I DON'T OWN THE RIGHTS TO THE SOUTHERN VAMPIRE MYSTERIES OR ANY RESEMBLANCE THERE OF.

HOPE YOU'RE ALL STILL WITH ME!

Chapter 6 – Laws of Attraction

(Eric POV)

I didn't care how it was possible. It didn't matter one bit. Sookie was real.

"Sookie? Real? Of course she's real, what on earth are you talking about?"

I looked at Niall, bringing myself back down from the clouds. "I told you earlier about these dreams I've been having…"

"About the girl?"

"Yes, about the girl."

"Eric Northman, do you mean to tell us, that Ms. Southern Charm is the girl? The one you think you love?" chimed in Lafayette.

"She appears to be, yes."

"Eric, she might look an awful lot like her, but you can't honestly think…"

"I don't know what to think right now Lafayette. All I can tell you, is that the woman that Niall drew, is the woman in my dreams and in my dream, her name is Susannah Stackhouse. Sookie was the nickname her mother gave her."

There was a very long silence. I knew how insane it all sounded. After what seemed like ages, Niall finally spoke. "Well dear boy, there's only one thing to do," I looked at him questioningly, "you must come to class with me next week."

If I had been in my right mind, I would have said no, instead I nodded in agreement.

(Sookie POV)

Alcide had spent every night with me at my place. Since he was still living out of a suitcase in a hotel until he found an apartment, my place had become a second home. I got it, I did; he didn't have a home just now, and I was a warm body who could cook. Thing was, he made himself too much at home. I liked the guy and man was he cute, but in just about ten days, in his head, I was already his girlfriend. He was definitely a big improvement on Quinn, but he was also suffocating me! Anytime I dared look at another man, even a waiter, for more than two seconds, I got the evil eye from him.

He saw me as this helpeless little Southern Belle stuck in the big city… it was cute for about three days, but it was getting old. Every outfit I put on was too risqué. He insisted on driving me everywhere. He wanted to know where every job was, who had hired me, how long I would be away. What was it about me? Every potentially wonderful guy I met turned out to be a pain-in-the-ass. Every guy but one, that was. My dream man wasn't a pain-in-the-ass. He was amazing. Unfortunately, I hadn't dreamt of him in a while and I was starting to miss the guy.

It had been two weeks since the art class and since meeting that charming man, Niall. I was actually looking forward to seeing Niall later in the day, there was something so calming about his old world charm. Last week's class had been canceled because the air conditioning in the building had conked out and New York City in the summer was no place to be without an air conditioner. That's coming from a Louisiana girl, too! At breakfast, I reminded Alcide about the class and it went about as well as I thought it would.

"So the art class is later today."

"What art class?" he said sipping his coffee.

"You remember from two weeks ago? With J.B.? Last week's was canceled because of the AC?"

"You don't mean that art class for the fruits? The one you stripped for?"

Here we go, I thought. "In fact, I do."

"Well you're not going."

"Excuse me?" I said quickly.

He smiled at me and said "I mean, you don't need to go, Sookie."

Ya, sure that's what he meant.

"Listen here Alcide, this overprotective thing was cute for about five minutes and it's real old. I was just fine before you came around and I'd be fine without you. Just remember that, okay?"

"Jesus Sookie, if you're that desperate for $150, I'll write you a check."

"What did you say to me?"

"You heard me. No woman of mine needs to be stripping for money."

"Woman of yours? You better have something clever to say and think of it real quick, too."

Nothing.

I went to the bedroom, took out his boxers and socks from the bottom drawer, walked to the front door, and threw them into the hallway.

"What the hell, Sookie!" he said raising his voice.

"Get out of my apartment now."

He walked over to me with daggers in his eyes. Before he could say or do anything though, I slapped him across the face. I might not be rich or powerful or from a "good" family, but I'd be damned if anyone insulted me in my own home.

"J.B. is going to be here in an hour to pick me up. I want you and all of your things gone by the time I'm back."

With that I turned around, went into my room, locked the door, and got dressed. When I was done, I left the apartment without acknowledging Alcide, and waited for J.B. in front of the building on the stoop.

I was seething with anger by the time J.B. got there. Poor thing thought I was angry at him.

