a/n Hey everyone! I hope this story is as fun to read as it is to write - I'm having a blast. Thanks again for your reviews - they make me smile!

a/n Thanks again, Northwoman, for your amazing beta skills! Also, these characters belong to Charlaine Harris - I'm just mixing them up a bit.

Chapter 3

Sookie's POV

The next few days passed quickly. Gran hardly believed we were having a real, live (ha!) vampire over on Wednesday night and had cleaned and cleaned the already spotless house. I went to the liquor store and picked up a pack of TrueBlood – I didn't want any fang popping around Gran. Sam asked me about Eric and got all huffy when I said Eric was coming over to our house, like he had any say over my love -- I mean social -- life.

Gran and I set to cooking our own meal, since we assumed Eric would be coming over soon after dark. We thought it would be nice if we could sit around the dinner table and visit, even if not all of us would be eating. After the pot roast was in the oven, there was nothing to do but wait. And wait.

Finally about 30 minutes until dark, Gran shooed me to my room to get ready. I fussed and fussed over what I was going to wear, finally settling on a white sundress with large red flowers scattered on it. Feeling daring, I pulled my hair back into a low ponytail and left my neck exposed. I had just touched up my makeup and smoothed my dress for the hundredth time when I heard an engine roar into our driveway.

I shot out into the living room like a rocket. Gran looked over at me excitedly and I waited by the front door, trying in vain to hear footsteps on the porch. I still hadn't heard any when there was a faint knock. I smoothed my skirt again, swung open the door, and just about fell over.

He looked so handsome in the porch light although I knew it didn't do him justice. He was dressed a little nicer tonight, wearing a dark blue button down shirt with gray slacks. His hair was loose, except for one small braid at the front. He had a crooked grin on his face and held out the prettiest bouquet of wildflowers. "These are for you, Sookie."

I smiled. "Thank you." I held the door open for him, waving him into the house.

His brows furrowed the tiniest bit and he whispered, "You must invite me in or I cannot enter," so low only I could hear him.

Weird – I guess some vampire voodoo to keep the food safe. "Won't you come in, Eric," I said pleasantly. Hopefully Gran hadn't noticed the awkward pause. He handed me the bouquet and looked to Gran.

"You must be Mrs. Stackhouse," he said and walked toward her holding out a single daisy. "This is for you, Madame."

I could have sworn that my Gran flushed red, but she took the flower with the grace and poise of a queen. "Thank you, Mr. Northman, but please, call me Adele. Won't you join us in the dining room for dinner?" she said, leading him in that direction.

I followed them in and didn't miss the smirk he gave me about "joining" us for dinner. I walked to the fridge and pulled out a TrueBlood for him – thankfully I knew from the one shipment at Merlotte's to heat it in the microwave. While I was heating his beverage, Gran made our plates and within minutes we were seated at the table like some strange sort of family.

Eric sipped on his TrueBlood while we ate and made small talk. Finally, Gran got a serious look on her face and asked, "Mr. Northman, why is it that you have made our acquaintance? Is this only some business deal for you?"

I know I turned six shades of red, but Eric just smiled. "Please, Adele, call me Eric. And, I will admit that it began as a business deal but I find your granddaughter very intriguing for more reasons than her special gift. I am hoping to get to know her better – she seems like a charming, perfect Southern Belle." There was my seventh shade of red.

Gran nodded. "Now, Eric, I'm sure you know what a treasure she is to me. I just want to make sure that no harm comes to her."

"I will do my best to ensure that, Adele." Gran seemed satisfied after that, thank goodness. She then moved onto our family history and how long a Stackhouse had lived in this house and so on.

After a bit, Eric said, "That reminds me, Adele. I was recently contacted by a Bill Compton about living in this area – do you know where the Compton residence is?"

"Of course I do – it's right across the graveyard from our house. That old house has been around longer than ours has . . . but the way I heard it, all the Comptons are dead so I don't know who would be inquiring about it under their name." I shifted uncomfortably for a moment until a look of understanding crossed her face. "You mean he's a vampire?"

Eric nodded. "He seems to be rather agreeable, though. I wouldn't allow a menace to live in my area." His area? Interesting.

We moved into the living room after a bit, where Eric entertained Gran with stories about this area from long ago. He must be very old, but I didn't think it would be proper to ask. Finally, he smiled that winning smile and asked, "Would you mind if Sookie and I took a walk outside? It's such a lovely night."

"Well it's fine by me, if it's fine by her. Sookie?"

I smiled up at Eric. "That sounds nice."

