I was in the back by the bathrooms when I heard the commotion. I walked out and it took me a minute to figure out what was going on. Everyone in the bar was still but I could see the tension on their faces. A few people looked ready to bolt at a moment's notice and a few of the guys looked ready for a fight. Four vampires stood near the pool tables, Sookie was in the middle of the bar squaring off against them, and my hand was on the corner of the bar trying to decide what to do. Tara wisely backed up and I couldn't see anyone in the kitchen. Sam was still away visiting family and the leadership appeared to fall on Sook. She yelled at them to leave or they'd end up in the vampire cell at one of the local police stations.

Her approach was not working as one stepped closer. They knew not to act rashly. I think they were just trying to cause problems without actually getting into trouble. Even though Bill would protect her, he lacked authority and was only one vampire against these four. She was either being proud or forgetful to not invoke Eric's name.

"Yous better get out of here" I heard my voice say. "The sheriff will not approve of yous harassing humans in a bar where you are not welcome."

One of them hissed at me and another began to step closer, moving around Sookie. I gently flicked my wrist with my fingers raised to tell her to back off. I did want this to become violent and I didn't want anyone hurt.

"And how will he know about this? Why do you think he'd pay attention to something as trivial as a bunch of scared bloodbags?" his voice became mocking at the end of his question.

"I'll tell him" I said in a voice strong than I thought I was capable of.

"You think he'll care what you have to say?" one of the other three, a woman with horrible make-up, said and laughed.

"Maybe we'll just kill you before you have the chance" another replied and extended his fangs.

I heard some murmurs and Sookie went to speak again. I thought as hard as I could, hoping she'd hear it - "hush, I got it under control"

I knew I was lying, but I'd rather have me get hurt than anyone else.

"He defiantly won't like you hurting what's his." did I just say that? yeah, yeahs I did.

oh, great. I was not Eric's. we knew each other well enough and he probably liked me better than most humans, but we were not involved and he had no claim on me.

"You're his?" the vamp asked me. I nodded. "I don't believe you. There are no marks on that pretty little neck of yours."

"He put them where no one else can see." I said harshly before I could stop myself.

What the fuck was wrong with me? If they didn't kill me - Eric just might.

"She is his." Sookie lied. "You should all leave now!" her voice rose.

They looked around the room and each other. The apparent leader jerked his head toward the door and they walked out without saying a word but speaking volumes.

Once they walked out. I started sobbing. Sookie came near me and I just put my hands up to stop her.

"Call Eric. Get me the phone. Please." I walked back toward the office and bathroom.

"maybe we should..." she began

"NO!. I need to call him now. just do it. give me the phone I'll do it myself." I was between screaming and sobbing. I wasn't meaning to sound so mean, but I was freaked out. I had to call him. I had to tell him what he said before someone else did. I had to make sure he'd back my story or they'd come back for me.

She dialed and handed me her cell phone. I ran in the bathroom and locked the door.

Pam answered. While she wasn't fond of me per se, she didn't hate me.

"I need to talk to Eric. Its an emergency." I heard the panic in my voice.

"Oh? Is it now? A bloody emergency perhaps?"

I sobbed into my hand and did not reply.

I heard the phone move from her hand to his.

"I'm here." he said without preamble.

"Eric you gotta come to Merlottes and get me. I really fucked up and some vampires came in here. And I gotta talk to you." I rambled.

I could imagine him sitting up right in his chair as I heard his sharp voice.

"What did you do? What happened?"

"Please come here. Please." I wailed. I couldn't stop crying. I think me begging him really did the trick. I try never to act so pathetic around someone who has the ability to tear people limb from limb. Especially when that particular guy is the authority anyone else who killed someone would answer to. He hung up the phone without a word. I collapsed against the wall of the bathroom and slid to the floor. I'd never been so scared in my life. any adrenaline I had in my depleted. I couldn't catch my breath. I was having a panic attack.

It felt like a century before I heard Eric's voice outside the door. "Open" he commanded. I stood and unlocked the door.

"What happened?" he asked closing the door.

I tried not to cry and just give him the basics of what had transpired.

"Some crazy vamps came in here - don't know why - and started trouble. I told them to leave..." my voice began to break. "Or you'd be pissed. They challenged my statement and I said.." I started to sob.

He looked at me waiting for me to pull myself together. I could see his suspicion as he wondered what I'd say next. he also seemed somewhat shocked by my traumatized state.

"I told them I was yours. I'm so sorry. I didn't know what else to do and he was getting closer to me." I began to talk very fast.

I could clearly see his surprised expression. he raised a hand to silence me.

"You told them you were mine and they left?" he asked and I nodded.

"Sorry" I mumbled, still unable to control my self from speaking even after it landed me in this situation.

He paused and looked at me. "Fine. You said it, now live with it." I saw his lips curve up into a smile for a spilt second until he dropped them back down into his typical expressionless face.

"What?" I asked shocked.

He stepped closer to me and put his hands on my hips.

"You told them you were mine. I'll take that as you offering yourself to me. Consider yourself mine." he said calmly, but still firmly.

I inhaled sharply and steadied my self by putting my hands on his forearms. "You're going to...bite me?" I asked tentatively.

"Not just that." He pulled me closer and slid his hands to cup my bottom tightly.

I breathed in again and blinked my eyes. There was no mistaking his meaning.

I tried to think of the positives. At least I was safe; no one would touch me now.

He broke our embrace and reached for my hand. I didn't look up and tried to not think as he led me out of the bar.

Sookie asked what we were doing. He replied that he was taking me home without looking back. I kept pace with him until we got outside. He turned toward me.

"Grab on to me." I realized he flew here and that is how we were traveling. I was a little scared. I preferred my feet on the ground but knew I could not argue. I tried to melt my body into his and I grabbed him for dear life before we even began to move.

He grasped my waist almost carelessly. And we were off, I shut my eyes and burying my face in his chest.