A/N: When I thought if anyone wanted a teaser or a chapter more I just decided I'd post the chapter instead of waiting. I've had this chapter written for a LONG time and I just decided to post it without a beta since it seems hard to find one that suits me. I don't think I'm going to use a beta from now on so if my stories really start to suck because of the lack of a beta let me know and I'll have to try to find another one. Hopefully by not having to rely on a beta I'll be able to post more than a couple times a year.

Any mistakes are obviously my own and I don't own any of the characters, blah blah blah.

Story so far, Eric is a real cop that showed up to Sookie's house because they got a call about a loud party. Amelia thought they were strippers and Alcide, Eric's partner, convinced Eric to play along. Eric and Sookie ended up having sex. The next day, after being harassed by her ex-boyfriend Bill, Sookie calls the police and decides to make a report. Eric ends up being the cop that comes and after hearing Sookie's story offers to stay with her while he's on vacation from work. Eric keeps trying to make moves on Sookie but she doesn't want to get into a relationship, especially with her last boyfriend being a total psycho. Eric finally convinces Sookie to go out with him while Alcide watches the house.

When Eric pulled up to the location of the date, I couldn't contain my squeal.

"What? You don't like it?"

"Are you kidding me?! I freaking love the zoo!"

The smile he gave me made me pause. He really was gorgeous.

"Ready to go in?"

"Yes, lets go."

He came around to my side of the car but I was already out the door before he reached me. I was practically bouncing I was so excited. Eric grabbed my hand and led me to the entrance. Although I was confused about where mine and Eric's relationship was headed, or if we even had one, I didn't pull my hand away. It felt nice just to be a normal person for once. I was getting tired of looking over my shoulder and being so uptight all the time.

Eric insisted that he pay for both of our tickets, which made it seem even more like a date, but we were both so excited and I didn't want to ruin the mood by insisting that I pay for my own ticket.

As soon as we got through the gate there was a place to get your picture taken. They had just remodeled the giraffe exhibit to include a platform for people to feed the giraffes. The picture set up was a wooden cut out of a giraffe for someone to stick their face through, and a zookeeper hat and shirt.

"Oooh! Can we get our picture taken!?"

He looked a little skeptical.

"I don't know. Who is going to be the giraffe?"

I looked him up and down. "You of course! Come on!" I said as I grabbed his hand and dragged him to the little photo shoot. To my surprise, he didn't put up a fight. It's not like I could have dragged him if he didn't want to move.

Eric had to crouch down to get his face aligned with the hole for the giraffe's head and I put the zoo keeper shirt on over my tank top and put on the hat. There was also a branch of leaves to pretend like I was feeding the giraffe.

I held the branch up to Eric's mouth and kept nudging his mouth with it.

"Come on you little giraffe. Eat it."

"Sookie, I am not putting those leaves in my mouth."

"Just pretend."

"No. I don't trust you not to stick it in there as soon as I open my mouth."

"Come on!"

"No!"

"Are you guys ready?" the photographer asked.

"As soon as he opens his mouth," I answered.

"Not going to happen."

"1, 2, 3!"

To my surprise, at the last second, Eric ripped a leaf off the branch with his mouth and I busted out laughing.

The photographer walked up to us and handed us a slip.

"Before you leave, take this to the photo tent and you can pick up your picture."

After I took off my zookeeper costume, Eric grabbed my hand again and started leading me around the zoo.

I hadn't been to the zoo since I was a kid but I absolutely loved looking at all the animals. We saved the zebras and giraffes for last because they were my favorite.

The bird exhibit was boring but I liked the part where you could walk through the chain curtain to get to a little exhibit where birds flew freely.

Eric bought some bird food for us to give to the birds. As soon as Eric stepped into the room, the birds flocked to his open hands to eat the seeds.

I busted out laughing because Eric looked like the Beast when he and Belle went out to feed the birds.

"What are you laughing at now?"

"Nothing. I'm just having fun."

He smiled at me again and I realized how carefree I had been all day, thanks to Eric.

After all of the birdseed was gone, Eric washed his hands at a little station they had set up, then he grabbed my hand again.

"Okay, we just have to see the zebras and the giraffes. Ready?"

"Yes!" I grinned back at him.

We went to see the zebras and I was really excited to see a baby zebra running through the exhibit. I always loved seeing the baby animals.

"Come on. Let's go feed those giraffes," I said, ridiculously excited to see the exhibit.

When we got to the giraffe exhibit it was full of children crowding the railing to feed the giraffes. I REALLY wanted to feed them too and I thought I might get in trouble for pushing the little kids out of the way...

