I Know, i know it's been to long. but i should have a steady stream of work coming up in all my work, so check out all the stories. x

Shane jumped back landing expertly on his feet. Steve didn't hang around he lunged forward crashing his solid fish into Shane's jaw. Shane lifted his right hand to smack Steve right back but Steve being around bikers most of his life, he picked up some tricks of the trade. Blocking his punch and delivering a bone breaking knee to the adman. Shane's solid fist connected with Steve's jaw in a cheep shot, Steve was to stunned to retaliate so Shane kept hitting Steve again, again and again. Bloody was covering both there faces. I tried to run to Steve but Michael held me back, Eve had walked trough to the kitchen with Little Eve. Steve finally landed more hits to Shane in many ways. Both men didn't look like giving up anytime soon. The venom in there eyes would put a cobra to shame.

I started to scream at them to stop before this would go further than it already was. Poor Michael had a job holding me back as I did all I could to run to Steve. Of curse there has been times when I've cleaned Steve up from fights or as he calls it training. But actually watching this was breaking my heart the one man I love with my body and soul was being beaten up by my psychopath ex.

I thought it was never going to end. They wear tearing themselves apart. Just when I was about to crumple into a mess of tears, hurt and hatred in Michael's arm the front door swung open with a cold squeal. Both boys never had time to react as Myrin and Oliver pulled them apart. Shane of curse still struggled to get to Steve by scratching, spitting and kicking at Oliver but Steve simply shrugged of Myrin and ran to me. I jumped into his beaten and bruised arms and kissed his cut and bleeding face.

He placed me back on my feet but I kept my hands on his cheek, I looked into his blood shot loving eyes and smiled at him lovingly. 'I'm sorry' he said in a rustic strained voice. One I only know from when he's been in fights.

I smiled up at him again, complete love filling my eyes. 'come on I'll clean you up' I said taking his hand to the kitchen.

'Eve could you take Little Eve in the other room please' I ask and without a word they both left.

I ordered him to sit in a kitchen chair as I dug around in the cardboards in search for the first aid kit, after I located it I grabbed a boil of hot water and the whisky bottle from my bag already on the table.

I pulled a old beaten chair and faced my beaten husband. It killed me to see him like this. Without a word I started to wipe away the blood from his face exposing bruises' and cuts. I winced when I discovered more scrapes. I gave him the whiskey to slurp wile I stitched his face up. When I was done I reached across the table, I closed my eyes tears threatening to fall, I very gently kissed each of his cuts and bruises.

He took my small hand in his bandaged and pulled my frame onto his lap. I laid my heavy head against his chest listing to his rhythmic heart beat. After a few seconds of just complete peace I lifted my head ready to face the people waiting the other side of the door. I heaved a sign, just ready for bed. Steve's long slender finger caught my chin and turned my head towards him.

'I love you' was all he said and even though we're married and have Eve, ever time he tells me my heart still skips a beat.

I smiled at him, 'I love you to' I said as he pulled my lips once again up to his, we connected and fire arrived in my soul, my heart stopped, time stood still. We pulled away, blood tasting on my tongue.

We both stood up, hand in hand we wear ready to face everyone the other side of the door.

Together we walked through faced with a very angry looking Shane. He was sat on the sofa facing us with a dirty cloth in hand. He stood as we entered, regret and sadness filling his eyes. Oliver hovered close watching his every move. I looked away from him and turned towards Amile.

'Clare, you've changed so much in the small time you've been away. Amile spoke softly.

I smiled up at her ' I've been busy, it's been 8 years.' I stated

'well I know I've missed you' Myrin said as he ran to hug me.

I dropped Steve's hand, holding my own for Myrin's hard embrace. I took a deep breathe when he held me and it was everything I remembered it was. It was like a copper coin mixed with a mulled wine hint. He put me back on my feet and smiled his genuine love smile. The smile I loved.

'I've missed you too' I said the smile never leaving my lips.

Oliver had left Shane and come to stand with Amile. Steve lased his fingers through mine again as I stood beside him. I watched as Oliver smiled at Amile, only pure love filling his eyes. The shocking thing was Amile only mirrored his expression. They lased fingers and turned to us again.

I smiled up at Amile. She looked down a small blush forming high in her Checks. 'Amile, don't hid from me' I said sweetly.

She looked up at me, she sore my expression and only matched it. 'how long?' I asked going into girly mood.

We walked over to the sofa Shane had occupied a minute ago. He moved away from us like we're carrying the plague.

We sat together the men in the room looked out of place. 'Steve would you, Myrin and Oliver check on Eve please?' I asked senescing the testosterone levels rise.

All the men couldn't get out the room fast enough. Seconds later Our Eve came down Stairs giggling to herself. She soon joined us on the sofa.

We seamed to talk for hours just a real girly chat. Shane had stormed off towards his room and the boys where still with little Eve.

'so how'd you get that scar?' Eve asked curiously, Sometime later.

I looked down at my hands, my fingers tracing my wedding rings. 'umm..' I couldn't form the words.

