In her life thus far, Rose Hathaway had seen a lot of shit. She'd been through the ringer and back again. She was calloused to things that would shock most people. She didn't really think much could shock her at this point, she liked to think she was wholly prepared for any curve ball the world could throw at her.

Nothing, however, could have prepared her for the sight of her ex boyfriend, Adrian Ivashkov, the wild party boy, making out with Sydney Sage. The quiet, reserved, sometimes downright uptight Alchemist she'd come to know as a friend. The thought alone was incomprehensible. Even though she was watching it happen right in front of her she couldn't believe it. Sydney was a human, an alchemist human. Adrian was a Moroi, and he was...Adrian! And she was Sydney. Sydney! And they were...kissing each other ...It didn't make any sense. Not only was it unthinkable, it was gross. They were not the same race. It was like watching one of those overly attached pet owners let their dog slobber all over their mouth, only 10 times worse. She felt bile rise up in her throat, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from them. When they finally stopped sucking each other's faces, Adrian reached his hand up to push back Sydney's hair, smiling down at her like...like...Oh God...and she was looking up at him like she...No. No way in hell was this happening right now. An unexpected, high pitched gurgle escaped Rose's throat. She slapped her hand over her mouth but it was too late. Sydney and Adrian both snapped to attention, looking right at her. Adrian just looked annoyed, but Sydney's face was that of abject horror. Rose could only assume it mirrored her own. She looked between the two of them, shaking her head. This just...couldn't...be...happening.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me." she blurted out, unable to stop herself.

Sydney stepped back from Adrian, her face turning beet red. She took a step toward Rose.

"Rose, listen-"

Rose stumbled backward, putting her hands up in front of her. "I'm sorry," she said, her stomach churning as she tried to shake off the image of what she'd just witnessed. "I didn't mean to..." Didn't mean to what? A million thoughts raced through her head painfully. So many things started to click into place. Adrian's over protectiveness toward Sydney. The fact that Sydney only wanted Adrian to heal her. The way they bickered back and forth constantly, that wasn't just friendly banter...that was flirting. Oh God, oh God, how could she not have noticed all this? Lissa was right. He didn't think of her like a little sister at all. And that kiss...that didn't look like the first time they'd done that. Jesus, how long had this been going on? She put her hands on her temples, taking a deep breath, trying to focus.

"Tell me..." she said slowly, "That I didn't just see what I think I saw."

Adrian sighed heavily, grimacing. "So. This is awkward."

Sydney took another step toward Rose, a pleading look in her eyes. "Rose, please, just give me a second to explain."

"No, no. I can't..." Rose shook her head, backing away from the two of them. "I can't hear this. I can't...I can't even think this. I need a minute. I'm sorry." she turned away from them, hands shaking, and walked back toward the building.

Sydney's body reacted immediately, darting to catch up with Rose before she made it back inside, but Adrian's hand was on her shoulder, pulling her backwards.

"Let her go," was all he said.

"I can't!" Sydney yelped, panic swirling through her chest. "She saw...she saw us."

"Clearly," Adrian deadpanned.

"We have to find her," Sydney panted, "We have to explain-"

"Explain what?" Adrian snorted. "I think what she saw was pretty self-explanatory, Sage."

"Adrian, this is not funny!" anger shredded through Sydney's voice like sandpaper, "Not only is she obviously shocked and upset, she's also completely smashed. She could be in there yelling what she just saw at the top of her lungs, for all we know."

"What do you want me to do, Sage?" Adrian's tone was clipped now, "She saw us. It happened. Not much we can do short of turning back time."

Sydney took a few deep breaths, the realization of this hitting her like a gut punch. "Maybe when she wakes up tomorrow she won't remember..."

Adrian scoffed. "Yeah and maybe I'm not as good looking as I think I am. The chances are slim."

"I don't know how you can be so calm about this," Sydney shook her head. "Do you understand how not good this is?"

"Not really, no." he shrugged. "Do you really think we were hiding it all that well? Christian knows, obviously. I think Lissa does too. And Dimitri's been around us more than either of them. He's got to know. Sonya definitely knows, she can see auras, remember? So really-"

"Suspecting isn't the same as knowing!" Sydney shouted, cutting him off. "You can't prove anything on a hunch. This is different. Someone saw us kissing. That's evidence."

