A/N

Here's a little note from Roza's Beta Mitrioselove... Nice and wonderful for a guest reviewer who decided to write this:

You don't write your chapter very well. When some is talking it should come across as eg: " you should write you characters talking to each other using those things """""" at the start and the end of their speech" but you don't so your chapter is all over the place and it makes it very hard to read. You really need a lesson in writting or find a beta the writes good and she can correct your poorly written chapter.

"Are you sure" says Janine.

"I would love to have those two as my Guardians" Lisa said smiling. janine looked at her.

If you can't write properly you should be on this site in the first place, its at least for people who know how to write and you CAN'T. Your writing is SLOPPY.

First off do not correct someone's grammatical errors if you cannot yourself write for shit! The missing quotation marks were actually taken off by the Doc Manager on the site. If there is anyone here who should not be on this site it is you. Why don't you get an account and then review so we could have a little talk with you about your writing skills. Roza M Belicova writes amazing stories... Far more impressive than your "When some is talking it should come across as eg:" Shouldn't it be someone? Don't mess with this Beta and writer because your Oh so impressive writing skills are a clear indication that you have no idea what the fuck you are talking about...

Sorry to anyone who did not need to read that. I have reposted the chapter how it was originally written. And I apologize that it was missing somethings that had been there to begin with. But seriously stop the hate, anyone can write on here for a reason. It's a fanfiction site.

Hola, guys! Sorry sorry, I've had a busy past week, and then I had to write Summer Romance then I couldn't get into this story... But enough of that, you guys don't need to hear of this, right? So how about this instead, thank you guys so much for all the love, you are truly amazing!

Mitrioselove you know there ain't no other badass beta like you! So for the millionth time, thank you. Your editing skills never stop amazing me because you're really just that amazing ;)

I do not own VA; it belongs to the amazing Richelle Mead!

In The Rain.

Chapter 11

As Rose drove to the Dragomir house, her mind kept flashing back to a certain Russian. It was like her mind was on constant repeat. She had tried so hard to block him out, and had even thought she would succeeded in doing so, but driving alone in the confines of her car, she wasn't so sure. Maybe she had been diluting herself; a man like Dimitri couldn't just be blocked out... Something she was very much aware of but well it was worth a try.

Dimitri's face kept flashing before her, the way he'd looked at her moments before she left his house. The look was haunting, and it had been doing just that to her, haunting her. Damn it she had known she'd hurt him, but she had not known how much until then. His face had been void of emotion in that guardian mask he mastered so well, but his eyes told another story, another story entirely.

Saying that she needed to go back to the man, Adrian, who thought now when his relationship was falling apart was a good time to go off on a business trip was a good idea had seemed right in that moment. She had truly wanted to go home and make things better, but now she did not know if she made the right choice. Why was she even trying with Adrian when her whole being was screaming for Dimitri. Rose didn't know anything anymore but that wasn't even what bothered her. Surprisingly, or well not so much, it was that she had hurt Dimitri and she pretended that she didn't even notice or care.

Why had she done that again? Why had she even gone home, was there even anything there for her? What in the fucking hell was that supposed to resolve except for putting distance between her and Dimitri,? Distance Rose didn't even know if she wanted anymore, but she couldn't dwell on that right now. She had to focus on what was right, or what she thought was right.

Because in her mind, she felt that her relationship with Adrian was worth fighting for, worth giving a second chance to. Sure it wasn't a bed of roses, and both parties were responsible for that, but still. Whether they had real love or not was debatable, but didn't their relationship deserve a second chance? Apparently not to Adrian though, he seemed to have chosen his fate. He was gone. He had left town or even the state, she didn't know because her dear fiancé couldn't even bother with a call. Why had she still walked into the apartment thinking it was theirs, thinking they had a chance.

