I got this idea while I was doing the dishes and decided hey why the hell not? As usual, I'm winging it, so you never know what turns this story might take. I'm totally out of element here but I want to give it a try.

Summary: Roza doesn't know who she is. The only link she holds her to her past in the golden ring around her finger, with the words engraved on the inside, For my Roza, I will always love you. Roza has no recollection of who she was but she hopes with the help of her new friends, and not to mention her hunky savior, Adrian Ivashkov that she'll find out who she really is.

Any nickname's for Rose, that Adrian might call her by? I've narrowed it down to: Little nixie, sunshine, Lethe, or Ariel? No mermaid jabs. Ariel's the exception...

Forgotten Roses

Chapter 1

Adrian

I had to get away.

Don't get me wrong, California is the good life. Girls in bikini's, under privileged drinking, rambunctious beach parties past midnight, bonfires, sailing, and not to mention the vast ocean made a great companion. These elements made up my life and most days I was perfectly content to live that way. But then there were days like this.

"He needs to start worrying about his future, Daniella! All he does is make a nuisance of himself, partying and drinking late with god knows who!"

I rolled my eyes as my wealthy parents fought over 'my' future. Sure I drank, all college freshman's did, I was no exception. As for the woman, let's just say they 'followed' me home. Apparently this wasn't typical behavior in the newly started summer. My father demanded I go to college to become a hot shot lawyer because that's what 'real' men do. In my eyes my father was the most insane, incredulous person to walk the earth. He didn't give a damn about me, or my over protective mother, never did. His soul intent was to keep up appearances and show off his trope family. Crazy.

My mother was calm, regardless of my father's hostile facade. She always held a composure of sereneness. "He's wise enough to make his own decisions. Have you forgotten how rampant you once were Nathan? Partying late, taking home a different woman to bed every night. Not that I approve of you bringing useless girls into our home Adrian."

My father flushed indignantly. I took great delight in his sudden mortification. I had a front seat ticket after all to see my egotistical father crack under pressure, his composure rarely chipped so when it did it was prime time entertainment. I slouched back, raising my feet on the ridiculously expensive coffee table. My father's anger took precedence, his predominant hazel eyes zeroed in on me.

"I'm sick of this, you hear me boy? Figure out what you're going to do with your life by the end of the summer or I swear-"

My lips quirked up on their own accord. "What father? What are you going to do?"

He gritted his teeth, but there was nothing he could say or do for that matter. After all how would he explain his son's absence to the neighbors? I got up and as I walked out of the room my father exclaimed, "This isn't over Adrian."

Might as well be, I thought, not giving him the satisfaction of conceding his words. It went through on ear and right out the other. That's how it was in this family. You voiced your complaints, no one took it seriously, followed by fits of outrage. Ah, the Ivashkov house was always a delight. Too bad I didn't feel like sticking around. I went out the front door of the extravagant beach house I'd grown up in. It was the biggest, most expensive house along the beach. A two story house that overlooked the sparkling vast ocean. I took to the beach, it always brought comfort in spite the detrimental arguments my father always brought to the table. It was twilight, in other words the best time to party and get plastered. But my heart wasn't into it tonight. A rarity for me.

I considered heading over to the dock and going sailing. I'd barely made it halfway to the docks.

"Adrian!"

It was a voice I would know anywhere, Sydney Sage. My childhood friend, the two of us use to be inseparable. She was probably the only girl I never hit on. I considered her my best friend, not that I'd admit it but after we went our separate ways to college our friendship had taken a huge drift. Regardless of the sour mood I was in I was happy to see her.

"Hey Syd," the nickname came naturally to my lips.

She threw her arms around me in a warm embrace, which surprised me tremendously. Although it had been quite a while since I'd last seen her. The last time I saw her was at Christmas when we were both home on break. I hugged her back.

She pulled away so I could see her sly smile. Her sleek dirty blond hair was tied up in a casual bun. She wore a light pink tank top, her slim ivory arms crossed her chest. Along that she wore a pair of white shorts that did wonders for her long creamy legs. Her body always held temptation but it was always the steely blue eyes that made me reconsider anything like that. Her cheekbones were angular, promptly narrowed. Her features could be tended into a softer look when she smiled or they could transform into a downright scary glare which made me falter every time.

"I came by a few minutes ago, heard your parents," she sighed knowingly. "How long have you been back for?"

I knew what that latter sentiment really meant. How long have you been here without telling me? I shrugged, "Couple weeks." I ran a hand through my dark brown locks.

I expected one of those come hither glared but instead her expression softened. "Well, it's good to have you back."

It slipped out casually, "At least someone thinks so."

"They'll come around," she promised, a few loose strands of her hair flew in the slight breeze. "Where you off to?"

