Authors Note:

Hmm thought I'd update before I left to go to the cinema… toy story 3 in 3D woo :D Wont be back until late tonight, when I'll update… again ( :O ) so might as well get one in now… I'm sorta bored and already had most of this written last night anyway xD Couldn't sleep.. So! Hope you enjoy [:

KEY: - See first chapter.

Disclaimer:

Do not own Vampire Academy or any of it's canon characters / places. Purely a fanfic for your reading pleasure :D

Recap:

…

As soon as my car door was shut Eddie put his foot down and we quickly made it onto the highway.

"They still at the café?" I nodded my head, then realised he was driving and couldn't see the gesture.

"Yeah, looks like they're waiting for us, or at least, I think they are. Hard to tell when Dimitri wont speak to them…" I was already looking at him so I caught Eddie's nod of his head. He began to speed up a little, and I settled back into the seat more comfortably, getting ready for the long ride to Dimitri.

The whole drive was incredibly boring. I never bothered to turn the radio on, not in any mood for music, and it seemed Eddie felt the same. Instead, we sat in silence, listening to the passing of cars, the occasional honk of a car horn and sighs, which each of us did regularly to whatever thoughts were running through our minds.

For me, it was whenever I was in Lissa's. So far they had been at the diner for hours, and though Dimitri keopt ordering food so they could stay, it was obvious they were all bored and just wanted to do something. Through the bond I could feel Lissa's irritation as well as drowsiness, though she dared not sleep until they found me again. She was too worried. Her own thoughts kept turning to the Strigoi attack, and she was frantically trying to assure herself that both me and Eddie had made it out okay - though none of these thoughts she voiced.

Christian had sat silently, just playing with her hair and occasionally discussing random things. Dmitri seemed the one most at ease as he sat simply staring out of the windows. Lissa thought that he was just making sure no Strigoi attacked, though I had my own suspicions… and hopes. He was waiting for me. I knew It was stupid to assume, especially how things had been going between us, but I still hoped he cared, that he still wanted me.

Adrian, it seemed, was taking the waiting the hardest, especially with the lack of alcohol available. Lissa suspected his madness was coming on strong, though he was showing no signs. Looking at Adrian through Lissa's mind brought back my own memories that were shockingly fresh of our night, and I was glad it was dark on the highway. I knew I was blushing furiously.

I don't know why I had done that. That night with Adrian, I had been filled with such rejection from Dimitri that I knew what I had done with Adrian hadn't been for the right reasons, and not forgetting we had done it unprotected. Suddenly I was aware of how much sweat had formed on my palms and how hot it was in the car. My whole body trembled. Before I could think it over more though, Eddie was suddenly calling my name.

"Rose! Earth to Rose?…. Is that the place?" He pointed to a diner that was on top of a hill down a service station road. I recognised the fluorescent lightning's and signs immediately. I nodded furiously, aware that his eyes were on me. He took a swift right up the ramp and up to the café, parking at the back before turning the engine off. We sat in the darkness for a while, neither one of us saying a word. Eddie was searching the car park and the edge of the trees around us while I tried to sort my nerves out, as well as my thoughts. There was no time to worry about that…

"Seems the coast is clear. Ready to go in?" Eddie was looking at me concerned, which made me panic even more. Was my expression really that bad? I tried to make it as expressionless as I could, which was actually pretty easy. I suddenly was feeling incredibly numb…

"Let's go." I voice was calm, and I could see Eddie trying to work out what was up with me. I stepped out into a chilly night air, my eyes scanning the path to the diner. I could see the people carrier Dimitri had driven which set my heart pounding. We walked side by side to the diner, feeling restless. I was suddenly eager to see Lissa.

As we pushed the double doors open, my eyes were instantly scanning the room for Lissa, who I saw at the back in a large booth seat with Dimitri, Christian and, unfortunately Adrian. My palms were suddenly feeling sweaty again.

"ROSE!" Lissa's voice echoed through the room as well as my mind as she also thought my name. I tried to force a smile on my face, though I knew it probably looked fake. Lissa was running towards me, the others now standing. Adrian's eyes were wide with relief, though I tried not to look his way. I caught Lissa as she threw herself at me, squeezing her slightly as I hugged her. She was sobbing with relief, always the worrier. I shushed her, almost like a mother. Eddie had carried on walking towards the others and was now greeting Dimitri and Christian.

I released Lissa, though she kept close by my side still sobbing softly. We both walked to the others still stood at their table. Dimitri and Eddie were discussing the Guardian sighting and seemed to be discussing other options. Christian had wrapped Lissa in his arms, now looking at me worriedly. Again, I wondered what my expression was like. I turned to smile at him, which he returned hesitantly. Plonking myself down on the booth chair, I sighed. Lissa joined me, now grinning.

"Knowing you you must be hungry, want me to order you a double cheeseburger?" Before she had even finished the sentence I was practically salivating. I nodded eagerly and she grinned, getting up to head to the counter. Christian followed her eagerly, and I wondered idly if he ever planned to leave her alone again. Eddie and Dimitri had sat down now still discussing the pros and cons of Ferry travel. That left me and Adrian. I turned my head towards Dimitri and Eddie, trying to look as though I was engrossed in their conversation, though really I was trying to avoid making eye contact with Adrian.

"Well, we have a car now too. Yeah, I know, Rose's idea, she didn't want to walk…" Eddie rolled his eyes in my direction and I couldn't help but grin. I saw Dimitri's eyes flicker to mine, filled with amusement.

"That I can guess. This is how we will do this then. Me, Ozera and Vasilissa will take your car, whilst you and Rose escort Ozera and Ivashkov…" Before Dimitri had even finished his speech I was shaking my head, the movement of which had caught Eddie's attention. He was looking at me in amusement.