Dimitri's face flashed before her again, making her close her eyes for just a split second. A second that could have cost her her life. When she reopened her eyes to focus on the road, she realized that she was about to hit something. Whether it was a dog or some other animal, Rose didn't know but she knew that she was not going to be responsible for the death of anyone or anything. The car swerved and if it wasn't for all her training she probably would've been dead... or in a ditch somewhere…

With a violent tug of the steering wheel, she regained control of her car as drivers honked furiously some even swearing. At another time like when her mind wasn't spinning with thoughts of Dimitri she would've cursed right back, but for the first time in her life Rose Hathaway didn't have it in her to be a smartass.

What the fuck was wrong with her? In an attempt to distract herself, she turned on the radio. And swore when some 80's song blared through the speakers. It would figure the universe would be against her. Turning the dial she swore once more when Blake Shelton's voice laced with a smooth southern drawl hit her. Man the universe was really out to get her.

Everything reminded her of the Russian she'd used; the man who hadn't deserved any of that but had been dragged into it. Granted he hadn't fought her on it, but Rose had been wrong to instigate any relationship that wasn't work related with the man, and she had known it from the beginning. It was just that something about Dimitri had drawn her to him on that faithful night. She could not help but want to be with the man.

Something still drew her to Dimitri, and the confusing part was what she felt for the man. It had started out as lust, but now it was different. Now it was more., no matter how hard she tried to deny it. She wanted to hang out with him, not very weird, she had always liked hanging out with him but now she paid attention to everything about him. The way his lips moved when he spoke, the way he rolled his R's when he said her name, his smile which she would probably never be able to see again, well not directed at her at least, and his laugh. Rose sighed just thinking about it. His laugh that wrapped her up in a blanket of smooth silk and promised that all was right in the world. And that was only the beginning. There was so much more she liked about him and felt in his presence. Could she really give all of that up?

Feeling the sting of tears burn her eyes, she tried to calm down. It would be ok; she would be fine with or without Dimitri Belikov. That thought stung deep she didn't want to go on without Dimitri. Maybe she was nothing but a fucking selfish bitch. Dimitri had every right to turn around and go in the opposite direction, she did not deserve him. And thinking was doing nothing for her sanity. So she was thankful when the Dragomir house came into view. It would be the distraction she had been looking for.

Time to put on a brave face and face the family she knew was worried sick about their son and his wife, and her best friend who was worried not just about her brother and sister-in-law, but her boyfriend as well, the father of her child. For once Rose had to stop being selfish and see that the world did not revolve around her.

The moment her car stopped in front of the house, the huge ass iron gates slid open. For a second Rose could do nothing but stare at the house she had spent so much time at growing up. The Dragomirs were family there was no question about that. There had never been any question about that. So many times when Rose had needed a shoulder to cry on or a hug after a hard day, Rhea had been there when her own mother could not. Something she could not thank her enough for.

And Eric was always waiting just like her father to interrogate any boyfriend she brought home. Andre was like her big brother always looking out for her, and more times than she could count she had had to stop both him and Christian from beating up guys who may have disrespected her or looked at her inappropriately. She smiled at the memories worried she would not be able to make any more.

That thought oddly enough brought a smile to her face and gave her the courage she needed to get out of the car. She was just going to honk her horn until Lissa got out of the house, but as stated before this was family. She had to get it together and treat them accordingly. So with a final glance at her reflection, she opened her door with slightly shaking fingers and took off toward the front door. Imagine her surprise when the door was flung open and Rhea came charging down the stairs and straight for her, the remote for the gate in hand.

"Oh darling," In seconds the older woman was in front of Rose and crushing her to her chest. Rose hugged her back just as eagerly and felt everything she had been worrying about before fall away. Rhea had always made her feel better, the woman was a true saint.

"Are you ok?" She was taken aback by Rhea's question, but she should not have been. It was from her Mother that Lissa got her gift for reading people.

"Hi Mrs. D. Yeah, I'm fine. Is Liss ready?" Rose asked smiling slightly.

