Chapter 16: In-flight
We all arrived to the academy airstrip about the same time as my parents and Pavel, once on board Dimitri guided me to two private seats placing me by the window and him in the aisle giving him a little more leg room. Dimitri took out my medicine bottle and gave me one of the pills and some water "Sorry, we probably should have done this sooner" Dimitri apologized.
"It's okay, I forgot about it too" I responded. "How long is this flight?"
"Well, normally is takes me 18-20 hours to fly from Russia to here, but that's commercial but it's probably a good 14 hours at least. Do you want to try and watch a movie or do you want to rest?" Dimitri asked me as he covered us both with a blanket.
"We can try and watch a movie, I am not sure how these pills will affect me, anything but a western!" I laughed at Dimitri as he shook his head. In the end we decided on the Godfather, fitting for my father but neither of us had seen it and it was a part of a trilogy, and we had mothing but time on our hands.
The pilot came over the intercom alerting us that we were cleared for take-off. I could hear the engines roaring to life and I grabbed Dimitri's hand as I wasn't completely comfortable flying due to the fact that I have only flown to court a few times.
Dimitri squeezed my hand back and gave me a reassuring smile as the plane barreled down the runway and we started rising up in the air. So far so good I thought, but as usual I spoke too soon.
"Son of Bitch" I said as bent over and put my head in my hands as the pain started. I had my eyes closed so I couldn't see the black orbs or faces of people. God, I hope this pill kicks in fast or this is going to be a really long flight.
"Roza" I heard the concern in Dimitri's voice and I was aware of some commotion around me.
"Roza, can you hear me?"
"Yes"
"Is it as bad as before?"
"Yes"
"Do you think you can try to take another pill?" Dimitri asked.
I could hear my parents and Pavel talking with Dimitri about something, I could only hear bits and pieces but I heard medicine and shot.
"Roza, Pavel is going to give you a shot of medicine in your arm that Dr. Olendzki gave him. It's just a sedative like the moroi get to block their magic."
"I don't care just make it stop." I screamed.
I felt some one taking my arm then a wet cloth, then a sting of a needle going into my upper arm. Normally I hated needles, but compared to my headache right now, the needle barley registered.
Dimitri was rubbing my back and we must have gotten to cruising altitude, because I felt Dimitri recline both our seats back and he carefully pulled me to him and cradled me and put my head on his chest. Somewhere he found pillows and put them behind my back to help support me. I felt him turn the overhead light off and he pulled the blanket up around my shoulders.
"Roza, do you want something to cover your eyes?"
"Yeah, that might help." I could feel him putting a sleep mask over my head and it was kind of cool which felt good.
Dimitri just kept rubbing my back and slowly I could start to feel the medicine work as the pain was starting to lessen. Finally getting some relief and I fell asleep.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I woke up and I was still cuddled with Dimitri, he had one hand playing with my hair and his other hand was holding his book. I picked up my head off of Dimitri's chest to look around.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" Dimitri asked.
"Okay, a little out of it, how long did I sleep?"
"About four hours, how is your head?"
"I feel a little bit of pressure but nothing like before"
"Good, maybe we should get you some food and maybe take another pill."
"Yeah, I could eat"
Dimitri and I got up out of the seats and I stretched after being in the same position for a while. I looked around, most of the guardians were sleeping or watching movies. My parents were sleeping all cuddled up, hmmm seems like that relationship is picking up fast.
"Rose, how are you feeling?" Pavel asked.
"Better, still a little bit of pressure but not like before, thank you for helping that shot really worked" I said.
"Your welcome, I'm just glad it worked for you." Pavel responded.
Dimitri and I continued towards the front of the plane and we both used the bathroom. When we both came out I asked "So Comrade are you a member of the mile high club?"
Dimitri looked at me with lust and said "No, I am not a member and we won't be joining while your parents are on board".
We looked thru the galley and found sandwiches, I also found chips and cookies. Dimitri grabbed two sandwiches and fruit to balance my chips and cookies. He also grabbed some juices and waters. We got back to our seats and pulled the table out and got our food situated. Dimitri then set up the movie and we started watching it while we ate. Once I was done eating, Dimitri gave me another pill to take as he cleaned up our mess. When he came back we reclined and I cuddled into him and we watched the movie.
The movie wasn't too bad but instead of watching part 2 we started talking. At first it was our sort of normal banter like we had when we stretched prior to running but soon the conversation turned to Tasha and her compulsion. I was leaning back against the wall and Dimitri had pulled my legs into his lap and he was rubbing them softly. I explained what I had remembered about what Tasha had said once Adrian had compulsed me to remember.
Dimitri pulled me onto his lap and his lips were right next to my ear saying "Milaya, you know nothing she said is true. Right?"
I nodded my head.
"God, I wish we were anywhere but here so I could show you how wrong Tasha was." Dimitri stated.
"Me too Comrade, Me too."
Pavel came up to us a little later, after we had separated ourselves and we were back in our own seats. "Can the two of you follow me to the back of the plane?" Celeste and Yuri were behind Pavel and Dimitri walked in front of me so I couldn't see what was going on till we entered a room.
"OMG there's a conference room back here?" I squealed. Okay conference room was an exaggeration, but there was a table with six comfortable chairs around it.
"There's also a bed and a bathroom with a shower further down." Pavel pointed out.
Dimitri shot me a look that said 'don't even think about it'. Pavel sat at the head of the table and Dimitri and I sat on one side and Celeste and Yuri sat on the other side.
Pavel started "I wanted to go over the plans once we land which should be in about 2 hours and just to let you know it will be about 9am when we land. We have a small airstrip a few miles from the compound. It is warded, so Rose I think you will be okay once we land. We will have 4 suvs, you will all be in the third suv. Rose, I would like you to be checked out first by our physician due to your headaches, she will also be giving all of you physicals as part of working for . Then we will give you a tour of the place and I want to run thru some trials, just to see where everyone's skill level is including you Rose."
"Okay, where are we staying?" I asked curious about our living situations and how far Dimitri would have to sneak to get into my bedroom.
"Rose, you have your own suite, your father has made sure there is always a suite for you in all his houses. We can discuss where those places are at a later time" Pavel responded.
"Dimitri will have a room right next to Rose and Celeste and Yuri, you will have rooms beneath them. There is a separate kitchen in your suite for you or you can eat in the main kitchen" Pavel continued.
"Dimitri, you will be in charge of Rose's security. Rose, basically when you are within the compound Dimitri or another guardian will be with you at all times. And when you leave the compound there will be no less than three guardians with you depending on where you want to go." Pavel stated flatly out.
Just then, the pressure in my head exploded and I put my head down on the table and closed my eyes. Dimitri was kneeling at my side instantly rubbing my back. Again, I could hear bits and pieces around me but I couldn't focus on a single conversation. I heard "shot", "bed" and "over land". I felt Dimitri pick me up and say "Rose, I am bringing you to the back of the plane to the bed. Pavel is going to get you another shot, okay?"
"Yes, just don't leave" I said.
"Never" he whispered in my ear.
I felt him put me on the bed and the bed dipped down next to me. He cradled me in his arms like before and I felt him putting pillows around me.
"Roza" Dimitri whispered in my ear "Pavel is going to give you another shot now." As I felt a wet swipe then the sting of the needle, but again it did not compare to the pain in my head. Dimitri cradled my head to his chest and he was stroking my hair and gently whispering to me. Soon, the shot started to work and I picked my head up and looked around and saw that we were alone at the back of the plane.
I heard Dimitri chuckle. "What?" I asked as I tried to concentrate on his face.
"You looked drugged out" he laughed.
"Yup! Comrade, I would kiss you if I knew which head was yours." I said.
He laughed at me as he guided my head back down to his chest. "Just rest Roza" he said as he kissed my head and I fell into a deep sleep cradled in his arms.
Abe POV
I awoke to a commotion taken place in the back of the plane. I tried to extradite myself from Janine without waking her up but I was unsuccessful.
"What's the matter Ibrahim?" Janine asked me.
"I'm not sure, something at the back of the plane" I said as I looked up and saw Pavel coming towards me.
"Rose headache is back, I am getting her another shot. Belikov is bringing her to the bedroom in the back of the plane." Pavel stated.
I quickly made my way to the back of the plane to the bedroom, where Belikov had Rose on the bed and was positioning her body and making sure her body was supported just as he had done the first time.
When I heard about a potential relationship between him and my daughter I wasn't happy. Then I became concerned when they both admitted they were already in a relationship. But seeing the way he cares for her, I can't imagine anyone else by her side and that scares me too!
Since the incident with Belikov's father, I have been watching after him from a distance. After he lost his charge Ivan Zeklos, I had been considering him for my own compliment of guardians. Pavel and I had been discussing having Belikov lead a team to recover my daughter when she went on the run with the Princess, but the Queen got to him first. It's funny how life happens because here he is with my daughter and working for me.
Pavel came in the room and gave Rose another injection and slowly she seemed to be in less distress. I walked out and sat down in the now empty conference room. I spoke with Sasha, the women who ran my households in Russia and Turkey and explained that we were on our way in. I wanted Belikov's grandmother Yeva contacted to find out the name of the shadow kissed couple that lived in Baia, we needed to get more information about Rose being shadow kissed. Plus I wanted the staff and guardians aware of our impending arrival and let some of the retired guardians that still worked for me know that Rose has no memory of her time before the academy. There were a few retired guardians who would be happy to see Rose again, but I didn't want Rose overwhelmed on her first day here.
Pavel walked in at that moment, I asked "How much of a conversation were you able to have with them?"
Pavel responded "Not much, just basics about living arrangements and physicals with the doctor. I told Rose that I wanted her seen due to her headaches and needing the medications. I'm not sure if this means anything, but I noticed that Rose's headache began once we were over land again."
"I asked Sasha to speak with Yeva so we can contact the shadow kissed couple that might be able to give us more information." I said.
"I initially planned to have all of them go thru some trials so I can get a sense of their abilities including Rose. But with everything that happened, I think I will give them today off to acclimate and then we will do it tomorrow instead." Pavel stated.
"Sounds like a good idea, and yes, I would like Rose checked out and I suspect that Belikov would like to visit his family and bring Rose there as soon as possible."
"Yes, I spoke briefly with Belikov when Rose was sleeping the first time. He said Rose was concerned that if she was a target and was with Belikov, Rose is worried his family might be in danger. So I am thinking that we will let Rose and Belikov go to see his family and then maybe we will invite them for dinner in a couple of days and discuss the risk with them and see what we can do to ensure their security."
I replied "Yes, I agree, whatever we need to do to make sure Rose is safe, secure and happy. She has suffered too much in her young life."
Pavel pondered for a minute and said "So, how do you feel about Belikov being with Rose?"
"At first I wasn't happy about it, but just watching him with Rose and how much he does to make sure she's safe, comfortable and secure. I have a feeling he would do anything for her including dying for her. First you worry that your daughter will fall for the wrong person and then you worry when they find the right one. As long as he continues to treat her well, then I am all for them being together."
"Watch it Abe, you might be getting soft there" Pavel joked.
"Don't think I have missed the way that you look at both of them approving of their relationship." I joked back.
Pavel and I left the conference room, he went back to his seat to work on business and I went back to check on Rose. Both Rose and Belikov were asleep and Janine was just finishing putting a blanket over the two and then she walked over to where I was standing in the doorway and she put her arms around me as I encircled her waist, she lifted her head and I met her halfway as gave me the sweetest kiss.
"He really loves her" Janine said.
"I've noticed that"
"What are you going to do?" She chuckled at me.
"As long as he continues to love her and take care of her properly, I don't have a problem. And I have a feeling that this is something that is going to last for a long time and I don't think I will need to threaten him at all but maybe just a little warning." I said with a big smile on my face as I guided Janine back to our seats.
DPOV
I was so happy to be getting on a plane with Roza, not only was I going home but I was going to be with Roza all the time, training her and protecting her. I never imagined that I would ever be able to be with her in the open. I was so happy that she and I are together and I can't believe that she gave up her virginity to me. I was so honored that she chose me and trusted me to take care of her. But now I was addicted to her and could not wait to get to Russia so I could be with her again. I needed her.
I guided Roza to two seats so that we would have our privacy and I could hold her and have her close to me and no one would care that I was with her. Maybe Abe would care, I am sure that I have a threatening lecture coming at some point from him that I better not hurt his daughter. I would do the same thing if I had a daughter, so I will not be surprised when it happens, I just needed to convince him that I will always take care of Roza.
Speaking of taking care of her I gave her a pill to help with the headache she might get, and I cursed myself as I should have given it her earlier so she would have the medicine starting to work before takeoff.
Roza and I discussed what she wanted to do on the long flight to Russia. She finally decided she wanted to watch a movie, the Godfather, subtle Roza.
I watched her as we started to take off. I realized she was nervous as she has not flown much. She grabbed my hand and I squeezed back given her reassurance that I was right here for her. We took off and she seemed to be doing okay but right before we reached cruising altitude, she started complaining of a headache and she leaned forward in her seat. I started rubbing her back.
"Roza."
"Roza, can you hear me?"
"Yes" she finally replied.
"Is it as bad as before?" I asked.
"Yes" she responded.
"Do you think you can try to take another pill?" I asked.
Pavel came over as well as her parents, Pavel explained that the Dr. Olendzki had given pills for Roza but they had also given medication that they could give her through an injection.
"Roza, Pavel is going to give you a shot of medicine in your arm that Dr. Olendzki gave him. It's just a sedative like the moroi get to block their magic." I explained.
"I don't care just make it stop." She screamed.
Pavel gave her the injection and after a minute or so she started to get a little relief so I was able to position Roza in my arms. I had her head on my chest, I reclined both of our seats and placed pillows behind her to support her. I then pulled the blanket over both of us and I started stroking her hair and whispering to her in Russian.