Still, I grabbed a branch of leaves and was prepared to wait until one of the kids left and then I was going to snag their spot.

While I was watching the line like a hawk, I noticed a little girl that was too small to reach the railing and the other kids kept pushing her back. I felt so bad for her.

"Do you see that little girl over there?" I pointed out to Eric.

"Yeah. Where do you think her parents are?"

"I don't know. Let's go help her."

We walked over to the little girl and I crouched down to talk to her.

"Hey honey. Is your mom or dad around?"

She was extremely shy and instead of talking, she pointed to an overweight man sitting on the benches surrounding the exhibit, looking like he was about to pass out.

"Hmm... Eric, you go talk to him and see if it's okay if I pick her up."

He smiled at me before he turned to go talk to the dad. I saw him smiling at the man and pointing at us. I gave a little wave and the dad nodded at the little girl waiting for permission.

Eric walked back over to us and picked the little girl up.

"Are you reading to feed the giraffes?"

The little girl smiled at him and nodded. He smiled back at her and I smiled at how cute the whole thing was.

We weaseled our way in between the other children and Eric held the little girl up so she could feed the giraffes and I held up my own branch.

I think I was more excited than the little girl when the giraffes actually came up to us.

They had the bottom of the platform level with the giraffes' faces so they had to reach up to get the leaves. I saw a baby giraffe standing next to his mother but he was too short to reach the platform.

I felt so bad for the poor thing that I slightly leaned over the railing to reach it. And by slightly, I mean I was completely hanging over it with only one foot on the ground.

"Ma'am! MA'AM! You can't do that!" a zookeeper said, running over to us.

"Why not? That baby giraffe is hungry and no one else can feed him."

"I'm sorry but there is a sign right there," she pointed over to the smallest, out of the way sign I have ever seen, "that says you cannot lean over the railing."

This woman sounded like such a snooty bitch that I wanted to yell back at her but kids surrounded us so I didn't think that would be appropriate.

I had to bite my tongue, and let me tell you, it was hard.

Eric must have noticed the look on my face because he grabbed my hand and said, "Come on, Sook. I think it's time to go. It's getting late anyway."

The little girl he had held was already walking out of the exhibit with her father. We had seen every exhibit in the zoo, plus I was getting hungry, so we left.

It was still extremely hot that day so I wanted to stop at the bathroom before we left. I could feel the sweat running down my face and it did not feel good.

I went into the bathroom, which was surprisingly empty, and splashed some water on my face. Then I took a paper towel, soaked it in cold water and put it on the back of my neck. I took another one and wiped myself down. Eric and I were really getting along and I didn't want to smell like a wet dog because I was sweating.

When I came out of the bathroom, Eric was waiting by the door.

"Ready to go?"

"Yes. I'm starving! Are you hungry?"

"I can always eat," he said as he grinned back at me.

Once we got in the car and started driving he asked me, "Where do you want to eat?"

"Let's go to Merlotte's. I want to stop by and see Sam anyway."

It was starting to get dark by the time we got there but the dinner rush was already over and the people who came to drink already started filing in.

I walked in and saw Sam behind the bar.

"Hey, Sook. How are you?" The look he gave me when he said it made me believe he was talking about the situation with Bill more than wanting to know how I was in general. And now that I thought of it, I hadn't thought about Bill burning down my house once today...

I looked to Eric in a panic and somehow he knew what I was thinking.

He leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Alcide has been texting me every hour with an update. Now don't worry about it. Let's eat."

Eric put his arm around me and I saw Sam glare at him. I was not ready to have this perfect day ruined because Sam was overprotective.

"We'll be at that booth over there," I said, pointing to a booth in the corner. "Send over a waitress, will you?"

"Sure Sook..."

I grabbed Eric's hand and dragged him over to the booth. It seemed we were doing a lot of hand holding today and I wasn't even uncomfortable at how easy it had become to reach for his hand.

One of the new waitresses came over and took our order. She stared at Eric the entire time, completely ignoring me, and I must say, I felt a twinge of jealousy when he smiled at her. His smiles were mine.

"Ugh, I don't know why Sam hires whores to work at the bar. They might attract skeevy men but we might get shut down for prostitution!"

"Um.. what?"

"Look at that waitress! Running around, flirting with everyone!"

"I think she's just trying to be friendly to get good tips."

"Oh look at you, sticking up for her," I mumbled.

"Are you jealous?" he asked with a smirk on his face.

"Of course not!" but I knew I was blushing.

"You are!"

"Drop it."

Wisely, he didn't say anything else about it. He just smirked like a fool.

