A.N: Hey guys!!!

So here is chapter 14, I hope you'll get your dose of Adrian ( Meg….).

I'm really having a blast writing this story.

I wanted to thank you once more for the reviews. I absolutely LOVE reading them.

Well take care!!

Enjoy =D

Chapter 14

The week passed in a blur again. The training with Chris was really a blast. It was two weeks now and I was getting a lot better with the moves and I was not as sore anymore.

As for Dimitri it was like he was a ghost. I maybe saw him 3 times during the whole week. If I was paranoid, I would have thought he was avoiding me.

Even the very jealous Christian kept telling me how much he missed Belikov, how more enjoyable he was compared to Walker. Jealous Christian made me chuckle but he was downright annoying too.

As for Adrian and I well since my birthday things kept escalading. I had a key to his room now. I was even starting to hope that maybe we could build something more or less steady in the future as I would probably move to the Court with Lissa, as the Queen made her one of the lifetime offer.

I had crossed the line in the relationship with Adrian. I knew I had and I would end hurt eventually but the 'one day at the time' option seemed to work for now. There was no need to worry about the future right now as I knew it was too late already… I couldn't stop it anymore, I was in too deep and I just had to go with it.

When I arrived in his room Saturday afternoon, after my training, I found Adrian closing his suitcase.

I bit my bottom lip as it really caused an uneasy feeling in my chest knowing that tomorrow he would be gone for the whole week.

"Hey my Rose!" He said cheerily putting his suitcase on the floor and walking to me to kiss me 'Gone with the wind' style.

"Ouuuhhh Original!" I said after he straightened me up again.

"Yeah... I wanted that kiss to be special as we really only have weekends." He said somehow regretfully.

I nodded trying to forget he was leaving tomorrow. It's not like he had the choice anyways. He had his exams to take and he delayed his departure for as long as he could as his first exams was at 9 AM on Monday all the way to Boston because yeah my rich and sexy boyfriend was about to graduate from Harvard Business School, nothing less. Did I feel stupid sometimes, compared to him? Absolutely. Did he ever make me feel any less than he was? On the contrary…he was treating me like a Queen.

Adrian walked us to the sofa. He sat and made me sat between his legs.

"So… Are you sore after your training?" He asked starting to rub my shoulders.

I closed my eyes and only concentrated on his hands working on my shoulders. He was very, very gifted with those hands.

"Nah, I'm doing ok. Chris is even very impressed about me you know." I said proudly.

"Of course he is! You're exceptional my Rose I always knew that." He said kissing the top of my head.

"So…I'll go alone tomorrow night for movie night," I said a bit sad about the thought.

"Well, that's why I organized our own movie night with plenty of junk food," he said.

"Really?" I asked looking back at him agreeably surprised. We didn't get that many junk food here.

"Uh huh…" he said with a smile. "We've got hot dogs, chocolate ice-cream. And as a movie I ordered Gangs of New York."

"Oh yeah, it's one of your favs right?" I asked.

He nodded.

"I really want to see it then," I said as he bent down to kiss my lips.

We had a very good evening but we always had when we were together. Sometimes, I surprised myself by dreaming that we could be a 'real' couple if we weren't that different. If he wasn't royal maybe we could build something permanent maybe… Stop it Rose!!

I snuggled closer into his chest as his had his arms around me.

"So?" He asked at the end of the movie.

"It was such a sad movie but I guess it does reflect the immigrant population living in New York at this time and Leo… Well he is a very good Actor! Not just a pretty face!!" I said chuckling.

"I agree," said Adrian tightening his embrace. "Want to watch something else?" He asked taking the remote.

"Honestly I'd rather go to bed." I said simply keeping my eyes on the screen.

"Oh you're tired." He said like he just realized it.

"Ummm No…" I trailed off.

"Oh Right!" He loosened his embrace. "Come on, let's go" he said with so much urgency that we both burst into laugher.

__________________________

When I woke up I had a slight headache telling me it was already late and that I clearly overslept.

"What time is it?" I asked looking at Adrian who came to lay back beside me.

He was freshly showered and all dressed up already.

"It's pretty late my Rose." He said kissing my lips. "I was about to come to wake you but you look so peaceful when you sleep… it's a crime just to think about waking you up."

"I like watching you sleep too." I said before letting my eyes wander in the room and seeing the suitcase resting just by the bedroom door. I couldn't help the little sigh to escape.

