Hello Everyone! Thanks for all your Great Reviews!

You guys make my day..Week..

And I Thank every single one of you! =D **Humbly Bows**

Enjoy!

Terri

~~Oh and check out..My Life: It's Twist and Turns..by RoseKristyIvashkov…It's a good one!

Chapter 13

Ethan's POV

It was exactly 5:00 am on the dot, when there was a knock at my door. My heart felt jolted and fluttered quickly in my chest, making me feel absolutely ridiculous.

I opened the door to see her standing there to only aggrandized the nervousness I was already feeling.

"Good morning, Mr. Belikov." She flashed me a radiant smile. Her hair was pulled up in a neat, high ponytail. She was wearing all black once again; a fitted t-shirt, leather jacket, camouflage cargo pants, and hiking boots.

She was unlike any girl I've ever known. She was so apart from the others I was used too. The prim, proper, and prissy type. Give me a girl in a t-shirt, blue jeans, and boots over the snobby, gotta-be-perfect girl anyday. I would choose the down-to-earth type every time.

Marlena was just that type. She appeared tough, yet at the same time feminine, and beautiful without the fuss, completely natural.

It was strange to admit this, even to myself. She did remind me of someone I knew well….my mom.

I couldn't help to smile in return. "Good morning, Marlena."

I tried to keep my composure around her, but I knew it was going to be difficult. This trip is going to be hard enough without her as a distraction, beautiful and wonderful to gaze at, but distraction none the less.

"Won't you come in?" I opened the door wider for her to enter my room.

"Thanks." She said as she glided across the threshold. "You all packed and ready to go."

"Yeah…I think so. Is there anything in particular I may need? Just in case I forgot something."

She smiled at me again. It seemed as though she was flattered that I needed her guidance. Her aura was a mixture of pale yellow, and cranberry red. It was quite evident that she was feeling something for me, but seeing the passion mixed in confused me some.

Well frankly, it scared the hell out of me. I wasn't prepared for this, not now.

My dad had to come before any possible fleeting romance or my own desires. She was from Siberia and I live in Montana. It could never work. What the hell am I thinking? Luckily, her laughter broke my reverie.

She was waving her hand in from of my face. "Hello..Earth to Ethan. Anyone in there?" Her laughter was a smooth as silk. It soothed me.

I blinked in a rapid succession while staring straight at her. "Ah yeah. What were you saying?"

"That must have been one hell of a daydream."

I took a deep breath and released it slowly. "You have no idea." I looked at her, locking our eyes together briefly. "Now, what is it you were saying again?"

"Once we've reached the mountains, it will become quite cold since there is snow year round. I don't know what altitude we will reach, but it is better to be prepared for anything." I gazed at her again as she continued talking. "You may also want to think of provisions for your father."

I loved the way she was always including my dad into our plans. She made this trip seem possible, that all of this isn't going to be done in vain. She made me feel like this journey had a real purpose with a positive outcome.

"I have everything I need then. Are we ready?" I said while throwing my hiking bag over my shoulders and following her out the door.

"Yep..let's go. Oh and Ethan…One thing." She suddenly turned in the doorway, bumping into me as I caught her around her waist. We stood there staring at each other, not sure of what either one of us was supposed to do. I only knew what I wanted to do.

I wanted to kiss her in the worst way, but after losing my nerve, I opted for something else instead.…

"What's that?" I questioned.

She smirked while grabbing the keys from my hand. "I am driving." I laughed, while shaking my head thinking I am a hopeless failure, knowing damn well that this girl was going to break me.

MY POV

Alec threw his travel bag on the floor as soon as he entered their home. "I just want you to know that I am extremely pissed off at both of you. Why the hell did we have to come back home? Sending an army of goons to force me back to the hellacious place."

He starting ranting at his parents before he completely entered the living room. "Are you hearing me, Rose and Adrian? I AM PISSED! I am freaking serious. Get your asses out here, now. You have explaining to do, both of you."