I had a beer with dinner, something I hadn't allowed myself in a long time. I had a few drinks at my birthday but I had planned on Amelia spending the night and felt like I could have fun. With Eric, I felt like I could let myself go and let someone else be in charge and worry about the psycho stalking me.

By the time we left Merlotte's, I was pretty tipsy. I had more than a few beers and hadn't eaten since the cereal Eric had brought me.

"Uh, Sook? I think it's about time we take you home and get you to bed."

"Why?"

"Because you're starting to slur and the guy at the bar keeps glaring at me. I think he thinks I slipped you a roofy."

"Nah, Sam's just overprotective but I'm ready to go anyway."

When we stood up I swayed and Eric caught my arm. Sam looked like he wasn't going to let Eric take me out of the bar but I waved him away. If I were safe with anyone, it would be Eric.

We pulled up to the house and I was surprised to see Alcide's car still in the driveway. I didn't expect him to stay at my house for the entire day even though Eric made him promise. However, I was not surprised to see Amelia's car in the driveway as well.

"I told him not to bring her over here."

"It's okay. I've never seen Amelia spend so much time with someone she's slept with before. Maybe this will be good for her."

"If she can put up with Alcide, he should marry her. He's a hard guy to get along with."

"I'm not worried about it. Amelia can handle herself."

Eric helped me out of the car and walked me inside. To my surprise Alcide and Amelia were both dressed. Alcide was sitting on the couch watching a movie and Amelia was cuddled into his arm, asleep.

"Hey guys. Would you mind if we left Amelia's car here overnight and come back to get it tomorrow morning? I don't want her driving home alone when she's so tired."

"No problem. You can come back and get it whenever you're ready." Which I knew wouldn't be tomorrow morning. Amelia didn't like to wake up before noon if she could help it.

"I did a check about an hour ago. I'm taking Amelia home. I'll see you guys tomorrow," Alcide said as he hefted Amelia in his arms and headed out the door.

"Do you need any help?" Eric called after him.

"Nah, I got it," Alcide said as he opened the car door, reclined the seat, and buckled Amelia into the car.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to check the house one last time before we go to sleep," Eric said as he kissed me on the nose and headed out the door. "Lock the door behind me."

I shut the door behind him and laid my forehead against it. In the silence I started to think about the day I spent with Eric and how happy I had been. I started giggling when I thought about him biting the leaves and remembered we never even saw the picture. I wondered how long they kept them for...

I heard Eric walk up onto the porch so I tried to run away so he wouldn't see me waiting by the door.

He turned the knob and I realized I had forgotten to lock it.

When he opened the door it clipped my heel and I tripped and fell at the foot of the steps.

"Sookie! Are you okay? Why wasn't the door locked?"

It really wasn't that funny but I kept imagining what an idiot I must have looked like flailing as I fell to the ground and how stupid I probably looked sprawled on the floor. Eric tried to help me up but I rolled away laughing.

"Let me help you up."

"No. I like lying in the floor," I said as I continued to giggle at the look on his face.

"How much did you drink?"

"Not enough."

"Come on," he said as he picked me up caveman style and carried me upstairs.

He gently laid me on my bed and began taking my clothes off.

The feeling of Eric's hands on me, taking my clothes off, brought me out of my silly mood.

"Why Officer Northman! I do believe you are trying to take advantage of me!"

"Well you're wrong. Believe me. Next time we have sex you'll know completely what you're getting in to."

I sat there silent as he stripped me down to my underwear, and then walked out of the room. He returned with a big shirt and put it on me. It smelled like him.

"I have clean pajamas in the second drawer."

"I know, but I like you in my shirt better. Now go to sleep."

He tucked me in and I rolled over and closed my eyes. Eric kissed me on my forehead and walked out of the room. I opened my eyes when I heard the door close behind him and I was surprised, and a little disappointed, that he didn't try to cuddle with me.

I rolled back over to look out the window and I noticed a frame sitting on my nightstand. I got a closer look and realized it was the picture of Eric and me at the zoo. He must have bought it when I was in the bathroom but I had no idea how he hid it from me.

The picture was taken right after Eric had bitten the leaf and I had my head thrown back laughing. Eric was grinning at me with the leaf hanging out between his teeth.

It was the best picture I'd ever seen and I was really happy that I had the day just to relax. It also made me realize I was starting to like Eric more than I wanted. When Bill was caught, I was sure Eric would walk out of my life. Who wanted to be with a woman that came with so much baggage?

I didn't want to let Eric's impending departure ruin my good mood so I looked at the picture and I felt myself smiling as I fell asleep.

A/N: Let me know what you guys thought about the chapter. BOE should be posted soon because I've been working on that one and I plan on posting it without the help of a beta as well.