I'm BAAACK! I was grounded from my computer for the weekend, my phone for the week, and the TV for two weeks. Originally I was grounded from the computer for a week, but I switched it with my phone. That's just how much I love y'all :)

I had a sleep-over with my friends and we were up all night and making that's what she said jokes and stuff. And then there were theses hot guys waving at us…. We were in a hotel and they called our room and we're meeting them for lunch…*drools*

Disclaimer: I don't own VA, okay? Geez, I only wish I did. How awesome would that be? Cuz then I'd own Dimitri! And laughing at all you poor suckers who don't own him… I do own Zac and Marie, though. No taking them! Though why you'd want Zac is beyond me…

The guardians Dimitri had brought were barely enough to chaperone all the groups we had organized. Dimitri's eyebrow rose when we told him what we wanted the guardians to do, but he started organizing them anyway.

"Guardian Belikov! Adrian!" Lissa shouted excitedly, waving her arms. They hurried over to us, relief all over their faces.

Adrian engulfed her in a huge hug. "Cousin, I'm so glad you're safe!"

Dimitri hung back, watched us uncertainly. Tell him I say hi. I demanded.

Pushy. Lissa muttered. Out loud, she said, "Dimitri, Rose says hi." He nodded in acknowledgement, his guardian mask firmly in place. I sighed. Couldn't he lighten up?

"Okay, so we are all taking a Moroi named Marie back to her school. She goes to school in Siberia." Lissa said, and paused to get their reactions.

Dimitri's eyes widened. "Why do we all have to take her back to Siberia?"

Adrian had turned to scan the crowd after Lissa had finished talking. "She's a spirit-user," He gasped, his eyes alight. I was surprised until I remembered that he could see auras.

"Yea. That's not the best part, though. Marie knows about spirit." Lissa held up her hand to stop Adrian and Dimitri from talking. "She had a mentor who also uses spirit. Her name is Oksana. Oksana is married to a dhampir, Mark. Mark is shadow-kissed."

Adrian's eyes got wider. "Another shadow-kissed dhampir?"

Dimitri murmured something in Russian.

"So we're going to see if they know anything else or how to heal Rose." Lissa concluded.

"I'm in!" Adrian cheered right away. Of course he was in.

"Dimitri?" Lissa turned to him hopefully. I could practically hear the battle he was fighting inside his head.

"I'll go, but only to protect the Princess." He said finally. His voice was firm and allowed for no arguments. Of course, being me, I told Lissa to argue.

Oh, tell him to either get off whatever he's smoking or give some to me. He is going to introduce us to his family and he is going to like it. I mentally rolled my eyes at him. That was half the reason I wanted to go to Russia. Well, okay, a bit more than half.

Lissa laughed out loud. Adrian and Dimitri gave her identical quizzical looks. She related my message and soon Adrian was laughing too. Even Dimitri was smiling. Good. That was my goal.

"So when do we get to meet this Marie?" Adrian asked mockingly.

"Right now." Lissa beckoned at them to follow her. Most of the groups had left, so finding Marie wasn't difficult. She was talking with Christian.

"Hay, Marie!" Lissa called. Marie smiled. "This is my friend, Adrian Ivashkov."

Adrian smiled and raised his hand. "Nice to meet you." He was examining her aura. I could tell from his eyes. They were looking at her intently, but it was scrutiny, not like he was checking her out. I would've punched him if he had been.

"Likewise-oh!" Marie gasped when she touched his hand. "You're a spirit-user!" She breathed, wide-eyed.

"At your service." Adrian winked and bowed. Lissa rolled her eyes.

"Are you bonded too?" She asked

Adrian laughed. "No. I have yet to heal anything bigger than a cut."

"I can't heal anything either!" Marie said excitedly.

Wow, is she hyper or what? I said sarcastically.

Rose, she's just excited. Lissa scolded

I know, I know. I'm just saying. I laughed.

The "real world" conversation had taken a turn to other spirit-related topics.

"How'd you know I was a spirit-user?" Adrian asked. He was fascinated by all that spirit could do.

"Well, uhmm, when I touch someone, I kind of… I don't know… Get a sense of what they're like and other details about them." She shrugged. "It's hard to explain and kind of complex."