"No no… that's a stupid idea! Lissa is the last of her line! If anything she needs two of us protecting her! If anything it should be Christian and Adrian in one car, with one guardian, and Lissa is my car, with Eddie or something." Eddie looked thoughtful at this, his eyes flicking to Dimitri for a second opinion. Dimitri shook his head as I did, though before he could speak I began again with more urgency

"Look, we both know Christian can hold his own against any attacks! He doesn't need two Guardians and Lissa does. I'm not being apart from her." I kept my expression calm, though inside I was frantic, desperate to make sure I wasn't in a car with Adrian. I could see him staring at me across the table with a shocked expression, his mouth hanging open.

Dimitri just stared me down, probably trying to work out my motives. I stared back at him calmly, mimicking his usual calm guardian face. He sighed, dropping his gaze as Lissa approached, placing the tray with the double cheeseburger, fries and large coke in front of me. I smiled up at her. Christian passed a similar tray to Eddie, who took it with surprise, probably not expecting anything.

"Fine. Rose, me and you will escort the princess in your car. Eddie, you will escort Ozera and Ivashkov." I nodded eagerly whilst Lissa glanced back at Christian sadly. I could feel through her bond she was disappointed at having been separated from him but I was ecstatic at the thought of not sitting with Adrian, though I knew deep down it was cruel to be avoiding him like I was. He was currently staring at me across the table sadly, probably working out I was avoiding him. I picked at my fries, feigning disinterest, though really my stomach was clenched with guilt.

After both me and Eddie had eaten, we decided to set off to the nearest port, which was a four day drive away. We had decided to stick to main roads if possible. As we all split off for out separate cars, Lissa and Christian held back to say their goodbyes. Eddie and Adrian just walked to the car. I lead the way to our stolen one, Dimitri following me silently. As I reached for the drivers seat, Dimitri was suddenly by my side shaking his head.

"I'll take the first driving shift. You get some sleep with the princess. Your probably tired from walking." I just nodded, instead making my way to the passengers side. I was pretty side, and in no real mood to be staring at the road for the next couple of hours. Dimitri was already in the car when I climbed in, eyeing the rear view mirror at Christian and Lissa, probably wishing they'd hurry up. I felt the same. I could feel Adrian's eyes boring into me from their car parked a little way away. I avoiding looking over, instead fixing my eyes instead on the edge of the trees to the woods as if I was scanning for some threat.

When Lissa finally climbed into the car, she was silent, probably upset at leaving Christian. I didn't need the bond to confirm it really. Once the click of the seatbelt sounded in the car, Dimitri started the engine, backing back onto the highway smoothly with Eddie following us. I could see the glare of their headlights in the side mirror.

I settled back into the seat, preparing for the long journey though I was suddenly feeling wide awake. After we had hit the highway the time went by smoothly, my mind daydreaming at the darkness of the trees at the side of my window. Lissa had fallen asleep fairly quickly after we had set off and I was grateful for it. She had been bombarding me with questions about what had happened with me and Adrian in the diner. It seemed I haven't made my awkwardness discreet enough.

I sighed into the darkness, slumping further down in my seat. Dimitri looked at me questioningly but I ignored him, pretending to be deep in thought. Which I was, sort of… I shut my eyes, finally succumbing to the weariness I had been feeling earlier. The steady sound of the running engine and Lissa's own deep breathing lulled me off to sleep.

"Ugh." I groaned, aware that this dream wasn't natural, which meant only one thing. Adrian. I was stood on a beach, the soft grains of sand running through my bare feet. The sound of the sea was the only sound apart from my own breathing. I looked down and was happy to see I was at least wearing something decent - a red summer dress. My hair was loose around my shoulders, and my wrists were sporting various flowery bracelets.

A cough behind me had me almost falling over the soft sand, aware that I wasn't alone. Standing a little away from me was Adrian, wearing a similar pair of shorts and a shirt in the same red as me. He wasn't smiling, like he usually was. Instead he was staring at me calmly, almost sadly. I swallowed, nervously.

"Not that I don't appreciate the sweet dress and a holiday, but I was sorta hoping to get some rest tonight…" I knew I sounded as lame as the excuse, but I really wasn't in the mood for this. If anything, I was trying to keep my temper in check, something which normally I wouldn't mind letting lose on him.

"Rose… why have you been avoiding me? Is it about last night?" My eyes widened at the mention of last night, and instantly he knew it was. "Look, I'm so sorry about what happened, I know it was completely my fault. Cant we just, I don't know, pretend it never happened? I cant stand you avoiding me, especially not now." My heart was thumping, my breath caught. I could feel my heart aching at the sadness in his voice. It really wasn't fair what I was doing.

"I agree. Let's just forget it." I smiled at him, trying to put as much warmth in it as I could. He smiled back, reaching his hands out towards me, which I took willingly, letting him pull me towards him. We held each other silently for a bit, just listening to the soft lapping of the waves. Calmness suddenly swept throughout me as the awkwardness left. He was right. Now wasn't the time for avoiding one another.

"Adrian, I really do need rest though…" I mumbled against his chest, and I felt him sigh, pulling me away from him slightly so he could look at me properly. I tried to keep the blush off my cheeks as his eyes raked over me. Suddenly he crushed me into him again as he sighed.

"You really are so beautiful Rose… But your right, you do need your res, so sleep well my little Dhampir." I nodded against his chest, feeling the darkness flooding over me of deep sleep. The rest of the night I dreamt of normal thing.

Authors Note:

Tehe. Hope this okay for when I get back and write about Rose x Dimitri alone time :O :O oooohh! The suspense xD Anyway, hope you enjoyed it [: