AN- Thank you for the reviews.

New chapter is up. Hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 13 – The Awkward Encounter

As I entered the cafeteria silence fell like a wave and everyone turned and looked at me. Shit they all knew. Of course, they all knew. I made myself taller as if they couldn't touch me as I walked straight to the line to get my breakfast. Why on earth did Moroi have to be such gossips!

ROSE! Are you back yet?! I heard Lissa shriek in my head. I flinched slightly at the urgency her voice had in my head. I could feel the anxiety rolling off her in waves at not knowing where I was or if I was back. I turned and scanned the room looking for her and saw her heading over to our usual table with Christian with a dejected look on her face. She was definitely worried about me.

I moved in the line quickly and grabbed some breakfast, all the while trying to keep her in my line of sight. She looked up as if she sensed my eyes on her and she broke out into a massive grin at the sight of me. She went to stand but I shook my head at her, signalling for her to stay put and I'd be there in a moment. I grabbed the final thing needed to complete my breakfast, chocolate glazed donuts obviously and headed towards the table. As soon as I put my tray down, I was engulfed by a very unladylike princess.

''OH MY GOD. Rose I am so happy you are ok and back. I mean I knew you were ok but when we hadn't seen you for a few days I didn't know what to think! Alberta had told me you had been involved in an attack and that you got stuck in the snow but nothing more. What happened?'' She asked after she finally released me from the bone crushing embrace. Who knew Lissa was so strong? I saw Celeste on guard standing at the wall behind our table a small smile playing around her lips at Lissa reaction. She gave me a knowing look and her eyes seemed to convey a message that Lissa had been intolerable since she heard what had happened. I offered my own sympathy and apology through my eyes and she shrugged in response and went back to scanning the room. I wondered when they would stop her on campus guard.

Shaking that thought from my head I turned to my best friend. ''I am fine, Lissa. Yes, there was an attack. Yes, I was involved. After we left that place the weather turned bad and we had to stop at a local B&B until it was safe to make the drive back.'' I said trying to ease her worries. I didn't know if I would be allowed to tell her everything. This could cause worry amongst the Moroi, especially with such a big number of Strigoi working together and the stake being used.

''You were alone with Guardian Belikov for 2 days? In a B&B?'' Lissa asked. I knew the way her thoughts were going. I could feel and hear her inner dialogue. She seemed suspicious but I didn't have to time to delve too far into her thoughts at the moment. Now we were close again I could hear her more. I wondered why that was. It had never happened before, but I suppose we were never apart for any left of time before. But then it worked when she was kidnapped by Victor.

''We had separate rooms obviously.'' I lied. ''And it wasn't just us. Another guardian joined us. He needed to head to court to make an in-person report so caught a ride back here with us to head direct to court as it is easier.'' I informed her. I knew I shouldn't lie and eventually when I was able to tell her the truth that lie would come and bite me in the ass but for now, I knew it was safer if no one, even my best friend, knew about me and Dimitri. No matter how much I wanted to tell her everything. I couldn't.

''Well obviously, I presumed you would have separate rooms.'' She muttered. Huh I must have read her inner dialogue completely wrong then. ''How come only one guardian joined you? Surely there was more than just one there. From what we have heard it was a large royal family.'' My face fell as she asked that, and I saw the reflected sadness in her face once she realised.

''Because he was the only one to survive. And I can safely say, if me and Guardian Belikov didn't arrive when we did, he would have also died. Lucky the storm was coming in early causing us to leave earlier.'' I said sadly.

''Oh, Rose I am sorry you had to see that!'' She said as she pulled me into another embrace in comfort.

''In a few months it will be my job so I should expect to see it, I guess. Now enough I want to eat before class.'' I said as I sat down at the table and started in on my breakfast. My voice must have conveyed I meant I didn't want to talk about it anymore as the next words to come from Lissa was not what I expected. I thought she'd push for more information on the attack.

''Will you at least talk to me about it? I know you probably don't want to right now, but when you do.'' She asked.

''Lissa, I don't know if I can. I don't know what the protocol is here. And anyway, I have Dimitri if I need to talk to anyone, no offence but he would understand it better than you.'' I knew part of her wanted to know what happened so she could try and support me but also, the royal in her wanted the latest gossip. She didn't want the bloody details, but she wanted to know what happened. More than what I had already told her. I saw Celeste in the corner giving me a slight nod and I knew I had done the right thing. I also knew I could talk to her if needed as well.