"So, it's kind of like an aura?" Adrian asked. "Except that you have to be touching someone?"

Marie thought. "Yea, I guess. But there are no colors." She added.

"Oh, I know. What else can you do?" Lissa asked.

"I've got good compulsion." She said hesitantly.

Adrian nodded. "So do we-especially Lissa." Lissa blushed

Right before the first Strigoi attack, a group of royal Moroi, calling themselves Mana, had tortured Lissa using all four of the elements. The purpose was to get their victim to lash out with compulsion and make them stop. I had shown up and beaten the crap out of them, except for Jesse Zeklos, their ringleader. I hadn't had to beat him up.

You see, spirit-users can use compulsion to make people think they're living their worst nightmares. That's what Lissa did to Jesse. She made him believe spiders were crawling all over him.

"Right," Marie blushed. "So can Oksana. Umm, I can make plants grow with my mind." She offered.

Lissa smiled and clapped. "Yay! So can I!" She squealed.

"I can't," Adrian grumbled dejectedly.

I began laughing hysterically. But, of course, he couldn't hear me. Adrian, that's because your mind ain't nearly as good as your imagination.

Lissa snorted out loud. Dimitri looked at her curiously.

"Rose…," She said vaguely, waving a hand.

Dimitri nodded. "Making fun of Adrian?" He questioned.

Lissa just nodded. Adrian looked offended. "Tell Rose to take back whatever she said," He said, pouting.

I can hear you, dumbass. I rolled my eyes. Obviously I could hear him. Why would he say that?

Lissa laughed harder.

Marie looked at us like we were crazy. "Okay… I'll see you guys in the car." She said quickly, before nearly running away.

I think we scared her. I said solemnly while trying to stifle my laughter.

"What'd she say that time?" Adrian pressed.

Lemme, lemme! I begged. Please? It would be so funny!

She sighed dramatically. Well, all right.

Thankyou,thankyou, thankyou! I shrieked happily.

"One second," Lissa said out loud.

I took control and glared at Adrian.

"I said, 'I can hear you, dumbass'" I said snippily, giving him my best trademark Rose glare. It was weird, doing it in Lissa's body.

Adrian's eyes went wide. "Rose? You guys figured out how to switch whenever you want to?"

I nodded. "Cool, right? I'll do the fighting, she'll do the magic." I turned to Dimitri. "Hi," I said breathlessly. "For real this time, I mean."

Dimitri smiled at me. "Roza, are you okay?" He asked. Concern for me was filling his eyes.

"I'm fine. I'll be even better once I get back to my body." I said breezily. Something flashed across Dimitri's face. Fear? Sadness? It was hard to tell.

He turned away quickly. "Let's move. We need to get going if we ever want to get to Russia." Then he strode off briskly.

I watched him go, bemused. "Well, that was odd." I noted, looking at Adrian, hoping he would give me an answer to Dimitri's odd behavior.

"Rose…" Began Adrian, then broke off, staring at me with fear in his eyes. "Please don't-" Instead of finishing his sentence, he broke off and scurried off.

Completely baffled now, I looked to Lissa for the answer. Why do I feel like I'm missing something?

She was lost, too. Wait, what just happened? What's their problems?

I wish I knew. I said thoughtfully, staring after them. You want your body back? Sorry about having to keep taking over.

It's ok. It's a lot better than the alternative. We both shuddered at the thought of me becoming Strigoi. But I would like my body back. She added

Of course. Here you go .I mentally pressed myself against a wall and let her slip past me.

She-I-smiled broadly. Thanks. Should I tell Marie about our situation, so she doesn't think we're crazy? She asked as she pushed through the grocery store entrance. All of the Moroi and dhampir groups had left, except us.

I thought for a second. Nah. It's kind of fun to watch her try not to be rude or show that she thinks we're crazy.

Lissa snorted. Rose! That's wrong.

But so true! I added quickly

She only laughed. We reached Dimitri, Adrian, Marie, and Christian a few minutes later.

Rose, could you disappear or something? She pleaded. I want to kiss Christian. Do you really wanna be around for that?

EWWWW! I retreated hastily. I did my best to draw up my walls and block Lissa out. I even began humming.

A few minutes passed before Lissa interrupted me.

