My mind was racing. I couldn't believe this was happening. Strigoi were out in public. What did this mean? All I knew was that in this moment I could jump out of the dressing room and attack them before they found us but do I have back up? Where was everyone? I couldn't believe that I didn't notice the whole store go quiet. I looked at Lissa and my stomach knotted. I had sworn to protect her with my life and I almost messed that up. I had to get something done soon or we'd be the ones cornered in this tiny dressing room. I could feel my breaths coming and going at a steady pace. The soft steps were getting closer to our door and I could smell death lingering in the air. It felt like time had frozen and the whole world was holding their breath. Now.

I flung the door wide open and gripped the stake. My eyes scanned the figures in the store. There were three of them. The closest one was a young looking girl. Her face was pretty aside from the obvious Strigoi features. I lunged at her, stake lined up with her chest. But a hand grabbed my wrist. It was an older looking Strigoi. His hair was black streaked with strands of grey and his eyes were dark brown. He stood steady and didn't move an inch. In a split second I swung my leg back for a strike but he dodged it gracefully. He was fast. Another shadow flew past me and I changed my stance to defend my back. It was Serena and Meredith. They had my back.

I turned to face the Strigoi again and one was advancing on me. It was a guy. His blonde hair had a surfer-boy style and his eyes would have been a brilliant blue if not for the red ring. I grabbed his wrist and flipped him onto his back. I raised my stake to strike and was shoved off. The old man was on me fast. I could smell his breath. It reeked of death and decay. I tucked my legs underneath his body and sent him flying into a rack of dresses.

I turned my head to locate the nearest Strigoi. I spotted Meredith with her face cut and grasping her arm in pain. She was cornered by the young girl and a bunch of manikins. I was ready to run to assist her but the old man was on his feet again and was ready to attack. I made a quick sprint to Meredith's side and manage to only get grazed as I slipped by the man and girl. I pushed her behind me, "Go get the guys."

She grabbed my shoulder, "But…"

"Go now!" I gave her a shove towards the door and attacked the pair. I struggled in a clench with the man and the girl managed to sneak behind me and wrap her arms around my neck. I could feel my chest fighting for air as I threw myself backwards hard onto the floor. I heard a crack and the arms around my neck went limp. I quickly shot up and snaked my stake into the man's chest as he leapt on me. I put in an extra shove to be sure that it did hit his heart. His eyes went wide and then blank.

I heard a rush of footsteps coming towards me and pulled my stake out of the lifeless body. I spun around and came face to face with Dimitri. His hands grasped my shoulders, "Where's Lissa?"

I lifted a heavy hand and pointed at the dressing room. "She's safe." She sat on the floor nearly invisible due to the big dress I had left hanging in the room. Only one side of her face peaked out to watch the mayhem that had occurred.

He glanced back at me and his face was one full of concern. He ran his eyes over my body. "Are you hurt?" I felt his hand gently touch my cheek. He pulled his and away and I could see the red liquid stains on his fingers. His eyes were soft and caring. I could see love and worry. "Let's get you cleaned up." He pulled me to him.

I stopped and took in my surroundings. The old man's body was on the floor motionless. He was dead for sure. I quickly searched for any sign of the other two. Serena had taken out the surfer-boy Strigoi. His body was being held up by a rack that she had caught him on. His eyes were still open but his expression was blank. It was like he was staring at thin air. I looked away and started for a search for the girl. Her body lay splayed out on the floor. There was a dark puddle of blood surrounding her head from the impact of when I slammed her on the ground. I shivered but then her body stirred.

I grabbed Dimitri's arm, "She's still alive." I could barely hear myself. My voice was low like a whisper.

He turned and looked at her. He pulled out his stake and walked over. His eyes were now clear of affection. He only held anger. I could feel it pouring off of him like an essence. I'm sure that Lissa could see a red ring enclosing his aura. I quickly reached for him to stop. He glanced at me. "What are you doing?"

I felt a lump form in my throat. "Don't."

His eyes widened. "After they just tried killing you all, not to mention Lissa, you're just going to let her live. She's one of them."