She looked hurt by what I said, I could also feel the hurt through the bond but after a minute she realised I was right. It was the same situation as with Natalie. I couldn't talk to her then either because she wouldn't understand. She nodded in agreement as I continued eating in silence.

After a few more minutes I saw Eddie and Mason heading in our direction, and I gulped. I looked from Eddie who looked at me with concern towards Mason who looked happy. Actually, he looked ecstatic and his already wide smile widen upon seeing me. Great.

He's been like that since you left. Lissa said in my head, noticing where my gaze had gone, He wouldn't tell us why he was so happy though. She added with a shrug.

I sighed quietly and looked towards Lissa, trying to convey my own message, it didn't work she just looked at me confused. I rolled my eyes and focused back onto my breakfast. I wanted to get out of here before Mason finished his. I didn't want to talk right now. I knew we would need to. But I wanted to delay the heartbreak I was about to cause. And now I understand why Dimitri waited so long to talk to me. I sighed.

''Rose. When did you get back? We heard what happened. Are you ok?'' Eddie asked as he placed his tray on the table. I had hoped he would sit next to me so Mason couldn't, but he didn't, and Mason quickly took that spot beside me. I saw Mason share a grateful look with Eddie and realised Eddie knew. Mason had at least told someone. Of course, he would tell his best friend.

''Yes. I am fine. I got back early this morning. Today is going to be a killer, I'm already tired.'' I mumbled as I added in a yawn for good measure. It wasn't a lie so much. I knew in a few hours I would be dead on me feet, but it wouldn't hurt to lay it on extra thick right now.

''You just got back, and they are already making you get back to classes? That's cruel'' Mason said as he started in on his breakfast, looking up at me with those puppy dog eyes.

''I have to train. I'm already so far behind so I can't afford to miss any more than I already have.'' Mason shrugged at my response and slid his hand under the table and rested his hand on my leg and squeezed slightly. I tried not to cringe away from his touch, I did move my leg away from him slightly and his hand dropped from my thigh. I saw the shock on his face at my obvious rejected and immediately felt bad, but I couldn't lead him on.

After I'd finished my breakfast I stood and went to leave the table, but I heard Mason call for me just as I went to step away. ''Rose. Can we talk later?'' He asked.

I nodded. ''After my afternoon training session? Meet me in the dhampir common rooms?'' I replied. I wanted to speak to Dimitri first on how to handle this. He might be able to give me a tip on how the not break his heart completely, but I doubt that. He did have practise with it I guessed even if he had broken my heart.

''See you then.'' I mumbled around a piece of bacon I'd swiped from Christians plate. I heard a hey as I walked away from the table. I knew I was basically running away. I was never one of the first to arrive in classes but today I would be. I saw Dimitri across the room and our eyes met. He smiled slightly but that shortly turned into a scowl as he eyes moved to the side of me. I turned to see what he was staring at and saw Mason staring after me with clear longing in his eyes. I also realised Dimitri was in a clear eye line to see what Mason had just done. Hopefully he had also seen me pull away but I wasn't sure. I turned back to Dimitri and gave a small reassuring smile his way and got out of there as quickly as I could. Yup. Definitely running.

After the school day was over, I stayed in the gym after my final class knowing Dimitri would be here soon. I needed to talk to him, and I didn't know whether he would need to rush off for a shift after training or not. I went over and dragged some sparring mats onto the floor, I was presuming we would be sparing again but wasn't sure after this morning. I sighed again.

I think we needed to lay down some more ground rules or something, I wasn't sure. I organised the mats and after that decided to do my run instead of waiting for Dimitri. I was just too anxious. Surely, he would see me running and either call me in or let me finish.

I only did my usual 20 laps and made my way back into the gym. The extra 10 this morning was already making my muscles burn. As I entered the gym, I saw Dimitri waiting for me, a cautious look on his face. I refused to let déjà vu hit. I looked away from his gaze and headed towards my bag to get my water bottle out. Avoiding his gaze which was now burning wholes into my back.

''Hey Comrade. I've done my laps. Aren't I a good student?'' I asked.

