(EPOV)

"Have any of you seen Rose? Hans just informed me that she has missed her last three shifts."

"She's probably off somewhere hiding and pouting. That's all she's good for anymore. Not that she was ever worth much of anything to begin with." I heard those words come out of Lissa's mouth but I wasn't believing she said that. I felt my jaw fall open and hit the floor, looking at Chris I could tell I wasn't the only one that felt that way.

"Whatever. Christian have you heard from her?"

"No, not since that day at the church."

"That's the last day anyone saw her. I'm going to go check her room."

"I'll go with you Eddie, after what this genius over here did that day, she may need help. You Belikov after everything Rose went through to bring you back, you'd think you would be at least a little grateful. But no, not you. You treat her like garbage, like she is just shit on the bottom of your shoe." Christian said, he and Rose may have not been the best of friends but he still cares about her.

"Rose didn't bring me back Princess Vasilissa did." Hearing this shocked me so bad I didn't know what to say.

"And you really believe that bullshit?" Christian asked him.

"I was there I know what I saw and felt, and it was the Princess that brought me back."

"Yea well, I was there that day to remember. Lissa may have been the one that staked you, but she wasn't the one that saved you." Chris told him.

"Like I said I know what I felt."

"Lissa are you really going to just sit there and let him go on believing that crap?" Christian asked her.

"Why shouldn't I? I am the one who saved him."

"Oh my God, who are you? You and I both know you are not responsible for his being a damphire again, that was all Rose. All you did was stab him with a stake. The only reason you knew what to do is because Rose was almost killed half a dozen times finding a way to bring him back. Rose is the one that broke you know who out of you know where. Rose is the one that hunted him down in Russia. Rose is the one that did everything to get him back. You were just a spirit user in the right place at the right time, it could have just as easily been Adrian." I told them all incredulously. Looking at Chris I could tell he was just as shocked by Lissa's words and actions as I was.

"Come on Eddie let's go check her apartment." With that said we went to Rose's apartment to make sure she was ok.

I knocked on the door only for it to come open, which meant it hadn't actually been closed. We walked in and on the bar I found an envelope.

"Chris look." I held the envelope up showing it to him.

"Why would she leave an envelope for the two of us?"

"I don't know, here open it and see what it is."

Dear Eddie and Chris,

By the time you get this I'll be gone, I can't stay here anymore. I am sick and tired of hateful ungrateful people in my life. I go to the ends of the earth to save Dimitri from being a strigoi. Only to have him come back, hating the very sight of me and worshiping at the feet of one Princess Vasilissa Sabina Rhea Dragomir, simply because she stabbed him with a stake. He acts as though just being in my presence is a spit in the face and I am beneath him. I am also tired of having Adrian continually trying to get me to sleep with him. I like him as a friend nothing more, but he just won't stop. And because of this I have to listen to Tatiana call me trash, slut, bloodwhore and a whole list of other things. Adrian if you hear this, you would be a good friend if you'd just stop. As for the precious Princess, Chris I am so sorry for the things she has put you through. If I had known, she'd turn out this way I would have left her to Victor. To everyone that doesn't know the new and improved her, she is the perfect angel. What a load of bullshit, she uses people like toilet paper. Chris she doesn't deserve you, I used to think it was the other way around but I was soo wrong. Be glad you got out when you did. Now as for the high and mighty Guardian Dimitri Belikov, if you can hear this, you make me sick. I should have killed you instead of bringing you back. All the pain you caused me as a strigoi is nothing compared to what you have caused me since you've been back. Want an estimation on the difference? Well take what you did as a strigoi and multiply it times a million see if you can even come close. You won't because you don't really care, you never did. I was just a convenient piece of ass for you to use. All that bullshit about loving me was just that, bullshit. You wanted sex and I was dumb enough to believe your lies. I was the virgin so you just had to have me. Well you got what you wanted you conquered the infamous Rose Hathaway, you did what no one else had been able to do. But then that's another reason why you did it, bragging rights. I have risked my life for you more times than anyone knows, even Eddie. I figured out a way to bring you back, I broke Victor Dashkov out of prison, I went to Russia to free your soul. I chased down a fucking myth to bring you back, I fought and kill 783 strigoi to free you, the list goes on and on and on. And why did I do all of those things? Because I loved you, stupid me. I can't believe I fell for your lies. How many other times have you done that...huh? Well you wanted me away from you, wish granted. You bastard. You are no better than Adrian, or any other moroi man that uses damphire girls and women. You and your precious Princess deserve each other. I hope you live happily ever after, before you both burn in hell. I'll see you there, I'll be the one in charge of your punishment, and I'll be sure to make you both regret having ever been born. So both of you fuck off, eat shit, and drop dead. Eddie, if you and Chris want to contact me I'll be in the one place you, Mason and I always wanted to go. Trying to do what we wanted to, bring Mia with you if you want, I'll be happy to see the three of you. If you need help getting there ask my father, in case you don't know that's Abe Mazur. He'll get you there and never tell any of those fuckers where we are. In case you need a reminder where I mean just remember we are THE ABANDOND. Hope to see the three of you soon.

