Dimitri recovered before I did. Figures. "Alberta," he greeted.

She nodded back and pushed Zelda forward. "Miss Zoykova here has been getting into trouble. She's Rose's responsibility now and she must deal with her." She sounded frustrated.

"What did she do?" Dimitri questioned.

Alberta didn't look happy. "She's done this numerous times, but nobody can control her. She decided to go after a Royal Moroi and even went as far as to compel some of the novices to fight her or help her out." She sighed. "Maybe Rose can do something."

After a few more words were exchanged between the two guardians, I snatched Zelda's arm and pulled her into the room, going over to the closet and shutting the door. IT wasn't very big, but it was enough for us to fight one another. It creaked as I opened it and grabbed the key so Dimitri couldn't get in. Then, I locked the door, while Zelda was giving me a confused, weird look. Finally, I turned to her.

"Okay, now's your chance. Fight me," I challenged.

Her lip curled in disgust. "You? Princess Rose? I don't want—"

Her words were cut short as I slammed my fist into her gut. She let out a shocked sound and keeled over for a moment. I glared at her: "Come on, get up and fight like a real Moroi." I reached out and my fist grazed her lips, cutting it. She blocked it before I could do anything more and twisted it. I knew this trick and tried hard to imagine I was almost fighting Dimitri again.

Carefully, I twisted my body underneath and now had her arm pinned against her back. I smiled grimly when she struggled profusely, letting out a stream of profanities. Vaguely, I heard Dimitri's voice and him banging on the door.

"Rose! Open the damn door," he shouted.

I was surprised to hear him swear in English, that for a moment, Zelda caught me off guard and broke free. I heard him attempt to open the door, uttering curses and swearing in Russian. But, I didn't take the time to call back at him because Zelda was coming at me angrily, almost reminding me of well….me. Like when I was sometimes under the darkness when Dimitri wasn't there to take it from me.

Focus, I reminded myself. I feinted and she fell for it, meaning I would have her pinned in no time. I heard Zelda curse when she realized that it was a trick and that I now had her pinned on the floor. We were breathing heavily, our breaths echoing in the small closet. I got up, only to be yanked down again, as I forgot to stake her.

I growled with impatience and brought my elbow around so I could hit her and get my arm free. Just as we were rolling around on the ground—fighting over who pinned who—the door swung open, revealing an angry Dimitri. Oh, shit. Time ran out and I knew I had to get control before Dimitri thought otherwise. I rolled over and made a stake with my hand, pretending to stake her. IT worked although her emerald eyes still glowed with anger.

"Rose, get off the floor now." Dimitri sounded close to losing it and I immediately stood up.

He turned to Zelda. "You can come with me."

Without another word, he turned and left. To anyone else he seemed mad and hostile, but the bond we now shared told me that he was worried and frustrated with the both of us. I blew out a shaky breath as Zelda shot me a wide eyed look. I simply shrugged and motioned for her to go on and follow Dimitri before he actually got pissed off even more than he was. Zelda was smart and wasted no time in getting up and leaving.

I took a moment to compose myself and stepped out. Both guardian and Moroi weren't in the room and I sighed loudly, flopping down onto the couch to watch some TV. I guess I fell asleep some time after because the next thing I knew, the room was dark and my head was in his lap while he stroked my hair gently, running his fingers through the long waves. He knew I was awake, but didn't say anything while I sighed in content and turned my face into him, breathing in his aftershave.

I yawned and finally opened my eyes, blinking several times. I flipped back and then sat up. I had been curled up underneath a blanket and he had taken off my grimy clothes and tossed them somewhere else. The blanket whispered against my naked skin, but I didn't have to worry about anything since he's seen me before many times…

"Mm, where's Zelda?" I finally asked.

He answered immediately: "I escorted her to her room. I think you both need the day off from practices tonight, my Rose."

My heart swelled when he called me his and he chuckled. "Don't get use to it," he teased, his fingers still running through my hair.

"Then don't call me that," I retorted playfully.

He rolled his eyes at me. "Then how will you know you have my heart forever?" he leaned down as he said this, lips dangerously close to my ear.

"Three simple words," I reminded him.

A smile played with his lips. "I love pie?" he burst out laughing and I groaned.

"I still can't believe you remember that!" I moaned.

Back one day in the summer when I was visiting Aunt Tasha at her house like always, Dimitri had swung by and I had asked him to teach me to say "I love you" in Russian. I succeeded in the "I love…" part, but ended up saying "pie" instead of "you". It was embarrassing enough at the time, even more now that he still remembered that day.

I couldn't help but grin at him. "Hey, you still refuse to teach me Russian, especially the swearing; I can't help it if I couldn't get it right!"

His eyes were twinkling as he watched me fondly. "There is a reason I won't teach you," he murmured.

I reached up and just pressed my lips to his when someone knocked on the door. We both pulled away with a groan as Dimitri threw his side of the blanket off of him and strode to the door. I didn't dare get up, seeing as I was lacking some clothes. But, my hearing picked up enough to know it was another guardian requesting that we were to attend a meeting in the guardian conference room right away.

Dimitri came back, a worried look on his face. "Rose, you need to get dressed now. There was another attack on the Court and there's word that the Strigoi are targeting here next."

My eyes widened. "Another?" I exclaimed.

He nodded gravely. "Yes. If you want details, hurry up and get dressed and we need to head down to the conference room."

I threw the only cover over my body off, trying not to get distracted by the feelings trickling in through the bond from him… "You know, Comrade, we could always skip the meeting." I snuck a look at him. I could see him trying to get a hold of his self control and I smiled to myself.

