AN: Hello my dears!

This Deleted Scene takes place during Frostbite (or, I suppose, a few days before Frostbite). And yes, it's true. I have finally written the second one-shot from Arthur Schoenburg's POV that I alluded to. If any of you liked my character Macy and/or her relationship with Art, then you'll hopefully enjoy this chapter. And if you didn't, then hopefully you will enjoy this chapter anyway;)

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy or its characters. Richelle Mead owns everything except Macy.

"Don't just stand there! Do something!"

I had just walked downstairs and into the kitchen – with the hope of whipping up some breakfast – when I was forced to freeze at the threshold as I took in the scene in front of me. Macy, my charge and the love of my life, was smudged from head to toe in what appeared to be a combination of flour, maple syrup, chocolate, and...was that egg in her hair? The kitchen itself held a similar appearance to Macy, give or take a few ingredients.

But while it looked like a bakery had exploded – or at the very least threw up – in the kitchen, it was the steadily growing fire on the stove and the way Macy was trying to fight it off (with the sink hose, in case you were wondering) that had me starring with wide eyes and an agape mouth.

"Help me!" she yelling while wielding her weapon of choice against the flames, but when the water hit it, it only made the fire jump and blaze higher. Macy shrieked and stepped back.

Her shriek spurred me into action. I grabbed the hose from her and threw it back into the sink. This was obviously a grease fire. Water wouldn't help. I ran from the room and came back with a thick leather jacket, and tossed it onto the stove. Without oxygen the fire died and Macy let out a sigh of relief.

With the danger and adrenaline gone I could finally fix my attention on Macy. She turned to me with a sheepish smile. "Morning, Dear." - she held out a plate with a few black, flat, disk-like things on it - "Pancakes?"

"May," I began slowly. "What were you thinking? I thought we agreed when we moved here that I would be handling all things dealing with and relating to cuisine." Macy Badica perfected pretty much anything she put time and effort into. She had a long list of abilities and talents, but cooking was not one of them.

She placed her flour covered hands on her hips and stood up straighter as stubbornness set in. "Maybe I was thinking that I wanted to make my fiance a romantic breakfast in bed rather than him doing it for me for once."

While I was upset that May had put herself in danger, nearly turning the kitchen into an inferno in the process, I couldn't help a smile.

Fiance.

After all of these years we were finally going to tie the knot. My pulse and joy spiked at the thought. It's not that we weren't ready or didn't want to take this step sooner – heck, I was ready to say my vows the moment I met her over two decades ago – but one thing was always standing in our way: the world. More specifically, our world of dhampirs and Moroi, duty and discrimination, guardians and charges, protection and politics. A dhampir on the Guardians Council and a royal Moroi (daughter of the Badica Prince, in fact) couldn't be together romantically. I probably would've been demoted or possibly stripped of my Guardian status, and Macy definitely would've been shunned or even disowned, depending on how personally her father took the offense. I would never allow either of those things to happen to her, and on the flip side she'd never let those things happen to me. So we'd waited.

And waited. Until the time was right.

We had a plan. About 2 years ago we picked out this house (I mainly did the picking due to safety reasons), and Macy told her family that she was moving away from court. Her father was less than pleased about her stepping away from politics, but consented under the condition that she have the best guardian possible to protect her. Coincidentally, it was around this time that I had finished serving my 3rd and final term on the Guardians Council and was looking for a charge (quick lesson: never believe in coincidences). Prince Badica didn't waste anytime in requesting me for his "impulsive" daughter. I accepted.

So here we were, two years later, living together, and ready to give everything to each other in a secret wedding. Moroi records would still call us charge and guardian, but according to the humans we lived among and, more importantly, to us we'd be Mr. and Mrs. Schoenburg.

The future Mrs. Schoenburg smiled back and came to stand in front of me, wrapping her arms around my neck like a brace. I wouldn't give in to her though. At least not yet. "Seriously May, you could've gotten hurt. I don't mind doing the cooking in this home as long as it keeps the house from burning down."

