"There's no sign of a struggle," Pavel grumbled in confusion, after circling the area for what seemed like the hundredth time.

Receiving a text from Dimitri telling the team to stand down hadn't sat well with Pavel, and his instincts told him that something wasn't quite right. When the Guardian registered vehicle hadn't passed their standby location - which it would have if the young couple were returning home as they said - Pavel knew that they needed to act quickly.

They had raced to the location, expecting to find Belikov and Hathaway engaged in a fight with Strigoi. Only, when they arrived, the atmosphere was eerily quiet. Being late evening in the 'human' world, the lighting was incredibly dark, with the moon casting shadows all around the parking lot. Shadows in which plenty of Strigoi could be lurking – waiting, preying, watching…

There was no battle taking place. No cries of fury, no grunts of impact – just a lonely sedan parked under a street lamp, with their peers not anywhere to be seen.

Something was definitely wrong.

"Castille?" Pavel called out. "Have you got anything?"

"No, Sir," Eddie replied solemnly, standing up straight from where he had been crouched at the driver's side of the black sedan. "Nothing."

That wasn't what Pavel needed to hear. Once again, his boss's daughter was missing – a girl he himself had become quite fond of since their reconciliation – and there were no leads as to where she was; only a horrible sinking feeling that he knew exactly who had taken her.

"Dammit!" he growled, kicking the back tyre of the vehicle in frustration.

At that moment, Guardian Croft waltzed up to join his fellow crew. Already unhappy with being roped into this 'pointless suicide mission' as he called it, he was proving to be remarkably unhelpful.

"I've checked with the owner of the restaurant they went to – he recognised them," he grumbled. "Said they left and came this way."

"So where are they then?" Abe's voice joined the conversation, having snuck up on the three men with such stealth a Guardian would be impressed. "Where's my daughter?"

"I thought I told you to stay in the car, Abe?" Pavel sighed, although not surprised at his charge's actions – Abe often marched to the beat of his own drum. "It's bad enough you insisted on coming anyway."

"Pavel, you know I would have found my own way here if you forced me to stay back at court," he swiftly replied with a shrug. "At least this way I'm with you"

An exasperated sigh escaped the Guardian's lips. It was at times like these in which there was really no doubt of Rose's paternity, the both of them behaving in such strikingly similar ways. Pavel suddenly felt a wave of sympathy for Belikov - having been Abe Mazur's Guardian for decades, he knew exactly what he would be putting up with in his relationship with Rose. Although, it was all in good jest – Pavel wouldn't want to guard anybody else; he held a great deal of respect for Zmey, and their time together had built the foundations for a very strong friendship.

"So, did you find anything?" Abe asked, anxiously fiddling with the ends of his messy beard. Pavel noted that while Abe was often reserved, calm and collected – when it came to Rose, he was anything but.

"Not a thing. Their car's still here, locked – no sign of a struggle nearby."

"They've disappeared," Croft added unhelpfully, causing Abe's blood to start to boil.

"They haven't 'disappeared', Croft – they've been taken," he objected.

"There's no evidence of that."

"The evidence is exactly what my daughter has been put through for the last few months!"

A shrill ringing echoed between the men, thankfully cutting off what was inevitably going to be a heated argument. Pavel pulled his phone from his pocket, breathing a sigh of relief as he recognised the caller ID.

"Belikov! Where are you?"

"It's Rose – she's hurt," the man on the other end of the phone replied frantically. "We need your help."

Pavel's relief instantly turned to fear, and as much as he tried to hide his worry, Abe caught on to his Guardian's change of expression straight away.

"Pavel, what's going on?" he asked, a feeling of dread settling in his stomach.

"You have to hurry, please."

"Belikov, what's happened? Where are you?" Pavel asked, turning and leading the group of men back to their own vehicle.

"It's Rose – he attacked her. She hit her head and now she's collapsed. Nathan he – he's –"

"Belikov, calm down! Take a breath – you need to tell us where you are."

"I'm not sure – I've managed to get us outside," Dimitri answered, still panicked. "It's some kind of disused factory. Red brick walls, chimneys… There are trees in the distance – lots of them."

After strapping himself into the driver's seat, Eddie settled into the passenger side, with Hans and Abe opting for the back. Upon hearing Dimitri's description, Pavel's brows furrowed. It sounded familiar…

"I know where you are," he said suddenly, switching on the ignition. "We passed it the last time."

Pavel recognised the location as a building they had stumbled across during their search for Rose a few months back. Stood near the abundance of forest concealing the house she was held in before, was an abandoned factory. What it had been used for Pavel didn't know, but he couldn't believe that Nathan would be so bold as to abduct her again, and take her somewhere as close to the previous location as this was.

"дерьмо, yes it is."

"We're on our way."

