DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own the world of VA or any of the recognizable characters. I just own THIS Fanfic's plot. All other credit goes to the lovely Richelle Mead

Chapter 4: She's Back!

~X~

RPOV

"SON OF a bitch."

Dimitri Belikov stood there, in all his 6'7" glory. Nice, tall, strong and handsome. Oh, so handsome with his chin length brown hair that he had pulled back into a short ponytail, yet a few strands fell loose, framing his handsome face. His dark eyes studied me with love, adoration, longing, regret and there was this far off look in his eyes that put an almost dazed expression on his face as he gazed at me, almost checking to see if I was actually here. Something consumed me and I allowed myself to rack my eyes over his body. He looked as godly as ever and seeing him made my heart ache as all these memories flooded my mind. From when we first met in Portland, to the cabin, where we made love for the first and only time. Those led to other unwanted memories, including those when he got restored and refused to see me. They all ended when I remembered the day he shattered my heart and the old Rose Hathaway in the church, his words as loud and clear and painful as they were on that day.

'I've given up on you. Love fades, mine has..'

Remembering those words, it was like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on my face. I stiffened and my face hardened. Shit! How had I let myself have that moment of weakness! That was stupid! I couldn't think about him like this now. He hurt me. He broke my heart and lost my trust when he spoke those words. I couldn't - I wouldn't - practically enable him to do it again. No. Not again

"Roz-"

"It's Rose, actually." I corrected coldly. Hurt flashed in his eyes, along with the love and longing. Love? Too bad. I was determined to get over him, and I would. I knew that. I had too.

"Sorry" he murmured and something in me felt guilty for hurting him, but I waved it away. I turned to Lissa and narrowed my eyes at her before she sent an apology through the bond.

'I'm sorry. He insisted on coming, but please try to be nice. He really missed you, Rose.'

I snorted out loud in response and I heard her sigh in my head.

He missed me. Yeah, I got the letters, but I had a hard time believing that. I wasn't going to allow myself to love him, he would just break my heart again. I wouldn't allow that. Not again.

"Well, we should get back. The drive will be pretty lengthy." Dimitri said softly, his 'guardian' mask firmly in place. Even though I didn't know if he had regained his Guardian title, the emotionless mask didn't leave. It seemed like it never would.

"How 'lengthy?'" I asked when we began to walk to the main parking lot. "About three hours." Lissa replied bluntly and I almost had a heart attack.

Three hours?! I was going to have to be in a car with Dimitri for three hours?!

Fuck my life.

"Great." I muttered. "Just great."

When we reached the black SUV, I saw a figure in there. I frowned, wondering who it was. Dimitri and Lissa noticed it too, but paid no mind to it. Maybe it was someone I knew? But who? The possibilities were endless as I tried to guess who it was.

That was revealed when Dimitri opened the door to the back. There sat Christian Ozera. "Oh no. She's back. Guys, it's over. Our Rose Hathaway free year is over." Christian complained in mock-disappointment. I rolled my eyes, my heart warming up a bit at seeing a familiar face that I could have some fun with.

"Yeah, I'm back to making your guy's lives a living hell." I rolled my eyes before climbing in the back to sit with Christian, making it clear that I did not want to sit next to Dimitri for three hours. Lissa sighed and climbed in after me. I shifted so she could sit in between Christian and I.

I looked over to Dimitri and while his 'Guardian' mask was firmly in place, I saw the hurt in his eyes. My heart lurched and I immediately scolded myself. I shouldn't care whether I hurt Dimitri or not, but I did. I really did and I wanted to get rid of the part of me that might still have lingering feelings for him and that wanted nothing more than to jump into his arms right now and kiss him senseless. I couldn't do that, and thankfully, that Dimitri-loving part of me was masked by the broken heart he had given me. I couldn't trust him. I didn't trust him. Especially not with my heart.

"I don't doubt it. Where were you all this time, anyways?" Christian asked and I felt myself stiffen. Dimitri froze for a millisecond before he shut the back sliding door and I slowly looked over at Christian and Lissa, who had an expression of uneasiness on her face. I sighed. They were going to find out anyways.

"Istanbul." I replied simply and I heard the door shut. Christian looked shocked and his eyes widened. "Istanbul. As in.. Turkey?" he asked incredulously.

"Mm-hmm. Glad to see you learned your Geography." I smirked and Christian fell back into his seat, ignoring my snide comment. "Wow. I was not expecting that." he muttered and I shrugged. What struck me most was that Dimitri wasn't surprised. It was like he knew.

That's when it hit me. He did know. He was expecting the answer of Istanbul. But...who told him? There was only one answer to that. The only person who knew was -

"Lissa." I hissed and glared at my Moroi friend. She looked at me, nervous and looking guilty. I felt her apologetic feelings through the bond.

