[[A/N: Happy Holidays you guys! I hope you guys are enjoying your break! I sure am. I got a lot of pretty chill presents. Oh yah. Who else got a Snuggie? :D. THANKS MOM (although she doesn't even know I write Fanfiction]]

[[2nd A/N: Enjoy this chapter! I've written it in parts…quite sporadically unfortunately, so the flow might not be perfect. But I hope you like it! Remember to keep reading and reviewing!]]

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I woke up that morning quite sore. I honestly had no idea why. The mattress I'd spent the night on was quite plush. The sunlight glinted through the shaded window, hitting my face. I groaned. It was time to wake up. I slipped into a Missoula sweatshirt and slippers, trying to move as stealthily as possible. Lissa snored softly on the bed.

God, I wish I could sleep more…

Walking down to breakfast, I noticed the odd silence in the halls that made my soft slippers seem like high heels on the marble floor. I guessed it was because the dhampir novices were being put on a normal daytime schedule for the Breaker. All the Moroi were still in bed. I yawned tiredly, desperately envying Lissa who was curled up back in her room.

Several of my classmates were chattering nervously by the staircase. If I wasn't so sleepy, I'd think it was comical. Their faces were cartoonishly green. Was it even possible that Eddie and I were the only novices that weren't puking into their breakfast? And we still had a day left.

But I wasn't worried about that. I could pass the Breaker with ease. I was more preoccupied with the fact that my Strigoi mentor was possibly right outside the gates of St. Vlad's with an army of his own handpicked badass Strigoi, itching to get a nighttime munch.

I felt myself walking drowsily into the cafeteria and into the line of half-asleep dhampir.

After I grabbed my cereal, I spotted Eddie and Adrian sitting at a table, already halfway through their breakfast.

I shuffled over to them and plopped down onto the bench.

"Still in dreamland, little dhampir?" Adrian asked teasingly.

I shot him a glare. "Why the hell are you even up? Just to make me miserable?"

Eddie snorted. "He was actually already eating when I got here. And I was one of the first up."

My lips tightened into a thin line. "You actually are awake in the daylight. Honestly…"

Adrian smiled, his face lighting up handsomely. "I'd just like to show you that I'm here for you, even in your ugliest hour."

I ignored the implied joke, shoveling Cheerios into my mouth with full force.

"Slow down, Rose. You're going to choke," Eddie warned.

I swallowed deeply. My bowl was already empty. Strangely, after eating, my body was buzzing with alertness. Like my mind was on fire. Dimitri. Dimitri. Dimitri. His name repeated itself over an over in my head.

"Rose? You okay?" Eddie asked.

I suddenly felt sick. I pushed my breakfast away from me, jumping up from my seat. "I just need some time to think," I murmured. "See you guys later, okay."

I could feel Adrian and Eddie staring at me as I fled the cafeteria. I wanted to jump off a cliff. Not literally, but just figuratively. I was getting tired of all these obligations and secrets! My stomach twisted. I stopped where I stood, leaning against the cold, stone wall that led back to the dorms.

Rose, you should rest. It isn't smart for you to push yourself so hard before the Breaker.

I smiled. Dimitri's voice sounded so beautiful, even though it was just in my head.

"I would, comrade, but this is all for you. I made a promise," I whispered, starting to walk again. I needed to finish packing for the Breaker.

Don't try to stop me, Roza. Just live your life they way you want.

"I wish I could," I said bitterly, rounding the corner to my dorm room. I dug through my sweatpants' pockets for my key. "But you won't let me live. As soon as I graduate, I'll have hundreds of Strigoi after me, including you."

I plugged the bronze key into the doorknob. It clicked firmly, swinging the door open. I stepped into my room, feeling a sudden chill. I groaned. My window was open. First, nearly barfing at breakfast. Second, forgetting to shut my window before leaving for Lissa's room the night before so my room was cold and gross. My day seemed to get even worse.

I slipped into my room and shut the door behind me. The cold air wasn't uncomfortable, but I went over to my dresser and threw on another jacket.

My stomach twisted. Who knew I would be getting butterflies considering all I've been through.

A glint caught my eye. The sunlight from the window reflected off a picture frame. It was simple, wooden, 8 by 10.