She rolled her eyes and smirked. "That's why I have you, my knight in shinning armor. Tell me, what can a fair maiden give you in returned for saving her life?"

I glanced back at the stove and grimaced. "A new jacket would be nice."

She pulled me closer, pressing our bodies together and bringing my focus back to her. "Is there anything else I could do to show my gratitude? Any...special favors?"

Her smile and body language were seductive and tempting, so I leaned in close and put my lips to her ear, making her shiver. "I do have a favor to ask," I whispered. She clenched me tighter. "Next time you decide to make a romantic breakfast and start a grease fire, I don't want to find you down here brandishing a sink hose. Grab your own jacket and put it out."

She shoved me away and punched my shoulder for good measure while I laughed. "You are a tease, Arthur Schoenburg," she huffed with clear amusement in her eyes.

"And you, Macy Badica, are a terrible cook. So how about I make us a romantic breakfast that we can enjoy in bed, and we ignore this mess for at least a few more hours?"

Her arms were around me again and this time I indulged, placing my hands on her waist. "Sounds perfect," she said, and then she kissed me.

"Art," Macy called from the bedroom. "Can you come zip me up?"

It was a few days after the morning Macy nearly burned our house down. It had taken hours, but eventually we'd cleaned the kitchen to perfection. Macy wouldn't have it any other way. Especially because of tonight. Tonight we were having company, a very rare occurrence thanks to a certain secret relationship needing to be kept secret. But today was Macy's brother's birthday, and tradition called for Macy and her siblings to get together and celebrate.

I entered the bedroom and saw Macy with her back to me, holding up her hair so it wouldn't get caught in the zipper. The dress she had on was emerald green, her favorite color. It was simple, without flourishes, form fitting, and the hem ended a few inches past her knees. If I cared a lot about fashion (which I didn't) I would probably walk past it in a store, thinking it to be plain. But on Macy it was the most beautiful dress I'd ever seen. She was beautiful.

As I zipped her up, I told her so.

Smiling, she lifted her favorite strand of pearls to her neck, handing me the ends to fasten. "There," she declared. "I'm done. Did everything go smoothly with the wards?"

"Everything was fine, as usual. The warders left a little bit ago." I kissed her shoulder and her eyes met mine in the mirror. "With a great deal of money, I might add. When did wards get so expensive?"

May laughed softly, but her eyes were serious. "When the demand for them went up. But there hasn't been a big Strigoi attack in years. I wonder what's whipping people into a frenzy now?"

"Paranoia. Inactivity usually means planning, and planning leads to action."

"Since when do Strigoi have the patience to plan and collaborate?" she scoffed.

I shrugged. "I'm not saying that's what they're doing, but..."

"But it's a possibility," she finished for me.

I nodded.

"Well, that's what wards are for," she said, chuckling at the narrowing of my eyes. "And it's what our valiant, brave, amazing, daring, strong, and on occasion sexy" - I raised an eyebrow - "guardians are for as well."

"So," I said, tightening my arms around her. "Am I one of those occasionally sexy guardians?"

She turned to face me with the same man-eating smile that I had fallen victim to all those years ago. And my reaction was the same as it had been then: complete adoration and love.

"What do you think?" she whispered, leaning towards me.

I responded in kind, meeting her halfway. And I had just barely felt the brush of her lips when my phone rang. I continued to hold her, intent on ignoring the offending device, but she pulled back and swatted at my hands.

"Answer your phone," she commanded, pulling out of my reach. "And thank whoever it is for saving my make-up."

"You're the one who was going to kiss me," I called after her as she left the room, smirking at my expression.

Rolling my eyes, I answered my phone. "This had better be important," I told whoever it was on the other end.

"Hello Art."

Now there's a voice I hadn't heard in a long time. Not since the year I'd spent in Europe protecting a couple of American Zeklos dignitaries while they made connections with the Russian side of their family. That had been a bittersweet year. Bitter because it had been hard to be away from May for so long, but sweet because of the lifelong friendships I'd made there.