"Hurry," was all Dimitri said, before Pavel hung up and swung out of the parking lot, tyres screeching as they sped in the direction of the couple needing their help.

"What's going on?" Abe asked, sitting forward to speak to Pavel, worry clear in his voice.

"Rose is hurt," Pavel answered solemnly. "Belikov's managed to get her outside. He's described an out-of-business factory we passed the last time we found her."

"Any danger?" Eddie asked from the passenger seat.

"He didn't say."


As soon as they pulled up to the building, each of their hearts sank as they saw Dimitri cradling Rose's lifeless body on the ground. He was frantically murmuring to her in his native language, stroking her hair out of her face and rocking gently back and forth.

"Belikov!" Pavel called out, rushing out of the car after instructing the three other men to stay put.

Dimitri's eyes snapped up to the familiar face, relieved that they had managed to get to them so quickly.

"Come on, we have to hurry. She's not looking good," he urged before turning his attention back to the woman in his arms. "Roza, please don't go to sleep on me."

"Wait – Nathan, is he –"

"Dead," Dimitri stated through gritted teeth. "We killed him before she collapsed."

"Any other Strigoi in there?"

"No it was just him," he explained, scrambling to his feet and lifting Rose gently in his arms. "Come on, we have to go. Now."

Returning to the car, Dimitri managed to squeeze them both in, laying Rose cautiously across the back seat. Eddie, Pavel and Abe were silently thankful they had signed out one of the larger vehicles, allowing both Rose and Dimitri to join them on their journey safely. Once Rose was secure, Dimitri squeezed in beside her, anxiously holding her hand and willing her to be okay. As they set off, Abe risked a look back at his unconscious daughter.

"Kizim… shit," he stuttered, before turning back to his Guardian in the driver's seat. "Drive, now. I don't care how many laws we have to break, we need to get back to Court."


Unsurprisingly, Pavel had indeed broken numerous traffic laws and speed restrictions, finding their way back to Court in record time. The car had barely pulled to a stop before Dimitri had darted out, rushing into the hospital with Rose in his arms. Thankfully, they had called ahead, and there were multiple doctors and nurses on standby, prepared for the arrival of the Queen's head Guardian.

"Guardian Hathaway – head wound, likely other internal injuries," Dimitri informed them, placing Rose onto a waiting bed, ready to wheel her away to be looked at.

About to follow, Dimitri was stopped in his tracks as a voice called out behind him. Reluctantly, he watched as Rose was carted off, and turned to find Lissa and Christian making their way towards him, worry clear on their faces, followed by a handful of the royal guard.

"Dimitri!" Lissa called. "What happened, is she okay?"

"I don't know – shit," Dimitri ran a hand through his tousled hair, a sign of his evident concern and worry for his girlfriend. "She hit her head and –"

"You're not looking too good yourself, man," Christian cut in, his brow furrowing at the state of his Guardian - bruised, bloody and dishevelled.

"Doesn't matter," Dimitri replied curtly. "Rose is –"

"Seriously dude, that cut on your cheek looks nasty."

"I'll get it sorted after I know she's okay," he protested. "I can wait."

"Dimitri, let me help you at least?" Lissa suggested, reaching forward towards Dimitri.

"No – I'm fine. Rose needs you, you can help her," he pleaded, knowing that Rose's chances would be much greater if Lissa lent her helping hands.

One of the Queen's Guardians stepped forward, clearing his throat apprehensively.

"Ma'am, that's not a good idea," he warned.

Lissa spun around quick as a flash, narrowing her eyes at the man who spoke.

"And why the hell not?"

"We can't go in with you and –"

"We're in a fucking hospital for Vlad's sakes! Nothing's going to happen, and my best friend needs me! Not to mention she's technically your boss!"

"Yes, but –"

"Enough!" She interjected, holding up a hand to silence him. "Wait out here," she added, before turning her attention back to Dimitri. "I'll be back, Dimitri. She'll be okay."

Placing a gentle hand on his arm, Lissa shot him a look of reassurance. She felt a deep sense of concern for Rose, and would do everything she possibly could to help her. As she walked away in the direction of wherever Rose was taken, Dimitri felt a slight feeling of relief, knowing that Lissa would use her expertise to help the person they both deeply cared for.

"Relax man, Lissa's good – you know she is," Christian said, knowing his Guardian still worried. "Rose is going to be okay."

"I hope so," Dimitri sighed.

"I know so," Christian promised, before drawing the conversation back to Dimitri's own health. "But you should really get that looked at, before it gets infected."


"Well, Guardian Belikov, you're all done," the kind nurse stated, wiping the cut on Dimitri's cheek one final time. "It might take a while to heal properly, and you've likely got some bruising on your ribs, but that will heal in time."

