Disclaimer: I don't own VA. No matter how much I want do.

Chapter 12

Aleksi POV

I sat on the swing with Jeremy beside me. Tears were flowing down my cheeks. He came over and put his arms around me. I got in a fight with Nikoli. We'd promised never to fight after what happened to mom. Fighting never solved anything. I couldn't part with Jeremy just because my brother thinks he's too old. I loved him.

"Leksi, we need to talk." I turned and faced him.

"About what?" I had a bad feeling.

"Us. We need to break up. You can't be fighting with your brother over me. Our relationship wouldn't have lasted long anyway." The tears ran harder.

"Forget what Nikoli said. He doesn't matter."

"Yes he does. Face it Leksi, we need to break up. I don't love you like that anymore. You're more of a sister to me." I wiped my eyes. I didn't need to cry in front of him. I was a Hathaway. Hathaways didn't cry.

"Alright." I got up from the swing and ran towards my room. Halfway there I ran into something. I smelled the cologne of the one and only Nikoli. I punched him in the chest. "You made him do it didn't you!"

"Made who do what?"

"You made him break up with me! Don't deny it!" He had to have done it. Jeremy wouldn't have done that without provocation.

He hugged me to his chest. I tried to escape him but he wouldn't let go. "If he broke up with you, he did it on his own. I haven't seen either of you since you ran to the playground." I cried in his chest. Screw the Hathaways don't cry bull shit. Nikoli was my brother.

Jeremy POV

I sat down on the merry go round and went in slow circles. Leksi was becoming more like my little sister. It didn't seem right to lead her on when I didn't really feel like that towards her anymore. The sex was becoming a problem too. I mean would you want to have sex with your sister. Either way it was for the best that I broke up with her. I was going to do it soon anyway. Seeing her have a fight with her brother over me was what made me do it sooner.

I could tell she was trying to hold in her tears before she ran off. She had a motto of Hathaways don't cry. It had something to do with her mother. I really wish she was here. She could have helped stabilize Aleksi. Personally, I think Nikoli, Zak, and Aleksi had inherited some of the shadow kissed effect from their mother. Aleksi had never told me but I had seen her panic attacks. Nikoli had random bursts of anger. I've never noticed anything from Zak but he was just weird all together.

I sighed and got up. I needed a cold shower. I walked past Aleksi crying into Nikoli's chest. I smiled. That's more like it.

Lissa POV

I couldn't keep it secret anymore. It was eating me alive. I had to see Adrian and the kids grieve. I even had to see Christian get upset over it. None of them were over it. They just masked it.

I wanted to tell them but she made me promise and it was a hard promise to keep. Those kids were like my own children. I couldn't stand to see them hurt for the past nine years. I didn't understand her reasoning. I doubt even the most understanding person would understand why Rose wanted everyone to believe she was dead. It didn't make sense. All I understood was that she couldn't look at the kids without seeing Alek. Why she couldn't just go away for a while was beyond me.

I settled down on the couch for another conversation with my supposedly dead best friend.

Hello Rose. How are you doing?

I'm alright Liss. How are you?

I'm fine.

How are the kids?

Not the same without you. But they're better than before. I think Aleksi misses you the most.

Don't try to guilt trip me Liss. I won't fall for it.

But Rose, they're miserable. Adrian's miserable. Christian's miserable. Markus even misses you. I miss you too. Why don't you come home?

Fine. But if they hate me I blame you.

They won't hate you Rose.

I'll be there for Christmas. I need to do some things.

The connection cut off and I laid back. I smiled to myself. Rose was coming home.

Adrian POV

Something was off with Lissa. She seemed a lot happier. She denied it when I asked her about it. I decided to go dream walking with her tonight. I didn't have a problem with her being happy. But I wanted to know why.

Rose being gone had destroyed us all. Especially the kids. Rose had committed suicide right in front of them. A burst of anger came at me. Why had she done it in front of the kids? They were scarred for life now.

Dimitri POV

I hadn't seen any of the kids since they walked out of Kirova's office. I was starting to get worried. I had checked everywhere. I sighed and gave up. They would come to me when they wanted to. I had a feeling Aleksi didn't like me very much. I would have to work to get her to forgive me for leaving. If she ever forgave me. She was Rose's child. She didn't forgive easily. The boys would be just as hard.

Aleksi POV

I leaned over the toilet and puked my guts up. I hated throwing up. I didn't get up to rinse my mouth out until I stopped dry heaving. Then I brushed my teeth three times to make sure I got the taste out. Blood didn't taste very good coming back up. I went and laid down on my bed and got under the covers. I rolled over onto my stomach and almost instantly I puked again. This wasn't gonna work. I hated to sleep alone when I got sick. I called Zak.

He picked up on the fifth ring. "Hello?" he answered drowsily.

"Zak," my voice was shaky, "Can I come sleep with you?"

"Sure. My door's unlocked. Bring a bucket with you. I don't want puke all over me."

I hung up, grabbed my trash can, and made my way to Zak's room. I snuggled up to him under the blanket. He kissed my forehead. "I hope you feel better Sis."

There you have it. The next chapter! To all of you people who pointed out that this isn't much of a Rose x Dimitri fic with her dead and that I should bring Rose back, I totally agree with you. I have now brought her back. What should be happening with Aleksi? Should she be pregnant? Sick? Something to do with a shadow kissed effect? Please review and tell me what you think. Honey sempai says to review. I would listen to him if I were you. ^-^

p.s. I don't own Honey sempai either. sadface.