Wow... Chapter 10... I can't believe it! I am enjoying it so much! I even have a sequel idea for when Roza and AJ grow up.

I am posting this early today, because this is my favorite Chapter so far. I may post Ch. 11 after I get home from work. Enjoy!

Thanks for all the reviews and adds. It means so much to me.

Disclaimer: In this chapter, I only on Mason Markov.


I watched Mason sleep in the crib they had provided for us in the guest housing. He would be getting out of it soon. I sighed and walked back to my bed and lay down. Why did everyone think I was a failure just because I didn't become a guardian? I just didn't know if I could do it alone... I needed Dimitri. I felt the tears start to fall as I closed my eyes. Why did I miss him so much? Suddenly I found myself standing in the woods outside of St. Vladimir's, staring at the cabin. I tentatively walked forward and reached for the door. I slowly opened in and saw... him. It wasn't my Dimitri though. It was the mangled corpse that I had caused. I started screaming. I sank to my knees. I reached out towards his body, but felt someone's arms around me stopping me. "I need to help him."

Lips pressed against the back of my head. "You already did."

I turned to look at Adrian. "How did you find me?"

"I was poking around to see if you would let me in and I heard you screaming."

I looked back towards Dimitri. "Oh God..... I need to get out of here."

Adrian pulled me close. "Okay, I need to you to think of a happy memory. Something that doesn't involve Dimitri, though."

I closed my eyes and thought about the trip to the ski resort. When I opened them again, I was sitting on the porch of same lodge that Adrian had his party in, the one where we met. I stood up and looked around. It was so serene without all the party goers. I saw Adrian standing in the doorway looking quite handsome.

"So... you consider meeting me a happy memory?"

"I did..."

"Did? You don't anymore?"

"Adrian... you embarrassed me today. In front of Stan no less."

"I just worry about you Rose."

"You don't think I can take care of myself?"

"No, I know you can, but what worries me is that you... you've lost your fighting spirit."

I shook my head. "It's not worth it. Sometimes you just have to accept things and take them as they are given to you."

"What do you mean?"

"Look at me Adrian... I am more than damaged goods... I am a fucking resell shop. No one is ever going to see me as whole again." My voice dropped low. "You never will."

Adrian was silent for a moment before speaking. "I want to show you something. I'll be at your room in 10 minutes. "Wake up." He whispered in my ear.

I shot awake and looked around the small room I was staying in. It made me long for Turkey. It was so exotic. I was free to be whomever I wanted. I had no history there. There was a soft knock on the door and I opened it to Adrian. "Hi."

Adrian smiled. "Hello."

"You said you wanted to show me something?"

"Ah yes..." Adrian handed me a piece of paper that had obviously be folded and refolded numerous times.

I opened it and saw scrawled in a little kid's handwriting.

"I like you."

I looked at Adrian. "What is this?"

"You gave that to me when you were 6 and I was 10."

I looked back at it and thought hard and then burst out laughing. "That was you?"

Adrian cocked his head. "What?"

"Lissa dared me to give that to the person I thought I was the cutest at her party. I remember seeing you and..." I buried my face in my free hand. "I am so embarrassed."

Adrian kissed the top of my head. "Did you mean it?"

I nodded. "Unfortunately, yes."

"Unfortunately?"

"Adrian, even at 6, I knew I could never be with you."

"Rose?"

"Hmmm?"

"You aren't six anymore..." He leaned in to kiss me.

I let him.

WOOO!!!!! YES!!!!! Finally!!!!

*Looks at Muse* What? Are you kidding me? Well people.... I guess enjoy it for now....

Voting closes in the morning! Vote! Vote! Vote!

Also, don't forget, first review gets a sneak peek!