Thank you guys so much for all the love! You guys have no idea how much I love every single review! You guys have made writing this story a joy, and the plot has developed so much because of your constant reviews of encouragement, so thank you!

This chapter is dedicated to CherrySlushLover, a good friend and even better reviewer… :D I wanted to give you a dedication a long time ago, but well none of the other chapters felt right. But after you read this one, I think you'll understand why I dedicated this one to you. Thank you for being such an amazing friend and reviewer!

Thanks as well to every single person, whether you have an account or not who has supported me in anyway during this story!

As always, much love and thanks to my badass beta Mitrioselove! Without her input you guys would be reading rubbish every single time, :D Ok, ok I'm kidding, but she does do a lot, she has a way of making the chapters better and I am very grateful so thank you chica! I've said it a million times, and I'll say it again, go over to her profile and read her stories!

How many times do I have to say it? Vampire Academy and it's characters does not belong to me. They belong to the amazing Richelle Mead and I only hope to be as good as she is. I do own the plot and any new characters though.

Summer Romance.

Chapter 21.

I had been expecting that the next time I ran into Adrian Ivashkov would be at some public event, at a public place. Hopefully surrounded by a lot of people, so I would not have to interact face to face with him. The tension which I thought would be surrounding us would be stretched tight, strained and we would be pushed nearly to the point of strangulation. But as I opened the door to his handsome face and head of stylishly messy hair, I was pleasantly surprised.

There was no tension whatsoever between us. Surprise was the prominent emotion coursing through me, but I could see slight nervousness shining in Adrian's green that all though was obvious happiness, and I would be lying if I said that I didn't feel it as well. It was impossible to feel anything other than happiness in Adrian Ivashkov's presence, but given the circumstances, you could understand why I'd been expecting tension.

"Adrian," I said more surprised than anything else. That devilish smirk was plastered to his face, but his eyes though sparkling with happiness held something else as well.

"Not that I'm not happy to see you, but what are you doing here? And how did you know where I was staying at?" Adrian stared at me incredulously for a few seconds before answering.

"Because Rose Bud, there is only one hotel in this town." I couldn't help it, I burst out laughing at the duh look on his face and the use of my long-time nickname. I'd thought that he would not call me 'Rosebud' anymore as we were no longer together, but it turned out I was wrong. The use of it made me happy, and I found myself laughing harder and soon enough, Adrian joined in.

I'd never understood why he called me 'Rosebud'; to me it was silly and just didn't make sense. But when everything was on the line about to change, you find yourself appreciating and holding on to the little things. I might have found the love of my life in Dimitri, but Adrian, like Lissa, would always have a special place in my heart. The feeling between us was no longer romantic, just a love akin to family.

"So aren't you going to let me in?" Adrian asked once our laughter had died down. My head snapped up. Dam I was already making a first impression as a horrible hostess. Real smooth Hathaway, real smooth.

"Oh," I said unable to stop the blush working it's way up my cheeks. "Where are my manners? Oh gracious one, come on in." I moved aside and opened the door wider so that Adrian could follow me inside.

"My pleasure, milady." Adrian said shooting me a gallant bow before he stepped into the suite. This caused us to erupt into peals of laughter, and oddly enough after everything that had gone down less than thirty minutes ago, it felt good. Adrian being here was a lot better than Deandre being here.

Behind me, I could feel Christian's curious stare burning my back. I ignored it and focused on Adrian while hoping that they didn't get into a fight. Damn, maybe I should get Lissa. But leaving those two alone in the same room was not a very great idea. Not only that, I could not shake the feeling that Adrian's sudden visit was more than just a casual visit to a friend. He hadn't called or even texted to say that he was dropping in for a visit; reason enough to be suspicious if you ask me.

"Ivashkov," Christian greeted as Adrian closed the door behind him and took a seat on the sofa opposite him. Adrian's only response was a grin and a nod in Christian's direction. Those two had always had some major tension between the two of them, so at least that had not changed.

"Liss, we've got a visitor." I called preferring to stay where I could keep an eye on Adrian and Christian. I doubted that Adrian would antagonize Christian, he seemed to have changed since I'd seen him last, but I could not speak for Christian. The man was still pissed because of everything that had happened with Deandre, I was not willing to take any chances.

Less than a minute later, the door that separated mine and Lissa's room opened and she stepped out. She looked much calmer than she had when I left the room moments before, but there was still an air of frailty and vulnerability about her. That faded completely though as her entire face lit up when she caught sight of who was sitting on my sofa.

