Apologies for the last excessively large last chapter! Thanks again for all of the amazing reviews, it really means the world to me. Without further ado...


Ch. 11.

Sookie awoke with the unmistakeable urge to vomit. She rubbed the crust from her eyes as she sat up in her bed, (having no idea how she got there) and whipped back the curtain that encircled her bed.

Her head was still spinning, so she didn't even notice the minefield of red solo cups leading all the way to her bedroom door! Her feet accidentally kicked over a cup or two and Sookie sighed with relief finding they were only filled with water and nothing sticky/disgusting.

"WHAT THE FUCK?" She shouted loud enough to wake up whoever was responsible for the prank, probably Jason.

Sookie started to tip toe around the cups, but there were just so many! How could she have possibly slept through the guys putting this many plastic cups from her bed all the way to her bedroom door!

"Son of A- WHO DID THIS? OH, You just opened up a Whole Can of Worms! YOU GUYS ARE LUCKY I'M LIKE CATHERINE FUCKING ZETA UP IN HERE!"

She had to admit, it was a pretty funny prank. A little water never hurt anyone. Her wine induced headache/hangover was somewhat forgotten with every carefully placed step around all the plastic cups. Sookie was surprised no one had come in to watch her struggle through the Danger Zone. Maybe they were just as hungover as she was and were lying comfortably in their beds, sleeping away the pain?

Finally, Sook had made her way to the cup-free doorway, managing to only spill 3 or 4 cups on her pilgrimage to the bathroom. She flung open the door taking a deep breath, ready to commence the shit-talking to whoever was responsible for her bedroom and was SHOCKED When a tidal wave of cold water poured over her bare feet and legs! A giant trash can filled with gallons of water was propped against the door just waiting for her to open it up. At the same time, another bucket slammed into her already throbbing skull, pouring ice cold water into her hair and drenching her blouse.

"Fuuuuck," she muttered to herself, arms out to the side, her teeth already chattering from the cold.

Everyone was standing in the hallway giggling like school girls while Sookie stood there awkwardly, looking much like a drowned rat! Droplets of water were falling from her chin and a fire for revenge was burning behind her eyes.

She scanned them each carefully, all topless, sexy, muscular, and laughing. No one seemed surprised, therefore they would each feel her wrath! Jason and Eric stood close together at the end of the hall, looking the most guilty (or smug) about the typhoon that mysteriously hit Sookie's room, so with a scathing sneer, she zeroed in on Eric.

"How COULD You?" Her tone and dead-serious expression caused every guy to stop laughing and hold their breath. Jason had said Sookie loved pranks, maybe her time with Bill had taken it's toll on her sense of humor?

Sookie almost felt bad for Eric. He had acted so victorious when she first exited the room, but since she had snapped at him, his giant blue eyes were filled with Panic! His shoulders dropped apologetically, and his Adams Apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed.

"Sookie, I, I'm-"

"You let me SLEEP, in that bed, same one as Jason, BEFORE YOU LET ME BURN THOSE SHEETS?" Alcide and Claude hunched over cracking up while Eric and Jason sighed in relief.

Magically, the need to hurl came back with a vengeance. Sookie politely excused herself from every half-naked man in the hall, making her way to the toilet.

After a good 10 minutes of projectile vomiting and flushing, Sookie finally exited the stall, somewhat embarrassed. Now everyone she lived with had heard her throwing up.

Topless Eric was leaning in the doorway, holding out her large fantasy football t-shirt, the one with the wizard. Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. She didn't realize she had left that dirty shirt in her locker. Sookie took the shirt from him and nodded her thanks before sneaking back into the stall to change out of her soaked clothes.

She blushed once she had fully disrobed. She couldn't remember the last time she had gone without wearing underwear for so long! Once covered by the dry T-shirt, she walked out of the stall, tossing her wet clothes at Eric's feet.

"I believe you're on laundry detail, Northman." He smirked but continued to lean against the doorway, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

Sookie turned towards the sink and held back the scream from seeing her reflection. She looked worse than she felt! Her hair was a greasy knot of dripping wet, blonde hair poking out in every direction. There were bags around her eyes mixed with her smeared eyeliner. She was pale despite her hard earned tan, and her mouth was filmy from the dryness of last nights sleep (plus her early morning upchuck).