'I'm sorry, Rose. I didn't mean to tell him! He was just so desperate to know and I... I'm sorry.' she said through the bond and I groaned inwardly. I couldn't stay mad at her. Especially not when I hadn't seen her in over a year.

"It's fine.." I murmured and Lissa looked a little skeptical, but then she smiled in relief and gratitude. Dimitri then climbed into the car and sat on the driver's seat. It wasn't long before he started the SUV and we were on our way.

[….]

"HOW MUCH longer do we have to be in here?" I asked, complaining over such the long time we've been in here.

Christian's face shone with amusement. "Rose, we've only been in here for ten minutes." Really? ten minutes? It seemed much longer than that. Especially when the air was thick with a tension between Dimitri and I, who I didn't dare look at or address.

I groaned, but before I could respond, Dimitri spoke, much to my annoyance. "Rose, we're going to be in here for about another two hours." Dimitri's voice was laced with amusement, but he was deathly focused on the front window, never taking his eyes off the road.

My only response to him was a grunt. I had avoided any conversation with him and I planned to do that for probably the rest of my time at Court.

The rest of the time.

[….]

TURNS OUT, we were in the car for four hours. Traffic was really bad and as soon as we made it to Court, I was practically itching to get out. Dimitri got off the car first, then circled around it to the passenger door on my side and opened it. Such a gentleman. He probably did it only for Lissa, but I had to get out first. When my black combat boots touched the floor, everything felt so surreal. Oh my God, I'm here. I'm back at Court.

I slowly walked forward, my eyes widened in awe as they scanned the large buildings. I hadn't been here in so long, and something told me I would be here a while. Fine, as long as Dimitri stayed out of my way.

"Damn." I breathed and looked back at Lissa, who had just barely jumped down onto the ground. "How long was I gone again?" I asked, a little teasing. Lissa sighed and I felt pensive and sad feelings through the bond. "A year. One year. I'm so glad you're back, though." she murmured and wrapped her thin arms around my shoulders, hugging me close. I lifted my right hand and placed it over her left arm, that was out near my neck as she held me.

"I'm not!" declared Christian involuntarily and I rolled my eyes. "Oh, shut up, Lord Ozera. You know you missed me." I smirked and he denied it once more before lifting the back door to get my luggage out with Dimitri. Sighing, I went to help them, and when the two brought the suitcase and bag out, I took the suitcase from Dimitri, not looking at him but I could feel his eyes on me. When I successfully ignored him, I placed the suitcase firmly on the ground and grabbed the handle with one hand, while the other went to take the black non-wheeled duffle bag to sling it over my shoulder, but Christian didn't let me.

"No, I'm such a good person that I'll carry this to your new room." he volunteered, very chivalrously. I rolled my eyes and smirked, "No, I don't want you to break your arms. Let the woman here handle it."

"You don't seem very woman-like to me." He retorted and I shot him a glare and threw the bag at him, making him stumble back to the point of almost falling back. "Yet you don't seem very manly to me." I teased mockingly and I stuck my tongue out at him.

I heard Lissa's exasperated sigh and I smiled innocently at her.

"I did arrange you a room here at Court. Next to mine." she informed, smiling and I smiled back. "Thanks for that, Liss. That saved me a lot of trouble." I said and she nodded. "...And you'll use it for a while, right? You're not leaving again?" she said, seriously and I decided to tease her a bit.

"Well I was thinking Egypt would make a good spot.." I trailed off and her jaw dropped. "Rose!" she exclaimed and I could tell I was about to receive a protest from the Dragomir Princess. I laughed, "I'm kidding, Liss. No. I'm not leaving any time soon." I assured her and she sagged in relief. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Dimitri relax and relief shone from his originally stoic face.

I resisted the urge to snort or scowl at the action that showed that he most likely did not want me to leave again, yet.. Something in me warmed up and that part of me made me want to smile.

No! You can't do this. Ignore him. Forget him. You have to. He will do nothing more than break your heart again. You can't let him. Not this time, my mind reprimanded me slowly and I nodded to myself. The inner voice was right. I had to strengthen my protective walls. I would not let Dimitri break them down

And with that, we walked into the main gate of the Moroi Royal Court.

Currently, it was 1PM, Moroi Time and the Court would be swarming with Moroi and their Guardians, or just other dhampirs that had things to do. I didn't want to stop or delay myself, I only had one mission: to get to my room, unpack and get situated. But, obviously, I got stopped from being led to my room when a familiar face rushed towards us.

