Its chapter 6! I'm sorry it's taken so freakin long. I've been so busy and stuff but I made this one long and I finally got to explain what a Night Guardian is! And Derrick and Rose lovin. Any mistakes you find are mine. haha I don't have the time for a beta or anything. I hope you enjoy Chapter 6!

Disclaimer : I do not own Vampire Academy. However, I do own Derrick and the Night Guardians.

"Night Guardian?" I frowned and looked up at him like he was crazy. He blinked and reached out and touched my forehead with his warm hand.

I scowled and smacked his hand away, even if it felt good against my forehead.

"yes, sweetheart a Night Guardian. It's what we are called. Didn't Selene mention anything like it to you?" He sounded amused.

"But….all she told me was that she was giving me a gift!" I scowled up at him putting my hands on my hips.

"oh I see, you haven't changed yet" he noted. I watched his eyes travel up and down my body with a playful grin, those blue eyes were mesmerizing and that scent of his was overwhelming me.

"what do you mean I haven't changed yet?" I growled, I hated not knowing something and the way he was acting, as if I was out of the loop, was seriously pissing me off.

"now now, sweetheart, let's go find us a nice quiet place to talk and I'll tell you all you need to know." He said raising his hands up in surrender while giving me a sexy grin.

He chuckled at my hands on my hips. "now put up your bitch wings and I'll explain everything" he grinned down at me. I watched as the dimples flashed and his eyes twinkled down at me. I had to look away, he was just too…..gorgeous...

I looked around at the busy mall, there were at least 100 people walking along the stores and around the food court.

"And where? Pray tell? Can we go?" I drawled as he smirked down at me. "to my place"

"which is where?'I questioned, calming down slightly. Did I really want to go to this hot man's home? Even if it was just to talk?

Those four words bloomed in my head again and floated around mocking me. Love Fades…Mine Has…Love Fades…Mine Has….Love Fades…Mine Has….

I was drawn from my depressed stupor by a large hand grasping my shoulder, right over where I'd been bitten.

"Hey, Rose in Paradise" Derrick's deep southern drawl brought me completely to attention as I turned my golden gaze up to his sapphire blues.

"Calm down darling. Whatever is buzzing around in your head, don't think about it right now, and focus on anything right now, hell focus on me." He said, his tone was soft but his words were strong and meaningful.

I felt myself nod as I took a shaky breath. The pain from those four words, though it was said about a week and a half ago, still burned fresh within me. I think they were burned into my very soul.

"ok…" I murmured.

"good girl, now come on, I'll drive you to my house." he said taking my arm gently. I allowed him too as I inhaled his delicious scent.

"What's your full name?" I murmured softly, hell if this guy was going to drive my new baby, then I needed a full background check.

"Derrick Jesse Wolfe" he said with a soft laugh.

"What's funny?" I demanded. He had a hot, powerful name.

"The irony of my last name….speaking of, yours is Hathaway, Like Anne Hathaway?"

"not the actress "I groaned, everyone compared me to her for some god awful reason.

"No, Shakespeare's wife" he said with a playful grin, "Kinda moody aren't you?"

I scowled at him. "well, I haven't had the best week you know, not everyone is all happy go lucky."

He looked at me with something I couldn't describe before his face took on a morose, solemn edge. He looked older and more worn with the shadows that were starting to appear on his handsome face. "it's easier to smile and act like nothing's wrong then to mope and whine and bitch about it when really all you want to do is be alone and die."

I paled; the last part sounded like what I've went through as I stared up at him.

"Believe me princess, me and you received the same gift." His bitter tone completely threw me as he'd been happy go lucky a moment ago. He sounded older and millions of thoughts echoed in my mind.

"Why did we receive the gift?" I asked softly, that was the main question buzzing around.

"a night guardian is born from severe emotional trauma, only when we are truly dying inside can we accept the gift and the changes the gift puts us through." he said as if repeating something he'd been told.

"now where's that shitty Honda at?" he drawled, looking around for Eddie's car, trying to change the subject

"look for a black and red Shelby Mustang; I was out searching for a car today." I told him, I'd drill him when we reached my car. he grinned as we finally came across the brand new mustang.

"Damn I knew I liked you for a reason, this car is the shit." he purred stroking the hood.

"I bet she rumbles like the devils at your heels…" he murmured as I rolled my eyes.