She groaned seeing the reflection of Perfect fucking Eric Northman behind her, smirking. Sacrificing her humor and quick wit to the hangover gods, Sookie rolled her eyes and reached for her hair clip, pinning her disastrous hair back. Out of sight, out of mind! Oddly enough, the strange combo of dirty greasy hair and angle of the clip worked in her favor! She could never be good enough to style her hair in such a Rock fashion (with all that volume) during normal circumstances!

She reached for her tooth brush, going to Town cleaning up her mouth, minty toothpaste frothing around her mouth. Her eyes met Eric's a few times through the mirror, no words were exchanged, but they continued to smile at one another throughout Sookie's rigorous brushing. Things became embarrassing again as Sook brushed her tongue and gagged. Eric just laughed and escorted her wet clothes to the laundry room, leaving Sookie to groom herself in private.

Shirtless-Eric grabbed a couple of ibuprofen from the stash of pain relievers and cold medicines in the kitchen before making his way back to Sookie and almost wished he had stayed in bed that morning instead...

It was as though Eric was turned to stone in Sookie's doorway by the spellbinding sight that greeted him. Sookie was bending over, reaching for a solo cup of water, and she still wasn't wearing any underwear!

It wasn't a full-on flashing, but it afforded him a great view of her thighs, the bottom curvature of her naked ass cheeks, and just a hint of the treasure Eric often fantasized pillaging.

Before he had a chance to pick his jaw up off the floor, Sookie stood up and chugged the plastic cup full of water. She must have felt someone behind her and rotated around on her tip-toes, still sipping from the bright red cup.

She was really trying to rehydrate herself since some of the water she was gulping managed to slide past her lips and down her chin. This moment would have been Eric's go-to spank bank material from then to senior citizenship if it wasn't for the "kill me now" expression on her face. Yes, she had cleaned up considerably since she first burst through her door and into their traps, but she still looked miserable.

Eric took pity on her and offered her the capsules of pain relief. He was tempted to blush when she beamed up at him with gratitude. Her current cup of prank water wasn't enough to help her swallow the pills, so Sookie threw the empty plastic cup haphazardly over her shoulder before crouching down to pick up a new one. Eric, suddenly a gentleman, looked away as she continued to sit on her haunches and drink the ibu and water. The sight of her smooth, thick thighs was far too tempting for him.

"Need some help cleaning up?" Eric risked glancing at her over his shoulder, she was standing up, still cradling her skull in her hands.

"No way, I don't need to feel guilty whenever I teach you a lesson in pranks..ya know, sometime within the next couple Weeks..." she said in an ominous whisper.

"The thought never even crossed my mind." He smirked at her, but Sookie only shrugged in response.

Eric was thoroughly enjoying watching Sookie stumble around in hangover misery, especially because she was usually super happy and bright, all the time. It was comforting to see the woman who Eric considered ethereal appear to be so downright human!

He took it upon himself to start removing the sea of red Solo cups since she was still rubbing her temples. Each of the cups was only half-filled with water so Eric would consolidate the fluids, pouring out one cup into another and stacking the empty ones underneath those that were now full.

From the corner of his eye he watched Sookie deftly maneuver through the cups. She really was like Catherine Zeta Jones, silently tip toeing through danger...

She was trying to be sneaky while Eric was occupied picking up cups, doing her best to look inconspicuous while grabbing a pair of panties. She could feel herself blush as she pulled the lacey curtain around her bed to half-cover herself while stepping into her underwear.

Part of her wanted to skip the simple boyshorts and just crawl back into bed, but both ideas seemed impossible with Eric in her room. The guy was looking as beautiful as ever, with his bed-tussled hair, his body bending and reaching this way and that...without a shirt on! She needed some sort of barrier there to collect the moisture soon to cascade down her thighs and legs.

She blushed again thinking about the night before. The conversation still seemed a bit fuzzy to her, but she would never forget the feeling of Eric holding her hand, lying beside her until she fell asleep. It was possible Jas had only sent him in to make sure she was asleep for their prank, but it all felt too real; too comfortable sharing her bed with him. She really did hate sleeping alone.

Eric didn't miss Sookie struggling to pull her panties over her hips while hiding behind a curtain and had to turn his back on her to keep his cool.

Alcide walked in a few minutes later, arms up against her doorway as he asked if she needed any help, but Sookie could see he was already dressed for work and politely declined. Alcide raised his eyebrows to Eric before leaving, but the Viking chose to ignore him as he continued collecting cups.