Adrian scrunched up his face and when he spoke his voice was cold, "Why are you talking about us kissing like it's a damn crime? Jesus, Sydney." he shook his head. "This hot and cold act is really getting old."

"Because in my world, it is!" she shouted, her voice thick with emotion. "Keith got hauled off to re-education just for striking up a stupid business deal with a vampire. I almost did just for helping one. Do you even realize..." her voice broke, her vision was starting to blur as tears pooled in her eyes. "Do you even realize what would happen if they found out I kissed one? More than once? And liked it? Maybe they wouldn't even throw me in re-education..." she barked out a humorless, dark laugh. "Maybe they'd just kill me on sight and be done with me. I really wouldn't put it past them. So yes, forgive me if I'm a little freaked out over the face that apparently everyone and their guardian knows what's going on between us!"

She broke down, then. It was awful. She buried her face in her hands as hot, embarrassing tears ran down her cheeks. She sniffed loudly a few times, refusing to let a sob escape her mouth. She needed to hold on to at least a scrap of her dignity or she'd really lose it.

Adrian's arms were around her in an instant. His hands were warm and gentle on her back, stroking the length of her spine. She wanted to push him away but she didn't, couldn't really. Instead she just slumped against him, wordlessly, burying her face in his chest. Her arms fell limply to her sides.

"Shh," he whispered, one hand reaching up to cradle the back of her head. His touch was so comforting, so loving, it almost made her want to cry all the more because of it.

They stayed like that for a long moment. He held her tight, stroking her back in that hypnotically calming way. She took a deep, ragged breath, then attempted to push away from him. "I'm sorry," she blubbered, wiping furiously underneath her eyes. "I'm so embarrassed. I never cry in front of people."

He laughed softly, pulling her in close to him and squeezing. "Don't be embarrassed. Everyone cries at weddings."

She choked out a watery laugh, smiling, in spite of everything. "Shut up."

Adrian's hand slid up her back and across her neck. He gripped her chin lightly, tipping it up to face him. "You okay?"

She nodded weakly.

"You sure?" he asked, grinning wryly. "You can cry it all out, if you need to. I've got two shoulders with your name on them."

She sniffed, shaking her head. "Your charm really doesn't have an off button, does it?"

He chuckled, sighing dramatically, "It's a gift and a curse."

"I think I'm okay for now, " Sydney said in regard to his offer. "But thank you."

He brought both hands up to stroke her cheeks. Sydney frowned. "Oh no, my makeup...is my face totally wrecked?"

He rolled his eyes. "Makeup is still intact, well mostly." He gently rubbed at the tops of her cheekbones with his thumbs, assumingly wiping away any smudges. "Your face is far from wrecked, it takes more than a few tear streaks to mar this kind of perfection."

Sydney scoffed, "What perfection?"

"Have you ever even looked in a mirror?" he shook his head. "Speaking of things you haven't done, you wanna tell me what the hell this re-education is?"

"Not particularly," Sydney mumbled, wishing she had managed to leave that bit out of her mini emotional breakdown.

Adrian just stared at her, waiting for an explanation. She sighed.

"When the Alchemists feel that someone has gotten too close to a vampire, whether it be making a deal with one, befriending one, heck, maybe even just helping one cross the street, they get sent to a re-education center."

Adrian's expression darkened. "And what does it mean, exactly, to be "re-educated"?" he made air quotes with his fingers.

"I don't actually know, to be honest. It's not something that's openly talked about. But I can certainly guess." she shuddered, remembering seeing Keith in his babbling, incoherent state. "Brain-washing would be my best guess. People who I've seen come out of it are kind of...off. Robotic, almost. It's..."

"Fucked?" Adrian breathed, his eyes wide in disbelief.

Sydney twitched her mouth sideways. "That's one way to put it."

Adrian shook his head slowly, his handsome features twisted up in disgust. "Well, shit." he said finally.