"Sookie look, I know I'm ten minutes late, but don't be angry, okay?"

"It's not you J.B.. Alcide just…"

"Just what Sookie?" he asked, throwing his bag down and sounding too concerned.

"Oh Lord, J.B., nothing bad, I promise! He didn't hurt me or anything, he was just a rude ass and I kicked him out."

"Oh, okay."

"Okay?"

"Ya. Okay. Is he still there?"

"Mhmm. I told him to be gone before I got back tonight."

"Well, I'm going back with you after class, just in case."

"You're a sweet man J.B.," I said and I kissed him on the cheek. "Let's go alright?"

When we got to our make-shift dressing room – aka, the classroom-next-door – it was significantly easier to change and get into the robe; partly, because I had done it before, and partly, because I desperately wanted to stick it to Alcide. That man was NOT my Father! I would be damned if he told me what I could and could not do! J.B. and I made our way to the platform in the middle of the class and I saw Niall in the front row wearing a linen suit with yellow suede loafers and I smiled at him. He winked back and I relaxed instantly.

When we dropped our robes, I didn't hesitate or feel weird at all. I just let it fall and took a breath. Although I saw my good friend Abe on the wall, I found that I was able to look around a bit more. I watched Niall as his wrist flicked while he drew. I noticed the art teacher as he went from student to student. I noticed the way the classroom smelled like wet paint and even the sweet smile of the woman in the back wearing a purple dress. I even noticed how well the new A.C. was working because I had little goose pimples all over and my nipples were at attention, (okay, that made me a little uncomfortable, but there wasn't much I could do about that!)

I wasn't sure how long J.B. and I had been posing, but it felt close to an hour when I heard the door open behind me. I also heard the entire class erupt into whispers. Someone was whispering about how he couldn't get my left ass cheek "just right," another was reminding herself to get milk after class, and yet another, I think it was Niall, said something along the lines of "brave boy."

Why was everyone whispering all of a sudden? It was starting to sound like white noise. I could hear so many voices. It was making my ears ring. Finally, I took a quick look at the students, but no one's mouths were was moving. What the hell? I could hear them all whispering! I could hear everyone and the whispering was turning into a louder din. The din turned into a roar and I broke the pose, to put my hands over my ears, I just couldn't take the noise any more!

"Sookie you okay?" I could see J.B. mouthing in front of me.

"I need to sit," I said.

The teacher put the robe over my shoulders and helped me off the platform. The noise was unbearable; it was like hundreds of birds, each with a different call squawking at the same time. I turned around with J.B.'s help to go to the other room and when I lifted my head, I saw a incredibly familiar man standing at the door frame. Shockingly familiar, but it wasn't possible! It was Eric, the Eric. My Eric from my dreams. In my head, above all the noise I just kep repeating, Not possible! Louder and louder. The noise was too much, it was all TOO MUCH!

"Help," I whimpered before everything went black.

(Eric POV)

Niall had told the instructor that I would be coming by to check out the class, to see if I wanted to join. I lost my nerve four or five times. I got to the front of the building, opened the door and then walked back out. I made it up the elevator and then back down. I made it down the hall to the classroom, but backed away. What-if's plagued my mind. What if Lafayette was right and this was all a mistake? What if I made a fool of myself? What if she thought I was insane? Perhaps the scariest option: what if I was right and all this was real?

The second my hand grabbed the doorknob, I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time. It was that second of weightlessness in the pit of my stomach just before I started falling back to earth after a pole vault. The last time I felt that was when I was training all those years ago back home. Nerves, it had to be nerves… didn't it?

I opened the classroom door quietly as I could, and there, in front of me, was Sookie. I knew it was her. I had never met her in the flesh, but I knew that body, those curves, that skin, and her hair. Her naked back, ass, and legs were in front of me and all I wanted to do was run and grab her. It was pure insanity. I dreamed about her, she couldn't be real, but the soft skin and curves I saw in front of me? They were undeniable. That feeling in my stomach, that lifting in my body, I felt it everywhere. My whole body felt weightless… like only my shoes were holding me down.

