Disclaimer: I don't own a dang thing, except this plot and a few characters!

I would like to thank all of you for reading my story! Your applause is what keeps me going!

Thank you!

A special thanks to; delicious, nadia callanan, and amberrosalie, you three truly inspired me this last week.

I love all my readers and you guys are what keeps me going! I hope all of you who read my story, leaves a review, they just make my day!

I am beta-ing a story for MaggieChauvin, its called 'A Life At Stake Through Dimitri's Eyes', its really good. All of you should check it out!

Thanks again!

Carmen


RPOV

The next morning, I awoke to an empty bed. I got out of it and padded to the kitchen to see if Dimitri was there. Nope. Not in the living room either. I went back to the kitchen to find me some breakfast. I settled on cereal, Dimitri was the cook, not me. I couldn't even boil water. It's true. One time I wanted to make some Mac and cheese, well I got busy and forgot about it. The next thing I knew, the smoke alarm was going off and the pot was smoking. All the water had boiled out of it. So, Dimitri made me promise not to touch the stove again. I conceded. It really wasn't that big a sacrifice seeing as how I hated to cook, but loved to eat.

I settled in on the sofa watching the TV. and munching on my cereal. Dimitri came in the front door, removed his coat and shoes, then joined me on the couch. He leaned over and gave me a kiss.

"Good morning, my love," his voice was music to my ears.

I looked up at him, with a mouthful of cereal, "Morning, handsome," I flashed him a smile.

"You going to the gym for your morning ritual?"

"Yep, you want to spar with me?" I gave him my most seductive smile I could manage with food being in my mouth.

He chuckled, "The tournament is this morning. Have you already forgotten?" Damn I did forget. Well that made my day much brighter.

I quickly scarffed down the remainder of my meal and started to get up. Dimitri caught me be the waist and pulled me onto his lap.

"We don't have time right now. Later, you can bet your sweet ass on that one." I gave him a kiss.

"That's not what I wanted to do, well yeah I do, but I have something I want to talk to you about first." I stayed silent, waiting for him to go on.

He took a deep breath, and if I didn't know better, I would say he was nervous about something, "Rose, I don't want you doing anymore missions." I started to say something , but he went on.

"I cant handle not know what is going on with you. I was a mess with this last mission. There is no way, no way in hell, I could go through that again. You don't know how I felt when they told me that the team had to retreat and leave you and Lark behind. I lost it, Rose. As in went total ape shit on Jade. I feel horrible about what I said to her. I just cant deal with that again."

His voice kept cracking and I knew he was on the verge of tears, I put two fingers under his chin and lifted his head up so I could look him in the eyes.

"I'm sorry. I never wanted you to go through that. But Dimitri, this is what I do to protect and serve our people." I felt bad for telling him this, but he had to understand my point of view. I had an idea of what he was talking about.

He started to say something, and then it occurred to me how to give him peace of mind, "How about if you come along on my next mission?"

His face held disbelief, "You could do that?"

I nodded my head, "Yes, I could and yes, I would. I would do that for you. I am not second in command for nothing you know. Even though our missions are far and few between. We may not have one for months, years even. I guarantee you, you will be with me on the next one." he pulled me to him and wrapped me in one of his warm embraces that he was so good at. I just melt into him every time.

I noticed what he had at his feet, for the first time.

"What is that?"

He gave me a soft laugh, "This," he picked up the bag and showed me the contents in it, "Is for you," he handed me the bag. I couldn't help but laugh. Even though he was dead serious.

"Pregnancy test? A lot of pregnancy test at that. Why so many, and why the different variety?"

When I said many, it meant a lot. As in a whole grocery bag full. With all different types.

His demeanor changed, his eyes and voice held pain in them, "These are so you can check each and every morning. So nothing happens to you or the baby again. You will know exactly when it happens. I don't want to take another chance again."

I grabbed one of them and took off to the bathroom with it. I peed on one of the sticks, then put the cover back on, and waited for the results. Dimitri joined me in the little bathroom. I wanted him there, so he could be with me when I got the test results.

