Hey everybody, This is my first attempt at fan fiction. I hope you enjoy it. I am having fun writing it. The first few chapters aren't all that long, and a little boringish… but It'll get better.

CHAPTER TWO

As I reached albertas side she gave me a hug and said " I know you'll pass with flying colours, but good luck. You have had the rules explained to you?" I nodded. We had been called in for a novices meeting and they had gone over all the details, well, all the details we were allowed to know anyway. "Well what are we waiting for then" She grinned at me and pulled out what looked like an old timey black gun of some kind-- hey I don't use guns-- and pointed it towards the sky.

"Ready, Set…" And then she shot what I'm guessing--and hoping--was a blank straight up into the big blue nothingness above our heads.

I took off as fast as I could safely go. As well as taking down the 'strigoi' we were graded on how fast we made it through, if we 'died' and in what condition we made it out of the other end. The whole thing reminded me of those movie army drills, all that was missing was the pouring rain and the fat kid who couldn't quite make it over a big wall.

I ran straight over a balance beam set over muddy water, I'm guessing someone had already fallen in, and jumped back onto dry ground. I ran around a huge bale of hay and saw the quick flash of black out of the corner of my eye. Acting on reflexes I turned, ducked, punched them in the stomach and 'staked' them. One down, god knows how many more to go.

I kept going and found 2 more, I was pretty sure I was nearly at the end and I was starting to worry because I hadn't taken on all the teachers yet, I knew there was heaps more, I was heading down a rope ladder when I saw a flash of black once again up ahead, to my right was a huge wooden wall and once again, acting on instinct I jumped onto the rope guide and flung myself onto the wall – hey noone said I couldn't—and carefully made my way to where the wall turned forming a corner. Standing behind this corner, lying in wait for me were 8 guardians, all dressed in black, and… wait… is that… LISSA???

I checked the bond briefly and she seemed calm, and full of confidence in me that I'd beat them and 'save' her. I saw two 'strigoi' guarding her, two waiting for me to come around the corner and four in between, so I chose the 4 in between… They would die first, I jumped, kicking out to my sides at the same time, knocking two opposite each other over. I swiftly staked the one in front, ducked and spun(a move Dimitri taught me) and staked the one behind. The two either side recovered quickly and came at me, fast. Unfortunately for them neither one realized how fast the other was moving so I simply jumped out of the way, they crashed into eachother and I staked both before they hit the floor.

All this happened in a matter of 15 seconds so by the time I turned around, the two waiting for me to come around the corner had realized their mistake and were coming at me. I fought both at the same time, doing a weird sort of fight dance with them, both sides throwing blows, yet neither had the upper hand until I staked one as I spun around and caught them by surprise. The other one looked surprised I got his 'friend' so in that moment I caught him of guard.

Great, I'm down to two. And both are waaaaay too close to Lissa.

I took the first one out that came towards me easily within 30 seconds. And then I was faced with one last one. I hadn't noticed who the other guardians were, I hadn't been paying attention, just thinking of them as the enemy, but I knew this one. With a jolt of surprise I realized that this one was none other then –as I like to think of him—my arch nemesis, Stan. HA this was going to be so much fun. At that very moment he lunged at me, hoping to catch me by surprise no doubt. No such luck Stan. I punched and kicked my way around him and was proud that he didn't even land one blow to me before I triumphantly staked him and did a little glory dance.

I ran to Lissa then and untied her. She grinned at me hugely and gave me a big hug " I KNEW you'd do it!"

"Piece of cake Liss, piece of cake… Little Stan is nothing compared to fighting real strigoi, I think the only one I wouldn't feel one hundred percent confident beating would be…" I trailed off, lost in my memories, I thought I HAD beaten him, but how could I ever be confident again knowing I had failed him… twice.

"Come on you, there's people who want to congratulate you… and for the record, I think you could beat ANYbody" Lissa said giving me a knowing look, I could feel the compassion through the bond, and also that darn sense of complete faith in me.

All of a sudden I was surrounded by people. "I am so proud of my baby girl" said Abe.

"I'm sorry but WHAT did you just call me?" he looked at me sheepishly and grinned

"just trying it on" he shrugged.

I shook my head "Well for the record, DAD" I smiled warmly "I am happy that you came." I gave him a big hug and turned to my left where my mother was standing, her mouth wide open.

"wow that's just… I mean… I just… didn't think that would be something I ever saw, or heard." I can't believe the infamous Janine Hathaway had nothing to say. She shook herself and said "well anyway, I want you to know how proud I am of you, and I want you to know, you were the only one they did the ambush at the end for. And you passed. Very impressive" she gave me a stiff hug which turned into warmer hug as I wouldn't let her go just yet

"I love you" I whispered to my mum and as we broke apart I heard a choking sound coming from her and "I love you too my Rosemarie" as the tears started running down her face, She quickly turned and walked swiftly away, My…dad following close behind. Hmmm, wonder whats going on there…

Then I was surrounded by all the other Novices who had just finished their tasks before me. "wow rose that was amazing"

"omg rose you were awesome, scary but awesome"

"I can't believe you had to take them all on at the end there, that was GREAT"

The voices all blurred into eachother, I just stood there grinning and laughing as I felt the claps on my back while they went on, and on.

I looked to my left and saw Adrian standing, leaning against a tree smiling at me, I excused myself from the crowd of novices and made my way over to him. "that was a cute little victory dance you did out there, wanna do another little one with me?"

"what right here?" I smirked.

"Well I was thinking one somewhere a little more secluded…"

"Adrian…" I sighed.

He cut me off "I know, I know. No sex. Your not ready" He didn't say it in an overbearing arrogant way, more of a caring, not wanting to push me gentle way. It was times like that I really wished I could give myself to him fully. While I enjoy holding his hand, and not being alone every night, and our hot make out sessions… I couldn't bring myself to fully be with him when I knew I'd be trying to save Dimitri, my Dimitri. I still felt guilty though, like I was leading him on. But I'd been honest with him from the beginning. When he finally argued with me over whether he makes me happy, I finally gave in. He does make me happy. I even love him. But I will never love him one quarter of the amount I love Dimitri. Dimitri still has part of my heart, wherever he is.

Just then Lissa ran up and grabbed my arm. "C'mon Rose you're staying at mine tonight"

As she pulled me away I yelled "Sorry lover boy! Another time perhaps" He had a small sad smile on his face, like he knew he didn't really have my heart, and the part that he was borrowing would have to be returned all too soon. This led me into a horribly hopeful train of thought about what was going to happen, with victor, hopefully Robert, and inevitably Dimitri.

All my thoughts lead back to him. I knew I'd be seeing him soon…

Whether I planned it or not.

Hello Again! I hope you enjoyed my first chapter, if you feel like reviewing please go right ahead, It's very much appreciated, but I am writing because I want to, so I will keep the chapters coming either way (but still review if you think I'm worthy :P)