I'm back once again my loves. I couldn't keep you waiting too long. I know the suspense was killing you guys. Well, onward.

Times like these are why Dimitri really saw value in the minor skills being a Guardian gave you. He has mastered the art of, what he refers to as, the half sleep. It's a state of consciousness, or unconsciousness, where you can get some kind of rest while still being aware of your surroundings. If you ever have a double or triple shift, this skill comes in handy. Of course, it's not as thorough as full sleep, but it's not as exhausting as being completely awake.

He was using this same exact resting method tonight in his bedroom, waiting to see if Rose would leave her room. Laying in his bed, fully clothed, Dimitri was being as patient as any experienced Guardian could be. Unfortunately, being alert enough to hear everything in the suite this time of night, he was subjected to hearing Lord Ozera and the Princess engaging in- amorous activities. Sitting in his room he couldn't prevent the embarrassment induced blush taking over his face as he thought that while it was valiant of Lord Ozera to try to please the Princess multiple times, he may want to work on lasting longer than a minute. Then again, he is a young Moroi, maybe that's just how they are at that age.

His mind was taken off that train of thought when he heard a click of a door closing down the hall from him.

That has to be Rose.

Looking at the time, he could see is was 12pm. So, Novice Ashford was correct on the timing of these disappearances.

Hearing the heavier door of the staircase shut, Dimitri quickly exited his room and quietly peeked into the stairway. He saw the top of Roses' head two flights down, headed for the door leading to outside.

Feeling his shoulders slump in relief, he relaxed against the door frame. Well, she certainly isn't seeing Adrian.

He knew he could trust her, but with Novice Ashford being right in most of his observations, and them never outlining anything about their feelings for each other out loud, Dimitri hoped he didn't unintentionally push her towards the wealthy Moroi.

So where the hell is she going? Starting to go downstairs, Dimitri quickly headed back towards him room to put on some thicker clothing since he was heading outside.

Making it outside, Rose was nowhere in sight. It was almost blinding trying to look anywhere with the sunlight reflecting off the snow so brilliantly. However, there was a trail of fresh footprints in the settled snow. Following the trail, Dimitri found himself heading towards the Guardian cafeteria.

Of course—Roza is just up getting a midnight snack. He thought chuckling to himself. Entering the hall, it was incredibly empty. It made sense. Most Guardians were either sleeping or in the middle of their shift, there was no reason for anyone to be here. That's probably why Roza is here at this time.

Hearing noises coming from the kitchen, with its entrance on the far opposite corner of where he was standing, Dimitri slowly trolled over there looking to surprise Rose in whatever midnight mischief she was getting into.

Until he heard a loud metal clatter.

Quickly followed by Rose swearing.

Suddenly not carry about being discrete, Dimitri rushed to the entrance, eager to help Rose if she was in trouble.

When he got there, he saw something he never expected.

Standing with her back to him, Rose looked like she was- cooking?

She noticeable looked small in the grand kitchen. Probably having been used for the Moroi dinning as well, this place was huge.

On the far wall there was a line of large stainless-steel stoves, about seven of them, each with a matte white colored counter-top in between them. The far back wall had a large worn looking sink with three pockets separating the dishes. The wall opposite the stoves had dual door stainless steel refrigerators that were as tall as Dimitri himself. There were also shelves filled with seasonings and spices in between the refrigerators. In the center of the room were three large rectangular tables. They were the same matte white color as the counter tops. Beneath every table, there was a large collection of pots, pans, woks, skillets, and other cooking utensils.

Looking at what appeared to have been an avalanche of skillets, coming from under the table closest to the entrance, Dimitri figured that's the noise he heard when he came in. Now being sure that there was no threat, he turned his attention back to Rose.

She was currently standing with her back to him, probably oblivious to his presence. It looked like she found a skillet she thought was suitable, as she placed it on the stove and turned on the flame. Gazing at the counter-top he saw a half-chopped onion, some chopped garlic, and some kind of red meat in a plastic bag.

Rose also taken off a few layers. Now she is just wearing an old t-shirt with a pair of grey sweats. She has one of the cook's aprons wrapped around her tiny waist with her hair in a messy bun.

She's so beautiful. Dimitri found himself thinking as he relaxed his stance against the door frame, just content in watching her.

Rose is moving around the kitchen with an ease he didn't expect to see from her. I guess this is what she has been doing all these days. Turns out she is making a steak. He was able to figure that out when she removed the red meat from the plastic bag to place it into the hot pan. Soon the aroma of the meat filled the air.

The smell was so divine, Dimitri felt his mouth begin to water. He can tell that there were plenty of spices used on the meat.