The person formally known as

Rose Hathaway

Now known as Roe

P.S. Chris pull a Ralf for me please and destroy this letter. I don't need the whole Victor shit getting out.

"Well I hope you three are happy. You just drove the best guardian of our time away. Possibly straight into the arms of the strigoi, so I hope you feel an imminence amount of pride in yourselves. Chris I'm going and I'm taking Mia do you want to go with us?" I asked as I looked at the three people I hated most in the world right now.

"Yes. As soon as I do what Roe asked for." As soon as he said this both Belikov and the precious Princess were on fire.

A fire that wouldn't cause actual damage but they felt every lick of the flame against their skin. The two of us just stood there watching them, scream in pain and writhe on the floor. Along with the letter, while the fire that burned them wasn't real the one that burned the letter was. Neither of us moved until the letter was no more. Finally, Chris and I left to pack, I called Mia told her what happened and told her meet us at the garage in half an hour. Then I found Abe and told him that we wanted to go, where the now Roe, is. An hour later we were on a jet headed for LA.

(DPOV)

I can't believe she actually left me. The love of my life is gone, I had driven her away. Did she really believe I don't love her? That I never loved her? That I had only used her for sex? God I am so fucking stupid. How could I have done this to her? After everything she had done for me and I turn around and cut her out of my life. While all but worshiping the ground Princess Vasilissa walked on. I didn't listen to Roza when she tried to tell me that she had been the one that really saved me. Will I ever see my Roza again? Oh my God. My Roza, I love you so much and I always will. Why, why was I so stupid? I just lost the only woman I have ever loved or ever will. How will I live without her? I don't want to go on living without my Roza. 'Please God give her back to me.' I could tell I was about to start crying so I headed to my room. My place of forced solitude, if only I had listened to her and told her how much I do love her, maybe things would be different. Instead, I'm here alone with nothing but my guilt and grief. Nothing will matter ever again, without Roza my life is over.

Six heart breaking miserable months later

I pull into the driveway of my family home in Baia, Russia. I try to put on a happy face, a face that is impossible since I lost my Roza. Walking in I see my mother at the stove right where she always is.

"Hey momma."

"Oh Dimka, I'm so glad to see you my son. Where's Roza?" I can't bring myself to tell her what I did so I just say that she's in America which I think is true.

After being greeted by everyone except my grandmother she walks in. I smile at her, admittedly it was a forced smile, and she walks over to me slaps me so hard that the other side of my face hits the wall. Then she spits on me. I know she knows what happened and that it's all my fault.

"I am ashamed to call you my grandson. I know you were raised better than that. You have brought great shame on this family. Do you have any idea the things she went through for you? And how do you repay her? By treating her as if she were something you stepped in. You don't deserve her, at one time you did, but not anymore."

"Momma, what's going on?" My mother asked her.

"Why don't you ask your pathetic excuse for a son about his precious Princess and the dead flower. Although I doubt he'll tell you the truth."

"Momma you know Dimka would never lie."

"Really? Ask him again where Roza is."

"Dimka where is Roza?" I didn't want to tell them what I had done but I couldn't outright lie to my mother.

"I...I...I don't know momma. She left, not just the moroi world but me too."