"Adrian!" With that she flew forward looking as though she was sailing through the air before she landed gracefully in Adrian's awaiting arms.

"Hey cousin," He greeted returning her hug. I saw Christian's entire body tense up at the exchange. But of course, no one else noticed it because they were both too busy catching up to pay much attention to anyone else. So playing peacemaker, I sat down beside Christian and left Lissa to sit beside Adrian.

"What are you doing here?" Lissa asked once she'd calmed down. I wanted to know the answer to that as well.

But before he answered her, I had to interrupt because something in my gut was screaming at me. This was not your typical visit; Adrian had brought something that would change the turn my life was taking. I just knew it. So in an attempt to put off the inevitable, I spoke before Adrian could answer.

"Adrian, what would you like to drink?" His head snapped in my direction, smirk in place as his emerald eyes found my brown ones.

"Anything you have is fine, Rose." I rolled my eyes at that.

"You mean anything I have that's alcohol based?" I asked a smirk of my own creeping onto my face.

"You know me so well," He said. Everyone in the room laughed at that, even Christian who had been looking like he would rather be anywhere else but here couldn't help but chuckle.

"Whatever," I said. Then I took off to the minibar situated in a corner of the kitchenette which I hadn't really used unless it was to make coffee or hot chocolate. Grabbing the necessary ingredients for margaritas, I set to work. Dating Adrian as short as our romance had been sure as hell had it's perks.

I couldn't help but pull a little stunt though. Because we were in Russia and I'd befriended both the bar attender and her boyfriend, I had a lot more alcohol based drinks in my minibar than there was in other rooms. In other words, I had a lot of Russian vodka on hand. That was exactly what I used to make my margaritas. They would now be stronger than normal, and an intoxicated Adrian was a hilarious Adrian. This was going to be a wild evening.

Smiling dubiously, I filled up 3 glasses and set them on one of the hotel trays. I was about to fill up the fourth glass which would've been for Lissa, but an errant thought popped into my head. She had gone back on her antidepressants. Could she drink alcohol while taking them? I didn't know, but I was not about to take any risks. I groaned and called out for her.

"Liss," I said a little too loudly. "Can you come in here for a second?" From where I was standing, I saw her eyes do a quick sweep over the men sitting on the sofas. Like me, she too was wondering if leaving them alone was a good idea. In the end she decided that it was, and came over to the minibar.

"Can you drink alcohol with your pills?" I asked never being one to beat around the bushes. She looked at me for a second something glinting in her eyes before she answered.

"No, but I haven't taken any of them." My brows shot up in question. What was she talking about? She said she needed them when she didn't have them, and now that she had them in her possession she wasn't taking them?

"What? Why not?" Her lips lifted as a smile tugged at them at my confusion. I only grew more impatient than I already was. I was even ready to start tapping my foot, but she spoke before I could start.

"I don't know, I guess you were right. I really don't need them anymore. Or maybe I just haven't had use for them, I don't know. If you hadn't called me when you had I might've cracked the bottle though." I couldn't hold back the smile that wanted to break out on my face at her words. This meant that she truly was getting better. Something I'd known for a while, but now she was truly convinced. I knew she did not need medication, Lissa was capable of being well without them. Don't get me wrong if she needed them truly I would support her, but I knew this was not the time.

"That's great, Liss." I said and grabbed the pitcher so that I could fill up her glass. Then together with the tray balanced in my hands and the pitcher in Lissa's, we walked out to Adrian and Christian.

"Holy crap, you made these?" I rolled my eyes at the look on Adrian's face.

"No smartass," Christian said snappishly. "She somehow sneaked them in here from the bar without you or anyone else noticing." I couldn't help but laugh and so did Lissa. Adrian rolled his eyes before cracking a smile.

"Yeah, Adrian. You taught me, remember?" Recognition lit up his face at my words, and Lissa and Christian were staring at me slacked jawed. They had on many occasions asked me where I learnt to make those fruity cocktails, but I'd never let that information slip until now.

"Alright, alright, so now you know." I said grinning. "Close your mouths before you catch flies." They rolled their eyes but did as told.

Sometime later, Christian left with the promise of returning later. I shook my head and fixed him with a hard glare. He still had information to give me, information which I wanted desperately might I add. I needed to know what he felt for the bitch that was Avery Lazar, and I needed to know now. But Christian just shook his head as his gaze found mine and he mouthed later. If it wasn't for the fact that Adrian and Lissa were sitting right there, I would've demanded he told me then and there, but in the end I conceited and he left.