The oven beeped; Rose stopped to open it. Closing the oven, she turned around—

She let out a small shriek when she noticed the Russian God leaning up against the door frame, his eyes focused on her. With his face impassive, Rose couldn't tell if was anger or not.

Getting tired of him just staring at her without saying anything, she shook her head and continued walking towards one of the refrigerators. There, she grabbed a long thin pan. Dimitri couldn't make out what was on it from the distance he was standing.

Swiftly, she turns and walked back to the stove, she puts the pan in the oven and closed it. Then she lowered the flames and flipped the steak over.

Finally, she turns to address Dimitri. Standing there with her hands on her hips she asked

"What are you doing here?"

"I can ask you the same." He responded with a slight smirk.

Rose squinted her eyes. What is he smirking about?

They continued to stare at each other, a silent challenge in the air. Figuring that she is at a loss for words, being caught red handed, Dimitri's smirk widened as he raised one brow at her.

She rolled her eyes in annoyance when he did that, irritated that she is reminded that she can't do the same. Turning back to the stove, she continued to tend to the meal she was preparing.

"Just take a seat if you're going to keep watching me like that" she ordered; her back still facing him.

Full blown smiling now, Dimitri grabbed one of the many wooden stools that littered the space and took a seat at the closest white table.

Rose kept silent, knowing Dimitri was probably watching her with that smirk like the cat that ate the canary. Instead she went about cooking like no one was there.

Watching her cook, Dimitri noticed how stiff her body was. Where he was sitting, he should be able to see the side of Rose's face, but she just so happened to have her head turned to the perfect angle so he couldn't see it. Is Rose being—shy? He thought in disbelief. It just made him smile more knowing that the woman with no shame seems to have a bit of a weak spot.

Finally turning to face him, Rose's suspicions where confirmed. Sitting there with his head propped on his hand, Dimitri had one of the biggest grins she ever seen on his face.

"What?" she barked irritably

"I didn't know you could cook" he said with that same smile.

With a light blush on her face, Rose headed to the cabinets on the other side of the room, standing on her tiptoes she grabbed a large plate and some utensils from a drawer.

"No one knows" she said placing the fork and knife on the table. "Not even Lissa" she finished in a lower voice.

"So, where did you learn?"

"While I was away from the Academy"

"Details, Roza, Details" he said, using a phrase she often gave him whenever she wanted him to explain some thing he was probably too shy to admit.

Laughing at Dimitri talking like a teenage girl. Rose took a deep breath.

"While we were away from the academy, Lissa decided to use her funds to take ballet classes or etiquette classes to keep up during her time away from princess life. There was NO WAY I was going to go to those classes willingly, so I stayed at the apartment we got after walking her to her class. One day, I came across the food network and saw some of the shows playing. I never actually watched someone cook food before. I always ate from the cafeteria at school, so everything would already be prepared. It looked really cool."

"So you started practicing?"

"Yup, it took me some time to learn the seasonings and everything. The first time I tried to make something I burned it to a crisp. It was hard trying to cover up the smell by the time Lissa came back." She said with a smile.

Checking on the steak for a moment, Rose turned it again. Continuing her story, she said "I haven't been able to make anything since we got captured and sent back to the academy. When I saw the kitchen after we first came here, I asked the staff if it would be okay for me to cook here"

"And they said yes?"

"Well, at first, I had them under the impression that I was cooking for Lissa, but it became obvious that that wasn't the case since Moroi eat so little to begin with. Apparently, there is plenty of food the kitchen just doesn't get to because the Moroi are very fickle about what kind of food they want to eat" she said, rolling her eyes at the idea. "However, there are times when there wouldn't be enough of something to supply to the entire Guardian staff here, so it ends up spoiling and being thrown away. The head chef was fine with me using the stuff as long as I didn't get in the rest of the staff's way when they came in to cook."

"So, that's why you get up in the middle of the night to come here" Dimitri concluded

Rose nodded.

"How do you like it, have you gotten a lot of practice in? Try new things?" he asked

Giving him a smile, Rose perked up and said "Yeah, I have been able to experiment with a lot of supplies I couldn't afford before. And I really like it. I don't know, cooking is just kind of relaxing to me. And there are other benefits to being down here"

"Oh, like what?"

"Well I don't have to get traumatized by Lissa and Christian going at it constantly while I'm asleep"

Blushing a bit Dimitri admitted "Yes, unfortunately, I heard their activities too before I came here."

"Mhm, now imagine feeling like you are actually a part of that"

"Nope, no thank you" he quickly rebutted

"Welcome to my life" she comically pointed out.

