Hey Hey Everyone! Hope all is well. Sorry my updates have slowed down some, but it is a busy time right now.

Thanks for your patience and loyalty to the story…You guys are the Best!

As always, I own NOTHING….The Fabulous Richelle Mead gets the honors.

There is ALOT of harsh language in this chapter. Also, please don't get mad at me!

I have decided to make the story longer because you guys are good to me! :) Please review!

CHAPTER 37

TWO WEEKS AFTER ADRIAN'S RELEASE FROM THE HOSPITAL

ROSE'S POV

As I lay in bed beside Adrian, my mind wonders to a topic that needed to be discussed between us. With all the threats that have been before us, now resolved and our plans to move forward have

been agreed upon, there was only one thing left to do. It was one thing missing to make everything complete. And I had to talk to Adrian about my plans. Actually, there was no time like the present.

I figured that the only possible way I was winning this potential argument was to fight dirty.

While putting my plan in motion, I leaned down, and nibbled gently on his ear as he lay there sleeping.

"What is it that you want, Little Dhampir?" He growled as he turned quickly, pulling me into his arms.

I would swear that Adrian was half-strigoi with the way he moved so quickly anymore. As I pushed the horrid thought from my mind, I gave him my hard to resist smile. True Rose Hathaway style.

"What makes you think I want something?" I ask with a mock offended expression written on my face.

Adrian laughed. "Oh, I am sorry babe. Forgive me. You usual butter me up before you hit me with something important."

I smiled wider. "You do know me so well. Actually, you're right. I do want something."

He waggled his eyebrows at me. I knew that look, he was hoping he was going to get lucky.

"No, sex is not what I wanted." I gave him a slight jab on the arm.

He shook his head while laughing louder. "I knew it!" He gently pressed his lips to mine. "You don't play fair Hathaway. You do know that, right?"

"All is fair in love and war Ivashkov."

"Ok. I am officially beyond curious. What is it that you want from me? You are procrastinating and frankly, it scares the hell out of me."

Adrian's eyebrows flew up in a mixture of anxiety and confusion. "Are you feeling alright?"

I stroked his cheek with my hand as I spoke. "Yeah, I am great. I just don't know where to start with this conversation." It was just then that Ethan started crying.

ADRIAN'S POV

Rose got up from our bed and walked into Ethan's nursery. It gave me a chance to be alone as I lay thinking of several things at once. My mind seems so different anymore. It works different, my whole body works different. I've changed so much in the last two weeks..

It wasn't like I have changed in a bad way. Actually, it was quite the opposite. It felt... I felt… amazing. I was afraid to admit it to anyone, especially Rose. How would I even begin to explain it to her; the changes in my strength,

the way things tastes, the enhanced smell, and the sensations I felt. When Rose touched my skin before it was always great, but now it is like being touched by silk. It was the most incredible feeling.

It felt like every emotion, feeling of touch, my senses have been multiplied by 10 fold.

I wasn't really frightened by my changes, but one of them did slightly concern me. At this point I was able to control it. It being the need to taste Rose's blood... Again.

I didn't want to scare her with these differences in me. I know what she went through with Dimitri, but I am not Strigoi. Or can I be turning? I have spirit blood, shadow-kissed blood, and Strigoi blood all mixed together in my veins.

What the hell can be happening to me?

Rose entered the room, catching me obsessing over my worried thoughts. "Adrian? What's wrong? You seem upset."

I smiled, while trying to put on as much bravado as I could muster behind my words. "Hey, give me my baby boy. You are always hogging his affections."

I can't believe Ethan is 5 months old already. She turned with him as he reached his little arms out for me, squealing. I pulled him onto my lap and I cradled him in my arms.

"How's daddy's buddy?" I said as he smiled at me, melting my worried thoughts.

"Adrian? What the hell….something is wrong and you're trying to divert my attention by using Ethan. Stop it!" Rose stood with her hands on her hips. A sure sign that she wasn't having any of my bullshit.

"It's nothing, really. I will tell you AFTER you tell me what it is that you wanted."

Rose sat on the bed beside me and took a deep breath. It definitely wasn't a good sign. She wanted something…something big from me...it was for my understanding. I knew Rose much too well for my own good.

ROSE'S POV

I sat on the bed beside Adrian and Ethan as I took a deep, cleansing breath. I had no idea why I was so nervous to approach this subject with Adrian. It wasn't like he hasn't been understanding about everything else.

"I was thinking that it was time to take Ethan to meet Dimitri's family in Baia." I studied his eyes to see any hint of emotion in them.

"Is that what you are so nervous about?"

"Well, I guess. I thought you would say it was too dangerous or you didn't want me and the baby to travel to Russia alone."