Amile placed her delicate, cold hands onto of mine. I looked up at the two woman, there eyes complete with love and understanding.

As if knowing I was about to fall to pieces Steve walked down with Myrin and Oliver on his tail. Myrin seemed to get along with Eve. She seamed happy giggling in his arms, playing with some object. They settled down in the chair next to Clare. Steve took the sofa arm placing his hand over Clare's shoulder. Oliver took the available space behind Amile leaning back into the sofa placing a hand on the small of Amile's back. She in turn leaned into his hand just slightly. Total love.

'what you guys talking about?' Steve asked. I still had my head bent, tracing my rings.

Before anyone could tell him, 'my scar' was all I said. His hand tightened on my shoulder, everyone noticed.

'Clare?' Michael asked, I'd forgotten he was in the room as well, occupying the seat next to Eve. All eyes where on me.

I took a deep breathe. My eyes now fixed on my rings. 'it was time someone else sore them' Steve whispered to me.

I lifted my heavy head and smiled up at him, when I stood he helped me out my jacket and I pulled of my shirt leaving me in just the thin top and bra underneath. I turned towards the people in front of me and pulled the straps of my tops and bra enough to show the 5 small scars running from left to right angling down. They weren't big maybe 8 or 9 centimetres, but they where visible.

A wave of gasps filled the room. Eve hid her face in Myrin's chest, his arms instinctively went around her hugging her close. Steve took my hand as I hung my head low. I pulled my top back up and turned to face the expressionless faces of the people in front of me. I sat down fiddling with Steve's fingers. He slid down the sofa to wrap his arm around me. Again I heaved a sigh ready to explain what had happened.

'I was just starting the renovations to the pub, people didn't know me yet. Bikers liked the bar, I was dealing with things a lot, fight broke out near enough everyday. Everyday I would lock up, check barrels and head off to bed. Where I lived, upstairs, I bolted the door everyday and left the hall light on. We have a dog, Jaz, he's big, he lived at the end of my bed. This particular night, was a murderous thunder storm…'

FLASH BACK.

Another boom rumbled from the black clouds outside, a white flash of lighting lit the room. Jaz was hiding under the bed, for such a big dog he was frightened by the smallest things. I turned to face my naked windows, watching as the rain hit it in waves as wind carried it blankets. The rain and wind together howling like a wolf howling at a new moon. My window, floor to ceiling, gave the perfect view of the small town my pub faced. No one was around as the rain blanketed the floor like paint. It was about 3 in the morning, I always hated loud noises and thunderous storms where no exception.

I lie there wide awake, it was times like this, when I wasn't busy I had time to think, the things I thought about took me places I never wanted to see again. To the times when running for your life was everyday, not aloud out after dark was the 'norm' and the worse memory to date was why I ran, why I left a life behind and why I'm so alone right now. Because having your heart ripped out and beaten was why I ran. I gave it all and now I have to build it up again. At times like this I start to ask, did I not give enough? Was I not enough? Did I not try my best? I gave everything I had and nothing less, I didn't understand how we went from one thing to the complete opposite in seconds. He took it all, my soul and my love.

But you can take it, take it all. I found a new love, this place. I've been here only a matter of weeks and I don't look back, he take it all I'm not what I was trust me, he'll see one day, everything I do is for me now, I wont look back, that was the old week Clare, I was independent, strong, rock hard Clare. He took the old me, he even took all my love but not now, not now I have this place.

I turned back towards my bedroom door, slightly drifting of to sleep as the storm moved further south. I slipped into a dream state with one last loud bang I feel into a sleep.

It must have been 3 minutes before I was awoken by a loud bang, I turned towards the rain covered window again expecting to see wind, rain and lighting flashes. But neither where there, a slight drizzle was left from the storm but no evidence of the actual storm. Confused I sat up, removing the tangle of blankets from around me. I step out from the comfort of my warm bed onto hard, cold wooden floor. I walked towards the door, keeping a eagle eye and sharp hearing. There where what sounded like heavy foot steps from the down stairs, someone had broken into my bar. I leapt back from the door like it had electricity piecing through it. I tiptoed in my short and camisole to my bedside draw, looking for the small hand held gun I own.

After minutes of digging through the draw and coming up with nothing, I came to the conclusion I must have left it in the kitchen when cleaning earlier today. No more foot steps sounded and relief ran through my veins. I walked out of my own bedroom and into the kitchen to try and find my gun. After again coming up with nothing, I realised I must have left it in the bar.

I walked back to my room ready to climb back into bed till a reasonable hour, I pushed open the door and called 'Jaz?' from under the bed, Jaz didn't show, 'hey, the storms over' I told him, still nothing. I walked towards my bed looking for my dog. 'j-' I was cut short by a hand around my mouth, I started to struggle, kicking out, bighting but nothing worked. My capturer had me.

'well, well what do we have here?' said a vicious voice lased with liquor.