Me. And Dimitri. I'd taken it on one of our practices.

"Smile, Dimitri," I said, focusing the lens of the digital camera onto Dimitri's face.

He didn't. "What are you doing, Rose?"

"Taking a picture. Christian gave this to Lissa for their whatever-number-week anniversary." I snorted incredulously, although frankly it was pretty cute. "But she said I could borrow it for the day."

Dimitri didn't react.

"Come on, comrade. Just one smile," I begged, looking into his dark eyes.

He blinked. "Fine. Just one."

I grinned. Flipping the camera over, I leaned into his chest, trying to stand on my tiptoes so his head was closer to mine. "Smile, Dimitri," I repeated sternly.

"Just do it," he said tiredly.

I laughed. "You'll thank me later. Pictures last forever." I pressed my finger on the trigger halfway. The lens whirred, auto-focusing.

"One, two, three." I said. Click. I stepped away, checking the picture. It was cute. We actually looked like a couple, aside from the gym and practice dummy background. I looked up at Dimitri. "That wasn't so hard, was it? And spare me the cliché answer."

Dimitri chuckled. "Rose, it's time for practice."

I sighed, placing the picture back.

"It wasn't hard, actually. I loved it."

I spun around, immediately tensing into a defensive position.

Against the wall, standing there, was him. Not like my dreams. The ones that taunted me every time I closed my eyes. It wasn't an illusion. It was real.

"God," I whispered. "It's you."

Dimitri smiled. He remained in the shadow of the doorway, but I could see his red eyes staring at me.

"Roza," Dimitri said. "You hesitated again. I could've killed you."

I shook my head. This can't be happening. It's too soon. Too soon. "You can't be here! It's still daytime."

"Something came up, so I've decided to visit you earlier," Dimitri explained, waving his hand around nonchalantly.

"But you can't be out in the sun," I insisted. I glanced to my pillow; the pillowcase was where I stashed my silver stake.

"It's not there," Dimitri said lowly. "But I'll give it back to you after we talk."

"Give it to me." I growled.

Dimitri laughed coldly, his voice rattling my core. It was so harsh and distant.

"It's a beautiful weapon," he ranted. "I remember the Guardian who had this. A rather arrogant woman in Moscow. I'd just arrived in Russia and was eager to try out my body in its awakened state. Despite her attitude, I respected her. I observed her in fights for several days before making my move. She had talent. I even considered turning her. She reminded me of you, Roza."

"But you didn't save her, did you?" I asked shakily. "You killed her. And then took her weapon."

"She loved that stake," Dimitri continued. "I remember her face as she died from blood loss. Pure misery." He chuckled.

I gritted my teeth together. I took a step forward.

"No, no, Roza. Don't move any further," Dimitri chided. "I might not be able to control myself. Just standing so close to you is almost too much temptation."

I shook my head as repressed memories came back. Namely, the weeks I spent in Dimitri's custody…his personal blood whore.

Dimitri's voice came to me again. It was suddenly soft, just like what he used to sound like. "Roza, I love you."

I stared into my mentor's eyes. I couldn't believe that I was hearing this. Finally, I got to hear the words that I'd imagined over and over in my head. Honestly, I felt starved of love. Adrian showed me plenty of it, be it wanted or unwanted. I'd wanted Dimitri to say "I love you" back in Russia. I thought that hearing it would make me happy.

It just made me feel bitter and alone.

"Do you mean that?" I asked weakly. I really wanted him to mean it.

"Yes, of course."

The words sounded hollow.

"You have the Breaker tomorrow. You want to graduate, don't you?" he asked suddenly.

I nodded. My body felt hot under my layers of jackets. I was sure my face was red. For so long, I'd dreamt about how I'd handle this situation. But it wasn't going at all had I'd planned.

"I'd always assumed that you would kill me on sight," I observed, moving safely into the strong sunlight of my window. "But here you just stand in front of me. What do you want, Dimitri?"

"Rest assured, I'll kill you, Roza," Dimitri affirmed, moving to the edge of the shadows. I could see him clearly now. He looked just as beautiful as the day I'd stabbed him on the bridge, albeit a little more intimidating. I could feel his killing intent underneath that façade of calm, especially now that I wasn't doped from feedings. "I just wanted to wish you good luck for tomorrow."