I closed my eyes remembering that he was once one as well and Lissa had saved him. Could she do the same for other Strigoi? Would she?

Lissa's hand was gentle on my shoulder. I flinched at first from the kindness and knew all too well she was thinking the same thing. I held her hand tightly and wouldn't let her advance. "Liss, the darkness." I looked down again. I had mixed feelings. She could save this soul but it would come with a heavy price that would only affect her. I couldn't help her with the darkness anymore. "I can't let you."

She smiled lightly, "Look at her, Rose." She stepped towards me and gestured to the girl. "Look how young she is. Do you think she wanted this life? Do you think this was her choice?" Her voice held concern and pain.

I looked away from her gaze, "I can't let you hurt yourself. I have to protect you." My voice was cracking. I could feel tears trying to fight their way to the surface. I tightened my grip on her hand. "I just can't let you risk yourself. I won't be able to help you if it gets too hard to handle."

She looked back at the girl. "They need me. They are a part of our people and I swore to give my life to them."

Serena stepped forward. "They are not our people." Her words were hard and cold. "They may have been a part of us but once they turn there's no telling why they did it. What if she did want it? Don't you think she'll turn back the first chance she gets?" Her voice echoed throughout the room and it made me flinch. She spoke the truth but from the look on Lissa's face I knew she didn't see things that way.

Lissa's eyes shot up. "Look at him." She signaled to Dimitri. "Look at him and tell me again that they are not part of us."

I glanced at Dimitri. He was a bit taken back by this outburst. This was something we rarely talked about because of the effects it had on him. Even though he said he was fine I could see it. It hurt to remember what he went through. He didn't want those memories. My mind rushed back to one of our conversations when he was turned back.

Dimitri's hand was tracing the small of my back. His fingers were warm and soft. "I can still see their faces when I sleep." His eyes looked off into the distance as if pulling in a long lost memory. "Sometimes they come to me when I'm awake. I can hear their cries and my stomach curls from the sick feeling that builds."

I turned his face to mine and looked into his eyes. His focus finely came upon me and I smiled. "That wasn't you. You couldn't stop it. It was him. You are not that man." I pressed a kiss to his lips and tasted the tears that stained his face.

"I may not be that man but he controlled me. He used my hands to do his dirty work." He held his hands up in front of our faces and I traced my fingers on his palms.

"These hands are clean." I pulled one to my mouth and brushed my lips with his fingertips. "That was not you. You have to clear your conscience. You're a good man, Dimitri."

He cupped my face and I wiped a stray tear from his face. I doubt he even noticed that he was crying. He seemed too lost in grief to seem to care. "I can only forgive myself. I cannot forgive him."

My thoughts came back to reality and I saw Dimitri was deep in thought as well. I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him to me. His arms encircled me and his grip tightened. I could feel his heart beating hard beneath his chest. He was hurting and at that moment I wish I had the power to take away his pain, his grief, and suffering. I wanted his Strigoi past to just vanish and leave him at peace. It wasn't fair. It wasn't his choice.

Serena's voice was timid as she spoke. "He was different. We knew he hadn't turned by choice. We don't know anything about this girl."

Christian stepped forward and gently grasped Lissa's hand. He stroked the back of his fingers on her cheek and her face showed as if that touch held all the love and comfort in the world. "Do what you think is right."

With that Lissa extended her hand to me, "Rose, please give me your stake." Her eyes were passionate and determined. She had her mind set and she was going to bring a Strigoi back to life for her second time.

I hesitated at first but then slid my stake into her hands. I felt my fingers tremble as I released my grip. I felt like I was betraying my oath to protect her but at the same time I could not deny Lissa her own choices. If she truly felt like she had to save this girl then it was what she had to do.

Lissa's eyes shut and her face became serious. She was focusing a lot of spirit and channeling it into the stake. The air around us was light and clear. I took in a breath to help release the tension that had built on my shoulders. I felt like the world was slowing down and I was smack dap in the middle of the problem. Was this the right choice?

Lissa opened her eyes suddenly and took a deep breath. I could tell by the look on her face that the process had been exhausting. She took a few steps forward but I stopped her. "Wait. Let me and Serena hold her down, just in case." Lissa nodded in agreement.

