A.N: Hey Guys!! Here chapter 7. I wanted to thank you all for your kind words and as I said I'm totally open to constructive criticism…I'm tougher than that it was just a short temper day lol. I will let the author note a little while longer.

Anyways big kudos to all of you. Your reviews are really important to me you know that right?

Well I hope you'll enjoy this chapter and don't forget to review.

Hugsies

Steffy

Chapter 7:

"Rose!" Said Christian with clear exasperation. "Have you decided to move permanently in that bathroom or what?!"

"I'm right here geez!" I said rolling my eyes seeing him waiting in front of the door.

"You know we only have an hour to train before to meet up with the others." He pointed again showing me his watch.

"Ok fire boy! Let's go" I said pulling my hair in a messy ponytail while we sneaked behind the building to the junior gym that we knew would be empty for hours.

It was our third training session today as we started Tuesday morning. This plan was pretty messed up but it has been more or less my idea.

On Monday, as I was about to restart my training with Dimitri, I didn't feel strong enough to face an hour of training with him touching almost every part of me. So, I asked Christian if he wanted to attend the training as to see the fighting techniques if he wanted to fight Strigoi one day. He accepted eagerly and while walking to the gym we also decided to work on offensive magic together, like a team…the 'badasses' as we said.

We decided to use the junior gym as it was really rarely used and it was almost impossible to run into someone so early the morning. We did actually work well and it was pretty exciting and flattering for both of us. We were sure that in no time we'll be unstoppable.

However, it was so forbidden that we kept it a secret even from Lissa, Eddie and everyone else. We didn't want to bring trouble over anyone else if our secret was discovered.

Today was Thursday, and in the almost two weeks I was guarding Christian, I didn't face any real good attack, like if the high ranked guardians were avoiding me! I was started to consider that downright insulting!

It was just a little after lunch that it finally happened. The four of us were walking out of the common ready to part for the afternoon electives. I was a bit sullen as Christian just told me that he wouldn't make it to my training with Dimitri as he had a group assignment for the next day and had to research at the library.

I suddenly saw a black shape from the corner of my eyes and reacted immediately.

"Protect them!" I shouted to Eddie pushing Christian toward him.

Eddie reacted as fast as I did. He pulled both Lissa and Christian against the wall and stood in front of them defensively.

I was about to attack the black shape that I realized was Stan.

Oh man!! He will cry and call for his mommy. I thought but unexpectedly I saw a second 'strigoi' showed up. Dimitri!

Right then the plan changed.

"Myrsky!" I shouted to Eddie just before my fist connected full force with Stan's nose. I heard a sickening crack and couldn't help to smirk as I threw a sidekick in order for him to land on the training stake that Eddie brought out expectantly.

Myrsky meant 'storm' in Finnish. Sometime Eddie and I got so bored during Lissa and Christian make out session in the quiet areas of the library that we decided to occupy our time by giving some code names for the fighting positions we developed. It was exactly what Christian and I were doing too but with numbers.

Now, with Stan out, I concentrated my attention on Dimitri taking a defensive position as we circled each other.

An audience started to gather around us probably to finally assist to an interesting match. The godlike guardian face to face with the smartass novice, the mentor against his student, Dark Vader against Han Solo (I didn't know which one I was really)

It was such a tiring fight I gave him some good kicks but received some good one too. Our audience kept increasing. We were fighting just the same.

I saw Adrian from the corner of my eyes as he made his way to the front of the crowd and this half second of inattention almost cost me the whole fight fortunately I knew how to fight dirty.

Dimitri brushed my legs and I fell flat on my back and he was on top of me in a second propped up on his hands looking at me with the shadow of a smile on his lips.

The little prick is enjoying it! I thought as a plan instantly hit me. It was so not lady like…he wouldn't expect it.

I simultaneously wrapped my legs around his waist and circled both his arms with mine to give me some leverage. I smiled as I gave him a straight headbutt.

He lost focus and groaned with pain. I parted his arms and as his body crashed on mine I maneuvered to roll in order to be on top of him, straddling him. I took my training stake and 'staked' him on the spot.

"I won…" I said breathless with a wide grin.

People around us applauded the performance and started to part.

