Ella was shy and quiet. She was attached to me and usually hid behind me whenever Dimitri was around, shyly peeking out from around my legs. Her small fingers clutched my pajama pants as I stood in the kitchen, lips pursed as I tried to figure out what to eat. Dimitri was in the other room watching TV and still in sight, which was why Ella was hiding behind me. She never called me "mom" which was a relief, but called me by my name.

She was a gorgeous girl, and would be beautiful when she grew up. Dark blue eyes and coffee/caramel hair added to it. Her hair was dark and coffee colored, but it looked like someone had placed caramel swirls in her hair, highlighting it beautifully. Her face was round and had a slight heart shape to it. Her hair framed it perfectly and fell in long, gentle curls down her back.

It had been two exhausting weeks since that meeting. Ella had settled in with us nicely and I had resumed my day to day job of mentoring Zelda. Between taking care of Ella and mentoring Zelda, I hadn't really had much time to myself or with anyone else. Lissa came by once in a while and Ella had grown to love Lissa, whom she called "Issa". Things were settling down slightly, although everyone was still on high alert for attackers.

"Dimitri, there's nothing here to eat," I whined as I shut the fridge.

Ella tugged on my clothes and I automatically leaned down to pull her up into my arms. Dimitri turned to look at me, amusement in his eyes. "If there was nothing to eat, that would mean there would be no food in the house, my Rose."I huffed and rolled my eyes at that, finally deciding on some leftover sandwiches.

There was a knock on the door just as I took a bite and I sighed, knowing Zelda got into some kind of trouble. I walked over to the door, not caring that Ella was still on my hip. A novice, who looked like a senior looked sheepish as he said, "Princess Ozera, um—"

"It's Rose. Not Princess or anything. And I know, I'm coming." He gave me a nod and then headed back the opposite way.

I shut the door and found Dimitri still sitting on the couch, but his attention focused on me as usual. Soon, his eyes flickered back to the TV as I walked over with Ella. "Elle, I'm going to leave you with Dimitri. I need to go work, okay?" When she nodded, I gently lowered her and Dimitri opened his arms, welcoming her.

I didn't stay to see how it went because I needed to deal with Zelda. Even as a Moroi, I was being treated almost like I was one of the guardians more or less. It was a pretty cool feeling knowing I at least belonged somewhere if not back at the Court or anything. Moroi were hardly ever treated like dhampirs because of our structure and build that didn't allow us to fight much. Yet, with our magic, we could help distract Strigoi, efficiently allowing the guardians to do their job.

"NO!" a scream worked its way to me.

I almost let out a yelp, my heart in my throat as I recognized Zelda's voice. She was crying and screaming and as I approached the quad, I could see her hunched over, shoulders shaking. Wide eyed, I hurried over, seeing several guardians, Alberta, and Kirova around her. Kirova and Alberta were both talking, but I couldn't make out what they were saying.

"No…NO. NO!" The last "no" was a wail of agony and it broke my heart to hear so much pain coming from someone so young.

Headmistress Kirova approached me and I looked at her. "What's wrong with Zelda?" I asked.

She sighed. "Someone told her something she wasn't supposed to know about the killing of her twin."

I was taken back. "Wait, did you just say twin?" I asked in disbelief; Dimitri hadn't told me that.

She nodded. "Yes. Her sister. She was sent to another institute where she could be taken care of mentally and then transferred back here. Apparently, her sister's condition deteriorated and she passed away a few weeks ago. How the students know, I don't know." She shook her head.

I blinked, looking at Zelda. She wasn't informed by the staff that her other half—her twin—died, yet she found out by a student? Jesus Christ, that was seriously messed up. "Okay, who told her?"

Kirova's mouth was drawn into a thin line, words short and clipped as she spoke. "Dane Zeklos."

I snorted. A Zeklos. Figured. But…Ella was a Zeklos and she was sweet as anything. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding and told Kirova I'd deal with Zelda myself. Alberta stayed while the other guardians left and Kirova went back to her office.

"Zelda?" I said softly.

I heard her sniff and gather her voice before saying, "Fuck you. I hate you all. Go away!" She screamed again and again.

I moved closer and signaled to Alberta that we needed to be left alone. She tilted her head and then turned, disappearing. I turned back to Zelda who was still sobbing uncontrollably. Getting to my feet, I said, "Get up."

She lifted her face, giving me a full view of smeared make up and red, puffy eyes. "Why?" she sneered. "You're just like all the rest of them. Pick on a non Royal Moroi. Go ahead, do what they all do."

"Get up and come with me," I snarled.

She looked surprised at my harsh tone, but got up and followed me to the gym. I locked the doors so we wouldn't be interrupted and I motioned for her to just start punching the bag. She didn't hesitate, slipping on the gloves and then beating the hell out of those punching bags. She just kept hitting and hitting. She was covered in sweat and breathing heavily in no time, and by the time she finished taking out her anger and sorrow, she sank to the ground.