"Your message is received," I retorted. "So now what? You're just going to stand there?" I shook my head angrily. "It's still daylight outside, Dimitri! How do you plan on leaving?"

Dimitri's fangs flashed in the darkness of the doorway. "You'll like this, Rose. You always loved people who broke the rules."

I looked down. "You broke the rules for me."

"Do you still love me? You said you would always love me," Dimitri reminded me.

"Of course I do," I exclaimed. "I love you, Dimitri."

"But you won't become immortal to be with me," he finished.

I shook my head.

"Then we'll meet again," Dimitri surmised. "But as enemies."

"Dimitri, please," I pleaded. "I can help you. I can save you." I wanted to hold him so badly that my body ached.

"Roza," Dimitri started.

He took a step into the sunlight. I gasped and flinched at the same time. Dimitri stood there, in all his pale Strigoi-ness, less than a foot from me. Was my world flipped? Well hell yes.

He reached his hand out towards my face. I nearly threw myself into his outstretched arm. Focus, Rose. Focus. I leaned away quickly, catching his wrist in my hand. His skin was icy under my palm. I dropped low and twisted under his arm so I was on his outside and out of direct striking range. My hands still grasped onto his wrist, but they were shaking. My heart was pounding with adrenaline and possibly something else.

"I don't remember teaching you evasion techniques," Dimitri mused, studying me. His white skin looked so unnatural in the daylight. "You always wanted me to tutor you in combat."

"I've changed," I reminded him. "For you."

Dimitri smiled softly, making my heart pound faster. If you took away his red eyeballs and his shiny white skin and his evil laugh (which definitely had to go), I could almost believe it was my Dimitri, the dhampir.

"Who's been training you?" he asked. "Eddie?"

"Stop asking questions and start answering some," I demanded. "How in fucking hell can you stand there?"

Dimitri laughed his really, really gratingly annoying laugh. "I've found my ways to limit my disabilities." He glanced towards the open window. "My ride is here. This is where we part, Roza."

My grip on his wrist tightened. "I won't let you escape. This isn't some crappy James Bond movie where you escape through some frickin helicopter."

Dimitri gently pulled his wrist out of my hand. Well, I suppose he thought it was gentle. My fingers felt like they'd been broken in multiple places.

"By the way, your stake is still in your pillow," he whispered. "Roza." I blinked and felt his lips against my cheek. They were cold, but my flushed face made up for his lack of heat. I gasped, turning my face to his, hoping to meet his mouth with mine.

But he was already gone.

His body agilely soared out the window and into the direct sunlight. And then land gracefully two stories down. I rushed to the windowsill, only to see the edge of his cowboy duster disappear into the woods.

"What the hell," I stuttered. "Since when can he do that? It-It-It's the morning!"

My knees shook for a second before giving out. I collapsed into a heap on the ground. My chest rattled as I struggled for air.

Dimitri, how the hell did you do that?

--

Granted it took me a few minutes to get off the ground…okay more or less along the lines of a few hour. Who could blame me? I'd just seen my mentor. Brushed death with him

I sat on the bed, motionless, staring at my backpack for the Breaker. It was filled with all the needed stuff: first aid, water, dried food, a compass, etc.

Knock, knock. I glanced out the window. The sun was dipping low into the hills of Montana.

I got up silently and went to open the door.

"Rose, you coming for dinner? All the Moroi are having a party for the graduating dhampir." Lissa stated. She was still in her pajamas. She'd probably just woken up.

I looked towards the window. I still hadn't closed it.

"Something wrong?" Lissa was always so damn perceptive.

I shook my head. "Nothing," I said "cheerily." I exited my room, shutting the door firmly behind me. I could feel Lissa's eyes bore into my skull, but I ignored them.

"Ready?" I asked eagerly.

Lissa nodded slowly, but her face slowly warmed into a smile. "Let's go then."

[[A/N: I know I said that the chapter might cover the first part of the Breaker, but I'm just going to end it here. Call it a "stretching" of plot. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Read and Review, por favor!]]