"All that preaching you were doing," he continued, "going on and on about how we couldn't be together..." He looked into Sydney's eyes, and the raw ache in his voice broke her heart. "You weren't just saying that. We really..." he paused, blinking, "can't be together."

Sydney didn't know what to say. She felt an unfamiliar pang in her chest. Of course she'd known all along that this was true, but seeing Adrian come to this realization was painful, to say the least. The hollow sadness in his eyes was like a knife in her stomach.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, uselessly.

Adrian just continued to blink his eyes, slowly, processing all this. After a few moments, his face transformed, the sadness disappearing and a thin smile spreading across his lips. "Well, we still have the rest of tonight."

Sydney raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"You promised me the night, remember?" his smile broadened as he spoke. "So we can't be together. Okay. I accept that. I don't want you risking them screwing with your mind for me. Your mind is my favorite thing about you."

Sydney blushed. It was ridiculous, but hearing him say that was almost more flattering than being called beautiful.

He moved toward her, placing his hands on her hips and pulling her up against him. "Tomorrow, and every day after that, I won't bother you about how I feel. I won't flirt with you," he paused, furrowing his brow. "Well...I'll try my best not to flirt with you. I won't even ever bring any of this up ever again. Whatever I have to do to ensure your safety, that's my priority."

That unfamiliar pang twitched at her heart again. This was good news. This was what she'd wanted to hear him say ever since the first forbidden kiss they'd shared. But to her surprise, it didn't feel good. It hurt.

"But tonight," he breathed, bringing his lips directly up against her ear. She shivered at the contact. "Tonight's a different story."

"Adrian," she said, for no particular reason.

"Is that okay with you?" he drew back so he could look into her eyes.

She sighed. "What exactly are you proposing?"

"I think you know," he smirked.

"Unfortunately, I think I do too." she shook her head, "I don't think it's a good idea."

"Of course it's not a good idea!" he laughed, swaying their bodies back and forth playfully.

Sydney couldn't help but laugh, even though there was really nothing funny about the situation they were in. She sobered almost immediately after, recalling everything that just transpired. "Adrian." she said, seriously. "We really need to find Rose."

"Don't give yourself a hernia," he chuckled. "She was freaked out, but I think it was just the shock of the unexpected more than anything else."

Sydney frowned. "You weren't with her when we stayed with the Keepers. She was disgusted by them. Maybe even more so than I was."

"Alright," he sighed, "Let's go talk to her. This is going to be awkward as hell."

Rose stumbled back into the building in a daze, her brain still short circuiting trying to process everything she'd just seen. She was greeted almost immediately by a very concerned looking Dimitri.

"Rose, where have you been?" his voice was tight. "We were all getting worried."

"I..." she looked up into his eyes, blinking. "I just...went outside and...I saw...them."

"Them?" Dimitri asked, perplexed.

She took a deep breath, finding it hard to even speak what she'd seen. "Adrian...and...Sydney..."

Dimitri sighed heavily. "Roza-"

"You found her!" Lissa's voice, drenched in relief, cut through the crowd. She and Christian sidled up beside her, all eye rolls and smiles. "Thank God. I was afraid you'd passed out somewhere."

"They were kissing!" Rose blurted out, her voice shrill and uncontrolled. A few people nearby turned and shot her quizzical looks, as Dimitri shh'ed her gently.

"Who was kissing?" Christian smirked.

"Adrian. was kissing. Sydney," Rose said slowly, unwillingly replaying the scene in her mind. "Sydney. was. kissing. Adrian."

Lissa groaned, "Rose. I told you to leave them alone."

"It's not like I was trying to interrupt their little forbidden make-out session!" Rose sputtered, "I was just going outside for some air, and there they both were, playing tonsil-hockey for the whole world to see!"

Christian scrunched up his face. "Ugh. Didn't need the visual."

"Yeah, well, neither did I!" Rose hissed. "What the hell? I mean...what the HELL?"

"I told you," Lissa sighed, shaking her head smugly. "I told you they were more than friends."

"You mean, you didn't know?" Christian asked, widening his gaze at her. "Oh, shit. I thought everyone knew."

