Hi everyone! This is my very first fanfic that I published years ago. But after re-reading the original Vampire Academy series again, I was inspired to edit this story. The plotline is the same, I just wanted to fix some parts that I wasn't happy with and add some new ideas here and there. I don't own any of the characters or plotlines from the original books, they belong to the brilliant Richelle Mead. This story is set after Last Sacrifice, but the storyline of Bloodlines is not included. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1: A Good Morning

I felt strong, muscular arms wrap around my waist, pulling my body against the warmth of a naked chest as I fought the process of waking up. I felt fingers glide up my arm, across my cheek and then lace into my hair. Long legs entwine with my own, holding me in place on the bed. I breathe a contented sigh as the lips that had been all over my body only a few hours earlier returned, placing kisses up my neck and across my jaw. I arch my body, pressing further into the man holding me. A low growl rewards my movement and before I have time to fully appreciate the sound, I'm positioned flat on my back, staring straight into the eyes of the man I love.

"Good morning Roza." I moan at the sound of Dimitri's Russian accent, thicker than normal with the remnants of sleep.

I lift my head slightly off the pillow to place a kiss on those lips. Smiling up at him I ask, "How long have you been awake?"

"About an hour or so." He replied, placing more kisses on my neck.

"Why didn't you get up? I wouldn't have minded." I love that he's been waking me up like this lately. Maybe he does it in case he gets lucky. I must admit, though, he usually does.

He laughs as he places a kiss on my forehead. "Yes you would have. And besides…" He pauses, placing a kiss on my cheek before continuing. "We don't have to do anything or be anywhere today. Lissa and Christian don't need us to start work for another month and a half and it's Christmas in two weeks so their out shopping today anyway. So, we have the whole day to ourselves."

He seems pleased with this and I can't help but be pleased too. Honestly, how could I complain with having the entire day to do whatever I want with my sexy Russian boyfriend.

It has been a month since my best friend Lissa was crowned Queen and I was shot by Tasha Ozera. I had figured out that Tasha was responsible for murdering the last Moroi Queen, Tatiana, and that she had been the one to frame me for it. When I'd exposed her in order to clear my name, the bitch shot me! She later explained that she was aiming for Lissa but knew I'd jump in front of her and take the bullet. She was currently locked up awaiting her trial to begin. Let's face it, the bitch is psycho.

As much as I never wanted to see Tasha again, I had to be in attendance for her hearing. It was obvious that she completely despised me as she gave her testimony. Apparently, she chose me to take the fall simply because I'm with Dimitri and she was jealous. Last year when she had offered Dimitri the opportunity to be her guardian and have kids with her, he'd turned her down because he was in love with me. She knew that even before she voiced the offer but she had feelings for him and was pissed he didn't feel the same towards her and so she famed me and then tried to kill me. Yeah… psycho!

Dimitri and I were given some time off together while I healed. The bullet wound itself has healed but I'm still not allowed to do anything too extravagant in case I hurt myself. Luckily, I have gotten away with a few extra activities involving a certain Russian God to satisfy my need for some form of physical exercise.

"I'm going to take a shower. You want to join me?" Dimitri asked and I nodded a little too enthusiastically. He laughed and shook his head as he pulled the sheet back, swinging his legs over the side of the bed as he sat up on the edge.

That body of his was in great form and I watched every defined muscle as he stretched his hands up above his head then ran his hands through that thick brown hair of his. Mmm what a good morning this was! He stood up and turned around, reaching his hand out to help me up out of bed as well. I started to wonder how the hell I was going to be able to be away from him when we have to start duty. But I quickly brushed my worries away because as I hopped off the bed and took his hand, he swept me up into his arms bridal style and practically ran to the bathroom.

My sleep shorts and singlet top I wore to bed didn't last long and neither did his boxers as we ripped them off each other the second he put me down. I turned the shower on and we stepped under the water, our bodies pressed up together in the confined space. Dimitri pushed me up against the freezing cold wall and I shivered.

"Sorry," he mumbled against my neck in-between kisses.

