Author's Note:

I don't own Vampire Academy or any of its characters or settings.

Special thanks to TheBasicBitch for beta-reading this chapter after I lacked the courage to post in a timely manner. I hadn't originally planned on having a beta reader for this story, but she was able to not only push me to finally get the chapter published but also gave me some great help in getting this 'just right'.

If you've gotten this far, you already know there's grown-up stuff and you shouldn't read this story if you're a child. This chapter is probably the first (and maybe only) clean(-ish) one you're going to see in this work. Enjoy your angsty filler material.

P.S. If you are looking for a nice Romitri happy ending and this is the last chapter currently present, either be prepared to wait for chapter 5 or hold off on reading this until I get further in the writing.

-=o0/&\0o=-

Previously:

"It's sort of too bad that we don't have time for another round," Rose said, her man-eating smile firmly in place, as she shifted off of him and began to get up from the bed.

"Another day," Dimitri said, looking around the room for his clothes, "Would you like something to drink before we go? I have some hot chocolate. I've seen how much you seem to love chocolate when I've been watching you in the cafeteria."

Rose chuckled at the thought that he already knew her so well. "Sure," she said, "I'd like that."

-=o0/&\0o=-

"There will be another day - won't there?" asked Rose, as she began to button the last button on her shirt, "I don't want this to end."

Dimitri was about to answer when he heard noises in the living room. "Der'mo," he cursed in Russian, "Ivan is home."

"Now what happens?" Rose asked.

"Time to face the music," Dimitri replied, putting his hand to the door, "But first …" Dimitri pulled Rose to him and crushed his lips against hers, molding her body to his. One hand tangled in her hair and the other was around her waist, clutching her as close to him as he could.

"What was that for?" Rose asked.

"If I'm already going to go to hell, I might as well burn," Dimitri replied.

Before Dimitri could even open the door, Ivan called out, "Dimka, why the hell is there a school bag in our apartment? This better not be what I think it is."

Dimitri took Rose by the hand, opened the door, and walked into the hall, saying, "It probably is."

Ivan stood there with his mouth hanging open for a minute. Dimitri broke the silence, saying, "Roza, can Ivan and I talk alone for a minute?"

Rose nodded her head, and Dimitri motioned for Ivan to follow him to his room. Ivan followed to Dimitri's bedroom and then closed the door.

"Fuck, Dimitri," Ivan said, "it even smells like sex in here! Please tell me you did not have sex with one of your underage students in our apartment."

"I didn't have sex with one of my underage students in our apartment."

Ivan asked, "Then, would you care to explain what happened?"

"Rose is eighteen, so she's not underage. And she isn't in any of the classes I teach, so she's not my student," Dimitri supplied.

"She's still a student at the school you teach in, so that makes her off-limits. Did you read nothing in the Title IX clauses of your teaching contract when you signed it? Plus, technically, even if she doesn't get a grade for it, she is your student in detention," said Ivan, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Goddamnit, Dimka, as your lawyer, I don't want to spend the next ten years in Title IX litigation for you."

"Ivan, my contract was two pages, single-sided. There was nothing in there about Title IX. And St. Vlad's is a private high school with no public funding, so Title IX doesn't really apply."

"That's debatable and I've seen the court cases to prove it. Besides, what do you think her parents would think? You still better keep this under wraps. And end it."

Dimitri reasoned, "There's something about her; I just trust her. I know that she won't say anything, Ivan. It doesn't matter, though, because I don't think I can end it."

"What? Why not? It's not worth it just to have a hot piece of ass, no matter how hot she is."

"Ivan, I tried," he said, "I tried to get by without her. I tried to find someone else. Since the moment I met her, she's been all I can think about - and that was over a month ago! I think I'm starting to have some feelings for her."

"Does she return those feelings?" Ivan asked, "Can she return those feelings?"

"I don't know," Dimitri replied, "I think … maybe."

"Dimka, she's practically a child. Oh, shit - was she a virgin?!"

"Of course not! You know she was dating Adrian - for two years! Besides, you're one to talk," said Dimitri, "Isn't Mia eighteen, too?"

Ivan replied, "Yes, but Mia knows we're taking that part of this relationship slow. No one is talking about feelings yet. And I'm not her teacher." He paused for a moment. "Dimka, you know high school girls; they don't know what love is.. At least Mia's in college. Besides, what kind of relationship could you possibly have with her? It's not like you could be seen out in public together. Break this off now and let her get over you."