Adrian looked at the spot I was staring at and came closer to hug me. "I know my Rose. It will be a long week for me too. Believe me." He kissed my forehead. "Why do you think I delayed my departure to the very last minute?"

"I know…but I'll miss you." I said cocking my head kissing his throat.

"I'll miss you more!" He said like it was an evident. "But see the good side. When I'll come back on Saturday morning you'll be free of all your obligations! The field training will be over and we will be able to spend every days and nights together." He said bending down to kiss me a bit more passionately than before.

That's when I should have just nodded. You know sometimes, when you rethink about a certain fight or problem and you can say THAT's what started it or THAT's what I shouldn't have said? Well that's exactly what happened now. "Well wouldn't it be a bit too conspicuous I mean…" I smiled "there are already some small rumors."

Adrian sat down beside me and scrutinized my face with slightly disapproval. "Ok Rose. We need to discuss that now. We're in a rush and all but…" he shook his head. "Will you come to the Ball with me or not?" He said straight away.

"I…Well… You know it's maybe not the best idea ever you know." I sat up on the bed wrapping the bed sheets around my bare chest. "I mean it would be like saying to the world see we're dating…" I grimaced "it's maybe not the best idea ever."

"And why is that?!" He asked standing up and starting to pace the room.

I sighed Here we go! I thought as I realized I hated the idea of a confrontation with Adrian.

I got out of bed awkwardly dressing as fast as I could. "Can't we talk about that when you come back?" I asked hopping to be able to dodge this dreaded conversations a bit longer.

"No we can't!" He said really angry now. It was a first! He never was angry with me before. "You dodged the question long enough. The Ball is in two weeks and…" He stopped walking. He looked straight at me.

I looked back at him and felt a little pain starting to make its way in the center of my chest…building up. "Listen Adrian, we care about each others and our little group is understanding but I'm a guardian, well I'll be one very soon, and you are a moroi and not any moroi an Ivashkov it's--"

"It's irrelevant!" He said interrupting me. He stopped talking for a little second before sighing in rendition. "I love you Rose. I'm madly in love with you… I… Just tell me that you love me too Rose and we will make it."

"It doesn't matter Adrian," I said on the verve of crying. "Love is not the point here."

He had a humorless laugh. "That's something you don't learn at Harvard!!" He said sarcastically. "How love is not relevant in the relationship of a couple?! Please Rose… Enlighten me!" He said crossing his arms on his chest.

"I… Look in the world we live Adrian…it should give you an answer!" I walked into the living room looking for my bag. "You grew up in a golden world, not bothered about all our rules. But I was raised by them. We have casts, traditions… I'm going to be spending every minute of my life with Lissa it's…"

"Stop it for one second! Let's forget about all that. Forget I'm a moroi and that you're a dhampir, forget I'm a royal and you aren't."

"I--"

"Let just be Adrian and Rose because at the end it's all that matters. Us!! You and me." He took a step forward. "And I love you Rose, I really do. I'm just a man…just Adrian. I don't feel royal, I don't feel moroi… I just stand here in front of you and tell you that I love you." He brought his hand to my face and cupped my cheek. "I don't love Rose the dhampir or Rose the novice. I fell in love with Rose the person, Rose the being," he said emotionally. "I'm head over heels for Rose, the girl I can't imagine my life without. The girl that can make me laugh even during the most critical moments by doing her terrible impersonation of Don Corleone, the girl that is ready to the most ridiculous strategy to hear me laugh…" He said with a smile.

A couldn't believe I was hearing all that especially from him… it was so scary, scarier than everything I ever faced before even scarier that I was about to throw everything away to follow him, in all that.

"I love the Rose who cries in the most unexpected movies such as Dracula. I'm in love with the Rose who snores for exactly 12 minutes as she drifts into her deep sleep, the Rose that can't resist chocolate chip cookies even with a belly ache."

I chuckled.

He took a deep breath he kissed my lips softly. "I love you Rose, Every part of you, the good and bad. You are who I'm born to be with. Do I sound cheesy? Corny?" He asked before slightly shrugging. "I don't care! I don't want to play anymore, pretend not to feel what I feel. Life is too shorts for pretends. We can forget about everything else and just be Adrian and Rose…"

I kissed the palm of his hand that was resting on my cheek.

