I met Alberta in her office and she looked up. "Oh, good, you're here." She studied me and then said, "If you don't feel up to it, I can probably take over if you want."

I shook my head. "No, it's fine, I can do my shift."

She didn't question me, knowing well enough that it had to do with the difficulties of balancing the guardian life with my love life. I pushed the doors open and headed outside, walking along the perimeter of the school grounds, thinking.

I loved Rose, but would it really be accepted into our society after so long of going by the rules "They come first"? Were people actually willing to accept that me and Rose were in love, yet we were both guardians? They had to at least understand that although we were already in too deep, we at least focused on our jobs, remaining professional until graduation.

I sighed. It was all just very complicated. I was lost in thought, but I kept a close watch, knowing students liked to sneak out at night. One of them normally being Rose. Right now, there wasn't anyone who was out after curfew and I appreciated the fact that I could just think some more.

All too soon, though, it was time to head up to my room. Another guardian came to relieve me and I left, deciding that I just needed to think and seeing Roza tomorrow morning wouldn't help, so I wrote her a note.

Rose,

This may be an inconvenience, but there will be no practice tomorrow. I have other things to do. As for earlier tonight, you will not bring that up, understand?

I'll see you Monday

Guardian Belikov

I hated being so formal to her, but I had to in order to keep her from getting hurt. I didn't want to give her false hope in case something happened and we couldn't be together. I walked up into the dhampir dorms and found the dorm matron on duty, reading a magazine. She stood up as I approached.

"Guardian Belikov, is there something you need?" she asked.

I handed her the folded up note. "Do you mind if you give this to Rose, I have something else I need to do."

She nodded and I walked in the opposite direction heading up the stairs and to my room. A shower wasn't going to do me any good at the moment, so I pulled out some sweats and slipped them on, sliding into bed and hoping to catch some sleep and not think about Rose…..

I woke up to soft rapping on my door. I looked over at the alarm clock and realized it was about midnight, which was the afternoon for the Moroi. I had slept longer than usual and I got up, slipping on a shirt and answering the door.

Lissa stood before me, looking a bit timid and hesitant. "Lissa? Is there something you need?" I tensed, wondering if something was wrong with her or Rose.

She shook her head quickly. "No, I just need some help getting Rose out of bed, and you are the only person she listens to…"

I smiled warmly at her. "I'll be right out."

I carefully shut the door and pulled out some clothes, slipping into those and then walking back out to where Lissa was waiting. She walked ahead of me and we reached Rose's room. She tried the handle, but it was locked, so she pounded on it and yelled, "Rose! Wake up! Let me in already, it's past midnight!"

I took out my keys and unlocked the door. Both of us entered and all I saw was gorgeous brown hair spilling over the pillow. So soft and silky. I loved her long hair, and I had hoped she would keep it that way…

She didn't move, except to pull the pillow over her head and proceed to dig deeper under covers. "Rose, I think it's time to get up," I finally cut in.

She was obviously refusing to acknowledge I even spoke to her. I sighed. "Why are you here?" her tone wasn't very harsh, but it sounded hurt, annoyed.

"Lissa asked me to help get you up."

She still didn't move until Promise started barking at her, jumping along the edge of the bed. I lifted the puppy up and placed her on top of Roza, stepping back and watching as she laughed and finally sat up, holding the puppy out to Lissa.

"Rose! She is so adorable! When did you get her? Who gave her to you?"

I felt slightly awkward since I was the one to give her to Rose last night. Rose simply pointed in my direction. "He gave her to me last night."

Lissa turned to me, her eyes shining, "Aw, that's so sweet! If you don't mind me asking, but why did you get her?"

I had to smile at that. "She's a troublemaker, and I thought she'd be perfect for Rose."

There was more I wanted to say, more I wanted to confess, but that was all for Roza's ears only, so I pushed that thought away and tried to focus on that was going on.

Rose got out of bed and I took it as my cue to leave. I wasn't sure where I was going, but I just walked. I realized that my feet were taking me to the cabin. I stopped and stared at it, shaking my head and turning back around. I soon decided that a walk in the woods would be perfect.

I walked around a little while before leaning against a tree, folding my arms and staring at the sky. I reached into my coat, making sure I had my stake and then relaxed slightly, closing my eyes, but still on alert.

I guess I was there for a while because I was soon needed.

"Belikov," I answered when my cell phone rang.

"Dimitri, the party is getting out of hand, we need you now."

"I'll be right there."

I snapped it shut and jogged out of the woods, heading up to Ivashkov's room, knowing that the party would be in there. I was met halfway by Alberta and a few other guardians. I could already hear music blaring from the room and suppressed a sigh.

We walked upstairs and entered the room inconspicuously, getting here in time to find my Roza singing the last verse of a song. When she finished, she looked very pleased, that is until she saw me.

Alberta took that as a cue to ask, "What's going on here?"

The microphone dropped from Rose's hand. "Mr. Ivashkov, were you the one who so kindly supplied the drinks?" Yuri asked.

Adrian paled slightly and tried a weak, "Sorry, I had no clue."

After this, one by one, people left the room and went off. Alberta cornered Lissa and took her outside to speak with her. This left Rose and I alone.

"Do you want to explain, Rose?" I asked her, trying to keep my cool.

I was very disappointed in her, but instead of answering, she staggered forward and her arms went around my waist. I hesitated, wondering if I should be mad at her or not. I couldn't stay mad at her. I relaxed and let my arms go around her, placing my lips in her soft hair.

"Rose?"

"Hmm?"

I watched her, waiting for an answer. "Oh, well, it's a party!"

"Yes, I know that. What happened? And why are you drunk?"

I could hear her try and not slur the words, but it didn't help since I could already tell that she was drunk just by looking at her. "Uh, it's my 'pre birthday' party. And we were just having some fun," she huffed.

I snatched her hand and led her out to where Alberta was waiting with Lissa. I released her hand and saw her go over and stand by her friend.

"We can't let this go unpunished, Belikov," Alberta said in a hushed tone.

I sighed. "I know. I can at least take care of Rose."

"You won't let her distract you?" She didn't mean for it to be meant that I couldn't do my job, but since she knew about us, she knew I had a hard time focusing on my job.

I shook my head, assuring her. "No, I won't. She will be punished correctly this time."

"Alright, I'll take care of Lissa and a few others, the rest will be dealt with Kirova."

I shot a look at Rose as I said, "I told her she was free to go to the party, but I didn't think she was stupid enough to get drunk." I saw hurt flash in Rose's eyes before turning back to Alberta.

"Unfortunately, this was a big event with a lot of people, so Kirova will have to know."

I felt as if someone shocked me. If Rose was sent back to the Headmistress's office, Kirova would expel her for sure. "I know. I just worry about Rose being able to stay here. She's already been warned several times."

"Alright. Do you know if there was a list of people who came?"

"As far as I know, there wasn't one, just some friends and a few people who decided to join."

We discussed the matter some more before going our own ways. I led Rose, keeping tabs on her in case she fell in her drunken state. "Hey," she said through clenched teeth, "What are you going to do?"

I'm back! I'm not gonna bother with a note on top, it'll be too long. XD This went on longer than expected, so be happy.

SONGS:

Wanted-Jessie James

Sounds Like Life To Me-Darryl Worley