"You certainly did" he said the voice hoarse but not only because from the efforts and blows he received. There were also desire and pride in his eyes. "I'm so proud of you my Roza" he whispered unconsciously bringing his hands to my hips.

We locked eyes and it felt like we were sharing something we were forbidden to share.

"Woot woot!! Wasn't that great distraction?!" said Adrian applauding walking toward us.

I shook my head coming back to reality. I could see both anger and pain in Adrian's eyes. His jaw was lock and I could see the muscles of his jaw quivering.

"Let me help you up" he said trying to sound helpful but I knew him too well now and I clearly could hear the coldness in his voice.

He pulled me up by my right arms a lot harder than I expected his usual soft self to do.

"Could you be less conspicuous?!" he whispered harshly to my ear.

I looked at him mouth wide as Dimitri and him were glaring at each other.

Dimitri stood up padded my shoulder. "You did very well Rose… I'm so proud of you. See you later" he said giving Adrian a sideway glance. "Now time to go back to class" he said looking at Christian, Lissa and Eddie standing near the door.

They all left and Adrian was about to go when I caught his hand.

"We need to talk "I whispered.

"I agree…I just don't know if I want to." He said frostily.

"The oak tree, near the gym after the last class…please?" I said with pleading eyes. I knew it always worked on him… my own kind of compulsion.

He nodded stiffly lips pursed together and left without another word.

I ran back to the others and went to class. It will let me have the time to think.

When the classes were done I would leave Christian in charge with Eddie as he was not assisting to my training with Dimitri today.

"But…was this fight wrong?" I whispered to Eddie about 5 minutes before the end of the last class.

"No why?" Asked Eddie confused.

"I dunno Adrian --" I started

"Oh yeah THAT I get" he said shaking his head.

I looked at him totally lost.

He sighed and slightly leaned toward me to be sure no one could hear. "I mean I know you are seeing Adrian but if I wouldn't have known…" He shook his head "I would have thought you were about to make out with Belikov right on the spot. I don't try to defend him or anything but I still think he took it well." he added sincerely impressed.

Note to self 'kick yourself in the head when no one is looking,' I thought pissed against myself and Dimitri too. I was pretty sure his hungry look and hands on my hips didn't help but I was also, probably unjustifiably, angry against Adrian as he had no right to get mad…right?

I needed to be bitchy to someone to exorcise this anger before training and for once my priers seemed to be listened to as Greg, the dhampir version of Jesse, approached me with a smile.

"Hey Rose.. About the fight I think---" he started

"Oh you are about to tell me what you think about my technique?" I said pretending to be eager. "I can't wait to hear it." I added with naïve wide eyes.

He opened his mouth to talk but I raised my hand,

"No wait…".I pretended to think. "No actually I don't care! I think it even comes first on my 'I-don't-give-a-shit' list even before the neighbor's first pair of socks and what happen to Rob Pattinson's shampoo bottle." I said doing my best to contain my laugher. "Now beat it douchebag." I said elbowing him out of my way waving to my giggling friends to go and meet my very angry illegitimate pastime.

Adrian was waiting for me behind the big oak tree and I sighed with relief. I gave him a small smile.

"Hey…" I said walking to him standing on my toes to kiss his lips but he brought his hands to my face and kissed my forehead.

"Hey yourself" he said trying to sound casual but I could hear underlying feelings in his voice.

I brought my hands on top on his to hold them to my face.

"You know that nothing happened right?" He just stared at me without a word. "I mean come on Adrian you're smarter than that!"

"Yeah I am!" He said trying to control himself as much as he could still keeping his eyes on mine as if he wanted to read into me to see my honesty. "I saw your auras back there and the way you were looking at each other." He shook his head. "It was full of lust, desire and…" .He took a deep breath dropping the description. "Even if you clearly stated that I had no right to feel anything since we're sharing nothing special to your agenda. I couldn't help getting angry at this display of affection just before my eyes."

I stood on my toes but didn't try to kiss his lips knowing he would probably not help me and I didn't deal very well with rejection. That's how I got in this pretty messed up situation in the first place. I simply kissed his jugular.

