A.N: Hey Guys!!

So here is chapter 10 I know you were waiting for it!! Oh if you want to see the present Rose bought Adrian there is the link on my profile ( at the bottom, just before the play list for the story).

Anyways….Enjoy and don't forget to review please please *pout super puppy dog eyes* .

Steffy

Chapter 10:

It was Wednesday today and I felt overly stressed as my bag seemed to weigh a thousand pounds because I had Adrian's Birthday present nicely wrapped in it.

Today was Adrian's 22nd Birthday, but I was probably the only person at the Academy to know about that, as his date of birth came out in the chat I had with him the night of the banquet.

The fact that he didn't make a big fuss about it was something to add to the list of what made him so different from the other Royals. Of course, he was like them on many aspects, such as his taste for luxurious stuff, which brought me back to my little present issue.

I wanted to buy him something special and personalized. Something that made sense when it came to the two of us. I surfed the net for ideas and found something that I considered special.

I stopped at a men's specialized Jewellery Shop website and found a very refined black stainless steel dog tag with a very discreet diamond cross at the bottom. It was not too big; sober, classical, yet original just like him. I almost gave myself a brain hemorrhage trying to figure out what to get engraved on it. I remembered how he expressed his doubts about his studies, how he felt bound to follow his family expectations and that maybe he didn't study what he wanted to study, but only what he was expected to study. He was afraid to lose the person he was in order to become the person they wanted him to be. These revelations touched me deep inside and I really wanted to make him feel better about himself as he was, for me, a lot more worthy than any member of his family.

I finally settled for « You'll never lose your way if you follow your heart » in the front and with « Believe in yourself as I believe in you. R » on the back.

I received the package yesterday and went to retrieve it from my pigeonhole and after looking at it 2 or 3 times, I was really pleased with my choice, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought it was insignificant. It was a consequential spending in the Rose Hathaway budget, but I was pretty sure it wasn't much more than the price of a piece of gum in the Ivashkov world.

I sighed unconsciously.

"What wrong with Rose today?" Asked Eddie whispering, leaning toward me.

"Huh? Oh…" I looked around. We were in the library in the VERY quiet area and we perfectly knew what kind of 'research' Christian and Lissa were doing just a bit further up, in the next aisle. I shrugged and looked at my watch. I had 35 minutes before my training with Dimitri, just enough time to drop the gift to Adrian and have an excuse to go before he opened it, as I knew it would hurt me if I saw dejection in his eyes. It would hurt me much more than I was ready to admit.

In fact, since the 'accident,' Christian insisted on come with me to my trainings with Dimitri, so I needed to be back in time no matter what. God bless the brotherly protectiveness.

"Ok, I need to get out for a little while, but I will be back to pick up Christian for the training I promise" I said with pleading eyes.

"You need to see lover boy?" He asked before continuing. "Don't answer that! If someone ask you're on the toilet as it's the bad time of the month."

I looked at him the mouth wide open. He said that with so much complacency it was unnatural.

"What?" He asked with a grin. "Mentioning girls periods is the best way to make people shut up." He added with a chuckle. "Now go, before I change my mind." He added pretending to be serious.

"Thank you," I whispered kissing his cheek before sneaking out of the library.

I knew that Adrian was in his room as he was revising. I jogged there changing my mind about 50 times concerning the present.

I knocked at the door and as soon as he saw me he gave me a huge smiled and let me in.

As soon as I walked in, I detailed his clothes, Hugo boss black jeans, an emerald Ralph Lauren sweater, and Rolex platinum watch. This present is a joke… I thought still thinking about not giving it to him.

"Do you see something you like?" He asked teasing.

I smiled. "Of course!" I said as he closed the distance between us.

He leaned in to kiss me. "That's good cuz I see something I like too." He stated against my lips before playfully starting to nibble on my bottom lip.

I closed the small distance between our bodies wrapping my arms around his waist, ready to let go.

You don't have the time right now! Focus Rose!! Said the annoying voice of reason in my head.

I broke our embrace and I was pretty sure my face reflected Adrian's disappointment.

He sighed in rendition. "What can I do for you my Rose?" He asked nicely taking my hand and entwined our fingers together.

"I only have a couple of minutes and I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday." I said bringing my free hand to his face cupping his cheek. "Happy Birthday Adrian," I said standing on my tiptoes to kiss him.