Dimitri nodded and gave her his gratitude, glad for the throbbing pain in his cheek to have stopped. Christian had been right - the cut on his cheek had been nasty, and despite his need to ensure that Rose was okay, he too needed to be checked over.

Once the nurse left, allowing Dimitri the opportunity to pull his shirt gently back over his head, Christian piped up from where he had been sat quietly on the opposite side of the room.

"What happened, man?"

"Nathan jumped us, knocked us out. Took us to some factory and had us tied to chairs," Dimitri explained. "He threatened us, and he was going to – you know."

Christian frowned, and an angry, sickening feeling overcame him. Solemnly, he nodded his head in understanding.

"I managed to get free and attacked him, but we accidently knocked Rose's chair over. She hit her head – pretty badly."

"Shit…"

"He overpowered me but Rose managed to get free and staked him with the broken chair. I cut his head off after that."

"Good," Christian stated, his sense of pride for his Guardian coming through strong. He knew that Dimitri was a fantastic Guardian, but the act of killing Nathan just proved that tenfold. Christian thought of Rose like his little sister, and the trauma she had been put through shook him to the core. He was thankful that Dimitri had been able to apprehend the monster before Rose's pain became worse.

Once Dimitri's top half was covered again, the pair left the room. As they made their way in the direction of the reception, Dimitri finished explaining what had happened. How Rose had collapsed not two minutes after Nathan's death, how Dimitri had managed to get them outside, how he had, with a stroke of luck, located his Duster – and phone – along the way, calling for help as soon as possible.

Both Dimitri and Christian only hoped that it wasn't too late – that their haste had gotten Rose back to Court in time, and the doctors – along with Lissa – would be able to save her.

"Guardian Hathaway – which room?" Dimitri asked once they reached the desk at reception. He wasn't sure how much time had passed, but it felt like a lifetime – he wasn't sure if the doctors were still helping her.

"Uh let me see… 106 but I think she's still being looked at," the young nurse informed him, recognising him as she saw him. "The Queen is with her."

Dimitri nodded his thanks, before turning and heading off in search of the aforementioned room, with Christian hot on his tail.

"Hey, Dimitri – do you want me to come with you?"

"Up to you."

Christian had come to know Dimitri well enough over the years that he knew company was the last thing he wanted right now – his mind was completely preoccupied with thoughts and worries of Rose, and he needed to be alone to process these. With a quick goodbye and request to let him know what happens, Christian turned and made his way to the waiting room, leaving Dimitri to continue his search for Rose alone.

With impeccable timing, the moment Dimitri found room 106, the small number of doctors working on Rose exited the room, with Lissa following closely behind. Dimitri's heart raced, and he instantly reached towards the Queen, eager to know what was going on.

"Vasilisa – is she okay?" he asked, grasping her gently by the shoulders.

"Yes, she's fine," Lissa told him, a smile on her face.

Dimitri felt a flood of relief sweep through him at the news that Rose was fine. Each time Rose was admitted to hospital, Dimitri's heart felt weaker and weaker – he didn't know how much more worry he could take. He loved Rose unconditionally, and each time Rose was injured it felt like his own heart was breaking into pieces.

"She suffered some trauma to her head, but no lasting damage – no brain injury or anything like that," Lissa explained further. "The doctors fixed any external injuries, and I was able to repair her ribs – a couple of them were fractured, but luckily they didn't pierce her lungs.

Uncharacteristically, Dimitri pulled the Queen into a hug, his feelings of gratitude and thankfulness overwhelming him.

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me. I'm glad she's okay."

"Is she awake?" he asked once the pair stepped back from their embrace.

"Not yet," Lissa replied, before explaining that he was free to wait at her bedside, knowing that Dimitri wouldn't move more than a foot away from Rose until she woke up. "I'm quite tired, I'm going to get Christian to take me home – will you let us know when she wakes up?"

"Of course," Dimitri said before giving her his thanks once more and bidding their goodbyes.


Upon entering the room, Dimitri felt a wave of guilt rush over him as he saw Rose lying unconscious on the bed in the middle of the room. Although the doctors and Lissa had done an excellent job at patching her up, he hated seeing her like this, and couldn't help but feel as though, again, this was his own fault. Rose's happiness and good health was everything to him, and seeing her hurt and injured did nothing but break his heart.

Pulling up the chair beside her bedside, Dimitri sat and took one of her hands in his, thankful that she already felt warmer than she had when he held her in the car. Bringing her hand to his lips and placing a gentle kiss on her skin, Dimitri let the tears fall. Feeling slightly overwhelmed, and knowing he was alone, he didn't mind letting his emotions get the better of him.

Rose was okay.

She was going to be okay.

Dimitri vowed, then, that this would be the last time Rose lay in a hospital bed, unconscious after nearly succumbing to death. He wouldn't allow that to happen again, not if he could help it. Her life was the most valuable thing, and he was going to protect it.


