AN: Sorry it took a while, been a stressful week. But a bit of good news; my dogs having puppies! 2 weeks earlier than expected to though, expecting pups by Monday! I would also like to thank ItaSaku1my truly AMAZING beta reader, who has to put up with my constant footnotes Hope you all enjoy the new chapter 4. x

I sat bolt upright in bed, long tendrils of hair sticking to my face and neck. It was the most bitter-sweet dream I had ever had, all of my hopes and fears tangled together into some grotesque vision. He was so like the Dimitri of Russia, the Dimitri I would happily forget. I knew every time I closed my eyes I would see his red pair staring back at me; there was no way for me to sleep now. I threw my legs over the edge of the bed myself still wrapped in Dimitri's coat, I walked to the window and opened the curtains. The light that poured through was bright, momentarily blinding me. I squinted, waiting for my eyes to adjust. As they did, I saw court in a whole different light – no pun intended. The night-blooming flowers were now closed, making the gardens look less tended, less pristine. The autumn leaves which fell from the trees were racked into neat piles. I watched as a playful wind caught some stray leaves, pushing them around the pavement, dancing around one another as they floated away. The sun was directly above, signalling the middle of the night for the rest of the Vampire world. Occasionally, a Guardian would walk past, he or she apparently on the night shift. It all seemed so calm, so normal; completely different to the turmoil running through my mind.

I had decided to change into more comfortable clothes and ventured outside, seeing if the peacefulness of midnight would ease my mind, at least a little. I wandered the gardens with no particular destination, but the destination I found shocked me a little; the court's Cathedral. It seemed too big to be a church, tall steeples and imposing statues; which had been rebuilt miraculously quickly after they "spontaneously combusted". I walked up the steps and pushed on the large oak door, expecting it to be locked at this time of night. Only it wasn't. I stepped inside and was still, after months of seeing it almost every day, overwhelmed by its grandeur and majesty, yet aware of its solemnity. I took a seat on the back pew, vaguely aware that this was the same place I had sat when Dimitri had told me that he didn't love me anymore. It suddenly occurred to me that for someone who doesn't really believe in God, a lot of big moments in my life have happened in a church; Dimitri saying he didn't love me, Lissa realizing I had feelings for Dimitri after the attack on the school. I think some may have called it divine intervention; I just called it coincidence. Besides, if it were divine intervention, couldn't it have intervened at a more appropriate time, like when the attack on the school had happened? If anyone expected me to believe in a higher power after that then I would have punched them in the face. But now? I wasn't so sure; I mean I have Dimitri back, which in fact in itself is a miracle. But he had been dragged away again. I decided to strike a deal with however was listening; Bring Dimitri home to mesafe and well, then I would consider believing a little more. That didn't mean giving up my lie in on Sundays though.

I lay back on the pew, studying the intricately carved ceilings. They reminded me of the one in Russia I had seen, where Dimitri's remembrance service had been held. I couldn't call it a funeral, because that was completely untrue. I stopped that train of thought before it could gain momentum. Thinking of Russia would only bring back the twisted memories of my nightmare. I closed my eyes, trying to block everything out. I didn't want to think.But what do you want?A voice from inside me taunted. The answer came immediately, so naturally. I knew that whenever I was asked that, the answer would be the same; Dimitri, always Dimitri. Why did every one of my thoughts always end with him?

And even though I knew he had to leave, to fully rid himself of the dark eclipse in his past, I still couldn't shake the feeling of abandonment, and loneliness. I have no idea how I ever lived without him; lived without half of my soul for so many years. I didn't seem possible. It also didn't seem possible that he had captured my heart and have me so under its command; unable to turn away even if I wanted to, and all of which he has done in a littleunder two years.

But now he was gone again. My heart, soul and body yearned for him, telling me to go after him; to follow him to the ends of the earth and beyond. My head was the only thing keeping me rooted; reminding me I have a promise to keep to Lissa. I couldn't leave her. And I knew Dimitri wanted me to stay here, safely tucked away behind the wards. He would be disappointed in me if I left, and I hated that.

