Dimitri let me know then that I needed to rest, and he wouldn't take no for an answer. Although I had more questions I wanted to ask, I couldn't help but agree with him. I was exhausted. However, as soon as I started to settle, I realized there was a distinct smell coming off of me. I cringed, wondering how long it was since I was able to shower. The pain in my arms made my groan, pulling my back into the present. I wouldn't really be able to shower until they healed.

Dimitri was on alert the second I made a sound making sure everything was okay. I told him I wanted to shower, but he convinced me to wait until Sydney was back with some clean clothes for me to change into. I agreed, not really wanting to put my hospital gown back on afterwards.

I laid back on the bed, trying to get comfortable at Dimitri's request. My head was throbbing, along with my back and arms. The pain was overwhelming, and he sensed my discomfort as soon as I had. Nothing much could be done after our hasty escape from the hospital, and I hoped wherever Sydney was, she would think to pick up some tylenol for me.

He stayed with me on the bed, trying his best to soothe me. I hated looking weak in front of him, but at this moment, it was all I could do not to burst into tears at the pain. Instead I picked a point at the ceiling, drilling a hole through it with my eyes. I tried to pretend I was back at the academy, before the attack. Back when I thought I would get everything I wanted, instead of stuck in a motel with two people who would rather be anywhere else than with me.

A few hours later, Sydney came back with arms full of shopping bags, and Dimitri walked back with her to get the rest of the things from the car. I forced myself to sit up on the bed, tears gathering in the corners of my eyes as I shimmied my way to rest against the headboard. How did I go from total badass to unable to take care of myself in less than a week?

Once the two returned, Sydney immediately started digging through the bags until she pulled out a bottle of water and some painkillers. I thanked her as she made her way over to me, hesitating when I strained to reach my arm out to her. The braces made it nearly impossible, but I had to prove to myself I could do something on my own. Pain burned through my arms as I raised them once to put the pills in my mouth, and again when I raised the water to my lips. I drank for only a second before putting the bottle down, resting my arms in a more comfortable position.

The two busied themselves with unpacking the rest of the things while I celebrated my small victory. I could see Sydney separating everything into neat, organized piles. I rolled my eyes watching Dimitri follow her lead. With those two engrossed in their task, I pushed myself to the side of the bed and let my legs hit the ground so I was standing up. A hiss escaped my mouth when I stood up straight, the burned skin on my back pulling tight against my body. I noted the pain was mostly contained to my lower back, and I hoped that meant my tattoo was unscathed.

The two of them turned to look at me as soon as they heard the sound of my feet against the floor. My eyes connected with Dimitri's, and the concern in his had me speechless for a second. I felt hot under his gaze, as his eyes roamed me from head to toe. I was only able to tear my eyes from him when I noticed Sydney making her way to the bathroom, arms full of various bathroom necessities. She was only in there a minute before she came out, speaking to me.

"I put some clothes in there for you, Rose. I thought you might want to shower. Do you need any help?" She asked, keeping her voice as level as possible. We had come a long way in our friendship, but the idea of helping me bathe put her on edge. I wondered to myself if it was because of her aversion to vampires, or if it was because I would be naked.

"No! I can do this myself." I let her know. She gave me a grateful smile before heading back to her sorting piles.

I made my way to the bathroom and took in my appearance in the mirror. I had definitely seen better days. My face looked thin, like the skin was stretched tightly over my bones. Not to mention the dark circles under my eyes, and the yellow tint to my skin left over from the bruising. I laughed to myself, thinking it rather ironic that I looked like something had sucked the life out of me.

I quickly realized there would be no getting out of my hospital gown on my own. The string was tied tightly at my neck, and my arms wouldn't be able to twist around to reach it. I tried to shimmy out of it, pinning myself against the sink to get my head out, but it wasn't working. I decided I would ask Sydney to untie it, but the rest I could do myself. At least that's what I was quietly chanting to myself.

I took a deep breath to steady myself before opening the door, intent on getting back to the bathroom as quickly as possible. When I opened it, I was met with those same concerned brown eyes I had seen before. Standing impossibly close to the door, those eyes darted around the room when I made contact. He straightened up, taking a step back as I looked him over.

"Um, can I help you?" I asked him, feeling awkward.

"I'm sorry. I just didn't hear any water running, and I got worried. You've been in there a while..." he explained, no longer able to meet my eyes.