"Rose!" called Adrian Ivashkov and my eyes immediately searched for the familiar voice. I saw him just in time for him to throw his arms around me and lift me up, spinning me around, causing a surprised yelp to leave my lips. While spinning in his arms, I could see many Moroi and dhampir stop what they were doing to stare at Adrian and I, and I also didn't miss how Dimitri had stiffened and how he began to shoot a death glare at Adrian. He's jealous, I realized and I resisted my smirk. Hmm.. I could have some fun with that. So, feeling bold and daring, I wrapped my arms around his neck and he set me down, not removing his arms from my waist, but mine dropped from his neck. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a very upset Dimitri glaring at Adrian's arms, which were wrapped around my waist. Dimitri looked like he wanted to tear them out of their sockets. Hmm...

"You're back! When did you arrive? Where were you?" Adrian showered me with questions, ignoring my friends and Dimitri. "Whoa, slow down there, Ivashkov. First of all, yes. I'm back. Second, like, a few hours ago and third, I was in Istanbul."

Adrian's eyes widened, he was stunned for a few seconds before regaining himself. "Istanbul." he repeated as if he was wasn't sure if he'd heard me right. I simply nodded and hummed my confirmation. "Wow.." he mouthed. I just shrugged before Lissa chimed in. "Were there lots of camels? I also hear Turkish girls are all..covered? Eh, not my thing." He finished with a careless shrug. We all openly gaped at him, and I scowled. "You racist pig." Adrian didn't looked phased.

Sensing the tension, Lissa didn't hesitate to butt in.

"Um, Adrian... If you don't mind, we have to take Rose to her room so.." I could tell she wasn't trying to be rude or anything, but through the bond, I could feel her nervousness, like she was trying to avoid something, and fast.

Further examination into the bond and her thoughts, I could feel she was worried about Dimitri. What? Why? He was right here and...

Oh.

Glancing over to Dimitri, I could see that he was about to explode. The murderous look he shot Adrian, along with his tense and rigid body, clenched jaw and hands fisted at his sides so tightly, his knuckles were white.

Backing away from Adrian, I could see from the corner of my eye that Dimitri had relaxed a bit, but he still looked like he wanted Adrian nowhere near me. Oh wow, he is jealous.

"That's fine." agreed Adrian and relief flooded through the bond. "As long as I can go along with little dhampir here." he added and Lissa frowned. "Well.. I.. Sure." Lissa sighed in defeat and some of Dimitri's tension returned. Adrian smiled, satisfied and a little cocky, then Lissa continued to lead us to my room. I could feel Dimitri's eyes on me, and I could literally see him shooting daggers at Adrian from behind us when the Royal Moroi threw his arm around my shoulders.

I immediately shrugged his arm off and scowled at him, noting not to let that Turkish comment slide so easily. "I missed you, Adrian. But not that much." I teased and he feigned hurt. Placing a hand over his heart, he said in a really dramatic way, "you wound me with your words, little dhampir."

I rolled my eyes and walked a little faster to get farther from Adrian, and mostly Dimitri. I now walked side by side next to Lissa and by the look on her face, I could tell we weren't far. When Lissa seemed to slow down, we were in Royal Long-Term Housing. Whoa. Lissa must've pulled a few strings to have me stay here, just so I could be close to her.

We stopped at a door and Lissa pulled out a key card as scanned it on the pad thing. Before I knew it, the door unlocked with a small click, and Lissa pushed it open. Four words

The room was gorgeous.

It had a flat screen t.v. on the wall across from the king sized bed - which was perfectly made and looked really comfortable. At the end of the bed on the floor, there was a small, two-seated black couch with one pillow on both ends. On the other side of the room, there was another love seat that looked really comfortable and cozy. Along with a small kitchen including an electric stove, a platinum silver sink, kitchen drawers both under and above the stove and sink. There was also a conventional oven and microwave. Across from the lovely bed was a double doored room that I believed was a closet. A working desk with a computer, lamp and extra working space with a comfortable looking wheeled office chair was placed near the floor under the t.v. and a white door that led to what I thought was the restroom also added to the quantity of the room, or rather, small apartment.

"What," began Adrian, scanning the room in awe. "The," added Christian, doing the same. I knew where this was going, so I added to the words. "Fuck." I finished and Lissa shot us a glare. "Language, children." she chided and I rolled my eyes back to the beautiful room.

"Seriously! What the fuck?! This is her room!?" exclaimed Christian and Lissa nodded. "Beautiful, isn't it? I'll take a 'thank you', Rose." she teased, looking at me. "You.. You arranged this?" I asked, incredulous. Lissa nodded proudly. "About a month ago. My room is about two doors away, so we'll be next to each other, my bodyguard." she smiled. That's right! Something told me I had pretty much renounced the 'Guardian' title when I left, so I promised Lissa that when I came back, I could just be her hired bodyguard.

"Liss... This is too much." I said, resigned. "Yeah, no sh*t." muttered Adrian involuntarily.

