Okay as promised here is my version of what went down with Abe and Janine.
Usual disclaimer I own, nodda, but I like to play in the VA sandbox, thanks Richelle for permitting me.
Abe & Janine's story Part I
Janine POV
I decided not to tell Rose I was coming, that would probably just lead to a fight, every interaction we had always seemed to lead to a fight. Rather I'd show up before her shift and surprise her.
Alberta, who was Rose and my savior, had alerted me to where her apartment was and what time her shift was. I was nervous to knock on her door. It seemed no matter what I did she hated me and blamed me for abandoning her. If she only knew the truth I have hope that she would not blame me. Maybe one day I could make her understand that every action I ever did was to protect her. She was my life.
I knocked on her door and she answered. I gasped when I saw what she was wearing. It was his. How, when, oh no!
I was speechless gaping like a fish, Rose's not so pleasant greeting brought me out of my state of shock. "Hello mother. Are you going to stand there and stare at me all day or would you like to come in for some coffee?"
I shook my head to clear the shock of seeing that scarf around her neck. "Sure I'll have some coffee." My tone was light and casual, but inside I was freaking out.
Rose prepared my coffee. I took a sip to try and calm my nerves, I had to play this off well so I didn't alert her to my panic, she cannot find out about him. She's an adult now, but I still fear Abe's family.
"Thanks, coffee is good."
"Mmhm" She sipped her coffee agreeing with me.
"So how are you? Do you like it here?"
She shrugged. "It's okay" She looked at me and grimaced. "But um I don't know if you know, but Guardian Belikov has returned with his son and lives here now, he's assigned to Lissa for OMP."
Great more I have to deal with. "What!"
She nodded and sipped her coffee. "But you know it's not a big deal. I have Jake and Dimitri and I cleared the air and its fine."
"Fine? Rosemarie are you sure it's fine, that man walking out of your life devastated you. Are you okay, really?"
"First of all it's Rose." She hated it when I called her Rosemarie, but if she only knew how she got that name she might like it more. "And yes I am fine with it. We are friendly and I am close to his son, he goes to the pre-school I guard. I actually love him, he's the coolest kid I've ever met."
Oh god she's setting herself up for heart ache again. I tried to keep calm since I know if I say this wrong she's going to get pissed, she does have her father's temper.
I put my hand on hers. She looked at it and scrunched her forehead since it was such a rare gesture for me. "Rose are you sure that is such a good idea? I mean what if he leaves again and you get too attached? Or if he finds another Moroi and has more kids."
She got that look, the look I knew so well, she was pissed. "Mother I expect that to happen. I am not stupid I know he doesn't want me, but we are trying to be friends and be civil. It's fine."
I don't think so, but it's the mother in me. If anyone knows what it's like to live life with a broken heart it's me. I'll just have to take her word for it.
I threw my hands up in defeat. "Okay" I didn't want to say anything else and upset her.
"So do you have plans tonight, Lord Szelsky would love to take the two of us out to a nice dinner?"
She looked sheepish and bit her lip. "Um tonight is no good, Jake's coming back and we have plans, it's kind of important. Are you guys free another night, how long are you here?"
"Well if Mr. Hale has your attention then fine. No just kidding don't worry we'll be here awhile."
"What does awhile mean?"
"Well I guess he said it could be semi-permanent. Now that his wife has passed he wants to get into politics and European Court is all the rage these days."
"Hmm, well that's cool. I like him he's always been like the grandfather I never had." If she only knew, well she will know soon enough.
"So where is Jake coming back from?"
She picked up our cups and went to the sink to clean up. "Oh he was guarding for the Mazur family."
Shit shit shit. "What?"
I couldn't help my angry, shocked tone. Rose turned to me and crossed her arms over her chest, her defenses up. "What?"
"You both need to stay away from that family. And where did you get that scarf, it's very flashy for a Guardian."
She threw her hands up in the air, like she'd given up. "You know we can't ever just get along, you always have to judge me and criticize me. Firstly, Jake is his own person, if he wants to work for them then fine, I can't control him. Secondly, this was a gift from a friend, no mother I am not trying to show off and embarrasses you, it's soft and warm and helps with this frozen wasteland I live in. I like it, I am wearing it and I am keeping it. And I am late, I have to go."