Rose! Rose, where are you? She was screaming, totally and completely panicked. I was confused.

Whoa, Liss, I'm fine. I was just doing my best to block you and your pyromaniac lover. I'm perfectly fine and I'm right here. I said, completely caught off guard by her panic and distress.

For an hour and a half? She shrieked.

Well. Okay. Apparently, I'd been gone for a little more than a few minutes. Seriously? Sorry, Lissa, I lost track of time. I said, shocked at myself.

She calmed down a bit, but was still upset. Don't you dare ever do that again! She said hysterically.

Calm down, Liss. I'm fine. You're fine. It's all good. I said soothingly. She was a bit dramatic today.

Sorry, but I thought that maybe you'd been sucked back into your body. She sniffled.

Ohhh. I realized why she was so scared and panicked now. Her reaction made sense. Don't worry, Liss. I won't let that happen. I promised.

Okay. She said uncertainly. Oww! She yelped. Pain shot through us both as something slammd into the side of her head. Automatically, she shifted so I could take control. I leaped forward, instinct taking over.

I slammed my hand into our attacker's face and jumped up, battle-ready. What I saw made me freeze, relief flooding through me.

We were not being attacked by Strigoi. I was surrounded by the surprised faces of Christian, Marie, and Dimitri. Adrian was rubbing his nose. I assumed he was the one I hit. Hahaha. Serves him right.

"What the hell, Lissa?" He complained. "I was just trying to snap you out of your trance thingy. It was kinda scary."

"Did you find Rose?" Dimitri cut in as soon as Adrian stopped talking. He had his guardian face mostly in place, but I saw overwhelming emotion in his eyes. Panic, love, distress… All for me, I thought giddily.

"Lissa?" Christian asked cautiously, peering at me. I hadn't talked yet and he was concerned.

I smirked at him. "Honestly? You don't even know your girlfriend well enough to know when her body's being possessed by her best friend?" I tossed my hair. "That's not good, Ozera."

Lissa was dying of laughter.

Christian's expression turned to relief. He looked at Dimitri triumphantly. "See? I told you she was fine."

Adrian hugged me from behind. "Little Dhampir. Thank God."

I wriggled away. "I'm fine, guys. Why are you all being so weird. I'm not just going to go poof and disappear."

"We thought you went back to your real boy." Christian explained when neither Dimitri nor Adrian seemed to be able to respond.

"God, you guys too?" I rolled my eyes. They seriously had no faith in me. Even if… Nope, I would not think about that. It was totally negative.

Adrian was looking uncomfortable. "Rose?" He mumbled. I understood. Lissa couldn't hear this particular conversation.

Lissa? It's my turn to ask for privacy. I said hesitantly.

Why? She asked curiously.

I dunno, Adrian wants privacy. I said glibely.

Well… Okay. She wandered off. Just to be sure, I put up a wall. No way in hell was I letting her in this conversation. If Adrian was serious about needing privacy, then it was really serious.

"Okay, we have privacy. Would somebody please tell me what's going on?" I all but yelled.

Adrian sat down next to the already-sitting Dimitri and Christian. Hesitantly, I followed their lead and sat.

"Roza, we know you," Dimitri began in the uncomfortable silence. Usually, I treasured everything about him. Today, I was annoyed by his apparent lack of emotion.

"Spit it out, someone." I sighed.

Christian looked around and sighed. "Fine." He turned to me. "What were you planning on doing if these spirit-users can't help?"

I felt my mouth go dry. Lie, Rose, lie! I commanded myself. "I, uhh, hadn't really thought about it." I said weakly.

"Bullshit," Adrian said. "You have a plan."

"And I'm willing to bet my life that it involves you leaving Lissa to be killed when you wake up a Strigoi because you want her to live her life." Dimitri added. Damn! That actually really had been the plan. He knew me well. I glanced at him. He wasn't hiding his emotions very well. I read pain, love, sadness, and desperation I his eyes. The depth of it just about killed me.

"Look," I said. "Lissa is the last Dragomir. She has duties-duties that she can't perform if I'm around. If Lissa would let me stay in her mind, it wouldn't b so bad. But she feels the need to try to let me live a life as well. Which is pretty impossible if we're sharing a body. I can't let Lissa burden herself with me." I explained my reasoning.