"The dock. You wanna come Sagey?"

She hated that nickname, but conceded nonetheless. "I suppose."

I laughed and we headed off towards the dock. We talked about college, Sydney's little sister Zoey.

"Back up a second," I grinned, "Little Zoey's getting married? The same Zoey who chased butterflies and got ants in her hair?"

Sydney grimaced at the latter memory. "Well she's all grown up now, in love with some genius foreign destitute she met at Brown. They're getting married on the thirtieth. We sent your parents an invitation," she said, as if it were obvious.

The mentioned of my parents however darkened my humor. "Never came up. This is the first time I'm hearing about it."

"Good, because we both expect you to be there."

"Very well. Who am I to turn down the sage sisters?"

Sydney rolled her eyes placidly.

We reached the dock finally and walked to my boat. My boat was a fifty fuel engine. She was a fine boat for sailing. I named her Summer after my favorite season. Sydney and I got on board. The sun was setting, leaving behind a faint pink and red afterglow. I preferred sailing when the son went up but this was a glorious sight too. Once we were out of the dark waters we talked little. The ocean was the one place I left my smart moth behind. It was the one place in the world where I was content to be. The alcohol was a different story.

"What's that?"

"Hmm?"

"Adrian open your god damned eyes!"

The fear in her voice made me more aware than the actual command. Sydney's eyes were wide, gaunt with disbelief. "There's something in the water."

"It's probably just drift wood," I said calmly, though I squinted my eyes to see where her eyes were aimed at.

"Go turn on the spotlight," she commanded, "Now!"

I scrambled up from my comfortable position. You don't say no to a Sage sister when she's scary calm. I ran up the stairs, a certain chill in my chest. It was stupid of me to go sailing when it was so dark. I turned on the spotlight, trying to aim in on the floating figure.

That's when I realized it was indeed a figure. Not drift wood. Not a figure of imagination. But a person, a real, dead or alive person.

"Oh god," screeched Sydney, realizing the same thing. "It's a girl. Adrian! We have to do something."

"I know!" I wanted to keep the light on her floating body. "Sydney move closer! Move the boat closer. I have to keep the light secure!"

"Oh, okay," she said and a moment later the boat lurched forward. As we neared the body Sydney stopped the boat. I kept the light on the body and ran downstairs.

"Adrian, what are you doing?"

I stripped down to my underwear and a moment later I dived into the cool deep water. Under the surface I could see her, the body. I came back up for air and moved my arms and legs in perfect synchronized movements. The water was freezing temperature, my heart was beating frantically in my chest even though every part of me felt frozen. When I reached her, I grabbed both her arms, her back lay against my chest as I brought her back to the boat. Dark hair tickled my chest and the arms held had an almost bluish tint.

"Sydney!" I gasped, my vision hazy from the dark water. "Help her!"

We both hoisted the body up. I followed, every one of my muscles aching with fatigue. Sydney had produced towels and was wrapping them around the mysterious girl's body. She chucked a towel at me.

"She has a pulse," she said, strangely calm. That was Sydney for you. "It's very faint but it's there."

I dropped the towel by accident and moved forward. "CPR, now Sydney. Do it," I said through chattering teeth.

She looked at me square in the eyes. "I don't know if I can-"

"You did it with me. You can do it for her."

She blanched, "That was a long time ago."

"We're running out of time. I can barely breathe, you need to do it now!"

She didn't say anything, instead she placed both her hands on the unconscious girl's chest and began pushing down. "One, two, three," she muttered determinately and then she was leaning down, pressing her mouth to the girls.

"C'mon Syd."

"One, two, three."

"You can do this," I murmured, looking down at the pale, innocent face of an average girl. Brown hair obscured her face and shoulders. She wore a ragged black dress, her skin still had a frightening blue tint. She seemed to be about Sydney's height. There was something in her face, despite being unconscious that made me think she was the most innocent creature I'd ever seen. That revelation made it hard to see her like this. I truly, profoundly wanted for this young girl to live.

Sydney, fast and efficiently pumped the girl's chest. Her eyes were a blaze of determination. Minutes could have passed. Hours could have passed.

Then, quite suddenly the unmoving girl twitched and water spurted out of her mouth.

I laughed in incredulously as the girl choked up more water. A bizarre reaction. The laugh was a combination of unconfined disbelief and relief it self.

The relief I felt mirrored the look in Sydney's eyes.

"I'm going to start the boat," I said, wishing I had done so sooner.

"Go," is all Sydney said.

I gave the girl one last look. Her chest heaved rapidly as she fought some inner battle to stay alive.

"It's going to be okay," I muttered as I started the engine. "It's going to be fine."

XxxxXxxxX

Review please! Sorry for any spelling mistakes.

Next chapter's in Rose's POV.