"I… That's the difference between you and I Adrian. You can make an abstraction of all those obstacles, but I can't. This is the reality and living in oblivion will only make us fall harder." I said doing my best to keep my voice from shivering. And I'm not strong enough if I was to lose you later... I added to myself

He sighed with exasperation and took a step back. "Rose, please, don't do that." He said pleading. "Don't hide behind Lissa and your duty…our differences." He shook his head. "I know… I know you do love me too or at least you could love me if could let your walls down just for a minute."

I could feel the tears piling up in my eyes.

"You are scared I can see that… I'm terrified too but…" He walked up to me again and started to rub my arms with his hands. "You're scared to give me your heart as you think it will end up broken and I think you gave up on the idea that you could feel that way but acknowledging the fact out loud won't hurt more. You remember when I told you at the cabin that it was one of the best presents I could dream of? I said that because the best present would be your heart. Give me your heart Rose."

I kissed him. "We'll talk about that when you come back ok?" I asked the voice thick doing my best to hold back the tears.

"If I come back." He mumbled he was very angry I could see the rejection in his eyes. It made me sad but at the time it made me angry.

"Yeah?! Really, well, by all means, don't sweat it, and stay in Boston!" I shouted hurt. "That's a low blow Adrian! I…"

He looked at me ready to say something.

"Drop it." I said still angry and hurt. "Have fun and do well." I said, taking a step back. "I'm proud of you and I know you'll Ace them all." I then looked deep into his eyes. "And if you don't come back…it was nice meeting you," I said turning my back and running with all I had back to Christian's room.

Our first fight…I thought as I jumped into a hot shower. And maybe even the last. I couldn't help to think sadly.

As soon as I made it under the water, I let my tears fall freely. I was so messed up! I would let everything slip through my fingers.

"Rose? You are back?" I heard Christian from behind the door.

"Yeah… Yeah I'll be out in a minute." I said taking a couple of deep breaths to calm me down.

"Okay…" He said warily like he could hear something was wrong.

About 10 minutes later I walked into the room but as soon as Christian saw my face his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

I was about to say something when we heard a light knocked at the door. I brought my finger to my lips to show him I wanted him to stay quiet.

He frowned reproving but kept his mouth shut.

"Come on Rose… Open the freaking door I know you're here," said Adrian with clear exasperation.

Christian stood up and mouthed 'open him' to me.

I shook my head.

"Rose…"Adrian said in a breath. "You really want me to go like that? Really??" He asked sadly.

"Either you open or I'll do it!" Whispered Christian crossing his arms on his chest.

I sighed with anger and went to open the door.

As soon as I opened it Adrian walked in and closed it.

"I'm the one who tell you that I love you, you are the one who refused to reciprocate and you are angry?" He asked completely ignoring Christian who I think what trying to turn invisible as we were blocking the door.

"Yeah well… Whatever!" I said as I wanted to slap myself. Could I have said something even more moronic? I didn't think so.

Adrian looked at me with something strange in his eyes and it brought back the uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"So… I'll tell you once more. I love you, Rosemarie Hathaway…" He looked deep into my eyes. "Do you love me too?"

"I…am a dhampir, you are a Royal." That's all I was able to choke out.

I saw sadness and disappointment fill up his eyes as he closed the distance and kissed me with all he had. All the passion, love, anger, pain… everything.

This kiss terrified me as he tasted too much as I imagine a last kiss tasted like.

"Goodbye my Rose." He said eyes closed against my lips.

"You are coming back right?" I asked with fear gripping his arms. "You'll be back Saturday right?"

He got out of my grip and gave me a sad smile. "Goodbye," he said again.

"Just… Let me think… Give me the week…" I said frantic. "We'll talk about everything when you come back I promise. I need time." I added pleading.

"You were right Rose we're different," he said sadly. "I didn't have to think if I loved you or not… I just felt it." He then looked at me for a couple of second as to memorize my face before leaving the room leaving me frozen the eyes glued on the door.

After a couple of minutes I turned around, as I almost forgot that Christian was standing there and I didn't like what I could read in his face. It was full of reproach and disapproval.

"What?" I snapped.

"Nothing," he said shaking his head.

"Come on spill it…" I said putting my hands on my hips. "I know that when you do that weird thing with your lips (he was pursing them only on what side making me think of Popeye the sailor) it means you are frustrated."

