"Wha....wha....what happened to Bob?" I asked stuttering gasping for air. I couldn't breathe. What if something terrible happened to him. It would be all my fault because I made him upset.

"Rose, I know that this will hurt." Stephanie said in a pained voice and started to cry.

"Tell me what's wrong." I demanded.

As much as it hurt I needed some answers and I would not cry. I told myself to be strong. Whatever will be will be.

"He's Strigoi." she finally managed to spill out.

My eyes grew wide and I dropped my phone. I was in total and complete shock. Alberta was at my side when she was that the phone fell out of my hand.

"Rose?" she said shaking my hand in front of my face. I guess making sure that I didn't go in shock and take me to the clinic, again.

I couldn't believe it. First of all he didn't know about us. Or at least I didn't think he did know about it.

"How'd it happen?" I asked forgetting that the phone was now dangling from its cord and I no longer had it in my hand. I looked at Alberta and she was giving me this weird look. Like I've gone mad or something.

I realized that I didn't have the phone and I picked it up immediately noticing that Stephanie was still crying. "Steph? What are you going to do? How'd it happen?" I asked my mind going overload.

"I don't know how it happened. I went to the store after you called me and I came back into the room and he had his face in his hands. He looked at me when I entered the room and just stared at me with his blue eyes with the red rims and he looked pale. I just knew I've studied Strigoi for a while during my childhood. He...he... knew I knew what he was. He said he was sorry and kissed me before leaving." she sobbed.

I felt my heart break with every word that she said. "Stephanie are you safe?" I asked.

"Yes." she said almost immediately without thinking about it.

"How?"

"He told me he would never hurt me!" she said sincerely.

"How do you know that? Don't you know any better than to trust a Strigoi?" I questioned.

At the word Strigoi Alberta snapped her head to look at me. She stepped closer to me and looked serious. Her facial expression changed from being sympathetic to worried and guardian like.

"He might be a Strigoi but I could see the love in his eyes." she said.

I rolled my eyes.

"Ok." I advised. "just be careful."

"I will I know how to protect myself." she said in her raspy voice but she somewhat giggled.

"Stephanie you're a girly girl." I informed.

"I go to the gym every morning I'm still fit. How else to you think I manage carrying all those shopping bags at once" she countered back.

"Touché." I said with a giggle.

She laughed.

"Thanks for cheering me up. Even if it is a little. I'll talk to you later." she said to me.

I smiled as the phone went dead, placing the phone back on the receiver thing.

"What was all the Strigoi talk about?" she demanded.

I shrugged.

"Tell me now or I'll have to take it to Kirova." she threatened.

She had her arms crossed and looked at me as if I admitted a murder. I sighed angrily. This really wasn't her business.

"Stephanie's husband turned." I informed her.

Her facial expression changed once again. It dropped. "Really?" she asked.

I nodded.

"Poor Stephanie." she said sympathetically.

I nodded once again.

"Is he going to come here?" she asked seriously her guardian face once again. I shook my head. I didn't know. I didn't ask.

"Go on to bed." she ordered.

I nodded walking out of the office.

I felt bad maybe it was because of me that he became Strigoi. But I had to push that thought away or if he comes close to Lissa I won't be able to kill him. It's him or Lissa. I prefer the good one. I was in bed before I knew it and my dreams that night were filled of fatherly/daughterly moments that I had with him.

A FEW WEEKS LATER

Everything was good. Stephanie called every once and while just to check on me, or so she says. She's been dealing with the loss of her husband pretty well and she says that he shows up every once and a while to see how she was doing of if she needed anything. He still loved her but he had to leave because he was afraid of hurting her. She confessed that as much as she knew that she shouldn't see him, or set him free she just couldn't. Love a powerful thing and I just couldn't bare to think what situation I would be in if that was Dimitri.

School was going great and everyday was a day closer to graduation. Dimitri and I have been great. Although we haven't showed any affection physically, practice was non-stop flirting and loving glances. He said Roza lot more often and that word coming out of his mouth never failed to make my stomach fill up with butterflies. But although everything was good there was a new kid named Chase that took a new liking to me. I told him upfront that I'm not interested but he just keeps bugging. Can't shake him off oh well I'll just have to put up with it for six more weeks. I can deal with that. I always have.

"Can you believe we're almost going to graduate!" Lissa gushed.

I smiled and nodded.

"We'll be one happy family." she continued "Me, you, Dimitri, and Christian."

"I'm not sure about Christian. After a few weeks with him, I'm going to kick his ass even if it's against the Moroi law." I told her trying to be serious.

She laughed.

"You know you love each other deep down." she teased.

I pushed her playfully. "That's going to be a deep, deep, deep, deep, deep, deep-" I continued and she stopped me giggling.

"I get it! It's almost like you dig a huge hole and end up in China deep." she laughed.

I shook my head.

"WE still need to work on your jokes." she giggled again and hugged her books closer to her chest and walked into class.

I soon followed, noticing that some guardians along with my handsome Dimitri were standing in the back of the room in his guardian pose. I walked towards my seat behind Lissa as she started talking to her boyfriend. I opened my notebook and began doodling. I felt someone right next to me and I turned to look to my right and noticed a grinning Chase sitting right next, to close for my liking.