I brought the hand that was on his cheek to his neck in order to kiss him with everything I had and as our tongues played for dominance, I felt my knees buckle, as it was always the case when he was kissing or touching me.

"That was the best present ever…Thank you," he said his forehead against mine.

I should have settled for that and go, but no of course no! The masochist part of Rose Hathaway won once more!

"Actually," I said breaking our embrace opening my bag. "I've got something for you," I added taking the present out of the bag with a shaking hand.

He looked at the little silvery package with both surprise and something I could not really put a name on, maybe fondness…I wasn't sure.

"Well I've got to go," I said handing him the package. " If you don't like it it's ok you know…no biggy." I said pretty pleased with my detached tone, as I knew it would hurt me.

"I will love it," he said still astonished by the gesture. "It's from you." He added nicely.

I looked at him and smiled to his kindness. He was always so nice to me…caring… Not Royal.

"It's nothing big you know," I said my hand on the handle ready to go. "But, as I said, don't feel bad if you don't like it. Happy birthday again," I added before leaving in a hurry my heart beating furiously in my chest.

I made it back to the library 5 minutes before the end and Eddie looked at my flushed face and wiggled his eyebrows.

"How u doin' ?" He asked imitating Joey from friends.

I rolled my eyes. "Very good…" I grinned too. "Want details?" I asked seeing his eyes widen made me laugh of course.

__________________________

I was half way through training under Christian's scrutinizing eyes, when Lissa and Eddie made it to the Gym which surprised me, as they never came before plus I could feel huge excitement and happiness coming from Lissa.

"Ohmygosh she said yes!!" Squealed Lissa, jumping up-and-down with Eddie laughing beside her.

Dimitri chuckled so I looked at him suspiciously. "What are you guys up to?" I asked him.

"Ask her…" he said pointing at Lissa with a smile. "She is the convincing one," he added mysteriously. "I barely helped."

"What's up girl?" I asked as Lissa walked toward me letting Eddie join Christian on the bench.

"We're going shopping in Missoula on Sunday!!" She said taking my hands jumping up and down. Her excitement got to me so I started to jump with her, making the three guys chuckle.

"Really?? How did you manage that?" I asked slightly awed.

"Well, Dimitri helped to convince Kirova, but she finally agreed to let the four of us go with Dimitri and Alberta." She said so excited. "She is pretty sure that two awesome novices-"

Christian snorted at that wording.

"Watch the pie hole fire boy!" I said pointing on his direction still looking at Lissa. ''Continue please.''

"Anyways…" She said shooting a glare at Christian. "She thinks that two awesome Novices and two high ranked Guardians are enough to protect Christian and I… And even Adrian if he wants to come," she added not realizing how much that idea cheered me up.

We stopped training for the day knowing that it would be useless to continue as I was way too high.

But I went down pretty fast as I checked my cell and there was no text from Adrian.

I guess he didn't like it…I thought grimacing walking to the common room for dinner.

--------------------------

We returned to the room after curfew and I went to the bathroom for a shower so I could let go of my pretend.

I knew he wouldn't like my gift, but still, he could have texted me to pretend he did. I hated this silent but I'd rather get stabbed to death than text him myself.

Damn it! I thought angrily staying as long as I could under the shower making sure I cried all the tears I had to shed. Christian didn't have to share my distress.

Walking into the room, I found Christian cross-legged sitting in the middle of the bed with a wide grin on his face.

Oh boy… What the hell is coming my way…I thought laying beside him trying to avoid his eyes as he was looking down at me.

"Come on Rose let's do it!" He said poking me in the side with his finger.

I sighed

"I know you want to do it too…" He whined. "I didn't say anything to Lissa!! Didn't you like it last time?" He leaned down so his face was above mine, he wiggled his eyebrows to me. "I can see you want it too Rose. You're dying for us to do it again."

That did it and I finally burst into laugher. "I never should have taught you how to play poker!!" I shook my head. "But it's true, I loved crushing you the other night."

"So it's a yes?" He asked tentatively.

"Yeah…" I said lazily. "But you say to Lissa that I'm corrupting the little innocence you have left and I'll hurt you." I added trying to sound threatening but I guess that my smile lessened the impact.