Rose knew better than to lie to the older woman, she knew her quite well, but she had enough on her plate at the moment, and Rose refused to add anymore to that stress. Especially since her problems had been caused by her own misdoings. Rhea didn't look like she believed her, but she took her hand and led her up the stairs and into the house where Lissa sat trying and failing to feed Areya something that looked like oat meal.

Upon catching sight of her friend, Lissa smiled. But when Areya struggled trying to get down from her high chair and refused the spoonful of oatmeal Lissa held to her mouth, that smile fell replaced by her earlier frustration.

"Hey Liss," Rose said walking over and wrapping her arms around Lissa's tired body. Lissa relaxed slightly in the arms of her friend and sister. But when she looked up and into the gaze of her friend she tensed up again.

"What's wrong? What did Adrian do now?" Rose shook her head but Lissa was not having it.

"I know he's responsible or partly so for that haunted look in those eyes. Now, tell me why." Rose just stared at Lissa. How the hell did the girl do that? Maybe she hadn't done as good a job as she'd thought with her make up. Lissa's green eyes narrowed dangerously daring Rose to contradict her.

"Aunty Ro!" Rose shook her head again mouthing later to Liss as Areya grabbed her attention. She was glad for the distraction, she did not know how to even start to tell Lissa what was going on.

"Hey Rey baby," Rose said. The little girl lifted her arms wanting Rose to pick her up.

Rose was about to do just that, she could not help it. The girl was too cute for her own good. But the warning look Lissa shot in her direction had her grimacing and stepping back.

"Jesus, Liss, grumpy much?" Rose said when Areya looked up at her eyes wide her bottom lip sticking out in a pout.

"Tell her that she needs to eat and then you'll pick her up." Lissa said glaring daggers in Rose's direction. Rose looked down at the still full bowl of oatmeal and sighed.

"But me no want to…" Areya whined looking on the verge of tears. Rose pulled up a chair next to Lissa knowing that they were not leaving any time soon unless she could get Areya to eat. She reached for the bowl which Lissa gladly handed over.

"Aunty Liss is right though Rey, you got to eat." Areya shook her head but Rose wasn't done. "Don't you want to be a guardian like your daddy?"

"Uh-huh," Areya nodded looking a bit sad. It was obvious she knew her parents absence was uncommon.

"Well then you got to eat your oatmeal so you can be as big and strong like he is." Rose said trying hard to fight back the victorious smile that was itching to break free of her lips. She was sad, but she knew the little girl was about to crack.

"Did you eat it?" Areya pointed to the bolw unable to say oatmeal. Rose nodded. "And you aunty Iss?" Lissa nodded, as well even though she would not touch the stuff.

"Ok," Areya said. "Me eat but feed me aunty Ro?" Rose smiled and scooped up some oatmeal. True to her word, Areya ate it all.

Lissa looked at her friend in awe as she fed her niece. Rose had always been good with kids, and they all loved her. Her hand drifted to her stomach and she rubbed slightly. She wondered if she could do it, if she could be as good with her own child as Rose was with Areya.

"You'll be an amazing mom, Liss." Rose's voice caught her off guard and she jumped slightly but there was no stopping the smile she shot at her friend. Feeling better than she had since she left the room where her brother, sister-in-law and boyfriend laid connected to multiple machines, Lissa left Rose to feed Areya while she got her stuff ready for work and packed Areya's bag to bring her along to the day care.

Some time later, Lissa walked out to meet Rose and Areya who seemed engrossed in whatever conversation they were having. She knew it wasn't a very pleasant one seeing as how the air was thick with tension. But as she listened, her heart broke. Yes she knew it was wrong to eavesdrop but none of them noticed her granted she hadn't said a word, but still.

"What if mama and daddy no come back aunty Ro?" Areya's voice was soft, she sounded so vulnerable, so scared and Lissa just wanted to scoop her into her arms and protect her from all of this.