"She's beautiful and makes the most wonderful sounds, but I'm driving, So ace, play tom tom." I moved to the driver's side as he practically pouted.

"Rosie." His voice deepened even more and became a purr.

"Don't call me that" I scowled, I hated being called Rosie.

He just smirked down at me and reached out and ruffled my hair.

I growled up at him crossing my arms and he just flashed me a sexy smile and withdrew his hand, as he did. My keys dangled from his elegant fingers.

"You thief!" I gasped as he vibrated with his laughter.

"Seems like I'm driving Miss Hathaway" he drawled, "now take your sexy ass over there and sit down in the passenger seat, I'll even let you play with the radio… I'll treat your car mighty nice." He promised.

I couldn't help but pout, it was my damn car…but there was just something so appealing about him driving my car.

"Fine but if there's one scratch on her, your ass is mine." I threatened him watching as he winked.

"if you want it so badly Rosie, all you have to do is ask" he rumbled causing me, Rose Hathaway, to feel a blush spreading across my cheeks.

He laughed before he slid into the driver's seat like he owned it. I noticed his leather clad ass and couldn't help the goofy smile that spread across my face.

I'd always wondered what Dimitri would look like dressed in black leather. My happy smile faded away. He doesn't want you anymore Rose, he doesn't love you. It faded.

Well fine, Maybe mine will as well, with time and ….Maybe Derrick can help me recover.

I glanced over at him as I slid in and shut the door. He looked like a kid in a candy store as he gripped the wheel.

"Now now, don't get all excited and loose it with one big time." I teased him as he chuckled.

"no need to worry Rose, I'll make it last long enough for her and for you." He purred causing me to shiver.

"You're so naughty" I teased as he twisted the key.

"Darlin you have no idea"

I grinned as the car roared to life; he gripped it tighter and sighed happily. "god she does make the most beautiful sounds."

"I know Derrick, I know. She's a babe."

"Totally" he agreed before he backed us out and we left the Mall parking lot.

"Now I know you have questions Rosie, ask away." He drawled maneuvering the black and red beast onto the open road, leading us away from the town.

"Why did my hand heal and how the hell did I destroy a tree?" I demanded thinking back to that as I flexed my right hand.

"you destroyed a tree?" he blinked. "what did it do to you?" he sounded like he wanted to laugh as I watched the corners of his lips twitch.

"it saved me from myself" I said tiredly.

"ahh, your emotions got the better of you and you couldn't take it." He said thoughtfully. Before I could cut in he continued. "your hand healed that fast because super healing is something we are gifted with."

"What else are we gifted with?" I asked softly. The healing would come in handy for killing Strigoi. "What exactly is a Night Guardian?"

"I take it you were a guardian before you were attacked. " he questioned.

"yeah" I nodded.

"good, I don't have to teach you how to fight then."

I smirked." Oh no, I do that too well."

"we shall see Rosie Posie"… I'll start with a history lesson." He said almost thoughtfully before he began "..anywho a night guardian is a warrior of Selene. She created them to combat the vampires. She created the vampires long ago but they were gentle and kind. They were like the Moroi you knew so there was no need for the Night Guardians. But then a Moroi took a life and sold his soul, within that, the first Strigoi, or the evil vampires were born. Back then, Selene was worshipped by an elite group of warriors, known as the guardians, these men were her closest friends until they betrayed her for the strigoi. The Guardians realized that Selene was right and she was just. So they came running back. Selene cursed them to become wolves because of their betrayal. They are cursed to serve her as they became the gifters. "he paused and looked over at me.

"The only way to become a Night Guardian is to be dying inside, the pain and the vulnerable feelings you experience leaves your body and soul bare to the magic of the Gifters. The only way to receive the gift is through their saliva and bite."

"So…I'm a Night Guardian…who is Selene's warrior to destroy…Strigoi?" I blinked at him as he laughed turning onto a dirt road.

"Yes Ma'm, what a good summary" he teased.

"You keep saying gift, what kind of gift is this shit?" I demanded.

"super strength, super speed, super senses, The gift enhances our Guardian abilities. It gives us a greater edge against the strigoi." He smiled. " that's not all we are gifted with Rose."

"What else? What about the anger I feel….when I get mad, it feels like my body is being torn in 2" I whispered, my spine tingled just thinking about it.