A few hours passed, yet Rose still lay unconscious, with Dimitri all the while holding her hand. He hadn't managed to take his eyes off of her, unable to do anything but stare at her beauty. With help from Lissa's spirit, any bruising Rose suffered was reduced quite significantly, and she looked as though she had only settled down for a nap. Dimitri was awestruck whenever he looked at her, and this moment was no different. He couldn't quite believe that someone as pure, gorgeous, albeit wild as Rose would settle for someone like him.

As Dimitri sat beside Rose, willing her to wake up, he heard a quick rasp on the door, before it opened to reveal Abe. Tearing his eyes away, Dimitri looked up at Rose's father and greeted him with a nod, before turning his attention back to Rose.

"I thought you'd want to be alone for a while before I came up," Abe explained, moving to the other side of Rose's bed and pulling up the second chair. "How is she?"

"Vasilisa said she's going to be fine."

"Good. I knew she would be," Abe replied sincerely. If he knew anything about his daughter, it was that she was extremely strong-willed. Having already survived death multiple times, Abe had no doubt that Rose would pull through again – it wasn't her time, and it wouldn't be for a good many years to come. "Listen, Son – thank you for looking after her."

Dimitri sighed heavily, looking up at Abe with a sadness in his eye.

"Don't thank me, Abe. It's my fault she's in this mess in the first place," he confessed guiltily, looking back down to the woman lying between them.

"No –"

"If I hadn't agreed to her plan, or sent the rest of you away, we would be fine now. I didn't protect her – again."

Dimitri could almost hear the rolling of Abe's eyes.

"Shut it, Belikov," he scoffed. "You did everything you could."

It didn't seem that way to Dimitri, and he couldn't understand why Rose's father was showing such kindness – not when he had let him down once more.

"I can't imagine anyone better for my daughter," Abe continued when Dimitri didn't say anything further.

Dimitri looked up at the man with a raised eyebrow, his confusion growing at each compliment dealt to him.

"I mean, I definitely didn't like you to begin with, and I sure as hell hated your guts when the bastard abducted her, but you've proven your love for her time and time again. I can see the love in your eyes – you're exactly who she needs."

A smile crept on to Dimitri's face at Abe's words.

"I hope you'll be around for a long time."

"Well, actually –"

"Comrade?"

A hoarse voice murmured from between the two men, causing Dimitri to pause mid-sentence and drawing both of their attentions down to the woman lying in the bed. With bleary eyes, Rose looked around at her surroundings, clearly confused and disorientated.

"Dimitri?" she asked again when her eyes settled on her boyfriend, seeking his comfort in amongst her wariness.

"I'm here," he comforted, squeezing her hand gently. A grin spread across his face as he stared down at her, thankful that she had now woken up.

When Rose brought her attention to her father, his grin grew almost as wide as Dimitri's. Leaning forward, he planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Hi, Kizim."

"Baba?"

"I'm glad you're okay, Kiz," he said, squeezing Rose's other hand. "I'll come back to see you in a bit, I'm sure you two need to be alone. I'll let the nurse know you're awake as well."

Content that she was okay now that she was awake, Abe wanted to give the two lovers some needed time together – as much as he wanted to stay close to his only child. With a warm smile, he left the room, leaving Rose and Dimitri on their own. Now slightly more alert, Rose tried sitting up. Dimitri leant forward and helped to pull her up, propping her pillows behind her to ensure her comfort.

"Where are we?" Rose asked once she was sat. The last thing she remembered was falling into Dimitri's arms – she thought for sure that she was dead. Yet, here she was, waking up once again – defying the odds.

"Back at Court, thankfully," Dimitri informed her.

"What happened?"

"You took a lot of damage to the head – you collapsed, and lost a fair bit of blood," he sighed, stroking the back of her warm hand with his thumb. The small act of love made Rose feel safe and comforted – she always did with Dimitri around. "Luckily, we got back here in time for the doctors to help you. Lissa helped too."

"Lissa?"

Dimitri nodded.

"Shit – Nathan, we – we killed him?" Rose's eyes widened, and a sudden wave of panic shot through her.

"Yes," Dimitri reassured, gently calming her by tracing patterns on the skin of her arm. He hated to see her so worked up. "He's dead."

"So it's over now?" Rose asked, desperate for her life to return back to normal. "All of it?"

"Yes, it's over, Roza," Dimitri promised, a look of love and adoration clear on his features. "You're safe now."

The End.


That's it guys! The final chapter - I can't believe we made it. This is my first ever fanfic, and I am so proud to have finished it finally! Thank you so much for all your support - please remember to leave me a review so I can see what you all thought!

Don't worry, there is going to be an epilogue, which I am currently working on - so technically, there is one more chapter to come!

H x