Hello! :)

I'm truly sorry for the delay in updating but I'm helpless. Right now, I'm going through what I'm convinced is the most grueling time I've ever experienced in my student life. Let me not bore you with the details. I'll probably have to talk about it in my other story anyway.

I don't think I've replied to all the reviews as usual. If you haven't got a reply, I'm truly sorry! Just know that I value you all :D

This chapter is a flashback but not a childhood memory. Enjoy ;)

No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded by each other's worth.

-Robert Southey

Rose Hathaway: Age 24

"The first images of planet Yaba, sent by Torro 32 will be live in 3, 2, 1..."

A beep sounded in the air as the large screen lit up with first ever images of the planet Yaba. The team of scientists monitoring and controlling the satellite Torro 32 stood up in unison and clapped, pleased with the success.

I clapped politely, trying to appear nonchalant while my insides somersaulted wildly.

Dr. Abraham Hensley, a middle-aged, experienced astronaut turned to me with a smile. "Nothing is impossible in J.S.A, Pilot Hathaway. With you on board now, we hope to reach new heights."

"I will do my very best, sir." I assured him, warmed by his words.

Dr. Hensley grinned. "Your best is enough, Pilot. It's more than enough. Now, come. Let me give you a tour of our headquarters."

Resisting the urge to jump with joy, I followed the good professor as he led me through the enormous facility that was the headquarters of Janana Space Agency.

The J.S.A.

My goal, my dream, my greatest objective in life.

My fixation.

How often had I locked myself in the attic, studying the stars through the old, battered telescope? How often had I sacrificed spending time with friends to hole up in my room and study astronomy? How many times had I given up everything to pursue my dream?

Too many times to count.

Nothing could beat this moment for me.

I was finally where I wanted to be; who I wanted to be - A fully fledged Pilot Astronaut, employed in the biggest space agency on the planet.

Of course, I could have gotten into J.S.A two years ago if not for my desire to continue studying and to obtain a PhD. But I'd figured that it was best to get my studies out of the way so that I'd be able to focus solely on my career.

After a short tour, I was taken to the office which would be mine.

My own office.

When did I get so old?

"Welcome to the team, Pilot Hathaway."

With those words, Dr. Hensley left me here all on my own.

I took a deep breath and let myself experience this sweet moment. I felt like laughing loudly and jumping around the room. I was high, positively soaring with happiness and that unique sense of accomplishment that came with achieving the one goal I'd worked so hard for.

Impulsively, I let out a whoop of joy.

Only to jump the next second when a light knock echoed through the office.

My office.

Bouncing lightly on the balls of my feet, I hurried to open the door.

"Yes-?"

I faltered at the sight awaiting me at the other side of the door.

My body froze, locked up in shock.

I felt as if the very air was knocked out of my lungs.

"Surprised?" came the voice that I'd know anywhere.

"Like hell!" I gasped, surprising myself.

This cannot be happening. How could he possibly-?

A deep chuckle penetrated through the cloud of disbelief that had ensnared my brain.

He chuckled.

My best friend just chuckled, looking thoroughly amused.

Did that make him more real?

I wonder if he'd disappear if I touched him. Of course, he would. I'd been so hyper seconds ago and that had evidently affected my brain.

I was now hallucinating.

Way to go, Rose!

"Rose?" he asked cautiously, confusion swirling in those dark brown eyes that held immense power over me. Confusion rising out my reaction, possibly. Now, why would a hallucination appear confused?

I frowned. "Wait, you're talking?"

He frowned in return. "Of course I'm talking."

I frowned even more.

Dimitri, my best friend and the person that meant most to me in the entire world was standing before me and I was frowning?

But he wasn't real.

Of course, he wasn't.

Over the years of our separation, I would often imagine situations where I'd have a mental conversation with him. I'm ashamed to admit that it had been my coping mechanism for all these years. Growing up, he'd been the only constant in my chaotic life with my absentee parents and having him ripped away from me had disturbed me in more ways than one.