"You need to know something my dear Royal." I said finally taking his hands off my face. "Even if what we have is light and mostly fun I'm not the kind of girl to go around kissing other boys. So…" I shrugged trying to look casual. "If I intended to satisfy my lust and desire for another boy I'll terminate that little thing between us before."

His mouth twitched slightly with his dissatisfaction.

"As for Dimitri I'm truly trying to move on… Get passed what I am feeling for him but…" I bite my bottom lip. "But it ran deep into me and I think it's not fair for you to judge, and reprimand me on that as" I counted on my finger "Firstly I never made a secret of what I felt for him and what my intentions were and secondly neither of us wanted a commitment and still don't so….I'm not supposed to have to tell you that but I'm really trying to get over him it's just--"

"Well that's such a lost cause as you train with him every day." He said wearily as he didn't really believe in my argumentation.

"Well what other choice do I have huh?" I asked rhetorically I really thought he had no answer to that but of course I misjudge him. Adrian Ivashkov had an answer for everything.

"Find another mentor" he said matter of factly. "You beat him today... You know all his moves. He can't teach you much more. You need someone would will teach you something more, you'll be more efficient for Lissa." He added looking just bored.

I had to chuckle at that one and he raised his eyebrows. "Yeah of course it's for Lissa and you would feel better too right…"

"Well…." He shrugged "It's true that I wouldn't be heartbroken if you didn't train with him anymore." He added with his throaty laugh.

"I love to hear you laugh!" I said immediately realizing I expressed my thought out loud.

He looked at me surprised but in a good way and knew I was too embarrassed to comment on that. Such a gentleman.

"Plus I'm sure, with my reputation, that guardians would just love to mentor me for the few weeks left of school" I said sarcastically. "I bet they would rather be shot in the knee than deal with the witty and smart mouth Rosemarie Hathaway."

Adrian kissed the tip of my nose. "I can help with that."

I sighed and changed subject. "I need to go the session will start in 5 minutes but….You were looking for me before right?"

"Yeah I wanted to give you that." He said taking a small black cell phone from his pocket. "It's the same as mine and my super private number is programmed first place." He winked. "You complained I didn't keep in touch while I was away and" he brought his free hand to my cheek and he stroke my cheek from temple to chin very softly with his fingertips.

"Yeah but--" I started

"You were right! It will help get in touch and I wouldn't mind getting a text from time to time. I don't see you enough during the week." He said sincerely chagrin by this fact.

"I know…" I said with a sigh while taking the phone. It was beautiful, black, sleek and you could flip it open. "What kind of phone is this?" I asked mechanically.

"It's a Motorola W510, the best way to stay in touch with your lover boy" he added with a wink.

I laughed and saw Dimitri opening the gym doors peeking up the path. "Listen I really have to go but….can I get a kiss or not?" I asked teasing.

"Your wish is my command" he said kissing me with passion but it was too short for my liking.

I slid the phone in my bag, waved and ran to the gym.

When I ran in the gym Dimitri was pacing impatiently.

"Sorry sorry sorry" I said in a hurry putting my bag on the floor. "I got…caught up in some things." I added apologetically.

"It's ok" said Dimitri turning to face me.

"Oh my god Dimitri!" I said seeing the red mark on his nose at the exact place where my forehead hit him. Dark shadows were starting to appear mostly around his left eye.

I took two steps forward and started to reach for his face with my hand but stop half way and brought it to my side again. "I'm so sorry" I said sincerely.

He gave me his crooked half smiled that used to, and still made, my heart race. "It's alright Rose you did very well…I didn't expect any less of you." He added with clear pride in his voice. "It's my fault I let myself get sidetracked for a second." He added with a shrug.

"Sidetracked?" I asked raising my eyebrows in surprise. I'm the one who got sidetracked by Adrian I thought.

He ignored my question. "So…you didn't bring your chaperon today?" He asked jokingly but I could feel the annoyance and hurt underneath it. I knew we was pretty upset to have an observer during training and I didn't fool him as for the reason Christian joined us. He knew that it was not to be alone with him but I didn't care.

I couldn't help but blush slightly. "No…It's just me today…." I said tightening my hair into a ponytail.

"Okay so…Let's stake some dummies for a while" he said handing me his own sliver stake.

I staked the dummies for about 30 minutes under his scrutinizing eyes that made my neck tingle.