We heard a light knocked at the door, which made him sigh. He stood up and gave me both hands to help me up.

"Probably the freaking matron who's making sure we're all in." He said shaking his head. "You retrieve the playing cards and I'll get rid of the old bitch and then your ass is mine girl!"

I laughed, but nodded. "I'm having such a bad influence on you." I said laughing. "Lissa is so gonna kick my butt."

"She should," he said as he walked to the door and I bent down to take the playing card in the shoebox under the bed.

I heard him open the door, but I didn't hear anyone talk. I frowned and became suspicious. I very discreetly reached for the training stake I had left on the floor.

I jumped up and turned around only to be face to face with Adrian who had a finger on his mouth in order for Christian to not speak.

I let go of my training stake in surprise. Christian who had closed the door was standing against the wall watching the 'show'.

Adrian had his coat open and I forgot Christian presence as soon as I saw the tag around Adrian's neck.

He was looking at me with such a strange look on his face, so many emotions that I was pretty sure that, to him, we were the only two in the room,… probably even alone in this world. Even with Christian standing 5 feet from us.

"My Rose…." He said walking up to me stopping less than half a feet from me. "This gift…it's-" he shook his head. "I couldn't insult you by talking about it over the phone I needed to see you and tell you…"

"Tell me what?" I asked naively.

"That what you just gave me… It means so much to me. That's the most beautiful presence anyone ever gave to me." He put his hand on his heart on top of the tag. "I'll cherish it with all my heart and..." He now put his hands on each side of my face and leaned down so our noses were touching. "Did you mean it?" He asked with real wonder and expectation.

I took a deep breath and brought my own hands on top of his. Never mind if Christian was there. It didn't matter anymore. "Every words." I said in a whisper.

"My Rose…" He said closing the small distance kissing me softly, gently… it was pure bliss.

"Thank you for believing in me…" He said his forehead against mine. "I'll do anything to prove I deserved this trust. "

"You already did that." I said as I remembered all the secrets we shared and how even if he had the super compulsion he never tried to use it on me. "You are a very good man, brave, honest, whole and passionate." I cupped his cheek in my hand. "Be who you want to be, who you believe you are meant to be and I can assure you it will be the right way whatever the others might think or say." I crooked my neck up to give him a chaste kiss.

"I think I just threw up a little," said Christian in the corner.

Both Adrian and I chuckled.

"I'm sorry I blew our cover," he said, but I could hear he wasn't sorry. "I just needed to tell you how I felt, how you touched my soul with your words proving how much you know who I am. How you know about my doubts, my fears… How much you know my soul"

"You are more than welcome. It's sincere and from my heart." I smiled "and don't sweat for our cover, I'll win it back playing poker."

He scrunched his eyebrows in confusion.

"I'll tell you later," I told him with a smile.

He sighed and broke our embrace. "I need to go. I convinced the matron to let me up for a minute, as I said I needed something." He kissed me again. "See you tomorrow my Rose." He nodded toward Christian. "Ozera… Sorry for interrupting."

"Ivashkov… It's ok I think I'm blind now anyways," He added mimicking his tone.

Adrian laughed before leaving the room.

I sighed and let myself fall on the bed.

"So…It was Ivashkov then? Didn't see that one coming," said Christian coming to lie beside me.

"I don't know what made you say that," I said with a teasing tone.

Christian laughed. "Okay, let's play Hathaway. To see if you can win my silence."

I laughed and handed him the cards. It didn't really matter, as I wasn't sure I wanted to keep it a secret anymore.

____________________________________________________________________

After a fantastic Saturday night with Adrian, sleeping safely in his arms, I quickly went back to my room to get ready for our trip to Missoula. Alberta was of driving duty.

The rest of the week passed in the blur. I was so happy that the present did touch Adrian so much and I could see clearly that, since then, our relationship was taking a different path even, if neither of us was really ready to admit much right now.

Two people were in the secret now, Eddie and Christian, and even if I did crush Christian playing poker, yet again, it was not enough to make him comfortable to keep his mouth shut, which I understood. I was not feeling that well with hiding that from Lissa either. So, we decided that he would tell her if he was asked about it and, if it didn't happen, I swore to come clean next weekend, as I was going to reach the big 18 on Saturday.

I sat beside Christian in the back of the van, because he was my charge and even if we were going shopping both Eddie and I were on duty.

