This won't be a long story (I know, I know, I always say that) but I'm hoping to keep this one around 10 or less chapters.

Damn.

I can feel the freezing water soak through my shoes and into my socks, my feet going numb from the chill. Damn. These things are leather, and will no doubt squeak everytime I take a step. I have to say, I miss my sneakers, but unfortunately, black dress shoes are part of my uniform. And unfortunately, again, I don't have time to change my shoes, even if I am off duty. I suppose I should get used to it - spring comes every year, and the snow has to melt sometime.

So I'm forced to simply shake off my pant leg and continue on my way, hating the sound of the soles of my loafers squishing under my feet. I enter the hospital, already knowing where my destination is, after I received a call from Christian.

There was an attack on a nearby location last month, and I had been spending the last two weeks organizing teams of Guardians. My reputation had slowly been building after everything that had happened three years ago, and I was finally starting to be accepted into society.

I entered the infirmary and, as expected, my shoes made a horrible sucking sound with every footstep. I already knew the room number, thank God for my pager, and immediately made my way to the second floor.

Lissa lies in bed, looking more pale than usual, but otherwise fine. She's already looking up when I enter, I'm sure she can hear me coming from a mile away.

"Vasilisa Dragomir," I sigh, shaking my head. "What am I going to do with you?"

She gives a small smile and pats her bedside. "Everyone's overreacting! I'm a little dehydrated, it's not a big deal! They can give me some water and I'll be fine! I didn't need to be hospitalized!"

I grin. Typical Lissa. She hadn't wanted it, but her role as Queen had quickly grown on her, and it was one she fit perfectly.

"I know, Liss, but you're the Queen, they just want to make sure you're fine. They'll keep you overnight and you'll be out by morning."

She huffs, but smiles once more, unable to remain annoyed.

"Do you want anything?" I ask. "Real food, maybe? This stuff is crap, believe me, I've practically grown up on infirmary food."

She laughed. "I'm fine. Just get some rest, okay? You've been working all day."

"And I'm off all weekend..."

"Christian's coming soon..."

I hold up my hands in a surrender. "Okay! Okay, you win, I'm gone!"

I bid my friend goodbye, and though I'll never admit it, I'm exhausted. I cannot wait to get out of my black jacket and trousers and slip into my sweatpants. Looks like it'll be mac and cheese for dinner, tonight.

But while I'm walking down the hall, I, surprise surprise, am not paying attention. So, while turning a rather sharp corner, I run straight into the chest of an extremely tall Moroi, who is toting an IV.

He grunts, so do I, and we both stagger back. While I recover quickly, the Moroi, looking quite sickly, is bent over at the waist, trying to regain his balance.

"Are you alright?" I gasp, "Oh my God, I'm so sorry!"

I put my hand on his chest, noting that I can feel every bone in this man's poor body, and try to assist him in rising. He tries to wave me off, but I wrap my arms around his waist and gently lift him up. God, he couldn't of weighed any more than I did, and he had at least a foot of height on me.

Suddenly, his eyes lifted to mine, and he straightened, at least as much as he seemed to be able. But, he wasn't a Moroi at all. He was... Oh God...

Dimitri.

"Di..." I can't breathe, can't speak, can only stare into the dull eyes of the man I haven't seen in over three years. His face is pale, his frame has lost all trace of strength or muscle. He's practically a skeleton, and looks to have lost about 100 pounds.

"Rose!"

I spin quickly, Christian stalking down the hallway towards me. "Have you seen Lissa yet?" he calls.

I turn back around, ignoring him, but find Dimitri has disappeared entirely. "Rose?"

Christian's warm hand touches my shoulder. "Hey, Rose, are you alright?"

I swallow, nodding, staring into the space that Dimitri Belikov has seemingly vanished into.

"Dimitri Belikov. B...E...L...I...K...O...V."

The nurse pushes her thick, round glasses to the bridge of her nose and gazes down at her computer screen.

"Are you a friend of Mr. Belikov's?"

A complicated question, although I know there's no need or time to explain our history to this young woman.

"Yeah," I say. "I'm an old friend of his. Practically family." She nods, gives me the room number, and turns to assist another impatient visitor.

I can practically hear my heart echoing off of the cramped elevator space. What was Dimitri doing here? He had vanished, up and left, three years ago, without an explanation to where he was going, and if he would ever be back. And now, here he was, looking like hell, three years later, and no one knew of his return? Something was up.

Soon, I waltz in the door of the hospital room, my shoes still squishing with moisture. He doesn't blink, doesn't look up from his place on the bed.

"Shit," he mumbles softly.

Catiously, I move towards him, holding out my hands as if trying not to startle him.

"Dimitri," I say calmly. "How are you?"

Of all the things I could have said, this was the only thing that I could think of, and probably the most unintelligent.