Serena and I grabbed a hold of the girl's arms. She was still pretty limp and weak from the blood loss but she was becoming conscious. I looked at Lissa and nodded. We were ready. Lissa's hands rose with the stake firmly held. She plunged it down into the girl's chest with one strong motion. It was a direct hit. There was a sudden burst of light and pressure. The same reaction that had happened when I saw Sonia brought back. It was just too much. My grip gave way and I flew into the wall barely catching myself before my face hit. The light was blinding and then just as quickly as it came it was gone.

The room was silent. Everyone was clinging to the walls or sprawled on the floor. Lissa was sitting on the floor holding the young girl to her. The girl's arms were wrapped around Lissa's waist as if clinging to her meant holding on to life. Her eyes were filled with tears and she was sobbing heavily. She looked even younger now that her Strigoi features had vanished. Her black hair fell onto her face as she buried herself against Lissa. Lissa just stroked her hair and spoke softly to her in hushed tones but I could see the fatigue coming over her. She was tired and was barely holding herself up. I had to go to her.

I stood and walked over to her. "You need to rest." I still felt the airing buzzing around me from the initial shock of the experience.

Lissa nodded and signaled to the others. Dimitri reached her first. "We'll take care of her." He grabbed the girl's arm and lifted her up. She was a bit wobbly and scared but she didn't resist. She actually looked a bit shocked but relieved.

I helped Lissa to her feet. She was weak and exhausted. I put her arm over my shoulder and we took small steps. She looked at me and smiled. "I'm going to be alright, you know." Her voice was very low. "You don't have to worry about me."

I laughed and returned her look of exhaustion. "I'm your guardian and your friend. It's my duty to worry about you, Liss." I smiled and she smiled in return. It was strange not having the bond but I could still understand what messages she wanted to convey just by the looks she gave me. We had been connected for so long that I realized I knew her all too well. She was a big part of me.

I sat her in the van we had rented. She stretched her body out against the seat and fell into a deep sleep. I looked over at Dimitri who had followed close behind us with the girl in his arms. "What now?"

He shrugged. "We call the Alchemists and get this area cleared up." He reached into his pocket and began dialing a number. Whoever he was speaking to knew automatically what the call was for. The conversation lasted a good two minutes before he hung up and nodded. "Everything's set. We have to get back to Court."

I helped him place the girl into the next row in the van. Serena and Mikhail sat on separate sides of her to keep an eye on her. Jill sat on the same seat with Lissa and Christian, and rested her head on her lap. He wouldn't take his eyes off of her. Mia and Ally sat up front with Meredith between them. "Dimitri, Eddie and I will wait here for the Alchemists to show and then we'll meet you back at Court." I looked at Mia, "Keep an eye on her. Keep her safe."

Mia nodded, "I will". Then we watched them drive off.

It didn't take long for the cleaning squad to show up. They were people I hadn't seen before. I was half hoping Sydney would have been the one to show up but I should have known better. The last time I saw her she was locked inside that hotel and waiting punishment from both the Alchemists and Abe. They cleaned up pretty fast and one of the men approached Dimitri. "Were there any casualties?"

He shook his head. "None on our side."

The man's face held a puzzled expression. "How many Strigoi?"

"Thr… Two." I should have just kept my mouth shut.

The man looked me up and down. "Just two?" He looked back at Dimitri. "They must have been pretty strong to have been able to rough up three guardians. And where were you, Guardian Belikov?"

"I was in the food court with Lord Ozera. The girls insisted on some alone time. It was a direct order from Queen Dragomir." On the surface he looked cool and confident but I knew he was nervous on the inside. I wanted to go to him and assure him that we had nothing to worry about. We were both doing our duty and we managed the keep everyone safe.

"I was with Lis… Queen Dragomir." I stepped up to the man and stood my ground. "Meredith and Serena assisted in defending her from the attackers and Meredith was injured during the process." I could feel his eyes digging into my soul. "In fact, she was the one who ran to get help from Guardian Belikov and the others."