We set out toward the graveyard – I had been out here so many times I didn't find it spooky anymore. After a couple of minutes, Eric reached over and took my hand as we walked. "Do you have any more family, Sookie?" he asked.

"Just my brother, Jason."

He smiled. "Can I ask how old you are? It's hard for me to tell by looks anymore."

I scoffed. "Gentlemen never ask a lady's age, Mr. Northman!" I pretended to be scandalized.

"Can I guess?"

"If you like."

"Thirty?"

I scowled. "Do I look that old?" I teased.

He smirked. "Remember, Sookie, that I am much, much older than I appear – do I look centuries old?"

I grinned. "I guess not. I'm 25, just so you know."

"Twenty-five? You're practically a baby!"

I smacked him on the shoulder. "I am not! Sometimes I feel older, but I always figured that was due to my disability," I said seriously, gesturing toward my head.

Eric pulled up short and put a hand on each of my shoulders, leaning close and looking into my eyes. "What you have, Sookie, is a great gift. It pains me to hear you say otherwise."

I shrugged. "You should try living with it, if you think it's so great. Imagine hearing your mom wondering what was wrong with you or your weird uncle thinking about touching you in private places. Imagine hearing every thought a man has while you're out on a date or about your brother's latest sexual escapade. I assure you, it's no picnic."

Several emotions crossed his face at that but it settled in lines of compassion. He gently squeezed my shoulders and sighed. "I did not want you to be upset."

"I'm not upset, and I don't mean to complain. I'm plenty blessed to balance it out." He was standing so close to me I could hardly think. His mental silence and god-like appearance made me want to go weak in the knees.

His eyes skated down my body and back up again. "You are very blessed, Sookie," he said, his voice full of heat that made my body flush.

I wanted him to pull me close but I shook that thought away. "Is it true you can hypnotize people?" I asked, instead. Might as well learn more about vampires since it looked like I might be working for them someday.

He smirked. "In a way, but we don't want that known everywhere. We call it 'glamour,' and it's more of projecting our influence – we can be very persuasive," he said with a wily grin, his eyes bright.

"Did you glamour me the other night?" I asked.

His grin tightened. "I tried, Sookie, but you resisted. I believe that has something to do with your gift, too."

That would explain the pressure I had felt, like a headache coming on. "Is that good?"

"I do not know. I can only hope that we leave it between ourselves for now and see what happens. Vampires do not like to be at a disadvantage, no matter how slight."

"It hardly seems a disadvantage," I retorted. "I guess the speed, reflexes, and strength don't count. And the flying."

"Not all vampires can fly – it is a skill only some possess. Some have other gifts; it's usually something they had during their first life, only magnified."

"You can fly," I said – it wasn't a question, but a confirmation – and he nodded. "Will you try to glamour me again?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to be?"

I laughed. "No. Maybe. I'm just curious."

"Curious about me or being under my influence?" he asked, leaning a little closer to my face.

"Both, I guess," I answered softly, my eyes falling involuntarily to his lips. Are you sure you're not under his influence, anyway? A voice in my brain asked.

He closed the last couple of inches between us and kissed me softly. My knees threatened to give out and my body cried for more. His lips were firm but soft, molding around mine like they were meant for it. His hands slid down my arms to my hips and rested there, pulling me closer to him. I kissed him back for all I was worth, trying to make up for experience with voracity, and slid my hands up (and up and up) around his neck.

After a few moments, I had to pull back to breathe but he kept me pressed against his body. He began to trail kisses down my jaw line to my neck and I stiffened – he was a vampire after all. "Relax, Sookie," he said softly as he caressed my earlobe with his lips and tongue. "I will not bite." I noticed that he didn't say do not bite with the little of my brain function that was left.

He worked his way back to my lips. Oh how this vampire could kiss! As he pulled back slightly again to let me breathe, I noticed his fangs slide out. He leaned close to me and took in an unneeded, deep breath. This was so new to me, and so foreign. Mixed signals were going off in my body: warning sirens and flashing lights in my brain – I still didn't know Eric hardly at all – and slick heat and pulsing below my waist – I bet he felt so good. I had to take a step back from him and it spoke volumes to me about him when he let me.

He smiled at me. "You smell so good, Sookie, and you're so beautiful," he said, fangs still showing.

"I'm sorry, Eric, but this is a lot for me in one night," I answered. "I wish I could just let go but I can't. I hardly know you." I edited out and you're a vampire!

Eric nodded his understanding. "And I'm a vampire. I know."

a/n I know, I know - you want more (at least I hope you do!) - it's coming soon, I promise. Until then, I want to know where I can get a knee-melting Viking kiss. Anyone know? :-)