"Yeah. I think I need some help. I was just coming to find Sydney,"

"She stepped out. Had to take a call. I can go try to find her..."

"No, don't bother her if she's busy," I said, steeling myself for what I was about to do. I was going to break every rule I had made these last few months to protect my heart.

"Can you help me?" I asked, turning back to look at myself in the mirror. I couldn't look at him.

"Of course, Roza," he said so quietly I almost missed it. He hesitated for a moment before stepping into the bathroom behind me. He raised his arms awkwardly, unsure what he was supposed to do for me. I took a deep breath, knowing I had to hold it together.

"Can you help me take the braces off? I don't want to get them wet," I said, turning away from the mirror to face him.

He moved carefully, fingers barely grazing me as he undid the straps and velcro. I was thankful he didn't move them more than he had to, and soon he had them resting on the vanity. We exchanged another look, standing so close in the tiny bathroom we couldn't turn our heads. My next request came out as a whisper.

"Can you untie my hospital gown?"

I could see him swallow, Adam's apple bobbing in his throat as his hands made their way behind my neck, plucking the string tight so the knot slipped out. It took him all of two seconds before the material was pooled at my feet.

He refused to let his eyes leave mine, no doubt in my mind he was trying his hardest to be respectful. But that just made me feel worse. At least before we were together, I had been able to make him lose control. After everything that had happened, I doubted we would get another moment like that, where I was able to break through his tough exterior. This new Dimitri was determined to hold me at arms length. It was as if I would shatter if he got too close.

I hated it.

"Is there anything else I can help you with?" He asked, failing to keep his voice even. I smirked a little. Maybe I was having more of an effect than I had thought.

"I can handle the rest," I said, sounding a lot more determined than I felt. If I couldn't even untie the gown, I had no idea how I would manage to wash my hair.

"Rose..."

"I can't ask you for anything else. I hate being weak in front of you..." I said, finally turning away from him. My arm brushed his in the close quarters of the bathroom, and he stepped back instinctively.

"You're not weak. You're so strong... it's why..." he trailed off, unable to finish the thought. He took a deep breath before continuing. "Please let me help."

I nodded, unable to form a coherent response. He gently grabbed my shoulders and repositioned us, so he was in between me and the shower. He bent down and turned on the faucet, letting the water heat up as he positioned the showerhead. As soon as it reached an acceptable temperature, he stepped back, never looking anywhere but directly at my face.

He steadied me as I stepped into the shower. His hand felt so warm in mine, and I shivered at the temperature of the water. It was lukewarm at best, and he shot me a look of apology, explaining it would be best for my back if the water wasn't too hot. I nodded in agreement, ready to get out as quickly as possible.

I let my arms rest at my sides, as that was what was most comfortable for them. I tried to angle my head in a way to get all my hair wet, but it didn't work so well with my thick curls. I needed to move my hair around to get it completely soaked, something that would be impossible with my arms.

It was like Dimitri could read my mind. Before I even had to ask, his hands were there, massaging my scalp as the water ran through the untouched parts of my hair. I couldn't help but let out a moan at the feeling. I could feel myself blush, and I was glad he was too focused on my hair to get a good look at my face.

He eventually untangled his hands from my hair, reaching for a bottle of shampoo as he did so. I risked a glance at him only to see his shirt soaking wet, guardian mask firmly in place.

"You're wet," I pointed out, looking out to see his jeans in a similar state. He shrugged and continued with the motions, but I stopped him after another look.

"It would be easier if you weren't soaking," I tried again.

"I'll be soaked either way," he responded.

"So let's salvage what we can of your clothes, comrade," he made no move at my words, so I goaded him further. "Come on, it's nothing I haven't seen before."

I saw his mask slip slightly as he blushed at my words. I tried to hold back my smile. But it was impossible when he set the bottle down and pulled his wet shirt from his body. I looked straight ahead at the water as he dropped his pants, leaving him in a similar state of undress.

I heard some rustling behind me before I realized Dimitri had climbed into the shower with me. I shot him a look over my shoulder, and he shrugged once more.

"Easier." he responded simply, lathering the shampoo in my hair.

His hands ran through my hair carefully, taking his time as the lather built up on my head. I sighed in content as he rinsed and repeated the process with the conditioner. Soon my hair was clean, and the only thing left was washing my body.

I could sense his hesitance as he poured some soap on a washcloth, letting it run under the stream for a bit before he pushed my hair forward on my shoulders, leaving my back completely exposed.