"You knew too?" she gaped at Christian, "What about you?" she turned to face Dimitri. He winced.

"I...had my suspicions." he said after a moment, "They were more or less inseparable for a time when I was in Palm Springs. Once I even though Adrian was going to punch me just because I was a little pushy asking Sydney for something." he smiled, as if it were an amusing memory.

Rose stared at her boyfriend and friends. "And none of you thought to tell me that this sordid love affair was going on? No one thought I'd like to be in the know?"

"I did tell you," Lissa rolled her eyes. "You just didn't want to see it."

"I wasn't even sure, myself." Dimitri shrugged.

"I kind of figured it out when Adrian explicitly told me to commit manslaughter if anyone touched her." Christian grinned. "And I mean, just look at them. It's kind of obvious. They're always bantering back and forth, stealing glances at each other...it's like textbook forbidden romance. It's cute."

"Cute?" Rose's eyes almost bugged out of her head. "CUTE?!"

"Rose," Lissa said, "Try not to scream, we are in public."

"I don't think you people understand the gravity of this situation. A Moroi and a human? Not just any human...an Alchemist human? I mean...what is...I don't even..." she clutched her head as her thoughts spun.

"Not just any Moroi," Lissa said gently. "It's Adrian. Our friend."

"Sydney's our friend too," Christian said, his voice laced with slight offense.

"Of course," Lissa agreed. "Which is why we should-"

Lissa cut herself off quickly, clearing her throat and looking away as Adrian and Sydney tentatively approached the group.

A painful silence blanketed them. After a long moment, Adrian was the first to speak. "Alright. Let's just get this over with. Rose, I know what you saw must have been shocking-"

Rose scoffed. "That's an understatement. And you, stop talking." she jerked her gaze to her tiny, blonde friend. "I want to hear this from Sydney."

Sydney blanched. "I don't know what to say Rose. I'm sorry you had to...see what you saw." Rose noticed that her hands were shaking as was her voice. She was nervous, embarrassed almost even a little scared. Rose suddenly felt a little...bad.

Adrian put his hand on Sydney's shoulder in a gesture of comfort. Christian's words flashed in Rose's mind. If this had been a completely different situation, she had to admit, that would have been cute.

"I know it must have been very...er...unexpected, for you to see Adrian and me..." she blushed deeper, as if she was searching for an appropriate word, "together. But, you see, well..." Sydney trailed off again, taking a shaky breath, "It wasn't what you think."

Rose cocked an eyebrow."Really."

"Yes," Sydney said nodding her head. "It's not..." she looked up at Adrian, swallowing nervously, "We're not...together, together. We just..."

"Fall on each other's mouths from time to time," Adrian supplied, with a smirk. "It's terribly inconvenient." He rubbed Sydney's shoulder affectionately. "I can take it from here. Hathway," he turned to Rose. "Let's have a little chat. In private."

He linked his arm with hers, turning away from the group. "Christian," he called over his shoulder, "You know your orders."

"Aye, aye!" Christian saluted with a grin.

Adrian walked Rose over to a nearby couch where no one was sitting. "Ladies first," he gestured for her to sit down.

Rose did so reluctantly, crossing her arms. "Adrian, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Well I thought we could have a long over-do heart to heart," he gave her an exaggerated offended expression.

She rolled her eyes. "I mean, with Sydney." she gave him a hard look. "Last time I saw her she was this quiet, conservative little mouse of a girl. She was fiercely devoted to the Alchemists. She could barely even stomach being alone with me." she narrowed her eyes. "What have you done?"

Adrian scoffed. "Are you implying I've corrupted her?" his voice was clearly amused.

"She's really innocent!" Rose exclaimed, "I don't even think she's ever had a boyfriend."

Adrian grinned, "She did have a boyfriend for awhile, back in Palm Springs. In the end, he was no match for me, of course."

Rose shook her head. "Exactly what I mean. You bat your pretty green eyes in her direction, lay all those compliments on her she's not used to getting, of course she's going to fall for it. But this is serious, Adrian. You can't treat this like some run of the mill conquest. Isn't there like..some freaky Alchemist prison she can get sent to?"

