A/N:

So this chapter had been ready for a while but I never got around to posting it. The thing is, my grandfather past away last week. And I thought I was ok, and I thought I was prepared for it. But I'm not ok and how do you even prepare for something like that?

What happened sucks, but we have to move forward no matter what. So I'm going to take the advice I got from Swimming and just go with what I feel. Right now I feel like posting this well overdue chapter.

Thanks to everyone who followed, favorited and reviewed. Special thanks to the reviewers. I usually take the time to answer every review individually, I'm sorry that didn't happen. I hope I'm forgiven due to the circumstances. Don't let it discourage you from reviewing.

Lastly, shout outs to MartionEskimo and Swimming!

Anyway, here's chapter 2. How you enjoy it! Let me know in reviews! (which anyone who's ever read anything I wrote, knows I'm a reviews whore!)

Ciao,
K


Chapter 2 - Welcome to the Sisterhood

"We're taking you to the Sisterhood".

That signaled the end of the conversation for the time being. The rest of the drive was silent. Dimitri made sure Rose was comfortable and hydrated. She wasn't used to being coddled, but for Dimitri, she made an exception.

Soon they reached a building in the center of the city. From the outside there was nothing special about it. Nothing about it made it stand out across the city skyline. It was average height, had no logos or emblems, no indication of what it's purpose was. Then again, that was kind of the point. The building was practically hidden in plain sight.

"Welcome to the Sisterhood", Sydney said ominously as she drove past the gate to the underground parking.

Sydney parked the van and they all de-boarded the vehicle. Dimitri immediately noticed Rose was a bit wobbly on her feet and helped her step down from the van. He had his hands on her waist as he gently set her on her feet on the ground.

"Are you alright?" Dimitri asked, without letting go of Rose.

Rose nodded, a little out of breath. It could have been the blood loss. But it could have been Dimitri who took her breath away. Rose was undeniably attracted to the power and goodness he exhumed.

When he was sure she wouldn't fall over, Dimitri took a step away from Rose. Rose was left craving his warmth. They walked closely to the elevators that lead into building.

The elevator stopped on the top floor and opened to a large lobby area. If the building was utterly plain on the outside, inside it was the exact opposite. It was strikingly white and had modern lines. In the center of the lobby, on the marble floor, was an emblem of a red dragon, wings spread, holding a silver stake in one hand and what looked like a ball of fire in the other. The dragon had green eyes. That particular shade of green was so familiar to Dimitri yet he couldn't quite place his finger on it. Underneath the dragon, in what seemed like a font from the renaissance age, was written The Sisterhood of the Slayers.

The lobby lead to two large oak doors with no doorhandle. Sydney pressed her hand to a keypad that stood by the door and the two wood panels opened inward simultaneously. On the other side of the door was what Dimitri could only describe as headquarters of some sort. Several rows of desks with computers on them and people working behind them. On the walls that encased the rooms were racks and racks of weapons of the midivil variety on display. In the far back was a conference room separated from the open space area by a glass wall. Beyond the conference room were floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the city.

As the group walked into the open space, all eyes were on them. More accurately, all eyes were on Dimitri. He felt naked.

Amidst all the staring there was one voice that rang through the large hall.

"Rosie! Rosie! Rosie!"

A little ball of blond ringlets attacked them. Injury or no, Rose swooped the girl up in her arms in a bear hug.

"Mia, you're going to ruin your pretty dress with all the blood on your auntie Rosie", came a chastising voice from behind them.

"Only she gets to call me Rosie", Rose answered in a menacing voice.

"Aunt Rosie, be nice to Uncle Adrian." Mia scolded, as uncle Adrian opened his arms for Sydney, his long time girlfriend.

"Okay munchkin", Rose indulged and set Mia down.

Lissa too was greeted by her anxious boyfriend. Christian Ozera hated when Lissa did field work. He hated more that he knew tonight she came back rattled and hurt. They embraced and had a brief conversation in hushed tones.

"Who's that?" Mia whispered and pointed at Dimitri, who was still taking everything in wth awe.

"This is my new friend, Dimitri. Dimitri, this is Mia".

Dimitri bent down to Mia, as much as he could, smiled widely and held out his hand. "It's very nice to meet you Mia".

Mia giggled and shook his hand. Rose was amazed how easily Dimitri charmed Mia. She usually wasn't so easily charmed.

"He's cute, aunt Rosie".

Rose smile down at her. "I need you to do me a favor. I have a mission for you. I have to go in to meet Alberta for a status report, but I can't leave Dimitri hear alone", that was more for Dimitri's benefit. "Think you can handle him for a while?". Though Sydney wanted to, Rose knew she couldn't just waltz Dimitri into Alberta's office. Mia showing up was the perfect solution. She could keep anyone occupied for a while.

