This is my first fanfic in a looooong time. I might be a little rusty but I had fun writing it. It's short, only about 3 chapters but it's a start. All my time is going to a newer fanfic I am working on which is a thriller/mystery.
I added Eric and Sookie from True Blood but they aren't playing their roles on there, just thought I'd use the people who play them in minor roles here. I'm playing off the short lived ConMama ship that existed a few seasons ago. So without further ado, here is...It Had to Be You
Josh Holloway - James Bailey Alexander Skarsgard - Eric Bailey (James' Brother) Henry Ian Cusick - Des (James' friend) Naveen Andrews - Nasser (James' Best Friend)
Claire - Claire Anna Paquin - Anna Kate - Kate
Chapter 1
He was late again. He didn't mean to be. Damn alarm clock never worked right...at least that's the excuse he liked to stick to. For that matter it was the damn traffic lights and the damn cop for stopping him. Speeding was such an overrated ticket anyway. It was always someone or something else that made him late. Not the fact that he was up all night with Tasha...no, Tiana...Toni, Tina? It didn't matter anyway because now he was late to his brothers breakfast awards ceremony. That's it, he thought. It was this damn fool ceremony that made him late. Who in their right mind would make an awards ceremony in the morning? Didn't those things always occur at night?
Running out of his red ferrari, he straightened his tie and ran into the hotel.
"Hold that elevator!" He shouted and sighed with relief as he entered. He went to press Level 4 but realized it was pressed already. Sighing with relief, he leaned his head back against the elevator wall and after two seconds smelled...wild berries.
"Rough morning?"
He peeked up because he needed to know who could possibly sound like bells. His head came up instantly at the vision before him. Long blonde hair...the most vivid, beautiful blue eyes...a smile...that smile. He kept his look casual, "Wasn't too bad." He smirked and revealed his dimples...he knew that drove the ladies wild.
She laughed and he inclined his head a little, "What's so funny?" Smirk turned to smile. He couldn't help but smile, her laugh made him lighter somehow.
She looked down and blushed. Following her gaze he saw why this pretty lady was blushing. His zipper was down and button open, shirt hung out halfway. He muttered a curseword and turned around quickly. "Jesus." He muttered, hair falling in his face as he straightened himself up.
She turned away politely and he was thankful for small favors. Not that he'd like to repay it. He fixed himself up in a matter of seconds and cleared his throat...this being very hard for him to say, "Ahh...thanks."
"Don't worry about it." She smiled brightly again. He instantly got over that embarassment. "Who plans an awards breakfast anyway?" She asked and his heart skipped a beat.
He smirked, "How did you know that's where I was going?"
"Level four?" She asked and he remembered how the button was already pressed.
He rolled his eyes heavenward. He must have looked like such an ass.
Shrugging it off he said, "Late too huh?"
She nodded and laughed, "My friend is going to kill me. I'm always late to things." She bit her bottom lip and he knew his heart was going to meet his stomach.
The doors opened and she walked out, he followed..nothing else he could do. As they walked down the hallway towards the double doors, he smiled.
"Don't beat yourself up. I'm always late myself and now I'm gonna owe my brother another favor."
She smiled, "At least we're here. Better late than never."
"Best saying there is." He opened the door and winked at her, "After you."
"Thanks," and whispered as they entered, "Nice meeting you."
"James." He smiled back. He couldn't help but smile. It was really nice meeting her.
"Claire," she whispered back.
The microphone overpowered them both with a deep voice, "And now the NFL Sports Agent of the year goes to Eric Bailey!"
A roar of applause sounded and James immediately cheered and whistled. "Got here right on time," he told her, as she still stood next to him, applauding herself and laughing.
"Now I can definitely say I made it right on time. Go Eric!" She cheered.
James stopped in his tracks. "You know Eric?"
"Yes, he's my friend," now noticing that he was cheering too, she smiled even brighter...he didn't think someone could smile 'brighter'. "And your brother?"
He nodded and she laughed gaily, "Too funny!"
"Funny indeed," he smirked and turned towards his brother, who was now really into his speech.
