If she isn't a Dhampir, then does that mean she can still protect Lissa? Dimitri and Rose's friends bust her out of her cell. At first it's just Dimitri and Rose on the run; then they meet and Alchemist, and then three becomes a crowd. Dimitri tries to understand what Rose is going through, and is raging a battle of his own – against insanity. As Lissa toughs out trying to become Queen and prepare herself for the thrown, she, Adrian and Eddie try to keep Dimitri and Rose hidden by veering the Court off their trail. Find out what happens when Rose is being hunted by other Strigoi. Are they there to kill her, or recruit her? And will Mason join the ranks, or is he only looking for Rose to kill her himself? What are they going to do now that Rose and Dimitri are wanted criminals? A life on the run wasn't how Rose thought she'd spend her life, but she'd done it before, and she can do it again.

Okay. So believe it or not, this is chapter fourteen of 'What Now?' I don't know if the title actually plays in to the story like I thought it would, but I can see it fitting. For now, anyway. God knows I'll want to change it…

Anyway, I tried to live up to my promise about creating more chapters ahead of time so that I can keep updating like I have been. I don't know if I want to be too consistent with the updates, but I know I want to get at least one chapter up every 3-4 days.

So, in the name of all that is Rose and Dimitri's love…let's get on with the story:

Dimitri's POV

I will be the first to admit that this is not how I pictured the last couple of months to go. What happened at the grocery store… it was unforgiveable. I should have known she'd be able to hear, and I should have known she'd be lingering somewhere nearby, but I still said what was on my mind. This only goes to show why Guardians are trained to keep their emotions and expressions hidden – it only causes trouble. But it was hard to do that with Rose. She brings so much out of me; I can't keep that Guardian mask up for very long. She's also the kind of person that goes looking for trouble, so it can be hard to keep an eye on her sometimes.

All that I really cared about was that we were safe – for now. After another long day of training and arguing who would take the watch shirt tonight, I got in the shower to wash away the bad, hoping to start off fresh again tomorrow.

That seemed to be an on-going thing between Rose and I. We would always fight and argue, but in the end someone has to win. Whether or not the loser is happy about it, we've learned to cope for the sake of another argument, even though I know Rose loves to argue her point. All in all, we've learned to work around it all, and hopefully be able to by-pass fighting all together.

As I stepped out of the shower, clad in only my boxers and sweats just because I know it would put Rose in a good mood, I noticed she was staring off into space. Her eyes were blank, like she was looking right through the walls in a far off space. I briefly considered her being able to see through solid objects but quickly dismissed it; if I knew Rose like I thought I did, she'd have a different expression on her face if she had seen through the thin bathroom wall.

"Rose."

No answer, she still looked kind of out of it. I tried again, my voice louder this time: "Rose!"

That did it. She seemed to snap back to reality. She blinked a couple times and then found her gaze on me.

"Wha…?" But she didn't finish; she reacted exactly how I thought she'd react. As her eyes went from head to toe, taking in my appearance, I couldn't help but question my motivation to appear in front of her like this. Did I do just because I knew she wouldn't mind, or because I knew it'd distract her in a way? Despite my motive, her expression was something to chuckle at, though she didn't seem to notice.

She was getting better at controlling that hunger within her as long as she stays well rested and fed. I see why she hates it when I encourage her to eat and sleep – it sounds like I'm taking care of a lost puppy rather than the woman I love.

"Rose, it's your turn for a shower," I said at least, drawing her attention back to my eyes. A mocking smile drew onto my lips almost automatically. I couldn't help it – she looked so cute, like she was caught with her hand in a cookie jar.

She just nodded, an almost annoyed expression on her face as she stood from the bed and collected her clothes. I watched her go the bathroom and shut the door behind her. I wonder briefly if she remembered that the door doesn't lock…

That thought, however, was interrupted by a suddenly flash of small like blinking on the nightstand between our beds. It was the cell phone Abe had given us. Abe can be a very scaring man, considering the things that he can get accomplished, but her also cared about the well-being of his only, trouble-attracting daughter. Then again, who doesn't worry about her?

I picked it up before the first ring ended.

"Hello?"

His voice could be heard on the other end. "Ah, Dimitri! So prompt in answering my call. We are talking on a secure line, and no one can hear what we are saying. Besides, what kind of master mind would I be if I couldn't keep something as simple as this under wraps?" he paused, waiting for me to comment on his speech, but I didn't. He took that as a cue to continue. "Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I'm coming to you tomorrow, so don't go too far. I want to meet with you and discuss another safe place to keep you."