Dimitri frowned, not sure what to do. He sat on the bed, covers still mussed, the faint smell of Rose's shampoo still on his pillow. "I don't think I can give her up," he said.

"Do you think you could be just friends with her?" Ivan asked, "At least until after she graduates?"

"Maybe," Dimitri hedged.

"Do you think she can?"

Dimitri huffed, and then said, "No."

"Maybe you could talk with Adrian about her?" Ivan offered. Immediately, Dimitri turned and looked at Ivan like he was a lunatic. "Not to ask his permission or anything like that. Just call it quits for a while and try to find out why they broke up and what she's capable of handling. Some people went through things that made them have to grow up fast - who's to say this girl isn't one of those people? Or it could go the other way - the last thing you need is some obsessed crazy stalker with enough evidence to get you fired or send you to jail if you break it off. Better to find out from him than find out the hard way."

Dimitri nodded, then sat quietly for a moment, head in his hands. The note, he thought to himself, was on Rose's desk in his classroom the last time he saw it. Was it in her bag now? Was that evidence? His thoughts began to spiral. Why did Adrian break up with Rose? Was she a vengeful lover? Did Adrian inevitably just feel like she was too much of a child? And - then again - Adrian wasn't exactly the type for commitments or long-term relationships; what was so different about Rose that made him stay with her for two years?

Dimitri frowned as he thought that maybe he knew exactly what it was that drove Adrian to want to be with and stay with Rose: the same things that drove Dimitri to be attracted to Rose in the first place. He wasn't so superficial as that it was the only thing that mattered, but she was easily the most beautiful girl - woman - he had ever seen, especially once he had seen her without her clothes. Her face and body were flawless to look at. And boy, did she know how to use that body. She was easily the best Dimitri had ever had.

Dimitri let out a growl as he realized Adrian had likely done everything that he had with Rose. He found his gut twisted with possessive jealousy as he pictured Adrian's pawing at this beauty. His Roza, he thought to himself. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear about it from Adrian. Hearing all of the ways Adrian had kissed her, touched her, and pleased her might make him feel physically ill.

"I'll ask them both," Dimitri said, "starting with her."

"Do you trust her to tell you the truth, Dimka?"

"I don't think she'd lie, but I feel like I can read her well enough to know if she is lying to me."

"And do you think she can keep this … affair … a secret for the next seven months until she graduates - whether or not you end this?"

Dimitri felt ashamed. In all of the enthusiasm and drive that both of them had to start whatever this was at the end of detention, he hadn't really discussed discretion with Rose. For that matter, they hadn't really discussed what this was, either. He knew he had to do the responsible thing. "I'll talk to her about it," he said, sounding much more level than he was feeling about this.

How did I manage to put so little thought into this, Dimitri wondered. Oh, right, he thought, because all I could think about was how good it would be to sink my dick into her!

"Just don't get us into court, if you can help it, Dimka. Okay?" Ivan asked.

Dimitri let out a deep breath. "I'll try, Ivan," he said, as he stood up.

"And maybe, next time, think with the head on your shoulders, not the one in your pants, Dimka," Ivan said, giving Dimitri a good-natured smile and elbowing him in the side, "At least tell me this,though: was it worth it?"

Dimitri's face split into a wide grin as he said, "I've never been with another woman like her. Ivan, I've never even met another woman like her. She's amazing."

"Let's just hope that goes beyond her body," Ivan said with a wink, as he went to open the door.

-=o0/&\0o=-

Dimitri walked out into the living room. "Roza," he asked, "I don't think we'll have time for that hot chocolate anymore. Sorry."
"It's okay, Comrade," Rose replied, "I think I'm all set to go, if you are. Here's my address." Rose hit send on a text message to 'Woodrow Call' with her address in it.

Dimitri told her, "Let's head out then. I wouldn't want you to get into trouble."

As they both began walking out the door, Rose smiled, saying, "Trouble is my middle name. Rosemarie Trouble Hathaway. Well, actually, I don't really have a middle name, but if I did, I'm sure that would be it."

Dimitri gave a small, dry laugh. "What's the middle initial 'M' for on your student record, then?"

"Oh, that's my father's last name. My parents weren't married yet when I was born, so I got two last names, but my parents figured it'd be easier if I just went by mom's name. My mom never changed it."

"Oh? What name is that?" Dimitri asked.

Rose winced as she said, "Mazur."

"As in Abe Mazur? The privatized security guy? Ex-Navy Seal? That guy?" Dimitri asked as he unlocked Rose's car door.

