I hope you guys like this and will let me know how I'm doing; it's my second attempt at a multi-chaptered SVM story. Any comments would be much appreciated and unfortunately, I own nothing, except for the few original characters I snuck in there. I own Eric in my dreams, but that's about it.

Chapter 1

"Sookie, can we please talk about this? You're being irrational."

She gave him a look that could kill. "I'm being irrational? Tell me, Bill, how did you think I would react when I come home to find you in our bed with your ex-girlfriend? A woman, who not five days ago you said you were completely over. I just knew there was something going on between you two, but you know what? I don't even care. This conversation is over; I want nothing more to do with you. We're done, pack up your things and get out. I swear, Bill Compton, you better be gone by the time I get home from work." Sookie Stackhouse stormed out of the apartment, not looking back once.

"That fucking douche, I always knew you shouldn't trust him."

Sookie rolled her eyes. "I could do without the 'I told you so' right now, Amelia. We were together for two years. He broke up with Lorena because she was unfaithful, and he goes and does the same thing to me? With that bitch, of all people? Do you know how utterly embarrassing that is? And living in a small town like Bon Temps, word has already seemed to travel. I got sympathy looks from two old ladies when I was at the market earlier today. Luckily Bill is already moved out; I would have killed him if I found him waiting for me, giving me more of his lame excuses. There is no good enough excuse for cheating on someone."

Amelia nodded, a thought suddenly forming in her brain. "I know just what you need, Sook, a vacation. You and Bill planned on going to New York next month, right? Well, I say screw him, you should still go. Clear your head, I think you could really use the break. And I know Sam will give you the much needed time off from the bar, he's always hated Bill. The trip is already paid for with the loser's money, you should totally take advantage of it."

Sookie gave that some consideration, a smile gracing her features. She had hardly been anywhere outside of Louisiana her whole life, and always wanted to see New York City. Sookie had been looking forward to this trip for a while, and she wasn't about to let Bill's betrayal stop her from going. This was just what she needed.

After the plane ride from hell, where she was stuck next to a very perverted, smelly man, Sookie finally left the airport after retrieving her luggage, with surprisingly no problems. A cab took her to the hotel, which had a beautiful view of Central Park. Sookie took in the sights before her, making notes of everything she planned on seeing in the two weeks she would be spending there. She wanted to take in a play or two, visit museums, and maybe go on a sight seeing tour that she heard so much about. It was a good thing she brought her digital camera, Sookie expected to take lots of pictures to show everyone back home.

Her cell phone ringing broke her out of her daydream, digging through her purse to retrieve it, and flipping it open without looking to see who it was first.

"Sook, where the hell are you? Ames said you were leaving town, but she wouldn't give me any details. What did that fucker do?"

She rolled her eyes, an overprotective brother being the last thing she needed at the moment. They weren't all that close, but he liked to act all caring to make up for never being there for her when they were kids. "I'm sure you've heard the gossip, Jason. I broke up with Bill, and now I'm on our New York vacation by myself. Amelia convinced me to go, but it didn't take much."

"You sure that's a good idea, sis? That's a big place, I don't know if you can handle it on your own."

All right, now she was irritated. "Just what is that supposed to mean? I'm a grown woman, Jason, more than capable of taking care of myself. Look, you're used to being the town gossip, but I'm not. I couldn't stand being around all those sympathetic people for one more second. Yes, Bill cheated on me, but I'm not going to be destroyed because of it. I'll keep you posted so you won't be worried, but I have to get going. I only have two weeks to try and see everything that I can. This will probably be my only chance." They chatted some more, and after Jason warned her of muggers and rapists, he finally let her hang up. "Thanks, bro, as if I wasn't already nervous enough."

Central Park was huge, that's all there was to it. She saw it in movies, but that did not do it justice. Sookie sat down on a bench, taking her romance novel out. She was scheduled for a tour later in the day, and wanted to kill some time before then. Being out in the fresh air was better than being stuck inside her room, it was way too quiet. She was so lost in the words before her, but a cry had her turning her attention on two little girls nearby. The younger one was crying and holding her leg, while the older one was trying to comfort her. Sookie immediately ran over to them, putting her book back inside of her purse.

"Are you okay?" she asked them, the older girl shook her blonde hair out of her face, giving Sookie a look.

"We're fine, my sister just fell down. She can be such a klutz sometimes."

Sookie gazed at the younger girl, who looked no more than six or seven, tears in her eyes. "Here, let me see," she bent down to take a look at the girl's knee. "It's only a little scrape; I think I have a band-aid in here somewhere." She went searching through the contents of her bag, her eyes lighting up when she came across what she was looking for. "There we go," Sookie said, taking the bandage out and placing it over the girl's knee, smiling up at her. "There, you're as good as new."

She returned her smile, standing up with her sister's help.

"You two aren't here alone, are you? Where's your mother?"

They looked saddened for a second, the younger girl rubbing her eyes. "We don't have a mommy."

Sookie's heart broke for these girls, but even without a mother, there had to be someone looking for them. That was confirmed a moment later when a masculine voice yelled out for the girls, a man soon jogging over to them. Sookie's jaw nearly dropped at the sight of him, he was by far the most stunning man she'd ever seen. Tall, muscular build, but not overly so, wearing a tank top with long, blond hair that was tied back in a pony tail. In other words, he was beyond gorgeous.

"What have I told you about wandering off by yourself? I'm sorry if they've bothered you, miss."

Once the shock wore off, Sookie shook her head. "They're not a bother."

"I fell down, but this nice lady gave me a band-aid," the little girl said, pointing to her wound.

He smiled. "It's a good thing she was around, then. I'm Eric Northman, it's nice to meet you," he said, holding his hand out to her.

Sookie gulped, taking his strong hand in hers for a shake, and never wanting to let go, but knew she had to eventually. "Sookie Stackhouse, the pleasure is all mine." She blushed at her words, feeling like a complete ditz.

Eric found this woman to be incredibly charming, turning back to the girls at his side. "These little trouble makers are Olivia and Emma, my daughters."

A gorgeous man and a father to boot, this was definitely not what she signed on for, but Sookie was finding it so hard to care.

"Do you live here?" he wondered.

"No, I'm just here on vacation. I've never been before, but I like what I've seen so far. I'm supposed to be taking a sight seeing tour in an hour."

Eric waved his hand in the air. "I have to get these two home, but I would be glad to give you a private tour if you wish. I know every inch of this city."

Sookie didn't know if going off with a complete stranger would be the best idea, but she loved the sound of a private tour, that way she wouldn't be stuck with a bunch of other tourists. "I would like that, if you don't mind taking me."

"I don't mind at all. I live close by; it should only take about twenty minutes to get them home. Would you like to meet back here?"

Sookie nodded, that would give her a little time to freshen up first. This was going to be a very interesting trip.