When I turned to look at him again, water bottle in hand he was looking at me confused. I would hazard a guess because I wasn't shouting at him for his abrupt departure earlier, but I wasn't going to mention that. ''Any chance we can limit training today? I'm exhausted from being up for lord knows how long. Even if I did have a nap on the drive back.'' Oh, bad thing for me to say, his eye darkened at my words. Ugh, this was going to be harder than I planned. I looked down at the floor, not sure what to do next.

''Honestly, I am surprised you are here. I would have thought you would have crashed already but I'm glad you are here.'' He finally spoke, walking towards me. When he was stood in front of me, he raised his hand slightly but then dropped it to his side, probably thinking better of touching me. ''If you want to take off you can. Or we can train for a bit?'' he asked.

''Could we talk? I kind of need your advice on something. I don't know if you particularly will want to hear it but you're the only one I can talk to about it because no one else knows.'' He looked at me, not sure where I was going with this. Maybe he thought it was something to do with us. He nodded and sat down on the bench at the edge of the gym. I followed, I sat down leaving enough space between us so if anyone wondered in, they wouldn't suspect anything. And in an attempt not to twist fate.

He turned slightly to me and waited for me to start. I took a deep breath, knowing as soon as I brought this up, he would either listen to what I was saying or close up and become stoic guardian again. ''Okay. So, the thing with Mason. I don't know how to handle it. I don…'' I was in the middle of saying something when his voice spoke over me.

''Do you want to be with him?'' Dimitri asked, fear clear in his voice. I was shocked. How could he think that? Of course, I didn't want to be with him! Is that why he looked so scared right now?

''NO! Of course not, you fool. The only person I want to be with is you! Why would you think that?''

''You said no one else knows. I just presumed it was about me and you then when you brought Mason up, I thought you'd changed your mind.'' He mumbled.

''No, I will never change my mind. You are it for me. No question.'' I said sternly. He visibly relaxed next to me at my words and smiled that smile he reserves only for me. Was he that insecure regarding my feelings for him that he thinks I would change my mind so quickly? I had given him no reason to worry, I never once said I didn't want to be with him. If anyone needed to worry about the other changing their mind it was me. ''If you had let me finish, I was going to say I don't know how to tell him it meant nothing. I know he has feeling for me, he told me as much and I knew before that. I don't want to crush him; I know how that feels'' I saw Dimitri visibly recoil away from me and I cringed at my own stupidity. ''Sorry.'' I muttered but continued. ''How do you know what the right thing to say is?'' I asked.

''Honestly, you don't. You just have to hope that your words relay the message you are trying to say without causing too much damage. When I told you what I did after the charm it was harder for me because I knew it was a lie. So, I was also breaking my own heart at the same time as yours. It was that much harder but the guilt wouldn't let me do otherwise. I think deep down he knows you don't feel the same though otherwise he wouldn't have waited until you were both drunk to tell you. Either way I think it's going to hurt him because its you. If you had told me you didn't want me, I don't know what I would have done. I would have been lost without that possibility.'' He said earnestly, giving me a uncharacteristic shy smile.

''Well you never have to worry about that. I'm here to stay. Unlike some, I don't run away from something I want.'' I said while shoving my shoulder against his. He sighed.

''You know why I did it.'' He replied. I did, I knew why he did it, but I still felt like we had a lot more to work through. Everything that had happened since that night, the lies, the guilt and the heart break. I did think we needed to have a proper conversation about all the feelings there when we could.

''Details! Doesn't mean I can't use it in the future though.'' I shrugged.

''Back to the advice, shall we? Just tell him the truth. That you see him as a friend and only as a friend and nothing more. That it was a drunken mistake.'' He advised.

''It will probably work. Even drunk me had the sense to ask if it didn't work, we would be able to remain friends. So at least that idiot knew deep down it wouldn't work.'' I sighed. ''I just hope he was telling the truth when he said it wouldn't change anything. I don't want to lose him as a friend.''

''I won't lie. It might do. I know I couldn't stay friends with you after what has happened, but a lot more has happened between us that what happened between you and Mason.'' He said. Did I imagine it, or did he just acknowledge the charm without sounding guilty about it?

''There has. I am sure I will soon see. I am meant to be meeting him after training. So even if I wanted to crash I couldn't. Why did I arrange to meet him?'' I whined and yawned at the same time.

''Just do it quickly. The quicker you do it the sooner you get to bed.'' I don't know why, but that sounded slightly dirty coming from him and I giggled.