"So I've been told," Adrian said, and his voice was surprisingly serious. "And for the record, she's actually been even harder to win over than you were. Not that I'm trying to "win her over" he cringed at the phrase, "She's more to me than just some girl I can't have. She's..." he paused, his eyes went slightly unfocused, and when he spoke again his voice took on a dreamy sort of quality, "She's incredible. I mean, I guess you know that, you know her. But she's so...smart, and driven...she doesn't ever just half-ass her way through things, you know? And she's always thinks of everyone else, putting everyone else's needs before her own. It's infuriating sometimes, because she doesn't really ever think about herself, and that pisses me off to no end, because I just want her to be happy, you know? She's done so much for me, Rose...you can't even begin to understand. When I'm with her it's like...everything just makes sense. You know I've pretty much stopped smoking?" he raised his eyebrows at her. "She didn't ask me to, if that's what you're wondering. I just did it. Because I wanted to. I knew it would make her proud, but still...I did it for me too. I've been doing a lot of things for me, good things, and it's all because of her..." he broke off suddenly, shaking his head. "Sorry. Didn't mean to ramble."

Rose just looked at him curiously, she suddenly didn't recognize the man sitting in front of her. "You've changed."

He gave a slow, uncertain nod. "I guess so, yeah."

She shook her head, sighing. "You're really serious about this? About her?"

This time there was nothing uncertain about his answer. "Of course I am. I know everyone thinks I can't be serious-"

"I don't think that," Rose started to say, but Adrian just barreled on.

"It's fine," he said, "I guess I haven't given anyone much reason to, up until now. You know," he cast her a sideways glance. "I didn't get it, back then. You and Belikov. I really didn't. When you went all Rambo trying to track him down. I mean, I respected your decision to do that, and I tried my best to understand, but it didn't make sense to me. To be perfectly honest, deep down I thought the whole thing was a bit overdramatic and selfish."

Rose huffed. "Maybe it was, but I was doing what I had to do. You don't understand-"

"No, that's the thing." Adrian said, nodding his head vehemently, "I do understand. Now, at least." his expression turned dark unexpectedly and his voice dropped an octave. "If something like that happened to Sydney...if someone took her from me like that, everything else would just...cease to matter. I would do anything and everything in my power to get her back." he looked into Rose's eyes intently, "And you can be sure as hell I wouldn't hesitate to take the whole world down with me."

"Jesus," Rose blinked. " You really do love her."

"I really do," Adrian smiled. "She balances me out."

Rose smiled back at that. "Well," she breathed after a moment, "I'm still sort of trying to process all of this, but I'm sorry for the way I reacted. I just never thought..." she shook her head. "Never mind. Doesn't really matter what I think, does it?"

"What you think will always matter to me," Adrian nudged her gently. "We're friends, right?"

"Right." Rose nodded, and wrapped her arms around Adrian in a tight hug. "I've missed you, you know."

"I have that effect on people." he replied, returning her embrace.

"There's the Adrian I know," she pulled back, smiling. "Guess you haven't changed that much."

He shook his head. "Nah, just found someone who brings out the best in me."

"Well let's get back to her, then." Rose laughed, "Before you spiral into a deep depression."

When they approached the group, Sydney was engaged in what looked like an intense conversation with Christian. He was nodding as he listened to what ever she was saying, his brows furrowed with concern. Sydney was just winning over all the boys these days, it seemed. Rose smiled, but as they closed in she realized Sydney's expression was dark and troubled, and Christian put a fraternal hand on her shoulder as it looked like tears were forming in her eyes.

"Whoa," Rose said, looking back and forth between the two of them. "What's going on?"

When Sydney turned and noticed her presence, her expression was pleading. "Please, don't say anything to anyone." The fear was clear in Sydney's voice. "I'm asking you as my friend not to. None of you can," she looked around the group. "You won't, right? If this gets out, it won't just be a slap on the wrist from my superiors. I'm afraid the consequences are much worse than that." An awful sinking feeling settled in Rose's chest. That's why Sydney was so freaked. She thought Rose was going to narc on her. It wasn't surprising, considering the way Rose had reacted, but as much as she was shocked and still kind of grossed out by all this, she'd never do that to Sydney.

