A.N: Hey guys!!

See I'm keeping my promise to try to UD even in the middle of my move.

Well I would like to thank the people who reviewed the last chapter. It makes me feel good in this erratic stressing time.

The song linked to this chapter is Mean to me by Tonic you can find it on Youtube.

Please guy don't forget to review as I absolutely love reading you.

Take care

Steffy =D

Chapter 3: Mean to me by tonic

I woke up to the heavenly smell of freshly brewed coffee and that was a luxury that had never happened to me before.

I usually woke up to one of the members of the group yelling for something. My breakfast usually consisted of some cold left over from the night before, whatever it happened to be.

I went to the kitchen and poured myself a cup, just as Christian came out fully dressed and ready to go.

I gave him the cup I just poured and took another one for myself.

"Sleep well?" He asked moving into the room throwing some books in a bag.

"Yeah, thank you. You?" I asked

"Can't complain," he said evasively. "Anyways, I've got classes. I left you a set of keys on the counter and there are some frozen waffles in the freezer, if you want to toast some."

I nodded. "Do you want me to come along?" I asked as I thought he would probably like the company and he was nice enough with me, I could at least try to sound civil and human.

He snorted putting his bag on his shoulder. "Yeah right, they already think I'm a freak!" he said picking up his very dark sunglasses even if the sun was nowhere to be found. "Bringing GI Jane along won't help!"

I instinctively brought my hand to scar on my forehead. He did hit home right there.

I saw regret flash on his face "No, I didn't ---"

But I stopped him with a gesture of the hand. "Nah, it's ok I understand," I forced a chuckle. "I mean it's my fault. I shouldn't even have proposed it. I mean you were already a misfit back at the academy, a total freak." I shook my head "I should have known it was the same in the real world."

I saw fury cross his face. I knew I was hitting where it hurt, his hand tightened to a fist around his keys.

"Yeah," he said "so imagine me showing up with scarface." He said with an evil smile. I guess I deserved that one.

I still saw myself throw the hot cup of coffee to his face but I just stood rigid.

"I'll contact people today to get out of here." I said coolly.

"That's a good idea. I'll be away all day anyways, probably won't be back till' very late tonight." He said opening the door. He then turned and locked his cold eyes with mine. "And if you are gone, well, put the keys in the letter box." Then he slammed the door behind him.

I glared at the door for a little while, not even realizing I was rubbing my scar. Damn it worked! Douche!! I'll get him!

I sighed, put the coffee cup on the table, and walked in the bathroom and looked at myself for a little while. He was making me self conscious and that was just wrong!

I shook my head maybe I could at least get a hair cut… I probably will look a little less mental then.

I dressed quickly and went to the nearest cyber café. There was plenty of them around as we were pretty close to the University.

I found the contact info for the Oregon area Sedener. There was no name, just a phone number but it was always like that.

I sighed looking at the shop windows while walking back to Christian's flat when one caught my attention. It was beauty student's day, no appointment! Haircut for free! I was pretty sure that with my scary look they would give me a good one, as they would probably fear my wrath… That was the plus side to look psychotic.

I had one of the teachers cutting my hair. She had to cut it pretty short as apparently they were not cut evenly.

No shit Sherlock!! I did cut them myself one night half drunk with a rusty hunting knife! I thought sarcastically but I didn't comment.

I let her cut it the way she wanted. I only asked for long bangs to hide my scar. Fucking Ozera!

I left pretty satisfied with my new hair and people were not changing sidewalks anymore, which was a good sign.

I made it to the flat and almost immediately jumped on the phone. I needed to get out of here since it would end up with a murder if I had to stay much longer with him. We were too alike and I was far too damaged… An explosive mix.

The phone rang twice.

"Quis Operor vos pugna pro?" (What do you fight for?) A mans' deep and rich voice cam through the phone.

Damn! I thought wincing. That was a code set to recognize the hunters. What is the answer to that one... Think fast damn it!!

"Ego pugna pro redemptio of meus animus quod pro ruina of totus malum." I tried, not so sure if that was right. (I fight for the redemption of my soul and for the destruction of all evil)

"Hello hunter what can I do for you?" Continued the voice and now that he was speaking English I recognized him.

"Thor! Thor is that you?" I asked with disbelief. I met him when I joined the Nomers in Le Havre. He was also the boyfriend of Megan, the girl I saved and they decided to go back to the States and become Sedeners just after that…who could blame them.

He stayed silent for a second then I heard his booming laugh.

"Rosebud is that you? That's a surprise what are you doing in Oregon?" He asked pleased.

"I told you not to call me that!" I growled but I couldn't get mad at him, I never had and never would. I honestly couldn't figure out why. "Long story," I sighed. "Can you help me out?"

"I can't wait to hear it," he said and I could still hear the laugher in his voice. "Anything for you. What do you need, a place to stay? A job? A new Identity?"

"Well, I need to get ou-- wait what?!" I asked surprised. "You can get me a new ID?" I asked really attracted by the idea. "Since you know, apparently, I've been declared dead here." I said juggling my bottom lip.

"Dead? Wow! How does that feel?" he asked teasing.

"Ehhh you know I'd rather stay dead." I said sincerely and if I could start fresh it was a bonus.

"Yeah. What's dead should stay dead," he said in a cavernous voice.

I laughed and shook my head. "But how did you end up head of the Oregon Sedeners?"

