I would just like to thank everyone to asked me to keep writing. I didnt realize that I had so many people out there that really like my work. I am sorry it took so long to get this up, but I finally had edited my own work enough to get chapter one posted and I really was excited about that. So without further adue, here is chapter 10. I hope you like it! R&R

Oh and i dont own VA or it's Charectors. The awesome Richelle mead does. Thanks Richelle for the awesome world you have created.

Chapter 10

I left Rose standing there in the training room. I just walked away, which I knew was the right move. I knew it with every ounce of me, but I still felt my heart and a piece of my soul were lost forever. I was going to take Tasha up on her offer and get as far away from the academy and from Rose as I could.

I went back to my room and paced around for a while. Finally, I sat down at the desk and wrote Rose a note. Actually I wrote several notes to her, but none turned out right. They ranged from I can't be your mentor anymore because I love you to I can't live without you in my life to you are my everything. Yeah, that was not going to work. I finally settled for telling her I was canceling the next few practices because of the upcoming trip to the ski lodge. I knew she wouldn't buy it for a moment, but at least it was an excuse not to see her for a while. I needed to get my head on straight.

For the rest of the day I ignored everyone. I didn't leave my room. I sat and read my book, well I tried to read it, but everything kept reminding me of Rose. "Damn it," I thought. "I can't even read my books without her popping into my head and Rose would so never be the damsel in distress. She would kill me if she knew that's what I was seeing her as in my books." I ended up throwing the book across the room and pacing again. I finally lay on my bed and stared at the ceiling. After a while, the scene around me changed.

I was at the ski lodge lying in bed. I was warm and happy. I was wrapped in the arms of a girl with beautiful long silky hair. I was wrapped in Roses arms. "Hey," she said to me. I smiled.

"Hey, you stayed." She sat up in bed and kissed me with such passion I almost couldn't control myself. I grabbed her and rolled her onto her back. I straddled her wrapping my handing into her hair. I kissed her neck. I kissed her lips. Her sweet soft lips. I looked into her eyes. She looked into mine. "Dimitri," she moaned.

"Roza, I love you."

"Oh Dimitri, I…"

I woke with a thud, on my floor. "Shit, I can't even sleep without her being there," I yelled to no one. Life sucks!

A few days later I was feeling a little better. I hadn't seen Rose and I was starting to think that maybe if I was away from her long enough I would get my life back. I headed towards the guest housing area where Tasha was staying. The air was crisp and cold and I could tell it would start snowing again soon. I liked this time of the year a lot. It reminded me of home.

I walked into the parlor to a busy Tasha trying to finish getting everything ready. "Would you like some help with that?" I asked trying to hide a laugh.

"Oh Dimka, you scared me a little."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to." This time I did smile. Tasha forgot what she was doing and walked over to me. She smiled and looked into my eyes. "Dimka, you look tired. Why have you not been sleeping?" she asked me, truly concerned.

"I have been, and besides this is not time to worry, it's Christmas. Not a time to worry, but a time for wonderful friends and family."

Tasha rolled her eyes and went back to the table. "How about some cocoa then?"

"I would love some, but how about you sit and I take that over that for a while."

Tasha grinned and took a seat. "You really are a good man, Dimka. I am so very happy to have you in my life."

We sat for a while just talking and forgetting the time. I didn't get the same feelings for her that I did with Rose and in the back of my mind I think I was telling myself that. I missed her. Christian and Lissa were the first to arrive. They quickly said their hello's and joined in our conversation. I could tell that Christian made Lissa very happy. It was the type of happy that Rose couldn't even do for her, even with the bond. A little while later Mason walked in. I didn't really think much of it until Rose came in holding his hand. Jealousy stirred its ugly little head and I had the urge to jump up and punch Mason in the face. He stood no chance against me. Lissa greeted her with a big hug and Christian nodded at her, which was a big step forward in their relationship. Rose and Tasha hugged and chatted for a few minutes. She barely allowed a glance in my direction.

As the day went on so did the festivities. Everyone was having a great time. Janine showed up at one point and I could tell Rose didn't like that one bit. The conversation went from happy and easy to mainly things about guardian business. Rose looked bored with the conversation but Mason picked up on it quite happily.

After a wonderful brunch we exchanged gifts. I only paid attention to what Rose had gotten really. Tasha had gotten her the beautiful dress that haunted my dreams and plagued my imagination with thoughts of how she would look in it. She also got Chotki from Lissa, which I must admit caused a little emotion from her. Something I was wondering if I would ever see again. She even glanced at me for a moment. I could feel my heart beating hard. I wanted to go over and hug her and give her the box that was in the pocket of my coat that held a charm bracelet with only one charm on it, a little silver rose. I knew I couldn't give it to her, not yet. I allowed myself to smile at her and nod, but no more. I had to keep my distance. She quickly looked away from me, but I could see the hurt in her eyes. I could see that she wanted me as much as I wanted her, but did she love me? I sometimes wondered if it was only physical with her or if she had the same feelings for me as I did for her. Before I could stop my mind babble, Mason was taking out a bag and handing it to her. She smiled and opened it. She took out some lip gloss like I had given her before the lust charm. She then took out a tank top. She started smiling and held it up to show Lissa. On it was written, Goddess. What the hell was up with that? Lissa started laughing. "I couldn't help it," Mason said. "It was just too perfect for her. Rose really is a goddess to a lot of people around here." Janine and I were glaring at him, but I don't think anyone else noticed. Even Tasha had to stifle a laugh.

The party soon started to end and everyone went their own ways. Rose and Mason left and a few moments later Janine took her leave saying she wanted to talk to Rose for a minute. "Well crap, one of them was bound to get hurt again," I thought to myself. Christian and Lissa were the next to leave. And then it was just Tasha and I. She got up and started to clean. I got up to help her. She was humming Christmas music and lost in thought.

"Okay, spill it," I said. "What's up?"

"Nothing is up. It was a wonderful Christmas, don't you think?"

"I do."

"Dimka, I saw the way you were looking at Rose. What's going on with you two?"

"We had a little disagreement a few days ago at practice. She has a lot of growing up to do and I was trying to point that out to her. Let's just say she didn't take it very well."

Tasha sighed. "It seems like there was more to it than that."

"No, but I haven't seen her in a few days. I really should talk to her soon."

"I think you should, but Dimka, you also need to be careful. I don't want to see either of you in trouble or hurt." She gave me a look that she knew I wasn't telling her the whole truth and that she knew what was really going on. I smiled at her and went back to cleaning up. Tasha soon started yawning and I took my leave.

Before I could leave Tasha grabbed my arm and looked at me in the eyes. "Dimitri, life is too short to give up on happiness. Even if it is a happiness that you think is wrong or risky. Don't live with the regret that you never gave it a chance. You deserve better than that." She smiled that knowing smile and kissed my cheek.

"You are a great women Tasha Ozera." I smiled at her and turned to head back to my room. I had a lot of things I needed to sort through. I thought my decision to leave was made, but what Tasha had told me, made me think I had a few more things I needed to figure out. Well crap!

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