Note: hey, can you tell I have nothing I'd rather be doing than dreaming about Mr Northman?

Has anyone else ever had daydreams at work about him being the 'new guy' or 'visitor'?

I parked in front of the pub, there were an awful lot more cars than normal. I grabbed my camera and bag and walked to the front door, Steve was stood outside, 'that's a bit weird' I thought to myself.

'Hey Sookie, how's it going?' he asked, clearly stalling for time.

'Not bad, you out here for a reason?' his face became serious, he knew he'd been sussed.

Steve took me by the arm and lead me through the two door into the pub. There was a huge banner above the bar that read "Good Luck Sookie", which was still being put up at one corner by Jenny. Almost everyone from work was there, all my friends, my team, the team leaders and even my manager Audrey. I gasped as I walked in, overwhelmed by the gathering. They all cheered when they saw me, and then Steve presented me with my first pint of the celebration. We all had a nice chat, and a small group of us wandered outside to sit on the picnic table again.

'So Sookie, California! You gonna go celebrity spotting while your there?' Jenny asked, she knew how obsessed I was with certain shows.

'Maybe, if I get time. I do wanna spend some time at the beach, and have a good look around' I told her.

We talked for a little while, others would occasionally pop outside to bring me a drink. I had just finished my 4th pint when Eric appeared, sitting down on our table.

'So you're the guy stealing away our Sookie' James said, sounding a little sour.

'Not just me, but yeah we are, and we might not give her back' Eric said with a cheeky grin. 'give me your camera, lets get a picture of you and your friends'

We all huddled together and he took a photo. Showing it to us, he'd managed to cut James off the edge. I chuckled to myself. Eric slid a pint across the table to me.

'Here, you continue celebrating, I'll see you later' he said and rose to leave.

'But I can't drink any more, I won't be allowed back to work' I protested

'Oh, didn't Audrey tell you, you have the afternoon off, call it a going way present' he said, and disappeared back into the bar.

'He's so hot' Jenny commented quietly, 'and I think he quite likes you' she sniggered.

'Nah, he's so far out of my league he can't even see me' I was beginning to slur my words. 'aww hell, how am I going to get home, I can't drive in this state'

'I'll bring your car over later, Jenny can drive mine' said Steve, 'we should be getting back, lets deposit you back in the bar, someone there can drive you home'

'Aww thanks buddy' I said, leaning on him as I stood up.

We staggered into the bar, and they leaned me up against a wall, I passed my car keys to Steve and gave each of them a hug.

'Hey! No goodbye's yet, were still taking you out tonight' James told me firmly,

'Well you better call me a cab so I'll be able to sober up a little' I giggled, the beer was really starting to get to me.

'Don't bother with that' said Eric, from behind James, 'I'll make sure she gets home' and he smiled the most adorable smile, or maybe I was just drunk, but he looked like an angel.

Eric steered me over to a table, and sat me down so I could lean against the wall. He sat next to me, so my leaning would look like we were deep in conversation. He smiled at me and took charge of my camera again. Before he had chance to wander off, we were joined by his colleagues.

'I haven't introduced you to Sam yet,' he said, making room by shuffling closer.

'Nice to meet you' said Sam, his auburn hair shimmering to my drunken eyes, 'I'm one of the team leaders that will be trying to steal you from Bill' he told me.

'Its sure nice to be wanted' I told him, 'don't think I've ever been head-hunted before'.

'Pam is the lab manager, she's in charge of Bill and me' Sam said, he seemed like a really nice guy.

'Is Sam trying to steal you already?' Bill said, leaning over the back of a chair. 'well he can't have you, my team is such a mess. I'd fire the lot of them if we had alternatives.'

'Oh, I'm sure they aren't that bad.' I said 'they just need a bit of British persuasion' I smiled my sweetest smile and they all laughed.

'We should get you home' said Eric, pulling me to my feet 'you have a big evening, and I'm sure your friends would never forgive me if you didn't show up'.