Suddenly, things went wrong. She grabbed at her face; she seemed to be in pain. She needed to sit. Her robe was put back on. She was helped off her pedestal. She turned and saw me. Our eyes met for a second – just one quick moment – but there was acknowledgement in that second. She seemed to take in who I was. She was shocked to see me? Did she understand what the hell was happening? Nothing would be answered though; she fainted into the male model's arms.

Everyone seemed to rush to her. There was a cacophony of voices. I didn't know what to do. Finally, one voice carried over the crowd.

"MOVE PLEASE! EVERYONE JUST MOVE AWAY!" An attractive woman about Sookie's age in a purple dress pushed her way through. "Everyone please give us some space!"

"Who are you?" asked the naked male model, genuinely concerned.

"I'm a nurse! Please give me some room!" People backed off as she checked her breathing, pulse, eyes. She looked up at us all. "You," she pointed to the male model, "get dressed. You're no use to me naked right now and you back there, the tall guy," she was speaking to me, but I was still too out of it to realize.

"ERIC!" Niall yelled. That woke me up.

"Eric, come here and take her to the other room... NOW!" said the woman.

I made my way to Sookie's side, slipped my hands under body, and lifted her. I felt like I was floating. She was as light as a balloon and every step felt like walking on water. We made our way to the other room where the woman in the purple dress made some room on the floor and placed a stack of paper on the floor for her head. The male model was already in there, almost dressed.

"Is she gonna be okay?" he asked.

"I think she'll be fine. Can you please get my bag? It's on the back of the chair where I was sitting." He nodded and ran to the other room. Then the woman in the purple dress looked right at me, right into my eyes. "How long have you been looking for her?"

I looked at her, dumbfounded. What did she just say to me? Just then the model came in with her bag. She looked away from me and rummaged through her bag before she found a small vial of something. She unscrewed the top and waved it gently under Sookie's nose. It was extremely potent. I could smell it too.

"What is that stuff?" asked the model.

"Peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary..."

Who was this woman? "What nurse carries essential oils around?" I asked.

She smiled at me, "Someone who isn't a nurse. It was the only way I could get to her and help, though."

"Who are you?"

"I'm Amelia."

"That's not what I meant."

"I know what you meant." But before we could continue, Sookie began to stir. I shot up and went out of the room, afraid of what her seeing me might do. When I got in the hall, Niall was there, waiting for me.

"Will the girl be alright?"

"She was coming out of it when I left."

"Why did you leave?"

"You saw what happened when she saw me, Niall."

"Indeed I did. My dear boy, it seems there's more to this little dream than meets the eye."

When the door opened again, it was the model. "Hey thanks for helping man," he said as he held out his hand.

"You're welcome."

"I'm J.B.."

"Eric. This is Niall."

"Hey," he said as he put his hand out for Niall to shake.

"I've never seen her do that before. I've never even seen Sookie sneeze. It's weird. She just said her head started buzzing and she got dizzy."

"Will she be alright?"

"Amelia said she could do with a bed for a few hours. I'm gonna call a car company or something. Finding a cab to go into Brooklyn is hell."

"Tosh, don't be ridiculous," said Niall. "My car should already be downstairs. Best to get you're girlfriend to comfort sooner rather than later."

"Ya? Really? You mind if I ask her first?"

"Of course."

"Thanks, she's just my friend, though."

"The offer still stands." Just a friend… just a friend. No sweeter words could have been uttered.

"You should meet us there Eric, just in case she's not ready for another encounter hmmm?"

Niall was right. He usually was. I made my way down to the first floor and caught a gypsy cab to Niall's apartment on 71st and Lexington. Lafayette was surprised to see me and I filled him in on everything that had just happened. Just as I was finishing my story, I could hear the elevator ping and made myself scarce. I could hear her voice from the other room, however, thanking Niall for taking her in, apologizing for being a bother. She had no idea what had happened, but her head was still buzzing. Niall, brushed it all off in his normal manner. Lafayette took over and brought her to a spare bedroom with another woman, who must have been Amelia.

When I made my way to the sitting room, J.B. and Niall were on the sofa.

"I just called my girlfriend Tara – she works downtown – she's coming by right now. I gotta go to another job, but I don't want Sookie to wake up without a friend, you know?"

"You're a sweet man. Yes, I understand," Niall said graciously. Lafayette joined us a few moments later.