Rose turned her attention back to the steak on the stove. Dimitri watching her silently. She looked so much more relaxed, like she was in her home. He couldn't help but imagine a future like that with her. Maybe the two of them cooking together. In his daydream, he imagined maybe a baby or two playing around at their feet. He knew it wasn't possible for them naturally, but they could always adopt.

Placing the steak on the plate, she brought it to the table. Dimitri had to admit, it looked just as good as it smelled. The onions and garlic she was cutting earlier were caramelized and placed on top of the hardy piece of meat. It looked like a picture out of those food magazines. She pushed the plate far from her, to the middle of the table.

Seeing his questioning look Rose explained "I'm letting the meat rest, so the flavors set in for about five minutes"

She sat there for about a minute before grabbing the plate. "Too hungry, forget setting flavors I can't just have it sitting in front of my face like that."

Grabbing her fork and knife she was getting ready to dig in when she glanced at Dimitri's face. His eyes were glued to the plate. Rose realizes that this is probably the first time she has actually seen him look hungry.

Cutting a piece, they both noticed the juices pouring out of the incision made by the knife. Two Dhampir and one steak, how sad. Rose thought to herself. Raising the piece of meat from her plate, Rose noticed Dimitri's eyes follow it. He's so adorable.

Having mercy, Rose put the food to his lips. "Here, you have the first bite."

Shaking his head "No, Roza. I intruded on your mea—"

His little speech was interrupted by the sound of a small bear.

Rose couldn't believe it. They always heard her stomach growling, but she never heard Dimitri's. Looking at his face, his ears were turning a bit red because of his embarrassment.

"Come on Comrade, open up." she pushed. "I know your body wants to"

Not needed much pushing, he quickly took the piece into his mouth.

Closing his eyes, Dimitri didn't even hear himself groan as the melody of flavors burst in his mouth. He doesn't even remember the last time he had a home cooked meal, but this reminded him of what he missed. Sure, eating at a restaurant when he is assigned to is ok, but it has nothing on food made by people you know with their own twist. And this steak was absolutely heavenly.

Finally opening his eyes, he saw Rose starring at him, looking like she was expecting something but also looking a bit unsure of herself because she was trying to look at him but not head on.

"What?" he asked

"Well, what do you think?" she almost whispered, placing some loose strands of hair behind her ear.

"It's excellent of course" he said with certainty.

Rose whole demeaner changed, she faced him completely beaming at him "Really?"

"Yeah it tastes amazing"

"Thanks" she replied. Turning her head away from him she said "I never had anyone else try my cooking before."

"Why not?"

"I don't know. Didn't have a lot of opportunity. And the only person I could have showed was Lissa, but she is used to five- star restaurants and stuff so…" she didn't want to finish that sentence. "Anyway, it would totally ruin my bad-girl reputation"

Chuckling at her words, Dimitri felt truly honored that she allowed him to see this side of her. He was pretty sure that he knew Rose better than anyone, but he was still happy that she was willing to share more of herself with him.

"Can I have another piece?"

"Woah, there cowboy, my turn" Quickly cutting herself a piece and popping it in her mouth. "Could have used a bit more cayenne pepper" she murmured to herself.

Giving Dimitri another piece, he nodded "The cayenne pepper wouldn't make too much of a difference here. How did you get it so tender?"

Perking up she boasted "I had in marinating in that bag for about two days, I see it payed off too"

Smelling something sweet in the air Dimitri asked, "What is that?"

"Oh I think it's ready now, it's been about 15 minutes" Rose got up and when to grab some oven mitts before heading back to the stove. Pulling out the tray, Dimitri saw a large batch of chocolate chip cookies.

Rose placed the pan of the white table, far from where they were both sitting. Dimitri's nostrils flared as he inhaled the divine aroma of the baked good. Using his long reach, he tried to grab a cookie.

Rose swatted his hand before he could grab a morsel.

"Ah, ah, ah Comrade. You will burn your mouth trying to eat a chocolate cookie out of the oven like that. They have to cool for a few minutes" she chided playfully.

Retracting his hand, Dimitri folded his arms with a huff and his bottom lip poked out a bit in a little pout.

"Oh, that look is NOT going to work on me Comrade" Rose laughed. "But nice try" she added patting him on the head as if saying 'good boy'.

"I didn't notice the café serving cookies before" Dimitri mentioned

"that's because they don't" she replied.

Reaching over, Rose grabbed the now warm cookie, and put it up to Dimitri's face.

"I made the dough myself, from scratch" she said as he took a bite.

