CHAPTER TEN

AN: Just shut up. Don't say a thing. Anyone who makes a comment on the earlier chapter's mistake, I will delay the next chapter till Christmas! And that is a promise that I will keep. So, here is the next chapter. I'm typing it at ten at night here in Australia, in the freezing winter with three more projects to jungle not to mention science and maths tutor homework to finish. I hate being honourable sometimes.

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING

DEDICATED TO ANYONE IN SERBIA BUT DXR! Love you too, man!

Dear Diary,

I swear, one day I shall scatter the million bits and pieces of my god-be-damned alarm clock. That thing takes joy in waking me up from the best part of my sleep. So okay, it woke me up when I was in a chocolate fountain with Rose – naked, of course – and it woke me up when I was with Rose – naked again – in my bed room back at home in Siberia, playing "How quiet can Rose be". But that does not give it the right to wake me up! I swear, I think it's possessed with by some magic spell. Maybe Grandma did something to it…

Okay, back to my day. This morning ate breakfast, trained Rose, trained oneself not to look at her in an angle, guard the gate for double shift, had lunch, talked to Alberta about the security details for tonight, made to bread and did the laundry. Though the laundry part was a bit late since I had to wait my turn and that tonight the Queen is visiting, you know, All Saint's Day and all. So this meant that I had to a) wear my old dirty close and b) cover up the smell with A LOT of deodorant.

Yep, I hate Mondays.

As I made my way towards the gym in my loose running pants and last clean good t-shirt, I walked into the gym and mentally started to plan for the lesson.

Rose arrived, walking in with that air of attractiveness with her. I tried not to stare at her as she made her way towards me. I tried not to watch the sway of her hips, the falling of her chest with every breath and tried not to notice the way noticed my clothing. Why, I even think she likes it because her eyes lit up the moment she saw me in them. Though I think I failed with the not-noticing-her act, I think she didn't notice it since she was staring at me. What an odd couple we are… Not that we are a couple or anything.

You wish!

Shut it Diary.

She stepped onto the mat we faced each other. Though I wasn't really facing her – she being a foot shorter and I had to look down – or bodies were.

Crossing my arms before I reached out and hugged her, I asked, "What's the first problem you'll run into when facing a Strigoi?"

"They're immortal?"

"Think of something more basic."

She hesitated a moment then answered, "They could be bigger than me. And stronger."

I nodded at this.

"That makes it difficult but not impossible. You can usually use a person's extra height and weight against them."

Then I was in full mentor mode.

GO BRAIN!

I demonstrated a few moves, watched her do it then corrected it a bit. For the rest of the hour we were full in training mood, though this didn't meant that I didn't noticed the sweat lightly covering her body, the way her eyes flashed with the knowledge, the shape of her arm and it's daintiness compared to mine and the way she absorbed the lesson.

That is the trait I admired the most. She never gave up. She'll keep on fighting until she gets it.

She is so adorable! I just want to pinch her cheeks, bend down and give her a good lesson on good kissers. But sadly, the syllabus didn't include that. A shame really, if they were taught then they could distinguish between a good kiss and a bad kiss like one from a certain… being. He's lucky that I didn't cut off a certain piece of his anatomy.

Nearing the end of the session, I decided to let her try out the new moves on me.

She didn't need to be asked twice because the moment the words left my mouth she was on to me. No, not the way I would like it to be, but the fighting way. Oh, the disappointments in life.

I blocked her move, knocking her straight down onto the mat with an oomph, knocking the air straight of her. Instead of staying down like most people, she jumped back up and attacked. Though she did do the moves correctly, I blocked them off easily. With more practice, she'll be unstoppable. Maybe she'll defeat me one day… Nah, my male ego can't stand that.

About two more attempts, she held her hands up signalling for a truce.

"Okay, what am I doing wrong?"

"Nothing."

She gave me a look. "If I wasn't doing anything wrong, I'd have rendered you unconscious by now."

"Unlikely," I said, as I crossed my arms across my chest. "Your moves are all correct, but this is the first time you've really tried. I've done it for years."

She shook her head with a hint of a grin on her lips and rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say, Grandpa. Can we try it again?"

I cocked my head to a side and said, "We're out of time. Don't you want to get ready?"

