Strangers in the Night

Strangers in the night exchanging glances
Wond’ring in the night what were the chances
We’d be sharing love before the night was through

Something in your eyes was so inviting
Something in you smile was so exciting
Something in my heart told me I must have you

Strangers in the night
Two lonely people, we were strangers in the night
Up to the moment when we said our first hello little did we know
Love was just a glance away, a warm embracing dance away

and

Ever since that night we’ve been together
Lovers at first sight, in love forever
It turned out so right for strangers in the night

Love was just a glance away, a warm embracing dance away

Ever since that night we’ve been together
Lovers at first sight, in love forever
It turned out so right for strangers in the night

~ Strangers in the Night by Frank Sinatra

It all started with a glance. Two pairs of eyes meeting across a crowded room, but it was enough for each of them to become smitten with the other. She was coy; he was confident. He winked and gave her a sexy smirk; she blushed and smiled shyly at him. She was on a blind date with a man who looked as if he belonged in wax museum for a Civil War battlefield; he was here with business associates for a meeting. But when that spark ignites between two people, nothing and no one can stop it.

“What are you staring at?” Godric swirls the amber liquid in his glass as he turns around on his stool to look at the sea of people in the restaurant and lounge. They, along with several other coworkers from the law firm, have come out tonight to celebrate the judge’s ruling in favor of their client. Eric had acted as lead attorney, with Godric and Isabel as part of his legal team. They had spent weeks, months really, going over all the evidence to prove that Newlin Industries had wrongfully terminated their client and stolen his design and presented it to the world as their own. With the judge ruling in their client’s favor, the settlement will be in the millions, perhaps crossing the hundred million mark, of which the law firm will claim a hefty percentage.

“I think I found the perfect way to celebrate our victory tonight,” Eric says with a smirk and a tip of his glass towards the blonde at the table for two that smiles shyly and bites her lower lip. She picks up her wineglass and salutes him slightly, her date completely oblivious as he continues to drone on and on about something that she has no interest in.

Godric’s eyes follow Eric’s line of slight until they land on the blonde with the pageant-styled curly hair. Her flawless skin has been kissed by the sun, which means she wears minimal make-up on her face, only enough to highlight her eyes and her lips. Those perfect, luscious lips painted the color of a fire engine that she wets with a swipe of the tip of her little pink tongue.

Godric swallows the scotch in his glass and lowers his drink, his eyes flitting back to Eric. “She’s here with someone,” he says stating the obvious.

Eric shrugs and smirks again before swallowing the rest of his drink. “When has that ever stopped me before?”

Godric smiles boyishly. “Never. You think it’s more of a challenge. It’s a pity you saw her first. Would you be willing to share her?”

Eric shrugs his broad shoulders. “It’s the lady’s choice, you know that. But I’ll fucking wring your neck if she picks you over me!”

Godric chuckles. “With the way she is looking at you, I doubt that would happen. How are you planning on approaching her?”

Eric grins wolfishly. “I don’t have to approach her; she’ll come to me,” he says confidently.

“Always so cocky,” Godric admonishes. “It’s not always a good look. You could stand to be a little humble.”

Eric swallows the rest of his drink, setting the glass down for the bartender to refill. “Humble doesn’t get you ahead in life. I don’t have time to pretend to be something I’m not.”

Meanwhile, the blonde they have both been staring at forces herself to return her attention to her date. Sookie sighs audibly though her date does not even notice. Why had she agreed to go out on this date? Oh right, she was browbeaten by her grandmother and her grandmother’s friends at the nursing home. Her Gran and her gang of blue-haired women played cards nearly every afternoon; pinochle, gin, and bridge were their games of choice. For weeks, they had tried to set Sookie up with one of the other women’s grandson’s. The women had even gone so far as to arrange for the two grandchildren to both be “chaperones” at the last dance the nursing home had for its inhabitants. She had felt like a bear in a bear trap; no escape was in sight so she was forced to agree to this date with William T. Compton, though he said she could call him Bill since he felt like they were old friends.

