A.N: Hey guys!

Here is the chapter you were waiting for, I really hope I'm not going to disappoint you with it.

Big kudos to all my reviewers and to Jessa my sweet proof reader.

Well don't forget to review and tell me what you think you know how much I love reading you.

Take care

Steffy.

Chapter 5:

"Talk to me?" I tried, sitting on my cot.

The Judge nodded as Rufus turned to Mikhail.

"Open the door," he commanded. "We need to talk in private."

When Mikhail opened the door, I stayed in my cell.

"Where are we going? What do you want to talk to me about?" I asked trying to sound as respectful as possible.

"Would you just come with us?" asked Rufus. I could see he was trying to hide his irritation and usually Rufus Ivashkov didn't give a rat's ass about being rude to a mere dhampir.

I tried to read Mikhail's face to see what he thought I should do.

"Is there a problem Ms. Hathaway? Don't you trust us?" added Rufus.

I gave them a humorless laugh. "Don't take it the wrong way," - or do, I don't give a shit - "but someone powerful enough is trying to frame me for a murder I didn't commit. So no offense if my trust in you guys has crumbled to barely anything."

Paula looked at Rufus with an 'I-told-you-so' look. Rufus sighed with exasperation.

"Will it be better if we asked Guardian Tanner to join us?" asked Paula trying to soothe both Rufus and me.

I looked at Mikhail to be sure that he didn't mind getting involved. He nodded discreetly.

"Yes, thanks. I would like that much better," I said finally exiting my cell.

Rufus took the lead, followed by Paula with me and Mikhail closing the trail. We went up the stairs and passed the reception desk silently under the Guardian's curious eyes. We came to a halt at a heavy wooden door in front of which a Guardian was standing.

As soon as he saw us, the Guardian opened the door. I almost fell on my butt when I saw Princess Ozera, Prince Dashkov and Princess Conta sitting around a heavy conference table with Iris Kane on the other end.

"Please, take a seat Ms. Hathaway." Paula pointed at a chair as she took a seat at the head of the table, Rufus at her right.

Mikhail came to stand behind me, resting his hands on the back of my chair.

"So…" I tried getting uncomfortable to have all their eyes on me.

"We wanted to tell you that you are free," said the Judge sliding a piece of paper toward me.

I lifted it up and quickly read through it. It was some formal apology informing me that I was cleared from all accusations surrounding the Queen's murder.

"It means I'm free to go?" I tried. Rufus nodded. "How come?"

"Are you guilty?" Rufus asked.

"No."

"Well that's why," he said making me feel like a retard.

Princess Ozera threw him an irritated glance. "What my colleague meant was that it has been clearly established, during today's debate, that you are innocent and that someone tried to frame you. Going on with this simulacrum of trial would be a waste of time and money, when we should be looking for the actual murderer."

"What I don't understand, is why your representative didn't come before the trial to present us the evidence he had? We could have saved a lot of time," stated the Judge.

Maybe because he thinks one of you is involved, and most of you are sons of bitches, I thought, but only said, "I don't know."

They looked at me like they were expecting me to say something else. Mikhail nudged my back discreetly.

"Thank you," I said finally. I was still having trouble grasping the idea that I was free. It was over? I could walk out that door now? "I'll find who framed me," I said meeting Rufus' eyes. Why Rufus? Because I knew the man despised me. I knew he saw me as a bug, a virus poisoning his nephew.

Rufus quickly glanced at the other Princes and Princesses around the table. It was clear that he was the head of the Council for now.

"This is our job Ms-Guardian Hathaway," he said calmly, yet coldly. I could see it somehow cost him to call me 'Guardian', but I was free now, my status restored. "The murderer will be found."

I opened my mouth to say 'Yeah, like you found me', but felt Mikhail's finger suddenly poke my back roughly. I knew it meant 'shut-it!'. Did he know me that well already? I nodded, "Of course."

I could see in Rufus' eyes that he didn't buy it, not for a minute, but he didn't say anything.

"You may go now Guardian Hathaway," said the Judge.

"We'll be in touch soon, concerning your assignment," added Prince Dashkov.

I nodded, folded my 'Get out of Jail Free Card' and stood up. "Thank you," I repeated before walking to the door with Mikhail close behind.

As soon as Mikhail closed the door behind us, I turned around and hugged him tight. I didn't care who saw me. I was exposing a bit of my weak side right now, but I didn't mind. I just realized how scared I had been to be judged and considered a traitor.

Mikhail hugged me back once he got over the surprise. "It's okay now Rose. Everything is alright."