You need to get past this… you need to get over this childish unhealthy crush! I kept repeating to myself.

After that Dimitri wanted to fight a bit more as he thought he caught me by surprise with his lateral leg movement that made me fall flat on the back.

I just nodded as it was a lot easier than explaining that I would have totally anticipate that move if Adrian did not show up.

During the fight I found myself against him like pulled into a hug and looked up mechanically. Big mistake! He was looking down at me so intensely that the strength I had before started to crumple.

I brought my hand to his face and didn't stop halfway this time. I very very gently, traced the mark on his nose with the tip of my fingers. He sighed in contentment closing his eyes, and before I realized it, he had his arms tied on my back.

I continue to touch his face with some small feathery touches. "It's gonna look terrible tomorrow" I said feeling really bad for causing him pain. Well he was causing me pain too and even if it was not voluntary it was still far more painful than any physical blow.

"So sidetracked huh?" I asked trying to keep my voice steady but failing completely. "What could distract the great Belikov from his mission?" I asked jokingly but I was sincerely wondering.

He opened his eyes and locked them with mine. "You Rose…Only you could distract me from what I was meant to do." He said in just a small whisper that I was barely hearing him. "I looked into your eyes and I lost focus…" He said slightly ashamed "and that's exactly the problem." He kissed my forehead and my heart jumped into my chest.

I broke free of his embrace and walked out of the training circle. I understood that we cared about each other just enough to be a danger for ourselves and everyone else around us but neither of us was ready to sacrifice our guardian role and…I turned to look at him. We were just weak enough for not being able to detach from each other, not strong enough to say goodbye.

I sighed and gave him a small smile. "I think it's better to stop for today," I said nicely to show him that I was not mad or anything like that.

"I think that's for the best," he agreed as I could see he was fighting his hardest to stay where he was standing.

"I'll see you" I said taking my bag slowly walking to the door. I would have to be the strong one. I would have to be the one to say goodbye to what we were sharing. Lissa was the most important person in my life, she was far more important to me than she was to him. I would protect her no matter what.

I had to turn left to join the building where the classes took place as I knew they were waiting for me at the library, but I took the phone out of my bag and called Adrian before taking the direction of the Administrative building.

He answered after the fourth ring.

"Inauguration of the phone I see." He said with a cheery voice. "Missing me already?"

I chuckled.

"Missing you too" he said taking my chuckle for an agreement.

"I will be late" I said trying to sound detach but hearing his voice did, as strangely as it seemed, eased some of my pain. "I think you were right."

"Of course I was!!" He said like it was an evidence. "About what exactly?" He asked with laugher in the voice.

"Doofus!" I said laughing. I took a deep breath. "I'm going to Kirova now…I'm going to ask her for a new trainer for the sessions you know… and you said maybe you could help with that…I dunno." I added a bit uncomfortable to ask him for a favor.

Adrian was silent for a moment, for so long actually then I thought the line cut.

"Adrian…You're still with me?" I wondered.

"What did he do…What did he say?" He asked with such a cold and threatening tone that it actually gave me the chill.

"'Noth…nothing" I stuttered. "I swear!" I added crossing my fingers. "It's just that you were right!! I need to learn different things and I need to try harder… to move on" I added stupidly.

"I see…".he said still unconvinced. "Well you know I'd do anything for you my Rose." He added sweetly. "Go to Kirova, I'll figure something."

"Thank you so much." I sighed with relieve "I'll see you later."

"Wait!" He said just before I hanged up. "Try to keep your smartass, witty attitude in hush tones for once okay? I do find it very sexy but…" He chuckled "it gets Authority pissed like nothing else and I'm good but I'm not a miracle worker."

I exhaled with exasperation. He knew me well already…too well. "I'll try" I said grudgingly.

"That's my girl" he said with a loving tone. "I'll wait for you" he added hanging up.

I sighed flipped the phone up and put it on my coat pocket

I stopped in front of Kirova secretary. "Is it possible to see Ms. Kirova for a minute it's pretty urgent."

The secretary nodded and took the phone to contact her.

Things were now set in motions and I already knew that by doing so I was declaring an open war with Dimitri.

All Hell will break loose. I thought when the secretary pointed to the office.