He just looked down at his note pad and scribbled something down. "Is that so?" He looked back up at me. "So, which one did it?"

I was at a loss for words. "Who did what?"

He rolled his eyes. "Which Strigoi injured her? I need to get this incident in a report."

I was trapped. It was the girl that had injured her but I couldn't say that to him. He did need to know that Strigoi could be changed back. But what if he already knew? Would be chasten us for not killing her? Would he report us for reckless behavior? There were too many unanswered questions. I had to lie. "It was the older man. She was assisting me to fight him and Serena took down the younger man."

He scribbled some more down. I could feel anxiety building. I hated lying and Dimitri was trying not to lie anymore too. I'm sure he felt this lie was just as much his as it was mine. The man looked at me again and actually smiled. "Alright. We are done here." He turned to walk away.

"Wait. You mean that's it? That's all you needed?"

"Rose." Dimitri said a lot with just my name. He wanted me to let it go. If he dug into details anymore he would notice something was wrong with our story.

The man pivoted to face me and nodded. "That's all I need from you. The rest will reveal itself on the security cameras." He turned his back to us and walked into a crowd of his people.

Crap! I hadn't thought about that. Of course they were going to get the security videos. They needed to cover up all angles to be sure nobody in the human world knew about our existence. Sweat started to accumulate on my brow and I was starting to panic. I looked at Dimitri but his face was expressionless. I couldn't believe he could be so calm. Here I was dying of stress and he didn't seem to mind what was happening. I walked over to him slower than I would have liked and grabbed his hand. "Great, now what do we do?"

He smiled. "Didn't you notice that Eddie isn't standing with us?"

"Yea, so?"

"He went to take care of something that I knew might cause a problem." A clever grin spread on his face and it comforted me.

I loosened my grip on his hand. "Oh God, thank you." I wanted to kiss his beautiful face.

He looked down at me and we turned to and walked off to find Eddie. "I did it for all of us." He sighed. "This day has been more than any of us could have predicted." He looked me up and down again. "And you're sure that you're fine, Rose?"

I wasn't so use to having people so concerned about my well being and now that is was coming from Dimitri I felt comforted. It was a pleasant feeling that washed over me. "I'm fine" I touched the sore spot on my face. "Just a scratch."

He stopped and gently touched my face. "Let's get that cleaned." I couldn't help but remember the story his mother had told me about him learning to baking bread. His hands were strong enough to kill a Strigoi but gentle enough to stroke my skin with affection and apparently graceful enough to bake homemade bread. I smiled at the memory.

"Alright." We walked side by side with our arms barely touching. That simple contact was comforting. I cherished any moment I got to be near him.

The bathroom in the plane back to Court was small but it had just enough room to fit Dimitri and I. He gently brushed a cloth on my cheek. It stung from the medicine. "Ow." I pulled back a little. "You know that stuff stings, right?"

He laughed lightly. "Yes, Rose. But it will help clean out your wound."

I flinched again as the medicine made contact. "Damn, that stuff hurts more than when I got the wound."

He leaned forward and blew gently. It helped to sooth the sting. "Does that help?"

I felt my face blush. "Yea." His face was so close. I wanted to take him in my arms. I just wanted his touch. For some reason whenever we were around each other there was always that electricity. Always there beckoning me to him. It was like he was a drug to me. Everything about him was intoxicating. I just wanted to drink him in.

I guess he must have been feeling the same thing because he sighed heavily and leaned back against the wall. He ran his fingers through his hair and smiled. "Why does this have to be so hard?"

"Because we are guardians. We need to stay focused on our duty and not one another." My voice was mocking. I felt myself repeating one of his own lectures.

He smiled. "That's not what I meant." He leaned forward and his body was looming over me. "What I meant was, why does it have to be so hard for me to resist… you?"

I leaned towards him and our faces were just centimeters apart. "Why do you resist?" It was a dare. I wanted him to kiss me. I didn't see the problem. We were alone in a bathroom. Yes, it was a tiny bathroom but all I wanted was a kiss. Maybe more than one.

He sighed "Because if I give in I may lose myself." His fingers traced my face, ran down my neck, and over my shoulder. He cupped his hand there and stroked my skin with his thumb. It was enough to send shivers through my body.