I saw the pain that flashed in Lissa's eyes at his departure, but she blinked and it was gone so fast that I thought I'd imagined it. I knew better though, those two were going to be the death of me. I could not believe they had not even tried to fix things. I sighed well knowing it was going to take more time. Even if it was annoying the shit out of me.

She continued talking to Adrian as I ordered us a pizza from room service. Lissa left a while after we'd eaten swaying slightly as she did, a clear indication that the vodka was getting to her. It was hard for her to not be such a light weight seeing as she weighed close to nothing. Not wanting her to fall over, I reached out and steadied her, and stayed at her side until she was sat safely on her bed.

"Rose?" I'd been at the door ready to turn the knob and leave, but her voice stopped me. I turned and looked at her. "How did Christian end up in my bed that night of Tasha's lunch?"

My mouth opened, but no words came out. I had not been expecting that question or any question for that matter. As the memory flashed in my mind though, I couldn't help but smile. I wondered if she really wanted to know or if this was the alcohol talking, but in the end I decided that the question was long overdue and decided to tell her.

"Funny story," I said unable to hold the smile back. "You were pretty wasted that day, remember?" She nodded and I paused for a moment before continuing.

"Well, you kind of passed out in the car and I was going to carry you back here, but Christian shook his head at me. He told me to park the car while he carried you, so I did." I paused in my story and walked over to the door to tell Adrian that I would be back in a bit. He nodded seeming distracted and I went back to Lissa who was becoming impatient.

"Once the car had been parked and locked, I came up to the room and there was no sign of Christian. I didn't think much of it, I just assumed that he'd dropped you off in your bed and left. But when I came in to check on you, you were half awake with your arms wrapped around Christian's neck and your head still buried against his chest as he tried to put you down. You weren't having any of it though, and soon enough your eyes popped open for just a second. You asked him to stay with you, and because he's whipped he listened. You let him set you down then and he took off his shirt. As for me, I left not wanting to see anything I'm not supposed to see because you were staring at him as though you were ready to jump him at any second." With that I stopped and took a few breaths.

"As for the rest, you'll have to ask Christian. That's all I know." She nodded her thanks and curled up on top of the covers.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to get back to Adrian. Come join us when you feel better." She looked up at me and nodded once more and I thought I saw tears in her eyes. I couldn't help it; I stopped and pulled her into a tight hug as I reassured her that things would be ok. If Christian was going to tell me what I thought he was, and then my assurance would be more than just that, it would be the truth.

"What happened to them? They weren't as sugary sweet as I remembered, and she has a different room." Adrian asked as I sat down beside him. I shook my head before scrubbing a hand over my eyes. It had been one hell of a day and something told me that more was still to come.

"It's a long story," I said sighing. He looked intrigued and so for the second time that day, I launched into one of the more interesting stories that had happened since getting to Russia.

"Rose," Adrian said hesitantly. "There's a reason why I came to see you, yes, one that doesn't have to do with your awesome charm."

I felt my stomach flip. I'd known all along that there was another reason why he'd come to see me, but after the first two margaritas when we'd all been joking around, I'd let myself fall into the pretense that this was just a visit from a friend. I couldn't be more wrong, and though I knew that whatever had led him to come see me couldn't be good, my curiosity was getting the better of me.

"Yeah?" I asked looking up at him through some hair that had fallen in my face. "And what might that be?" Adrian brushed my hair back with gentle fingers before he produced a folded piece of paper from his wallet.

I felt rather than saw when he thrust the paper into my hand as my eyes were squeezed shut. Grudgingly, I opened my eyes rather slowly, took my time unfolding the paper, brushed some hair back, and then looked down at the paper. And instantly wished I hadn't.

"No, no, no, no! Damn it." I repeated those words over and over for a while throwing in a bit of swearing before I was able to speak sensibly again. I threw the paper on the coffee table and began to pace in front of him.

"Adrian, are you sure? This isn't some prank you're pulling on me, right? Because if this is, I will chop off your balls and give them to Sydney so she could add them to her many charms on the bracelet I saw on her wrist the other day," I warned dubiously. Adrian paled and visibly gulped at my slashing motions.

"Of course it's not some prank, Rose!" He said flustered. "It's right there in front of you in black and white." I groaned and nodded.

"I know, dam it! I-fuck!" I wanted to bang my head against a wall repeatedly. This could potentially ruin everything for me.

