A/N: About time for another disclaimer... don't own diddly... don't own squat.

Chapter 4 – EPOV

As sappy as I knew it was, I loved reading to Sookie as she fell asleep. She had mentioned many times that she liked hearing me speak and knowing that I was the last thought on her mind was something that made me really happy.

I put my book on the bedside table and pulled a pillow against my chest, imagining a day when I'd be able to hold Sookie just like this. I listened to her breathing for a little while as I settled my own mind then hung up and fell asleep myself.

I woke up the next morning covered in shaving cream…

"PAM!" I yelled…

I heard her laughing out in the kitchen so I wiped as much off as possible and glared at her on my way to the bathroom.

"I still owe you another one min lilla skitstövel. Sookie must really be something if you want to start a prank war over her" she said, smirking at me and laughing again as I made a gesture with my hand.

Sookie really was something. I knew I had never felt this way about anyone before. She was so smart and funny, the fact that she was amazingly beautiful was a major plus, but it was like she was part of me. I didn't like the word soulmates, but it was the only one that fit. I felt complete when I was spending time with her, and I missed her when I wasn't.

I was back in my room and getting dressed when I had felt the need to call her. I knew it was lame, but I felt like I couldn't start my day without letting her know she was on my mind. I checked my clock, knowing that she would be getting ready for her day about now, I'd just leave her a message.

"Hi it's Sookie, leave me a message and I'll call you back, have a great day!" her voice chirped from my phone making me smile then I laughed at myself realizing how much of a sappy loser I had become. Funny thing was I didn't care.

I left her a message, letting her know I was thinking about her and that I hoped she had a great day. I said 'Puss puss' at the end, knowing she knew what that meant and hoping it bought a smile to her face.

She didn't know it yet, but I was teaching her Swedish in hopes of introducing her to my family one day. She didn't have to know Swedish, because we did speak English a lot as well, but at home it sort of turned into an English Swedish hybrid and I knew it would make her feel uncomfortable.

I wanted her to be comfortable with me, with my family… I wanted her to be my forever, so I was going to do everything I could to make it easier to become a part of my life. I had fallen hard and fast and she was now the important person in my life, I'd do anything for her… I loved helping her experience new things and I couldn't wait to see it in person. Next thing I'd have to teach her would be the importance of World of Warcraft… or cool whip…

I took a few photos around my apartment to include in her email, I didn't think until after I had downloaded them all onto my computer that she probably liked her bed to be made every day. I just didn't see the point myself, it gets messed up as soon as you sit on it or go to sleep… so what's the point?

I attached the photos she asked for and typed out a message for her making sure she knew how important she was to me, telling her that I had imagined myself sitting under her 'study tree' with her not because she was beautiful, but because that was where I belonged, with her. I made mention of the voice mail just incase she didn't check it, then after sending it off I got ready for my day.

Pam had booked herself into the spa for the day so I didn't have to worry about getting the third degree today… unfortunately I did have to worry about it tomorrow.

I forced myself to concentrate on the here and now and got through the day of classes without Trey having to bitch slap me out of a daydream.

"Shit man," he said on the way out of our last class "You're pretty into this Sookie girl huh? I mean, I've known you for like, 6 years now? I've never seen you this…fuck, I don't even know if there is a word for how into her you are."

I laughed. We were not the kind of guys to sit around and talk about our feelings. "She's pretty amazing"

"Does she have a sister?" he asked with a smirk

"Fuck you!" I said with a laugh "Asshat… and no she doesn't"

"Damn…" he laughed.

"Ginger being a Barbie?" I asked, knowing the answer was yes… I had met some stupid people in my time, but Ginger was in a class of her own.

"How does someone that hot manage to be sooooo dumb" he groaned "Y'know, she asked me last night if vampires were real"

I laughed so hard I had to wipe a tear away.

"Fuck you man!" Trey laughed "It's not funny! If she wasn't so good in bed I'd have broken up with her ages ago!"

"Is the sex really worth the drop in your IQ?"

He laughed "I think not… she makes my brain hurt."

"You need to find someone who is your equal, not someone who could be substituted with a pet rock" I said, with a laugh "You survived without sex before, just break it off before she gets too attached… I heard salt works really well on leeches."

He punched me in the arm "I know you're right, but go fuck yourself" he laughed "We're not all as lucky you, you asshole."

"I know." I quipped with a smirk. Trey could only shake his head and laugh.

With that we went our separate ways and I went home glad that it was almost time to call Sookie.

I got home and went through my room carefully, checking for another practical joke before relaxing, she must not have had time today… I walked into the kitchen to grab a drink and swore… I had spoken too soon. The cupboard that usually held the glasses was now housing canned food. I went to the canned food cupboard to find plates… I ended up having to pull everything out and shift it back again… it only took an hour or so, but it was still annoying as hell. It was also pretty damn funny… Never underestimate Pam.

After everything was back to normal I threw together a quick stirfry, put some away for Pam, who had gone out clubbing and left a note stuck to her door to let her know how awesome I thought her prank was and what the plans were for our day tomorrow. I was being a shitty brother this visit because I was so wrapped up in Sookie. I'd have to make it up to her and buy her something pretty, she was always a sucker for vintage so we'd make a trip of all the antique stores in the area and I'd take her down to New York on the weekend.

My phone rang just as I was settling down to read…

"Hello?"

"Hi Eric, its Amelia" a voice chirped from the phone.

"Amelia? Hey what's up?" I was a little surprised to hear from her, what would she be calling me for?

"Well, I just wanted to give you a little heads up that Sookie was being a bit emo this morning about how things are going with you." She said, quickly following up with "It's nothing you'd done at all… it was just… Did she tell you about Alcide?"

