DIMITRI

"I want to go to Russia."

Rose's declaration brought the room to a silent standstill before she turned towards the others. "Dimitri's family offered to take me in for a while. That's what I want to do."

Janine and Alberta had been well on their way to planning Rose's life out for her, and the sudden change in direction seemed to stun them. I understood them wanting the best for Rose. I wanted that, too. I wasn't opposed to Rose living in Missoula or back at Court (though, unfortunately, it seemed that the latter was no longer an option). Still, I took issue with others making that choice for her. Rose might be young, but she was also smart and capable.

I didn't want anyone else, including me, to force her into something she wasn't comfortable with. I was open to exploring more ideas if she wanted to but I knew the final decision should be hers and hers alone.

Rose looked back at me, almost asking if she had made the right choice. There wasn't a 'right choice,' though. Not really. The only 'right choice' was whatever she felt was right for her. If she thought that moving to Russia and staying with my family was right for her, then I was ready to help in any way I could.

After a moment, her confidence seemed to grow. She nodded, solidifying her decision.

"I'll make the call and let them know." I couldn't help but smile. I was so proud of her. Not for choosing Russia, but for choosing for herself.

Before I could even reach for my phone, Janine found her voice.

"Wait. Excuse me? What do you mean you 'want to go to Russia.'" She turned to Alberta for backup. "That's completely irrational."

"I have to agree with your mother, Rose." Unlike Janine, Alberta was well aware of my relationship with Rose. And from the piercing glare that she was giving me, she was also well aware that I was the one who had suggested Russia as an option. I'm sure I'd get an earful from her later, but for now, she seemed more concerned with Rose's wellbeing. "Moving to Russia doesn't make any sense. You don't even speak Russian."

It was one of the same concerns Rose had brought up earlier, and she gave them the same assurance I had offered her.

"No, but I can learn."

When neither of the other women looked convinced, Rose steeled herself and continued. "The truth is, I don't know what I want to do with the rest of my life. I could go to school, I guess, but for what? I've never even considered higher education before. I really don't want to rack up debt when I have no idea what career I'm even interested in. I don't have a job, so I can't afford an apartment, even with a roommate. The only thing I can cook is microwaveable mac n' cheese, and I've even messed that up before. Let's face it, I'm not ready to be on my own next week."

"And so, since you can't live on your own in the United States, you're just going to try to do so in Russia…a place where you know nobody, have no grasp of the language or culture, and don't hold any sort of citizenship. You don't even have a passport." Janine balked, throwing so much humiliation towards her daughter that it almost had me questioning whether or not it was a good idea.

Janine did have a few valid points. Rose would have some initial difficulty adjusting to the new place so vastly different from the one she had been raised in. Moving to America was a huge culture shock for me, and I'm sure starting over in my hometown would be a shock for her too. She didn't have just the regional issues to contend with either, but also the switch from the Moroi world to the human one. Still, as hard as that would be for Rose, I knew she'd eventually overcome it.

The matter of paperwork was a whole other issue and one that we'd have to discuss later once the others came around to Rose's decision. I could assure them of a few other things in the meantime.

"She wouldn't be on her own there," I replied, inserting myself into the conversation for the first time to provide a little backup and support for Rose. "As Rose said before, my family is in Russia and she is welcome to stay with them as long as necessary. I've already talked to them, and while some details still need to be arranged, they are ready to take her in on Monday and support her in whatever way she needs." I might have emphasized the last part a bit more firmly, hoping they'd also get on board.

"Your family?" Janine glanced between Rose and me, and I could see pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place. She might not have been aware of our relationship yet, but it wouldn't be long until she figured it out. I wasn't looking forward to that day. We needed to face one battle at a time, though. So, for now, I tried to keep up the facade of a concerned friend and mentor.

"Yes, my mother and sisters." Even mentioning them brought a small smile to my lips. Rose would fit in nicely with my family, especially Viktoria. Those two were cut from the same cloth, and it was good to know that Rose and Vika would likely be fast friends.

"I think we can all agree that the next few years will be difficult for Rose." It was an obvious statement, but one that I felt was necessary to acknowledge. "I doubt many of us would have been well equipped to being thrust into human society after only knowing the Academy and Moroi world for our entire life. Expecting Rose to immediately stand on her own two feet is unreasonable. Since none of us can be there with her for more than a week or two at most, it makes sense to find someone who can help support her for a little longer. I don't have many contacts outside Moroi society in the US that could help, but I know my family would be both willing and able to do so. It will still be difficult for her, but at least she'd have continual support until she's ready to move on — be that back here in the United States or elsewhere. If she decides to pursue university or other opportunities in the future, those opportunities will still be available in a few years after she's settled."

My logic seemed to win over Alberta a little, but Janine was still stonewalling the idea.

"And the paperwork? It's not like my daughter can just hop on a plane without a passport."

She was right, of course, but it wasn't as if we didn't have resources to help with details like that. The only real difficulty would be getting it all on short notice. "The Alchemists are well versed in ensuring the proper paperwork is in order. Securing Rose some residency papers and IDs won't be difficult as long as someone is willing to call in a few favors."