Rose grimaced. "Yes. I take it you've heard of him."

"And you didn't think this was worth mentioning before we were … intimate?"

"Would you still have been willing if I had told you?" she asked with a smirk.

"No, probably not," Dimitri admitted, turning the key in the ignition and setting the GPS on his phone to go to Rose's house.

"And now that we have, aren't you glad that's an experience neither of us missed out on?"

"Perhaps," Dimitri answered, scratching his chin, "Still, there are a few things we should probably talk about. Should've probably talked about before this happened." Dimitri motioned between the two of them.

"Okay, Comrade," said Rose, "Shoot."

Dimitri took a deep cleansing breath and began. "Roza, even if you're not underage and not my student, I still run the risk of losing my job. Can we keep this a secret until after you graduate?"

Rose placed her hand on Dimitri's. "Of course," she said, "I'm an expert at not getting caught. Besides, the last thing I want is to hurt you because of this." Dimitri immediately felt himself calming.

"And what is this, Roza?" he asked.

Rose exhaled and then paused. "I don't know," she said, "Friends with benefits, maybe?"

"Roza," said Dimitri, "were you and I really friends before this?"

Rose frowned. "No," she said, "So, just benefits?" She gave a little laugh. To her surprise, Dimitri did, too.

"Maybe we should work on the friends part," he said with a genuine smile.

"I'd like that," said Rose, returning his smile.

"What about you and Adrian? It's really over - right? What happened?" Dimitri asked.

Rose frowned again. She felt like her emotions were all over the place for the past few minutes with Dimitri. "Yes. It just wasn't meant to be. I'm not broken or anything, but he hurt me a lot when he left. Adrian and I met at St. Vladimir's the end of my freshman - his senior - year. I didn't even like him at first, but he has always had a way with people. We started dating after he graduated. If we'd stayed together the entire time, July would've been two years. I left him four times while we were together, but I always came back to him. Every time I did, he left whoever he was with for me. This time, he left me. Now he has someone else."

"Were you in love with him?"

Rose took a deep breath and thought. "I loved him. I wasn't in love with him, though. He was just comfortable to be with. I don't know if I've ever been in love."

"Was he the only person you've been with?" Dimitri asked.

"Wow, Comrade, you don't pull any punches, do you?" asked Rose, eyeing him meaningfully.

"It's a good question to ask if you have sex with someone," he said, with a shrug.

"No," said Rose, "He was my first, but I was with one other guy one of the times while we were broken up."

"Do you mind if I ask who? Anyone I know?"

"Captain of the football team. Mason Ashford. I don't think he has any classes with you. We dated for a couple of months and it only happened once and then I broke up with him a few days after and went back to Adrian. I feel bad because I'm pretty sure I was his first. I think he and I are better as friends, though," Rose replied, "Is that going to be weird for you at school?"

"So many things about this are going to be weird, Roza," he said, "I think we need to give this a lot of thought."

"What about you?" she asked, "How many people have you been with? I know you've been with at least one person from your Adult Friend Finder listing."

"How do you know about that, anyway?" Dimitri asked.

Rose smirked, saying, "I asked you first, Comrade."

"Fair enough. Adult Friend Finder was a mistake I won't make again. I was only with one person from the listing. I closed my account from the site a few days after I was with her. Other than the site, there have been three others. All of the others were long-term for at least a year. Lana was my girlfriend from seventeen until half-way through my second year of college when she transferred to NYU. Tamara and I met during student teaching at the same school and lasted about a year until she had a job offer in Michigan. I broke up with Galina about a year ago and I've been on my own since then. Now, your turn."

"Tasha is Christian Ozera's aunt - his legal guardian. I was at her house just after Adrian broke up with me and she recommended the site. When -"
"Did you sign up for that site?" Dimitri interrupted.

"No, but I was considering it. Partially because I couldn't get this unattainable, hot, older Russian guy out of my head. When we were talking, she mentioned that some of the guys on the site had some strange requests. She mentioned a few of yours. One thing led to another and she showed me your profile picture."

"But my face wasn't even on that," Dimitri said, "How did you know that was me?"

"Comrade, I was there the day you took that picture. I couldn't take my eyes off of you. I think I practically memorized the way your body looked in those swim trunks." Hearing her say that, Dimitri let out a growl. "But that's also how I knew you weren't quite as unattainable as I thought."