"What about you being to be at Court?"

"The prin – I mean, queen – has released me from my holdings here. I'm a free man once again."

"And what about everyone else? Have they picked up on our trail?"

"You really are questioning my master mind skills, aren't you?"

Uh oh. I think I just insulted one of the most powerful men in the world. "Uh…no. That's not what I meant. I was just wondering if-"

His laugh cut me off, nearly taking me by surprise, and I don't surprise easily. "I'm just messing with you, Belikov. Relax!"

I sighed heavily and nodded my head, mostly to myself. "Okay. Should I tell Rose?" As if on cue, I heard the faucet turn and the shower run, reminding me that she's still in ear shot.

His voice sounded amused. "If I know my daughter like I think I do, she doesn't like to be kept in the dark, Dimitri. We wouldn't want another incident like the last time you kept something from her to occur, would we?"

I almost shuddered at the thought. "Right," I said. Rose can be just like her father sometimes: scary when she's mad. I was going to ask him if he could bring a change of clothes when I head Rose's ear piercing scream come from the bathroom.

"What was that? Was that Rose?" Abe asked through the receiver, but I didn't answer him. I tossed the phone on the bed and ran to the bathroom door. At that point a million things ran through my head, but none of them made sense or fit the situation. Why was she screaming? What is going on?

I knocked rather hard on the thin door. "Rose! Are you okay? What happened?" I asked through the door, but didn't get a response. I was seriously starting to worry about this. What else could go wrong?

"Rose, open the door or I'm coming in," I said, showing the urgency in my voice. I waited three seconds before snapping the door open, only to be stopped short. I looked around the door and saw Rose's body curled up on the bathroom floor. It was her leg that stopped the door, but I managed to squeeze in around the frame and crouch next to her on the way too small bathroom floor. I noticed then that she had stripped down to her underwear and bra, clearly about to get in the shower. I ignored her nearly naked body – not that I hadn't seen her that way before – and tried to focus on finding out what was going on.

"Rose! What's wrong?" I asked frantically, trying to piece anything that made sense together, but there was nothing in the bathroom that hinted danger of any kind. The water was still running in the shower, making it humid once again. She head was clenched between her hands, her entire body shaking and spazzing. It was frightening to see her wither in pain, and I didn't like the view of her crumpled body on the floor; it was like an instant replay of what happened in Victor's cell.

"Rose! Can you hear me? What's going on?

The only response that I got was another scream erupting from her throat like a shrill, high-pitched whistle, vibrating my ear drums and making me flinch.

I crawled around her body to lean against the tub. I gathered her in my arms, pulling half her body into my lap and holding her against my chest – much like I did back in Victor's cell. As she whimpered and clenched and unclenched her fist in her hair I just held her; I wasn't sure what else I could do besides hold her close and wait for…whatever this is to pass. Then, like someone flipped a switch, she stopped shaking. She took a gasping breath and started breathing again, like she was holding her breath the whole time.

"Roza!" I ran my hand through her hair and gently stroked her face. I gathered the rest of her body in my arms and carried her bridal style out of the bathroom. "Everything will be okay, Roza. Just stay with me." But she was already out. She was still breathing, but unconscious.

I laid her down on her bed, being careful of her head. Her face was relaxed but there was still eminence of pain in her features. She looked so…broken and fragile laying there.

I swore in Russian under my breath. What in God's name just happened? And why do all the bad things seem to happen to my Roza?

I saw the phone on the other bed come to life, grabbing my attention. I picked it up and answered it.

"Abe?"

Oh, it was Abe alright, but he didn't sound the least bit happy. "What the hell, Belikov? What's going on with-"

I cut him off. "I don't know what happened. She screamed and I found her on the floor in the bathroom." I decided to leave out the fact that she was practically naked during all of this. "She's fine; just passed out from the pain."

"What pain? I don't understand."

I started pacing the room. "Neither do I, sir. One second she's fine then the next she curled up in a ball on the floor."

He sighed on the other end, clearly as confused as I was about all of this. "Okay. I have to go, but I'm coming there earlier now. I'll be there in the morning – in human time. Don't think about going anywhere with Rose in that condition."

I nodded, agreeing with him completely. "I wouldn't dream of it. We'll be here."

He paused, unsure of what to say next. "Be careful, Belikov. With Rose like this… I don't want to think about what would happen if there was an attack while she's vulnerable."