I rolled my eyes. "What do you want?" I asked him in a whisper because I saw the teacher coming in, the environment becoming instantly quiet.

"The teacher said to pair up." he told me.

I turned my head to side to look at the white board explaining what we were doing. It did say we were in partners that's why the guardians were here. They were going to be giving us partner training. But this was not a guardian class that was confusing.

The teacher started talking about it and Chase got very comfortable next to me coming closer and closer and soon enough I felt uncomfortable. I ignored him and tried to keep doodling in my notebook when a note landed on my desk before Chase could grab it I grabbed it.

Dearest Rose,

I know that you hate Chase, I do too so if you want me to burn him up. I'll do it for you because I love you.

-Christian

aka Fireboy

p.s. I don't love you but I'll still burn him. =P

I laughed and looked at Chase. He smiled back at me. I shook my head with a smiled on my face. Fire boy was really funny. He was starting to grow on me as much as I hate it. Once the teacher stopped talking Chase leaned even closer to me

"What's so funny?" he asked.

I turned to him glaring but I have him a honey sweet smile. "Don't worry about it." I answered and his smiled dropped.

I smirked and took my packet on instructions of what we were going to do on the project.

"The project seems like fun!" Lissa exclaimed holding on the lunch tray.

"I know the total best." Christian said faking enthusiasm.

I rolled my eyes sitting at our usual table "You're just mad that we have to do a two page essay." Lissa answered

"Yes!" Christian said putting his tray on the table sitting down angrily, placing his elbow on the table and putting his cheek in his hand playing around with is food.

"We have the hardest part. It's our field experience." I announced taking a bite out of my bread.

"But you have to fight I have to do an essay on how you did and shit." Christian grumbled.

"Aww my poor baby!" Lissa said to him grabbing his chin in her hand and making a baby face at him.

He smiled I think he like being babied by Lissa.

She leaned to give him a kiss but he quickly brought his hand up, threading his hand in her glossy blonde hair. I smiled at them and continued eating my lunch. I looked up and they were still making out and I was just going to let them keep going but I saw tongues and that managed to gross me out

"Okay I had enough." I said standing up slinging my backpack on my shoulder.

Lissa and Christian pulled back Lissa smiled a lopsided goofy smile. "Sorry." she blushed.

"Nah, you guys can continue but please for the students sake keep it PG." I said to them.

"Then leave." Christian said wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

I rolled my eyes and I left the cafeteria and Lissa gave him a slight push. He laughed and out of the corner of my eye I saw him attacking her mouth and felt somewhat jealous. I wanted to do that to Dimitri every time I saw him but I knew that it wasn't going to happen as long as we're in this stupid place.

Through the bond I felt her soaring. She was beyond happy, she loved him, and she loved that I was back in the academy. For her life was perfect and it was my job to keep it that way.

"Rose!" I turned around to see chase running up to me.

"What do you want!" I asked completely irritated.

"I just wanted to walk with the most beautiful girl in this school" he announced proudly.

"Ha-ha!" I said laughing without humor and continued walking outside."Please!"

"You are." he said putting an arm around my shoulders.

"Leave me alone!" I said through my clenched teeth pushing his arm off me.

"Why don't you like me?" He asked stepping in front of me. I looked up at his dull gray eyes.

"You keep annoying me when I tell you to go away. You keep coming on me and I'm not interested. "I said trying to keep calm. "Go away!"

"No." he said. "I really like you."

He put his hands on my upper arms and kissed me hard. His lips were warm on mine but I didn't like this feeling. I was instantly angry. I brought my knee up and kneed him where the sun don't shine. He went down immediately bringing both his hands to his private part and went down on his knees groaning.

"I'm going to get you back Hathaway." He threatened while he groaned.

"Whatever!" I said wiping my mouth and going to class in the worst mood in the whole entire world.

I noticed something today. When you're mad the days seems like it lasts for an eternity. But right now I was excited. Really excited. It was time for my training session with the most hottest guy in the world.

I walked in the gym noticing that there was no equipment set up. Lately we've been working on sneak attacks and how to stake.

But right now nothing was set up. I guess it was a running day. I set my backpack near the bathroom and I stepped in and dressed into some workout clothes.

I walked out of the bathroom and there stood Dimitri with his arms crossed. "Are you ready?" he asked in a hard serious voice that I haven't heard since we first came back to the academy.

"Yes?" I answered but it sounded more of a question.

He rolled his eyes. Something that I had never seen him do before. "Go run ten laps and meet me back in here when you're done and don't get distracted with anything." he ordered.

I crossed my arms too and started walking out of the track. "Okay Mr. Grumpy pants." I said mumbling but he heard me.

"Make that twelve laps."

I rolled my eyes and groaned internally. He was starting to piss me off. He was fine yesterday and now it seems like we're back from square run. But I decided to forget about it and started running one of my twelve laps.

I finished my laps in no time. Running wasn't a big deal what I was mad about was the fact that he seemed so cold and he was really mad. I walked in and he was standing against the wall as if he were waiting for me but he seemed cold and distant.

