Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Academy or any of its characters. Just having a bit of fun with the characters. I own nothing but the plot and the new characters

Chapter four: Focus, order, protect

Present time

LPOV

I'm on a plane. The private jet, owned by court to make my trips to wherever I'm going take less time. We've only travelled for about one hour and I'm already bored. Normally I would have more patience but not today. It's the day I volunteered to go and do a welcome speech at St. Vladimir's academy. At the time it seemed like a good idea. To welcome the students to another year of learning and training. Encourage them to do their best and try even if it seems hard. That's an advice I should give to myself: do your best even if it seems hard. And it's hard for me, because for many years ago, on just this day, I met Rose at the first day at school when our teacher forced us to spell our name. And for two five year olds we had long names. We always used to celebrate on this date. Even if we just ate a cookie or had a girl's night we always made time for each other on that day. Some years we just passed a note in class but the point is that we always did something. We always noted this day somehow. For three years we have done nothing. Or rather I've done nothing for the past three years.

After Rose got kidnapped. I refuse to say killed even though I know that that was what she were. I've not in any way accepted that she's gone. I just feel empty inside. I've always had that feeling that a piece of me is missing since she was kidnapped. Like I'm a puzzle missing its last piece, the one that you can't find anywhere even when you look under the couch. I'm sure Christian has noticed this but he hasn't commented on it. I think he thinks that I can't handle it. And to be honest I don't think I can. Those first few weeks after she was kidnapped was of course the worst. I tried to keep my poker face on for the council and the people but I'm sure they saw right through me, it wasn't that hard. As soon as I was out of earshot from the people I broke down. I cried so wash it was I wonder I had any fluids left in my body. The only ones who saw me cry was my friends and Dimitri. Those were the only ones I trusted to let them see me cry. Dimitri was an entirely different matter or should I say Guardian Belikov.

After his outburst in the car it was like a filter came over him. He was all formal and titles. It was like he was a robot, only followed orders and he let no one see his feeling. His famous guardian mask was on all the time. I'm not even sure he cried when he was alone. He only ate what was necessary and only took care of himself enough so he did survive. Like he just wanted to exist and nothing more. He just existed and nothing more. No pain, no feeling and no anything. It was like he didn't understand that we grieved too and we could use all support we could get. He just closed himself of.

Right now he's just sitting in the row behind us staring out over the cabin like there would be a threat ten thousand meters up in the air, there were no strigoi here but either way Dimitri was on full guardian mode looking for threats. That's all he does these days. Looking out for us and our safety. He's always protecting us weather we're at a council meeting or at our private room. Like there's always a threat to look for even with a thousand guards around us. I don't know why he's acting like this but I can guess it's because...

"Lissa?"

I look up from my lap and in to the eyes of Christian that's looking at me worriedly. For a second my eyes drift to the seat behind us to look at Dimitri. I can see Christian do the same. We share an understanding look before the pilot announce that we will land in ten minutes. I sigh and lean back in my seat, I start to feel the panic creep up to me again. Christian takes my hand in his and give it a light squeeze. He understands what this day means to me and why it's so hard.

While we exit the plane and cross the runway I have a flash back form when we came back to the academy after our visit to court right before the big attack on court. I can remember it like yesterday. All the worry for Christian's safety while I was safe. To later find out what he and Rose-. I have to stop myself right there, I need to be collected under my visit here. How would it look if the queen broke down under her speech for the elementary school? Not so good.

I try not to be overwhelmed by memories of mine and Rose's time here but it's hard. Especially when every other student turns their head to look at me. I need to have a calm face on the outside while I'm on the inside feel like crying.

"Dimitri?"

"Yes my Queen?"

Right now I just have the urge to slap him across his face. He knows so well I hate all the royal titles between "fiends" in private and right before the accident he had actually started calling me Lissa, much form Rose's efforts but then he stopped. It was all "Yes my Queen?" and "Do you need anything my Queen?" and "Right away my Queen". I've told him repeatedly that I don't want the titles but he keeps ignoring me. I have the power to just command him to not call me Queen but I don't want to do that, it wouldn't be fair.

"Is it really necessary to have 10 guardian surrounding me while were here? I'm pretty certain that I'm safe behind the wards and all the academy guardians." It also makes up another reason for all the students to stare at me.

"Everyone except Guardian Dawson and Guardian Cartwright report To Guardian Petrov and find new assignments while we're at the academy" They move out and the only ones left is Peter and Dorothea just like Dimitri ordered. I think it's still too many guardians but you have to compromise in life, and I know it won't get better than this.

Before my welcome speeches, one to the elementary school, one to the middle and high school, I'm supposed to be in a meeting with all the teachers and the principal to discuss the situation of the school. Just to see how they are holding up and id they need any financial support or anything I can contribute with. I try to always find time to see how my old school are and how they're doing. But the last month has been hectic and I haven't found the time to do it.