And Dimitri Belikov was one of them.

"Dimitri," I acknowledged, smiling at the rush of memories his name brought on. "How have you been, мой друг?" [My friend]

I was worried about what the answer would be. I'd heard about Ivan's death a little over a year ago, and I knew Dimitri would take it hard. Dimtiri and I might've been friends, but he and Ivan were once brothers. Pain like that doesn't ever go away completely, and – from my experience – it can only be eased with time, unburdening, and (as cheesy as it sounds) love.

"I've been well. Great, actually," I searched for deception in his voice and found none. Interesting. "So why should this call be important?"

"Lady Badica is having guests this evening and I was about to check the wards."

The half truth came out easily. I couldn't exactly tell him that I had been about to "lock lips" with my charge. Because while Dimitri was a good man, and I trusted him with my life, I didn't trust him with Macy's. I trusted no one beyond myself to protect the love of my life not only from Strigoi, but also the leaders of our government.

I could hear the amusement in his voice as he said, "For the 3rd or 4th time, no doubt."

I actually hadn't rechecked them at all. Macy, as she often did, held my full attention after the warders first came through. I'd have to do that later.

"So, Belikov," I said. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your call? Nothing serious I hope."

"Serious? Yes. Life or death? No. I actually have a favor to ask."

"Give me the details, and if it's within my power I'd be happy to help you out."

"Well, a student of mine needs to take her Qualifier -"

"I retired from the Guardians Council two years ago," I interrupted, surprised that he didn't know this. The Guardians Council was what you went to when Qualifiers needed to be scheduled. In fact, the guardians that performed the testing and questioning were selected from the Council. I'd lead quite a few Qualifiers in my day. "I can give them a call, though, and they will send a team over as soon as possible."

"Actually, Art, it's kind of an unusual situation. My student is a senior. She missed junior year, which is why she has yet to take the Qualifier."

"That is usual," I admitted. "But the Council has dealt with reschedulings and late students before."

"Yes," he began. "But the Council has never dealt with Rose Hathaway before."

Rose Hathaway.

My eyes widened. I'd first heard that name nearly 10 years ago on a visit to St. Vladimir's Academy. She was the wild child who had beaten a classmate to a pulp because he'd made fun of her Moroi friend. I'd admired her ambition (to an extent) back then, but Rose's name had come up quite frequently in recent years due to that ambition and, at times, reckless behavior. Yes, after surviving the Dragomir car crash, running away with their only daughter (not to mention the last of the Dragomir line), getting found two years later and brought back to the Academy, and then directing and assisting a rescue team to retrieve the Princess after being kidnapped by the reason they ran from the Academy in the first place, Rose had created a name for herself. In the dhmapir community she was quite famous – or infamous depending on who you asked.

"She needs to pass her qualifiers in order to graduate," he continued. "but I'm afraid that the council will look at her and only see the black marks on her record, when, in fact, she has work hard to make strides towards becoming a capable guardian."

"You want me to give her her qualifier," I said.

"Correct."

"Why come to me, Belikov? You know I'm not the type of person to be lenient just because she's your student and you're asking."

"I know, Art. You're the kind of person who will look at past actions, consider them, and then determine if that past was learned from or if mistakes will continue to be made routinely in the future. I want you to give Rose the qualifier because when you look at her you'll see what I see: a determined girl that will one day become a great guardian."

I will be the bestest guardian that's ever been alive.

Rose's words from 9 years ago came back to me. She had been so passionate then, decided even. As if she could be the best simply because she chose to be the best. And in a way, I suppose, that is how you become the best. Only rather than a choice, you are presented with a series of choices, and even then those choices only matter if you follow through.