Adrian's eyes widened. "Alone?"

"Yeah, who else would go with me?" I asked.

"I was hoping that I would go with you. Rose? You don't want me to go with you?" I saw the hurt in his eyes, now it was evident.

I reached for his hand and entwined his fingers with mine. "I thought that was assumed. I don't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable."

Adrian's voice rose sharply as his temper started to flare, which was so unlike him. "Oh, I see Rose. I am good enough to raise his son. But, not good enough to meet your beloved Dimitri's family. Afraid I won't live up to their standards?"

I tried to reason with his anger. "Adrian, Where is this coming from? I never implied…"

He laid Ethan on the bed as he stood, throwing his hands in the air. I didn't like this side of Adrian. Honestly, I've never seen him act so irrationally, so angry before. What the fuck was happening here?

"So, tell me this Rose. Are you afraid I won't be good enough, or that they will try and compare Dimitri and I?"

Before my mind could register a correct response, my mouth spoke first. "Honestly, there's no comparison."

His eyes were actually glowing a faint red as he got menacing close to my face. For the first time ever, I was afraid of Adrian.

"Fuck you, Rose." He said as he turned towards the door to leave.

"Adrian, please…..that's not what I meant." He had his back to me as he kept walking out the door.

"I meant you two can't be compared to each other. Because you're too different." It was too late. Adrian had slammed the door shut.

Oh my god! What have I done. I never meant for him to think that Dimitri was better than him. I only meant that they were two totally different men. In every way possible.

I grabbed my cell phone and frantically dialed Adrian's number. The call went straight to his voicemail.

'You've reached me, Adrian Ivashkov. Don't fret I may decide to call you back sooner or later. Oh! Sorry ladies! But, it's true that I am no longer available. I know you must be distraught to have missed a chance at all this hotness. Later!'

"Adrian, Please call me back. I am so sorry. I didn't mean for it to sound the way it did. Please believe me. I love you." I pleaded as I hung up the phone.

ADRIAN'S POV

I can't fucking believe her. I hate to think it….. that bitch! How could she say that to me after everything I've done for her; sacrificed for her, her son, no….our son. I loved Ethan and I wouldn't pull our son into this fight.

Fuck her and Fuck Belikov. The man is dead and he still causes me grief every damn day. I know I am not him. I've accepted that from the beginning. But, shit, do I need it thrown in my face? Perfect Belikov.

Who the hell could live up to all the hype. The man was/is a freaking legend, god.

It crushes my soul to know if he were here that I wouldn't even have Rose in my life. She wouldn't have given me a second glance.

I sat on the bench near the lake, looking around at the assholes foolish enough to hold hands with a woman. Love sucks and it just ends up breaking your heart.

Speak of the devil as I hear my cell phone ringing. I wasn't about to answer it in the mood I was in. I would just end up saying something I would later regret.

I couldn't help myself as I dialed my voicemail and listened to the message.

'Adrian, Please call me back. I am so sorry. I didn't mean for it to sound the way it did. Please believe me. I love you.'

I wanted to run home to Rose and comfort her, but there was a strange part of me that wouldn't let me. It was like I couldn't think a rational thought in my brain.

But, I managed to dial our home number and atleast we could try to talk through this. I didn't want to be mad at Rose. I loved her.

"Hello?" She had answered, her voice harsh from crying.

"Little Dhampir." I smiled as I said her pet name.

"Adrian, I am so sorry." She cried into the receiver.

"I know you are." I spoke very matter of factually.

"Please come home. We need to talk about this face to face."

I shook my head. "No, I need some time to think about things Rose."

Her tone changed instantly, defensively. "What things? What are you saying Adrian? Why are you being so dramatic? You're acting childish about this?"

She had just said the wrong thing to me as my temper flared again. "Seriously Rose? Dramatic? Childish? Are you fucking kidding me? You say there is no comparison between me and your ex-lover, you don't expect me to be a little pissed off about that?

I am just the drunken playboy and Belikov, the perfect, badass guardian, who fucked his students."

"Stop it Adrian! Don't speak about Dimitri that way."

"Dimitri? Seriously? Do you even hear yourself talk sometimes? Or are you that much of a self-centered, selfish bitch?" I questioned with a harsh laugh.

The phone was silent for a minute while the tension mounted between us. "You know what Adrian?"

"What's that Rose?" I ask sarcastically.

"Take all the fucking time you need, you're an ass." She screamed into the receiver.

"Yeah that's great, and Rose? Don't call me unless there is a problem with our son because I really don't want to hear from you right now." I hung up the phone, ending the conversation before she could respond.

I stood there, glancing up towards the sky, gathering my thoughts. I decided that I was going to turn off my cell phone, go to The Tavern, and get drunk. This sober lifestyle was a really starting to be a pain in my ass.