Rose stood there staring at him, trying to bite back her laughter at his outburst. It was so hard to take Alec seriously. She decided to push his buttons, hoping it would lighten his mood. "Do you have to swear so much? And since when do we answer to you, young man?"

Alec's jaw dropped in amazement. "Are you kidding me, woman? I am blowing a freaking gasket here and all you can say is…'Alec…blah..blah..do you have to swear so much? blah blah blah!'…I am serious I am pissed at you guys, big time."

Adrian came up beside Rose. "Chillax, Alec."

His eyes bulged as though they may pop right out of their sockets. "Are you serious, old man? …I am so disappointed. You were behind this too? Conspiring behind my back…I thought you were my dude, my Kumba. You're supposed to be on my side. A sad, whipped old man is what

you've become. I don't know what depresses me more; my dad becoming a wimp, or you forcing me back to this joint." Alec shook his head in sad defeat and then sharply snapped it back up to look at Adrian. "Wait.. did you just say chillax? Where am I and Who the hell are you people?"

Rose and Adrian were trying their hardest to suppress their need to laugh at Alec. When he suddenly became serious, speaking in a low, direct tone. He was letting his parents know he was not joking this time. "Ethan may have needed us. What if he is put in a dangerous situation and I

am not there to help him? I could never forgive myself or will I ever forgive either of you, if something happens to him."

Sophie quietly stood beside Alec when he felt the worry and sadness rush through her. Alec did something that was completely out of his character. It was more Ethan's style where Sophie was concerned.

Alec wrapped his arm around his twins shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeze. "It's alright Soph. He will be okay. Or At least he better be." He glared at his parents as the words spilled like toxin from his mouth.

Adrian finally broke through all the pandemonium surrounding the situation. "Alec..Sophie" He gazed at both of his children with sympathy. "I understand that you want to be there for your brother, I do. However, the situation was not one for the two of you to be

involved in." Adrian took a breath and spoke the next words with slight apprehension that was barely noticeable, unless you really knew Adrian, which Rose did. "If Ethan is able to bring Dimitri.. his dad back. Well, maybe it better if he were alone to get

acquainted with his father. Your presence could have hindered that experience somehow. Besides, we have Elite Guardian tracking every move that Ethan is making."

Alec held up his hand to interrupt. "Whoa..You have them spying on Ethan? Well, that's just fucked up."

"Alec!" Rose and Adrian yelled at the same time.

He rolled his eyes dramatically and sighed. "No..no…see. You have lied to him enough. Jesus, give the guy at break. You can't have people spying on a dude without him knowing. Ethan can handle the situation."

Rose stood there glaring at her son now. "Really, Alec? Just like you were able to handle the Strigoi here at the Academy a couple weeks ago? You know, when your ass was dangling in the air. Care to explain that one?"

Alec suddenly spun to gawk at Sophie. He mentally threw…'TRAITOR!' at her.

Sophie was at her limit when she thought back. 'GO TO HELL, ALEC…YOU LYING ASS!'.

"Alec." Rose said, snapping his attention back to her. "Ethan is not prepared mentally for a fight against this particular vampire. Dejan isn't just some Strigoi. He is supposed to be very powerful. Ethan's mind is too focused on one thing, his father. He needs all the help he can get, especially now."

Alec sighed while raking his fingers through his hair. "You're right. Dejan is going to follow Ethan to The Temple. Dimitri warned us of the possibility when he took possession of Rhonda's body. So, yeah, the Guardians are a good idea. Ethan and Dimitri may end up being ambushed after

they exit The Temple. They need to be prepared for that possibility."

Rose and Adrian turned to stare at each other in shock, worry, and disbelief. "Adrian, please call Pavel and dad. Have them come here immediately. We have to inform them of this new information." And then she turned to her youngest son. "Alec, you have to tell us everything that Dimitri."

Rose choked on his name as it left her throat. Every one in the room seemed to have taken notice as all sets of eyes fell upon her. Rose decided to ignore their scrutiny as she continued. "You are going to have to tell us everything that he told you and Ethan."