How had this all happened? How could the world be so cruel? She was far too young to be worrying about whether or not her parents were coming back. How had she even known that there was a chance they would not come back, no one had said anything/ There were no words to describe the anger she felt at who ever had caused this and if Rose's tensed posture was any indication, she too felt the same way.

"Rey, come here." The girl wasted no time stumbling into Rose's open arms. Rose placed her in her lap before she continued speaking.

"Your mama and Daddy are going to come back baby, it might just take a while but in the mean time you got your grandma and grandpa, and let's not forget aunty Liss and me."

"But me miss mama and daddy, who ill read me stories now?"

"I will." Lissa hadn't meant to speak, but the words slipped passed her lips before she could stop them. Both sets of eyes in the room drew to her and she blushed slightly.

"Weally, aunty Iss?" Areya looked at her green eyes flecked with gold begging her to say yes. But there was no need. Lissa nodded and smiled, knowing full well she would always be there for her neice. Areya clapped her hands but a small sad smile still played on her lips.

"And Rey?" Rose said holding her just a bit tighter. "I know you miss your mommy and daddy, but they are always with you." Areya looked around confused and shook her head.

"Don't you love them?" Rose asked and Areya nodded. "Then they are always here." Rose tapped the little girl's chest right where her heart was. She seemed to understand and smiled.

"But sometimes that's not enough, so do you know what I used to do when my mom or dad went away on business?" Lissa asked. Areya shook her head and Rose smiled remembering their first sleepover.

"She used to carry a picture with them so she could look at it whenever she was sad." Rose said. Lissa nodded.

"So, I got you something." Lissa handed Areya a small box which the girl opened eagerly. Slowly and carefully with a bit of help from Rose, she lifted the object from it's velvet resting place and smiled. In the box was a heart shaped locket hanging on a silver necklace.

In one swift move Areya jumped off Rose's lap and right into her aunt's waiting arms. She began talking a mile a minute, half the things she was saying completely incomprehensible but both girls were glad to see that she had returned to her jolly fun loving self. Lissa helped her put the necklace on and once she had seen the picture of her parents in the locket, a permanent smile seemed to be plastered on her face. She didn't even put up a fight when Lissa brushed her hair and buckled her into her car seat.

"So Hathaway, what did Ivashkov do?" Rose tensed at that. She knew it was only a matter of time before Lissa brought it up and so she could buy herself a few more minutes, she let her window down and spoke to Rhea who was heading to her car. Welcoming the extra time she had bought herself Rose relaxed and let her arm dangle out of the window.

"Mrs. D," She called ignoring Lissa's glare. Rhea turned instantly and looked over at Rose.

"Were there any overnight changes?" The woman's smiling face turned sombre as she shook her head. Rose felt her chest ache and she vowed that once she was done with work she would go down to the hospital.

"But you'll let us know if anything changes, right mom?" Rhea nodded.

"Of course honey though something tells me they are going to try to keep me away from this case." Rose and Lissa sighed. Rhea was a doctor but she was right. They might try to keep her away from this case because she was too closely linked to it.

"Now, now pretty girls like you shouldn't look so sad," Both girls looked up at that low male voice. Eric Dragomir stood beside his wife small smile fully in place. Rose grinned back but Lissa opened the door and flew into her father's arms.

According to Lissa, her father had been working at the hospital and didn't get in until late the night before. She had tried to stay up so she could see him, but her mother had calmly told her to go to bed and not worry. She would see him in the morning. Eric wrapped his arms around his daughter who buried her head against his chest. He stroked her hair gently.

"It'll be fine Lissa, do not worry so much." That was easier said than done and he knew it. He kissed both her cheeks and followed her back to the car where he gave both Rose and Areya hugs, and then the girls were off. They were already late, but neither one of them seemed to care.

"Are you ever going to tell me?" Rose had been keeping her eyes firmly planted straight ahead trying to avoid this exact topic, but she made the mistake of looking over at Lissa as she helped her get the place ready for the rest of the kids who spent their days at guardian HQ's day care.