"That's the change, we are bitten by wolves so we are gifted with the ability to become one." He said it so nonchalantly as my throat closed up.

"become… a wolf?" I squeaked.

" yes, a werewolf more specifically, vampires and werewolves have always been enemies Rose, most people just think the werewolves are the bad guys. We really aren't. We protect those who can't protect themselves from the darkness of the night." He said simply.

"But Derrick Werewolf? Really?" I gasped, staring up at him. he stopped the car on the side of the road and turned and looked at me . his eyes hard. I looked away for a moment and noticed We were in the middle of nowhere. We were surrounded by trees and it was a desolate gravel road that looked to have no end. I turned back to look at him with a slight gulp.

"Yes, werewolves Rose. Your shadow kissed. Vampires exist in the world, Why not werewolves?" he rumbled. I watched as the sea blue eyes glowed bright Golden.

"if you don't believe they exist then I will have to show you, though I should wait and make you go through it yourself, just a few more weeks and the full moon will call your own wolf from within. If you don't get angry and bring it out yourself." He said thoughtfully, his eyes already changing back to blue.

"but I'm already a Dhampir….." I murmured confused. "how does that happen?"

"I was too before I was bitten, now I'm a Night Guardian and I wouldn't change it for the world. It's not as heartbreaking, you're strong enough to protect anybody now. You don't have to be tied to one person. You can protect anyone. Rose this really is a gift, the first change, yea, it hurts like a bitch and you want to die. After that, you will feel more complete that ever."

"but how?" I questioned, watching as his eyes glowed with emotion.

"I lost my charge in a complete strigoi massacre 4 years ago, I was young, barely 17 already graduated with honors. My charge was Melanie Ozera, I loved her Rose. I would have given anything for her." He said quietly. "But then one day, it was me and my partner Damien and Melanie and her brother. We were ambushed by 14 strigoi. They tore Melanie and her little brother apart, they held me down as they ripped apart Damien and made me watch." His voice deepened to a growl suddenly.

" they left me as the sun rose, they were laughing as they disappeared into the shadows….. I was the only survivor."

I reached my hand out, desperately wanting to comfort him. I knew what he felt. I knew what it felt to have the love of your life ripped from you. I gently covered his hand with mine and he squeezed it.

"the next night I was stumbling through the same forest, they had already had Melanie's funeral and I was wanting revenge. I didn't expect the black wolf to appear and tear into me. I welcomed the death I was hoping for."

He murmured as he laced our fingers together. I didn't mind at all, I related a lot to the man I didn't care if I'd only knew him a day, he appealed to me. I had so much in common with him and he understood so much.

" I didn't die" he laughed, his voice was more of a bark. "I noticed changes going on in my body, but I still hunted those bastards down. Each kill took the edge of pain off of me but the anger I held still burned. Until one night, under the full moon, it busted wide open out of me." He smirked.

"that night I destroyed their entire group of strigoi. I tore every one of those bastards apart. I had the power, the ability, and the hate to fuel me to kill them, and I did. I didn't realize I was a werewolf until I looked in the mirror…"

I shook at what he described would that really happen to me?

"I know how it feels…' I said quietly. " the pain of losing a loved one, being held back as they are taken from you… I lost the man I loved because of a strigoi attack. He wasn't killed though… he was changed… "I winced as the memory blurred in my head. The blonde bastard biting into his neck, taking my Dimitri away.. a sob escaped from my lips. " I hunted after Dimitri, it took months, but I found a way to save him…. I did, but now he doesn't care about me…..I risked everything and he doesn't give damn about me Derrick!"

I felt arms wrap around me and warmth and leather surrounded me. I whimpered as he held me tightly, his face buried in my hair as I smelt salt. I probably opened up wounds for him but I didn't care. I needed this. I felt like I could finally get some closure.

"I loved him but he told me that…..that…love fades….mine has…." I choked on the words that haunted my nightmares and my mind. He drew me closer.

"I know how it feels Rose…" Derrick whispered into my hair. "it hurts so much, it's too much for anyone to go through, Love is a dangerous emotion sweetheart, and Love can make you or break you. It can make you strong enough to take on the world and it can make you weak enough to just give up and die. Selene gives us the gift to rise up and become strong. She gives us the gift to discover love again and to make our lives the way we need it to."

I sniffled burying my face into his chest and just stayed against him, his appeal ran over me. It comforted me and it held me enchanted with him.