"Oh! Alcide! Do you know what time it is?" Alcide took a step backwards in the hallway to answer her.

"Yeah, it's almost 11, why? You got somewhere to be this afternoon?" Sookie shook her head but kept her bright smile on her face.

"Nah, just makin' plans to feed everyone lunch, well, if they're here. Do you know if Claude will be around? Or does he have work too?"

"Aw, I think he'll miss lunch, too. Pretty sure he's got work around noon."

"Kay, thanks! I won't keep ya any longer. Looks like it'll just be me, Jas, and Eric! Have fun at work, Be safe!" Alcide fake saluted her as he walked away from the crime scene. As soon as she heard the front door close, Sookie sprinted through the cups (not spilling a drop of water) and mumbled out "Excuse me Eric, I'll Be Right Back!"

She had the best manners.

Eric continued to work on cups and saw Sookie dash past her doorway (both directions) multiple times. He was beginning to get a little curious, so he collected an armful of water cups and followed the sounds of Sookie in the kitchen. Just as he rounded the corner, he saw Sookie slam one of the higher kitchen cabinets closed and spun around to pose sexily/innocently against the counter. Her chest was heaving as she struggled to catch her breath and she had her "crazy Sookie" smile going on. Eric cocked an eyebrow and Sookie started laughing as she tip toed back to her room to finish cleaning up the Cuptastrophe!

8 minutes later, Eric and Sookie had gathered up the stockpile of cups and poured their contents down the kitchen sink. She used Jason and Alcide's towels to soak up the majority of water spillage (from the bucket and water-filled trash can) and hung them back on their respected racks in the bathroom. That'd be a fun surprise for them after a nice relaxing shower. She winked at Eric and he smiled and nodded in return.

Claude stepped into the bathroom, onto her little "moist towelette" prank and was sure to check his own towel before stepping cautiously into the shower. He eyed Sookie warily, but she just smiled innocently before checking on Jas and Eric chatting it up in the kitchen.

Jason was hosting his own Food Network show as he narrated what he was whipping up, how long he planned to cook it for, and the appropriate temp. for each dish while he worked circles around a wide-eyed Eric. Sookie couldn't help but giggle.

Since Jas seemed to have breakfast under control (even though it was more towards lunch time), Sookie fixed herself a giant mug of coffee and took a seat on one of the stools at the counter to have a great view of the action.

Eric's tall stature really was quite comical to see constantly standing in Jason's way. Finally, Jas gave up trying to sell Eric as his talented and Sexy assistant, twisting up then Whipping him in the ass with a dishcloth shouting: "If ya can't take the heat, then get on out my kitchen!"

Eric raised his arms up in the air, respectfully bowing out of Jason's hair, then took a seat next to Sookie. They grinned and playfully nudged one another with elbows, but neither dared to speak and interrupt Jason's 'Paula Dean' moment.

Claudine burst through the door dressed in a flashy halter top and tiny, frilly white skirt. She dropped her purse LOUDLY onto the wood floors and Shrieked with excitement seeing Jason wielding a spatula in the kitchen!

"JAAAS!"

"KARATE KID!" Jason threw down his spatula and raced over to sweep Claudine up in a hug. She was a good Foot taller than him, so he ended up locking his arms just under her ass so he could lift her up and spin her around.

Sookie stood up and winked a whole secret conversation to Eric as she took over Jason's forgotten meal. The pancakes were already finished, but she still needed to tend to his potatoes and sausage links.

Jason and Claudine began chatting a mile a minute, almost like long lost gal-pals because the first thing Jas mentioned was how long her hair had grown since the last time he visited. She teased him about his new fashion statement (Sookie's floral printed apron he was sporting), and Jas somehow managed to flip up the back of her skirt, leaving Claudine in a fit of high-pitched giggles. Had that been Any other man than Jason, she would have gone crouching tiger on his ass!

Eric sat back and sipped his coffee as he watched the two laugh and tease one another. He found himself slightly pissed off at Claudine for keeping the Stackhouse's to herself for all these years. He even went as far as to blame Claude for never giving Sookie a chance, since he knew OF her, but just assumed she'd be a self-absorbed twit like the Rest of Claudine's girlfriends... To be honest, Eric had met and/or slept with a lot of Claudine's friends, so he didn't have much faith upon meeting Sookie either.