"He's gone, Liss. Something for work again." Lissa rolled her eyes at that. Adrian always had something for work, but she knew that was not the whole story, Lissa knew there was so much more going on in her best friends life. She just did not know why Rose would not talk to her about it.

"I went home yesterday and we had a huge fight, then we fixed it but just like always, his Fu…" Rose stopped herself remembering Areya's presence just in time but the girl was paying them no mind, she was talking to some other little girl.

"He got a call for work, and as always he chose it over me, over us." Rose often pretended that what Adrian did didn't bother her, but the thing was that it did. She hated that he couldn't choose her over his job, just fucking once in a while.

"I know that his job is important to him I feel the same way about mine, but he's always gone, you know? Just once I want him to choose our relationship over work. I mean I'm not saying that I'm not to blame for this as well because I am, but Liss I try so hard to be the perfect girlfriend, and it's as if he doesn't notice or even care." What she had done with Dimitri suddenly seemed to make more sense to her. It had been because of Adrian's neglect, Rose didn't notice until just now as she admitted it to Lissa but that obviously didn't make it right. Lissa dropped the toy she was about to place back on the shelf and wrapped her arms around her friend.

"I know, love. But maybe when he gets back you guys can talk, figure out if this is what you want. I mean he proposed Rose; he couldn't have done that for no apparent reason. You guys just need to take the time to work on your relationship, you know what I mean?"

Rose nodded, she knew what Lissa was getting at, and maybe she was right. But Lissa didn't know about her and Dimitri. Rose couldn't help but wonder what Lissa would do if she found out. She wanted to tell her, she needed to tell someone but she just could not bring herself to tell Lissa. The words just wouldn't come. How did you tell someone you cheated on your boyfriend? Some part of her was sure that Lissa would no longer support her the way she was now. Selfish she knew, but she just couldn't help it.

Her phone chiming with an incoming text was the perfect distraction. Who it was from though and what it stated sent her mind spinning. She had a meeting in Abe's office in 10 minutes. When Lissa grabbed her own phone and looked at it confused, Rose's curiosity got the best of her. But Lissa spoke before she could ask.

"Meeting with your father in 10…" She said looking at Rose. Rose nodded.

"Me to. Let's finish up here so we can get this over with."

"Alright," Abe said. His booming voice was all it took before silence fell. Abe always knew how to take over a room, but it comical at the moment.

There were only Rose, Lissa, Dimitri and Janine in the office. So Abe had no reason to be so serious. Rose wanted to know why they were here, but she knew better than to ask. When Abe was ready he would talk. If the looks on her colleagues faces was any indication, they too wanted to know.

"I've already had a meeting with the rest of the branch about this; it's why you 3 are the only ones here now." Abe said by way of introduction, Rose smiled again thinking about how professional her father was no matter what. All it took was quick nods from the rest of the room, minus Janine for him to continue.

"I don't know if any of you have heard the gossip that has been spreading like wildfire among the rest of the gang, but I'll tell you just in case you have not." Rose leant forward in her chair. She hadn't heard anything and Abe had gotten her attention.

"There have been recent murders of folks in and around our area. I know you're all wondering what that has to do with us, well let me tell you. Rich folks have been the target. It doesn't matter how much money you have, even if you are going to inherit from your family, you can still be targeted." Abe's face was grim as he spoke, a clear indication that the gossip going around in the branch was a lot more than gossip. It was the truth.

"Thankfully, no one we know has been murdered or attacked." The word yet hung in the air unsaid but clear as day.

"Seems like whoever is responsible for those murders are nothing but cowards if you ask me," Rose said shortly. Every head in the room nodded in agreement.

"That's what I said when I first heard of this." Janine said speaking for the first time. "But honestly if you think about it no one would want the guardians on their asses."