"Nonsense. This is your room and that's final. I worked to hard to get you to live in Royal Housing with me." Lissa said sternly and I sighed. "Thanks, Lissa." I smiled weakly at her. She grinned, "you're welcome. Now, we should let Rose unpack and get situated." Lissa announced and Adrian gulped. "Can I live here with you?" he asked me and I grimaced, while Dimitri tensed and Christian raised his eyebrows. "Um.. No, thank you. I'm good being alone here. Besides, you're the Queen's favorite nephew. This should look like nothing to you." I pointed out.

"I am her favorite nephew, but usually, I spend the night in other people's rooms, so I don't really have one." Adrian explained suggestively and Christian made a gagging sound.

"Which is all the more reason I don't want you to stay here at all. Leave, you man-whore." I grimaced and Adrian smirked. "Guilty as charged."

I groaned and Lissa's face twisted in disgust, while Dimitri stayed silent, but the disapproving and repulsed look he shot Adrian was well noticeable.

"Lissa's right, we should let Rose unpack and have some time to get used to her new room." Dimitri agreed with Lissa, finally speaking. I frowned and looked away from him, not saying anything in response or acknowledging his presence. I wanted him to leave, of all people. I didn't want to be around him. "Yeah.. Okay. Bye, Rosie. Welcome back to Pennsylvania." said Christian, dismissing himself and he walked out, but not before handing me my duffle bag. "Bye guys." I muttered and before I knew it, Adrian had left and Dimitri was gone, but not before giving me a look of longing, love and one that showed me how much he missed me. Ugh. He has to take the hint. I don't want him anymore. I can't be with someone who has hurt me as many times as he has.

Of course, I knew that deep down, I would always want him. But I could never have him. I would never have him.

The men and Christian leaving left only Lissa and I here. Ah..now I felt more comfortable. "Are you sure you'll be alright? You know, with.." she didn't have to say his name. I knew who she was talking about immediately, bond or no bond.

"Yes, Liss. I'll be perfectly fine. I am perfectly fine. Don't worry about me." I assured her. I could feel how much she wanted to help me and how she didn't believe that I was fine. Groaning inwardly, I forced a smile and tried again. "Lissa, i'm fine. I don't need him. I just need to focus on you." I said firmly and I felt a pang of guilt and disagreement through the bond.

"But, Rose.. You're my best friend and I want you to be happy. You still love him and he loves yo-"

"No." I interrupted her firmly and a bit harsher than I intended. It didn't phase her, but she was taken aback by my firm denial about our "feelings" for each other.

"He doesn't love me. Not truly. Otherwise, he wouldn't have hurt me so many times. And... I don't love him. I can't and I won't. I won't let myself fall in love with him again." I wasn't sure who I was trying to convince now. Lissa or me.

"You can't help who you fall in love with, Rose. I can see you're still in love with him. Your aura.. It shines so brightly around him. But it's edged with red for anger and purple for hurt. Your aura is like the sun around him, though, and so is his." she tried once more and I shook my head, trying not to take the information too seriously or let it get to me. "No.. He hurt me and I don't trust him. I can't. Not anymore. Don't... Don't worry about me, Lissa. I'm fine."

I felt pain through the bond. Emotional, sympathetic pain. It hurt her to see me 'hurting', and being Lissa, she wanted to help me. But this wasn't something that Lissa could just heal with Spirit magic. The pain I felt when I looked at Dimitri wasn't physical, it was emotional - and it hurt a lot more than any physical pain I'd felt because Lissa could always heal broken bones or scratches or bruises. But Lissa couldn't heal my broken heart. My broken soul. Admittedly, only Dimitri could do that, and I hated that he was the only one who I felt who could. I wouldn't let him, though. I couldn't let him. He had broken my heart much times before, what's to stop him from doing it again? I had put my heart on the line for him so many times, and I wouldn't do it again.

Never again.

[….]

A/N: Hello! How was it? Did you like it?

Poor Rose, poor Dimitri.. They're both suffering from soulmate withdraw!

Well, Rose is back in Pennsylvania and she's already seen Christian and Adrian again! How will the other friends and people react to her grand return after one year? How will the lethal Guardian Janine Hathaway react? And will Romitri ever get back together? Well.. That's for me to know and you to find out, but.. If they do, (IF), there's still gotta be lots of wallowing and feeling-explosion before! But Rose isn't going to forgive Dimitri so easily, so how will Dimitri try to win Rose back?

Sorry if this chapter is short and not my best work, but from here on out, I will try to make the chapters longer and drama-filled now that the story is taking its true path.

A bit of Jealous Dimitri in this chapter, eh? How do you think our Russian god will react when he sees his Roza all friendly and happy with a certain man named Ethan? Oops! I'm getting a little ahead of myself! You'll just have to read to find out.

PLEASE rate and review!

Stay Beautiful!

||RozaBelikov1996||