ROSE'S POV

I am done with the crying. If Adrian wanted to be an ass, so be it.

I picked up my phone to call the one person who has proven to always there for me when I needed them. My dad. "Hey, old man."

"Kiz? What's wrong?" Abe ask, curiosity burning in his words.

"Nothing is wrong, but I was wondering if I could ask for a favor?"

"What's that?"

"Can you have your pilot fly me and Ethan to visit the Belikovs'?"

"Russia? When were you planning to leave Rosemarie?"

"I was hoping I could leave tonight. I had already made Olena aware of our arrival. She was okay with our visit. Is there a problem with me using your jet?" The nerves were evident in my voice.

"Kiz?" Abe inquired.

"Yeah?"

"What are you hiding from me? I knew you wanted to visit the Belikovs', but why so sudden?" He was bursting to know what was going on.

I let out a big sigh before I answered his question. "Adrian and I had a huge fight and he left. I just wanted to get away for awhile and what better place to go? Ethan can finally meet his other family."

"Rose, What did Adrian do? I will break that boy's legs', so help me God."

I had to chuckle at my dad, even though I knew he was serious. "Dad…You are NOT breaking Adrian's legs. I pissed him off and he is having an asshole moment. He'll snap out of it…eventually. Russia will be good for both of us.

He can cool down and I can too!"

"Whatever, if he mistreats you…I will…."

"Dad, can I use the jet or not?" I had to interrupt his rant or we could be here all night.

"Yeah, of course. But, you have to take Pavel with you. There is no way my only daughter and grandson are traveling to Russia alone. Take it or leave it! The plane will be ready in an hour. I love you Kiz. Be careful."

"Thanks Dad! I love you too! And tell Pavel to stay the hell out of my way." I laughed as I warned my dad.

I packed our bags and sat them by the door. Pavel was to be here in twenty minutes to pick us and go to the runway. I decided to take advantage of the time I had left and write Adrian a note, since he said he didn't want me calling him.

I knew we would work it out. We loved each other too much to ever let go of what we had together. After I had finished my letter, there was a knock at the door. It was Pavel.

I picked up Ethan and glanced around our apartment one more time before we left to catch our flight.

ADRIAN'S POV

I had been at The Tavern for the last three hours or so with my old drinking buddies; Chase Zeklos, John Dashkov, Rolan Conta, and his little sister, Ashley. We were doing shots of jagermeister bombs, while I was also downing my regular vodka tonic.

Boy, was I feeling it as we all made our way onto the dance floor. This place was packed with people and I hadn't been out partying in so long. Actually, it's been too long.

We were on the dance floor acting like fools as we danced. But, who gave a shit, we were having a blast. I noticed that Ashley was grinding up on me while we danced, but we were only dancing, right?

It really was no big deal, or so I thought until she grabbed me by my collar and forced her lips on mine. I was drunk, but that was no excuse for what I did next.

Instead of pulling away, I pulled her closer to me and kissed her back…passionately. I let myself go and I wasn't thinking of who was around us or the consequences of my actions.

"Do you want to go back to my place?" She had asked while pulling my hand and heading towards the exit.

"Sure, whatever. What's your name again?" I was so drunk that I could barely remember my own name at this point.

She laughed. "Ashley. Ashley Conta. Remember?"

"Does it matter? It's not like I am going to call you for a follow-up. You need to know that going in." God, I really was an ass.

"Who really cares? I get to have sex with the infamous Adrian Ivashkov. Plus, I can say I got you to cheat on the just as infamous Rose Hathaway." She laughed again.

I wasn't sure that I liked this girl, but a lay is a lay, right?

"DON'T mention her name again, UNDERSTAND?" I growled at her.

"Sure." I could hear the worry in her voice as we entered her apartment. "I will get you another drink. Please make yourself comfortable in my…..bedroom."

I walked in her bedroom and sat on her bed. Hell, she did say make myself comfortable.

She entered the room with a vodka tonic in hand. She gave to me and watched as I drank it in one gulp. "Let's do this and get it over with."

It didn't take her long as she literally attacked me. Her mouth was on mine while forcing me back on the bed. The room started spinning and my mind went blank as I disappeared into darkness.

I woke the next morning; head pounding, stomach churning, while I glanced at the strange surroundings. Where was I? I thought to myself.

I had my shirt off, but my jeans were still on and intact. Just then, I heard someone stirring beside me. Holy shit! It was a girl and it sure the HELL wasn't Rose.

I AM A DEAD MAN.

Please don't be too mad at me….Remember Adrian is a reformed bad boy, No one ever said, FULLY reformed…LOL

I will update soon….Please review and BE KIND…lol..

Terri :)