"Bad timing?" Adrian asked. I nodded and cursed again while raking my fingers through my hair. "I'm sorry; Sydney told me about him, I'm happy for you." A genuine smile worked it's way onto my face.

"Thank you," I said. "I'm happy for you, too." He smiled back and pulled me into a hug. I rested my head against his chest hating the turn this day was taking.

"I'm sorry, Rose. If I could do something I would, but I can't. It's already out there." Adrian's hands ran through my hair in a soothing gesture, but unfortunately it didn't work. I got up and started pacing again.

"I know, but don't be sorry. This isn't your fault, and it wouldn't have happened if it weren't for my own foolishness." I should have notified the media, now it was all a fucking mess.

Adrian left not long after, but not before giving me the address to the apartment he was now sharing with Sydney, and a promise to help me if I ever needed it. Now alone, I could do nothing but pace back and forth feeling like a caged animal and curse at the wind. I'm sure I said every swear word known to man and then some. When Lissa came out demanding to know in her words what the hell was going on, I could do nothing but chuck the now crumpled piece of paper at the wall. Less than a second later, she picked it up and swore.

DPOV.

This had been the longest most drawn out shift I'd ever had to do. It seemed as though criminals were taking a break today leaving me completely bored as I made my rounds through Baia. With nothing to do, the time seemed to drag on and it was thoughts of my beautiful Roza that kept me going. The streets were packed with teenagers spending time with friends during the summer break, and younger kids with their parents, but no one needed an officer. The most interesting thing that happened was when a frantic old woman came up to me while I'd stopped to pick up a burger and asked me to help her find her dog.

I'd helped her of course, it was in my nature to help people anyway I could, but I was grateful when the end of my shift rolled around. The streets were shrouded in evening shadows as I rode alongside Ivan on our way to my family's house. Lord knew I needed my mama's cheery personality, hell even those of my sisters after the shitty day I'd just had. But how was I to know that it would get interesting very, very fast?

I'd zoned out, thoughts of my Roza back in her hotel room flashing through my mind when something caught my eye. Vika held a magazine in her lap, but she was no longer reading it. She was too busy texting back and forth with Mason to pay attention. What I saw sent my blood running cold and had my vision turning red.

I stood up and heard myself speaking but I had no idea what I said before I grabbed my duster and helmet and strode out of the door and down the stairs babushka's knowing eyes meeting mine as I passed by. Ivan followed me out and asked me something, I heard myself answer, but again I had no idea what I told him.

The next thing I remember was pounding on Rose's door. I don't remember getting on my bike or even how I got to her hotel. There were too many emotions running through me in that moment for me to pay much attention to anything, anger and disappointment that she hadn't told me being the most prominent. How the fuck had this happened to me?

I raised my hand ready to knock once again, but the door opened before I could. Rose stood there clothed in shorts and a tank top, her hair disheveled and tangled as though she'd run her fingers through the silky locks repeatedly. Her brown eyes met mine concern, worry and something I couldn't name shining in their depths.

I felt some of my anger fade as I looked into those glorious pools of brown, but one look at the magazine I'd unknowingly brought with me clutched in my white knuckled grip, and it came back full force. I came here with a purpose and she was going to tell me everything.

"Dim-"That was all she got out. I couldn't think, I didn't want to hear what she had to say. What I wanted to know was why she hadn't told me. A voice in the back of my mind said something about my past with Tasha, but I ignored it.

"Why," I said my voice sounding strange to my own ears, "Didn't you tell me?" My accent came out thicker than usual, it was all I could do to not slip into my native tongue and go off on a rant in Russian. But the sensible part of my brain that was still working knew that that would do nothing to help.

"Why didn't I tell you what, Dimitri?" Rose backed up a few steps as though my anger scared her, and I bet it did. Oddly enough even though my mind was fogged with rage, I was able to calm down somewhat as I lifted the magazine so she could see the picture plastered to the front page.

"Fiancé of movie star and model Adrian Ivashkov caught getting cosy with another man." Rose read the caption aloud and my hands automatically balled into fists as my eyes zoned in on the picture, Rose's picture.

A/N

So her secret is out! What's going through your mind right now? How do you feel about Dimitri's reaction? Adrian's visit? The story of how Lissa and Christian ended up in the same bed the morning after Tasha's lunch? Tell me everything.

Review lovelies and Adrian/Dimitri will show up at your door and you'll have margaritas together… :D

XXX

Roza