"Rose I am – " She cut me off.
"Look whatever it's fine. I'll text you about what night I can do dinner, I have to check with Lissa and Brett and make sure I am free."
She gave me a forced hug after she ushered me out of her place and ran off to her post.
I need help.
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"Janine dear it's fine and you know how I feel."
I look at my dad, it's so weird to think of him as that after all these years. "I know, but I think one surprise at a time is more than enough. Rose and my relationship has always been so rocky I don't know if she'll forgive me. We are telling her about you this week, I don't think I can also drop the Abe is your father bomb as well."
He held my hand. "You were only protecting her. And if she's upset when she finds out I am your father, her grandfather, I will make sure she only addresses her anger at me. I am the one who hid it all these years. I am sorry." He gives me a pained guilty expression.
I look at my father who has been my charge since before Rose was born and I see the sadness in his eyes. "You had no choice, you would have lost your family, your wife."
"I know, but looking back now I should have done more."
I patted his hand. "Its fine, it's going to be fine." Maybe if I tell myself that enough things will turn out fine.
"Well I have to go, but I think you should tell her about Mazur. And if you need me to deal with Abe, let me know, he doesn't intimidate me one bit." It is true Henry, my dad & charge, Lord Szelsky is very powerful and respected and protected me when I had nowhere to turn. I always had a feeling he might be my dad. Before my mom died she kept mumbling on about how she missed her blue eyed love.
"Good bye, I'll see you later for dinner." He nodded and walked off with my partner, Guardian Lewis.
I lay on my bed trying to repress the memories I have spent a lifetime trying to forget.
Twenty-three years ago somewhere in Turkey:
I was a little nervous. Lady Priscilla Voda had handpicked me to be her second Guardian. Even though I spent my whole life training and I graduated the top in my class at the academy I was still nervous I would mess up. This Royal's life was in my hands, well me and my Guarding partner Erik Wahner. Erik was German and very tall, he had brown hair and blue eyes.
Lady Voda was average size for a Moroi, but still she towered over me and so did Guardian Wahner. He was in his late twenties and had a great reputation, I was lucky to be partnered with him. Long ago I got over being depressed about my small stature and to compensate for it I worked harder than anyone. It paid off, I was awarded top novice in my class and got a prestigious assignment to an important Royal.
Lady Voda turned to me, we sat together and Guardian Wahner was protectively behind us. He was always on watch even though we swept the plane and it was Strigoi free, he still looked like he was ready for attack. I wonder if I'll ever be as good as him.
"So Janine we need to chat." She said as she smiled at me. She still had a hint of a Scottish accent, her uncle was our headmaster. I guess that's why she came to Glasgow to get a new Guardian? "So my best friend Tatiana Ivashkov has very dear friends in Turkey. We are meeting her there and spending some time on holiday at the families' compound." I had heard of Tatiana, some thought she would be our next ruler.
"As you know King Zeklos is very unpopular, thus the masses are calling for new leadership. Tatiana is the obvious choice, but as you can probably imagine even the obvious choice can have critics. So I am here to support Tatiana. If she can get this families' support she would have a much better chance of being the next ruler."
"Are they Royals?"
"No they are not. I know that may seem weird to you being so young and living in a government institution for the majority of your life, but they are a powerful Moroi families that are not Royals. Erol Mazur is the most powerful business man in Europe."
"Okay" I am assuming there's a point to this story if she is giving me all this information.
"I need you to represent me the best way possible. I chose you since you are the best of the best and I need someone who walks and breaths professionalism. This next six weeks at the Mazur compound are key to Tatiana's nomination. If we win over the Mazur's we win Europe and it will almost be sewn up at that point." She smiled like a Cheshire cat at the mention of the power her best friend might possess.
I am sure there is a lot she is not telling me, but right now I am on a need to know basis and I just want to protect Lady Voda and be as professional as possible. Piece of cake, I am sure this compound is guarded heavily, how hard could this be?