There was one more award given and the ceremony was officially over. Well, at least he had made it when it counted, he thought to himself. People mingled and Eric was greeted by his more faithful friends at his table.
"I guess we better go congratulate him."
"Why, we already saw him win, what's more to see?" He joked and walked with her towards his little brother.
"James! You old wart, you made it after all," he hugged him.
"Why would I miss my little brother get famous," he laughed. James had always cared for Eric. After their parents died at a young age, they were raised by their grandparents and James always felt the need to protect Eric from anyone and anything. They had each other and helped each other.
Eric looked behind James, "Claire," he said in an over friendly manner. "You made it."
"I'm so sorry," she said and he took her in his arms and hugged her.
James didn't know why he felt a twinge of jealousy over that hug. For some reason it drove him crazy that any man touched her. Crazy feeling of course. He just met her.
"Don't worry about it Claire-bear, we still have that celebration dinner tonight."
"Making this a week long celebration? It''s like you ended a war or something," James joked.
"Something like that." Eric smirked, almost looking identical to James. "So how about it Claire, can you make it?"
"Of course, I'll be there with my special karaoke microphone." she teased.
James rolled his eyes, "Karaoke?" He looked at her, smiling.
She looked up at him and said with cheer, "Yes!"
"She's dangerous at our office parties." Eric teased.
"Call the feds." James scoffed.
"Don't tease now Jimmy Dean," Eric laughed, "You better be at this party tonight. Bring Nasser too"
"Geez Rambo, be a little more bossy." He patted Eric on the shoulder.
"Eric!" Another friend called out.
"Anna!" He gave her a hug and Claire gave her a hug too.
"Hi Anna."
Anna's smile lit up, "Just about everybody wants to congratulate you Eric!"
Eric greeted them and turned to James and Claire, "I'll see you guys tonight okay? Now if you'll excuse me," he winked at Claire, nodded to James and turned to a new group of well-wishers.
James turned to Claire, "So "Claire-bear", " he teased, "You going tonight?"
"Hurley's Sports Bar, only the most exclusive sports bar in town. I will definitely be there...hopefully not late," she said in a serious tone and laughed.
"Hurley happens to be a good friend. I can always put in a good word for ya."
She laughed. "Will you make it?"
Without a doubt, absolutely, positively, definitely, unquestionably, he will be there.
Flashing his dimples and showing off his smile, he leaned his head to the side and said, "Maybe."
---
"Another one please," Eric told the waitress at the little stool table.
"Livin it up proud and hard, aren't you 007?" James said as he sipped his beer.
"James, my friend, my salary just went way up and players are itching for me to be their agent. I'm as hot as they come." A hair fell across his eyes and he smiled.
"Well, don't brag too much, we can't all be Jerry McGuire." James smirked.
"No," he lifted the corners of his mouth, "but you can always dream." Eric laughed.
The music pumped and nearly everyone in that club was there from the NFL. Agents, players, groupies, owners, publicists, all celebrating various awards given.
James found himself looking around for Claire. He didn't know why, but he felt a pull to her. He actually...really liked her.
"So how's the love life going?" Eric asked after he looked up from his phone. "Still haven't found 'the one'?"
After sipping his beer. "Same as you Fabio. Don't need or want 'the one'."
"I don't know brother. I think I found her. She just doesn't know it yet."
"That's what they all say. So, who is this one-that-doesn't-know-yet?"
Eric leaned on his elbows, closer to James and looked behind him, "She just walked in with the red dress."
Sawyer smiled because he couldn't wait to see this and then he froze...because the girl that just walked in, wearing the red dress, was Claire.
OMG! A woman after my own heart. Sawyer and Eric together in a story, as Brothers? LOL. Total fantasy of mine. ;) I loved it and honestly I always liked conmama too. I had to do it once for a rp and it worked. But I love the premise and the mystique of Claire. Cant wait to read more, you did an awesome job!