But we'd stayed in contact. We'd never let our bond crumple and fade away.

But we'd never been able to meet.

"Rose?" he called again. "Are you okay?"

I shook my head slowly, peering up at him. Never before had I imagined so many details. Nor had I ever managed to recreate the exact contours of his face in my mind, despite hours spent on video calls with him.

"I'm imagining you, aren't I?" I asked Dimitri, needing to end the confusion.

Dimitri looked stunned for a moment before he burst out laughing. The deep laughter wrapped around me like a caress.

"Oh, Roza." Dimitri sighed before sadness clouded his eyes. "I've missed you so much."

Hesitantly, he lifted his hand and ran his fingers over my cheek.

A jolt of electricity passed through me at his touch, which still remained oh, so familiar.

Tears sprang into my eyes at the realization that he was here.

Really here.

My mitya, my comrade...my Dimitri.. he was really here!

"Dimitri?"

He nodded, his eyes bright as if full of unshed tears while mine were overflowing.

Without hesitation, I threw myself into those arms that I knew for sure would catch me.

"Roza..." Dimitri whispered as he wrapped his arms around me securely.

Sobs burst out as my body shook, overwhelmed by the myriad emotions swirling within me. I didn't know what to think, what to say or what to do. All I knew was that my best friend was finally with me.

I was home.

I pulled back slightly to look at him, drinking him in hungrily.

He cupped my face gently as his eyes took in my features with an urgency, almost as if he was afraid that I'd disappear any moment.

I knew the feeling all too well.

Swiping angrily at the tears clouding my vision of him, I laughed unsteadily when Dmitri wiped away my tears.

His thumb rubbed my cheek soothingly.

"I can't believe you're here," he said softly, eyes full of awe and wonder.
I smiled shakily. "I know. I can't barely believe it myself."

"Why didn't tell me anything when I called yesterday?" Dimitri asked, arching an eyebrow.

The familiar gesture made me want to cry again. I know, I know; I've seen it so many times. In fact, we'd just had a video call session two days ago. But there was something so powerful about seeing it in person.

Seeing him in person.

"I didn't know if I'd make it," I told him. "I got a call this morning saying that I'd been accepted."

"Of course you've been accepted. How did you even doubt that?"

I just shrugged, leaning into his hand that rested on my cheek. I was still reeling by his sudden appearance.

But the deep warmth spreading slowly through my veins was a token of reassurance that he was here in flesh; that he was finally with me.

Dimitri's small sigh told me that he was feeling the same sense of contentment.

We spent the rest of the day catching up. That was not strictly accurate since we knew almost everything going on in each other's life.

But we've never ever run out of topics to speak about.

Before we knew it, it was nightfall.

I peered up at Dimitri from where my head was resting on his shoulder. "Did you not have any work today?"

Dimitri shook his head, playing with my hair. "When I heard that you were here, I took the day off."

I smirked. "The great Dimitri Belikov takes a day off from work? Because of me? I'm so honored."

Dimitri rolled his eyes but a small grin was etched on his lips. Before he could say anything, a small beep came from his coat pocket.

Excusing himself, Dimitri took out his phone and frowned at the screen for a moment before grinning. "Rose?"

I yawned, feeling tired from all the excitement. "Yes?"

"What do you say to meeting a few of my friends?"

I blinked. "Now?"

Dimitri shrugged. "Why not? It'll just be Christian and Ivan."

I grinned, sitting up. "Let's go. I'm dying to meet your new best friend, mitya. I have to check if he's good enough for you."

Dimitri laughed heartily. "I'll be shocked if you and Ivan don't get along. You're too alike."

I faked a sniffle. "I see what's going on here. You've replaced me!"

Dimitri shook his head in exasperation as I locked my office. "It's impossible to replace you, Roza. I'm yet to find someone as mercurial as you."

I punched his arm. "Hey!"

Dimitri chuckled, "That's exactly what I mean."

We laughed and talked the whole way to the coffee shop where Ivan and Christian were supposed to be waiting.

"Over here!"

