*Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy, Richelle Mead does!*

Rose's POV

"I'm sorry," he said to me. I could hear real remorse in his voice. I realized it wasn't from crying in front of me. It was from looking weak in front of me.

"I'm not," I told him seriously, echoing the words he said to me the first time we kissed. "You needed to mourn for him properly. You shed a few tears when he died, then a few more when you first told me about him, but this is the first time you let yourself come to terms with his death." I know that what I said is right. I could see it while he was crying. He was finally coming to terms with Ivan's death. He hasn't given himself the chance to accept what happened, and acknowledge his guilt.

I watched him as he processed my words. I saw realization come across his face. He finally saw what I saw the moment he stopped crying.

"Thank you," he said softly. He leaned in and kissed me. The kiss picked up in intensity, and I pressed myself closer to him. He brought his hand to the back of my head.

We would have probably gone a lot further than kissing if Viktoria hadn't cleared her throat. I had honestly forgotten she was still in here.

"Dimka?" She asked hesitantly.

Dimitri took a deep breath, stood up, then turned to Viktoria. "Dimka, I'm so sorry!" She said to him. She ran to him and threw her arms around him. "I was awful to you. After Ivan's death and even before. I was so upset that you got to live the life I wanted that I didn't even pause to think about how much it must have hurt you to lose Ivan. He was your best friend and the only thing I cared about was my bitter feelings. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you Dimka," she sobbed.

He held her tighter to him, rubbing soothing circles into her back. "I don't blame you for that Vik. I understand how you feel," he promised her. He glanced at me quickly before turning back to her. "I didn't make it easy on you. I wasn't as understanding as I should have been. I had figured that your life was made. You would get to live a comfortable life. What more could you want?" He locked his eyes with mine. "But I see things differently now. I understand."

She smiled at him. Then she turned to me. "How did you make my brother so smart?" She asked me jokingly.

"It wasn't easy," I told her with a smile. "You're brother has a thick head, but I got through to him in the end."

"How?" She asked uncertainly. I turned to Dimitri. This wasn't something I could answer.

"I thought she was a boy for two months. I could see her dedication and determination to succeed. I've never seen anyone who had such an understanding about her responsibilities. She understood her duty better than guardians twice her age. When I found out he was a she, I only admired her efforts more. She gave up everything for this life. When she was telling me about it, though she left out the naked men," he said shooting me a slightly annoyed look. "I realized how much she sacrificed for this. People don't give up their lives for something they don't feel passionately about."

I was grinning at Dimitri. I had never asked him directly how he came to realize I deserved this life. Hearing his reasoning, made me want to burst with pride.

"Should I leave?" Viktoria asked jokingly.

I hadn't realized that Dimitri and I had been slowly walking towards one another. "That would be nice," Dimitri told her without taking his eyes off of me.

"Ugh. Can you shove your hormones back in your pants until I actually leave?" Viktoria asked mock annoyed.

"My hormones are in my pants… for now," Dimitri said with a suggestive smile.

I giggled and backed away from him. "I would like to hang out with Viktoria some more. I miss being able to talk to a girl who's around my age," I said suddenly getting lost in my thoughts. I missed Lissa so much. I still got glimpses of her through the bond, but for the most part, I tried to block her out. Leaving her was the hardest thing I had to do. It was harder than cutting my hair.

"You miss your friends from home huh?" Viktoria asked me.

"Friend. I really only had one friend. I was too stubborn and sarcastic to make other friends. She's the only thing I regret about choosing to leave. Well I don't know that I regret it. I'm happy I made this decision, but I miss her more than you could imagine," I told her wistfully.

Viktoria shot Dimitri a look. I couldn't tell what it was though. "Who was she?" Viktoria asked curiously.

"Lissa… Lissa Dragomir," I told her.

"The last Dragomir?" Viktoria gasped.

I nodded. I glanced at Dimitri. He knew the story about the bond between me and Lissa. I didn't really feel like sharing it. He looked back at me, understanding lighting up his features.

"What? I don't provide good enough conversation?" He asked, trying to relieve the tension in me.

I giggled. "I'd rather spend less time talking to you, if you know what I mean Comrade," I teased him.

He blushed slightly and grinned at me.

"Seriously guys. I leave in like a day in a half," Viktoria complained. "It's so sad. Dimka is kicking me out before I get to have a proper reunion with my dear brother."

"I'm sure Dimitri wouldn't mind you staying a few more days," I said. Dimitri looked at me incredulously.

"What?" He asked.

"I know you missed her. You missed your whole family. I could see it in the way you talk about them. Besides, we have forever to be alone together," I told him. I said the last part without thinking. When I realized what I had said, I blushed. "I… I… me…meant th…that," I stuttered. I was cut off by his lips on mine.

He didn't break the kiss. I pressed myself closer to him. Our kiss picked up in intensity. In that moment, there was no one else in the world but him.

"Eew! I saw tongue!" Viktoria whined. "Can't you guys keep your hands to yourself for a couple of days?"

"Regretting asking her to stay those extra days yet?" Dimitri asked me jokingly.

"No," I told him, but I know my face betrayed me. I wish Viktoria wasn't here right now so I could spend some alone time with Dimitri.

I sighed and stepped away from him. These were going to be a long couple of days.