I brought my mouth to his and grazed my lips over his. "Just a kiss then?"

He didn't need words to answer. His lips took in mine and I melted in his arms. It was passionate and full of desire. I wanted it to last for as long as it could. I felt his hand tangled in a mess of my hair. The other was around my waist holding my body against his. I wrapped my body onto his and felt the missing piece of my soul connect to his.

Then someone knocked on the door. "Are you two okay in there?" It was Eddie. "I don't mean to interrupt but I have to use the bathroom." His voice was a bit shaky. It made me wonder how long he had been waiting for us to get out of the bathroom.

Dimitri pulled away and leaned against the wall again. "Almost done. I'm just bandaging her up." His eyes were still full of that wanting. But he calmed himself and gain his control.

I ran my fingers through my hair and sighed. "I wish we had more alone time." This made him laugh. "I'm serious. We hardly have privacy and that's because I'm supposed to be on vacation." I picked up the cloth and touch my face with it. "So much for that."

Dimitri took the cloth out of my hand and kissed me. "We will have plenty of time together." He pulled out a medium sized bandage from the box and gently covered my wound. "After all, we have the rest of our lives to spend with one another." He looked satisfied at his work and kissed my forehead.

I smiled at his last comment. He was right and I just needed to have more patience. "Okay". I hated admitting he was right but I had to give him credit. He was right more than half the time.

We stepped out and Eddie rushed in. I guess he really needed to use the bathroom.

Back at Court there was a crowd of people surrounding the palace. I knew instantly it had to do with two things. One was that everyone heard about the Strigoi attack and that Lissa was caught in the middle of it. Second was that Lissa had brought back yet another Strigoi. The law for this sort of thing wasn't even passed yet so I knew that many of the Moroi were going to be upset about bringing back Strigoi to life. Many had the same outlook on Strigoi that Serena had. What if the Strigoi had changed by choice? What if they tried to change back once Lissa saved them? Wouldn't they kill again? It was just too many unanswered questions to be sure about safety.

Dimitri, Eddie, and I pushed our way through the crowds and finally got to the doors. The guardians at the front instantly knew who we were and let us pass. Eddie stopped once we got inside. "I need to find Adrian. We'll meet up with you later."

"Wait." I grabbed his arm. "Don't you think that he'll be with Lissa?"

He shook his head, "Not with this kind of commotion going on. He'll be at the bar." He smiled and I released him. Eddie knew Adrian more than I did now for sure. He was his personal guardian and that meant knowing your charge inside and out.

Dimitri and I made our way to Lissa's room. Sure enough as we opened the door she was sitting on her bed stroking the tips of her hair. She looked up at me and I just ran to her. I could see the look of worry and exhaustion all over her face. "Have you rested?"

She shook her head. "They put Hope in the jail." Her eyes watered.

I looked puzzling at her. "Who is Hope?"

She smiled. "I got her to talk to me. The young girl." She fiddled with her fingers and looked down at the floor. "Her name is Hope and the other two were her father and brother." Tears began to form in her eyes. "He changed her when he was turned many years back." She sobbed softly. "It wasn't her choice."

I let her cry into my shoulder. This was huge. A Strigoi was back from the other side and she was putting all her faith in Lissa. This could change our world. If we could save more Strigoi we could eventually wipe out that entire part of our world. We'd be safe. But that was just a fairytale as I realized that there were plenty of others that would change willing at the drop of a hat. We could only try to contain their numbers. There would always be Strigoi.

Dimitri was pacing the room. I could tell he wanted to do something. Anything. He had a restless nature like mine. We had that in common. We both felt the need to do something to help others. It was the right thing to do. He stopped and looked at me. "What do we do now, general?"

Lissa's head shot up. "What are you planning, Rose?"

I was staring off into space. Time seemed endless and I knew I had to do the right thing. I couldn't just stand around while some poor girl was probably scared out of her mind sitting in that God forsaken cell that I once was held in. Dimitri knew that feeling all too well. "Let's get her out of there."

By Shadow-Kissed Mori