Sookie has no idea why he thinks they are old friends. They have absolutely nothing in common, other than they both came from the same ridiculously small hometown of Bon Temps. But that didn’t make them bosom buddies, though by the way Bill’s been staring at Sookie, he definitely wants to become buddies with her bosom. So not happening.

Sookie had been adamant that they meet at the restaurant for their date. She didn’t want him knowing where she lived at all. Something about him made her think it would be safer all around if they kept this entire date confined to public spaces. As soon as she had arrived at the restaurant, he had tried to kiss her on the lips, but she had quickly turned her head to give him her cheek. It’s bad enough that his hand had grazed the side of her breast when he put his arm around her waist. Dinner had been an absolutely abysmal affair; all he had talked about is himself. Sookie had made the appropriate responses when necessarily, but for the most part her attention has been elsewhere. Mainly on the tall, handsome blond in the navy pinstripe suit at the bar. Now he is someone she wouldn’t have minded coming to her house to pick her up for a date. Hell, they probably wouldn’t have left the house at all given the way they’ve been eye fucking each other all night across the restaurant. It’s been pretty blatant; she’s surprised Bill hasn’t noticed. Oh wait, he’s focused on his favorite topic: himself.

When their eyes meet again, the blond gentleman lifts his glass in salute and she lifts her wine glass to do the same. Of course that is when Bill finally notices that he doesn’t have Sookie’s full attention.

“Who are you waving at?” He looks at her suspiciously before turning around to scan the area behind him. The only person he sees is a giant of a man wearing a navy pinstripe suit. The man nods his head insolently and lifts his drink in acknowledgment. “Do you know him?” Bill’s tone is accusatory and his face looks like he is drinking straight vinegar.

Sookie thinks quickly. “He’s an old friend,” she says hastily and offers Bill a sweet smile.

Bill narrows his eyes. “How do you know Eric Northman?”

The lawyer; that’s why he looks so familiar. His picture was splashed all over the newspaper this morning. She thinks fast, trying to come up with a plausible explanation how she may know someone outside of her social standing. How would she, a small town girl with only a community college education, know a Harvard-educated, high society lawyer?

“I met him at the courthouse a few years ago when I was bailing Jason out of trouble,” she blurts out in a voice that hints at embarrassment. She even lowers her eyes to the table trying to appear shamed. Sookie peeks up at Bill through her lowered lashes, trying to gauge his response.

Bill smirks. “Which time?” It’s no secret among the women at the nursing home that Jason Stackhouse is a loose cannon that does whatever he wants, when he wants, with no thought or fear of consequences. He’s been in and out of trouble with the law; nothing serious, but he’s needed to be bailed out of jail a time or two. Sookie smiles with relief knowing that Bill easily accepted her explanation. She had a feeling that things would have turned ugly quickly if he learned she was flirting with a stranger.

Before Bill can ask her any further questions, the waiter arrives asking if they would like any dessert or coffee. Sookie loves dessert and she loves coffee, but she doesn’t want to prolong her suffering any longer. Almost two hours with this pompous prick has been more than enough for her. “None for me thank you,” she says politely, giving the waiter a polite smile.

“Trying to watch your girlish figure sweetheart?” The smile vanishes from her face and the waiter mutters “oh shit” though he tries very hard to hide it with a cough. Sookie stares at Bill coldly as she grabs her purse from the table.

“No. I’m trying to avoid spending any more time with a selfish asshole like you!” She angrily storms away from the table and heads to the bar, hoping against hope that the Adonis at the bar will be her knight in shining armor.

Except, he isn’t there.

“Shit!” Sookie looks around in a panic. She doesn’t want to leave the restaurant without an escort. Her instincts tell her she doesn’t want to be in a dark parking garage alone with Bill and she sure as hell doesn’t want him following her out of here.

“May I be of some assistance?” A soft, non-threatening voice says from behind her. Sookie whirls around to see a man nearly her own height standing in a light gray suit, white shirt, and silver paisley tie. His brown wavy hair falls over his forehead, making him look boyish though she guessed him to be in his late twenties or early thirties. His kind eyes stare at her with genuine concern. “Are you alright?”