"So….we are werewolves?" I asked against his chest.

"yea, pretty much." He murmured after a moment ,it slightly tickled against the top of my head.

" do we stay together?" I murmured.

"yes, Rose, we are werewolves, we need a pack.. you can stay as long as you want to…I would like for you to stay with me." He said quietly, his voice was still filled with loneliness, but I heard a sense of hope.

" I will stay with you Derrick, but I have to go back to the court, I can't abandon my friends." I said leaning back and looking up at him. his blue eyes had faded to that deep gold and I wondered if mine matched.

"I'm not asking you to do that Rose, your friends are your pack. I just wish to join." He said softly, his hand reached out and cupped my cheek.

"Do you feel that attraction we have?" I asked quietly. " I have never felt this attracted to another person I just met."

He smiled flashing me that dimple again. "we hi+ are in essence, animals Rose. Animalistic attraction is something we are gifted with. We relate to each other because we are one and the same."

"oh….cool." I said lamely as he just chuckled.

"it's very cool, especially when you've been alone for 4 years with no one there for you but yourself and a voice in your head." He said talking about Selene.

"I've only went through this for about a week and a half, but it's been lonely… and Selene is an interesting voice." Said wanting to defend her.

He smirked as his long eyelashes fluttered. "you'll be a beautiful Night Guardian Rose, you already have the heart and soul of a she wolf." He murmured leaning forward, the smell of him overwhelmed me again and it drew me in.

I leaned forward as well, his lips looked soft and the smile was just delectable.

Our lips touched as a huge burst of energy swarmed through me. My heart pounded as we kissed. Power wound up around us as my arms wrapped around his neck and his wrapped around my hips pulling me closer.

A sense of peace slammed through my erratic body as I kissed the man in front of me.

I know I just met him. I know I shouldn't be doing this right now. I know I would be hurting everyone. Right now though, I'm the happiest I've been in a long time… This feeling Derrick brings out of me….I feel so happy and complete.. Maybe I can heal from this shit….

I deepened it before he pulled back, leaning his forehead against mine.

"wow…" I whispered, I was still feeling stars from it. My lips tingled as I panted gazing into his bluish golden eyes as they glowed. My heart continued to pound. I was amazed at what this one man could make me feel.

" I know…" his breathed bathed my lips. I moved and rubbed my nose against his as a deep purr escaped from him. my eyes widened as his eyelids lowered. The gold seemed to smolder as it burned into my own golden eyes.

"you're purring." I murmured. That sound was causing all sorts of things to go on with my body. It felt hot and needy yet comfy and safe. I wanted to make that sound too.

"it's a growl." He argued shutting his eyes .

"sounds more like a purr to me ace" I teased kissing his lips again before pulling back. He tasted really really good. Like chocolate and cherries and…freedom.

He just shook his head. I watched as those long blonde curls bounced on his head. My hands itched to touch those beautiful silky strands as I giggled still hearing him purring. "So where's your house at Derrick?" I questioned.

He chuckled softly as he grinned. "it's not too far." He put the car into gear and we took a turn down the gravel road. My heart was slowly starting to settle down.

As he turned a beautiful cabin came into view. It was two stories tall with a beautiful plethora of flowers gathered around it. A large black dog came running up barking loudly. His erect pointed ears stood proudly as his slightly curled tail wagged.

"ah, shadow waited up. " I heard him murmur, the smile and love he had in his voice for this dog was amazing.

*"he's gorgeous…is he a …German Shepherd?" I asked, trying to go ****through my head on the different dog breeds.

"yep. "I heard the pride in his voice." He's my partner in crime."

I giggled as the dog moved faster. Derrick put the car in park and turned the key before he stepped out. The huge dog bounded up and propped his paws on Derrick's chest barking loudly his tail wagging rapidly.

"Did you miss me Shadow?" Derrick purred hugging the large black dog before he scratched him behind the ear. "You've done a good job guarding the fort." He complemented as the dog licked his hand. "I've got someone you need to meet"

The large dog dropped from his perch on Derrick's chest and turned to look at me. His amber eyes burned into mine as he barked.

"Shadow meet Rose Hathaway. Rosie meet Shadow." He said formally.

I dropped down to one knee and held out my hand hesitantly. Most animals hated me because I was a Dhampir. I figured Shadow would hate me too.