I eventually shook my head of my wayward thoughts and looked back over to Dimitri who had blushed slightly. Obviously knowing where my thoughts had gone. He looked down at me with an expression I could only assume was need and also a little of shame. The shame confused me. I understood the need, I think we were both extremely needy but couldn't do anything about it.

''Roza.'' He started, I looked up at him meeting his eyes. ''I want to apologise for this morning. I shouldn't have just run out of here like that. Shouldn't have just left you there on the mats like I did.'' He bowed his head in shame. Oh, my poor comrade, he actually felt bad for it.

''Why did you?'' I asked. I had a pretty good idea as to why. I just needed him to say it.

''You know why.'' He said. When I didn't reply he sighed. ''Because pinning you down like that. Seeing you lying beneath me, your eyes betraying your every feeling and thought. The need, the lust, was clear in your eyes and I was afraid if I didn't get out of here, I would take you and make you mine again.'' The way he said this made it sound animalistic and dominating and if I was honest it was turning me on. ''And we decided to wait until it was safe, and also you deserve better than that. I want to do it properly next time, not because of a charm or because we couldn't control our urges.'' He mumbled the last bit, it mixed in with his heavier accent, took me a little longer to understand what he had said. I blushed.

''One, we didn't decide anything you decided for me.'' I said, emphasising the we and you as too make my point clear. ''And comrade. No matter what you say or what you feel I will never regret that time. Was it how I imagined, no. Do I wish I could change it? Also no. I am glad it was with you. I've told you time and time again I wanted you. Hell, from what you just said you know pretty damn well how much I still want you. You need to let this guilt go.'' I sighed, tilting his face back so I could meet his gaze. ''And the next time I do that. I don't care where I am. As long as I am with you. I've realised there is no right place or right way. Just the right person. And that person for me is you.'' I said earnestly, staring into his beautiful brown eyes. He bent his head and softly brushed his lips against mine but pulled away quickly. When he opened his eyes again, I could see no more guilt remained. I had finally broken through to him that I didn't blame him. But I still wanted to tell him one last time. ''The only person to blame in all of this is Victor. He was the one who put that damn charm on the necklace. But even there I can't say I hate him for it because if he hadn't, we wouldn't be where we are right now. We would still be fighting our feelings for one another and hiding. I'm not sorry it happened, because it gave me, you.'' I declared.

''What did I do to deserve you?'' he mumbled, raising his hand and cupping and caressing my cheek.

''No clue. Something very very bad, surely.'' I muttered jokingly. He laughed with me.

''You are too good for me.'' He said, still gazing into my eyes.

''And you are too good for me. So, I guess we balance each other out.'' I said. ''Now we should really figure out a way to control these urges if we are going to make it to graduation.''

He sighed. ''Honestly, I'm starting to think you were right. We've been back not even a day and its torture. Every time I see you, I want to rip your clothes of you.'' He said huskily. ''Maybe if we'd been together back in the B&B it wouldn't be so bad?'' He said it like a question. I was shocked. He'd actually said that. Now we were back he'd actually decided it wouldn't be a bad idea. Damn him!

''Oh, you would say that now. No matter how much I would like you to rip my clothes off.'' He growled at that. ''We can't. That was your decision. I will try and keep my torturing to a minimum, but I can't make any promises. Maybe that will help? Or you could just take me into the storeroom and have your wicked way with me?'' I asked cheekily.

''So much for not torturing me.'' He growled.

''Hey, I said no promises. I'll try harder from now on.''

''We will figure out what works for us. I think sparing will be the hardest so once we get that down, we should be alright. We've fought it before, we can do it again.''

''Yeah last time we spared I didn't know you reciprocated my feelings. Which is why I am guessing sparing is now so hard.'' I said. He nodded in agreement and then sighed. ''Let's think about it and try and figure out a way to make it easier?''

''I guess, yeah. You should get going. You need to go break a boy's heart.'' I groaned at the reminder. Neither of us had noticed how close we had gotten on the bench. Unconsciously we had moved closer together as we spoke. I stood and Dimitri followed. I wanted to kiss him goodbye but knew that would be twisting fate. ''See you tomorrow, Roza.'' He mumbled as he brushed the side of my cheek affectionately one last time before dropping his hand.

''You sure will, Comrade. Goodnight. Dream of me.'' I said with a wink.