Sook was plating what was left of Jason's meal for the group when Claudine and Jas got on the topic of how GREAT it was that Sookie had finally left Bill for good. Eric watched Sook carefully, and while the two Chatty Cathy's went on and on about it, Sookie's mouth would clench up, like she really was biting her tongue.

After finally having enough of them talking about her failure of a relationship Right in Front of her, Sookie slammed the tray of flapjacks onto the counter and opened her mouth to give them a piece of her mind -Only to be interrupted by the sound of a hair dryer going off, Immediately followed by a "WHAT THE FUCK?" from the bathroom.

Sookie's previously enraged face was replaced with a mischievous grin that made Eric's heart skip a beat. Sook grabbed plates and sauntered to their large dining room table, setting up breakfast for the crew.

"Real mature, STACKHOUSE!" Claude walked out of the hall with droplets of water dripping onto their floor. He was towel-clad and Sookie fought the muscles in her face to keep from laughing at his face.

She had loaded his blow dryer with all purpose flour and now it was caked onto his silky (wet) black hair as well as a large portion of his perfect face.

"Oh, Claude...did you do something new to your hair?" Sookie managed to keep a straight face, though Eric laughed out loud and attempted to cover it up with coughs.

"CLAUDE! I thought you had to go to work!" His sister rushed to his aide. "Didn't know you were going ANTIQUING today, HAHAHA!"

"Oh you girls are Too Fucking Funny, Ha, Ha, Ha..." Jason joined the party as he teased Claude about his now bloodshot eye. Claude then excused himself to shower Again, and everyone sat down to breakfast.

"So, what are we doing today?" Claudine asked while stealing a sausage link off Sookie's plate even though there was a tray full of cooked sausage in the center of the table.

"Um, nap? We all had a rough night last night, so I'm not really up for adventure right now." Claudine nodded as she tried to figure out something fun to do.

"Sunbathe on the roof?" Sookie caught Eric's eyes and immediately began blushing, damn eccentric bikini wax!

"You know I love the sun, but all that wine! I just need to hide in the shadows for a day, and I hate to say it after that prank, but I should definitely Rehydrate..."

"MMM! YES, GREAT IDEA!" she shouted with a mouth full of breakfast. "Let's try out that jacuzzi in the locker room! You'll let me borrow a suit, right Sookie?" Sook chewed her food but nodded a yes.

"Well y'all better not start without us! Eric and I might go grocery shopping after breakfast."

The chair Sookie was sitting in was an old-fashioned wooden office chair, so Eric, who was sitting next to her, surprised her as he wheeled her right up beside him.

"Why's he trying so hard to domesticate me?" He whispered into her ear, causing a delicious and completely involuntary shiver to run through her.

"He leaves in a couple days," she whispered back. "He just wants to make sure I'll be taken care of." She flashed Eric an apologetic smile.

"Ah, I see." He pushed Sookie's office chair away and shoveled another fork full of pancakes into his mouth, leaving syrup sliding down the side of his mouth. He was so garsh darned cute, Sookie couldn't resist...

She wheeled her chair forcefully back into Eric's, his arm absorbing most of the blow. Sookie first licked her thumb then used it to sweep up the stickiness off of Eric's face.

"He's my big brother. Old habits die hard." She smiled brightly and wheeled back to her own plate, leaving Eric with a goofy closed mouth grin.

Breakfast was delicious. Claude came out looking Spectacular as always before kissing his sister (and then Sookie) on the cheek, then Racing out the door to make it to "work" on time. Sookie still managed to shove a sausage link into his mouth before his departure. That Sookie...Always making sure the menfolk were fed.

The Stackhouse's had barely started to put away leftovers when Sookie's phone went off. She took a few steps away from everyone so it wouldn't seem As rude to answer the call, but it was still within range for the boys to listen in.

"Stan! Hey, how are you? ... ... Great, as a matter of fact! What can I do ya for? .. ... Oh! Well, tomorrow? uhhh.." Sookie looked apprehensive, held a hand up, and stared at Jason with uneasiness.

"I mean, suuuure? It's just, my brother's in town, BUT THAT'S OKAY! It's just dinner after all..." Eric's felt an uncomfortable lump in his throat. "Yea. Okay... Yep. 7:30. Yep. Sure, I'll text you the address. Okay, I'll see you then. Bye."

Sookie pressed End and didn't even notice her own grimace. She sighed and turned to her audience. When had Claudine slipped into the kitchen?