Though I was happy that she wanted to spend more time with me, I couldn't since the queen is here and it would be treason for not meeting the queen and that I might ravish Rose right now on this red mat. Oh, and there was the fact that they needed more guards to look after her. The fates must be laughing up there, giving me the perfect chance at the wrong time.

"Hell, yeah I do," she said, perking up immediately.

I nodded and walked off towards the showers, contemplating whether a shower will lower the stink levels on my clothes when I wear them to the banquet. Maybe if I coated the thing with deodorant, throw it in a tight vacuum space to let it seep in when I go to take a shower… That might work.

Still planning as I walked out, I suddenly heard a strange cry and racing footsteps coming towards me. Acting on pure instinct, I whipped around grabbed the person, threw it to the ground and pinned them down.

"I didn't do anything wrong!" I heard Rose's voice as she groaned.

I looked at her straight in the eyes, fighting back a smile at her compliant. "The battle cry sort of gave you away. Try not to yell next time."

"Would it have really made a difference if I'd been quiet?"

I mocked thinking for a bit then looked back at her and said, "No. Probably not."

She gave out an exaggerated sigh.

Then I noticed that I was lying on top of her.

Oh.

My.

God.

This is a dream come true! God had finally listened to my prayers and had granted me this oppurinty. I think I'm crying.

I looked down at her. Her face flushed and her lips wide she stared back up at me. I could feel the soft skin of her wrist beneath my hands and the warmth that is radiated from them. I was so close to her that I could feel her hot breath in my face. The ways her pupil dilated as she stared back at me in awareness. I'm not the only one feeling over heated. As if her wrist were the starting point, the warmth began to move down her body, bringing mine awake to all the curves and dips of her body as it lied align with mine.

The contrast between her was so noticeable now, where I was hard, she was soft and where I was angular she was curvy. I could hear her take a deep breath in and her heart beat rising. Suddenly, breaking the silence she said, "So… um… you got any other moves to show me?"

None that you wouldn't enjoy, dear Roza, I thought and nearly smiled at the thought of her reaction if I did say it out loud. Will she be shocked or turn on?

Containing the smile that might come out as lecherous, I moved off her and missed the heat immediately.

"Come on. We should go."

I waited for her to stand up then walked out of the gym, fighting my urge to turn around and shove her against the wall and show her that I wasn't only bad ass in the battle field.

I walked away in this daze all the way to my room and sank down onto the floor the moment I heard the click of my door.

Running the palms of my hand up and down my face, I tried to wipe the memory of Rose under me. When, I finally got a grip I stood up to walk to the shower, hoping that a cold shower might wash her scent off me and the soft feeling of having her there.

She fitted just right. Her softness smoothed out my harsh lines and her height is just the correct portions for a man my size.

After the shower, I remembered something.

The banquet!

Shit, bye Diary.

Dimitri

AFTER THE BANQUEST UNDATE

Okay, I'm back from escorting Rose back to her dorm but boy, the trip there, she created a lot of issues.

So, the evening started with me running for my life to get to the commons. I found one of my formal black coats and a pair of dress pants but I wouldn't say that the shirt I had on was 'clean' because if you look closer you can see a mustard stain right on my left hand cuff.

When I reached there, people were filing in so, putting on a straight face I walked in like I was supposed to be there. I was, exactly, but know what I mean. So, I walked in, found a comfy spot on the wall with the rest of the guardian and began to guard. Again.

How many guarding shifts must one take to be free from them?

Apparently none.

Switching into my 'not-looking-but-actually-looking' look to make people believe that I'm actually looking in some professional guardian way while I'm actually not looking and tuning out all the noise and off to my own world of, drum roll please, ROSEMARIE HATHAWAY!

WELCOME TO DIMITRI BELIKOV'S ROSEMARIE HATHAWAY WONDERLAND!

Once upon a time, in the Wild West lived a cowboy name Dimitri Belikov. He was the roughest, toughest and hottest cowboy there ever lived. With his awesome looks and skills with the gun, lasso and women, he was unstoppable. Holding his honour above all, he never broke a promise.

One day he when he was going on his daily ride, he heard a scream of help from afar. Giving his trusty steed, Thunderclap, a good whack, he set off into the direction of the scream.

