A.N: Thanks for the reviews, you guys keep me going. Also, I don't own Bloodlines or VA. Continue to share the love with your reviews. Thanks.

Chapter12:

"I'm so glad you and Adrian are friends again" said Jill as she was taking care of my hair.

I should have been a bit embarrassed that a fifteen years old kid was actually helping me get ready for my first ever ball, but Jill really had a sense of style I didn't have.

"You seem overly excited about tonight" I told her, looking at her suspiciously in the mirror.

She gave me a sheepish smile. "I'm just happy you're going with Adrian."

"You know we're just friend, right? I'm human, and Alchemist, he is Moroi, and…well Adrian."

"Oh yes, yes I know" she said way too fast "I just, well, you were angry with him, and now you're not anymore which is good."

"Yea" I admitted still not convinced.

"But what happened with that Matt guy?" She asked, putting the final touch to the loose curls she made.

I simply shrugged. "It was not working out."

"I never liked him" she admitting.

"You don't say….."

Someone knocked softly at the door.

"We're not totally done yet! Go, wait in the living room."Eddie opened the door, and I was surprised to see him in dressing pants with a grey button down shirt that was matching his eyes.

"Why are you dressed that fancy?" Asked Jill, and I could see some appreciation in her eyes.

Eddie grinned. "Well they needed an extra chaperon, and since lord Ivashkov will be part of the festivity, so am I. I just wanted to inform the beautiful alchemist that her date is ready, and is pacing impatiently in the living room."

"He is not my date; he is just my friend who filled the last minute part of -" I stopped when

I saw Eddie's face. I had startle to ramble again; I took a deep breath. "I'll be right there."

"Sure, I'll tell him that."

I turned around to face Jill, I was feeling so out of place in a dress that cost more than an alchemist made in two months…maybe three.

"You look very pretty," said Jill with a big smile.

"Well I sure hope so, for that price."

Jill nodded. "That was a very nice present for a friend…It's a very expensive dress, even for Adrian, he is a great, great friend."

I frowned not really knowing what she meant by that. "Yes he is…." I trailed off, reaching for my golden cross.

"Okay lets go."

I nodded. I still couldn't believe she was not going. The ball might only be open to Juniors and Seniors; I couldn't believe that none of the guys had invited her.

She was invited; I knew she did, but she just didn't like the people who invited her so much or maybe she was just waiting for the right person to invite her.

When I walked in the living room, Adrian who was standing by the bar turned around, and my breath got caught in my throat. Adrian was always handsome with his renaissance statue face, but right now in his designer tuxedo, he was absolutely stunning, probably the most handsome man I had ever seen….even on TV. It was as he was born to be in a tuxedo.

Adrian and I stared at each other, for what seemed an eternity, and it might have been long because as Jill nudged me a little Eddie cleared his throat loudly.

"Isn't she pretty?" Asked Jill like a proud mother while readjusting some of my curls.

"No, she is not pretty" said Adrian a little breathless. "She is stunningly beautiful."

"I…" I blushed, and I hated myself for it. He was just trying to be nice to me. "You're beautiful too" I stuttered.

"Beautiful?" He arched one of his dark eyebrow. "Isn't that a bit girly?"

"Handsome?" I tried.

He chuckled. "Yea…I would have loved, 'smoking hot' but lets go with that."

"We're going with princess?" I asked as he reached for his car keys

"Do you want to walk there?"

"No but…." I pointed to Eddie, who was talking to Mikhail.

"Are you kidding me? He is a chaperon!" He snorted. "Come on lets go Sage, we don't want them to wait for the Winter Queen."

"I'm not in the competition."

"Fools, lets make then regret that."

"You are nice" I said with a smile, looking down.

"No I'm not, I'm realistic."

We settled in the car, but he didn't leave right away.

"Are you okay?"

Adrian turned toward me. "Do you have to wear that tonight?" He asked, pointing to my golden cross.

I grabbed it, self-conscious. "Does it really bother you so much?"

"No it's…" He sighed. "I have something I'd like you to wear tonight."

I eyed him suspiciously.

He took out a long, rectangular flat box stating "Bvlgari". "It would match your dress perfectly."

I took the box and opened it. It was a magnificent ruby and diamond necklace that I was sure cost more than the house my parents lived in. "I…." I closed the box and extended to Adrian.

"Don't you like it?" He asked, and I could hear the hint of hurt in his voice.