"So who's Stan?" She asked while crossing her arms in front of her chest. Claudine didn't look too happy.

"We work together, he's kinda been my friend for a while now." She studied her bare feet like they were the most interesting things in the world. "I ran into him at Eric's club, he suggested lunch, but now he called and asked me out on a Real date."

"I've never heard of him before. Stan..." Jason made a face as though saying his name left a funky aftertaste in his mouth.

"Well, yeah..I mean, why would I mention him, he's just a friend and all."

"Sook, you mention EVERY friend you have, because anybody that could stick around even though you were with Bill must have a heart of Gold!" Jason cast a wink to Claudine.

"Ughk, well what does it matter? Why can't y'all just be excited for me? I just got asked out on a date, a real date! Probably the first one since, well actually my first date ever!"

Sookie was smiling, but there was still a twinge of sadness lingering after her lack-of-dating confession. Eric couldn't even imagine anything more fucked up than the fact a beautiful person like Sookie had never been Properly Dated before!

A major part of him fucking hated Stan. He had met the guy and he was definitely nothing to write home about. Now that the dweeb had beaten him at becoming Sookie's first date, somehow..? Eric wanted nothing more than to kick his ass!

-Except-

He had already sworn to do whatever it'd take to make Sookie happy. Eric ran a hand through his lengthy blonde hair and sighed in frustration. Defeated, he closed the distance between them, slung his arm over her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

"Congratulations, Sookie." She stared up at him, puzzled to say the least. He offered her a small smile before walking towards the hall.

"AND JUST WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?" Claudine shouted as he walked.

"Someone's gotta fire up that Jacuzzi. Go put on a suit, Claude!" Sookie's Model-Friend stuck her tongue out at the back of Eric's head and Jason tried to catch up with the giant Swede.

Eric turned on the jets and walked back to his room to retrieve decent hot tub attire for him and Jason. Once they were safely away from the women, Jason practically slammed the bedroom door closed behind them.

"Well THAT went well! What the fuck, Eric! You just gave her your blessing to go on a date with some asshole!" Eric shrugged.

"You've never met the guy..."

"Sounds like you did. So, was he? Was he an asshole?"

"No, Jason. Not an asshole. Total fucking sweetheart. I'm not sure what all she sees in him, I'm not even fucking sure what our Bouncer saw I'm him to let the guy in."

"Fuck! See! Well, why didn't you say something to her? Shoulda put your foot down while you had the chance!"

"Ok, I'm not saying this to be a dick, but Forbidding Sookie from seeing someone, it's sort of your thing, and how well has that worked out for you?" Jason scowled and walked to the other side of Eric's room to put on his borrowed swim trunks.

It was sort of weird, after his heart to heart with Jason Stackhouse last night, Eric had assumed he had outgrown his protective older brother habits, but now Jas was pacing around the room like he was ready to crack a few skulls. This only confused Eric more...

Why was he trying so hard to help Eric out? Why didn't he threaten to kick his ass for even Thinking about his baby sister? Why was Jason all bent out of shape over a nerd co-worker while standing in Eric's corner? Eric. The guy who has never been in a serious relationship before...

"Besides," Eric called out across the room, "you were the one who suggested I Don't pursue her..."

"Yeah yeah. Come on, maybe we can eavesdrop and shit."

Jason turned the doorknob sloooowly, as not to make any sound. He crept silently down the hall, his back and palms to the wall, carefully crossing one foot over the other until he edged up to the locker room entrance. He held a fist up, signaling for Eric to hold his position.

Eric held his breath to keep from laughing at Jason's stupid stealth maneuvers. It was so much easier to imagine him and Sookie playing ninjas now! He could hear the women taking in the echoey bath and quickly snuck up next to Jason to hear what they were talking about.

He knew he looked like an idiot. Something about Jason (and Sookie, for that matter) brought out this childishness about him. Eric hadn't felt so immature since...

"Come on! I thought you'd be Happy! What happened to that whole "best way to get over a man is to get under a new one" speech?"

"I stand by that! But Sookie, this is your Freedom Fuck! Do you really wanna waste it on Stan..?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, I guess?" she mumbled unconvincingly. There was a pause before Sookie started again defensively. "Yeah! I'mma tap that like a Maple Tree!" Claudine laughed.

Jason had paled significantly and leaned to whisper to Eric.