I nodded my face still on his chest. "But I'll still find who did that to me."

"I know you will," he whispered. "And I'll help you, but it's not something they need to know."

I let go of my hold and met his eyes. "Thank you for being there for me."

He smiled and gently wiped a tear that had escaped my eye with his thumb pad. "You're welcome Rose. Go see the Princess. I know she's worried sick about you. I need to finish up my shift, but I'll see you later."

"I think I might run out of the building in case they change their mind," I said with a grin.

"That might be wise," he played along.

I laughed, it was good to laugh. I waved and walked out of the building so fast it was almost a run. As I stepped out of the building, I took a deep breath and looked at the sky that was turning slightly pink. The sun was about to raise which meant it was already getting pretty late. The Council had probably discussed my release for hours.

As I walked toward Lissa's building I heard my stomach growl loudly. I was already salivating, imagining the candy bars I would inhale once I was back in my room.

I was by the fountain when I saw him walking on the other side of it. My Russian God. The man that had broken me so badly and deeply that I didn't know if I could ever be whole again.

I decided to let him pass. I knew we would talk eventually, but not now. I was feeling good for the first time in weeks, and his rejection would hurt me too much.

His eyes suddenly met mine, and I saw recognition as his face changed. He was looking at me in a sort of awe, as if he had just seen an angel. It wasn't possible. He didn't love me anymore. My lack of sleep was probably taking a toll on me.

"Roza? Roza!" He ran toward me, using the edge of the fountain, and as soon as he was in front of me he pulled me into a hug.

He was leaning down as if to shield me, and I ended up with my face buried in his neck. His intoxicating scent filled my nostrils instantly.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, making my head spin. It was my Dimitri's scent. The scent I had been addicted to. The scent I missed so much. Strigoi Dimitri had smelled divinely good - no doubt about that – it had been very close to his usual smell, but it wasn't… it wasn't my Dimitri's scent. But now it was normal again, and I missed it so much.

I suddenly felt a terrible shooting pain in my chest, knowing that this wouldn't last. He would recoil from me soon enough and I would be broken yet again.

I moved my face slowly and looked over his shoulder just in time to see Adrian retreating into the shadows. I didn't see him for long, but I saw the hurt, pain and betrayal in his big emerald eyes.

A huge wave of guilt and pain filled me. I couldn't betray him; I gave him my word. Besides, I knew it was only relief that had pushed Dimitri to me. It would be stupid to ruin everything with Adrian for a moment of weakness.

I pushed Dimitri away forcefully. "I have to go," I said without meeting his eyes. "Adrian, wait!" I shouted, running as fast as I could in the direction that Adrian took.

I thought he left, but he was leaning against the wall hidden from me, pain obvious on his face.

"Hey," I said breathless. "It's not what you think." That was the best I could think of.

He gave me a sad smile, and brushed my cheek tenderly. "I'm so glad you're out. The Council just called Abe. I came to pick you up," he added ignoring my remark concerning Dimitri.

I took his hand from my cheek and intertwined our fingers.

"Come on, let's go. Lissa and the others are eager to see you," he said pulling me forward.

I stood my ground looking up to him. He turned around, raising an eyebrow in interrogation.

"Didn't you forget something?" I asked trying to sound as serious as I could.

He quickly looked behind me. I could have bet Dimitri was watching us from the fountain, but I kept my eyes on Adrian.

"I don't see…" he trailed off.

"I thought you wanted to kiss it better," I said pointing to my cut lip.

"Are you sure?" he asked as his eyes flickered quickly toward Dimitri again.

"I'm mad at you for the stunt you pulled in court," I said honestly. "That's something we'll have to discuss. But yes… yes I'm sure."

He leaned down slowly; catching my bottom lip between his so softly, like my lip was made of glass. Then very gently ran the tip of his tongue on the cut making me shiver.

"I love you so much," he whispered against my lips.

I gave him a chaste kiss before reaching for his hand again. "Come on, let's go."

He smiled, and I knew he clearly noticed that I didn't reciprocate. I just wasn't there yet, and Adrian deserved complete honesty.

As soon as we walked into Lissa's apartment I was pulled into a hug. She immediately started to cry in my hair. "Oh Rose, I missed you," she sobbed.

I rubbed her back soothingly. "Shush Lissa, it's okay. I'm here now. I'm safe. Everything is fine," I whispered as she continued to sob.

She finally let go of me, and the wave of pure relief coming from her calmed me too. I looked around and met Christian's and Tasha's eyes. I could see how relieved they were and it made me smile. They truly cared too.