Sookie smiles faintly. “I’ll be fine. My date didn’t go very well, not that I expected it to,” she says with a sigh.

He smiles in return. “Then why go on it?” He gestures towards the bar stool, silently asking her to have a seat. Sookie smiles sweetly at him as she lowers herself to the stool. Once she is settled, her newfound friend sits on the stool next to her.

She sighs as she drops her clutch on the bar. “Because our grandmothers have images of great-grandchildren in their heads.” At her new friend’s confused expression, Sookie chuckles. “Our grandmothers are in the same nursing home. They set us up thinking we’d be a good match. I think senility has definitely kicked in,” she says with a sly grin.

“It must have if they thought someone as beautiful as you deserved swine like him,” he says with a chuckle. He extends his hand in greeting. “My name is Godric.”

Sookie slides her hand in his. “I’m Sookie. Pleased to meet you.”

Godric brings her hand to his lips. “It is an honor my lady.” Sookie blushes prettily as he releases her hand. “May I buy you a drink?”

“Absolutely.” When their hands touched, Sookie swore she felt sparks shoot through her entire body. Perhaps this night is salvageable after all. Godric signals the bartender, and they each order a drink. Godric orders an extra drink. When Sookie looks at him questioningly, he says it’s for a friend.

Maybe it’s not salvageable, she thinks glumly.

Godric and Sookie chat idly for a few minutes as they wait for their drinks. Godric is very charming and witty, which makes conversing with him easy. He has Sookie laughing loudly at a rather bawdy story involving two coworkers, a pair of handcuffs, a judge’s robe, and a gavel when their moment of frivolity is interrupted by Sookie’s date.

“Sookie I don’t appreciate you leaving the table without me. What would your grandmother think if she heard about your poor manners? And now you’re sitting here, drinking, with a complete stranger. That’s no way for a proper lady to act,” he says reproachfully. He flexes his fingers indicating that she should come to him. “Now come with me; I’ll escort you home,” he says in a tone of voice that is meant to leave no room for argument.

“I’ve never had a use for proper ladies. They’re often boring,” Eric Northman says from behind Bill. Eric brushes past Bill, pausing to kiss Sookie on the cheek before he sits down on the vacant stool, putting Sookie between him and Godric. Eric unbuttons his suit jacket to get comfortable, thanking Godric for the drink. “Sorry about that, a phone call I needed to take. I see you two are catching up. What have I missed?” Eric sips his drink as he deliberately excludes Bill from their conversation.

Sookie smiles warmly at Eric, trying to convey her appreciation that he’s going along with her charade. She doesn’t know how he knew about her ruse, but she appreciates him for not blowing her cover. Eric winks at her in return and her heart flutters in her chest.

“You haven’t missed anything,” Godric offers he says with a chuckle. “I was telling Sookie about what happened in Judge Paul’s chambers,” he says with his eyes twinkling with naughty intent.

Eric raises an eyebrow in response. “Telling stories about me I see. Well it’s only fair she hears the one about you and Jessica in the law library. At least I didn’t leave photographic evidence like the two of you,” Eric says with a cocky smirk.

Godric shrugs. “There’s no proof that any of those copies are of my body or hers.” Sookie snorts with laughter as she listens to the fantastic tales woven by the two friends. She could listen to them all night, but her annoying dinner companion keeps interrupting.

“Sookie it’s time to go,” Bill says forcefully.

“I’m not going anywhere with you Bill Compton! This date was a disaster from the beginning. I only went because I didn’t want to hurt the feelings of Gran and Miss Caroline. Please just go. You and I have nothing in common and the way you keep staring at me makes me feel like I’ve been violated,” she says with a shudder.

“But-”

Eric and Godric both rise to their feet. Eric towers over Bill, making the pompous ass back up a few steps. Godric is nowhere as physically imposing as Eric, but the fury on his face makes him the scarier of the two.

“I believe you heard the lady,” Godric says coldly. “It is time for you to leave. While you still can,” he adds as an afterthought.