"Now tell her why she left."

So I did, I told them everything I had said and done to my precious, precious Roza.

"Dimka, how could you? She risked her life and career for you and you treat her like that. I love you dearly, but at this moment I'm ashamed to call myself your mother." With that she walked away from me. Vika walked up to me and slapped the living hell out of me, followed quickly by both my other sisters each doing the same as babushka had done. Although it wasn't half of what I deserved.

Paul walked up to me and asked, "Uncle Dimka how could you hurt aunt Roza like that? I love her. You better fix this, and fix it fast or there won't be any going back, she'll be beyond your reach forever." Apparently he had inherited Yeva's gift.

"How am I supposed to do that Paul? I don't even know where she is." He walked across the room and picked up a magazine handed it to me and walked away and there on the cover was my Roza. The headline read; Roe Mazur and THE ABANDOND to give a benefit concert in Missoula, Montana. There was a smile on her face but her eyes, they had always been the windows to her soul. And they were completely empty. Void of any emotion, and it had been me that had done this to her. That made my mind up for me I am going to do whatever I have to in order to get my Roza back. I always wanted her back, but before now I had no idea of how to go about it. But now that I know where she is, I will stop at nothing to get her back in my arms. I ran into the kitchen where my family all sat at the table.

"Babushka, I found her. Now what do I do? How do I get her back?"

"How did you find her?"

I showed her the magazine Paul had given me.

"It says right here that they are looking for a new head of security. You know how to do that so get off your butt and go do it. Alberta Petrova is the head of her security at the moment, but she is retiring, from that position. Call Alberta tell her what happened and that you are trying to get Roza back. It will take some convincing but she'll give you the position. After that it's up to you, that's as far as I've seen."

As soon as she finished telling me this I jumped up and ran to my cell phone and called Alberta. It took three hours of talking for me to convince her that I really loved Roza and I would do anything and everything to get her back. Finally, she told me to meet her at the Wendy's in Missoula in five days.

"YES!" I screamed causing everyone to come running into the living room. "She gave me the job I just have to meet her in Montana in five days. I'm sorry momma but I have to go, I have to get my Roza back."

"You better. Next time you come back, she better be with you. I love you Dimka."

Five days later I sat in the local Wendy's waiting for Alberta.

"Alberta thank you so much. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

"By not fucking it up this time. I have known Roe since she was five years old, and I have never seen her so hurt and destroyed as I did when she told me what happened. She's still in more pain than I've ever seen her, or anyone else for that matter. Even more than when you were changed or when she came back thinking she'd killed the love of her life. She puts on a good show for the camera's and concerts but those of us that know her, know that's just what it is, a show. Let me tell you a little about what's going on. I won't tell you what's happened, if she wants you to know she'll tell you that herself. When Eddie, Chris and Mia arrived in LA, Abe already had them a mansion bought and a tryout with capital records. Before they finished the first song they were signed to a ten album deal. Have you ever heard Roe sing?"

"No."

"Then you are in for a treat. She's amazing, she writes all of their music. And believe it or not you're the inspiration behind all of it. Here listen to this." She handed me an IPOD and ear buds.

All I am, all I'll be
Everything in this world, all that I'll ever need
Is in your eyes, shining at me
When you smile I can feel,all my passion unfolding
Your hand brushes mine
And a thousand sensations seduce me 'cause I,

I do, cherish you
For the rest of my life
you don't have to think twice
I will, love you still
From the depths of my soul, it's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say this to you
If you're asking do I love you this much
I do

In my world, before you
I lived outside my emotions, didn't know where I was going
'til that day, I found you
how you opened my life to a new paradise
In a world torn by change
Still with all of my heart until my dying day

I do, cherish you
For the rest of my life
you don't have to think twice
I will, love you still
From the depths of my soul, it's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say this to you
If you're asking do I love you this much
I do

If you're asking do I love you this much
I do, oh, I do

"Oh my God she's truly amazing."