Mia was standing a bit behind them, and I realized how much I missed Eddie right now. I would try to get him back here. I let my eyes wander to the left, and there - looking dark and mysterious – was Abe. He tried to look smug, but I knew better. We were so alike. I did something that I had never expected to do; I ran into his arms and buried my face in his chest.

"Thank you! Thank you for freeing me," I said keeping my face in his chest.

He started to caress my hair softly. "It's alright Kizim. I'm your father; I did what I had to do." He kissed the top of my head. "You don't need to pretend to be so strong," he whispered into my hair. "You can let it go, you can cry."

Wow the man really knew me. I shook my head still in his tight hug. "No, I'm scared that if I cry the first tear, they won't stop falling down," I whispered so low that I knew he was the only one who could hear me. I can't slow down or look back. I can't get hurt, I added to myself.

I spent the next hour stuffing food into my face and being hugged by my friends. Dimitri finally made it back, but he leaned on the back wall, brooding… Nothing new there.

I could see that all of them were tired and weary. I probably didn't look any better right now. Gosh, I was longing for a bath and my real bed so badly. The bed in my cell broke my back. I felt pain in muscles I didn't even know I had.

"I would like to have a word with you," my dad whispered into my ear as I was talking with Tasha.

I nodded. "Let's go to my room. I want to hit my bed anyways, I'm pretty beat."

He rested his hand on the small of my back. "I'll let you say your goodbyes. I'll wait for you by the door."

I quickly hugged my friends, promising to have lunch with Lissa tomorrow. I didn't know how to say goodbye to Dimitri as he seemed his distant self again. I looked in his direction, but he wasn't against the wall anymore. I surveyed the room surprised, and found him standing by the small kitchenette door, looking down.

I sighed, it's okay bud. I get the message loud and clear. I'll ignore you. I thought unable to stop the sadness from rushing into me.

I was walking to the door when Dimitri grabbed my wrist, sending electricity through my entire body. A simple touch from him still made me weak in the knees.

"I'm thankful for him helping you, but he's no man to do something without a reason," he whispered. His eyes were hard, his guardian face on.

"I do what I want!" I hissed trying to get my wrist out of his hold, but he tightened it. I always hated him telling me what to do and it wasn't about to change.

"You don't know that man Rose. He's sly. I don't know what he wants from you, but it can't be good."

"Rose?" tried my father coming to stand by me. "Ready to go?" he asked reaching for my arm that Dimitri was still grabbing. I was pretty sure he could see my silent distress. He didn't need to see auras, his fatherly instinct was enough.

"Dimitri let me introduce you to my father, Abe Mazur," I said coldly. It hurt me to see him try to stop me just because he didn't like my father. It had nothing to do with us… Never again.

Dimitri let go of my wrist at once, and looked at Abe with surprise letting his poker face slip for a minute.

"What did you think I wanted with her?" asked Abe and I could hear the underlying anger in his voice.

I reached for my father's arm. "I'm not an idiot Dimitri. I bet on my blood, it's the only thing we can trust. Everybody else will let you down." Take that you heartbreaker!

"Your father?" he tried again as if he couldn't grasp the concept.

"Come on, I'm sure you can see all the things we have in common," said Abe with a wide grin and pride in his eyes.

I chuckled, shaking my head.

"Ready to go Kizim?" My father intertwined our arms.

I nodded. "Bye," I said to Dimitri trying to sound as detached as I could.

We walked in comfortable silence back to my room.

"Do you want anything to drink?" I asked as we walked in. My room was even cleaner than before I left.

He shook his head and sat on the sofa.

I sat across from him. "So what did you want to talk about?" I asked, but I could guess what he wanted to know.

"Before we used compulsion on you, you said that it was a terrible idea. That you did something that could make you end up in prison anyway."

I looked at him silently.

"I want to know what you did that could make you a criminal." He leaned back in his seat. "It won't make me think any less of you."

I snorted. "Yeah…" I looked away fixing an imaginary point on the wall. "I'm sure you know what I did. If you think about it, you already know."

He stayed silent for a couple of seconds, but I still looked away.

"Victor Dashkov…" he breathed out quietly.

I met his eyes silently.

"Seriously?" he tried. I couldn't see judgment, but I could hear some awe in his voice. The lack of sleep was really starting to cloud my mind.

I nodded. "Really."

He laughed his deep throaty laugh. "Oh my! No wonder you didn't want to be compelled."

I was getting mad now, replaying Rufus' words in my head that the trial could have been avoided. "You should have told me what you intended to do, it was risky."