"Just which requests did she manage to mention?" Dimitri asked. He thought to himself that maybe he had been worried about discretion with the wrong woman.

"Oh, you know, nothing major -" Dimitri began to relax until Rose added, "just the school uniform, 'Comrade', 'Roza', curling her hair, bending her over your desk…"

At Dimitri's worried look, Rose quickly added, "Don't worry - I'm the only one she told."

"Good. I have Christian sixth hour, so that could've been awkward. Parent teacher conferences next month are going to be interesting, though."

Rose chuckled. "I bet," she said.

As the GPS on Dimitri's phone told him to pull into the driveway, Rose said, "So, I guess this is goodnight. How does this work with ... whatever we are? Do I kiss you? Do we plan when we'll be together again?"

Dimitri noticed with weary trepidation Abe's Rolls Royce with the personalized license plate reading 'OFFENSE' sitting in the open garage. A chill went up his spine as he thought of what consequences could await him - or Rose - if Rose's father were to find out about their tryst. He knew he should talk to Adrian before deciding anything about Rose, but he was too afraid of the consequences to keep going the way things were. Dimitri said, "Roza, I really enjoyed being with you, but I didn't really think it through before we were together. I'm not sure this should happen again."

"Why not?" Rose asked, anger flashing in her dark eyes. Rose thought to herself, What the fuck? Was I not good enough in bed or something?

"Rose, I'm seven years older than you. In ten years, that won't mean so much, but for now, it's huge." Dimitri stopped for a moment and considered his next words. While he didn't truly believe that Ivan was right about Rose being a crazy, obsessed stalker, knowing her discipline record, he didn't really want to do anything to make her angry enough to act on it - especially since so much already happened between them. "We're in two very different places. I've been out in the world. I've had to provide for myself. But you ... you're just starting out. Your life is about homework and clothes and dances."

"That's all you think I care about?" asked Rose.

"No, of course not," Dimitri said, glancing at the clock and noting that Rose had to be inside in less than 10 minutes, "Not entirely. But it's all part of your world. You're still growing up and figuring out who you are and what's important. You need to keep doing that. You need to be with boys closer to your own age."

"Closer to my age? Like Adrian? Thanks, but no thanks," she said, opening the car door and exiting without even so much as saying goodbye. Rose slammed the door harshly and said to herself, "Just wait until you see me with guys closer to my own age, Comrade. You won't know what hit you."

-=o0/&\0o=-

As Rose entered the cafeteria with her food tray, she noticed two very important things: Mason Ashford and Dimitri Belikov, both on opposite ends of the room, roughly facing each other. Instead of sitting with Lissa, Rose carried her tray over to where Mason was sitting and put her tray down beside him.

"Hi Mase," she said, putting on her best man-eating smile, "Is this seat taken?"

Before Mason even answered, Rose sat in Mason's lap, placing his hand provocatively on her bare thigh, just below the hem of her school uniform skirt. Rose ran an arm around Mason's neck and nuzzled up to his neck with her nose.

"Rose," Mason coughed out, "I thought you weren't interested in being more than friends anymore."

Rose whispered in Mason's ear, "Maybe I am and maybe I'm not." She placed a small kiss in the sensitive spot just under Mason's earlobe, looking out of the corner of her eye to see Dimitri staring, then put her tongue on his earlobe and ran it along the edge. "We have twenty minutes left of our lunch hour," she told him, running her fingernails through the short red hair at the base of his neck, gently massaging the thick muscles there, "I'm suddenly hungry for something besides food. I found a janitor's closet that's unlocked down the east corridor. Care to join me?"

Mason was hardly able to find his voice. He gulped and nodded as Rose stood up and took his hand, lacing their fingers together and pulling him to follow her. Rose led Mason down a dark deserted hallway that was far outside the area where students were supposed to be during lunch. As they arrived at the janitor's closet and Rose opened the door, Rose leaned in and began kissing Mason's lips while standing in the open doorway. Mason started unbuttoning Rose's shirt, pulling it out of where it was tucked into her skirt as he unbuttoned. Rose aggressively pushed her tongue into Mason's mouth, wanting to move as quickly as possible, gripping his face close to hers. The two of them heard the sound of an unmistakable very deep voice clearing his throat in the hall behind them. Mason and Rose broke the kiss and turned to the sound.

In a very unprofessional manor, Dimitri crossed the hall, stepped between Mason and Rose, and jerked Mason up by his shirt, holding him off the ground. As much as he wanted them to be, Dimitri was unable to get his feelings in check when it came to Rose.

