Hey everyone :) I know I haven't updated in a while (I wrote a short, 3 chapter Merlin fic, now complete, 'His Smile' go check it out :D)

I'm sorry, but A level is really hard and Iv'e had loads of other stuff on and Iv'e been really busy so yeah, that's my excuse.

Disclaimer applies,

This chapter is for ImpartialMoroi because she (I assume she) couldn't think of a death threat bad enough XD, but it's Ok hun, I understand, and I started writing this as soon as I read your review ;P keep it up

Enjoy :D

Dimitri's POV

Saturday.

My weekend off; the one I had been waiting for. I had mentioned it to Rose last night, promising how I wouldn't be far away if she needed me.

With hindsight I should have told her where, so she knew where to come, but it hadn't occurred to me then, and I hoped that she could go a day without getting into trouble.

I stared at the cabin ceiling, predictably, my thoughts focussed on Rose.

Damn her, I thought fondly. Only Rose could distract me, make me need a break. Rose's troubles are intense. God only knows how she feels.

Damn her, I thought again, only she could turn me into a coward.

Laughing slightly I reached over for a western and the bedside lamps 'on' switch as a weak attempt to distract myself, maybe I shouldn't have done this, It may still be early in the vampiric schedule but with Rose, I wouldn't be surprised if she was doing something she shouldn't be … like … training for example.

I slapped myself on the forehead, of course, I should have known, postponing the practice had been hard on her, she hates being inactive, but at least then I could keep an eye on her, I really wouldn't be surprised if she had all the dummies out and the punching bag and all the multi gym equipment. Exasperated I gave up on the novel and folded my hands on my stomach, eyes closed, and breathing deeply, I could almost fool myself that I was asleep, I figured that Rose deserved a bit of training time, I'd give it an hour, maybe two, then I'd storm in there and drag her back to her room. No doubt she'd already outdone herself running 50 laps or something equally ridiculous. When I had an off day, I liked to run too. I think my top score is 157 laps without stopping, which is a grand total of 13 miles, more or less, and that had almost killed me, but it had been a really bad day.

The day that Ivan died.

I had been at home of course but I was notified the same day. Ivan was a good man, a good Moroi, and a strong minded individual. He was also the best friend I have ever had. He didn't treat me like a guardian, we had known each other from our own Academy years, and we had hit it off right away, when I had played a … prank on a teacher and Ivan had taken the blame for me. He didn't have to and he remained in disgrace for days, but he did it because he knew that, as a Royal, he would get into a lot less trouble than I would have.

We were almost inseparable.

I sighed, lost in my memories, waiting for the clock to move several hours so I could go and see Rose again.

I wasn't bored exactly; I quite like doing nothing, waiting for something. As a guardian you get precious little alone time. Ivan had known that, and paid for it with his life.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door

'Come in' I called, surprised, but I guessed who it might be.

In came Tasha, her long hair flowing loose and her emerald eyes fell on me, she grinned as she took in my position (I hadn't bothered to sit up,)

'Hey Dimka' she said jovially, 'so you finally got time out huh?' I grinned back easily, guilt coursing through me that I had been sharp with her lately

'You could call it that I guess' Tasha grimaced

'Looks boring to me' she teased

I laughed and sat up, crossing my legs underneath me, Rose often said that I had no right to be as graceful as I was, considering my height, but in reality I considered myself well balanced. 'Graceful' might be a nicer term, but in a mostly male populace, it was a bad idea to mention the word when referring to each other.

Tasha came and sat next to me on the bed; it was proof of our friendship when she didn't make a Rose like comment.

'I thought you might be here' she said gently, she twisted her hands in her lap as if working herself up to ask something 'Are you … alright, Dimka?'

I stared at her, and her green eyes darted around the room in her awkwardness, I would have done too, but I knew all my escape options already

'I mean' she added hastily 'It's just, I haven't seen you much and you always look a bit … tense I guess'

God bless Tasha Ozera. None of my colleagues had noticed despite seeing them every day, not even my family had noticed when I called, well, Yeva probably did but she didn't say anything, only Rose knew, and I couldn't talk to her about my stress about her problems, she felt guilty enough as it was, but Tasha Ozera had me practically figured out already. And it would be a relief to talk, believe me. But I still couldn't talk about Rose, not to anyone, not even to Tasha. It wasn't really a secret, but it still wasn't my place to tell.

'I heard about Rose' she continued, oblivious to my thoughts 'her … reputation, I mean, you know that already because I told you in the corridor, but I got the feeling that you needed to talk about it …' she rambled on a bit more, pretty much going round in circles. Tasha wasn't usually one to get embarrassed. Normally I would have put her at ease long ago but I let her run out of steam first, it was quite funny to watch if the cruel truth be told.

'Look, Tasha …'

'You can talk to me Dimka you know?'

'I know that.' I said. Maybe if I kept my answers short then she wouldn't keep probing. I don't talk about me very often. In fact, I don't really talk very often. Other than my 'Zen lessons' and the occasional chastisement I realised that I don't speak to Rose much about home. But Tasha had been there, and meeting her eyes now, I could tell she understood, her jewel bright eyes bored into mine

'Tell me' she said

So ... what do you think? Let me know, any ideas? About Tasha? 'coz I assume you've all read the 1st one so I guess you know the plot but i'm not gonna spoil it just in case. But anyway yeah, I love reviews, it makes me all warm and fuzzy inside ^^, BTW I don't think you'd care, but I put up my first bad review on my profile, the review was for 'Of Weeds and Rose' and feel free to check it out, and my response, and if you're reading this Mags then actually don't rag on you like some authors on this do. .

Ok thats pretty much it :)

Love you all

Tibbins xx