Dimitri sighed, frustrated. "Rose, I understand that, but Lissa doesn't min." He was practically begging. There was so much pain in his eyes. It broke my heart knowing I was the cause of it and was most likely to be a huge cause, even bigger, in the future.

"Dimitri," I whispered brokenly. He needed to understand. "I am Lissa's guardian. She comes first. Even if she doesn't care, I do. I'm supposed to cause as little inconvenience as possible and make sure she's safe. I'd say this is a major concern." I said stubbornly. I wasn't giving in. I couldn't.

"Rose, I can't let you." His words were filled with agony. He was fighting a losing battle and he knew it. And he was still trying.

"How are you gonna stop me, Comrade?" I asked gently.

His lips tightened. "I'll find a way." He promised.

My eyes filled with tears. "Dimitri… I can't wreck Lissa's life. Even if it's voluntary. If the time comes, you have to let me go." I reached up and caressed his cheek. His eyes were filled with tears as well and he was breathing hard.

He stared at me a second longer, then abruptly jerked away and all but ran to the bathroom.

I closed my eyes in despair. Nice going, Rose. I thought savagely.

"Rose, I never thought I'd say this, but I agree with your cradle-robbing mentor." Adrian said worriedly.

"Ditto," Said Christian quietly and seriously. Holy crap! Fire-boy can be serious! It's the apocalypse!

I opened my eyes and glared at them, annoyed. "It's my own damn life," I snapped. "I'll do what I want."

I turned to leave, but Adrian's hand stopped me.

"I realize that Little Dhampir, but you need to realize how this affects us, at least try to." He pleaded. Christian got up as well.

"Yea, Lissa'd get all depressed and stuff again. And you know how well that worked out last time." Christian flinched at the memory. When we had first returned to the academy, before she had started taking her meds, spirit had made Lissa depressed and she had resorted to cutting herself. It had been a terrible time for everyone.

"And Belikov. I don't think he could live through it. You'd destroy him." Adrian interjected. "And me! Oh, God, I don't-"

"All right!" I yelled, causing them both to flinch. "I get it. I'll destroy many people's lives. But if I stay, I'll still destroy Lissa's and I feel really guilty. It's a no-win situation and I don't wanna live like that." I walked away, holding back tears.

I brought down the barriers that prevented Lissa from hearing anything. Lissa, we're done! I called.

She was here in a flash. That was a long conversation. She gushed happily. What'd Adrian want?

Oh, umm, nothing really. I said, flustered. I should've known she'd ask.

Lissa grew concerned. Rose, I know that you're upset. What did Adrian do and/or say?

Nothing! I exclaimed innocently.

She snorted. I'm not stupid. And I will find out. She promised darkly.

Whatever. Do you want your body back or not? I asked, to change the subject.

She was not deterred. Of course. And I'll get the answer out of Adrian and Christian yet! She muttered.

No, you won't. I said in complete confidence. Adrian was the one who wanted privacy so they wouldn't upset her. No way were they gonna spill.

Yes I will. You just watch. You ready?

Ready. I affirmed.

We switched and she immediately walked up to Adrian, who had his head in his hands currently.

"Hey guys." She greeted them nicely enough, but I knew her intentions.

Christian blinked. "Hey Lissa?" It sounded like a question and Lissa knew he was asking to confirm who she was at this moment.

She nodded to confirm it. "Soo, who wants to tell me what you guys were discussing with Rose?" She asked, raising an eyebrow expectantly.

Adrian shot up. "Nothing!" He exclaimed.

"Oh, come on." Lissa pouted. Christian laughed at her expression.

Adrian shook his head. "It doesn't matter. We couldn't convince her." His voice was laced with bitterness.

Lissa was shocked at the change in Adrian's demeanor and attitude. Rose, what the hell happened?

I sighed. Nothing. I'm just freakin' stubborn. I promise, it's nothing important. Just drop it, please.

Lissa hesitated. Well… If you say so. She said doubtfully. At that moment Dimitri chose to walk out of the frickin bathroom. Of course.

That would be it. I know, I suck. But, hey, this is my story. I can twist it as much as I want. And now, I got to go. Got a hot date :)

Review! Please…. I'm in review withdrawal…