A/N: The first 15 chapters are really short. This is my first fanfic, and I didn't really figure out my "normal/standard" chapter length until chapter 16. Also, I know Art Shoenberg died before I spun off this AU story, but... I forgot that until I'd already written him in. Oops.
Lissa POV
The whole gang was eating lunch in the cafeteria. Well, not the whole gang. Mason's seat was still empty, and there was an empty space against the wall where Guardian Belikov would normally stand. Adrian and I were both exhausted from all the Spirit we'd been wielding. We'd spent nearly every waking hour since the rescue party had returned at the clinic. We were both pretty proud of ourselves - almost all of the guardians and students were on their way to a full recovery, largely because of our efforts. The only ones not recovered - or nearly so - were those who had died or been left for dead in the caves. We had to assume that those whose bodies hadn't been recovered had been taken by the Strigoi and turned.
Christian, Mia, and Eddie had worked themselves into a similar exhaustion – though theirs was physical rather than mental - cleaning up the school grounds. And Rose… well, Rose had been pitching in here and there, but her heart wasn't in it. She had lost her spark in those caves, and I was beginning to wonder if she'd ever get it back. Guardian Belikov, her mentor and my other guardian, had been one of those whose body hadn't been found. And so soon after losing Mason… well, it was no wonder her heart was hurting.
I watched her pick listlessly at her food, which was so not Rose.
"Hey Rose," Eddie suddenly spoke, "If you're not gonna eat that, give it to someone who's actually hungry."
He looked shocked when she wordlessly pushed her plate towards him. He wasn't the only one.
"Rosie Posie…" started Christian, knowing she hated that nickname, and wouldn't be able to resist snarking back at him.
She didn't even look up. She simply sat, staring vacantly at her hands, as her fingers toyed fretfully with her napkin. I glanced around the table, noting the worried looks on everyone's faces. We all cared deeply for Rose. None of us loved, fought, or played as hard as she did. She was our rock, our passion and our spark, and it was horrifying, watching her wilt before our eyes. I mentally kicked myself for being so busy the past few days. Maybe if I'd been there for her. Maybe if I'd really seen her, instead of absently noting her aimless wandering, then turning back to my work.
'Rose, what's wrong?' I sent through the bond. 'What happened in those caves?'
She sighed. "Liss..." she started, then broke off as the cafeteria door opened, and Guardian Petrov walked in, deep in conversation with Guardian Belikov. Rose stiffened as their voices drifted over to us, and then she was gone. She leapt from the table, knocking over Eddie's drink in the process and ignoring his protests, and ran across the room faster than I'd ever seen her run.
"Comrade!" she yelled, then "Dimitri!" and I watched in shock as she launched herself into his arms.