"Well, I think I'm going to sign up for that art class! All kinds of fabulous things keep happening without me! Tea? Lemonade?"

"Brandy," Niall and I said in unison.

One brandy later, Amelia joined us. Sookie was fine, feeling better, and was fast asleep. Two brandies later, Tara, who I had learned was Sookie's best friend and basically her only family apart from J.B., arrived in tears. She was scared and concerned. It actually made me happy knowing that Sookie had people in her life who cared, who would cry for her. Amelia calmed her down. She would be fine she reassured Tara, Sookie just needed some sleep.

"What happened?" Tara asked.

"She said she hadn't eaten all day and was feeling faint as a result," Amelia lied, looking right at me.

What the hell did this woman know? Since it was getting late, Lafayette went to the kitchen to arrange dinner for us all. It was an odd reason to have a dinner party, but leave it to Laffy to find any excuse to entertain. Once we were all past the awkward silences, we found conversation flowed naturally enough. Amelia, it turned out, was a "healer," although I thought there was something more she wasn't telling us.

Tara worked in fashion and had been friends with Sookie since they were kids. Tara shared a story about the time Sookie's big brother made Tara cry at the playground. Sookie stomped over to them, punched her brother square in the nose and made him run away. Sookie and Tara had been best friends ever since. When I asked about Sookie's brother, Tara simply said "Sometimes family is an accident of birth."

It was getting late when Tara and Amelia went to check in on Sookie and bring her some food. When they came back, they said Sookie wanted to see me. So here it was. I was about to meet the woman in my dreams come to life… I stood up, straightened my shirt, and made my way to the guest bedroom. I knocked.

"You can come in, I'm decent." Not that it mattered I thought to myself, I had seen her naked many times, although for the first time in the flesh today. "I think I heard that."

"Heard what?" I asked as I closed the door.

"Did you just say that you've seen me naked before?"

"I might have thought it." That feeling of lifting overwhelmed me then. I walked over to the bed and sat on the edge.

"I'm Sookie, but you knew that didn't you."

"Yes. I'm Eric. But something tells me you knew that, as well."

"What makes you think that?"

"You saw me in that classroom. Before you blacked out, there was recognition there." Silence. Damn deafening silence. "Say something, please."

"Something." I smiled. She smirked.

"Sookie, can I ask you something."

"Yeah?"

I wasn't sure if any of this was possible, but there was one way to find out. I thought the question rather than asking it 'What color was the dress your Father made you wear to the Opera?'

"Well," she started without even thinking twice, "it was a beautiful royal blue silk with a silver underskirt and appliqué roses over it, it was a full size too small and Juliette had to squeeze me into it. I swear I almost fainted when she tightened those corset strings, so…"

We stared at each other. Not only was it possible, it was true. She had the same dreams, she heard my thoughts, and although I wouldn't test it tonight, I couldn't help but think that jumping off the roof wouldn't kill me, either.

She started crying. "How?"

"I don't know," I moved closer to her then and wiped away her tear with my thumb. She shifted her head toward my hand and closed her eyes. It was so right. I had never felt so perfect, so still. Her head was resting in my hand. Her hair was soft. Her skin was smooth. She opened her eyes and looked at me. I placed my hand on the other side of her face, leaned into her and paused. What was I doing? Before I could answer Sookie's lips were on mine and nothing else mattered. I closed my eyes and saw a flash of her naked on our bed in Italy. I saw her in a white linen dress on the desk of a large ship. I saw a child… a beautiful little girl with gold curls and bright blue eyes running toward me, my arms were open to her, a smiling Sookie was in the background smiling at us.

I opened my eyes. I felt weightless.

"You'll think I'm crazy."

"Seriously? If you're crazy, then I'm crazy too, Eric."

"Come away with me."

"Away? Where?"

"Niall is giving me his house in Puerto Rico for as long I want it. I need to get away Sookie, but now that I've found you, well… come with me."

"Eric, I," she stopped mid-sentence and looked away. "This is a lot to take in. I mean, okay, we've had the same dream and I don't know how, but it seems like I can hear what you're thinking. And oh my God! This is just all so weird! I don't know what to think! I am way overwhelmed here!"

