A/N: (AU/AH) Eric and Pam Northman were born and raised in Bon Temps, Louisiana. Eric is a college freshman at the University of New Orleans and his younger sister Pam just graduated from Bon Temps High and will be joining him next year. That's until Eric's life is turned upside down the night he meets Tara Thornton.

Song: Take Me Home Tonight - By Eddie Money ft. Ronnie Spector

"Wanna talk about it?" Eric asked the pretty girl who had accompanied Jason Stackhouse to his sister's party in the backyard. Pam had briefly introduced them and he wasn't about to let her leave without at least getting her number. The dark-skinned beauty sat with her head hung low on the tree swing Eric and his dad built when he was a kid.

"No- I wanna drink-about it…" She replied gloomily pulling a silver flask from her jean jacket pocket. She was far too distraught to register his concern. After being humiliated by her drunken date, she retreated outside.

The moon shined down casting a soft glow on her flawless skin and the young man was taken by her stunning features despite her sad expression.

"Cool, can I have a sip…" He sat on the wooden swing next to her. He couldn't believe how stupid Jason Stackhouse is. The half-wit came to the party with the hottest girl in Bon Temps only to abandon her for a cheap bottle-blonde floozy.

Hell, the Stackhouse's were never known for their intelligence.

Tara took another swig and handed him the flask. "Suit yourself." She replied blankly, her head drooped while adroitly kicking the rocks beneath her tennis shoes.

Eric eagerly grabbed the bottle feeling the electricity as his fingertips lightly brush hers. He took a big swig and made a deep croaking noise, his eyes watered and his cheeks reddened.

Tara smiled and suppressed a chuckle.

"Whoa, that's whiskey!?" Eric puffed, then shuddered, as the sour fluid slowly burned his throat making its way into his gut.

"Yep, Jack Daniels. What did you think was in the flask?" Tara giggled softly and took another swig.

"I-I was thinking peach schnapps, fireball or something like that," Eric coyly chuckled, "something sweet..." while admiring how beautiful her smile is, and secretly patting himself on the back for being the cause of it.

"That's for lightweights." She giggled again, only this time her giggle was hearty. She turned her head to the side, making eye contact.

His wide icy-blue eyes captured her deep dark-sultry eyes and for several long moments, their gazes fell, unblinkingly upon one another.

The moment was interrupted by the sound of Pam's toy poodle barking and clawing in earnest at the screen door. Pam appeared at the patio door to let him out.

"Make it quick Pompei!" Pam shouted at her snowy-colored lapdog.

"Hi, Pam." Tara waved and Pam waved back. "Hi, Tara! Hey Eric, wanna another beer?"

"Nah, I'm cool, thanks." He nodded, giving her sister a wink. She winked back as the tiny dog climbed the stairs and trotted into the house alongside his master.

"How do you know my sister?" Eric asked curiously.

Pam wasn't the easiest person to get along with so seeing Pam so cordial was a little surprising.

"I moved here from Baton Rouge last year. Pam and I clicked almost instantly. Now, we're goin our separate ways. I've been accepted to New Orleans University. I'll miss that bitch." she chuckled. "You know she's stoked about going to LSU with you."

Damn, I have the worst timing! He thought to himself He'd missed Tara by a year. Perhaps it was for the best. She would have made it really hard to leave Bon Temps.

"I'm excited for her. It's great there. You should join us." Eric didn't mean to say that last part but didn't regret it either.

"If I don't like it at UNO, I may take you up on that offer." Tara smiled sheepishly; her cheeks began to burn as it just dawned on her that Pam's hot older brother was flirting with her. The night was starting to look up after all. Eric is five times hotter and ten times smarter than Jason.

Eric leaned forward in the swing, "Even if you stay at UNO, I'd like you to come to visit me." He smirked and Tara's stomach did somersaults, his sexy crooked smile was the cause.

"Deal," Tara smiled, holding out her hand so they could shake on it. He unintentionally glared at it for a moment and clasped her slight hand with his own, noting how soft her skin is. Then ever so gently pulling her delicate hand to his lips and pressing a firm kiss to her flesh. His sapphire eyes penetrating her russet ones causing an involuntary shiver down her spine.

"Take me home," Tara impulsively blurted out and immediately regretted her spontaneous outburst. "OH! I mean..." her cheeks felt like they had been set on fire, embarrassed beyond belief, she tries to think of what she could say to; she hadn't meant to be so forward.

Damn Jack Daniels.

"Tara," His raspy voice crooned, "It's okay."

She slowly meets his gaze again and her tummy flutters, her body responds once more.

"What I meant to say was." she stuttered awkwardly. "I didn't drive and I'm not about to go and ask Ja-"

"Tara," He interrupted again. "I'd be happy to take you home." A well-defined smirk lined his handsome face.

"Okay," Tara would have given anything to know what he was thinking.

Eric was alone in his car with Tara and suddenly he couldn't find any words to say. The air was charged with something unexplainable. Eric started his Corvette and took off. The way her thighs shifted in that short jean skirt when he turned the corner, caused his wild eyes to roam. Energy shot through their bodies and the atmosphere became revived with sensuality.

"Make a right on Warren Avenue," Tara instructed and Eric turned another sharp corner watching her petite legs shift once more.

"The yellow house," The doe-eyed girl pointed her finger to a modest house on the corner. He pulled into the driveway behind an old grey station wagon. Eric's cobalt eyes fluttered closed as he shifted the car's gear and parked.

"Thank you." She beamed. She'd forgotten the last time she smiled so much.

"Your welcome." He replied, searching for something more to say. Anything that would keep her in his company a while longer. Her smile was so bright, bright enough to light the darkest night. It was warm, sincere, inviting and in it, he found the courage to ask.

"Will you call me? Or I can call you…I-"

"Eric…" Tara interrupted. "I'd love to give you my number, but first I'd like for you to walk me to my door," she whispered in a low and seductive voice, looking up at him through long fluttering lashes.

The 6'4 blonde practically leaped out of his sports car, dashed to the passenger side, and opened the door for the raven-haired young woman. He extended his hand and she gladly took it as he helped her out of the car; the act subduing the tension.

Without uttering a word, without doing anything other than meeting her eyes, he slowly leaned, and just as the longing became unbearable, Eric's lips met Tara's. Eric's kiss was slow and deliberate. The warmth of his mouth sent a current of heat successively through her body. Eric's chest heaved with each passing breath; his entire body felt like a live wire. His manhood ached and strained against his jeans. Tara wrapped her arms around his neck and he straightened his back, taking her feet off the ground. She pulled her legs up and wrapped them tightly around his waist.

At that moment, neither of them moved. Neither of them breathed. They just . . . existed together. And the kiss was still artless, still desperate—but only because it was real. The most honest, truthful moment they'd ever shared.

Across the street sitting on her porch are Tara's neighbor, Jason's sister, and Eric's ex-girlfriend. Sookie Stackhouse was in complete shock.