"And what else would we do?" he sounded almost out of breath.

"Oh, I have plenty of ideas."

I could just hear him rolling his eyes. "Yes, I'm sure you do. But, this meeting is important, so hurry up."

I made a face at him, pulling out some formal clothing while he did the same.

So, that was how we ended up walking through the bitingly cold wind. Dimitri had on his guardian wear—dark clothes—but handed me his duster, draping it carefully over my shoulders. It had taken me a few tries to get the outfit right and appropriate enough for me to go into a guardian meeting. An actual guardian meeting. It was kind of weird that I was a Moroi and yet they sort of considered me important enough to attend. Well, at least Dimitri thought so.

Before entering, Dimitri took the duster from my shoulders and slipped it over his arm. The meeting hadn't yet started, but people looked flustered and there were a good amount of school guardians milling around, wearing special ear pieces like the FBI did in the shows I watched.

Alberta was talking to Stan and a couple more of the school guardians. She looked worried, but then again, who wouldn't be when the lives of many were in danger. As I scanned the room, I realized that I was the only Moroi present. Startled, I turned to Dimitri, who was watching the stage where Alberta and the others were talking. Of course, the bond tipped him off what I was going to ask and he answered me without hesitation.

"I brought you here because you deserve to know what's going on. You're also mentoring a student like some of the guardians would do."

"Yeah, but would Alberta allow it?"

"She already has."

I slumped in my seat, crossing my arms, until Alberta started speaking: "All right. We all know the Court has been attacked numerous times by Strigoi. It turns out Dashkov—before he was arrested—had some connections and followers. Supposedly some of them are Moroi and dhampirs alike, working alongside with the Strigoi.

There's no telling what they really want with us except what the Strigoi have always wanted to do. It's believed that the Strigoi want to kill the Moroi and their guardians for power, immortality, and even as trophies—trophies of who can kill off a Royal line the fastest."

I was shocked at the newfound knowledge, but paid attention when other guardians started asking questions. Dimitri was quiet, thoughtful. I could barely make out what he was thinking. Suddenly, something hit me and I tugged on his sleeve, making him tilt his head toward me so I could whisper, "Dimitri, Eileen. We can get information from her!" It was a great idea, and it would probably help clear some of the discrimination that followed her and even my brother and aunt.

He nodded slowly and then straightened, waiting for a break before speaking. The topic had moved slightly to witnesses and people who would be willing to fight. They needed more information and I also realized Aunt Tasha would be a good addition to help us fight the bad guys. I glanced at Dimitri who looked at me briefly.

Why don't you say anything? I wondered.

Just wait. You'll see.

I grumbled something back, but then fell silent, waiting. Finally, finally, after waiting for a break, Dimitri spoke, "Tasha Ozera and Eileen Dashkov might be able to help us." IT was a simple statement, but murmurs ran through the guardians until Alberta held up her hand for silence.

"And how do you suppose they could?" Alberta questioned.

I slumped lower in my seat. Great, she was questioning us. It looked like another a good idea gone to waste. Roza, it's her job to interrogate us. It doesn't mean she isn't considering the idea.

I jumped slightly when his voice entered my head. Yeah, but… The protest dried on my lips when he started talking again: "Tasha Ozera can get Moroi together. Moroi who want to help fight. Eileen Dashkov might have some idea as to what her husband was up to and where he was going with all this."

Alberta nodded slowly. "It sounds like a good idea." She glanced around at the guardians, her gaze settling briefly on me. "Does anyone have any other ideas? Any objections?"

No one said anything and I was pretty happy with how my plan worked out. People started to get up and me and Dimitri followed. I was about to turn out the door, but he shook his head and motioned for me to come with him. I walked behind him as he approached a doorway. Alberta was inside talking with Stan and another guardian named Chase. She looked up as we entered.

"Ah, Dimitri and Rose." She greeted us and Stan and Chase soon left us alone.

"Alberta, is there something you want?" From someone else, it could've sounded haughty, but from him it sounded curious.

She nodded. "Yes, actually. We recently learned that a Moroi home was attacked. The Zeklos' who lived there were all found dead, except for one." As she said this, she moved aside, revealing a little girl who looked about three or four. "I know it's a lot to ask since Rose is already mentoring Zelda, but no one else has time to watch this little one."

I felt slight surprise from Dimitri, but also fondness for the pretty little girl. "I think we can handle it. What's her name?"

Alberta sighed. "This is Ella. Her parents were killed, but she miraculously survived. She's orphaned and things are too busy to find a place to keep her, or even someone to look after her."

I found my voice. "How old is she?" I asked softly.

"She's three."

Holy shit! She was pretty young. Her big blue eyes reminded me of Jesse Zeklos's. I shuddered at that. Ella looked intelligent, though very young. I realized suddenly, that if Dimitri and I took care of her, it would be like having our own kid. It would give me a taste of life were I to get pregnant somehow…

Soez. This is nice and long. I meant to UD the last couple days, but I got lazy and then I got busy. XD Typical of me. Anywayz, what do you think of Dimitri and Rose having a kid to care for? On top of mentoring Zelda? Bet, you didn't see that coming! XD

SONGS:

Collide-Howie Day

Keep Holding On-Avril Lavigne

Love The Way You Lie-Eminem ft. Rhianna

Don't Stop Believin'-Journey

Gunpowder And Lead-Miranda Lambert

White Flag-Dido

Iris-Goo Goo Dolls

Someone's Watching Over Me-Hilary Duff