He ran one of his hands that was entangled in my hair at my shoulder down my arm, taking grip on my hip, while the other now held the nape of my neck, tilting my head to his as our lips met. The kiss soft and sweet at first, like it always is, quickly became hungry. I pushed off the wall a tiny bit and jumped up wrapping my legs around his waist. His hands automatically moved, one around my back to help hold me up and the other on my thigh. We kept kissing but as we began to run out of breath Dimitri started a long trail of kisses across my jaw line and down my neck until he reached my chest.

"Dimitri" I moaned as he started trailing his tongue across my chest. I began to grow very impatient as he teased me. "Dimitri, please just make love to me already!" I begged and as always, he obliged.

"Roza" he murmured my name in-between kisses as we slowly and gently became one under the spraying water.

By the time we finally finished we had almost spent an entire hour in the shower. I loved this time we had to finally just be together. After everything we have been through, I think we deserve a break and to have a bit of fun. Even though we've known each other for just over a year now, we've both changed considerably. And this is the first time we've had the opportunity to properly explore us being a real couple. There was no denying that we'd always had chemistry, but now that there was nothing holding us back, Dimitri really did make me lose control in seconds.

"I can't imagine how we are going to control ourselves once we officially start back as Guardians." He says, echoing my earlier worry.

"We have to re-join the real world at some point Comrade" I reply as I step back into the bedroom, leaving him to shave.

While the thought of returning to my duty as Lissa's guardian excited me, it also scared the hell out of me. I've trained my whole life with the goal of protecting her, but I've only just started actually getting to live my life. A part of me isn't ready to start sacrificing it again.

Pushing the thought to the back of my mind, I walk into the small walk-in wardrobe of the apartment Dimitri and I share. I stare at my clothes, contemplating what to wear. I've never been the type of girl to care about things like clothes and my overall appearance. But seeing that hungry look in Dimitri's eyes when I dress up a little is worth making the occasional effort, so now my wardrobe is stocked with outfits that go beyond just jeans and tee-shirts. Today, however, I do opt for comfort.

Once I was dressed in black jeans and a navy sweater, I pull my hair up into a loose pony tail and make my way to the kitchen. It is no secret that I am a hopeless cook. I'm more than happy to leave that department to Dimitri. He doesn't seem to mind though. I think it gives him peace of mind to know that the apartment won't be at risk of burning down because I got distracted and left something in the oven too long without the timer on. Not that I'd ever let that happen… again.

I set up all the ingredients on the counter for Dimitri to make pancakes. I would rather bacon and eggs, but we ran out yesterday. Pancakes with chocolate chips will have to suffice.

I heard Dimitri's footsteps as he made his way into the kitchen. I turned around to face him as a whistle escaped my mouth.

"Well hello there sexy!" He was wearing jeans as well and a shirt I had bought for him that clung to his body, showing off his amazingly sculpted chest and made his biceps look even bigger. I bought the shirt knowing it would look great on him and boy did it ever!

"What?" he asked, in his teasing tone.

"Nothing." I replied nonchalantly before admitting the truth, "I was just checking you out and thinking how nice it was of you to grace me with that shirt today."

He stepped forward pushing my back against the counter, placing his hands down on either side of my body. "Ah… I see." He said with a grin as his eyes locked on mine, the combination taking my breath away a little.

He tilted his head down a fraction, inching forward slightly. My body responded, anticipating his kiss. Just as his lips were about to reach mine, he pulled away. "I better get breakfast started." He turned around and started to mix the batter.

"You're such as tease." I exclaim. He glanced back over his should at me, laughing at the pout of disappointment I'm sure was all over my face. I walked over to our little dining table and watched him get to work. That shirt of his sure does wonders!

We discuss our plans for the day as we eat, deciding a spot of Christmas shopping of our own was in need. We hadn't gotten anything for anyone yet. Our motivation has been elsewhere lately… namely the bedroom. Not that I'm complaining, but a day out and about should do us some good. And what a good day it was going to be.