I saw Rose's brow furrow a little, and I realized that she probably had no idea who the Alchemists were or how their organization facilitated things between the human and Moroi world. They aimed to keep our kind hidden and reduce our interactions with humans as much as possible. That included providing legal documents when necessary. They considered themselves a 'need to know' institution, and their existence was typically a revelation saved for after novice graduation. I'd have to explain things to her later.

"Education?" Janine asked, throwing yet another excuse as to why she felt Rose's choice was a foolish one. "My daughter still hasn't graduated. She'll need to take a GED before moving."

Alberta was the one to step in this time. "Actually, GED testing locations are available all over the world. There should be one or two in some of the larger cities. If not, I might be able to call in a few favors myself."

I was grateful that Alberta seemed at least open to the plan now. Even if she wasn't totally on board, she was no longer actively fighting the idea. Janine still looked as skeptical as ever, and I was beginning to wonder if she was actually concerned about her daughter or just being stubborn.

Thankfully, I was well acquainted with the younger Hathaway and her hard-headed tendencies. I was also pretty adept at overcoming that attribute.

"I understand your hesitance, Guardian Hathaway. We all want what's best for Rose, but none of us could have predicted this situation. I don't think there's a perfect solution to all this, but if this is what she wants to do with her life, then I'll be there to support her. I'm sure she could use your support too."

Janine didn't relinquish her hard mask, but my words did seem to soften Alberta a little more. She pursed her lips slightly, looking at Rose for any sign of doubt. When she found nothing, Alberta moved her attention to me. I'm sure she was concerned that I had influenced her decision. Maybe I had a bit, but if so, it was unintentional. Obviously, Rose wouldn't have considered going to Russia if I hadn't offered it as an option, but I'd tried to stay neutral about where she should go and what she should do.

"Are you sure this is what you want to do, Rose?" I think Alberta already knew the answer, but she still had to ask. I could respect that.

Rose was nodding before her question was even finished. "This is what I want to do, Alberta. I'm sure."

Alberta's head dropped for a moment as she took a calm, steading breath. When she looked back up, there was a sense of peace, acceptance, and a tinge of sadness in her expression. She smiled, though it was a bit watery, as she opened her arms wide. "I'm going to miss you so much."

Rose jumped out of the chair, rushing the woman who had watched over her for more than a decade, and fell into her arms. "I'm going to miss you, too."

I watched as the two embraced, relieved that Rose's supporters now outnumbered those who doubted her. Things would be significantly easier now that Alberta was on board. She might even be able to sway Janine.

"I guess I have a few calls to make." There was a slight quiver in Alberta's voice as she pulled away. She wasn't the only one getting emotional. Rose seemed to be affected too. This was just one of many goodbyes to come, and I knew they'd only get harder and harder from here on out.

Alberta turned her attention towards me, switching seamlessly from the almost maternal moment she had just shared with Rose to the calm, cool, and collected strategist I was used to.

"Dimitri, I'll need more information about where Rose will be moving to. Your mother's name too."

"The name of the town is Baia. It's a small town a few hours outside of Novosibirsk. I can get you the exact address."

Before I could share more, a sharp laugh came from between us. "You're sending Rose to live in a commune?"

"A community," I amended. Misconceptions abounded concerning places like my hometown. Usually, I was able to brush off the slight. Even Rose had initially balked and misjudged them. Most people simply didn't understand the necessity of places like this. It was beneficial for dhampir families to band together in small neighborhoods. Non-royal Moroi often did the same. The only significant difference between the two was that the 'dhampir communes' were often filled with outcasted single mothers raising their children together the best way they knew how. Moroi men might be needed to produce children, but they usually didn't stick around to raise them.

"This is ridiculous." Janine ignored both Rose and me, focusing only on the woman she had once considered her ally. With how this was shaping up, I wondered if those two would walk out of this room as friends. "I can't believe you're actually going to let her go through with this ludicrous plan."

Alberta sighed, knowing that the fight for Rose's independence wasn't quite finished. "Janine, I know you don't agree…."

"Damn right, I don't agree!"

"…but this is obviously what Rose wants. This is her life. She should be the one to make the decision."

The pair stared each other down, neither willing to admit defeat. Once it was clear that there would be no victor in the battle, Janine stood and turned to face her daughter.

There was a moment, one tiny flicker in her eyes, that betrayed her genuine concern for Rose. Yes, she was disappointed. Yes, she thought the idea was ridiculous. Yes, she was watching all of her sacrifices add up to nothing. But I could see it in her eyes, an expression so familiar to the way Rose looked when she was scared. Not just for herself, but for others as well. Above it all, Janine was worried about her daughter.

And then it was gone, so fast that I had to wonder if I ever saw it at all.

In its place fell a cold, emotionless mask that was bitter enough to strike a chill through anyone's heart. Gone was the fire in her eyes as she fought for Rose's future. Gone was the worry, concern, or apprehension for her daughter's new life. All that was left was ice.