Dimitri and I turned to see a tall man with wavy blond hair and a cheeky grin waving at us.

Ivan.

I'd seen several pictures of him with Dimitri and another black haired guy who was currently immersed in his phone.

Dimitri grinned and led me over to them.

"Rose Hathaway in flesh!" Ivan smiled widely when we approached them. "I've heard a lot about you."

I grinned up at Dimitri. "And I've heard a lot about you, Ivan."

Ivan winked, "All good I hope."

I shrugged. "It's a matter of perspective."

Ivan laughed loudly as Dimitri pulled out a chair for me at the table. "I see what you mean, Dimka. She's a spit-fire, alright."

"She's exactly what we expected," Christian chimed in, finally tearing his eyes away from his cell phone to shoot me a smirk. Then he turned to Ivan and said, "But you'd think his girl would be a little more...tame, right?"

"Tame?" I scoffed. "The only wild person I see here is you."

Dimitri and Ivan laughed when I pointed at Christian's dark, unkempt hair that resembled a lion's mane.

"Dimitri's girl sure is feisty," Christian smirked, still continuing to refer to me as if I wasn't there.

"And you sure are a bore," I said, rolling my eyes.

Dimitri grinned. "Don't mind him."

"Yeah," Ivan said, nudging Christian. "He likes to get under people's skin. But once he gets to know you, he'll be all cute and cuddly like a teddy bear."

All three of us burst out laughing at Christian's scowl.

It was a little disconcerting how quickly I adjusted to these two. I almost felt like I knew them for a long time, especially Ivan who Dimitri had often spoken about.

"Dimitri," Christian called, checking his cell phone again."You've got to finish your module today, man. I've to assemble it tonight."

Christian looked at me apologetically when he spoke.

Dimitri sighed.

I nudged him. "It's okay, comrade. Go."

"But-"

"We'll be colleagues from now on," I reminded him despite the urge to ask him to stay. "We'll have plenty of time to catch up."

Dimitri nodded reluctantly. "I'll see you tomorrow then?"

I nodded, fixing a small smile on my face.

Pressing a small kiss to my forehead, Dimitri walked out of the coffee shop with Christian, leaving behind a deep ache inside me.

I wanted him back but I knew I was being irrational.

He has work to do.

Besides, we'll be seeing each other daily from tomorrow.

"You know, Rose." Ivan's voice brought me out of my gloom. "Why don't I escort you to the staff residence? It's located on the opposite side of the campus and quite easy to get lost in."

He was trying to cheer me up.

Grateful for the help, I walked with Ivan to the residential parts. On the way, Ivan regaled me with stories of his 'adventures' with Christian and Dimitri. Mainly Dimitri.

A small pang shot through me as I heard all the stories.

Ivan talked about Dimitri in a familiar, brotherly sort of way and I was confused to admit that it bothered me a little.

Why should it bother me?

Dimitri may have had lots of fun with his friends but that had no connection to my friendship with him. He wouldn't have forgotten about me, right?

But I had to acknowledge the fact that I had suffered all these years without him and it didn't look like he had.

Not that I wanted him to suffer.

Or go through what I did.

But he must have missed me. Even though Ivan's tales didn't indicate it.

No. Rather, I got the impression that Dimitri had been happy, very happy without me.

Sure, he did call me often. But was that just because of his sense of obligation towards a girl who had been his best friend?

Why would he need her now, what with a new best friend and all?

Earlier in the day, I'd joked that Dimitri had replaced me.

Now, I feared it being the truth.

AN: I hope this chapter gave you a glimpse of the beginning of the end of romitri. Kidding! :D But I hope you see what direction their friendship could take after this and why they are the way they are now. Okay, I will not confuse you further :D

Sorry for that hallucination thing in between. It was dramatic but it suited my purpose :D

Also, sorry for any/all mistakes. Blame my excessive tiredness and lack of concentration and over-burdened mind and...Well, you get the gist! Leave me a review and let me know what you thought about this chapter!

Your reviews make my day :)