And do you watch True Blood? If you do we have to so dish, lol.
thanks ladies!!! Jaci! lol thanks! I've only seen the first season of True Blood, I soooo have to catch up, I'm dying to know what happens next!! I always thought Sawyer and Eric looked so much alike! Glad you like this and now I feel extra sorry about Claire after the ep last night!
Chapter 2
He loosened his collar a little and took another swig of beer. "Her?" He choked a little.
"Yeah. What's wrong?"
"Congratulations Eric," Nasser patted Eric on the back and Eric greeted him enthusiastically.
"Nasser! Thank you my friend. Where's Nadia?" Eric asked, looking around.
"In the ladies room. She will join us shortly." He turned to his best friend, "James. Looking dapper as usual."
He was still staring back at Claire, "Yeah Mohammed."
Nasser turned to Eric and Eric just shrugged.
"Eric, the boss' would like to congratulate you personally." Someone tapped his shoulder.
By this time, James was looking at him. "Have fun guys, party's all night." Eric slapped Nasser on the shoulder and stepped away.
"James." Nasser sat in Eric's stool. "Correct me if I'm wrong but I detect something is off with you tonight."
"Nothing a few shots of hard liquor won't fix."
"Want to talk about it?"
James squinted when he finally turned to his friend, "You've been hangin around Nadia too much, Omar."
Just then, Nadia put her arms around Nasser. "Nasser, you will never believe who is here. I need a picture and autograph, come with me," she pulled him in delight and Nasser nodded to James.
James was ready to sulk. No way could this happen. The one girl he genuinely liked and he couldn't even think of her that way because his brother liked her. He felt like he was in high school. He had an overwhelming sense of joy that he never finished high school and that he got his GED instead.
"James?"
There was the smell again. And before looking up, he knew who it was.
"You remembered my name, well I'll be." He straightened and looked at her. Even though he'd seen her earlier, his heart still clenched like a fist. He swore he'd never get over how striking she was.
"How could I forget? I never met a man with his pants halfway down." She settled down in the chair Eric and Naseer once sat. "You remember Anna."
"Pleasure," he shook Anna's hand. Anna smiled back but her eyes were roaming around the club part of the sports bar as if looking for someone in particular. "I'll be around," she told Claire and flitted off.
The waitress came by and Claire said, "Malibu Baybreeze." The waitress nodded and left.
"Baybreeze girl." He smirked. "How like a girl."
She rolled her eyes. "Hey now, I never did have the taste for cold beer."
"How like a girl."
Claire laughed and he breathed in deeply. She was so easy to talk to. Ah hell...this is gonna be a big problem, he thought. He couldn't just be her "friend". He never had a girl that was a "friend". But he had to try...had to think of her in a different light.
They stood at the table talking for a good fifteen minutes. The conversation was never dull, never lagged and never had an awkward moment. Hurley joined them.
"Dude!"
"Stay-puff!" They shook hands.
"Who's your pretty friend?" Hurley asked.
"Calm down Deepdish, her head is not just a decoration." He winked at Claire, "I'd like you to meet Claire..." He lifted his head to the side in question.
Hurley offered his hand, "I'm Hurley. Owner of this fine establishment."
"Very fine indeed." Claire agreed.
"Jabba here is a true entrepreneuer."
Hurley laughed. "Dude, it's funny you mention that...cause like, I'm thinking of finally publishing my book."
"You write?" Claire asked.
"Do I." he said incredulous. "I have this awesome book!"
"Go ahead and tell our pretty friend what it's about."
Claire looked expectantly.
"Its about a bunch of people who crash on a deserted island."
"Kind of like Gilligans Island," James added.
"But it's a mysterious island you see. There's like polar bears and smoke monsters and other people who inhabited the island before they came."
"Sounds interesting." Claire said with a smile.
"But that's not all," James wiggled his eyebrows at her. She held back a giggle.
"Just the beginning!" Hurley continued excitedly. "There's time travel theories and fate theories...and each person has individual stories and somehow their lives all crossed at one point before the crash."
"Fascinating. What's the main character like?" Claire asked.