So we stood and slowly walked out of the bar, I focussed on keeping my dignity. On the way to the front door a couple of people accosted me and gave me cards, I wished them well, they said they'd see me tonight. I sighed internally, I was hoping it would be a quiet night with just my friends. As we walked to Eric's car I could feel the fresh air making me more and more uncoordinated. I was very grateful for my strong stomach, at least I wouldn't embarrass myself my being sick.

Eric helped me into his car, it was large and very comfy. After he'd leaned over to buckle me in (he smelled absolutely divine) he jumped in the drivers seat and looked at me.

'So, where do you live?' he asked

'Head towards the traffic lights over there' I said waving my arm in the general direction, 'and turn right'.

We drove slowly, me directing him the whole way, until we reached my road. I indicated where he should pull over, and I began unclipping my seatbelt. I tried to climb out of the car, and ended up on my knees. When I gathered myself, about to stand using the door, I noticed feet appear in front of me and then hands around my arms pulling me to my feet. When I looked up Eric was stood before me smiling his adorable smile. I reached into my bag while I was upright and fished out my keys.

'I'll have those' Eric said, laughing. 'you won't be able to find the door, never mind the keyhole.'

'I can usually handle my beer much better than this' I protested, he simply laughed.

'looking at you, I don't doubt that.' he said, moving my centre of balance to close the car door. 'but right now, I think you may need a little help getting inside'.

He chuckled to himself as he moved one arm behind his head, lowered his shoulder to my stomach and hoisted me into the air. I yelped, which was a bit weak of me, but I haven't been picked up like that since I was a child. He strode to my front door and unlocked it, stepped in and shut it firmly. I giggled uncontrollably.

'You enjoying yourself up there?' he asked, opening doors to see which room was which.

'I haven't had a man in my flat for quite some time' I giggled, 'and certainly never like this'.

He walked into my bedroom and placed me on my feet, we stood there a moment looking each other in the eye. He moved to put me on my bed, but our feet must have become tangled because we both fell to the bed laughing.

'Well well Mr Northman, what a predicament' I laughed. He looked down at me, brushed my hair from my face, and kissed my gently on the cheek.

'This isn't how I normally approach the ladies that I like' he said, almost a whisper. Then he stood, straightened his suit and covered me with a blanket.

'You get some rest, have fun tonight and I'll see you tomorrow' he said, he placed my keys on my bedside table and left, winking as he shut the door. I heard the front door close and I drifted off to sleep.

I woke later that afternoon, feeling much less drunk, but very confused. Did Eric tell me he liked me earlier? I couldn't remember much through the haze. I had a shower and got changed, by the time Steve arrived with my car I was ready to leave. We both walked the short distance into town, to the bar we were beginning the evening. Everyone had gathered, chatting and laughing. After a couple of hours my main group of friends and I made a quiet exit to our favourite pub. It was a very old, low roofed, almost medieval style place, nice and quiet. We remained there until closing time, talking about all our old adventures. When we were finally kicked out we made out way down the street, still laughing at each others staggering.

'So Miss Stackhouse' began Steve, 'after your many escapades with us, who are you going to go out drinking with in America?'

'Oh, I dunno, I probably won't bother till I get back' I told him, 'the beer is as weak as water'.

'So you aren't going to replace us with that tall guy from lunchtime' James piped up, clearly a bit jealous.

'How could I ever replace you guys' I asked, grabbing his cheeks like he was a small child, 'you guys are my buddies, my pals…'

We had wandered as far as the park near my house, Steve's house wasn't much further. We all sat down on the grass ignoring the fact it was nearly midnight, and the grass was quite wet. We hung around the park for a while, chatting and laughing more. Occasionally chasing one another round the grass. Eventually we said our goodbyes and hugged, I promised postcards and we all walked back to where we were each sleeping.

As I climbed into bed, all I could think about was the plane trip tomorrow, and spending 2 glorious months in California with some very interesting people.