I stopped pacing. His voice was strained, like he was holding something back. He was afraid for his daughter, and he was making it clear that I watch over her until he gets here.

"You be careful too, Abe."

There was a click and the line went dead. I snapped it shut and placed it on the bedside table. I sighed and ran a head through my still damp hair. Why? Why was this happening? How many more obstacles did we have to jump through? What other danger can be inflicted upon us?

I pulled a shirt over my head, and pulled the blanket over Rose's frail body. As I looked down at her, her breathing even with every rise and fall of her chest, I suddenly felt exhausted. I realized that during Rose's "episode" my Adrenaline had kicked into high gear and was the only thing keeping me on my feet.

I turned and sat in the old chair in the corner of the room opposite of the door. After I found a position comfortable enough and sat still, there was complete silence.

The perfect kind of silence to…sleep.

Yeah, I know, a horrible place to leave it at, but what could I do? I was running out of things to say in his POV at this point. And I figured if I launched into a Rose POV I'd get carried away and it'd be too long for this chapter anyway.

So, instead, I'll give you Lissa's POV! How's that sound? Good? Good. It'll be short, but it's better than nothing.

Here it is:

Lissa's POV

"No! We will continue the search for Guardian Belikov!" I all but yelled across the huge, echoy room. I also slammed my fist on the desk in frustration. "I don't care who said what before the elections, or who wants what done right now! Rose may be lost…" God it hurt to say that, but I had to keep her a secret at all cost. "But Dimitri is – or was, whatever the case may be – a loyal Guardian, and I want him found and brought back! I just been to be sure that he is either alive or died a true Guardian."

One old-looking woman that seemed completely appalled by my words spoke up. "With all due respect, we need the protection here. Strigoi could easily get through our defenses."

I was shocked. They really did see our Guardians as shields to hide behind. "You people are seriously afraid of them? You have all the power in the world at your fingertips – literally! You could fight back if you had the brain or decency to do so. I know a few Moroi that would rather be defending themselves then hiding like the cowards you are." I know I was ranting but I had to get that off my chest.

The room was silent. Clearly no one had thought that I'd be so negatively open about our way of life. Not to mention that fact that insulted every one of them, but that part felt good because they were all really starting to tick me off.

"But, my Queen-" one of my newly appointed advisors started.

I groaned, cutting him off. "No, no more today. I will not change my decision to send out search parties for Dimitri. My sister and I are now top priority in order to protect the Dragomir line, I understand that, but I will not let my best Guardian go down like that." I waved them – all eighteen of my advisors and royal pain in butts – away with a wave of my hand. "Please, you are all dismissed." As they slowly poured from the room, I slumped forward in my seat, leaning my face in my hands. That meeting may have only been about ten minutes long, but it sure was exhausting.

I thought back to what I was doing before the meeting was called. Mia had done some research about communicating through a bond by using spirit. She told me what I had to do – it sounded easy enough. It was supposed to be a simple two-way connection between Rose and me, no complications. But something must have gone wrong – I must have made some kind of mistake. She said I was…killing her, that I was causing her pain! How could I have done something like that? I mean, I didn't know I was doing it at first, but the strain I heard in her voice was enough to make me sever the connection and come crashing back to reality. I hadn't realized the strain it was causing my own body in the physical plane until I found myself in Christian's arms. I guess even a short connection like that had made me weak in the knees and I nearly hit the floor – scared the crap out of my surrounding Guardians.

I sighed. Maybe I'm not cut out to be a best friend; I can't even take care of the only childhood friend that I have.

A knock at the door across the door pulled me from my thoughts. Focusing on the door, I sensed a familiar aura. A smile crept on my face.

"Come in."

Christian strode into the room without hesitation, making it look like he was meant to be in the room with me at this very moment. It was actually very sexy. I giggled at him when he noticed me watching him and made a goofy, macho-man face.

"There's my beautiful Queen," He said before planting a gentle kiss on my lips.

I relished in the warmth of it and smiled more. "And my handsome King."

He rolled his eyes. "You and I both know that there's no way they'll let me be a part of ruling this God-forsaken, screwed up race. You are all the ruling they will need. I'm just your lap-dog that will follow you around until I get lost."

I laughed at his pouting. "Oh, you are and always will be a king in my eyes." I smiled and pulled him down for another light kiss. "Besides, you know what they say about us will never means anything to me. All I want is for you to stand by my side, catch me when I fall, and tell me I'm doing a good job," I said trying to be encouraging. "Just like you did today, when you caught me in the hall earlier."