Adrian sat in front of me, beside Dimitri, which almost made me laugh as I could feel the defiance and jealousy irradiating from both of them… And I was supposed to be the young one... Right!

Lissa was sitting between Dimitri and Eddie.

Eddie turned around to winked at Christian and I.

Christian chuckled and put an arm around my shoulders.

"Well, since they're all squeezed in front and all that and we've got the big back sit for ourselves what do you think about a hot making out session Rosie?" Asked Christian grinning.

"Umm, that could be good fire boy," I said chuckling too. "Come on…Light me on fire!" I added winking.

Both Eddie and Lissa chuckled. Adrian actually burst into laugher, but I saw Dimitri's back stiffen.

"That's not very professional Rose." He said stiffly. "You don't go around joking with your charges when you are on duty," he added, like the guardian he was.

"Ozera is right. It's pretty crowded. I think I'll sit at the back with them," said Adrian quickly opening the door as Alberta put the key in the ignition.

He quickly settled beside me with a discreet wink and I gave him a bright smile.

"We're all set?" asked Alberta slightly annoyed with our attitude.

"Yep. We can go guardian Petrov," I said not able to be brought down today.

When we arrived at the mall, we separated in two groups. One was Eddie, Christian, and Alberta and the second was Lissa, Adrian, Dimitri, and I.

I suspected they were off buying me a birthday present, but I decided to act completely oblivious.

I was pretty uncomfortable to be with Dimitri and Adrian being so close to each other, but I was doing my best to pretend I was cool… I became pretty good at that...Pretending.

Lissa bought so many clothes, it make me chuckle. Adrian kept asking me what I liked and didn't like, but after a little while Dimitri barked that I had to concentrate on my mission and that Adrian should stop distracting me.

Adrian glared at him, but didn't say anything and the rest of the shopping trip was even worse than before.

I was so relieved when the others joined us and proposed to swap places.

"Totally! I missed my fire boy!" I said tapping Eddie's shoulder as he will be join the 'awkward' group, but of course, Adrian changed group too, which pissed Dimitri off to no end, but he didn't say anything…The other couldn't see it but I could see it in his eyes.

It was much more fun to be with Christian, Adrian, and Alberta as she didn't stop us from chatting. Dimitri was the party pooper today.

We went to Barnes and Noble and spent our time talking about the music, books and movies we liked all over again.

We were in the music section when Adrian picked up a CD and showed it to me.

"Aerosmith?" I asked dubiously.

Adrian smiled and nodded. "Track 5," he said handing me the CD.

I looked at the title with Christian peeking at it from behind my back.

"Oh boy…" He said after reading the title "I'm gonna puke again" he added with sarcasm going to Alberta to chat but I think it was mainly to distract her.

I looked at Adrian still confused. "The song named 'I don't want to miss a thing'?" I asked. He nodded. "I don't know that song," I added slightly ashamed to be that ignorant.

He took two steps toward me. "It's ok my Rose…" He very quietly started to sing it to my ear with his very rich deep voice.

" 'I could stay awake just to hear you breathing, watch you smile while you are sleeping, while you're far away dreaming, I could spend my life in this sweet surrender. I could stay lost in this moment forever. Every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure. Don't want to close my eyes, don't want to fall asleep Cause I'd miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing…' "

I could feel my heart starting to beat faster and my breathing was heavier.

"Thank you…" I whispered nicely looking around. When I saw Alberta had her back at us, I pecked his lips quickly. He already had a power on me. A power I never intended to give him.

After about an hour, the others joined us, as the sun just set in the horizon.

"OK, I'll go fetch the van," said Alberta. "You guys wait for me outside the side entrance."

Dimitri nodded and led us there. I looked around the mall, which was pretty empty now. It was creepy even with the lamps on.

We just walked out of the door when it all happened. I saw Eddie literally fly above my head and crashed into the opposite wall, blood spilling from the side of his head. Lissa ran to him instinctively followed by Dimitri.

I looked to my left to a dumbfounded Christian, but was I saw to my right was almost my worse nightmare.

There were 2 Strigoi. One was starting to jog to a van parked further down as they knew they had lost the element of surprise, but the second one, a huge one, probably a wrestler, had his arm around Adrian's neck.

Not him! Was all I could think.