"Well, I thought I'd be able to listen to this shit, but I was wrong." He moved past Eric but gave him a couple pats on the shoulder for good luck (with the eavesdropping?) before retreating back to Eric's bedroom. The Viking shrugged.

"Sookie, Stan is not the man for the job. You know that If you sleep with him he's going to expect the world out of you! He'll probably call his mom DURING and let her know you're moving in with them!" Sookie's laughter bounced off the bathroom walls.

"Ughhh, I know you're right, it's just...Bill's the only man I've ever been with. Stan just screams Safe. I know he'd Never laugh seeing me naked."

"Yeah, because Stan would Jizz in his pants just from seeing you Topless! Naked, he'd probably pass the fuck out!" They both laughed and Eric could hear water splashing as they moved about the jacuzzi.

"Sookie, sweetie, you've Only been with Bill. If memory serves, Bill didn't even ring your bell! This fantastic opportunity just fell into your lap, and you've just gotta take it, and run with it!

You see, your freedom fuck is supposed to be amazing and crazy! It should be with someone whose body just calls out to you, begging you to do the dirtiest things you can imagine in the craziest positions you can bend into! It should be with someone you dare only dream about fucking, not someone...safe.

Does Stan get your blood pumping? Do you wanna rip his clothes off and taste every inch of him?" Sookie still didn't answer. "Fuck! Have you at least imagined him naked?"

"Claudine, he's a really nice guy."

"That's a terrible reason to sleep with someone! Sookie Stackhouse! This is your freedom fuck, I wanna be cheering you on with my Mel Gibson blue face paint, and if Stan is the Geek I saw sitting with you at the bar, I just don't think I can do that for you!

You've fucked the same "average" sized Dick for years, the same boring positions, even at scheduled times during the week! You deserve GREAT sex! MULTIPLE-orgasms! That guy looks like his arms will shake just holding his own body weight up while you're going at it! Please trust me, you CAN do so better for your first rodeo."

"Okay, I get what you're saying. It's just, he's interested, so I don't have to fear rejection. And, well. It's sort of something the guys said last night. It's just, I'm so out of practice! The way I see it, Stan might be the only guy out there who won't get hung up the fact I might be a bad lay."

"WHAT?"

"That reminds me, do you think we can go shopping later, maybe for lingerie?"

"What the fuck did you just say to me, Sookie Stackhouse?"

"I'm sorry! I can't help but think maybe it's something I did in bed, or Didn't do that made Bill look elsewhere. Maybe I just wasn't Exciting enough, or adventurous, maybe?"

Eric could not believe his ears. He hadn't taken in breath in God knows how long, trying not to miss a single second of their conversation.

"Sookie, listen to me. Bill cheated on you because he's an idiot and a douche, NOT because you're bad in bed."

Eric heard sniffles and could only assume Sookie was about to cry. He had heard enough. He hated Stan and was regretting letting Bill off with just a warning instead of thoroughly beating his ass, but hearing Sookie cry was something he simply could not stand.

"Ladies, your entertainment had arrived..."

Eric kicked one leg out into the doorway and pointed his toe. He flexed his calf muscle and teased the women with a view of just his tantalizing leg.

Claudine could catcall like a construction worker, and Sookie's professional whistling encouraged Eric to bound towards the hottub, leaping in, (landing mostly on Sookie's lap) and splashing a large amount of the steamy water out of the jacuzzi.

Jason must have heard their screams and giggles since he jumped in next, getting nice and cozy on Eric's lap while the girls laughed.

"So what's with the Karate Kid thing?" Eric asked, trying to avoid the topic of Sookie's first date with Stan. He still wasn't exactly sure how that was even possible since she had been with Bill, after all.

"Claudine's a mixed martial artist," Sookie chimed in.

"What?" Everyone shared a laugh at Eric's expense.

"Nah, that's just my nickname for her. Ya know how the Karate Kid beats that Cobra asshole with a Crane-style kick? Well, the first night I ever got with Claudine, she kicked the shit out of me in her sleep. The name just fit."

The group carried on sharing stories for a few minutes before Sookie stood up in the water. Eric felt drool building up in his mouth and slowly swallowed it all up in one unsubtle gulp.

Sookie Stackhouse is a fucking goddess.