His eyes were on mine then, his ice blue orbs looking for something in my green ones. "Speaking of that, how are you feeling?"

I shrugged, finally standing from my chair. "Better, but I'm so tired."

He nodded. "Let's get you to bed." He grabbed my hand and we started for the door.

I glared at him half-heartedly. "I'm not a child, Christian. You don't have to 'put me to bed'."

He flashed me he mischievous grin. "And maybe that's not the kind of 'sleep' that I was talking about."

I slapped his shoulder – though it didn't seem to have much effect on him – and rolled my eyes. "You are such a man, Ozera."

"And you are my fair lady, Dragomir," he said mockingly, bowing slightly as he motioned for me to go through the door first.

I smiled and took his hand to lead him out. Two Guardians were immediately behind us, making sure we were protected at all times. Though they only way I knew they were there by the press of their auras. I could sense them there, even if I couldn't see them physically.

"So, you do realize that in order for us to be King and Queen we have to be married," Christian said almost lazily, but he couldn't hide the tension in his eyes. It was almost cute to see him this way.

Though I'm not one to talk; I felt a blush of my own creep up on my face at the thought of getting married. I wasn't ready for that, not until this coronation thing blows over.

"Yeah, I know that," I said at last. "But…I'm not even queen yet. They want to postpone the coronation until I'm eighteen."

He nodded and seemed to like the slight subject change. "So, another couple of weeks then?"

I looked at him in surprise. "You remember my birthday?"

He nodded, that cocky grin lighting up his face. "I remember a lot about you, Lissa." He looked suggestively at my body, which earned him another slap. Is time he rubbed the sore spot.

"You know, you don't have to keep hitting me. I already know that you love me." He shook his head. "Girls and their weird ways of showing affection…"

This time I had to resist the urge to raise my hand; I'd only be playing his game.

I noticed the Guardians were starting to close all of the curtains around Court, meaning the sun was rising in a couple of hours. I hadn't realized how tired I was until the mere thought of sleeping occurred to me. It wasn't long after that until my room came into view and my need for sleep grew.

"Can you do me a favor?" I asked Christian as we stood in front of my bedroom door. I didn't really give him a chance to answer and continued: "Can you go find Jill before she goes to bed? I want her to meet me in the Garden tomorrow morning. You know, have so sister-bonding time?"

He raised a brow. "So, you're serious about getting to know her?"

I nodded. "Of course I do. She's my sister. I may have dragged her into a life her mother never wanted for her, but I'm determined to form a bond That way – maybe one day – she'll trust, me and possibly see me as her older sister."

He smiled and kissed my forehead. "This is why I love you. You're so caring and sweet." He pulled me close to hug me. "Who knows? Maybe one day you'll change me and turn me into a sensitive guy, and succeed in helping me turn over a new leaf and I'll be a kind man?"

There was a pause, and then we both burst into laughter, cracking up in each other's arms. We got a couple of strange looks from people passing by, but we ignored them. When our laughs died down, Christian pulled away. "I'm sure Rose would agree."

That statement made my smile completely disappear from my face.

Rose… I missed her so much.

He took in the expression on my face, immediately regretting what he said. "I'll tell Jill to meet you tomorrow. Try not to worry about Rose too much. Abe says she's fine and her and Dimitri are surviving on their own." His hands were on my face as he placed a lingering kiss on my lips and smiled lightly. "I love you."

I smiled too, not able to resist his rare sweet side. "I love you, too."

With one last kiss on my cheek, he disappeared from sight. I opened the door to my room and stepped inside. Because I didn't yet have the luxury of a queen's life, my room was rather small, and I didn't have the privacy of a door to hide behind to change so there weren't any Guardian's stationed inside. It was more of less like a dorm at St. Vladimir's.

I noticed the window was open and a breeze came through the room. I didn't think anything of it and turned my back on the window to change. As I opened a drawer, I suddenly felt as if I wasn't alone.

I spun around, feeling the hairs on the back of my next prickle like I was being watched. What I saw made my body freeze up, not allowing me to react.

What was going on here? How is this happening?

Before I realized what happened, I was knocked out cold. The room spun and I saw stars dance in my vision. I felt a force pulling me under, and I fell into oblivion of darkness...

Yup. That's it!

I hope you weren't expecting a long boring speech about my life , because there won't be one today. (I know, thank God!)

I hope you liked it so far!

Thanks For Reading! R&R

-Aly