"I'm sorry about your sister," I said quietly while she sniffed.

She looked up at me. "Well, you're the first one who even really cares."

"I learned that people who care will actually stick with you no matter what happens. Believe it or not, I used to be a bitch like you until Dimitri came into my life again."

Zelda studied me and then said calmly, "You're involved with him, aren't you?"

"Wh—what?" I stuttered.

She crossed her arms. "Oh, don't act stupid. I can see the way you guys look at each other with goo goo eyes." She rolled her own eyes. "It's actually kinda gross."

I laughed, relieved. "Okay, yeah. I love him…I've known him almost all my life and I just figured that out. IT's sad…"

"Does he love you?" asked Zelda quietly

"Yes, he does."

She sighed. "Well, there go my chances."

She was joking and we both knew it. We burst out laughing and I realized how perfect the moment was for both us. "I think since you're feeling better, that you need to go to your dorm room. You don't have to come to practice tomorrow because I'll be sleeping in and you'll be going to school."

She smiled. "Sure, whatever."

We both got up off the floor where we had been sitting when we were talking. I made sure Zelda escaped peacefully to her dorm and then turned around, trudging to the guest housing. The door was unlocked when I went in and I saw Dimitri playing with Ella, tossing her up in the air and then gently catching while she giggled and squealed.

He didn't notice me until she cried, "Rosie!"

I grinned and hugged Ella when she came up to me. Dimitri was smiling happily and I felt his emotions from the bond we shared. He was filled with joy and happiness and a bit of homesickness.

"Ella, it's time for bed," I told her quietly.

She nodded quickly and left, walking into the room to change into her pajamas. Me and Dimitri were alone in the room, the TV still on. I moved closer to his tall frame and leaned against him, breathing in his scent. His aftershave filled my nose and I closed my eyes, feeling his chest rumble when he asked, "How did things with Zelda go?"

"Things actually went…great. You didn't tell me she had a twin who was mentally ill."

"Some things are meant to stay hidden for a reason."

"She found out about the death a few weeks ago. Dane Zeklos told her about it and she was in literal hysterics when I got there. I let her hang out in the gym and I think we're actually friends now."

"I'm glad," he whispered into my hair.

I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck, using my fingers to take out the tie in his hair as our lips finally met. The electricity that always wrapped around us, returned, making the kiss pick up speed and hunger. It became heady as he titled my head back to deepen the kiss, his lips and tongue knowing exactly what they wanted and were to get it. His tongue slid into my mouth and just as I was about to get carried away, Ella's voice interrupted us.

"Rosie, Dimitri!" her voice carried across to us.

Dimitri kissed me one more time, took a deep breath and then pushed my face back. I groaned softly at the interruption, but followed him into the room where Ella sat expectantly on her little make shift bed. She didn't want to sleep on the bed or on anything; she preferred to sleep on a bunch of blankets on the floor. I still didn't get why she liked it, but if it made her happy, whatever.

"Goodnight, angelochek," Dimitri whispered, kissing her forehead and pulling the covers over her as Ella's eyes closed.

"'Night, Ella," I said, shutting the door behind us.

I felt tired, but I had been so deprived of Dimitri-time that I didn't want to go to sleep.

"Dimitri-time?" an amused voice asked.

I looked up at him. "Yup."

He just shook his head. "You really need to get some sleep, my Roza. All this stress isn't good for you, even if you think you can handle it. You're still young and can handle so much."

I sighed. "I don't care. I hardly get a break…"

I felt his feelings shift and curiously, and I carefully tried to pry into his head for once. Though he tried to hide it, it trickled through into my head. I gaped at him in shock. "That soon? Where?"

It was his turn to sigh. "Rose, we can't stay here forever. When things settle down, no doubt the Queen will suspect something when we don't arrive at her intended destination. And as for the where part…We'll take Ella and everyone and head over to Russia. My family will welcome all of you and there's a place for Tasha, your brother, Eileen, and possibly Lissa to stay if the house can't fit all of us."

"Dimitri….I'm scared….I don't want to keep running for the rest of my life…" I opened myself to him, knowing it was time to start trusting him no matter what he did.

"You're right," he stated. "You need to trust me more, Roza. I only hide things from you for a reason and I expect you to understand there are some things I just can't tell you until the right time. Or I can't tell you them at all half the time."

"All right," I relented. "I trust you. I love you, Mitri." Using the childhood nickname made me feel like a little girl again as I curled up against him on the couch, feeling more at home than ever before at the Academy.

Mm, another UD. Hope you like, but it's a bit slow I think…And slightly suckish…No cliffie for you guys today. XD

SONGS:

Mockingbird—Rob Thomas

Lost track of the rest.