She went on to tell me about the Mazur family. There was Erol and Sema, the parents, Erol was very powerful and was grooming his oldest son Ibrahim to take his place so he could retire with Sema and travel. They had two other children, a middle child, a son named Azad and a younger daughter who was my age, her name was Yesmin. She went on and on about the Mazur family and how important they were to this nomination. I guess Tatiana was old friends with the family so their endorsement seemed pretty obvious, but to me it was all politics and I didn't worry too much. I plan to focus on doing the best job I can and try to not let the other stuff get to me.
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Guardian Wahner and I switched off shifts, the Mazur compound was heavily Guarded so we would trade 12 hour shifts, he took nights, I was on days so I could get some experience seeing how Lady Voda operates. I arrived to relieve Erik, Lady Voda was still sleeping so I took a steady watch outside her door.
I stood at attention practicing standing still, I had a feeling this would be a large part of my life, standing for hours, always on watch. I was lost in my thoughts when I see a large Moroi coming towards me.
It's odd that his stature is bulkly, that's rare for Moroi. He's the normal pale, but you can tell he is of native Turkish decent. The closer he gets the better I can see him, he's very handsome, and he's older than me maybe by eight to ten years? We lock eyes and I see he has the most beautiful deep brown eyes. He smiles at me, showing his fangs, I see a twinkle in his eye that make chills run up my spine.
Keep it together Janine he's probably one of these powerful Mazur's and you can't embarrass your charge it's your third day on the job - keep your cool.
He stops in front of me and stares me in the eye. I was dying inside, but I kept my Guardian mask up, I was not going to let this man intimidate me. "Hello there."
"Hello"
"What is your name my beautiful flower?" He took my hand and kissed it.
Was this guy serious? What a line, I wanted to bust up laughing, but I knew I couldn't. I pull my hand back firmly, but not in a rude way. "I am Guardian Scaife, Lady Voda is my charge."
"Ah, yes I have heard of you?" Really?
"And you would be?" He threw his head back and laughed this infectious laugh, I wanted to join in, but I knew that would not be appropriate.
He held my hand again. "I am Abe Mazur, the oldest of the Mazur sons." I looked at him a little confused, was Abe short or Ibrahim? "Abe is short for Ibrahim, which is what my father calls me." So maybe he's a mind reader too? The hand he held he kissed again. "It is such a pleasure to meet you my flower."
I blush and hate myself for it, how did I let this guy have power over me? I need to be more in control. Just as I am pulling my hand away Lady Voda comes out. "Good morning Abe. Are you flirting with my new Guardian?"
He smiles at her and winks at me. "Maybe just a little. She is beauty, just like a flower." He whispered at the end and I felt like he was putting me under a compulsion spell. I look away from his eyes so not to be captured by his presence.
"Oh Abe you are such a flirt. What would Elma say if she saw you act this way?" He grimaced at the sound of this Elma's name.
"Elma and I have broken up, we were not a good match."
Priscilla gave him a knowing look. "Does your father know this?"
"It's none of my father's business." He says dismissively.
"Okay. Escort me to breakfast, I don't want to keep Tatiana waiting and I am sure you do not either." She winked at Abe and he forced a smile.
Mr. Romeo seems to have a fan in the future Queen? This is going to be an interesting six weeks.
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I had been here 2 weeks and in that time I knew Abe Mazur was the love of my life. At night I would go out to his mother's rose garden and we would talk for hours. Each morning and each night he has a servant deliver a rose to my room. Each time he puts a sweet saying or a poem attached to flower, that's what he called me, his flower.
I don't know how I got here, and I swore after seeing my mother die with a broken heart that I would never be that woman. But Abe Mazur was irresistible. He was everything I never thought I wanted and as much as I tried to deny my feelings for him the more he pushed until I gave in. He is planning on leaving Turkey and moving to Russia, he's trying to get me assigned as his Guardian. He said it won't be easy, but with his connections he's positive he can pull it off.