His right hand moved the cloth over my shoulders as his left traced the outline of my tattoo. I cringed, thinking about the state of my back. His fingers stilled before he realized I wasn't hurt. He continued the movement as I spoke for the first time since he joined me in the shower.

"Is it messed up? From the burns?" I asked, hoping for the best.

"Not the main part. The burns didn't go up that far... but the stem..."

"It's a little crispy?" I asked, trying to break some of the tension.

"I wouldn't have used that word," he said simply, letting me figure it out for myself. I sighed in disappointment.

"That sucks... we all got it in the same place, and now mine is ruined," I said, trying not to cry. It was something so little considering what I had survived, but it was the final straw for me.

Dimitri didn't mention my voice cracking, or my shoulders shaking. Instead he leaned forward, pressing kisses across the length of it. I shivered, from the cold or from his lips I couldn't tell. He kept his lips in motion until I was back in control.

I considered having him shut the water off then, and leaving my front side untouched by him. I didn't know if I could handle his hands on me while mine stayed glued to my side. Eventually I worked up the courage, and moved to face him.

He kept his eyes locked on mine, still insistent on playing the part of the gentleman. He moved his hands back up to my shoulders and started scrubbing, never letting his eyes wander even a centimeter. I couldn't take the intensity, but I also couldn't bring myself to look away from him.

"You can look at me, you know. It's not like you haven't seen it before," I joked once again, desperate to break free from his gaze. It only darkened in that moment, pulling me deeper into his stare.

"I can't," he finally choked out.

"Why not?"

"If I look at you, I won't be able to stay in control," he answered honestly. I was shocked he had been so blunt, but I appreciated it at the same time. I would probably regret what I said next, but at the moment I didn't care.

"So don't," I answered simply.

It seemed like that was all he needed. His eyes broke their stare, and instead focused on the motions of his hands. He used that same feather light touch, but he growled as his hands moved from my shoulders to my breasts, spending no more time than necessary before trailing them lower and lower, eyes devouring every inch of my body as he did so. I shivered once again, this time from the feel of his hands on my skin.

He suddenly dropped to his knees in front of me, taking one leg and then the other into his arms to make sure they were both clean. He took his time, starting from my ankle and working his way up to where my hip met my thighs. I placed my hands on his shoulders to steady myself, digging my nails into the skin when he brushed a sensitive spot.

When he was finished he stayed on his knees for a minute, eyes freely roaming over my body. He looked at me hungrily, his stare burning into my skin. I had never seen him like this, and the look of complete worship on his face made me weak in the knees.

All too soon, he stood up from the shower floor and pressed his body against mine, arms wrapping carefully around my back. I pressed my face against his chest, the only movement I could muster without hurting myself. I felt the unsteady rise and fall of his breathing on my cheek before he released me, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

Unsure what to do next, I waited for him to move. He helped me out of the shower and wrapped one of the towels tightly around me before going back into the shower and quickly taking one for himself. I blushed, unable to tear my eyes from him. He made no move to pull the curtain closed or shield himself from my eyes, so I drank in his form greedily. He looked just as good as he did before, the only addition being a small scar over his heart roughly shaped like the tip of a silver stake. I lost myself in the memory.

Soon he joined me on the bathmat, drying himself off quickly before helping me once more. I realized he didn't bring in a change of clothes into the bathroom with him, and I peaked my head out the door once he had helped me dress.

"Sydney still isn't here, you're clear," I told him. He gave me a grateful smile before stepping into the main part of the hotel room, quickly finding his pile and dressing before coming back for me. He helped me put on my arm braces and led me back to one of the beds.

He sat against the headboard and pulled me to his chest, back facing him. I felt heat spread across my skin at his touch before he released me, turning once again to focus on my hair as he ran a comb through my wet locks. I closed my eyes in contentment as he worked slowly through the layers. I couldn't help the smile on my face, and that's how Sydney found us when she returned from her call.

I opened my eyes as she walked through the door, large pizza in hand. She raised her eyebrows at me, silent questions flitting across her face as she took in the scene before her. I shot her a warning glance, letting her know we would talk about it later. She nodded at me, understanding the message.

"So I just got off the phone with Abe..." she started after we had moved to the small table in the room. I groaned, knowing my brief moment of peace was now over.

It was time to get back to reality. The one where we were on the run.