So I had to choose; head or heart, body and soul. Seemed I had some difficult decisions to make.

DPOV

I knew she would want to come, never one to miss a fight. But I couldn't risk it. Roza had already been ripped out of my life way too many times, most of which was by my own foolishness. To think I ever thought I could live without her seemed the most idiotic thing in the world. Leaving her behind at the airstrip alone had been close to impossible. Seeing the hurt in her eyes, hurt that I was causing her – something I swore I would never do again – had nearly made me break down and weep like a child. But seeing complete, soul deep understanding – the connection of mind that had bound us together from the first day me met – and endless love in her dark, emotive eyes, well, that nearly had me jumping out of the car and running back to her.

We had been on the road for around three hours, being taken to the operation HQ, about 2 miles north of the Strigoi hideout. The hideout was only half an hour from court by car, but to avoid being detected; we had to take the long way around; taking main roads on the outskirts of town, as much as possible, to blend in and not raise suspicion. All of the SUVs had spread out as well. Two had taken the even longer route around the other side of town and would be arriving about an hour after we did. Hans had given a quick explanation to everyone in the SUV, apparently the team leaders, as we drove what the layout of the HQ was and what would happen when we got there; find a bed, ten minutes to freshen up and then straight into a meeting. It was quick, organized and efficient; very guardian like. He also specified what each of our teams would be doing in the run up to and during the actual attack, everything was thought out in advance to ensure maximum efficiency; we didn't need to be wasting time in a situation like this. The team I had been chosen to lead was surveillance and recon, with "human help" according to Hans, up until the actual attack, then we would be front lines. Good, I would hate to have to wait around while people died when I could be helping; especially when I knew who were in there; The blond that had changed meiand taken everything away. Now was my chance to return the favor, he was mine. In killing him, I could erase him from my nightmares, knowing he was dead by my hand.

As I looked around the SUV, I became more and more astonished, and honored, that I had been selected to lead a team. Whether I had been chosen for my skills as a Guardian or because I was still deemed a threat and so expendable, however, remained to be seen. Most of those around me were legends! People I had been taught to look up to since I was them was one familiar face; Stan Altoii, who sat next to me at the back. He had been put in charge of strike strategies and was also with me on the front lines for the attack.

He leaned over to me slightly, signaling that he wanted to speak without catching the attention of everyone in the car. I leaned over ever so slightly; both showing that I had noticed and so I could hear him better without him having to raise his voice above a whisper. "I feel a little out of place here," he said quietly, startling me with his honesty, "I'm a novice next to these Guardians" It was the first time I had ever seen him uncomfortable or nervous, although as a general rule, we usually have to cover our emotions, so I wouldn't have noticed if he hadn't said anything. I was glad he had as I was feeling similar emotions. I felt the need to reassure him – and myself. "I wouldn't quite say that. Besides, you managed to teach Rose for years, I think after that anything else would be a breeze." He chuckled quietly at my joke, effectively easing both of our tension, although talking about Rose stung a little. Stan didn't seem to notice my pain. I must have hid it well – Guardians, as a general rule, didn't miss anything. Either that or he had noticed and didn't let on. Either way, he must have sensed something in my words though because he gave me a sidelong glance and said, as quietly as before, "You really care about her, don't you?" he said a little to incredulously for my liking but I let it go. I didn't know what shocked me more about his words; the fact that Rose's former teacher actually acknowledged our relationship as a serious one, or that he felt the need to ask weather my feelings forRozaiiiwere genuine. Wasn't that obvious? I managed to keep most, but not all, of the shock out of my voice– bad form on my part – and spoke honestly "Yes, I love her"

"I suppose it's obvious now. The way you two are with one another. Even at the Academy, you could tell she wasn't just another student to you. Not to mention the fact that you were the only one Rose would listen to." He said truthfully, but I could sense an undertone in the way he said the last part, like an unvoiced question. Then it suddenly hit me, and I answered quickly. "No, she was never just another student, but our relationship at the academy was much different to the one we have now." I skirted around actually saying we weren't in a relationship at the Academy, because it was strictly true. On the night of the attack, we had made love for the first time, so we were in a relationship; as disjointed and unfeasible as it was. My words seemed to answer his question and he nodded slightly.