"Like it? Of course, I like it! What's not to like?" I shook my head.

"So why won't you wear it?" He asked confused.

"I can't accept such a gift it's just not…not…"

"Not what?"

"Proper! This is not proper!"

"Proper?" He laughed a little. "How on Earth is this not proper?"

"Friends don't go around giving friends insanely expensive gifts like that."

"It's a loan."

"Loan?"

Adrian nodded. "A family friend is working at Bvlgari, and she didn't mind lending me the necklace for the night."

"Oh…." I blushed furiously. Why on earth did I even think he would buy me something like that? He just wanted to be nice, and I made a fool of myself…again.

"Would you wear it? I promise I'll take good care of your cross."

That cross was my priced possession, a present of my grandmother, one of the only people who always believed in me…In good and bad but she had died last year, making this cross even more important to me. I saw so much expectation in his eyes, as if he was expected for the proof that I really trusted him. "Yes, of course. Let's drive while I make the change."

"Thank you" he replied with his wide smile that always made me melt.

When we posed for the picture, and he pulled me close to him, resting his hand on my hip my smile froze on my lips, we were way too close, I could feel his body heat irradiating against mine, the hotness of his hand on my hip, his musky manly sent.

"Relax Sage, it just a stupid dance" he whispered to my ear, probably misunderstanding my discomfort.

"Come on lets dance" he said, intertwining his fingers through mine.

I dug my heel in which was pretty hard in stilettos.

"Sage?"

"I'm not a very good at dancing, and I usually don't wear heels that high."Adrian chuckled, tilting his head to the side, making him look even more irresistible. "But you were ready to dance with the other guy, weren't you?"

"It's different"

"How is it different? Because he was human and….and I'm not."

I shook my head. "You are used to this kind of things; you are more…graceful than he is, and I didn't intend to wear heels that high with the other dress."

"Just relax and let me lead Sage, we'll be just fine."

He didn't know that, what terrified me the most, was the closeness, him holding me tight…I didn't need him to see the effect he had on me, this attraction was a weakness, an abnormality…it couldn't be known.

After a couple of songs, I almost wanted to let go of all my good resolutions and bury my face in the crook of his neck.

"I need to use the bathroom: I said the first thing that came to mind when what I really needed was to put distance between us.

"Of course, I'll meet you by the punch bowl."

I nodded, trying to make my way through the dancer. When I reached the toilet, I noticed Eddie following me, and it angered me. I turned around and walked back to Adrian.

"You told him?" I hissed, trying to put as much anger as I could in it.

Adrian looked confused for a second before looking up. "Smooth Castile, very smooth." He looked down to me again and pulled me in a corner. "I didn't tell him everything; just enough for him to know you are a target too. If you expect me to apologize well I won't, anybody with a decent enough compulsion could have tricked that boy into hurting you, now that I know you can be hurt" he snorted "I'll do anything to keep you safe even if you are not happy. Friends protect their friends; it's the way it's supposed to be."

There was no reason, but the word 'friend' hurt me deep down even if I wanted to deny it, deny it with everything I had.

The rest of the night went pretty well, I felt like a princess in this dress, with the necklace and the Royal Moroi that did treat me like I belonged to his arms.

"So ready for Christmas?" Asked Adrian, as we drove back to the apartment.

I shrugged. "I still don't get why I have to come along" I admitted honestly.

He quickly glanced to me. "Is it a real hardship? I mean…if it cost you, I can try to have a word with Lissa and Jill."

I sighed, hurt yet again. He just admitted that he didn't mind not having me around. Part of me wanted to bail on Christmas with them. I might be comfortable with some of the Moroi and dhampirs, but it was a minority, I didn't know how I would feel surrounded by them. And I was not sure I liked the idea of seeing Adrian sulking over Rose, the green eyes monster of jealous roared just thinking about it. But the other part of me rather spend time with them than with the alchemists. I didn't need my father to remind me how a failure he thought I was, or Ian looking like a lost sad puppy with his snide comments about how my life is with the Moroi.

"Are you still with me?"

"Umm? Yes! Sorry." I shook my head. I don't mind, really. I took a deep breath as our building was coming into view. It was the end of the night; we would go back to reality…Moroi and human. "Where are we going anyways for Christmas? The Court?" I couldn't hide my grimace as I said the words.

He shook his head opening the garage door. "No we are going to the mountain, there is a nice resort really fit and created for Moroi…Lissa thinks the first Christmas as a Queen needs to be atypical."