"My lips are sealed," Lissa nodded, giving Sydney a soft smile.

"Ditto," Christian nodded, "No way I'm gonna rat out my black sheep buddy." Sydney smiled weakly at him.

Dimitri gave Adrian a knowing smile. "I've kept quiet for this long."

Rose sighed. "Sydney, I would never, ever do that." she frowned. "I'm sorry for the way I reacted before, I was just so shocked...well, there's no excuse for acting like that. You're my friend, above everything else. And friends support each other no matter what." Sydney's face blossomed into a relieved smile.

"Thank you," she said, as Adrian returned to his post beside her.

She gave them a rueful smile. "But you two do realize that the rest of the world isn't going to be as accepting of this, right?"

"It's a notion that's been tossed around," Adrian replied dryly.

"Seriously." Rose said, lowering her voice. "Not only is Sydney in danger from the Alchemists, but can you imagine the uproar it would cause for you?" she looked at Adrian, "You're an Ivashkov, for crying out loud. What are you going to do? Take her home to your parents? Hey mom and dad remember when I was dating a dhampir and brought shame upon the family? Well, good news! Now I'm with a human, and to top it all off, she's an Alchemist! Isn't that swell?"

Sydney made an affronted noise, and Rose shot her an apologetic look. "No offense, but you don't know Adrian's dad..."

"She does, actually." Adrian sighed, "Unfortunately."

"We had lunch, once," Sydney explained, frowning. "It went...moderately...bad."

"Well, hey. That's better than any encounter I've ever had with him." Rose snorted, "Maybe you crazy kids have a shot, after all."

Sydney smiled momentarily, then frowned. "I think we both know the consequences of what a relationship between us would bring. And we've decided.." she looked up at Adrian, giving his hand a squeeze, "that we're not going to risk it."

"Well." Rose said, surprised at how much that bothered her. "That's depressing."

"You could always just keep it a secret." Christian suggested, earning him a hard glance from everyone.

"What?" he asked. "Just laying out all your options. I like you guys together. You're like a power couple." he twisted up his face, in thought. "Adri-ney." he said, then shook his head. "No that sucks. Uh..Sydney...drian...Syd..rian...Sydrian!" He beamed, like he was proud of himself.

Adrian nodded, "I like the sound of that. It rolls of the tongue, don't you think?"

"Totally," Christian smiled. "If word ever gets out about you guys, not that I want it to-" he shot Sydney a serious glance, "But we could like, get protest shirts made. Free Sydrian!"

Adrian's eyes danced with amusement. "Perfect. We can wear them when we bust Sydney out of re-education."

"Re-education isn't a joke." Sydney mumbled, frowning at them.

"Does it look like I'm joking?" Christian asked, "I will riot in the streets for your love. I've always wanted to start a riot. Maybe it's a pyromaniac thing." he shrugged.

"I think is this start of something beautiful, Ozera." Adrian said, smiling widely at Christian. "And thank you, by the way, for taking out the creep who was messing with Sydney."

"No problem, it was my pleasure." and then they actually bumped their fists together.

"You two wanna be alone?" Lissa asked, raising her eyebrows.

Everyone laughed, and suddenly it felt like they were just a normal group of friends, all paired off respectively, and it was a really amazing feeling.

The lights dimmed, then, and a voice echoed throughout the building. "Alright, folks. Last song of the evening, so grab your partner if you got one and hold on tight." A familiar slow, love song began to play.

"I love this song!" Lissa squeaked, grabbing Christian's hand and dragging him to the dance floor.

"Roza?" Dimitri asked softly, giving her a look that made her heart flip in her chest. He extended his hand and she took it, letting him lead her in the same direction.

"I don't even know this song," Sydney whispered to Adrian, fidgeting with her hands.

"It's a classic," Adrian told her, "We're going to have to work on your lack of pop culture knowledge, Sage."

"I hope you and Christian were just joking," she said, giving him a serious look. "You know we can't...well...you know."