I felt Rose shirk under her mother's impassive glare, stepping back until she bumped into my chest. There was a foreboding air in the room, promising that whatever would come next would rip the fragile threads holding Rose and Janine's relationship together…maybe forever.

I placed my hand on Rose's shoulder, offering meager comfort for whatever was ahead.

"You're right," Janine said, looking down her nose at her daughter as if she was nothing more than mud on the ground. "Rose's life is her own now, as are her mistakes. If she wants to run away to some commune, that's her prerogative. I wash my hands of it."

Rose stilled underneath me, and I could feel her struggle under the weight of her mother's rebuke. As much as Rose liked to rebel against her mother's high expectations, I knew she also desperately wanted her approval. She may not act like it, but she craved her mother's love as much as any child would.

Unfortunately, it seemed like Janine's love wasn't quite so unconditional.

She gave Rose one last sneer. "I won't have a blood whore for a daughter."

My hands clenched, the one on Rose's shoulder digging in as I felt her start to shake. She kept a brave face, but I was pretty sure I was the only thing holding her upright. That alone held me back from raging. Still, I couldn't stop the low rumble echoing through my chest. The urge to strike back was almost impossible to ignore.

What she had said was so out of line that had it come from almost a man, I would have already laid him out on the ground. Despite my profession, I wasn't a violent person. I preferred reason over fists. But even I'd admit that some offenses were beyond words.

I felt Rose's hand come to rest over mine, calming me with a single tough.

Ever perceptive, the great Guardian Hathaway noticed. She was too observant to misconstrued things, and the less-than-platonic relationship between Rose and me must have finally been clear as day to her. I didn't care. Any concern or respect I once held for the woman had been shattered.

She made no accusations, simply regarding us with a slight shake of her head and a barely audible whisper of, "Figures."

I wanted to come to Rose's defense, but before I could, Janine sealed the fate of her and her daughter's relationship.

"Goodbye, Rosemarie."

Then she was out the door and out of Rose's life.

The moment the door to Alberta's office slammed closed, Rose turned and fell into my embrace. Her fist clenched around the fabric of my shirt, right above my heart, as her body went from the little trembles of trying to hold it together to the body-wrecking sobs of someone who had lost something precious to them.

"Shhh. It's okay." I smoothed her hair back, trying to soothe her with little words of comfort that paled in comparison to the deep knife Janine had torn through her. "It'll be okay."

I felt another presence come close, bracketing Rose between two people who loved her completely. No perfection required.

"She'll come around," Alberta promised, though I don't think any of us were sure about that fact. Still, if the little white lie was enough to make Rose feel better, I'd allow it.

It always ripped me apart to watch her suffer. I've seen her in pain too many times. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. Knowing that I had caused some of that pain in the past made it all the more awful. My only solace was that I was usually able to help make things better. Times like this where I couldn't do more than hold her and let her cry? Well, these moments were pure agony.

"And if she doesn't?" Rose's words might have been muffled against my chest, but one look over her shoulder told me that Alberta had understood her fears as much as I had. It also told me that we shared the same concern.

"Then…" Alberta drifted with a sigh, unable to give her a firm answer as to what would happen if Janine stubbornly refused to see reason.

"Then it's her loss." I couldn't give Rose back her mother's affection, but I could give her the firm assurance that others –people like me, Alberta, Lissa, and the rest of her friends– would always be there to lift her up. "You have so many people who love you. Don't dwell on someone who doesn't care."

Author's Note

So, raise your hand if you hate Janine right now. I'm pretty sure we all do. I've been revamping and reposting a few of my old one-shots and one that I recently worked on was Janine reaching out to Rose after she and Lissa were brought back to the Academy. The one-shot is named "Inexcusable" if you are interested in checking it out. The main theme of it, though, is that Janine really does love her daughter; she just really bad at expressing it properly. Really bad. In my mind, Janine has a 'hurt them before they hurt you' mentality that might come with trauma and she routinely sabotages her personal relationships because of it. That includes her relationship with Rose. Getting close to someone, or heaven forbid loving them, means that they have the power to hurt you and she instinctively fights back against that. I won't go into it too much here, nor am I excusing how she treated Rose, but perhaps it sheds light on how I wrote Janine and how she could lash out like that when she feels hurt or scared.

Otherwise, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and keep an eye out for other revamped one-shots coming in the near future. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Also, just as a notice, I will be raising the rating of this story from "T" to "M" next week. I won't be marking intimate scenes from here on out, but they will be scattered throughout the rest of this series.

Question of the Week: What's your favorite sport to watch or play? We're a hockey family, and with the season now up and running, I'm spending quite a few hours a week over at the local rink watching my oldest son practice. On the rare night we don't have practice, we typically have an NHL game playing on the television. Hockey is a big deal in our little town, so luckily we fit right in with the neighbors.

Have a great week everyone! Please take a moment to share your thoughts if you can. I always love hearing from readers!