Mia was giddy with her knew mission. Rose gave Dimitri a pleading look. Dimitri nodded and was already being dragged away by the arm to play a very important game of tea party.

"Come on, we still have work to do", Rose told her sisters and they headed to Alberta's office.

As soon as they walked into the office, Alberta sagged with relief. Any time the girls went out, Alberta worried they wouldn't be coming back. She always feared Rose would suffer the same fate as her mother. A shutter went through Alberta as she recalled the loss of her dear friend, Rose's mother. A slayer who disappear, presumed dead, several years ago. She went out on a routine mission and never came back. It had fallen on Alberta to raise Rose as her own.

But Alberta was still the boss. She couldn't afford to coddle anyone right now. "Please tell me you didn't bring a human here".

Good news travels fast, Rose thought to herself.

"We didn't bring a human here", Sydney answered.

"It's complicated", Rose continued.

"How is it complicated? He either is human or he isn't".

Rose sighed in exasperation. "He isn't human but he was raised as one. Until tonight he never came across a strigoi, or a dhampir or a moroi for that matter. Not that he knew of, anyway".

"That is complicated", Alberta retorted.

The three proceeded to fill Alberta in on everything that happened that night. Alberta listened along as the story unfolded, all the while waiting for a background report she knew was on the way. Protocol required one as soon as Dimitri stepped foot inside the sisterhood. When he introduced himself to Mia, he didn't know he was in fact making everyone's lives easier by giving them his name. The sisterhood were nothing if not efficient.

As Rose was summing up, Adrian let himself into the office and handed Alberta a tablet with the report on Dr. Dimitri Belikov.

Adrian joined them and presented the new information on their guest on the flat screen in the office.

"Dr. Dimitri Belikov, age 24, born in Russia. Birth parents unknown. Spent the first few years of his life in an orphanage until he was adopted by the Zeklos family. He opted to keep the name given to him at the orphanage. Sadly, the Zeklos's were all tragically killed in a fire when Dimitri was sixteen. He was the sole surviver." Adrian took a pause, knowing this was a touchy subject for Rose and Lissa.

Rose wanted to leave the room and run to Dimitri and hold him tight. He was technically orphaned twice. But then, so was she.

Adrian proceeded, "Dimtiri went to med school in Moscow where he graduated top of his class. In fact, he seems to excel at everything he does. He had high marks in school and was an accomplished athlete as well. I wonder why", Adrian murmured the last part. "The bottom line is, there isn't a single blemish in his record. The guy is squeaky clean".

"Who paid his tuition?" Sydney asked. Rightfully so. "It says here he went to MSMU. That's the best med school in Russian. It had to cost a pretty penny".

Adrian nodded and after a quick search he answered, "He was awarded the Mazur Grant which paid his tuition and living expenses fully".

Rose and Alberta exchanged a knowing look.

"What do you propose we do with him?" Alberta addressed the room.

"He wants to know what happened tonight. He wants to know who he is". Sydney said. "I say, we tell him the truth, about everything and begin his training as soon as possible. He has a glorious purpose".

Rose crossed her arms over her chest. "No, we have a glorious purpose and he shouldn't be burdened with it. I say, we leave him alone, send him home to lead a happy, normal life".

"Lissa?" Alberta prompted.

"I say we let him decide. Tell him the truth and give him the option to stay and train, or leave and go back to his life".

"I'm inclined to agree with Lissa. It's late and Rose, you need to rest. Set Dimitri up here for the day and tomorrow we'll discuss everything with him".

Rose was surprised. "You want him to stay here?"

"Well we can't let him leave until we know where he stands. If he's with us, he's with us. If not", Alberta let that hang in the air for a bit before putting Rose out of her misery, "we compel him to forget everything about what he was tonight".

Rose was too shocked to watch her own mouth. "Bertie, you can't be serious!"

"You want to watch what you say to me in this office, Rose. You'll do well to remember I'm still your commander".

Rose nodded numbly. It all seemed so extreme. And the thought of Dimitri being made to forget her was almost as painful as the stitches she received earlier.

With that the team dispersed and each went their separate ways.

Lissa was still a little out of it, and she had some explaining to do with Christian. Sydney went to file the report since she knew Rose would never do it, with Adrian in tow. And Rose needed to find the Russian McDreamy and have a talk with him. But first she was in much need of a shower.


Mia had managed to drag the hulking six foot seven doctor all the way to study hall at the facility to the children's playroom. All the children were in class or training, but Mia was given more leeway than most. She was the youngest resident currently living at the sisterhood. And after the trauma she'd suffered she was permitted to roam more or less freely.

Mid sip, Mia asked Dimitri, "What are you?"