Adrian nodded. "I know. But, that's all for tomorrow, isn't it?" His voice was like honey. "Dance with me."

She blushed, every cell in her body aching to take his hand and press her body close against his. She had to look away. "People can see us."

"Oh, come on." he sighed. "It's one dance. At a wedding. You have to dance at a wedding. We don't even have to go to the dance floor. Dance with me, right here."

She took his hand reluctantly. They were in a darker, more secluded part of the building. And she had promised him tonight. And it was just one dance. She took a deep breath and stepped closer to him. He wrapped his other hand around her waist and she let hers rest on his shoulder.

"This isn't so bad, is it?" he whispered to her as their bodies began to sway.

"No," Sydney breathed, closing her eyes and letting her head fall against his chest. She listened to the steady thumping of his heart, counting in her head the beats per minute. She didn't know why, but in that moment she wanted to memorize everything. The song that was playing, the way the air smelled, the exact pressure of his body against hers. She knew when she was old and withered and probably married to some boring, straight-laced God-fearing Alchemist, that she'd look back on this moment, unable to stop herself, and remember that this was the first time she felt truly happy. She sighed, pressing even closer to Adrian, breathing him in. The smell of him was intoxicating as it washed over her. The deep, woody scent of his cologne mixed with his body's natural masculine scent. The only thing that was missing was the unmistakable aroma of clove cigarettes. She remembered he'd told her how long it had been since he'd had one. She looked up at him, smiling. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I miss the smell of cigarettes on you."

He raised an eyebrow. "Don't look now, but I think Hell just froze over."

"It's just because it was how you've always smelled, it's familiar to me." she shrugged, blushing. "That's stupid."

"No, it's not." he murmured, lips pressed against her ear. "You want me to start back up again?"

"No!" she shook her head. "Of course not."

"I can just rub them all over my body, if that will make you happy." he smirked. "I knew you had a kinky side."

She giggled, letting her head fall back against his shoulder. Too soon, the song was over, and they had to break away from each other quickly before the lights flickered back to full brightness. People were hugging and goodbying and stumbling toward the exit.

She looked up at him, biting her lip. He really was just unreasonably handsome.

"What are you thinking?" he asked quietly, "Right now?"

She looked away, blushing. "I want you to kiss me again." she whispered, surprising herself with her own honesty.

He smiled. "Oh, I will. Not right now, of course. But before the night is over, I'm going to kiss you."

"Isn't the night over, technically?" she asked. "I have to go back to the hotel now."

"If I recall," he said with a sly smile, "We're staying at the same hotel."

She scoffed. "If you think you're getting a room invitation, you're sorely mistaken."

"Fine," He pouted. "Then I guess we'll have to get frisky in the elevator."

She actually considered this, then shook her head. "They have cameras in elevators."

"Then where am I going to kiss you?" he asked way too loudly.

"Shh!" Sydney hissed, eyes wide. "I don't know...we'll think of something."

"What are we thinking of? Radical T shirt designs?" Sydney turned to find Christian and Lissa approaching, followed by Rose and Dimitri.

Adrian smiled. "Yeah, I'm thinking of a bloody heart with an arrow through it. And the arrow should be on fire. No, the heart should be on fire. No, both the heart and the arrow...on fire."

Christian laughed, nodding his head in adamant concurrence. "That is so punk rock."

Lissa rolled her eyes at them, then turned to Sydney. "When we get back to the hotel, we were all going to hang out in my suite for awhile. There's a mini-bar and food or whatever, if you're hungry. It'll be fun. You guys in?"

"You had me at mini-bar," Adrian sighed. He turned to Sydney. "Yes?"

Sydney knew she shouldn't accept the invitation. As much as she wanted to spend more time with her friends, and with Adrian, the responsible thing to do would be to politely decline and spend the rest of her night repenting for all the sins she committed in one evening. Unexpectedly, her mind flitted back to when Brayden broke up with her. His parting words were that he just couldn't be with someone as irresponsible as she was. The memory still made her laugh. But maybe there was some truth in it, after all. And maybe that wasn't such a bad thing.

She smiled, taking a deep breath. "I'm in."