''Goodnight Roza, I will always dream of you.'' I smiled in response and turned on my heel, grabbing my bag and making my way back over to the dhampir dorms.

I entered the dhampir dorms completely exhausted but also with a blissful feeling. I felt me and Dimitri had finally taken another step in our relationship and some more walls had come down between us. I was glad to finally see the last remaining guilt leave his eyes over what happen with the charm.

Part of me hoped Mason wouldn't be here waiting for me but the other part hoped he would so I could get this over with. I knew the longer I delayed this the worst it would be. I looked around the common and saw Mason sitting on one of the sofas. He saw me and stood as I made my way over to him. I gestured for him to follow me. This room was too crowded. This was a private conversation. As we entered the next common room, I found it empty and we headed towards the sofas and sat. We sat in silence for a while, both not knowing what to say.

''Oh, just say it. I already know what you're going to say so just pull the band aid off.'' Mason muttered. He tried to make his voice sound strong and unwavering but failed. ''I know the truth anyway. That's why I needed the alcohol to tell you.'' Huh, maybe this would be easier than I thought.

''I'm sorry Mase. I think I knew at the time it wouldn't work. That's why I asked you about the staying friends thing. I knew even then it was a bad idea. But I was drunk, so I wasn't thinking clearly.'' I said.

''A drunk mind speaks a sober heart. Isn't that the saying?'' Mason replied, hope clear in his eyes as he stared at me. I sighed softly. Apparently, this wasn't going to be easy as I thought. That was the saying but, in this case, the drunk mind wanted a distraction from her broken heart and used the boy who had just confessed his love for her. I couldn't exactly tell him that though.

''Well this time it didn't. I was just drunk and worrying about my qualifier and apparently with good reason.'' I muttered.

''So, you used me?'' He asked, hurt and betrayal clear in his voice. He got that right, even if he didn't know the real reason, I used him.

''I'm sorry. I've known for a while you felt something for me. But I've never returned those feelings. I know we flirted and joked with each other but that's all it was too me. Harmless flirting. You're my friend. One of my best friends and I want us to stay like that. Can we please stay like that?'' I asked. I really didn't want to lose him. He stood and came and sat next to me.

''We will always be friends Rose. You just need to give me a little time to get over you. And hey if you ever change your mind and want to give me a proper chance, just tell me?'' He said, still clinging to any hope he could.

''I'll give you the time Mase. You need to move on and find someone worthy of you because I won't change my mind.'' I said. As soon as I said it, I saw hurt flash in his eyes, then something else. Questioning.

''Is there someone else?'' He asked.

Damn. I was that obvious was I. ''No, of course not.'' I lied. He eyed me cautiously then shrugged and accepted my response. ''I just know we aren't right for each other. We were only ever meant to be friends. You'll meet someone and realise that too one day.'' I said with a smile. ''And hey, guardians aren't meant to have relationships our sole focus should be on our charges.'' Oh why oh why did I come out and say that. Idiot!

''I hope so, and I guess you are right. They come first after all'' He said. I flinched. I knew in that second, we would be ok. He needed time but eventually we would be ok. ''Now tell me, what happened with your qualifier? Did you even do your qualifier?'' he asked.

I groaned. ''Mase I really am tired, I need sleep. But yes, I passed it. The guardian who was doing it passed me straight after the fight. Saying seeing me in action was all the test he needed.'' Mason gasped and I knew I'd slipped up. No one knew I was actually part of the fight, was it that surprising after Natalie that I would of gotten involved? ''Yes, I fought. No, no one knows so keep it to yourself. Now I'm going to bed. It's been a long day and I'm exhausted.''

I stood and left a shocked Mason still sat on the sofa. I hoped he wouldn't tell anyone about the fight. Honestly, I didn't want people to know but they would soon when I got more molnija on my neck but until then I wanted to keep it quiet.

I was so tired I decided to skip dinner and just go straight to bed and if that didn't scream tired, I didn't know what would.

AN- Still not sure how many chapters I have left. Just going to keep writing until I feel this story is told.

Not sure when the next update will be. I've had to force myself to proof read this today even though I'm dead tired from 2 gruelling days at work. Did 15 hours yesterday when I should only do 13. So I'm completely exhausted but I'm back at work tomorrow.

No rest for the wicked apparently. May be a few weeks before the next update but we shall see. For my next story I'm writing the whole thing so I can update more frequently.