Thankfully Dimitri's cup was full of pretend tea otherwise he would have spit it all out. "What do you mean, Mia?"

"Are you a moroi or dhampir?"

Dimitri was left baffled. He's heard Sydney call him a dhampir but no one had explained to him what that meant yet. He shrugged and answered her question with a question. "Well, what are you?"

"I'm a moroi, silly", Mia giggled. "See?", she flashed him her little fangs. Dimitri had spent years learned to keep a cool facade, which came in more than handy now. Seeing Mia's fangs almost made him fall out of his tiny pink plastic chair. "Do you have fangs?", Mia asked.

"No".

"Then you're a dhampir", she answered with confidence.

"What if I'm something else?" Dimitri said mostly to himself, as Mia was busy serving Mrs. Nesbith scones.

They played a while longer when Mia started dancing and squirming around in a funny way. "Are you okay, Mia?"

"I have to wee wee, but I'm not supposed to let you out of my sight".

"What if I promise I'll wait for you right here?" Dimitri suggested.

"No. You have to come with me", Mia declared. "I can't reach the light switch".

Dimitri nodded and was quickly led by the hand towards the restroom down the hall. Mia had taken Dimitri so far away from the open space where he last saw Rose, that he seriously doubted that he'd be able to find his back. But at least he had a tiny guide.

In the bathroom Mia turned to Dimitri shyly. "Turn around and close your eyes".

"Okay", he smiled and complied.

"Oh", Mia remembered and she entered one of the stalls, "And sing so I know you didn't leave".

Dimitri chuckled. "What would you like me to sing?"

"Uncle Adrian always sings Shape of You".

Dimitri was entirely sure that song was inappropriate but went along with it anyway. It was the last song he and Rose danced to back when everything in his life was still normal and vampires weren't real.

That's how Dimitri, found himself in the ladies room, facing the door, with his eyes closed, singing Ed Sheeran.

Girl you know I want your love

Your love was hand made for somebody like me

Come along follow my lead

I may be crazy don't mind me

This was the precise moment Rose found Dimitri.

Say boy let's not talk to much

Grab on my waist and put that body on me

Come on now follow my lead

Come come on now, follow my lead

The mixture of emotions that sang through Rose's body was completely foreign to her. Knowing Mia had no doubt orchestrated the whole thing (she did it to Adrian all the time), she found Dimitri adorable for playing along with her.

I'm in love with the shape of you

push and pull like a magnet do

although my heart is falling too

I'm in love with your body

She also found his voice sexy as hell. Rose felt as if it was resonating through her, right to her core. And the song selection just reminded Rose of how she was wrapped in Dimitri's big strong arms and pressed against his hard body just a few hours prior.

Last night you were in my room

and now my bedsheets smell like you,

everyday discovering something brand new

I'm in love with the shape of you

Rose was debating whether to join him, scare him or pull out her phone and video the whole thing. She was pensive for too long. Mia strolled out of the stall, singing along with Dimitri when she spotted Rose holding back giggles (and some drool).

"Aunt Rosie!" Mia exclaimed and ran to her.

If Dimitri was the blushing type he'd have turned a bright red at being caught.

"Hi, Munchkin! I came to relieve you of your duty", Rose said playfully. "Come on, I'll take you back to games room".

In the games room, Rose hugged Mia goodbye, promising she'd see her tomorrow.

Mia tugged on Dimitri's arm motioning for him to kneel beside her. She hugged him fiercely. "Will I see you tomorrow?" she asked.

Dimitri pulled back to look at the child. "I hope so, Mia".

Mia went back to her tea party and Dimitri and Rose headed to the living quarters which was on the floor below.

"So,um", Rose hesitated, "I need to take a shower and get rid of these clothes. But we can talk after. I'm sure you have a lot of questions".

Dimitri nodded.

"Are you hungry? Thirsty? We can swing by the kitchen on the way to my room".

The sun was rising and it was time for breakfast for Dimitri, Dinner for Rose. "Actually I am a bit hungry. I could use a cup of coffee", he yawned loudly.

Rose made 2 sandwiches to take to her room, one for her, and one for Dimitri, while Dimitri made 2 cups of hot coco. By the time they reached Rose's room, the hot coco was all gone.

Rose's room was a mess as usual. Clothes strewn every which way, paperwork scattered on her unmade bed. She quickly collected all her clothes, the dirty into the laundry, the cleans she stuffed back in her closet in a heap. That alone was enough for the room to take shape. As an after thought, she made a neat pile of the papers on her bed and returned them to the folder on her nightstand. Finally she pulled the covers over her bed in a haste to make it look presentable.

"Here", Rose pulled up a chair for Dimitri. "Sit. Eat. I'll be back in a while". Rose excused herself to her ensuite for her well overdue shower.