Everyone was seated in the living room as though it were some instant Guardian headquarters. Alec had repeated everything Dimitri had revealed to them while in the possession of Rhonda's body. They had then realized the situation was so much more dire than any of them previously thought.

"Dad, you have to speak to Guardian Russo immediately. He will need to contact Guardian Svetkova to make her aware of their eminent danger."

Alec jumped up from the couch. "What the hell..Marlena is a Guardian. Oh shit…this is bad..so bad." He shook his head.

Rose's eyes landed on Alec, nervously searching. "What's bad?"

Sophie mentally sent a message to Alec. 'We need to keep this to ourselves. It may derail the whole journey for Ethan if we don't. They could call Marlena back causing Ethan to lose more valuable time. Time that he is already running out of'.

He hated for his brother to find out that the girl he was starting to care for, was lying to him. Can't anyone around Ethan just tell him the fucking truth. And what was bad about it was that, Alec would soon be in that category, considering he would have to keep Marlena's true identity a

secret from Ethan also.

Alec quickly reined in his anxiety, to only pull out his most nonchalant attitude. "Ah..nothing! She is just really hot to be an Elite Guardian. I would hate to see someone so fine get hurt…that's all." He took his seat again on the couch as everyone rolled their eyes at him.

"Jesus boy. Can you for once keep those damn hormones in check?" Abe said and then turned to Rose and Adrian. "That kid has a sex addiction. I vote for intense therapy. I've said it all a long."

Rose yelled as she wore an intense, worried expression; letting everyone know she wasn't joking. "Would everyone get fucking serious for two seconds. This is my son out there in possible danger. If we can't get serious about it then take your asses home already because my patience is wearing thin."

Abe and Alec spoke at the same time. "Geesh! Sorry." They sat there acting like two sullen little boys.

"Whatever!" She snapped.."Now, let's get a plan together before I leave for Russia."

Adrian stood in a defensive stance; arms crossed his chest, green eyes communicating that there was no room for debate while his jaw tightened, speaking through clenched teeth, "Rose, I've said it before and I am saying it again. You are not going to Russia."

Rose pivoted on her heels to address Adrian. Her mind was reeling with thoughts that she wished only he could read. Now was not the time or place to bring up this same old argument between them. It seems as if that is all they have been doing lately, fighting. And both of them saw no

resolution in the immediate future. Too much uncertainty, too much worry, and too many unresolved feelings. Adrian needed to realize that her wanting to go to Russia had nothing to do with Dimitri and had everything to do with Ethan and his safety. He really needed to get over his insecurities and

deal with what was coming. Whether he wants it to happen or not, there was nothing anyone could say or do about it. It is what it is.

"Adrian, When are you going to realize that this is about my son and not Dimitri?"

Every person in the room waited with bated breath, was anticipating what would be Adrian's rebuttal. He averted his gaze from Rose's, not being able to look her in the eyes when he answered. "It has nothing to do with Dimitri. I want you to be safe. And you're safe here at home." he paused, ".. with me."

"I think you're lying. I think it has everything to do with him and if you want to know that truth…I don't think Ethan can bring Dimitri back. I don't believe it is possible. So, you're worrying over nothing."

Adrian stared into his wife's eyes. "I think you're wrong. I think within the next week or so, Dimitri Belikov will walk through that door." He pointed to their front door. "With his son." He then whispered under he breath for no one to hear. "I know he will."

Their futures' were changing before their very eyes. They just didn't see it yet or at least Rose didn't.

Ethan's POV

I was relaxing in the passenger seat, eyes closed, listening to my ipod when Marlena tapped my shoulder. I removed my earbuds and turned my head in her direction. "What's up?"

She smiled. "Nothing really. I was hoping you would be okay with my stopping. We will be able to stretch our legs and maybe get something to eat."

"Marlena..I am sorry. I kind of zoned out, forgetting about the time. You don't need my permission, just stop any time you're ready. I am fine with it."

"Well, I figured since we were on a tight schedule…" She started to say.