"What's your name?" barked Dimitri.

"M-m-mason, sir," he cowered, "Mason Ashford."

"Mr. Ashford, do you have permission to be in this part of the school during lunch?" Dimitri asked.

"No, sir," Mason replied.

"Do you know the rules about student interactions at St. Vladimir's?"

"Yes, sir," said Mason.

"Then I suggest you get out of here as fast as you can before I turn you over to someone who will punish you accordingly. If I ever see you like this again" - Dimitri pointed at Rose, with her shirt almost completely unbuttoned, in the open doorway of the janitor's closet - "I will be the one to punish you. And it will hurt. A lot."

"Yes, sir." Mason looked like he was about to cry. Or wet himself. Mason had never been in trouble before and - living with his single mother - was counting on scholarships to get into a good college, now fearing he could kiss those all down the drain. Even if Mason hadn't valued his reputation as citizen of the month, he still had a lot to fear. No matter how muscular and tall Mason was compared to the other seniors, Dimitri was still a lot bigger than him. And he was holding Mason up off of the floor, helpless.

Dimitri released Mason, saying, "Then, go."

As soon as Dimitri finished the words, Mason had run off, leaving Rose standing there in the dark hallway with Dimitri, her shirt open.

"You know, Comrade," she began, after Mason had gone, "just because you can't have me doesn't mean no one can. Whatever happened to being with boys closer to my own age?"

Dimitri took a moment to just stare at Rose, transfixed by her beauty and by the longing for what he chose to give up, remembering the feel of her skin there. Rose noticed his stare, feeling a flush over her entire body as his eyes brazenly wandered her exposed torso. Then, Dimitri schooled his features and turned his head to look away from Rose, saying, "You know that this was against the rules, Ms. Hathaway. And you're out of uniform. Button up your shirt and go back to the cafeteria. I'll see you in detention."

Rose had a witty retort on the tip of her tongue, but before Rose could even start to talk, Dimitri had turned his back and walked away.

-=o0/&\0o=-

As soon as he got home to his apartment, Dimitri picked up his phone and found the contact for Adrian Ivashkov. He paused for a moment, finger hovering over the button, not sure if he wanted to call or not. Reluctantly, he pushed the button. With Dimitri teaching and Adrian in college, it was a school night for both of them, but Dimitri knew he needed to find out more.

Dimitri regretted ending things with Rose so abruptly, but he was just too afraid of the consequences of letting it continue. Seeing her with Mason had just made it all so much worse.

After the third ring, Adrian answered the phone. "Dimka!" he said, "Dude! Just the guy I was wanting to talk to!"

"Hey Adrian," replied Dimitri, "I thought I called you. But what's up?"

"My frat's having a Halloween party on Saturday the twenty-eighth. I thought you might like to come."

"I don't have to wear a costume - do I?" Dimitri asked.

"Nah," said Adrian, "Not unless you want to. Leave that to the girls."

"Message me the details. If I'm free, I'll be there."

"Great! Now, what did you call me about?" Adrian asked.

"It's actually about Rose," Dimitri began.

"Is she okay?" Adrian asked, immediately starting to panic.

"She's fine," replied Dimitri, "I was just hoping you could shed some insight into her personality and how to deal with her in detention. Why would you be wondering if she's okay, though?"

"Dimka, it's me," said Adrian, "You know me, dude. You know I read people like a book. I've known Rose for almost three years. Dated her for two of those. Rose is … well, there's just no one like her. On the surface, she might seem really tough, but underneath … she's pretty fragile. I mean, yeah, she's got a temper like you wouldn't believe. Her fire is incredible, but she cares like no one else. If she had to, she would fight for - or die for - the people she cares about. And she's got a heart like you wouldn't believe."

"It almost sounds like you still have feelings for her."

"Dimka, I do still have feelings for her. Of course I do. I've been in love with Rose since the first day we met. Still am. And - goddamn - that woman is easily the best lay I've ever had."

Don't I know it, thought Dimitri, fighting back the erection as he was recalling her body writhing beneath him in his bed.

"But she didn't love me back," said Adrian, "She broke up with me four times while we were together. I tried to let go of her every time she left me, but I couldn't. Even after I knew that she didn't love me back, she was the hardest thing to just give up. Finally, I realized that Rose is just not meant to be mine. She's meant to be with someone else. I think I knew that all along. Then Sydney came along and I just knew who I was meant to be with. Rose will always be in my heart. If she'll let me, I'll be her friend as long as she wants me to, though. She's a beautiful person, inside and out. She deserves to be happy."