Well, I'm sure many people can attest to the fact that Rose follows through, however, her choices as of late have been questionable. One could argue that in her attempt to protect the Princess she actually put her in more danger. On the other hand, no one would've believed her if she'd told them the Dashkov Prince was planning on kidnapping Vasilisa. So while her decision to get the Princess away from the Academy was a correct one, she was too impulsive in the way she went about it. A good guardian will take the time (if he or she has it) to look at all of their options and resources before taking any action. This is what keeps the Moroi safe. It's what makes you the best.

"So will you do it, Art?"

"Yes," I said. I had yet to formally meet Rose, and I found myself eager to do so. "When?"

"Sometime this week would be preferable, but since you will be the only one giving the Qualifier we can come to you at anytime you are available."

"Don't trouble yourself, Dimitri. I wouldn't mind making the trek to the Academy."

"I insist. No need to bother your charge. There's also her safety to consider and all of the extra measures that would have to be taken. Unless Lady Badica has any objections, then Rose and I coming to you is the best option."

The ever practical Dimitri was right of course. And I couldn't exactly use, "Macy and I would actually enjoy a long car trip together. One where we could possibly get stranded in a snowbank, and only body heat would keep us alive" as an excuse. In the end, logic would have to win over desire. I would be a hypocrite if I chided Rose for not looking for a better option and then I chose to do what made the least sense myself.

"Suit yourself. But if the snow gets too much for you, and you have to sleep off to the side of the road in the car, or worse, in one of those hole in the wall motels, then don't say I didn't warn you."

There was a pause on the line. When Dimitri finally spoke it was gruff and short, like he was trying to change the subject.

"We'll be fine. The weather isn't supposed to be too bad this week. We'll be fine."

I didn't know if he was trying to tell me or himself. I wouldn't have joked if I knew he was so nervous about driving.

"Are you sure you don't want us to make the drive?" I offered.

"No. I'm sorry. I was just worried about Rose's training. Skipping one day to take the qualifier is fine, but she can't afford to miss two."

I laughed. "You are too hard on your students Dimitri."

"I have to be especially hard on this one." His tone was lighter again. "After all, my mentor was hard on me."

Ah. So he wasn't only her teacher. He was her mentor. The person to balance her calmness and patience, challenge her with discipline to push herself, and teach her self-control. If Dimitri wasn't the perfect person for that – for Rose – then I don't know who was.

"With your skills, I imagine she was. So how does… Thursday sound? Noon?"

That would give Macy and I two days to clean up whatever mess we made at the party tonight: one day to ignore it, and one day to stress, speed clean.

"Thursday will be fine. Again, thank you for doing this, Art."

"My pleasure, Dimitri. It will be good to see you again."

"Likewise. Till Thursday."

"Till then."

Macy was waiting for me when I came down the stairs.

"What took you so long? Zach, Cammie, and the kids will be here any minute!"

"What about Abby?"

She rolled her eyes. "Abigail is never on time. I won't be expecting her for at least an hour."

Then she began fussing over everything in the house: the hors d'oeuvres, the placement of the pillows on the couches, the curtains, the stack of presents for Zach.

"That was Dimitri Belikov on the phone."

She stopped scurrying about, looked at me, and smiled. "Dimitri! That lovely man you met in Russia!"

"Why do you call him 'lovely' whenever I mention him?"

"I call everyone who saves your life 'lovely'," she shrugged. "So why did he call?"

"He asked me to give a qualifier test to his student."

"But you don't do that anymore."

"I'm making an exception. Dimitri's situation is kind of tricky."

"What's the situation?"

"Rose Hathaway."

Macy's face lit up again. "Rose! That lovely little girl we saw at St. Vladimir all those years ago!"

"Rose never saved my life."

"No, but she did beat the snot out of that playground bully."

"You hate violence."

She shrugged then continued to gush about Rose. "I can't wait to meet her! I bet she's beautiful all grown up. That thick, dark hair was the first thing I noticed about her, that and her feistiness. I hope she didn't cut it short. We should invite her over for dinner sometime. I'm sure she's charming. Don't you think -"

"Macy," I cut her off. "We don't need to invite her over. The qualifier is taking place here. She and Dimitri are coming to the house on Thursday."