With the wind in his face and the sound of his heart beating in his ear, he rushed towards the scream. Once he reached there he saw her. She was a vision of beauty. With long brown hair and large brown eyes, she stared at him in relief.

"Oh, help me great kind and hot noble one!"

With a tip of his old cowboy hat, he went over to attack the men pawing at her…

Yeah… it was when Alberta told me to go and escort Rose back to her dorm that I jumped back awake. Giving her a nod, I walked out of the commons and went in search of Rose.

Weaving in and out of people, I search for her. I finally saw with Lissa standing there by the courtyard with another group of girls. If my memory is correct then, that girl was the one that got Rose and Lissa in trouble with the note thing and with that stance she is standing, it looks like all hell will break loose.

Marching over to stop them, I stood next to her and crossed my arms over my chest, heightening the 'don't even think about it' affect.

"Everything all right?"

"Sure thing, Guardian Belikov." She smiled up at me, a bit too sweet for my taste. I could tell that she was fuming under that façade. Turning back to the girl she said, "We were just swapping family stories. Ever heard Mia's? It's fascinating."

"Come on," the doll faced girl, whose name seemed to be Mia, said to the group of girls behind and walked off, not before giving Rose this it-not-over-bitch look. I swear, the female population is scary. Their looks are deadly. If looks could kill, I'll be dead.

"I'm supposed to take you back to your dorm," I told her drily. Never a dull moment with you, love. "You weren't about to just start a fight, were you?"

"Of course not," she answered with her eyes glued on the location where Mia left. "I don't start fights where people can see them."

"Rose," groaned Lissa at this. I wasn't surprise.

"Let's go. Good night, Princess."

I turned, but she didn't move so I had to wait for her on the edge. I didn't try to eavesdrop on their conversation because I think she deserves some time with her friend and she should comfort the princess. She looks as if she was about to cry.

"We may need to add an extra training on self-control," I noted as we walked away.

Yay! More time with Rose.

"I have plenty of self contr—hey!"

I nearly chuckled at that and turned to see her stop a boy. He looked familiar but I couldn't put my finger on it. Who did he look like? Brittany? No, she had blonde hair. Sasha? No, she had an oval face… Ah! Tasha! Oh, so this is Tasha's nephew. Poor kid, watched his parents die right in front of his very eyes.

"You going to see Lissa?"

"What if I am?" He answered, stuffing his hands into his pockets, giving it a care free look.

"Rose, this isn't the time," I said, how many fights must she pick in one day?

"Why don't you just leave her alone? Are you so messed up and desperate for attention that you can't tell when someone doesn't like you?" She continued, obviously not listening. "You're some crazy stalker, and she knows it. She's told me all about your weird obsession—how you're always hanging out in the attic together, how you set Ralf on fire to impress her. She thinks you're a freak, but she's too nice to say anything."

"But you aren't too nice?"

"No. Not when I feel sorry for someone."

"Enough," I said, steering her away from the boy. I know she was protective of her friend and all, but sheesh! She's worse than me when I interrogated all my sister's boyfriends. At least I showed them some compassion and did things subtly.

"Thanks for 'helping,' then," The boy snapped, sarcasm so thick not even a chain saw can cut through it. Maybe if you grabbed a chunk and put it through a woodchip machine but only by just a bit since there is no way to grab the chunk. Or maybe –

"No problem," She called back to the boy, bringing me out of my side-tracked thoughts. I've doing that a lot these days.

When we finally reached her dorm in silence, I gave her nod and walked off chanting: I must not enter her room, I must not enter her room, I must not…

I think I'm turning into a paedophile, Diary. I'm lusting after Rose like a fifteen year old boy looking at his first Playboy magazine and we all do know that I am definitely not fifteen. I wish, since this won't be so much of a problem. People will just say that I'm interested in elder women.

I swear, why can't life ever by like a dream?

Dimitri

AN: for those who didn't read the top part of chapter nine, DXR went to Serbia. I hope you guys like this and I want 20 reviews for this chapter! Just to maintain my average per chapter. I'm a perfectionist. Well, depending on my mood. You guys better be happy because it is midnight now and that my fingers are freezing. I'm going to down a cup of continental soup. Night readers.

Bookworm-At-Starbucks