My expression softened. Maybe something bad happened in his hometown and he's been really worried. I think that was it. Studying him some more he look really vulnerable. I felt bad. He looked like he could use some help.

"You want me to anything else?" I asked quietly.

He stopped staring off into space and he turned to look at me. "No."

"So what else are we doing today?" I asked.

"Nothing you can leave now." he said walking towards his gym bag. I glanced at the clock that was hanging on the wall. He cut training fifteen minutes short. He never cut things short. He always extended time. He was acting really weird.

I looked at him studying him. Trying to see what his next move was going to be. He leaned down and picked up his gym bag. He turned his head to look at me. "What are you still doing here?" He demanded.

"What do you mean? Do you want me to disappear?" I asked sarcastically.

"Yes."

"Hey! What the hell is wrong with you?" I demanded walking rapidly to get to where he was. When I was right in front of him. He looked down at me, immediately showing that he was really tall. Extremely taller than me.

Studying his face I noticed that he was mad. He didn't want to lose the control that he had but he was definitely mad and it bugged me. He was suppose to tell me his problem just like I always do that's what a couple does. Or whatever the hell we are. In his eyes there was pure anger.

"What's wrong?" I asked in a whisper stroking his face lightly.

His face was smooth. He closed his eyes and leaned into my touch but just as quickly as he closed them he soon opened his eyes and I noticed that anger was in them again. He pulled back as if my touch was burning him. He readjusted the strap of the gym bag on his she started walking out of the gym.

"Why don't you go with Chase?" he said

I froze and apparently he did too..

"Chase?" I asked very confused. "What does Chase have to do with you? Or with me? I don't even like the guy." I said throwing my hands up in the air dramatically.

He turned around and dropped his shoulder making the gym bag fall. "Oh really?"

"Yes really."

He rolled his eyes again.

"Of course you don't like him." he said sarcastically. "That's why you guys were flirting in class and that's why he's your partner and that's why you kissed him."

"Hey. He kissed me and I kneed him. He picked me to be my partner. If I could have any other partner I'd be so grateful and-" I said when realization hit me.

"You're jealous."

"No." he denied it.

"Yes you're jealous." I said laughing.

"Rose..." he starting to think of something mean to say but he couldn't come up with anything. After mean really wasn't his type of thing.

"You know you're jealous." I said in a sing song voice and started walking/dancing towards him. "You wanna kill him, you wanna have me, all to yourself..."

He rolled his eyes and by the time that I reached him I wrapped my arms around his neck. "You're the only one that I can kiss and love it." I told him.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to him. I knew I had him. He wasn't mad at me anymore or at least I hope he wasn't.

I slowly lifted my head inviting his lips to touch mine that that's exactly what happened. He dropped his head and started to kiss me slowly and passionately. I unwrapped one of my arms from his neck and cupped his check pressing my lips harder to his.

He responded by lifting me up and twirling me. I disconnected my lips from his and threw my head back giggling. He soon placed me back on the ground and pressed his lips all over my face. It felt wonderful to feel loved.

I pulled back sooner than I wanted to. "We might get caught." I said breathlessly.

He stole my breath away. He looked up with his hands securely on the small of my back. "Fuck the rules." he said teasingly.

My eyes grew wide. "Dimitri!" I said trying to be appalled and he laughed.

I leaned up to give him a kiss but he just pulled back. "What happened to fuck the rule?" I asked.

"I was kidding.." He told me letting go of my waist.

"I'm not." I said wrapping my arms on his waist pulling him closer to me.

He laughed.

"You are so clingy." He told me.

"Me?" I asked teasingly. "I'm not the one that was all jealous."

"You might trade me away any moment to be with someone your age." He said seriously breaking the sweet embrace and picked up his gym bag. He looked sad.

This was the moment that I truly realized that he loved me more than anything. "I love you." I whispered as if it were forbidden for me to say it.

His face softened and leaned down to give me a quick chaste kiss on my mouth. God I loved this man. He could make me feel loved, safe, protected, and beautiful all at the same time. What would I do without him?

"Let's go trouble maker." He said holding my hand to go to back to the dorm. When he opened the door for me he let go of my hand.

He walked me all the way to my dorm room. We reached my floor and we felt contented being next to each other even though there was no words said to each other.

"I have to go." He said once he reached my door.

"Why?" I whinnied.

He tilted his head slightly making some of his hair fall in front of his face covering his gorgeous deep brown eyes. I reached out and lightly stroked the hair out of his eyes and tucked in behind his ear. "I'm on duty tonight." he explained "Otherwise I wouldn't leave." he whispered.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow then?" I asked hopeful opening up my face and raising my eyebrows.

He nodded and kissed me on my forehead before he left. I watched him leave down the hall before I opened the door of my room. I walked inside and decided that tonight was going to be an early night.

I took a shower and put on my pajamas and crawled into bed. I closed my eyes and my body started to relax. Suddenly out of nowhere came a hand and clasped on my mouth. I opened my eyes to see a pair of gray eyes rimmed with red.

"I told you were going to pay for kneeing me so here's your punishment." Chase announced and punched me knocking me out of consciousness.