There is no excuse for not updating sooner, but it's not the longest I've left it. I really hope that everyone is liking the story so far and that I can begin to get to the more interesting parts soon such as the situation between Rose and Dimitri, would everyone be excited for that? ;) So yes this means that this chapter is just another fill in chapter and I'm extremely sorry for that! But still I hope you enjoy it, please review I love all reviews :)

I had been avoiding Dimitri all week I thought it strange that when I attended St. Vladimir's he would be the one avoiding me to get away from his feelings and now as much as I hated to admit it I knew that the only reason I was avoiding him now was because I had feelings for him. The whole situation was too ironic for me to ignore as much as I tried. I let out a frustrated growl and through the pen that was in my hand across the desk and pushed the paper. I was annoyed that it'd been a whole week that I hadn't seen him and yet he was still the only person on my mind. I had a lot of preparations to get together before the meeting with the alchemists which I was still dreading.

I heard a timid knock at the door they had obviously seen my little outburst, I turned around to see the one and only Jace, it felt like I had not seen him in ages and he was just the person I needed to see now.
"Are you okay?" he asked straight away
Everyone I was close to had been giving me the same look he had been giving me now that 'I'm-worried-for-your-sanity' kind of look, I was getting better at masking my frustrations.
"I could be better, just this meeting prep is getting me wound up that's all." I gave him my best smile knowing that would easily fool any person.

I don't know when I had started to become this weak Rose, or maybe it had been this way for a long time, but I needed to get back to the person I was in high school obviously more mature much more mature. He seemed to believe my smile and returned one of his own
"You know you'll be perfect right? The alchemists aren't the easiest of people to deal with, but that's how I know you're meant for the job you're Rose Hathaway! And if we can't get their help then whatever we will find something else because I know the fact that you are fighting for something to strongly believe in." Jace spoke without one breath.
That was actually pretty impressive the speech was as well I suppose. I was getting used to Jace being so supportive.

I looked at him and just wondered how a man could be so genuine; it wasn't even about him being perfect he was just the nicest person.
"Thank you Jace." I smiled at him again, I felt myself becoming more relaxed with him in the room "What can I help you with."
A glum look came over his face and I knew it wasn't something either of us really wanted to talk about.
"Rose, you know that Belikov is here."
I almost threw myself back into my wheelie chair and sighed, this topic was just one I couldn't get away from.
"Rose you know that I support you, I made that clear when we first met, especially the bond between you two. It cannot go ignored!"

I knew that Jace supported my relationship, if I was to pursue any sort of relationship with Dimitri again.
"I know that! You think I don't know that, god Jace he rocked up here! Do you really think I want him here?!" I was taking my frustrations out on him now and he didn't deserve that but I also knew he could defend himself.
"Yes, I do think you want him here. Even if you're not fully aware of that Rose, I don't want you to think I'm the big bad wolf for saying. Don't take advantage of what you have. He came looking for you Rose, he broke the law! I'm not saying run back into his arms straight away god, give him grief for what he did but eventually you're going to have to learn to forgive and forget." His frustrations were also coming out.

I backed down I knew the reason he was getting so fired up at this situation. He had lost someone that he cared about deeply which is why he was telling me not to take advantage of the time I have, at the end of the day we never know when we will be around. I stared at him blankly not knowing what to say, I stepped into his arms "It's okay to be hurt." He spoke softly holding me in his arms.
There was an awkward throat clearing from the door, I looked up to see the six foot Russian clogging my doorway.

Jace pulled back and looked at me sheepishly, of course he planned this. This was way he was giving me all the pep talks.
"Is this some sort of intervention?" I asked looking at Jace.
"Actually no, we need to discuss Guardian Belikov's business here." Jace replied.
I thanked the doughnut gods that this was business and not personal matter.
"I thought the purpose here was pretty straight forward. We both know that guardian Belikov here is the field man type." I said gesturing to Dimitri.

I think that Dimitri took the last part of what I said as a compliment because I saw a ghost of a smile form on his face. Maybe Jace was right, I knew I was being stubborn I always was but Dimitri was trying and he came here to try.
"Rose makes it seem like running this place is nothing. When really she's one of the most dedicated hard working women I know." Jace spoke to Dimitri smiling at me.
If I didn't have way too much pride I probably would have blushed instead I just stood there with a guardian mask in place.

Jace was beaming obviously enjoying this moment, that's okay it was only fair I had given him a few digs in front of Nicole.
"She's always been the most strong willed person I have ever met." He was smiling at me with a certain fondness. Examining me but just like he used to it seemed like he was looking right inside of me. I knew I would give in to him but just like Jace said I would give him a bit of hell first.
"Well, is this all sorted? I have a lot of work to get through." I asked directing the question at Jace.
"He still needs a tour around the place and also I think with the vast numbers of dhampirs coming in that guardian Belikov should stay with you. You know since you know each other."

I didn't have anything to say to Jace, this was stepping over the line. He was practically forcing us together. My mouth was completely hanging open with what I imagine a pretty lame shocked expression on my face. It turned into a tight smile, Jace was enjoying the whole thing his face grew a big toothy childish grin.
"By the way since you haven't been home much I got your window fixed. I have raids to plan have a good afternoon." His smirk remained on his mouth and I wanted to slap it off, no punch I had never been one to slap.

I was left with Dimitri in the room and I could tell he was just as nervous as I was. But there was also a trace of concern,
"What happened to your window?" he asked, this was probably what the look of concern was for.
"Ah, it's a long story. I helped a kid that Lissa sent out and he thought he was captured by strigoi. Let's just say he took it out on my window. Begin our tour?" I didn't wait for him to reply but began to walk.

It wasn't uncomfortable between us I don't think it could ever be uncomfortable for us. I was just extremely aware that Dimitri was standing right beside me and just like last time I saw him the emotions all came back. I did want to take him to my house and curl into his chest and never leave. Everything about this man had put me completely at ease. I remembered the time I talked to Adrian and he had been talking about auras "when you're with Dimitri, your aura's like the sun. So is his"
The memory sent shivers of anticipation down my spine. It made me hope that there would actually be something for us out there. I wanted to entwine my fingers into his and feel the rough surface of his big hands again but smacked the urge away. I needed to get some things done before working on this.

I'm sorry! Please don't hate me if it's horrible! I have become quite self-conscience about my work at the moment so I really hope everyone is still enjoying the story. I hope to update sooner. And another thank you to everyone that follows this story, I love you all x.