My eyes must of looked like saucers I was petrified, 'what do you want?' I managed to mumble around his sweaty hand, my own hands clasping onto his arms trying to prey them of me. It was as useless as a chocolate tea pot.

His voice sounded once again in my ear, 'I want you' was all he said as he pulled a cloth from his jacket pocket, he turned me towards him, he strapped the cloth around my mouth. I couldn't scream and I was way to scared to even try, he through my body on to the bed and I tried to run, I kicked out with my legs and covered myself with the blankets.

He laughed, 'you wont escape me sweet checks'

He pinned me down on the bed tying my hands above my head in a tight rope, he raped me long and hard. He cut my back with a gold plated knife, he said they where marks of an angle. He came back once a week for 5 weeks, he would tie me up, rape, cut me then leave.

I never told a soul and I opened on time every day. He said if I told he would keep me alive but cut my bit by bit, and come back everyday because no one could catch him, he was a shadow, a threat in the night, a psycho.

The 5th week he came he came in bar times. I was working when he walked through the door, hat and coat in hand. He was a ugly, tall man. No facial expression, just red hair cut short and twinkling black eyes. He was very tall but very skinny. I managed to cover most of the healing wounds on my back, my hands curled around the bar frame, my knuckles turning white from utter fear.

Steve was sat at the end of the bar, he came in now nearly everyday, I talked to him, we got on really well. I was scared to open up completely again because every time I did, tears would come. I almost told him about the night time stalker. He came to the bar, he smiled that evil smile at me,

'same old sweet checks' he said. My head whipped around to face Steve, his eyes where interlocked with the being in front of me. He broke his gaze to look at me, pain, sadness and despair filled my eyes.

His eyes told me he wasn't going anywhere, 'and some peanuts' the evil man told me, drawing my attention away from Steve. I pulled his drink keeping up appearances for the locals, I walked around the bar to fetch his nuts. He only followed me.

'what was all that about?' he asked in a angry whisper, clenching his hand around my already bruised wrists.

I winced at the strength, 'n…n…nothing' I stuttered petrified.

I walked away from him only making him mad, he caught me middle between the bar and the nuts box. 'girl, you better tell me, or you know what's going to happen' he said viciousness and liquor lasing his low voice.

I whimpered as he clenched my wrist harder. I looked into the eyes of my nightmares. Suddenly images flashed across my vision. Morganville, running, blood, vampire, teeth, Shane… that was it, I was not some helpless woman, I was not going to stand back and let some drunk psycho live out all his fantasies. I was not going to hid in the corner again. No I was going to stop this. Having Steve sat only feet away gave me the strength to pull away from my attacker. I slapped him hard and fast across his right cheek. He took a step back from the shock of it.

His hand had risen to his cheek, he pulled away and blood lingered on his ruff long fingers. Something in his eyes changed, he went from psycho to angry psycho. His hand went behind him, quick as a flash something happened. Wetness was poring down my face. I lifted my own hand to find a huge cut from my hair line to my jaw line. I stepped back into something. I turned and Steve stood there in all his glory, his strong muscle arms pulled me away from the mad man, his bright eyes filled with hate and anger.

I was passed into other strong arms and pulled aside, after that everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Steve started beating the evil man up, friends helped him, the evil mans smile never left its owner. Soon enough people pulled him out onto the street. Steve came over, all the fire and fight gone, I had a biker chick stitching my face back as a older man was whipping away the blood.

I smiled weakly up at Steve. 'my hero' I told him before I passed out from exhaustion and pain. When I woke again I was facing the glass of my window, the sun bright and high. I turned over and pain shit through my body I hurt everywhere. I gasped and felt hands on me, instinctively I tried to run but when I faced who it was, 'my hero' I called again a small but visible smile on my lips.

Steve was lying the other side of my bed a hand protectively around my wasted 'my girl' Steve told me, that only made me smile more, which hurt my face a lot more. His hand traced the stitches on my face. I noticed Jaz was at the end of my bed.

Before I could say anything Steve spoke. 'I'm not going to leave, I carry everything on my bike so I have shit but I can't leave you like this, plus I think I'm falling for you. Seeing your scars and seeing you hurt killed me.' he smiled, love filling his eyes.

'I love you too' I told him.

END OF FLASHBACK.

'that's when things started to look up, the evil man was beaten to death then burned, no one looked for him, no one spoke of him, and now I had my Steve and we both have our Eve and Jaz is around somewhere.' I ended the story, looking into the eyes of everyone in the room. Most people/vampires had tears threaten to fall. Eve had fallen asleep on Myrin's chest . I looked into the eyes of Steve.

'My hero' I said as he embraced me again, holding me close to his chest, one hand drawing my lips to his and one hand stroking my scared face. He moved the hair from covering the scar

'don't you ever hid from me, C' he told me only holding love.

'god I love you' I said he smiled down at me,

'I love you more' he told me, before we could get into a 'love you more…' fight he kissed me soft but filed with every emotion, everything we felt for each other. Love, passion, desire, life.

weird and a bit pysho i know. another one any one? go on there on me. x