"Well Kizim, I didn't know what you were able to do." There was an amused glint in his eyes. "If I had known…"

I jumped up balling my hands in fists with fury. I was about to unload it all - all my anger, fear and frustration - on him. "You should have told me! It was too risky and you knew it! You know how much they hate me! They would have taken anything to get rid of me!"

Abe opened his mouth to say something, but I raised my hand to shut him up, he glared. I guessed that, daughter or not, he didn't deal with disrespect very well.

"Rufus told me. He TOLD me we could have avoided the trial if you had shown them your evidence beforehand!"

Abe jumped from his seat, like a devil in a box, making me recoil with surprise.

"Listen to me little girl. Do you think I would ever do something to harm you? That I wouldn't do ANYTHING in my power to keep you safe?" he shouted, and in anger, his accent was even thicker. He reached for me and gripped my shoulders. "I had to clear your name Rose! Don't you get it? Even if they were honest, which I pretty much doubt they are, what would have happened if the trial was simply canceled? People would have thought there wasn't enough proof against you, or I don't know what else. They needed to see it was a set up, that you were innocent!" He shook me. "I did what was necessary to save you and your reputation. Don't ever doubt me Rose. You are my child, my ONLY child."

"I'm sorry…" I whispered as my anger faded in one go. He was right; it was the best way to save the little reputation I had left.

"I was scared to show them what I had in case they decided to continue and informed Kane about what we had? I don't trust them Rose. Never have, never will. I only trust two people Rose…Well three, and you are one of them."

I crashed on his chest again, hugging him. I had never hugged anyone as much as I was today.

"Never doubt me Kiz. I would rather die than cause you any harm. Seni seviyorum."

"I love you, too," I said. It felt strange, yet good, to admit. I had a father who loved me and whom I, surprisingly, loved back.

Abe let go of me and kissed my forehead. "I'll see you tomorrow Kiz. Rest and relax, you deserve it."

"Thanks Dad," I said sitting back on the armchair. Once I heard the door click shut, I sighed closing my eyes. What would happen now? What should I do? I shook my head. Tomorrow, I'll think about that tomorrow.

I took the longest warm bath in history, letting the warm water and mix of relaxing salt soothe me. It might not be heaven, but I was clearly as close to it as I could be right now. I was barely out when I heard a knock on the door. I sighed, I loved my friends, but I needed to chill out. I decided to ignore it, but the knocking became insistent.

"I'm coming," I shouted wrapping a plush soft bath towel around me.

I opened the door just to peek and found Adrian standing in front of it.

"Adrian? Is everything alright?" I asked opening the door more.

"I know you're still mad at me, but…" He ran his hand through his hair like he did every time he was nervous.

"But?" I tried, not ready to admit I wasn't THAT mad anymore.

"Iwanttosleepwithyoutonight," he said in a rush.

I burst into laughter. "You're honest, that's for sure! Honestly Adrian, I'm just out of jail. I'm so not in the mood."

He shook his head vigorously. "I'm not talking about sex Rose. I just want to sleep with you in my arms. I need you Rose." I could see that sadness, and insecurity in his eyes.

I knew that the night we shared had been one of the best I had in months. I did, astonishingly, crave his presence beside me. I craved his love and care.

I took a step back silently inviting him in. He walked in and kissed my forehead with a clear sight of relief.

"I'll be right over," I said walking back into the bathroom. I had already prepared my night wear, which consisted on a simple tank top and panties, but I knew he had seen much more than that. I wasn't self-conscious as far as Adrian was concerned.

When I walked back in the room Adrian was lying on top of the covers looking at the ceiling. He was in only his boxers, this time they were black and silk of course. His chest was yummylicious. How could a Moroi be that attractive? And most of all, how could this Moroi be mine?

He looked toward me, and I saw his eyes widen slightly.

"See something you like Ivashkov?" I asked with a grin. I swayed my hips as I walked to the bed. We wouldn't have sex tonight, but it didn't cost much to fuel his imagination and desire.

"Always, Hathaway, always." He smiled as I settled under the covers. "What about you?"

"Maybe," I said with a wink making his smile broaden.

He quickly joined me under the covers and pulled me toward him. I rested my head on his chest, hearing his slow and steady heartbeat had a soothing effect on me, like a lullaby.

"Thank you for letting me in," he said tightening his hold on me.

"Thank you for saving me," I said cuddling even more into his chest.

"Night my Little dhampir," he said kissing the top of my head.

"Night Adrian." I closed my eyes and drifted into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.