Surprise everyone! I am posting this early because it is just so good (In my opinion) I wanted everyone to read it....

And I wasn't going to do this chapter, but you know me and intros... It's a little scrambled, but I needed to get some stuff out there.

Please remember, like most of my stories, this is AU. There are going to be some flashbacks to let you see how things changed...

Please enjoy this!

Also, this story is dedicated to a certain someone who kept going "Are they hooking up in this story Huh? Huh? Huh?" You know who you are.... ;-)

Disclaimer: Richelle Mead owns all of the people I am writing about. Except some people that I will introduce later!


Rose's POV:

I stood on the tarmac at the academy and watched all my classmates meet up with their friends. Christian told me to wait here, so wait I would. I went to sit on my suitcase, but it was too painful, so I decided to stand. After what seemed like an eternity, and I was sure he wasn't coming, I saw Christian running down the path to the landing strip. He pulled me into a hug.

"I am so sorry I am late."

I pulled away and shrugged. "It's okay."

He pushed the hair out of my face. "No it isn't." He lightly kissed my nose. You are just too forgiving."

I ignored him as my eyes drifted to Tasha. "Oh. My. God. You're pregnant?"

Tasha smiled and nodded. "About six months."

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"Well, finals were going on when I found out and I figured that Christian was going to be home soon anyway so I figured I would wait."

"When are you due?"

"Right before Christmas."

I smiled and hugged her tight. "I am so happy for you." I hugged her husband. "You too Dimitri."

Dimitri hugged me back. "Thank you Rose. That means a lot."

I bit my lip to stop from screaming as he touched a sore area on my back. I pulled away smiling. "So, what is the game plan for this evening?"

Tasha smiled. "Well, as in 'Night before classes start" tradition, you will be staying with Dimitri, Christian and I at the cabin. I will cook dinner and breakfast before you head off to class."

"Sounds fun."

We started walking towards the cabin and Christian wrapped an arm around me. "So, what did you do on your summer vacation?"

"The usual, trained, baby sat for Lord Szelsky's grandchildren, went to a party at the Dragomirs..."

Christian stopped. "A what, where?"

"My mom made me go... I didn't want too..."

"No, Rose, I'm not mad. I just want you to tell me every dirty detail."

"Well, it wasn't that amazing... It was a bunch of teenage Moroi girls and me."

"It was a sleepover?"

I nodded. "I didn't stay the whole time though."

"Why?"

"I just didn't okay?"

Christian nodded. "It was probably stupid anyway."

"Yeah..." We made it to the cabin and I could see the table was set and there was something in the oven. I loved coming home with the Belikovs. It always felt like they loved me. Even if I didn't love myself. We ate a mostly silent meal and then headed to bed.

Tasha's POV:

I looked over at Dimitri who was reading another stupid Western. "I'm worried about Rose."

He closed the book and looked at me. "Why?"

"She just doesn't seem like herself..."

"Natasha, you know how hard it is for her to go home all summer, she will be okay in a couple days."

All of the sudden, Rose's screaming rang through the cabin. I looked at Dimka as I hopped out of bed. "You think so?" I ran up the ladder to the loft that she and Christian shared. I kneeled down next to the bed. "Roza, are you okay?"

She gave a small nod. "Yeah, just a nightmare." I reached forward and started to rub her back, but she cried out in pain. "Owww..." came the moan.

I gently pulled down the collar of Rose's shirt and gasped when I saw the bruise. "Rose... Why didn't you say something?"

"It's not that big of a deal. I get them all the time."

"Did you get this training?" She nodded a little too fast for my taste. I looked at Christian and smiled. "Christian, honey, can you go get Rose some water please?"

"Yes Aunt Tasha."

He left and Dimitri sat at Rose's feet. "Rosemarie... You know we love you like a daughter right?"

Rose nodded. "I know."

"I need you to be honest with us then. Who did this to you?"

"I did it to myself. I should have been more careful."

I pushed the hair out of her face. "You couldn't have. If I guess the person will you be honest with me?"

"Always."

"Okay then." I took a deep breath. "Lissa?"

"No."

"Lord Szelsky?"

"It wasn't a Moroi."

"Oh. Let's see then..."

"Was it your mom?"

I looked over at Christian. "Janine wouldn't..." I realized that Rose hadn't responded and my breath hitched as I looked back at her. "Did your mom do this to you?"

The look on Rose's face confirmed it all. "She didn't mean too... I wasn't paying attention..."

"Rose, I need to look and see how bad it is."

"No."

"Rose, please..."

"Can Dimitri do it?"

I saw Dimitri shift. "Rose, I don't think that would be appropriate..."

"Please? I know you won't hurt me..."

Christian stepped into the room. "Can I do it Rose?"

"No, I don't want you to see me like this..."

"Rose, you are the most beautiful woman..."

Rose was quiet for a moment and then nodded. "Okay."

Christian set the water down and took her hand. "I'll be gentle, I promise..."

Christian's POV:

Rose and I were now in the spare bedroom. We always told her that she could stay in it, but she said she liked looking out the loft's windows at the stars. I sat on the middle of the bed crosslegged. I watched as Rose stared in the mirror like she was debating whether or not to take her shirt off. "Ro?"

"Hmm?"

"You know, I don't care what you look like under your clothes, I still think you are the most beautiful woman in the world."

She looked over her shoulder she locked eyes with mw and smiled. "Can you come here please?"

I got off the bed and wrapped my arms lightly around her waist. "What's up?" I was trying to keep this as normal as possible.

"Will you unbutton my shirt? Please?"

I nodded and started to unbutton it. "You know, I have dreams about this."

"I know you do." She turned to whisper in my ear. "And by the end of the night, I plan to make your dreams a reality."

I smiled at kissed the side of her neck. "I love you... more than anything..."

"Because I am willing to give it up to you?"

I laughed and held her tighter. "No, because you love me. Past and all." With that, I easily lifted her up and laid her on the bed. "Okay, I am going to open your shirt now okay?" Rose gave me a small nod. I smiled at her and opened her shirt, I was about to hold in a gasp. "Oh Rose..."

That's when it happened. She burst into tears. "She didn't mean to... I know she didn't."

I held her to me. "Shhh... It's going to be okay." I turned Rose a little so I could see her back. "When does she do this?"

Rose looked over at me. "When I talk about you."

I gave her a sad smile. "Then why..."

"Because I love you so much, I can't NOT talk about you. You are always on my mind..."

I ran my hand through her hair. "I will be right back."

"Christian, you can't tell anyone what I told you."

"Rose, I am not going to let someone get away with doing this to you."

"And she won't. We can talk to them in the morning... Please, just don't leave me tonight."

I crawled into bed with her. "You know I love you right?"

Rose nodded. "I know you do... and thank you for that."

"What do you need right now?"

"You."

I smiled at her and held her close. "I think I can handle that..." I reached over to turn the light out.

Okay, this is a weird place to end this and there are a LOT of unanswered questions, but that is what the story is for :) Yay stories!

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Thanks!