*Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy, Richelle Mead does!*

So, sorry about this, but I probably won't be updating for a while. My laptop got a virus (woooh). So we brought it in to get it fixed and get this. I have to get it working again before they'll take it. Because that makes sense, right? Fix it so it can get fixed.

I'm using my parent's computer right now, which I'm really only supposed to use for schoolwork, so I don't know when I'll have the opportunity to write more of this story again. But just so you know, it may be two-three weeks, depending on when I can get my laptop working and submitted.

BUT I WILL BE BACK… I PROMISE!

Dimitri's Point of View

I was trying to figure out what to do. I know Rose didn't want me to get involved. My job could be on the line. But this wasn't our plan. Christian wasn't supposed to be here at all, much less confronting Natalie with Rose. I knew Rose was in there. She had been following Christian.

"What are you going to do about it? I'm going to teach the precious Dragomir princess the appropriate ways to use her powers. She's going to help me get my father out of prison and then she's going to use compulsion to help him become king. I don't care if it kills her. And there is nothing, absolutely nothing that you can do to stop me," I heard Natalie say.

I shook my head. Good enough. I entered the room, controlling my shock when I saw Rose holding Lissa. The dots were starting to connect, but I couldn't think about that right now.

"That may be true. But there is something I can do," I told Natalie calmly. I saw her eyes widen. It took all of my self-control not to react any different than any other guardian would.

"G-G-Guardian B-B-Belikov," she stuttered. "I was… uh…"

"Threatening the last Dragomir? Yes, I heard," I said, keeping all emotion out of my voice. It was remarkably difficult. I thought I had mastered my self-control, especially for situations like this. But I was too close to this and that was making it very difficult to stay neutral. "I believe Headmaster Kirova would like to have a word with you."

Natalie took a step back from me. "I was just joking sir. I don't mean her any real harm. Just a bit of fun," she said frantically.

"It didn't sound like a joke," I told her. "And if you are joking then why is the Princess in this state of distress?"

Natalie glanced at Lissa. "She got into a fight with her boyfriend and is really upset. I was comforting her," Natalie told me quickly.

I glanced at Christian. I knew it wasn't true, but I had to cover all the bases. "Is this true," I asked him, sticking to my professional demeanor. If I strayed from protocol even slightly, Natalie could get away with everything.

"Of course not," Christian said angrily. "This bitch was hurting her!"

"Mr. Ozera. I would kindly like to remind you that profanity is strictly forbidden on this campus," I told him, trying to hide my smile and grateful that I was facing Christian and not Natalie. I composed my face and turned to Natalie. "Both of you will accompany me to Headmaster Kirova's office. Mr. Hemmingway. Once your cousin feels up to it, please escort her to the Headmaster's office."

Rose nodded at me. "Mr. Hemmingway," Natalie said in a taunting voice. She didn't say anything outside of that and willingly followed me to the Headmaster's office. Christian walked behind her, never once taking his eyes off of her.

I knocked on Evan's office when we got there and waited for him to call "Enter," before I walked in. Evan looked up from his paperwork confused when he saw me, Christian, and Natalie.

"What can I help you with Guardian Belikov," Evan asked me.

"Today during second period, Mr. Ozera left class, claiming to be ill. He got a text from his girlfriend asking him for help," I explained. I just made up that last part, because that is the only legitimate reason that Christian could have for knowing how to find Lissa without giving Rose away. "As you know he is dating the last Dragomir. When Mr. Hemmingway followed him, Emile asked me to go check on him as he did look extremely pale. When I found them, Mr. Ozera, Mr. Hemmingway, Ms. Dashkov, and Princess Dragomir were in a classroom that is supposed to be vacant during this period. I heard Ms. Dashkov threaten the Dragomir Princess. Ms. Dashkov claimed to have been joking, but Mr. Ozera is claiming that she was lying. Princess Dragomir will be joining us in a moment. She was very upset when we left."

Evan nodded at me. "Thank you Guardian Belikov," he said to me. He motioned for me to stand by the wall. I did so and forced my face to remain neutral and blank. I was entirely prepared to play the role of uninterested third party.

Evan had both Christian and Natalie sit down in the chairs in front of his desk. He carefully listened to both of their stories. When they had each told their side, he sat back in his chair and frowned, deep in thought. I knew he was waiting for Lissa to arrive.

It only took a couple of minutes before there was a soft knock on the door. "Come in," Evan called.

Lissa took a step in, looking frightened and uncertain. "Princess," Evan said, nodding at her. "I'm terribly sorry. I can see your upset, but I need to hear what happened from you."

Lissa gave a small nod, but didn't say anything. Clearly believing she needed prodding, Evan said, "Why not start from when you texted Mr. Ozera this morning, asking him for help."

I could see a flash of surprise come across Lissa's face, but she quickly covered it up. She stumbled a little when she mentioned texting Christian, but for the most part, she was completely honest with Evan. She told him about how Natalie got to her in between classes and pulled her into an empty classroom. How she texted Christian while she was still in the hallway. How Natalie was trying to force her to help break Natalie's father out of prison. "The ground… she made it shake," Lissa said quietly, he eyes in a far off place. "It was terrifying. She knew how to get to me. But then Christian and Ros-Robert showed up." I held my breath at her slip, but Evan didn't seem to notice.

"Thank you Princess," Evan told her softly. "Ms. Dashkov. Given what I have been told, I have no choice but to expel you for endangerment of a student."

"No! You can't do this! They're lying to cover up for Robert Hemmingway!" Natalie yelled.

It took all of my effort to resist the urge to wince. I prayed with all my heart that Natalie wouldn't talk any further. That Evan wouldn't ask any questions. Of course, that was too much to ask for.

"Robert Hemmingway is illegally attending this school," Natalie said slowly, waiting to see Evan's reaction.

"Mr. Hemmingway?" Evan asked, looking surprised. As a general rule, guardians didn't get surprised. It was a sign of how unexpected that accusation was. "I understand his relationship to the Dragomir Princess, but what does he have to do with anything?"

"Robert Hemmingway is no more Lissa's cousin than I am your daughter. He is in fact not even a he," Natalie said angrily.

Evan's eyes widened as he stared at Natalie. "I'm sorry… I don't think I'm quite following," Evan said uncertainly.

"Robert is a girl," Natalie said bluntly.

I closed my eyes. What am I going to do now?

Reviews are welcome