"I am too, but you have to feel what I'm feeling. You know how right this all seems, don't you?"

"Eric, I know that I fainted. I know that we share some strange connection that I don't understand and I know that I kissed you for some reason I'm not sure of yet. Past that, I'm not sure of a hell of a lot."

"Let's figure it out together, then. Come with me. We'll leave tomorrow. We can discover if this is just a weird fluke, or if this something more."

"Eric, I'm not going to jump on a plane with you because we had the same dream! In fact, this whole thing is just getting creepier by the second." She seemed to make a decision in her mind and then said, "I need to go. I need to leave right now."

She threw the cover off, got off the bed, and walked towards the door. I couldn't let her leave like that.

"Sookie wait!" She paused at the door with her back to me. "I'm a fickle, frivolous man who's lived an indulgent life. I can have any woman I want at any given time, I'm a womanizer…"

"If you think this going to make stick around…"

"Let me finish dammit!" She turned around to look at me, waiting for me to speak. "I'm not the kind of man that opens his heart to people. I'm selfish and self-centered." She huffed. "I live a fast life of parties and sex. There are very few people I hold dear and those people have had to learn to deal with me."

"You're making a dandy case for yourself here."

"Please let me finish! A few weeks ago I had a dream about a beautiful girl I saw painting in Paris. I fell in love with that girl. She taught me to fly. She let me love her. I haven't been the same since. I want that change Sookie. I'm tired of being frivolous. I want something real now. Sookie, I want you."

Her mouth opened but nothing came out. She looked almost angry at me. Without saying a thing, she turned around and ran through the door. I could hear Tara calling after her and then there was that damned silence again. A few minutes later, Lafayette came in. I was still standing where she left me, confused as to what had happened.

"What do you say to that poor girl?"

I walked past him and joined Niall and Amelia who were sitting in the living room.

"Is the offer of the house still open?"

"Of course, dear boy."

"Good, I'd like to leave tonight."

(Sookie POV)

I didn't talk to Tara on the way home. I was too annoyed and upset. I couldn't tell you why exactly, but he just assumed so much! Something weird and unexplainable was happening, I knew that, but I was no one's savior! I wasn't some dream-girl. I was a real personand I wouldn't be his salvation. His assumption that I would bat my eyes and say "oh of course I'll run away with you, after all we just kissed." It was so infuriating! I did kiss him. That was my fault. But damn it, I just got wrapped up in the moment. He wanted me? Just like that, huh? He knew nothing about me!

I stormed my way home and when I opened the door to my apartment, I was almost knocked over by the smell of flowers. Everywhere I looked there were vases and vases of flowers - every color, every shape, small bouquets, huge bouquets. Any other day I would have been in awe. Right then I felt like screaming! I dragged myself to the bedroom, looking for some peace, but instead found a card on my pillow:

Sookie,

I'm an idiot. I know a dozen flowers might have been good enough,

but you're worth more than a dozen - you're worth hundreds,

Forgive me?

-Alcide.

Christ! I really didn't that just then! What I needed was… well I wasn't sure what I needed. What I settled for, however, was hot chocolate and a bath. When I was tired enough to get into bed, I fell asleep quickly. I dreamt of Eric, of course I did. We were on a ship. I was wearing a white linen dress and standing on the deck, letting the sun and sea soak into me. I felt a strong set of arms envelop me.

"Mrs. Northman."

"Yes, Mr. Northman?"

"You look divine in white."

"You think I look divine in everything."

"Not a crime is it?"

"How much longer will it be until we reach Bombay?"

"The captain says just a few days now. We have had favorable winds."

"And once we arrive?"

"We will be staying with a business acquaintance until we can find a suitable house of our own."

"And then?"

"And then we can live a life of adventure and beauty and rubies and elephants and…"

"Children?"

"As many as the house will fit, my love."

A few days later, as promised, we landed at the port in Bombay. I had never seen so many people or felt such heat. India smelled of spices and animals. The flowers were more vivid. Women wore colors I could only dream of; pinks so bright you had to squint to look at them. It was an odd and amazing place. The house we stayed in was just outside the bustle of the city. At night, we could hear exotic birds calling to one another, and soft voices speaking in strange dialects outside the window.