I told her things in Russian that I was too afraid to say to her in English. This was her first relationship and I didn't want to push her to fast too soon. I told how much I loved her and if I could, I would marry her today. I wanted a long and happy life with her. I wanted to raise children with her and I knew she was nervous about being a mother since she didn't really have a role model growing up except maybe Alberta. There are so many children in Russia to adopt, mostly children whose parents had been killed by strigoi. I knew she was not ready for children yet, she still had life to live and enjoy, but one day I wanted children and I would be there to guide her as always.
I told her how I couldn't wait to introduce her to my family. Since Babushka called, I knew at least my mama knew we were on our way. Maybe my sisters would know as well and I couldn't wait to see Victoria, we were close growing up and it hurt her hard and it hurt me to when I went to America. But I can't wait to see how she has grown and I want to see her skills as a novice. I worry about her being a guardian. But that is what she chose and hopefully that will be the best path for her and she will not follow my older sisters by getting pregnant at a young age.
I told Roza how much I think she is going to love Victoria as I see a lot of similarities between the two of them. Karolina and my mama will be warm and loving towards her. Sonya will be her normal self, I hear she is very cranky with her pregnancy. My nephew Paul, I can't wait to see him, he has gotten so big when I see him on skype. I have a feeling he has already developed a crush on Roza because of what I have told him. Roza and I will have to find a way to let him down easy. I can't wait to see Zoya in person, she is beautiful like her mama, but seeing her through a screen does not do her justice.
I told Roza how excited I was because her father was a very generous employer that I could now send even more money home and also continue to put more money away for Roza and me.
Pavel came by to check on Rose, I told him she was resting comfortably and thanked him from the shot. I took the time to bring to his attention that I wanted to bring Roza to meet my family as soon as that is possible to arrange. I also relayed that Rose was upset, thinking that my family would be in danger from the people after her, and she was worried they would come after my family.
Pavel said he could arrange for a visit for today for us to see my family and he said to give him some time and he would discuss my family's security with Abe. I thanked him for that and he went on his way. I noticed that every guardian on the plane who passed Rose would make sure she was okay. Rose was well loved here, but it was sad that at the academy she felt she was so alone.
Rose started to stir, when she was finally awake we went to the restrooms and Pavel told us there was a galley so we could get some food. I couldn't believe that Roza propositioned me for the mile high club. Which did nothing to help as her suggestion turned me on to where I wanted to take her right there, but with her parents and Pavel on board, I would probably be shoved out of the airplane in flight if I attempted to do anything with Rose.
We ate our food, Roza found chips and cookies to feed her junk food addiction, but I was at least able to get an apple into her. I also had her take another pill, to try and keep the headache to a dull roar. We watched the movie which was pretty good, we will have to watch the second movie at some point.
After we watched the movie, we started to talk like we do when we are stretching before our work outs. I steered the talk towards Tasha and her compulsion. Roza was leaned up against the wall and her legs were in my lap and I was gently massaging her legs.
Roza told me how Tasha was basically telling her that I did not like Rose, and I that I felt she was a burden to me to have to teach her. Tasha also told her that her friends did not like her and that she should be scared of all the men in her life. The exception to that were Jesse and Ralf, apparently Tasha knew of the rumors that Jesse and Ralf spread with the hope of isolating Rose.
I think that is why Rose was so distracted, her brain was trying to fight off the compulsion. I am so glad Tasha is behind bars but we needed to speak with Pavel about the other threats. I pulled Rose onto my lap and explained how wrong Tasha was and that I wish I could prove my love to her right now. Tonight seemed like a long way away and I needed her again. She was like my drug, I was completely addicted to her and did not want to give her up.
We went back to normal talking when Pavel wanted to speak with us. Roza went crazy when she saw the conference room and then heard there was a bed in the back.
Pavel started discussing procedure for landing and car assignments and then what we would need to do essentially as newly hired guardians. Roza asked about our living situation and was excited that my room was right next to her and that Celeste and Yuri were below us. I was excited that we have a kitchen to cook with, so I could cook my Roza some Russian food.
Rose put her head down and I could see the pain had come back. I was immediately at her side reassuring her and rubbing her back. Pavel suggested that he would get another injection for Rose and that I should carry Rose to the bedroom. I picked up Roza and I said "Rose, I am bringing you to the back of the plane to the bed. Pavel is going to get you another shot, okay?"
"Yes, just don't leave" Roza said.
"Never" I whispered in her ear.
I put her down on the bed and then I lied down next to her and as I did before I supported her body cradling her head and placing pillows behind her back.
"Roza" I whispered in her ear "Pavel is going to give you another shot now".
After a few minutes I chuckled. "What?" Roza asked as she seemed to try to concentrate on my face.
"You looked drugged out" I laughed.
"Yup! Comrade, I would kiss you if I knew which head was yours." Roza said.
I laughed at her as I guided her head back down to his chest. "Just rest Roza" I said as I kissed her head and she fell into a deep sleep and it didn't take long before I fell asleep holding my Roza.