He doesn't answer, just continues to look downwards, and I swear I can see his spine through the material of his shirt. I sit down next to him, taking his hands in mine, rubbing the paper-thin skin, avoiding the needle that attaches him to the IV. How odd it is, to be holding him, comforting him, after all this time. It's like we have picked up where we left off.

"Dimitri, what happened to you?"

He starts to tremble, but still doesn't answer, just grips my hand tighter, though I can tell his strength has been severely weakened. "Roza," he whispers.

And although it feels it's been an eternity, and things have obviously changed, I can still read him like a book. I wrap my arms around his shoulders, letting him sag into me, and I rub circles along his apparent spine and boney shoulder blades.

"I had to leave," he murmurs. "This is why I had to leave."

Even with no information whatsoever, I still feel tears build up in my eyes. "It doesn't matter, okay? Please, Dimitri, tell me what's going on..."

Suddenly, the doctor walks in, sees the two of us, clutching onto each other with desperation, and immediately pauses. "Should I come back later?" she asks.

Dimitri immediately straightens, trying to look composed. "No, it's alright. Rose was just leaving."

Knowing when I've been dismissed - I can tell this is no time to argue with him - I nod to him, the doctor, and leave the room. "Goodbye, Roza," he whispers, so brokenly, and I'm sure he's certain I'll never come back.

I can't leave now, though, so I end up pacing around the infirmary like a madman, hoping I've given the doctor enough time to speak with him, before heading up towards his room again.

"...stay in the hospital."

"As I've previously stated, that's not an option. I don't have the ability to pay for that."

"Well, perhaps you should check into a facility that will be able to provide you the care that you need."

"That's not an option, either."

"Perhaps a private nurse..."

"I don't have the ability to pay for these options, Dr. Walsh. I haven't worked for over three years, now. Not with my illness."

"Well, we cannot release you from your care until we set up a way for you to recieve care-"

"I cannot afford to stay here. We've already-"

"Well, Mr. Belikov, is there anyone who can provide care to you? As time progresses, you will not be able to continue on living independantly. You may need assistance just getting out of bed in the morning, and it will only get worse-"

"No, there's no one. There is no one that can provide care for me! I-"

"Well, Mr. Belikov, I suggest you begin to look into your options."

Pulling away from the doorway, I wait until the doctor is a fair distance down the hallway before slipping back into Dimitri's room. Despite his shaky farewell, he doesn't seem surprised to see me.

"How much of that did you hear, Rose?"

"Enough," I answer honestly. "Dimitri, I know it's none of my business, and I know that you have no obligation to tell me what's happening to you - I'm not asking - but please, if you need help, even if it's just a bit of money..."

He pinches the bridge of his nose, frustration setting in. "No, Rose. It's not just a little bit of money, it's a lot of money. You don't understand, this could take months, even a year. Maybe more. Care facilities are expensive, especially ones in Court. And I can't very well go to a human hospital."

"Dimitri, look, Lissa pays me well, and what the hell am I going to spend the money on? I eat instant noodles every night and wear a uniform to work every day. I've already got a lot saved up, and every month-"

"I'm not taking your money, Rose! I'm not going to let you pay for all of my expenses. I..."

I can tell he's getting a headache, the same ones he'd get at the academy when I was causing a great deal of stress.

"Well, you can't afford to stay here, Dimitri! Why don't we call it a loan? You can get the care you need, and then, when you're able to start paying it back..."

"Don't you get it?" he cries. "You won't ever get that money back! I'm dying, Rose! I'll never be able to work again! It's hopeless! I've seen enough doctors. There is no possibility that I can recover!"

Although I should have seen it coming, I still feel a horrible blow to my gut. Dying... I keep the tears from spilling from my eyes. I have to be strong. The last thing poor Dimitri needs is for me to fall apart at a time like this. I push the thought away, and focus on him.

"Lissa..."

"No. The Princess cannot heal me. This isn't a sickness, Rose, at least not one that can be healed. Forget it."

His face is buried in his hands, and he doesn't respond when I soothingly rub his back. "Dimitri, you need care. You need help. No matter how much it hurts your pride, you need help. Please, just let me help you."

"I don't deserve anything from you, after what I've done."

I sigh. We were never going to get over this. "The past is the past, Dimitri. What if... what if I told the doctor that I was going to take care of you? You could get a place in Court, live by yourself, and I could just check on you every once in a while, make sure you're doing alright..."

I expect him to fight, to yell again, to jump and and distance himself, but he only gives a shaky sigh. "I suppose that's about the best I can hope for, isn't it?"

I nod. Just as he's about to open his mouth, to tell me something I'm sure is vitally important, the arrogant doctor returns.

"Well? Have you made arrangements?"

Nodding, though not with ease, Dimitri nods, and pats my hand. "Yes. Rose... Rose is going to take care of me."

Well, that's the end of chapter 1.

Side note, this is an angsty fanfic, but it's not a tragedy, and definitely won't end that way. :)

Please review!