That was the longest three minutes of my entire life. But it finally past and I grabbed the little white stick. Dimitri was over my shoulder looking at the results too. Of course, when we think of doing things like this, we are let down. It was negative.

Dimitri spun me around to face him and snaked his arms around my waist, "Don't worry, my love, we can have fun while practicing." He gave me a deep lingering kiss, then he nested his face into my hair, taking deep breaths smelling my scent, and releasing them slowly. I felt a wicked grin creep up on my face.

"Yeah, we could definitely use the practice." I tried to hide my disappointment, but I could feel it coming through in my voice. Dimitri too, was a little disappointed. But like he said, we can practice. And what fun that would be. He held me close to him in a tight embrace. I too, held on for dear life. I wanted to talk to him about something else. I pulled back a little so I could see his face, I didn't want him trying to lie to me. Keyword, try. He knew he couldn't lie to me, just like I couldn't get away with lying to him. Our connection ran just that deep.

"Dimitri?" my voice was so soft, like that of a child.

"Hmm?"

"How are you doing? I mean, with the Tasha and letter thing? Can you ever forgive her?" I hated bringing it up, but I wanted to help him overcome his anger and sadness of his friend betraying him. He pulled back a little more.

"Come on, lets sit down on the sofa for a minute." he led me to the sofa. I sat down and he sat so close to me, it was like our bodies were joined as one. I wanted to be that close to him always.

"Roza, I'm not going to lie to you. Tasha hurt me immensely. I'm trying to move past that hurt, but its hard," he was stroking my thigh absently. And he had a far away look in his eyes. "I think one day, I will be able to forgive her, but right now, I am still angry about it."

I pulled him to me, resting his head on my chest, I was stroking his hair, like he was a child in need of comfort. "Dimitri, I want you to know, I have forgave her. There is no sense in holding onto that anger, anger only breeds anger."

He nodded his head in agreement, "You ready to go kick some ass, love?" he was avoiding the topic, for now. I let it slide. I knew he was hurting, and time is the only way for him to really get over it. I would be there for him when he needed me. I wouldn't be too far away. I hated to see him suffer, but everyone has to suffer a little in life. It just seems he and I, had to suffer repeatedly.

I laughed, and gave him a passionate kiss, then we pulled apart to go to the gym for the tournament.


We made it to the gym and I found the person I was looking for. He was standing with Eddie and Jade, when I approached, they all turned and greeted Dimitri and I. I asked Lark if I could speak with him alone. Dimitri did the same with Jade.

Lark and I went out of the side door that led to the outside track. We took a seat on one of the benches there. It was the same bench that Dimitri and I had sat on when he first came back to court.

I turned to Lark, "I dont know how I can thank you for what you did for me," he started to say something, but i wouldnt let him, "
I owe you my life. I would have died, if it werent for you." he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into an arkward hug on the bench.

"You dont owe me anything, Rose. I know you would've done the same for me. That's what a friend is for. Especially in our field of work. I was just doing my job." I knew all he said was the truth, but the words hit closer to home, when they are about you in particular.

We sat there talking for a few more minutes, then made our way back inside. I found Dimitri easily. He was the tallest one in the gym. I walked over to him, I wanted to know how things had gone with Jade. Actually, he was standing with Jade and Eddie. They were ranting on and on about something.

When i reached them, Dimitri reached out to grab me, so he could pull me to him. I could tell by their easy banter, that everything was all forgiven. Thank the heavens, no one needed that kind of stress right now.

We were all taking a seat, when I saw Lissa, Christian and the baby walking our way.

"Hey guys! Coming to watch the tournament?" Christian had a grimace on his face. He had that same expression for the last few days. It was understandable, seeing as he just lost his aunt.

"Nope, I am entered in it," Chrisian replied.

This is not the way for him to release his emotions, but I didnt tell him that. I could feel through the bond, that Lissa felt the same way as I did.


Thanks to all of you guys who do review my story. It makes me feel so good knowing that people took time out of their busy lives to leave me a few kind words!

As always, Thank you!

-Carmen