I became suddenly aware that we had attracted the attention of several others in the car during our discussion. Even Hans who was driving, had been listening. He glanced at me in the rear-view mirror and was the first to speak. I was startled be his openness as I hardly knew the man, besides from his interrogation techniques; I had become very familiar with those during my time in the courts prison. But now he spoke in a friendly, somewhat amused voice. "Don't know how you do it, Belikov. That Rose of yours is a handful." Hearing him describe Rose as mine filled me with joy. Hearing she was a handful, however, didn't; despite the fact that it was true. Hans assessed his words, then added, "Loyal though. And selfless. It's surprising what she will do for others. You in particular." He had been watching the road as he spoke, but at the end, gave me a pointed look. I knew he couldn't have known everything she had done; she would be in a cell if he did. But it was easy to put some pieces together; like why she went to Russia. Apparently Hans had already put that part together. As for me, Rose had long since told me the entire story of how she found me in Russia, to her finding out how to save me, and finally how she had done that.

We had sat together in comfortable silence, huddled together on the sofa under a blanket watching the flames leap in the fire. Well, that's what Rose had been doing; I had been watching how the flickering orange light danced against her hair and features. She had looked so beautiful. It had been unseasonably cold for the past couple days and even in mid spring, frost gathered on the window panes and on the gardens outside. I thought that Rose had fallen asleep, but she had turned around from her reclining position against my chest to look me in the eye. She shifted a little to get more comfortable; resting her forearm on my chest with her hand on my left shoulder. She absently trailed her delicate yet deadly fingers from the top of my neck, just behind my ear, down the side of my neck to my shoulder then back up. She may not of realized she was doing it but I certainly did. Her deep, brown eyes gazed into mine with burning intensity. "Dimitri," she said softly, her voice like a ribbon of silk caressing me, making me shiver, "I need to tell you everything. It's the only way for you to truly know how much I love you and how much I will do – and have done – for you." I wanted to argue, tell her that all of those things, but something made me hold me tongue, telling me to just let her talk. So I simply nodded. She took a deep, calming breathe, and then began, telling me everything and expressing every thought and emotion from me being lost down in the caves to the moment she had gotten arrested for treason. I sat and listened and was, for the most part, silent. I asked the odd question. Laughed along with her as she told me how she had gotten drunk on Russian vodka and found it impossible to understand the television shows. Soothed her as she recounted our final battle on the bridge in Russia from her perspective. It helped me to hear it from her as I had only my twisted nightmares, all with a different ending, to serve as memories of that night. We had sat for hours talking that night, until the fire turned to mere embers and the sun shining high in the midday sky melted away the frost of night.

Back in the car I was aware that Hans was waiting for an answer. "She does nothing that I wouldn't do for her." I told him, at that moment realizing just how true it was. Hans' only acknowledgement of my answer was a grunt, somewhere between approval and as if I had just proved my insanity. I chose to disregard the latter, though it was most probably true, bearing in mind what Rose had done for me.

Although no one mentioned Rose for the rest of the ride, there were still many questions hanging in heavy in the air, like leaden ghosts, haunting the minds of everyone in the car. It was clear that everyone in the car was curious as to what exactly Rose had done for me, but I think they already assumed I wouldn't give a straight answer, and I wasn't about to make them think different. They would most probably come to the conclusion that Hans had been hinting at my resurrection to my dhampir state, and confirming everyone's suspicions; that she had had something to do with it, even though there was no evidence to justify it. None to the contrary though either. But if only they knew. As regards to Roza's involvement in my salvation; not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually, that was just the tip of the iceberg.

Although I doubt they would believe what lies beneath.

Enjoy Dimitri's point of view? Cos the next chapter starts in his POV. I will get it up ASAP! I love you all! Reviews make me a happy bunny so feel free. Thanks for the continued support.