Since he first stepped into the bubbling jacuzzi, Eric had been fighting off his instincts to stare at her exquisite breasts as they attempted to escape the small confines of her shimmering, royal blue bikini top. It was impossible to avoid now. Gravity did it's finest work, drawing droplets of water down every delectable inch of her. This scene was a million times better than running into Sookie after her shower.

"This hottub requires beer. I'll be right back."

He was 100% sure that his mouth was hanging wide open and he barely reacted to Jason's punch to his shoulder. Eric refused to blink as she moved past him, rising from the bubbly water. There was no doubt in his mind that his ancestors would have killed one another for a chance to claim a woman as perfect as Sookie.

She moved quickly, so Eric did his best to memorize every inch of her now that he had her so close. For the life of him, he couldn't remember seeing such a natural looking tan on a woman, there was no orange to be found on Sookie, no sir. He grew painfully hard as he mentally made plans to do sinfully depraved things to different parts of her body, including that belly button!

Eric clenched his jaw as she climbed out of the tub. Every molecule in his body wanted him to turn around to watch her bikini-clad ass jiggle as she walked out of the bathroom and out into the hall.

He slowly let out the breath he had been holding, glanced at Claudine and Jason, and smirked in response to their knowing looks. The two began whispering to one another so Eric stretched his arms out against his lone side of the tub.

They heard Sookie coming towards them, the glass beer bottles clanging together as she walked. Eric leaned his head back to look at her and she smiled sweetly down to him, handing him the first beer. It was already opened and everything! Eric couldn't help thinking how he could get used to a beautiful, curvy woman (squeezed into a small bikini), delivering him ice cold beers.

Sookie proceeded to open and disperse the other three beers before stepping back into the jacuzzi, taking her seat next to Eric.

"So what's new back in Bon Temps brother?"

"Um, it's Bon Temps? Nothing exciting has happened since that time Hoyt's above ground swimmin' pool burnt down."

"I still can't wrap my mind around that one." Sookie shook her head and sipped from her beer. "How is Hoyt? Come on, what have y'all gotten up to? Lay it on me. What's the scuttlebutt?" Jay laughed into his beer bottle.

"Well, just last week, me, catfish, Hoyt, and Kevin headed over to Rene's place. He got one them fancy compound bows? So we're just shooting at random shit in the wilderness, but still sort of towards the Road. So this girl starts walking down the road and the guys keep on shooting! I mean, they weren't aiming at her or nothing, but shit, accidents happen!"

"Did she get hurt?" Claudine asks in a concerned whisper.

"Naw, just gave me a fright is all." Jason took another swig of beer.

"You should have wrote her a message, shot it over by arrow. She opens it, it just says "RUN.", hahaha!"

How could you not love a girl like Sookie? Any normal girl would have been embarrassed that her brother was telling white-trashy stories in front of her professional model best friend. Then again, Sookie's not your average girl.

"I could probably shoot a bow and arrow," Claudine shrugged. Jason and Sookie looked at one another for a spell and then started laughing in her face.

"Aww, sweetie. No. I don't even think you could pull the string back. There's a lot of resistance there." Claudine huffed at her friend.

"Pft, how are you so sure? I am tougher than I look! AND, I go to the gym regularly!"

"Yeah, and using the elliptical for an hour won't help that much.." Jason cracked up at Sookie's joke.

"Hey! I'm really strong! I'm Serious!" Sook dove across the tub to her friend, grasping her bicep.

"Daaayum! Maybe you could, Claudine! Who invited THUNDER," then she squeezed her other arm, "and LIGHTENING to the party?"

Everyone laughed as the girls splashed one another.

Maybe Eric was just paranoid, but he felt like everyone was watching him a little too closely. Like they were grinning and laughing at him. Maybe. One thing was certain, they were all acting weird.

"Sook, be a doll, and fetch your brother another beer, would ya?" Jason's tone was playful, but Sookie's eyes narrowed.

"Jason Stackhouse, you are a guest in our home (Eric loved it whenever she'd call it our), but if you need another beer, you can get up off your LAZY, G-"

"I'll get it," Eric interrupted, "anyone else need another?" The Stackhouse siblings were stunned silent, and Claudine was all smiles.

Eric lugged his giant limbs out of the jacuzzi and reached for a towel to half dry himself before trekking water throughout the apartment. He caught something different as he passed his reflection in the bathroom mirror, and then stopped to do a double take.

HIS LIPS WERE BLUE!