As I enter the meeting room all of the teachers and staff stands up to greet me but I just wave my hand, signalling for them to sit up again. I walk around the long wooden table to take my seat at the end of it. Dimitri is right behind me and takes his positon at the big window to have a full view of the room and to be ready for any threats. Christian said that he didn't feel like sitting in another boring meeting and decided walk around and be a bit nostalgic, of course with the two guardian that Dimitri sent with him.

I'm sure the others have heard of Dimitri's "condition" by now:" That he became the robot Guardian after his beloved Roza died", that was at least what all the rumours said for a while after she got kidnapped. Although I can see many surprised looks on their faces as they steal glances at him by the door. Maybe they didn't thought it was as serious as it is.

"I just wanted to thank you again for letting me hold the welcome speech for the students this year again" I say to people seated at the table. I have most of their attention but some still looks at Dimitri every other second. Especially Alberta, which I can understand since she and Dimitri was very close to each other while he still worked here. I don't think he has contacted her under all this years after Rose. I'm not even sure he contacts his family as much as he used to. A month after Rose was kidnapped his mother, Olena, reached out to me to see how her son was doing since he didn't give him a clear answer. I did say he was in a bad condition but I might have left out some details, I don't think any mother would want to her how their sons have turned into robots after the love of his life died. I wouldn't, that's for sure.

"It's we who should be thanking you for doing this every year, I'm sure you have a lot on your schedule these days" Stan says to me while looking between me and Dimitri.

I know Stan and Dimitri didn't have the best relationship but even he couldn't help but feel bad him. Maybe he loved once, I don't know.

"It's nothing I can't manage" I shrug and then continue "Before we go on to the students I would just like to know how you're holding up, any problems? Anything I can help with?"

About a month ago there was an attack on the school. Nobody was killed but some were badly injured. Nobody knows the reason for the attack, no students were taken even if the strigoi had their chances to take multiple. Nothing seemed to be stolen and nothing seemed out of place.

"Not at the moment no, we have some new teachers and instructors who are still adjusting but we are holding on. We have never actually had so much students before as we do right now, it's a new record..."

In the middle of her sentence the doors burst open and a guardian's running into the room. Almost before the doors even opened Dimitri yank me up from my chair and protects me with his own body. Every guardian and instructor in the room is ready for battle and have their stakes ready in their hands. They relax a bit when they notice it's only a guardian but they are still ready. Because who knows what the guardian will say when he opens his mouth.

"Rose Hathaway was found outside court a couple of hours ago"

Okay, that was not what I was expecting, an attack, that someone had been murdered, anything except from that.

I felt myself begin to tear up. All the walls I've built around myself to prevent me from crying in public or in a meeting didn't matter when the guard said those words. The words I've been hoping to hear for almost three years. But they couldn't be true. Rose was dead. I should have faced the truth years ago, but I couldn't, even now I can't face it but it becomes crystal clear when the words leave the guardians mouth. Rose is dead and nothing can bring her back, not even spirit. She's dead and I can't feel her. The only sign outwards from me is a few tears running down my cheeks and I'm sure there is some panic in my eyes but that's it. I can't panic, no one can the turmoil inside me from the outside.

But the change is much more drastic in Dimitri. For almost three years there hasn't been any feelings besides determination and concentration on his face. Now, the only feeling you can read in Dimitri's face is anger. And let me tell you, you don't want to pick a fight with an angry Russian as tall as Dimitri. He looks frightening and if looks could kill the guardian would be burning on the spot right now.

"Dim..." I start but I don't even have time to finish his name before he's on the other side of the room and has the guardian pushed up against the wall.

"If you think that this was a good joke to tell, let me tell you that it was not. I'm not in the mood and suggest you apologize for the agony you have caused your Queen and then tell the real reason that you are here" Dimitri says with a low threatening voice that I wouldn't want to be on the other end of. He releases the guardian who takes a step back and looks afraid.

"It's the truth, I promise. You think I dare lie about her when you or the Queen is in the same room? I don't have a death wish nor am I stupid. There's…"

"I suggest you say something of use before I kick you out of the room" Dimitri interrupt and the guardian gulp.

"I have proof I swear, look here"

He then takes up a cell phone and starts pushing buttons on the screens. It feels like it takes forever. Button after button and I feel like screaming. Can't he just be done already? I've been waiting three years for this moment and I don't feel like waiting a second more.

Finally he connects his phone to the big screen in the room and pushes the play button. Five seconds in to the movie my legs give in beneath me. Surprisingly Dimitri isn't the on to catch me, the guardian from the doors is. Dimitri's eyes are stuck on the screen and he doesn't move a muscle.

On the screen we can see Rose struggling to reach the guardians outside of court. I can't see her face but that doesn't matter. I would recognize her anywhere. Bur the only thing I can recognize her with now is her, length, and body shape. Her whole body is covered in blood and her left leg doesn't seem to be working properly. Her hands is around her torso where is seems like she has a big wound. As she goes she leaves a trail of blood behind her.

My hands cover my mouth in shock as I take in the scene in front of me. You can't hear a sound from the video or from the room. Everyone's eyes is looked on the screen and you could hear a needle hit the ground. The video ends with the guardian calling for help and carrying Rose's body inside the gates, hopefully to the infirmary.