“Leave. Now,” Eric commands with a growl. Bill has no choice but to hastily retreat in the face of such aggression. However his retreat is not a silent one. He calls Sookie a whore before leaving, running quickly out the door when Eric and Godric both take steps towards him. Both men are ready to go after him, but Sookie’s voice and her hands grabbing each of their arms to stop them.

“He’s not worth it.”

It takes a moment for both of them to calm down but they eventually reclaim their seats beside her. “You’re right, but it would be immensely satisfying to see him bloodied and crumpled up on the ground,” Eric says darkly.

Sookie chuckles. “Don’t worry; the blue-haired ladies at Gran’s nursing home will definitely give him his comeuppance. They might be elderly, but they’re still pretty spry. And definitely diabolical.”

“I’m sorry we’ll miss it,” Godric says with a chuckle.

“Thank you both for helping me out. But how did you know I told him that we knew each other?”

“When I was walking outside to return my phone call, I heard the two of you. But the question is, how do you know about me?” Eric moves closer to her, raising his eyebrows as he waits for her answer.

“You’ve been in the paper for days because of your case. It’s kinda hard to miss. It was really impressive,” she says with a smile as she twirls the straw in her drink.

Eric’s eyes darken as he leans down to her ear. “That’s not my most impressive feature,” he says in a deep, sexy tone. He pulls back and smirks when he sees her lips forming a silent “o” and a deep blush on her cheeks. Eric picks up his drink and takes a healthy swallow as he watches her fan her face with her hand.

Godric swallows the rest of his drink, and sighs as he sets his glass down on the bar. “Well my work here is done for the evening. I will leave the two of you alone to enjoy the rest of your evening,” he reaches in his jacket for his wallet.

“Wait, you’re leaving?” Sookie looks crestfallen to see Godric leaving which makes him pause. Godric and Eric share a look, trying to decide what her reaction means.

“I thought you came over here for Eric since the two of you had flirted back and forth across the restaurant. I don’t want to get in the way,” Godric says slowly.

Sookie blushes since his words make her look like some cheap floozy, but given the thoughts that are going through her mind, a floozy is the least offensive thing she could call herself. “Well I did, but I’ve really enjoyed your company too. Will you stay?”

Godric meets Eric’s eyes over Sookie’s head, asking silent permission to stay. Eric shrugs his shoulders. Like he told Godric before, he does not mind sharing. And he definitely feels like celebrating tonight after winning in court today. If she’s down with this, tonight could be one hell of a party.

The three of them stay at the bar, drinking, talking, and laughing. As the time passes, Sookie becomes more comfortable with the two men, caressing their hands or grabbing their arms. Godric and Eric returned the favor, though the way they touched her body is far less innocent and sets her entire body aflame. When last call comes, Sookie is a little tipsy, but not so much that she doesn’t know what she’s gearing up to do. As Godric and Eric settle the tab, refusing to take any money from her, one of her favorite Frank Sinatra songs come on through the speakers in the bar. Sookie begins humming along; she’s not drunk enough to attempt singing, nor does she want to scare either of these men away with her caterwauling.

Godric pushes a stray hair behind her ear and leans close as the second verse begins. “Something in your eyes, was so inviting. Something in your smile, was so exciting,” he murmurs quietly. His warm breath along her sensitive neck and ear makes her shiver.

“Come on Lover,” Eric says as he slides off his seat. He buttons his suit jacket and extends his arm to Sookie. Godric mirrors Eric’s moves, and they wait for Sookie to rise. Once she does, she slips an arm through each of theirs. “Let’s continue this party in a more private location,” Eric says with a wink.

The threesome walk through the restaurant to the exit where Godric holds the door for Eric and Sookie to pass through. Eric pauses outside to allow Godric to reclaim Sookie’s free arm before the trio walks along the cobblestone streets to the parking garage. As their steps echo in the silence of the evening, Sookie can’t help but smirk thinking that just like Old Blue Eyes said, something turned out so right for strangers in the night.

The End

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