Dimitri cringed at the thought of the emotions he saw rolling off of Rose when she got out of his car at her house. 'Happy', Adrian had said. Rose wasn't happy. And Dimitri felt he was the reason for her unhappiness. "Well," Dimitri said, "I guess I should probably get going. Thanks for your insights into Rose. This'll help me in detention."

"Not so fast," said Adrian, "She's not the only one I'm good at reading. I've seen the way you've looked at her. I know you're not calling about her because of detention. You like her."

"What?" asked Dimitri, "You've gotta be crazy. Rose is my student. I don't like her. Not like that, I mean."

"It's not all one-sided, either, Dimka. She looks at you the same way. Remember that fire I told you about? She looks at you like you set her on fire."

"So, what? You expect me to have sex with your ex-girlfriend? Adrian, she's my student! Getting laid isn't worth losing my job - no matter how good she might be in bed!"

"Dimitri, I'm not just talking about sex," said Adrian, "Remember how I said she's meant for someone else? I think she's meant for you."

"I'm not sure I believe that," said Dimitri.

"Well," said Adrian, "give it some thought. I'll send you the details for the party. I hope you can make it."

"Thanks, man," said Dimitri, "I'll talk to you later."

"No problem. Talk to you later."

As soon as Adrian had pressed the 'End Call' button on his phone, he texted Ivan and Dimitri the details of the party. Before he could set it down, the phone rang again. Adrian looked at the screen to see that it was Rose.

"Little vixen!" he said, as he answered the phone.

"Hi Adrian, I need to ask you a favor," Rose said.

Adrian grinned. "Are you calling about a certain cousin of mine? Maybe one whose name you were calling out the last time you were in my bed?"

"No," she replied, "I want you to give Jesse Zeklos my number."

Adrian thought for a moment. Just then, he got a text message from Dimitri. Adrian glanced at the screen. It said, "Count me in. I'll be at the party."

Adrian told Rose, "I have a better idea. Our frat's having a party on Saturday the twenty-eighth. How about I give him your number and set you and Jesse up on a date for the party? I know you've got some sort of sexy costume all planned out. He'll love it."

"You know me too well, Adrian," Rose laughed.

Adrian laughed, too. "Well, after the Catwoman in skintight leather and Princess Jasmine with a bare navel costumes, I figured you had to have something in mind."

Rose grinned a knowing smile. "You'll see."

"I think it's going to be great," he said.

"Thanks, Adrian. Set it up with Jesse and send me the details."

"Okay," said Adrian.

Once Adrian and Rose had wrapped up their call, he walked out into the living room of his frat house. Jesse was sitting there playing video games again.

"Hey, Jesse," Adrian told him, "You wanna bring Rose as your date to the Halloween party?"

"Fuck yeah, dude," Jesse replied, finally pausing his game and looking up from the couch, "Set it up!"

"Sure. I'll let her know and text you her number. Just promise me that you won't go out with her before the party."

"Why's that?" Jesse asked.

Adrian chuckled and quickly came up with, "You haven't lived until you've seen a Rose Hathaway Halloween costume."

Jesse laughed. "Deal. Maybe I can manage to get the costume off of her, too - if you know what I mean. But I can still call her first - right?"

"To your heart's content," Adrian said, "As long as she is still willing to go with you to the party."

-=o0/&\0o=-

Author's Notes:

As you've probably noticed, I borrowed a few tiny excerpts (and changed enough to tailor them to fit this story) from Mead's original text. The first would be the part where Dimitri tried to end things (from near the end of Vampire Academy, after the lust charm) and the second would be the section where he caught them near the janitor closet (from near the middle of VA, originally Jesse Zeklos in the lounge). Hopefully I grabbed small enough sections and changed them sufficiently enough that no one thinks I'm taking credit for the brilliance that Richelle Mead originally wrote. Overall, the original unedited text in the two sections constitutes under 200 words of this 5000 word chapter, so hopefully we're all good.

Sorry for the angsty temperamental chapter, but I promise you there'll be some more Romitri lovin' coming up soon! Never fear, I will bring our couple a happy ending eventually.

As for the Halloween costumes mentioned in this chapter, those were both actual costumes I had. I wore the Catwoman costume when I was eighteen. Princess Jasmine, I was nineteen - it was the maybe smallest top, including swimsuits, that I've ever worn in public, too!