Her eyes widened, first in shock then in anger.

"Arthur! After today the house will be a mess and completely unpresentable for guests. What were you thinking? Only two days to -"

It was then that the doorbell rang.

Saved by the bell.

Her expression said I'd be doing most of the cleaning, then she gave me an all too quick peck on the lips before we had to slip into guardian and charge mode for the rest of the night and clicked on her heels to the door.

Three high pitched "Aunt Macy!"s were the first things that I heard upon her opening the door.

Then Macy was attacked.

But rather than pulling my stake and jumping into action, I smiled as I watched her three nieces bear hug their aunt.

"Elizabeth! Rebecca! Rachel! Be careful!" chastised their mother.

"It's okay!" Macy laughed. "I've missed them too."

"If you would move back to Court then you'd see them everyday," said the only masculine voice thus far.

"Yes, but then I'd have to see you everyday, too."

The girls giggled and Zach feigned offense. "You do know it's my birthday, right?"

"All the more reason to tease you."

Everyone was ushered inside, coats were taken, feet were wiped, and while the children rushed to the kitchen to find anything edible, the adults moved to the sitting room.

I took a proper position near the door of the sitting room, and I noticed that Guardian Solomon, Zach and Cammie's guardian, took up a similar position in the kitchen.

Eventually the kids joined the rest of the family which allowed Joe and I to talk.

"So where's Lady Abby Badica and Ed? Should've gotten here by now, don't you think?" he asked

"Townsend's always been over cautious. He'll go slow on the roads, and that combined with Lady Abby's tendency to be tardy will make them 'very late' as apposed to just 'late'."

Joe smiled. "We can punish him for it by putting him on ward checking duty."

The wards.

I hadn't checked them since they were laid down. I'd meant to do it before everyone arrived, but I'd gotten side tracked. I couldn't do it now. I couldn't leave Guardian Solomon with six Moroi in such an open space. It would have to wait until Townsend got here.

Wards were trustworthy, though. I'm sure it'd be fine.

AN: So what did we think? I know the end was kind of depressing since we all know what happens. And I'm sorry if any of you were disappointed that I didn't include the actual Strigoi attack. I thought about it, but the more I thought about having to write gory and tragic deaths for these characters that I've gotten attached to (not to mention all of the children), the more I realized that I really didn't want to write that. Sorry.

A few things:

1) I'm sure a few of you were looking at the names of Macy's family and their guardians and thinking, "huh? Where have I heard those names together before? Am I going crazy?" No, you are not. I fairly recently read the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter and have fallen in love, so all of the names came from the main characters in those books. And to answer your question: No. I didn't name Macy after Macey McHenry in GG. I had written the first Schoenburg chapter before I even knew those books existed. Which is sad. Everyone should know those books exist because they are amazing. So if you've never read them, this is me giving you lovely people a book suggestion;)

2) Did you guys catch the direct quote from Frostbite in here? I couldn't help myself. Arthur says that he wouldn't mind making the drive because he and Macy might "get stranded in a snowbank, and only body heat would keep us alive." That is a Rose quote (obviously) and I thought it might be funny and ironic to put it in here. Hope some of you enjoyed that!

3) Macy overreacted and rambled on about Rose because she has always wanted children, and since she never plans to be with anyone except Art, and because they can't have kids due to the fact that it would be dhampir (yikes! The world would know), and because she's probably too old to have kids anyway (I have her aged around 50ish BTW), she immediately lights up in a motherly way at Rose's name. She admired Rose for what she did when she was a child and so she is excited to see how her character has developed and how she has grown since the only children she's ever really seen grow up have been her nieces.

4) I really do hope you enjoyed reading this! I know a few of you wanted to see Dimitri through Art's eyes and I hope I did a decent job of that. Please leave a review or a comment. I would love to know what you think!

5) Have an outstanding day!