Oh my god. Dimitri thought as he chewed the cookie. He was amazed with how soft and chewy it was. Not too sweet, the chocolate was melted in it just enough to spread in his mouth, and once he was done chewing it just felt like the whole thing melted in his mouth. It tasted like a dream.

"Now, how are those?" Rose asked

Opening his eyes to gaze at her beautiful face, he answered "Perfection"

Feeling the intensity of his gaze, Rose got the feeling that he was talking about more than just the cookies.

Taking a bit into one herself, she couldn't help but moan too "Oh god, these are good. I don't think I have ever had freshly made cookie before."

Dimitri just grunted a response, since he was too busy chewing his second one.

They settled in silence, just eating the cookies together. Rose was surprised by how ferociously Dimitri was devouring the cookies, he barely swallowed one before he had another one to his lips. She only had two dozen baked, thinking she would eat them alone, luckily, she had more dough in the fridge.

Rose was really nervous when he first came into the kitchen. She kind of kept her cooking a secret because she didn't really want anyone to criticize her food, especially because she enjoyed doing it so much. But seeing Dimitri enjoy her cooking made her heart swell with love and affection for him. She didn't mind him knowing about it—we share so many secrets already—she thought fondly.

Stopping after her fifth cookie, Rose decided to leave the rest to Dimitri, who seemed to be in a trance. I've never seen him eat with such enthusiasm before.

Going to the cabinet, and then the fridge, she returned to the table with a tall glass of milk. Taking a sip first to wash down the cookies she set the glass in front of Dimitri. He then began to pause in between a few cookies to take a sip.

Finishing off the last cookie, Dimitri placed his hands down the table, palms facing down. Looking up at Rose he said "That was awesome"

Giggling at his simple statement she said "Thanks, I'm surprised, for someone who is such a health nut, you sure put those cookies away."

Cocking his head to the side he said "Yes, but I do have a love for chocolate in general, plus I make an exception for such delicious food" giving her a wink. "You should taste my babushka's sugar cookies, they would definitely show you what I mean"

"Maybe I can learn the recipe from her someday" She said blushing, knowing she was stepping out on a limb.

Dimitri caught was she could have been implying and he was over the moon about it. "Maybe you can" he said.

Not wanting to enter into an awkward silence Rose got up and began to grab the pan and the empty glass, when Dimitri took them from her hands.

"No no Roza, you cooked such a fabulous meal for us, the least I can do is cleanup" he said

"You sure Comrade?"

"I insist" he replied walking to the sink in the back.

"Great, I hate washing dishes anyway" she said, sitting back down.

After putting all the dishes away after washing and drying them. Dimitri came back to the table. Looking at his face, Rose shook her head, laughing a bit.

"What?" he asked confused.

Coming close to him Rose said "You got chocolate on your cheek"

Using her finger, she wiped some off his face. Not one to waste food, Rose put the finger in her mouth, sucking the chocolate off her digit.

Watching her, Dimitri started to feel a different kind of hunger arise in him.

Seeing a brown mark still on his face, Rose reached up and kissed his face, not too far from his mouth. With her lips firmly planted there, he felt her tongue peek out a bit to lick his cheek. Loving her touch, Dimitri wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

Pulling back she examined his face. Looking at the remained brown smudge with a determination, Rose said "Almost there"

But this time when she pulled his again down, Dimitri turned his head at the last moment, pressing his lips to hers instead.

Thrown off guard by his passionate kiss, Rose gasped. This gave Dimitri the opportunity to slide his tongue into her mouth. He groaned at the taste of chocolate on her tongue.

They were continuing to make out, when they heard a door slam from behind them. Pulling apart Rose informed him "Oh that must be the kitchen staff coming in, we probably stayed much later than usual. Don't worry, they head to their locker room first before coming in here."

Separating completely, the two off them put their layers back on and headed out of the door before the staff even saw them.

Stopping to face her, Dimitri said "Thank you Roza, for treating me to an exquisite meal today"

"No problem Comrade, and I promise to make more food tomorrow" she replied

Dimitri's heart warmed at being invited again.

Continuing to walk he teased "Oh and make sure you cook some vegetable too"

Rolling her eyes, she said "Duh, I only didn't cook them because you were such a distraction"

"uh, I'm sure that's what is was" Dimitri said sarcastically. He knew Rose didn't usually eat fruits and vegetable unless he told her too.

Looking at the time, both realized that the time flew while they were in the kitchen and they only had about an hour before their usual training time. Considering they were still somewhat full from their early breakfast, Dimitri suggested that they could just walk around the resort for a couple miles instead of the usual training.

And so, they did.

Another chapter done my friends. *Takes a bow*

Until next time. And don't forget to review!