting at home for you?"

"She's out of town, remember?"

"Oh, yeah."

"I'd rather not eat dinner alone tonight if I don't have to. Besides, it'll give us time to get to know one another a little better."

My heart was all a flutter as the lights started to flicker and the elevator car jerked to life. I breathed a sigh of relief as it started moving again. But it was heading in the wrong direction. We were now going up. I started to panic again.

"This is bad right? Why is it going up? We were heading down. What's going on?"

"Shh, Sookie. Calm down. Look at the bright side, it's moving and that means we'll be able to get out of here soon."

"Yeah, I guess you have a point there. I don't think I can stand being in here one more moment."

"Am I not good company?" His voice had gotten husky and I could hear a slight accent.

"No, of course you are. I just, we're sitting so close and you smell incredible." Shit, I did it again. I was not supposed to say that out loud.

I was afraid I had embarrassed him but he smiled at me and leaned forward. My breath caught in my throat as I realized he was going to kiss me. Just as his lips were mere centimeters from mine the elevator stopped and the doors opened. Eric pulled back sharply and offered me his hand to stand.

I brushed off the back of my skirt, standing up on shaky legs. Eric held my hand, his other at the small of my back guiding me off the car. We were met by a bevy of activity in the hall. Apparently something happened down on the first floor which is why the car stopped on the second floor. We were informed we'd have to take the stairs at the other end of the building to exit. I was not looking forward to the walk but Eric was with me so it couldn't be all bad.

As we headed to the stairs Eric stopped me. He turned me to face him and I tried to avoid his eyes.

"Sookie, about what happened, or almost happened in the elevator…"

"Don't worry about it. Nothing happened. You helped me avoid a major panic attack and that was all. Are we still on for dinner?"

"Yes, yes we are."

We walked down the few flights of stairs and out to Eric's car. He said he had driven that day as he had meetings across town. I was surprised to see the little red Corvette waiting for us. It was beautiful, so beautiful in fact I was afraid to go near it. Eric sensed my hesitancy and urged me forward.

"It's just a car, Sookie. She won't bite. Trust me, you can't hurt her."

I nodded and moved forward to the door. Eric opened the door for me, helping me into the car. He closed the door behind me and before I could blink he was in his seat and pulling out of his parking space. I wasn't sure where we were headed but I didn't care. Things could only get better from here.

A/N: Thanks to my lovie, hearttorn for her beta skills. Please let me know what you think. Review!! xoxo