Standing in front of the mirror Rose wondered if the strigoi blood matted into her hair would even come out… She also wondered if Dimitri would ever look at her the same way he had when they were dancing after seeing her like this.

Dimitri took the opportunity to look around Rose's room. The view was incredible. The sun was raising and it flooded the room with light through the floor to ceiling windows. They were pretty high up, so you could see almost to the park. There was a queen bed with a nightstand on each side, headboard to the wall. There was a closet and a vanity across from the bed on the opposite wall. There were pictures stuck in the mirror frame of the vanity. Dimitri wanted to take a closer look, but felt that would be a bigger invasion of privacy. He ate his sandwich in silence and waited for Rose to return.

Rose took her sweet ass time in the shower, scrubbing every inch of her body to get rid of the strigoi goo. She washed her hair three times. She exfoliated over and over to get the ick off. When she finally deemed herself clean, she dressed in shorts and a camisole, brushed her hair and headed back out to meet Dimitri.

Rose intended on talking with Dimitri, but instead she attacked her sandwich. When she finished inhaling it she yawned loudly.

"Rose, you need to rest. You lost a lot of blood tonight".

Rose shook her head. "You have questions that need answering".

"I do. But you need rest more. And I need to get home".

"You can't", Rose cleared her throat. "You can't leave".

"Am I a prisoner?" He asked.

"No! Of course not. You just can't leave yet".

"Why not?"

"Because you know about this place and about us. So you can't leave. Not until we decide what to do with you. Or more accurately until you decide what to do with you. Right now you're like Alice in wonderland. You need to decide whether you want to tumble down this rabbit whole to see how deep it goes or…"

"Or?" Dimitri prompted.

"Or whether you want to leave wonderland and go back to your regularly scheduled programming".

Dimitri didn't miss the fast that no one told him anything about anything yet, but he went along with Rose's reasoning. "What happens if I decide I don't want to know? That I want to leave wonderland? Right now?"

Rose had no intention of lying to him, he deserved to know the truth. "Then we wipe your memory of last night, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and go back to your normal life".

Dimitri was having trouble dealing with all of this, but one thing stood out. "If I choose to leave now, I won't remember you?"

"No". The next words were out of her mouth before she even had a chance to regret them, "I'm kind of hoping you choose to forget".

Dimitri looked at Rose disbelievingly. He was so hurt she wanted him to forget.

"Don't look at me like that, Dimitri. This life is dangerous".

"I gathered as much", Dimitri answered, unsure how he found his voice.

"You don't know the half of it", Rose retorted, sternly. "You get to choose to live a different life than this. You get to choose to live".

"Do you want me to forget you?" Dimitri asked flatly.

Rose was caught completely off guard. "What?"

"Do. You. Want. Me. To. Forget. You?" Dimitri annunciated every word, as if Rose didn't understand him.

"No." Rose whispered but that didn't take away from the conviction in her voice.

"Then I'm staying", Dimitri declare.

Rose gasped. "You don't know what you're saying. You don't know anything about this place".

"Then tell me about", Dimitri pleaded. "Tomorrow. After you've had rest. For now, I'm staying".

Rose nodded. She was too tired to argue. And truthfully, she wanted as much time with Dimitri as possible, because she knew as soon as he was told everything about her world, he'd run for the hills.

"Um, Rose? Where am I supposed to sleep?"

Rose's eyes widened. She hadn't thought of that. "I guess here. With me. We don't have any spare rooms. I hope you mind," Rose stammered, suddenly aware of the fact that she'd be sharing her bed with the man she'd just met. Dimitri shook his head. He didn't mind at all.

Rose pulled back the covers on her bed and laid down. "I'm sorry, I don't have any clothes to give you to sleep in".

"It's fine. I'm used to sleeping in my clothes. I work shifts at the hospital", Dimitri shrugged.

"The bathroom's through there if you need it", Rose pointed to her ensuite.

Dimitri excused himself. After relieving his bladder and brushing his teeth with his finger, he rejoined Rose. Dimitri removed his shoes and socks and hesitantly got in bed with Rose, wondering if maybe he should have offered to sleep on the floor.

"Relax, comrade. I'm not going to bite you". Rose said and Dimitri laid his head on the pillow she offered.

Dimitri chuckle nervously. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything".

"Um, do you have fangs?"

Rose laughed whole heartedly. "No!"

The sound of Rose's laugh was like music to Dimitri's ears. He wanted to hear it more. Dimitri slowly calmed and unwound. He stretched all six foot seven of himself out on Rose's bed. Much better than the on call room beds, he thought. Especially considering his bunk mate.

"Good night, Roza", Dimitri murmured before falling into a deep sleep.