It was as if my hand had a mind of it's own when I reached over and rested my hand on hers, causing that intense feeling to build in me once again. "It's fine, really." When I suddenly felt the need to change the subject. "How many miles have we come so far?"

"We are about 130 kilometers outside of Koksa. We are probably a little over an hour away from our destination."

I eyed her with a sideward glance and chuckled. "What?" She asked and then gave me a sheepish smile.

"Maybe less..with the way you drive."

"Hey!" She squealed with mock outrage. "I am an excellent driver, Mr. Belikov." She went to smack me when I blocked her hand, taking it in mine, intertwining her fingers with mine…but only briefly, as I reluctantly released her hand.

"Yeah, yeah..I hear ya!" I teased her. "Let's stop and get something to eat. When we arrive at Koksa, we can get a hotel room for the night before taking off on our hike tomorrow." The car became completely silent from the tension that suddenly built between us.

We were back on the road, winding down to our final stop for the evening. "Ethan?" Marlena said to signify that she had a question.

I loved the way she said my name. I could never possibly tire of hearing her say it. I was embarrassed to admit that my thoughts made me sound like a rambling idiot. I had to stop and concentrate.

"Yeah?" I said in response.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure..anything."

She cleared her throat. "How old are you?" I knew this was going to come up sooner or later. Better to get it out of the way now, before I let myself really feel something for this girl.

"You mean my stepdad didn't mention it when he sought out and reserved your expertise?" I ask; being facetious.

"No, he didn't." She gave me a sideward glance, still expectant of my answer.

"I am 18."

"Oh." Was all that she said. Marlena left me with open silence.

"How old are you? Or is it rude to ask a woman her age?" Vaguely remembering my mother saying that to me once.

She started laughing. "It's not rude to ask yet! ..I am not that old." She laughed even harder. "Actually, I just turned 22 last month."

I mumbled under my breath. "An older woman…even better."

"What about an older woman?" Shit! She actually heard me. She asked while glancing in my direction. "And your statement was pertaining to what in particular? Your age, my age, our age difference?" She raised her brow, daring me to admit that that was what I was thinking.

Okay, I thought to myself. I'll bite. All she can down is turn me down. "Do I seem 18 to you? And more importantly, do you have a problem with my age? I mean, seeing how you are older than me."

She chuckled in embarrassment. "No..not at all."

Now it was my turn to make her squirm a little. "Which question are you answering? Do you have a problem with my age or do I seem 18?"

She gave me the most amazing smile, one that made me slightly breathless. "Are you hoping that I will say your age is not a problem?" She looked over at me again. "Do you have an ulterior motive, Mr. Belikov?"

"Maybe." I teased. "Or are you hoping that I won't think there is a problem with our age difference? And as far as my motives, well, I guess that all depends on your answer."

She gave me a thoughtful glance and bite her lip as if she were choosing her words carefully. "Maybe, I could be hoping for lots of things..And No! I don't have a problem with your age. Now, what are your motives?"

"I don't know yet. I am still laying out my course of action...Weighing out my options." I gave her a sly smirk.

Marlena laughed. "Who knew you were such a flirt, Mr. Belikov."

I couldn't resist teasing her again. "Is that what we're doing, flirting?" She smacked at me again, when I captured her hand once more. Only this time, I didn't let her hand go from mine.

I was amazed at how fast all of this was happening between us.

Who knew Ethan was such a player…I visualized Dimitri in all his glory; no boundaries, no worries.

As If he and Rose could have been just a 'normal couple'.

And out of that came Ethan's flirting…Yeah..Hotness! You can admit it! Come on Adrian lovers..Jump on my band wagon..LOL

Your secret is safe with me…Adrian will never know…HAHA!

P.S. My husband feels Alec shouldn't swear in front of his parents..BUT, I do…Guess who won that debate?

This is from a jealous man convinced that Dimitri lives around the corner and I said, "Where? What corner?"

Cause my ass needs to turn a sharp right. Can we say Divorce papers…LMAO! Please Review!