It was too hot for clothing some nights. We would lie naked with each other, determined not to touch and to stay cool, but always winding up tangled in each others bodies. We made love to odd sounds and strange aromas. We explored each other in ways I didn't know possible. Somehow, the freedom of the distant land encompassed me and set me free. I loved him without abandon. I laughed loudly, I ate forbidden fruits. I spoke my mind. I wore fuchsia and aqua and gold.

I woke up the next morning to the smell of hundreds of flowers Alcide had showered me with. I should have called him, but all I could think of was Eric. If whatever we had was still intact, then he dreamed about India, too. He saw me carefree and brave. He heard me laughing with my whole heart and wearing every color of the rainbow.

I was scared. That was it, wasn't it? I was overwhelmed and confused and scared, but I didn't have to be. Of course, I had no way of getting in touch with Eric. I didn't have a number, or an address. I did, however, have Niall's. I quickly got out of bed, threw on some clothes, and ran to the train station. What was I doing? There was no escaping how insane it all was. There was no argument I could come up with to make it sound even slightly rational. I knew the Sookie in those dreams loved Eric. I didn't have the best track record with men. I could admit that. But what if? What if the Sookie I was in real life could love this Eric? Was I willing to let that chance slip by? The answer was no.

When I got off the train, I ran to Niall's and leaned on the buzzer. It was early. Someone had to be home. I was buzzed up and greeted by a yawning Lafayette in his paisley silk robe.

"Good lord child! There had better be a good reason you woke me up before coffee."

"Eric." I said breathlessly.

"Not good enough, yet."

"I made a mistake. I was wrong. Where is he?" Just then Niall walked into the hall wearing a matching silk robe.

"Are you alright Sookie?"

"Niall, I need to speak with Eric. I was scared. I want… I'm not sure what I want, but I know I want to see him, speak to him."

Niall smiled broadly. "He left on the first flight out to Puerto Rico he could find last night."

"SHIT!" Both men looked at me shocked. "Sorry."

"A moment please," said Niall as he walked off. Lafayette let me in, and we made our way to the kitchen table where coffee and toast was made. Half way through an amazing cup of some dark roasted Chilean Mountain Blend, Niall came in.

"The car will be here in five minutes and if you're lucky, you'll make the plane which leaves in exactly 1 hour and 22 minutes."

"I don't have any clothes or thing!"

"I guarantee you they have clothes and things there."

"Niall, this is too much, I can't let you buy me a ticket and use your house."

"Of course you can. What's the use of money if you can't bloody well spend it?"

"But…"

"No buts. That boy is family to me. I'll see him happy if it's the last thing I do."

The phone rang. The driver was waiting. I kissed Niall and Lafayette, "Wait, how do I get to the house once I'm there?"

"Someone will be waiting for you."

"I don't know how to thank you!"

"Just make him happy Sookie."

I went downstairs and jumped in the car. We broke almost every traffic violation to make it, but we got to the airport just in time. I got on the plane (first class by the way, apparently Niall didn't do anything unless it was over-the-top), and let my nerves run their course. By the time we had landed in Aguadilla, I was excited. I had no idea what was going to happen, but I was ready for it.

I walked off the plane and onto the tarmac; a wave of warmth and sun hit me. The closer I got to the doors, the stronger a familiar buzz crept into my mind. I could hear whispers, closer to the doors, and could hear bits of thoughts around me. It meant one thing… Eric was near. I ran the rest of the way, through the doors, and jumped into Eric's waiting arms.

A/N:

Phew! Well? Well? I know there were no lemons there, but come on, Puerto Rico, private house, no clothes? See where I'm going with this? I know you do.

If you press review button, all you're naughty little Eric fantasies will come true!

Before I get comments about passports and security by the way, I'm taking some artistic license hear and harkening back to the days when all you needed was a driver's license to get to Puerto Rico.

PS is anyone else jealous of Rutina Wesley's (she plays Tara in HBO's Tru Blood) killer arms? And speaking of body parts, Bra-friggin-vo to Anna Paquin and her amazing body! Seriously she has some gorgeous boobs.

And more thing, a very big thank you to my new Beta! She was meticulous! So if things seem smoother, more readable, and less fraught with stupid mistakes, it's all her!