I cursed under my breath "Yeah…fucker. I can't believe someone would think that sort of thing about Sookie"

"I know right!" she said, sounding furious that someone could be so stupid.

"So is she ok? Is there anything I can do to make her feel better?" I asked, worried and annoyed that Alcide had affected her so much that she second guessed almost everything.

"No" Amelia said quickly "Just keep being yourself, she trusts you, it's herself she keeps second guessing… I fucking hate Alcide."

"Does she know you called me?" I asked, glad that Sookie had such a good friend.

"Are you kidding!" she laughed "Of course not! I just thought you should know what was going on in her head, if she was acting weird later."

"Ok, I'll talk to her about it" I said "Thanks Amelia, Sookie is really lucky to have a friend like you"

"She is…bye Eric!" she quipped and hung up.

I laughed and dialed Sookie, I'd have to think about the Alcide situation and do something about it. I needed to make sure she knew I trusted her as much as she trusted me.

"I guess it's true when they say 'great minds think alike' huh?" she answered

"Sorry?" I laughed, completely confused, did I say that out loud?

"I was just about to call you and the phone started ringing in my hand" she giggled, sounding so cute I just had to laugh. Phew.

"How was your day, dear one?" I asked softly

"Fine, honey" she said with a smile, I loved it that she was comfortable enough to use a pet name "how was yours?"

"Lonely" I admitted "Is it stupid that I miss you when we've never met face to face?" I was completely turning into an emo poser, I had plenty of people I could hang out with during the day if I wanted to, but all I wanted to do was be with her.

"No honey…I missed you too" she sounded happy when she replied soothingly

"Good." I whispered, happy she didn't think I was a loser.

We babbled about our day and she mentioned the packet of cookies on the table in one of my photos. I immediately logged into the insomnia cookies website and ordered a variety shipped to her place, entering a message to include. I grinned as I thought of the grin the delivery would put on her face.

"Speaking of great ideas Mr. Northman" she said in a tone that made me think very, very bad things "When were you going to tell me about the part where you are sexy enough to work as an underwear model?"

I laughed loudly it took me a few seconds to calm down "Underwear model huh?" I asked with a chuckle "Glad to know you think I'm sexy." Woot! She thought I was sexy!

"Pfft… you knew you were already" she scoffed "You told me yourself you were chased all over campus by bimbos who thought you were hot… what difference does my opinion make?" she finished, with a laugh that put me in mind of candles, roses and satin. I shifted in bed, glad I wasn't constricted by clothing right now.

"It's the only one that matters" I answered, trying to keep the lust out of my voice.

"Now Eric… You'd better stop using that tone with me or there's going to be trouble." she said, sounding so sexy I suddenly wished I could fly so that I could shoot down to Louisiana and kiss her thoroughly

"What kind of tone?" I asked, my voice deepening again, not managing to keep the lust out this time. How the fuck did she do that?

"That kind of tone" she gasped

"I like trouble." I teased "If I was with you, you would probably like it too, min kära en" I said laughing gently, knowing what it did to her when I spoke Swedish.

"Hush you" she scolded "you know what your accent does to me"

Yes love… yes I did… I smiled to myself

"If you want me to go, I can hang up" I offered, knowing she wouldn't want me to go. I was really really wishing we were closer right about now

"No… I don't want you to go… I want you to be here…with me" she whispered

"I wish I was" I groaned.

"Hey, Eric?" she asked gently.

"Mmm?" I loved when she was all snuggly like this. It would be so much better if she was in my arms rather than my pillow.

"I love you." she whispered, her voice silky and sweet.

I was over the moon! I was doing a mental happy dance and thanking my lucky stars. She loved me!

"Not just because you're the most beautiful man I've ever seen" she continued "I love you because you're so funny and smart and sweet, you're kind and you are the biggest dork ever but you don't care…you're gentle and honest and I just had to tell you… you don't have to say it back… I know it's a little weird, considering we haven't exactly met yet, but I…"

"I love you too, Sookie" I interrupted gently "You're so different to everyone else I know, so sweet, that I couldn't help, but love you." I would do anything for this woman, she was my other half.

She giggled and then sighed "I really wish I could at least hug you right now"

"Me too my love…me too…" I agreed gently, I had been thinking the same thing half the night, I was glad to know she had too.

She told me about Amelia's reaction to seeing the photo of my car and I laughed so hard I nearly choked, which made us laugh harder. We chatted a little longer until she went quiet…I listened to her breathe for a few seconds… she had fallen asleep

"I'd better get to sleep" she said after few minutes, not realizing she had nodded off.

"Me too" I said sadly, I had a big day with Pam tomorrow

"I love you Eric Northman" she said gently

"I love you Sookie Stackhouse" I replied, more than you know I thought.

A few minutes after she had hung up I heard Pam stumble in so I got up and pulled on a pair of track pants and went out to talk with her while she ate. Obviously my note was no longer needed so I pulled it off her door.

"How was your spa day Pam?" I asked, giving her a one armed hug

"Glorious" she answered "I could live there."

"I was thinking of taking you around the local antique stores tomorrow, I know how much you love that vintage stuff" I said slumping into the opposite chair.

"Really!" she squeaked, perking up and clapping her hands like a little girl.

"Really" I laughed… she got excited about the weirdest stuff "And I thought we would go to N.Y.C on the weekend, I know you haven't been for a while"

"Squee!" she said with a huge grin "You're the best brother ever!" she added, kissed my cheek and walked off to her room.

I had known her all her life and she still confused me.

I went back to bed and pulled my pillow into my arms. I wished again that it was Sookie.

min lilla skitstövel – my little shithead