DPOV

I don't know what to think. She's there, right in front of me. I can almost reach out and touch her. For the first time in three years I feel some sort of happiness inside me. I feel some sort of alive. I can't wait to see her again. Would she even want to see me again? What if she rejected me and told me to leave. I wouldn't survive that. I would go out of my mind, more so than I have under the last horrible three years.

The last three years have been hell. I've lost almost everyone I've known. I don't talk to anyone, the only thing I've done is to protect the princess. Because that's what's she would have wanted. She would turn in her maybe now not so existing grave just from the thought of Lissa in danger. The tough makes me smile. The first real smile in three years.

My head is clouded from all the thoughts swirling around in there. The only thing that is clear is that I have to get to her. I've waited three years for this. I won't wait a second more.

"Lissa, when can we leave?" I ask, my eyes still locked on the now black screen. Because that is the closest thing I've gotten to her in three years.

I don't know if it's the chock from me calling her anything other than my Queen or the chock from Rose comeback to the living but it takes her almost a minute to answer my questing. But I don't blame her. Our worlds have been turned upside down in more than one way. It's been chaos since Rose disappeared, nothing that was noticed from the outside or from the council members bur everyone who knew someone who was close to Rose could see the drastic changes is all of us. You could notice pauses in conversations where she would've commented and make everyone in the room laugh, you would notice how everyone would start to cry or draw themselves back from the crowd on days that didn't mean anything to them but to the person was the day they met her, her birthday or something else.

"I don't know, I just… I just… I don't know, Dimitri. I don't know"

"You need to go to her" Alberta said "She will need you there for support, she will need someone familiar"

"But all the kids, I still need to do the speech"

I could tell she was confused, she could handle financial crises, organising balls with four hundred guest with a cook that mixed up allergies and council meetings for eight hours but not how to transport herself back to court. Surely she must understand that we should leave immediately and go to her.

"It's okay, there is always a next year right? Go now!" Alberta said and she almost pushed us out the door. But before we reached it someone spoke.

"Tell her that we have missed her and that we are here for support if she needs something." Stan of all people said. I gave him a nod and then turned to go to the door when we were interrupted again. Christian still breathless from the run here just stood there and stared at us like we were fools.

"What are you still doing here, shouldn't we be on the runway already?"

With that we all took off in the corridor down to the airplane. It must have been a sight to see for the students. The queen, her first guard and her fiancée running down the corridor like they were running from a fire while I yelled in communication system to every guardian we brought here that they should be on the runway in three minutes for an immediate take-off. A lot of the students stopped to stare and so did even some off the guardians but we couldn't care less. We had a sister, a best friend and a lover to get home to.

-(-)-

The plane ride took forever, and I'm a very patient man. You could've ask Rose. No. You could ask Rose. She was alive, breathing and waiting for us to get home. My knees wouldn't stop moving up and down. I've never wanted anything so much as I wanted to get to her right now. I couldn't even sleep because my mind was wandering so mush. I couldn't read my westerns, I couldn't do anything except for waiting and staring out the window.

When the plane finally hit solid land the captain didn't get to finish what he was saying about getting out the luggage carefully since there had been a turbulent journey because as soon as the sign that said that every passenger had to stay in their seats were off Lissa Cristian and I were out of our seat and on the runway.

Nobody dared to stop us as we ran over Court to the infirmary which were her most possible location. They knew why we were here and who we were to visit. As we barged through the doors to the infirmary, me first cause I was the fastest and had the longest legs we didn't have to ask where she was. It was no mystery. The screams of terror that echoed through the hallway were easy to locate and there was no doubt about the owner. We took off again towards the sound and made our way inside before anyone could stop us.

On the plane the only thing that kept me from running to the cockpit and steer the plane myself was to imagine Rose's and my reunion. I imagine her throwing herself in my arms or me running towards her and having to contain myself to hurt her further. I imagine thousand different scenarios but that was not the welcome I got.

The first thing I noticed was her skin. It was covered with bite marks witch I recognized with ease. Strigoi bites. The must be hundreds of them on her body. The next thing I noticed was how she was covered in blood. Her clothes were drenched in a rich red colour. But that was not what chocked or scared me the most. It was what she said.

When we had entered the room, her screams had stopped for a few seconds. But that didn't last long.

"NOOOO, NOOO I DON'T WANT TO WAKE UP. PLEASE LET ME GO. PLEASE. PLEASE. NOOO!"

"Roz..."

"NO. I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU, GO AWAY, GO AWAY, GO AWAY"


Hi

Thank you for all the review! They mean so much to me!

I was asked about by updating schedule and I try to update every second week and I would love to update more often but I still go in school and I have a lot of activities on my free time that take up my time. And I have all of these ideas in my head but it's hard for me to get them down on paper, or my computer or something. So it takes me two week to write a new one.

But Christmas is coming around the corner and then I'll have a lot of free time to write on so maybe I can post some more then!

And just so you know, I don't have a beta so all I write I do own my own.

Critiques are welcome as well as your opinions! :)

Have a nice day/night, wherever you are!