"I'm super good that's how," he said chuckling. "And you know…I just threatened everybody!" he added

"Of course you did!" I said but it actually was possible Thor was just the kind of man you didn't say no to. Well I did but I guess the people able to say no to him were pretty limited. "So you can get me a new ID then?"

"Of course I can but… Listen Rosebud I'm out of town 10 more days. Do you have a place to stay? I mean… I'm on my honeymoon and…" He seemed pretty annoyed by that and I really didn't want him to get worried during his honeymoon.

"It's ok, I have somewhere to stay and congrats!! Oh my I'm so happy you know what give a big kiss to Megan for me." I said trying to show I was ok.

"Oh I will.." He trailed off suggestively.

"Ok first off 'ewwww'!!" I said laughing, "but maybe someone else can help you know since you are away I don't want to bother you."

"That's the thing Rose I'm the only one able to get you the papers and… well I can come home if it's that urgent" He said nicely.

"No! Don't be silly!!" I said trying to sound totally detached. "I'm staying with a friend!" I said. No need to add I wished to stab said friend. "Ok well I'll let you go back to your new wife."

"Ok Rosebud, give me a call if you need something else ok?" He asked

"Yeah. Oh! Wait before you go… Doc stitched me up you know after a pretty nasty deep strigoi bite and he said the stitches should fall, but it has been 11 days now and they're still there."

He sighed "Rose…do you always have to take inconsiderate risks?"

"That's who I am dude! Come on, tell me. I can take them off right?" I asked tapping the beat on the table.

"I guess you can ." He snorted. "You know how to do it by now don't you?"

"Yep sir well talk to you soon. Have fun, bye." I said quickly and as cheerfully as I could.

"Bye Rosebud," he said hanging up.

10 more days with Oreza… Well, it will be the perfect way to test my self control… Poor guy! He better run fast.

As soon as I was done, I went to the bathroom and started poking around for what I needed. I found a pair of tweezers and a small pair of scissors.

I looked at myself in the mirror and sighed. A haircut was not changing who I became...who I worked so hard to become and I didn't need to be the broken Rose again.

I stripped down, jumped into Christian's oversized sweat pants that came very low on my hips but didn't put the shirt as I needed to look at the scar at the bottom of my neck.

I leaned over the sink to get closer to the mirror. Well, it was not as nice as a surgical scar but with what Doc had…What he did was amazing, but well now I won't be miss America dang! I thought chuckling to myself. Yeah, better to laugh than cry about it. Crying never made anything better.

I carefully cut the end of the thread and used the tweezers to remove it gently. It was already stacked in some places.

Once I was done, I raised my eyes to look at my face in the mirror but I met another pair of eyes that were staring at me... Icy blue eyes.

It took me a second to even comprehend that Christian was staring at me. It made me so self conscious! Only one man ever saw me undressed (and even way more) and it was Dimitri! And it was way before I was covered with battle scars.

As usual, I suppressed my discomfort with attitude.

I turned around and covered my breast with my arms. "Well, I never knew you were a peeping Tom! Uh… At least give me a 20 if you enjoyed the show," I added forcing a chuckle.

But Christian didn't say a word and what I saw in his eyes hurt me much more than I was ready to admit. Disgust I could have handled without a problem but what I saw touched me and I hated it. It was a mix of pain, sadness, worry, empathy, and worst of all…pity.

"Oh Rose…" He whispered his voice cracking. "What happened to you?"

I snorted grabbed the tee shirt and put it on as I walked past him. "I'm a warrior Christian. I mean really, what did you expect?" I asked still keeping my back to him.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"Don't do that!" I said turning around to look at him, I saw confusion on his face. "Don't feel sorry for me, please. I made my choices and I live up to them." I shrugged dismissively. "Plus you should be marveling. It gives you material for your scarface jokes!" I said winking pretending it didn't hurt but I was not so sure I fooled him.

He sighed running his hand through his hair probably trying to give himself some courage.

"That's why I came back I mean…" he shook his head "I shouldn't have said that it was---"

"It's okay…really." I said cutting him off sitting on the sofa bringing my knees to my chin and wrapping my arms around them. "That's maybe the only thing I really like about you, your honesty…" I smiled. "Don't take that away."

He tsked his tongue with disapproval and sat on the other end of the sofa slightly turning to face me. "Well, that's the thing. I really didn't mean it. Your scar doesn't bother me… None of them do and I was just trying to hurt you and that was childish. So I'm sorry." He finally said.

I looked into his eyes and saw he was sincere. I couldn't help but to feel pleased that I was not as repulsive as I thought I was. "And I'm sorry I called you a misfit, I guess we all are to some extent and you are not a freak."

We looked at each other for what seemed to be an eternity.

"You've changed," he stated simply but there was no sign in his voice whether it was a good or bad thing.

I nodded "Yeah, I guess you guys were not far off the marks. Rose Hathaway is dead on so many levels," I shook my head. "Which brings me to my other issue…" I winced, as I was uncomfortable to ask him, well anyone really, a favor. "The guy who can help me you know well... He won't be back for like another 10 days and--"

"Hey don't sweat it!" He said seeming oddly relieved. "Stay here as long as you need. I don't mind the company…even if it's you," he said teasingly.

I laughed."Nah seriously, Tasha won't be back for 2 weeks," he pointed to then empty room door. "And she knows you are here…"

I widened my eyes and he seemed to get my worries.

"Don't worry she won't say a word to anybody. That's your job." He awkwardly padded my shoulder getting up.

"Just 10 days" I said to both of us, I think.

"Just 10 days…"He replied.