"It's just… I never thought you were such a chicken that's all." He said dismissively. "I'm a bit disappointed that Rose is not really the kind of girl to fight for everything." He said turning on his laptop as to show me the conversation was over.

"What's that supposed to mean? Come on fire boy! Speak your mind," I said callously.

"Well if you ask me…" He said turning to face me. "You act all tough like you could fight every rule and mostly you did, I mean…" He shrugged. "You took Lissa away breaking every rules of this society, you went to Spokane to save the group, you teamed up with me doing one of the most forbidden things in our society. Rose Hathaway is not all badass after all," he said with his most annoying grin.

"It's not the same!" I said stubbornly.

"Oh yeah? Uh…" He said pretending to think. "I wonder how hard it can be to say to someone that you actually love that you love him," He raised a finger to hush me knowing I was about to deny it. "Don't even try to bullshit your way out of this one I think even a blind man could see that you love him so…shut it!"

I looked at him for a second before sitting down on the bed. "It's harder than you think." I said in surrender.

Christian sighed and came to sit beside me. "And why is that Rose? I mean you think it will hurt you more if you acknowledge the fact that you do love him?" He asked seriously taking my hand.

"I'm scared that once I tell him, we will be starting, or at least I will be starting to want things that I didn't want before and… I'm supposed to guard Lissa and…"

"No, that's not fair Rose," he said a bit coldly. "You know that Lissa wants you to be happy and if she knew you wanted a future with Adrian. She wouldn't mind you not being her guardian anymore and you know that. Look at me," he said as I was staring down. I looked up and saw his fierce look. "If Lissa ever thought you let go of something you want because of her or your duty she would never forgive herself and I won't let that happen do you hear me?"

I nodded. I felt like a child, chastised by my parent, and it was so, so weird. I was given a lesson by Christian…spooky.

"I know you have commitment issues and you try to protect your heart as hard as you can not giving everything you have but just enough to make it believable…I know that because I was just the same before I met Lissa," he said nicely. "Before I met you…."

I looked at him speechless that was spot on…freakishly right. I mean I never loved anyone well beside my friend and when I thought I loved Dimitri so much I was wrong... I couldn't love him that much if Adrian succeeded to steal my heart so easily. I had convinced myself so hard that he was everything I wanted…

"My plan backfired so bad, I never saw it coming." I said in a whine. "I wanted fun. I wanted to play safe, you know? I never thought this could happen! He was the complete contrary of…" I give Christian a sidelong glance before changing track. "I never expected for this bad boy pretty messed up Royal to stole my heart."

"So, now I'm asking you again." He said slowly. "Do you love him?"

I nodded

"Say it…" He said encouraging.

"I'm entirely and irretrievably in love with Adrian Ivashkov." I said in a whisper.

"Okay then… Now you just have to tell him that and well…" he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "All the people that matters are supporting you guys and you know that. Give it a chance… Allow yourself to dream and hope Rose you deserve it."

"I'll tell him when he comes back… If he comes back," I added sadly.

"He will be back," said Christian soothingly. "It was grief and rejection talking, but he is so in love with you it's obvious… He won't be able to stay away."

"How would you know that?" I asked resting my head on his shoulder.

"Easy…" he said with a chuckle. "Would you be able to stay away from him? Voluntarily I mean."

I shook my head as I had this crippling pain at the center of my chest just thinking about it.

"There's your answer then," he said kissing the top of my head.

"On Saturday, I'll organize a nice evening and I'll tell him," I said standing up with a renewed confidence. "Yeah I'll do that. I'll tell him that I love him and that I'll go to the ball with him and screw the others right?"

"Yeah, that's the spirit Rose." Said Christian with pride

"I know you don't like to keep things from Lissa, but for now can you---" I started uncomfortably.

"Keep all that for me?" He finished for me. "You got it!"

"Wow! I'm pleased you don't seem to be bothered by that." I said surprised.

"Well… I was thinking about it and Lissa is the love of my life, there is no doubt about that, but you are my best friend Rose," he said walking to me and taking my hand. "I never thought it would be possible but those weeks we spent together well… I love you like my own sister so, I guess I can keep a secret for my sister right?" He asked with a smile.

I hugged him tight without a word. There was nothing to add, it was just perfect…Everything will be just fine from now.

Proof that I was not a psychic as the biggest of all trouble was just heading my way…