"Yes, now can you guess where the inspiration for that song came from?" I shook my head at her, not really believing it was possible that she did still love me. "You. Like I said, you are her inspiration. Whether it be love songs, sad songs or even very pissed off songs. Listen to next one, it's one of the pissed off songs." Once again I put the ear buds in and listened to my Roza sing

Mary Anne and Wanda were the best of friends
All through their high school days
Both members of the 4H Club
Both active in the FFA
After graduation Mary Anne went out
lookin' for a bright new world
Wanda looked all around this town
and all she found was Earl

Well, it wasn't two weeks
after she got married that
Wanda started gettin' abused
She put on dark glasses
and long sleeved blouses
And make-up to cover her bruise

Well, she finally got the nerve to file for divorce
She let the law take it from there
But Earl walked right through that restraining order
And put her in intensive care

Right away Mary Anne flew in from Atlanta
On a red eye midnight flight
She held Wanda's hand and they worked out a plan
And it didn't take them long to decide
That Earl had to die

Goodbye, Earl
Those black-eyed peas?
They tasted all right to me, Earl
You're feeling weak?
Why don't you lay down and sleep, Earl
Ain't it dark?
Wrapped up in that tarp, Earl
The cops came by to bring Earl in
They searched the house high and low
Then they tipped their hats
and said "Thank You, ladies, if you hear from him let us know"
Well, the weeks went by and spring turned to summer
And summer faded into fall
And it turns out he was a missing person
who nobody missed at all

So the girls bought some land
and a roadside stand
Out on Highway 109
They sell Tennessee ham
and strawberry jam,
And they don't lose any sleep at night
'Cause Earl had to die

Goodbye Earl
We need a break
Let's go out to the lake, Earl
We'll pack a lunch
And stuff you in the trunk, Earl
Well, is that all right?
Good! Let's go for a ride, Earl.
Hey

Well, hey hey hey
Ah, hey hey hey
Well, hey hey hey

"I take it that one was soon after she left?"

"Yes. It was the first one she wrote after she left. She was not only pissed off she was broken, and I'm not talking about just her heart but also her soul and spirit." I went to return the IPOD to her and she told me, "keep it, it might help you, it's full of her singing. Like I said she writes it all. When you listen to a song, listen to the whole thing before you draw any conclusions, some are not what they seem at first. Here sign these contracts that way she can't fire you as soon as she sees you. I should also tell you that no matter where they are when they finish their concerts, if there are strigoi in town they hunt and they've killed a massive amount. One of the roadie's is a damphire tattoo artist so he gives them their marks. I keep up with them myself, so you'll have to do that too. Roe has trained Chris and Mia and they are good. Not as good as Roe, but then not even you are as good as Roe anymore, I can't even beat her."

"How many has she killed?"

"Well she won't tell me how many she killed in Russia but she has told me there were wellll over three hundred. In the last six months she has killed 322, Eddie has killed 112, Chris has killed 57, and Mia has killed 26. These are there separate numbers, their numbers as a group are in the thousands. They also have an alchemist that travels with them, that way I'm not the only one who keeps up with their kills. Her name is Sydney Sage she handles the money and technology she's also the mechanic when something breaks down."

"Yeah, you could definitely say there were well over three hundred. She actually killed 783 in Russia."

I watched as Alberta's mouth fell open in shock and awe. "Damn, she really is a killing machine." I just nodded in agreement. "Before we go I want you to listen to the next song. It's the newest one, see what comes to mind when you hear it."

Every boy dreams of being a man
And there'll come a moment when he'll get the chance
Well, it's not how you live, it ain't how you die
Now a days the real ones are so hard to find
Where are the men with the nerves made of steel
Hearts that are wild and unbroken iron will
They say what they mean and they mean what they say
Ride off like heroes after saving the day

So let's all raise our glassed to spirits untamed
Make us all something strong, a double shot of John Wayne

I've been knocked down a time or two
And this scar on my chin it ain't no tattoo
We might take falls but cowboys don't cry
So get up on your ponies and let's all whip and ride

'Cause we are the men with the nerves made of steel
Hearts that are wild and unbroken iron will
We say what we mean and we mean what we say
Ride off like heroes after saving the day

So let's all raise our glassed to spirits untamed
Make us all something strong
A double shot of John Wayne

There's blue collars, white collars but we all bleed red
And what will they say when we're all dead

Where are the men with the nerves made of steel
Hearts that are wild and unbroken iron will
They say what they mean and they mean what they say
Ride off like heroes after saving the day

So let's all raise our glassed to spirits untamed
Make us all something strong
A double shot of John Wayne

Yeah, make us all something strong
A double shot of John Wayne

I couldn't help but smile when I heard this song. I knew it was just one of her ways of teasing me, even if she didn't know I'd ever hear it.