The large dog moved over and gently nudged my hand as I smiled. He licked it before he placed his large head in it. I smiled at the wonder of it. I moved my other hand and scratched his ears.

"Aw. He likes you." Derrick smirked walking over to me and ruffling my hair playfully. "Alright Shadow, guard the house, Me and Rosie gotta have a chat."

The large dog whined before he head butted my hand and ran over to the porch and just sprawled out on the bare grassless patch on the lawn beside the wooden stairs

"He's so goofy" I giggled, turning to look at Derrick who just smirked. "yeah but he's a good goofy dog." He grinned before he looked around with a smirk. " I did say I'd show you….. being a Night Guardian, we have 2 forms . One is primal, just a large wolf but the other is a hybrid"

"like the real werewolves in the movies?" I asked curiously looking at the man in front of me.

" yes Rose, picture Van Helsing Werewolves, just with Tails to help us balance." He said patiently looking at me with his eyebrow raised. "Now I'm going to show you mine so you can understand more about what we are."

" so we don't need the full moon to change?" I questioned as he laughed.

"No we can shift anytime, Selene's most powerful time, the full moon, does, however, strengthen us and makes us more powerful which makes our enemies weaker. The best time to attack a strigoi is under the rays of the full moon. In our wolf form, those bastards don't stand a chance. They can't penetrate our furred hide with their hands or their fangs." he explained as I listened.; they couldn't hurt me? Wow…..I could totally kick ass with this gift.

"Do we have to be naked to shift?" I asked curiously, looking him up and down as he smirked. "No we don't but If you want me to strip I don't mind too."

" go ahead sweetheart" I smirked right back at his cockiness, I leaned against the side of my car and crossed my arms. He's brought me to blushing once, I'm not blushing again.

He shrugged and unzipped the tight leather jacket he wore revealing a tight black muscle shirt. He tugged it off and my jaw dropped slightly. Tight, tanned skin glowed as it covered an eight pack of abs. on his lean muscled hips I noticed a tribal wolf tattoo decorating it.

He turned his head and threw a wink at me. "I know I'm sexy Rosie Posie, but please close your mouth."

I shut my mouth and glared at him. Damn he caught me! I could already feel the redness spreading along my cheeks and across my face. He just grinned before the sexy muscles shifted, it was like watching a waterfall as they shifted and changed. His body rippled before golden fur spread across him. it was a smooth transition as his hands changed from normal elegant human hands to long toed clawed paws. His back was slightly arched and the golden fur covered his body. His face was elongated and elegant just like a wolf while his ears were tall and erect. His eight pack was still there but covered in the same bright golden fur. His human 6'5 frame was now around 7 ' even as he towered over me. I felt my heart began to speed up and my eyes widened.

Shock, wonder, and fear battled in my heart. The shock that he really did change from a werewolf. The wonder of how beautiful his unnatural form was and the fear that I too would become one of these creatures.

He opened his now bright golden eyes that seemed to both smirk at me and plead.

He dropped down to all fours and arched his back. I heard the spines cracking and realigning to adjust to going from bipedal to quadruped. His hips lost some of the bulkiness but he stayed the same. He was still over 4' tall in his more natural looking form. His golden fur glistened in the sunset as I realized how late I'd stayed. I didn't want to leave just yet. I gazed at the beautiful creature in front of me as Wonder finally won out. I took a step toward him with my hand out.

"Wow, Derrick you're so golden…." I whispered "and beautiful."

He gave what I could only guess as a laugh as he walked toward me. He playfully puffed his chest out as he brushed his large head into my hand and rubbed against me like a cat.

I noticed his paws were more like a tigers and built for tearing but small and lean enough that he could grip and run.

"will I look like you?' I murmured, the wolf in my dream had been white and beautiful. Could my tainted, destroyed soul be such a pure color?

He shook his head and butted it against my chest.

I felt the nausea rumble through my stomach right before Derrick released a booming growl that vibrated through his large elegant body.

" oh how touching." The voice was like nails on a chalkboard as I heard more laughs around me.

Great…Strigoi.

Sorry it's taken me so long guys! I've been so busy and stuff but you finally learned what a Night Guardian is! The next chapter should be coming soon! Read and Review! Let me know what you guys think of Rose and Derrick… they are adorable together, it makes me want to change my ending …haha. if by any chance, i'll get 10 reviews i'll update tomorrow evening...