"The..fuck?" Everyone started to jump out of the water, laughing hysterically at Eric.

"It's just food coloring, it'll wash off in a day!"

"Where did you- we don't even own food coloring!"

"Aww, sweetie, I teach second grade.." Sookie was slowly trying to inch her way towards the door. Eric reached for his beer bottle to inspect the top.

"I look like I've just blown a SMURF!" Sookie started to cackle as she ran away from him. He brushed his lips against the bottle once more before chasing after her.

He caught up to her quickly, what with his long legs and her bare feet slipping in the water dripping freely down her body.

He brought her down swiftly (yet gently) to the hallway floor, his arms encircling her frame, his knees and elbows trapping her against the wood. She gasped as their eyes met, almost fearful of his playful smile, and then he began to plant tickling kisses against her neck! Sookie grunted through her laughter as he noisily worked his mouth over her collarbones and the top of her chest.

She was laughing so hard she could barely breathe, even though there was nothing funny about the situation. He held her body so tightly against him that Sookie became overwhelmed by his sent, the feel of his breath against her moist skin, not to mention the goose bumps that arose from the feel of his warm mouth!

Every swipe of his expert tongue would make her shiver, every nip from his teeth would make her arch against him, and every time he'd suck her flesh briefly into his mouth her eyes would roll back into her skull.

Thank God he couldn't reach her breasts from the angle he was holding her. She was barely holding it together as it was!

Yet somehow Eric would continue making his playful little growls, so Sookie continued to laugh and squirm.

Her attempts to kick only made things worse, much worse. The way she was pinned, every kicked only made her thighs rub against each other. Her heart was racing and luckily the hot tub water camouflaged her thoroughly soaked bikini bottoms.

She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so excited! Hell, she wasn't exactly sure she had ever wanted anyone as bad as she wanted Eric at that moment.

And then it happened..

Eric endeavored to plant a sloppy, food-colored kiss on her cheek, but through her struggles, he ended up kissing the corner of her delicious mouth.

They both froze.

Sookie stared into his ice blue eyes (and down to his lips of blue, too), watching them glaze over with a lust she had never known.

Eric looked down at a wide eyed Sookie, her ample chest heaving as she panted in his arms.

He only hesitated for her sake, fearing she would only run away and pretend none of this had ever happened. In reality, Sookie was ready to give him anything he wanted. she had never felt so alive!

Maybe it was because of Claudine's pep-talk, but for the life of her, she couldn't think of a single reason Eric shouldn't be her freedom fuck...

Shit, they live together. That's right.

Through their fog of sexual tension came two disembodied voices from down the hall.

"Come on karate kid, take a shower with me."

"Why? Jas, we were just in the tub! There's no chlorine in it."

"Yeah, but, I mean. It's dirty." long pause. "I peed in it..?"

Sookie and Eric burst out laughing. She stared fondly at his bobbing Adams apple before he leaned forward to place a final kiss on her forehead.

"Maybe you should get together a load of laundry for me, Sookie. I'll be in the kitchen, trying to wash this shit off my lips."

Eric disentangled himself from her warm, wet body and awkwardly helped her up. She still seemed dazed and it took her a moment to snap out of it and walk towards her room.

After scrubbing at the blue with scalding hot water, Eric decided to check on the status of Sookie's dirty clothes. Maybe if Jason Stackhouse could see him in action (washing, drying, folding), he'd find him domesticated enough to forgo the grocery shopping.

He stopped just before entering her room, her door was ajar and she was speaking with somebody. He leaned over to get a better view inside, even though the last time he had done this he ended up storming out of the building...

Sookie was on the phone, pacing back and forth in her bikini. Eric smiled at all the light specks of blue adorning her neck and chest. She turned to face her window and Eric spotted a tattoo barely peeking out atop her bikini bottom. So, Sookie Stackhouse has a tramp stamp! He smirked at his new discovery then strained his ears to listen to her conversion.

"Stan, uh-huh. I'm sorry I won't be available tomorrow after all. Yeah. Well, it's been years since I've seen him last, and he did fly all the way over from Louisiana..."

This day just kept getting better and better.

Eric strut past the bathroom and heard Jason and Claudine giggling as they shut off the shower, but Jas wasn't laughing for long.

"OH, WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO MY TOWEL?"


NEXT CHAPTER IS THE WEDDING.. and what you've all REALLY been waiting for! mwahahahah!