"God help me; I love that woman." I said shaking my head.

"I know you do. Which is the only reason I'm doing this. She loves you too. She's just still in so much pain, it may take a while to get through to her. No one else knows this but, she tried to kill herself the week she left. She took a whole bottle of sleeping pills, so be careful with her. She won't survive this again. Dimitri can you sing?"

I can't believe I had done so much damage to her, I was trying to protect her and I ended up doing more harm than good. I guess what they say about people you love being able to hurt you the worst is true. "Yes, why?"

"Because I just thought of a way to reintroduce you into her life. How about dancing can you do that?"

"I don't know I've never tried."

"If I gave you a recording of a routine could you do it?"

"I think so; it can't be much more difficult than fighting can it?"

"More difficult? I don't know but it's definitely different. There are some videos on the IPOD too. Watch the one where Roe and Eddie are singing and dancing. I'll get him to stand down for that number and you can take his place. She won't make a scene on stage. Good luck Dimitri you're going to need it. I'll see you Friday night at the concert, please don't screw this up." With that said we part.

Once at the hotel I begin learning the song and dance routine Alberta told me about. It took me two days to get it all down perfectly. Friday came soon, but not soon enough for me. I met Alberta and Abe Mazur backstage in a hidden corner as to not let Roza see me.

Eddie and Christian walked over to me, "You better not fuck this up Belikov or so help me that little fire trick I pulled off the day we left will be nothing. I'll actually set you on fire if you don't get it right this time." Christian said to me.

"After you burn I'll dance in your ashes, if mess this up Belikov." Eddie said to me.

"I won't. Roza's my life I was so screwed up then. Filled with so much grief, guilt and fear over the things I had done to her. I wanted her safe, which I thought meant away from me. I have never felt so empty as I have since she's been gone, not even as a strigoi." I saw them all nod their heads to me. Eddie and Christian left when the call was made for them to take their places. Alberta handed me a head set so that I could sing while holding Roza. An hour into the show I was signaled letting me know that it was time to take my mark. When I walked over Eddie left while telling me good luck. The music started and I waited for my cue.

I walk out on stage singing my heart out to Roza, trying to let her know that I meant every word I was saying. The look on her face was pure unadulterated shock. Taking her in my arms we begin the final dance scene from the movie Dirty Dancing. When there was a pause in the singing I kissed Roza. I knew this wasn't part of the routine but I just couldn't help myself.

(Dimitri)

Now I've had the time of my life
No I never felt like this before
Yes I swear it's the truth
and I owe it all to you

(Roe)
'Cause I've had the time of my life
and I owe it all to you

(Dimitri)

I've been waiting for so long
Now I've finally found someone
To stand by me

(Roe)

We saw the writing on the wall
As we felt this magical
Fantasy

(Both)

Now with passion in our eyes
There's no way we could disguise it
Secretly

So we take each other's hand
'Cause we seem to understand
The urgency just remember

(Dimitri)

Just remember

(Roe)

You're the one thing

(Dimitri)

I can't get enough of

(Roe)

So I'll tell you something

(Both)

This could be love because

I've had the time of my life
No I never felt this way before
Yes I swear it's the truth
And I owe it all to you

(Dimitri)

hey baby

(Roe)

With my body and soul
I want you more than you'll ever know

(Dimitri)

So we'll just let it go
Don't be afraid to lose control

(Roe)

Yes I know whats on your mind
When you say "Stay with me
tonight."

(Dimitri)

Just remember
You're the one thing
(Roe)

I can't get enough of

(Dimitri)

So I'll tell you something

(Both)

This could be love because
I had the time of my life
And I've searched through every open door
Till I've found the truth

and I owe it all to you