"Aspen?" I tried, somehow please since I never been there grinned. "No, St Moritz"

"Switzerland?"

"Unless you've heard of another St Moritz I'll say yes, Switzerland."

"Wow…that is one hell of a trip for Christmas. I've never been to Switzerland."

"I'll take you for a hot chocolate with marshmallow you'll see, it's heavenly."I smiled, but stayed silent. I knew I shouldn't be glad about that, but I still felt warm in my center of my chest.

"Thanks for the night" I whispered as we walked in the silent apartment. We were going to Switzerland the next day, and I should have figured that they would go to bed early for which I was grateful. I was not sure Jill or Eddie wouldn't have seen through my façade.

"You are very welcome Sage, I had fun too I promise. Have a good night."

I looked at him retreated to his room, not really knowing what I expected from him, but the disappointment deep in my heart said otherwise.

When I walked into my room, I looked in the mirror and still couldn't believe how good I looked. I could almost forgot I was just an alchemist, a human with invisible chains. I never really complained about having a life all figured out, I liked rules and directives but now…now I didn't know anymore; I felt as if these rules were more like a weight, not my salvation but a jail.

I touched my neck, realizing I was still wearing the necklace, and Adrian still had my chain. I needed my cross to sleep.

I took my heels off and went to Adrian room.

"Come in" he said after I knocked very quietly.

When I entered, I noticed he already started to undress. His jacket was resting on the back of the chair; his bow tie was undone and he had opened a few buttons of his shirt showing part of his chest.

"Sage?" He looked surprised. "Are you alright?"

"Yea I…." I took the necklace off. "I forgot to give that back to you."

"Ah the cross….right." He took the necklace, and put it on the desk before reaching for the box in his jacket. "Oh I have something else for you" he said opening his drawer before throwing a small black bottle toward me.

"That such a weird present, do you get 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile to your friends often?"

"Clozo…Clono. What? It's CS gas."

"Yes I know. That's what I said. "

He chuckled. "Yes, in a very Sydney Sage way."

"Why are you giving me that?"

"I…Eddie and I can't be always with you, and believe me this will stop anyone maybe not Strigoi but Human, dhampir and Moroi that will try to hurt you. Please, promise me, always, to have it on you."

"I promise."

He smiled. "I want you safe."

I took a step toward him, and reached up in an impulse to stroke his cheek, but stopped midway, it would have been crossing the line.

I was about to let my hand fall back to my side, when he caught it.

"I'm tired of that Sage."

I looked down to his long hand grasping mine. "Tired?"

He pulled me against him wrapping his free arm around my waist. "The 'cat and mouse' game" he whispered looking down at my lips. "I'm not even sure who is the cat and who is the mouse anymore."

I didn't have a chance to answer, as his lips were on mine. My conscious mind knew I should push him away, but it seemed that the rest of my mind took over as I wrapped my free arm around his neck pulling him even closer to kiss him as hungrily as he was kissing me. I was probably doing it right because I heard a low moan escape his mouth, making em kissing him with even more ardor.

He let go of my hand, and rested his on my hip. I didn't even realize what he was doing until I felt his bare hand on the top of my thigh. He probably played with the side of my dress and brought the left side up. When his palm made contact with my skin, it was like a bucket of water being thrown at me, he wanted something I didn't want to give him. He wanted sex nothing more.

I jerked away. "No!"

He seemed confused for a second; his pupils dilated. "Sage?"

"This is…wrong, all wrong!" I walked backward toward the door.

I saw hurt cross his face, and I knew he misunderstood what I meant by 'wrong' probably think I was talking about him being a vampire. It was wrong for so many reasons, but this one didn't cross my mind. It was wrong because he was still in love with Rose, wrong because he wanted sex when I wanted love.

"Stay, don't run away. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pushed it. I got carried away." He took a tentative step toward me making me rush so fast I banged my back to the knob. "Lets talk about this like two adults"

"Stay away" I said knowing I would cave if he were to touch me again.

"I won't chase you Sydney, I'm not doing that anymore, for anyone. If you leave now, it's done."

"It never started" I replied as a lump formed in my throat. I rushed out of the room, back to the comfort and loneliness of mine.

I knew deep down that what I did was right, that he would have played with me, never loving me, and I was not brave enough to dance within the flames.

However, there was that little voice in my head that kept shouting angrily I had probably just made the biggest mistake of my life.