Each day I stand by Guarding, watching the Moroi's interact. Abe hates the pressure his father puts on him. He entertains his father's expectations, but has been planning on escaping and running the family business from another county. It will be nice when I an assigned to him, we can be together in another country without judging eyes hanging over us.
Abe's father is going to endorse Tatiana, which isn't surprising. Tatiana would never marry a non-Royal, but she wanted my Abe as her lover. He tastefully denied her, stating he had started seeing Elma again. Somehow he convinced her to keep it quiet and she actually helped him secretly see me. Either she was in love with Abe or he was really convincing, I think it was a little bit of both.
It was funny to watch their interaction and I often had to bite the inside of my lip not to laugh. Tatiana swooned over my Abe as he turned the charm on. I always caught the little innuendos he would say for my sake.
We had yet to take our relationship to an intimate level, but I knew it would come sooner rather than later. The kisses we would share in the rose garden were beyond heated and leaving him to go to my bed alone was harder with each passing night.
Tonight as I waited in the rose garden I pondered how I got here. Once I was so serious about being a Guardian, how did I allow this man have power over me? Often when I had time to myself, like tonight, I wavered on my decision to run away with Abe, but as soon as I saw his twinkling eyes and felt his strong arms protectively hold me I knew to my core that he was worth it. Worth the sacrifice of not being a famous Guardian, worth the whispers if we decided to have Dhampir children, he promised to love me and take care of me, and I don't know why, but I believed him.
He also promised to never marry. He said he had no desire for Moroi children. Everything in my gut told me not to trust him, after seeing the heartache my mother faced up to her dying breath I knew I should refuse him and run as far away from him as I could. But my heart screamed at me with every beat, it told me to trust him, have faith in him and when I looked in his eyes and I saw the twinkle there just for me. I had no doubt of his love. But would love be enough?
Tonight he was later than normal and I started to get worried. He had faithful servants who watched the garden for us and helped us meet each night. I heard a noise and instantly prepared myself for anything, my Guardian training kicking in.
"Easy my flower it's just me." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes, I got an eerie feeling something was wrong.
He embraced me and whispered sweet things in my ear. "Can we go to your room?"
I gulped, oh no did this mean what I thought it meant? I had never been with a man before and I think Abe suspected my innocence, but we hadn't discussed it.
I nodded since the words I wanted to say were stuck in my throat. He followed behind me and I was acutely aware of his presence, it was like his body was screaming for me. I opened my room and as soon as I shut the door he pressed me up against it and kissed me. My toes curled and I moaned into his mouth. I was so short he had lifted me up and I was almost eye to eye with him.
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes"
"I need you to trust me my flower." He caressed my cheek and lovingly rubbed his nose against mine.
"I trust you" He kissed me passionately against the door, we started to get hot and heavy.
He pulled away breathless. "I love you." He whispered in my ear as he trailed kisses all over that area. "I have to leave for awhile, but I will be back for you. I need to coordinate everything. When I come back you will be leaving with me for good."
He pulled away and looked at me intently. "Are you sure this is what you want? A life with me, in Russia, at my side, always?" The promise of his words filled my heart with faith and love.
"Yes"
"Be with me tonight before I go, I need you."
"Yes" I lost all words. There were so many things I wanted to say to him, to tell him, but couldn't will the words out. Words were not enough; I needed to show him how I felt.
That night I gave myself to Abe Mazur, heart, body and soul.
When I woke up he was gone. There was a beautiful turquoise scarf lying on his pillow, it was adorned with a red rose and a note, it said - Wait for me my flower, my love, my life. I love you A
I dropped a lot of information, hop e you guys picked up on everything. Yes she was formerly named Janine Scaife. I had an all Scottish grandfather and this last name was Scaife, it was Scottish, thus I had to incorporate this name. I know you might be confused and have some questions, leave me a review or PM me and I will answer anything. Hopefully when this side story is complete it will all make sense.
I read an Australian interview with Richelle Mead and she said she probably would never fully address the history of Abe and Janine, but this story has been bouncing around in my head and I thought you'd guys might like to hear it.
Part II to come soon, it's a good one so stay tuned, the Abe and Janine saga is heating up and everything will be explained.