"Well...like...there isn't a main character." Hurley said shyly. "I kinda made like thirteen main characters or so. Based them all on people I know. Like James here."
James rolled his eyes.
"James?" Claire asked with avid interest. "What's his character like?"
"Watch it Montezuma." Sawyer warned.
Hurley ignored him, "He's an outlaw. Rugged type. I named him Sawyer. He's all kinds of badass."
Claire laughed.
"You're makin the lady blush Grimace."
"Hey, you from Australia?" Hurley asked, looking at Claire more curiously now.
"Don't even think about it." James cut in.
"I can't wait to read it." Claire added.
"Maybe I'll make a part for you--" He was cut off by a manager.
"Hugo! Driveshafts here. They're tuning up their strings"
"Awesome dude, thanks." He turned back to James and Claire, "This band is great. Enjoy the night guys."
"Nice meeting you," Claire called out.
"See ya IHOP."
Claire laughed. "The nicknames you come up with. You better watch it, or he'll put them in his book."
"It's already a done deal Sweetheart."
James didn't want to leave the table. She didn't seem in a rush to leave either. They talked about many things. The conversation just flowed. And he was head over heels for her.
An hour later, Eric came back.
"Took forever to make it back here," he looked at Claire, "Hi Claire. Glad to see you made it."
"I've been having the best time Eric."
"James good company? Cause god knows he could use some work in that department."
"Came up wit that one all on your own?" came James' witty reply.
Driveshaft had been playing for a half an hour and still going strong.
"I really like this band. You wanna dance?" Eric asked Claire.
James would have taken Claire to the dancefloor, but they were too busy talking. He'd never really talked this long to a girl...about life in general...about everything.
Claire glanced nervously at James. One would have missed it, but James caught it. He wasn't sure what that meant...even if it meant anything...or even if it was just his mind making things up.
"Sure." She got up and smiled genuinely at James, "Catch you later."
"Yeah."
He finally got up from his stool and tried to mingle with some people that were there, but his eyes strayed back to the packed dance floor. Finally spotting Eric and Claire, he noticed his hands all over her and he nearly crushed the glass in his hand. Could Eric be any more obvious? This damn song didn't even call for touching! He gritted his teeth and then realized how ridiculous he was acting. This was irrational. He hardly even knew Claire. He needed air...who was he kidding? He didn't need air, he needed to punch Eric dead in the nose for touching Claire that way.
"Wha'ts going on you all everybody!"
The crowd cheered. "I'm Charlie..this is Liam..." James drowned him out and turned towards the bar. He couldn't stomach another drink at the moment...for some really stupid reason he was too worried about Claire. This was too stupid...he had to get out of there and clear his head. He'd let Nasser and his brother know he left after he left. He didn't feel like talking to anyone.
Getting up, he turned for the door as the music changed to a slow tune. Just great. He was leaving at the right time. Just then he felt a tap on his shoulder and he turned around.
"Not leaving without saying goodbye, are you?"
He looked down at Claire. Leaving? He looked up, "What happened to Eric?"
She bit her bottom lip, "I saw you leaving."
So, she was watching him. "Wanna dance?" She asked.
He looked around for his brother and saw him laughing with a group of people, including that Anna girl. "Why not? But I need to warn you now...I'm not much of a dancer."
"I can teach you," she laughed and grabbed his hand.
He felt the electricity at the feel of her small hand in his and let her lead him onto the crowded dance floor.
The lights dimmed and she put her arms around his neck. His hands went on her back and they began to sway with the music together. He liked this feeling, it felt so right.
"Oh well you're not such a bad dancer after all."
"Well I did spend some time on Soul Train," he joked.
"I knew you looked familiar."
He dipped her and flashed his dimples, "You're tellin' me."
Claps, I need to start paying more attention, lol. Loved this chapter, aw poor Sawyer. Id be willing to bet Eric was totally messing with him, hehe.
And yes Jas you certainly need to get on S2 cause there is some nekked Eric that cant be missed. If you dont like Eric and Sookie by the end of S1 you will like them by S2. ;) Just ask Lisa and Lyndi, hehe.