"But that is just what make them cowards, mom. Why would you kill off people who you know have no defence against you? Seems like targeting those who could at least put up a fight would be the better thing to do, it would prove more of a challenge, don't you think?" Lissa couldn't help but snort rather unladylike at her friend.

"That's not even the point, Hathaway." Dimitri said, his voice was slight cold, but Rose was sure she was the only one to notice.

Rose turned to face him surprised that he had even spoken. She had been aware of his presence ever since she walked in the room. She regretted looking his way though, his eyes were cold, narrow. And she knew for a fact that it was all her fault.

"Belikov is right," Her father said and the moment was gone.

Of course Dimitri would just say something completely Zen like, it was just who he was, and Rose had foolishly read too much into his statement. The fact that he had addressed her as Hathaway and not Rose or Roza should have been proof enough of that. He was being professional and she was not.

"That is why we need to put things in place." Abe paused dramatically making Rose roll her eyes. Her father was nothing if not dramatic; the man could make anyone squirm. Janine shot her husband a look before she spoke.

"What Abe is getting at is that in light of recent events, we have to boost protection of our charges."

"Wait," Lissa said. "You think these murders have something to do with Andre's accident, don't you?" Both Janine and Abe nodded.

"Not so much the accident than the fact that someone had the guts to shoot at us. Dimitri got hurt, a clear indication that whoever was responsible for firing that gun is not afraid to get their hands dirty. And I can't get over the fact that maybe Andre's accident wasn't really an accident." Rose said thoughtfully.

"That's exactly my point." Abe informed. "Whoever is responsible for this wants something and they are not afraid to do whatever it takes to get it."

"Which is why we are going to beef up security." Janine said. "Especially for those who work side by side with us. These people seem daunted by us guardians, but that's just for now. They could just be lying low because of the recent shooting incident. They are trying to get us to let our guard down."

"And we're obviously not going to let that happen," Dimitri said. "So what's the plan? Why did you call us?" Maybe he was out of line, but he was becoming frustrated with all this talk. He wanted action and he wanted it now. Not to mention that being in such close proximity with Rose was not helping matters any. He was tense and that was all due to the woman sitting a few feet away.

"We are going to give Lissa another guardian." Abe said eyes narrowed at Dimitri. Rose snapped to attention.

"What!" She squeaked. Lissa didn't look very happy either, but she didn't say anything, she just looked on to see how this would end.

"Who?" Rose asked staring her parents down. She had a sinking feeling that she knew just who they were going to say. She had to fight hard to not be catapulted back to that day when Dimitri became her partner in the martial arts school. When Abe spoke next, he only confirmed what she and Dimitri were already assuming. It was Lissa's call now. The decision laid in Lissa's hands.

"I would love to have those two as my guardians." She said smiling. Janine looked at her.

"Are you sure?" Janine asked no doubt expecting Lissa to flip out about having another guardian.

"Yes, I know that I would usually flip out about stuff like this, but I think you guys are right. In light of recent events, I really would feel better if I had two guardians. Rose you do a great job on your own, but having a pair of extra hands can't hurt, and it's Dimitri. You guys are good and he's not some stuck up old person." Both Abe and Janine laughed out right at that, and Rose let out a nervous giggle.

Lissa didn't know what she was talking about, but well there was nothing Rose could do now, everyone thought she and Dimitri were good friends. Because no one knew of what had happened between them, but seeing as how none of them were willing to bring that up, they would just have to put all of that aside and be the best guardians they could be for Lissa. It wasn't as if Dimitri would say no to his bosses... And when he just nodded Rose couldn't be surprised.

A/N

So once again our favourite couple have been thrown together. How do you think they are going to handle it this time? What do you think of Areya? The suspicion that Andre's accident was a set up? Rose's guilt? If the accident is really a setup, who's behind it? Let me know what you all thought in a review!

Review lovelies, and you might find yourself with Dimitri in Abe's office, anything can happen from there…: D Until next time,

XXX

Roza