A.N: Hey guys!

It's Thursday and here comes chapter 6. I know lots of view are pushing me to make it a Rose-Dimitri or Rose-Adrian, mean both side have very VERY vocals fan but I think that for this one I finally figured the end game However I know that whoever she'll end with, a part of my readers are going to be disappointed so I will maybe write an alternate ending to satisfy both sides but I can't promise since like is pretty hectic these days.

Well don't forget to review and tell me what you think you know it motivates me. And a special thanks to my long time reviewers, you guys mean so much to me.

Also big hug to Jessa for being the best beta ever, you rock girly.

Steffy

Chapter 6:

I woke up and couldn't help smiling, seeing Adrian so at peace his face turned my way. He even had a small smile on his lips. It was true that sometimes I wished I could see into his dreams too… Or did I? It might scare the shit out of me. He could dream of crazy things, like us married, with plenty of dhampir babies running around.

I gently brushed his cheek and kissed his lips before getting out of bed. I wasn't worried about waking him up; he slept like a dead man.

I jumped in my pair of black sweats and a black hoodie. I needed breakfast, and by breakfast I meant sugar and caffeine.

I left him a quick note telling him that I went to pick up breakfast and to wait for me, I'll be back soon. I ended it with a lot of 'xoxo'

I took the direction to the coffee shop closest to my room, but it had a very bad after taste of Deja vu. Adrian asleep in my bed, me going to get breakfast, and I hadn't made it back to my room for more than a week.

I sighed and took the direction of the other coffee shop. It was further and there weren't as many choices, but it was better for my peace of mind.

As I walked into the café, I could see people eyeing me curiously. The Council was set to meet in the main audience room in a couple of hours to announce my innocence, and that, based on the evidence, it was clear I had been set up.

"Glad to see you out Hathaway," barked Hans Croft as soon as I walked into the shop.

"Nice to see you too Croft," I said on the same tone.

"So, ready to come back to work with me?"

"Well, as heavenly as that offer might be, I have no idea what the Council has planned for me." I grinned. "But I'll see you around."

He smiled back, which was odd. "It's good to have you back," he simply added as he left the café.

I was about to order two coffees and some donuts to take back to my room, but I knew that Adrian needed sleep. I had seen the bruising under his eyes, and they weren't from a lack of feeding. I sighed and decided to wait for a while, give him some time to rest.

I picked up a random newspaper after ordering a coffee and a chocolate donut and sat at a back corner table. I wanted to be as invisible as possible until the Council released their public statement.

I opened the newspaper and just skimmed over it. I didn't really read it, I never did. I considered that my life already had way too much drama without adding the rest of the world's to it.

I was half way through my coffee when I heard the door open. What I saw hurt me, even if it shouldn't have. Tasha entered the café, followed by Dimitri. She was looking around as if she were looking for someone, and her face lightened with a wide smile when she met my eyes. I guess I was the one she was looking for… How lucky!

She waved and I waved back. Dimitri threw me a dark, cold look that took me by surprise. What the hell did I do now? I wondered to myself.

Dimitri whispered something and Tasha nodded before he exited the café.

She was a nice person, but I couldn't help hating her right now. Why could she be his friend and I couldn't?

She sat across from me, a smile on her face, but I could see her eyes were worried. "I was looking for you," she said as the Waiter brought her a cappuccino. "You aren't easy to find."

"What do you want…? I'm a woman of mystery," I said playfully flipping my hair out of the way.

"Yes you are." She took a sip of her drink. "However, I would have never pictured Adrian as being such a grouch when you wake him up in the morning," she added with a wink.

I looked at her, frowning with confusion.

"This morning we were looking for you, and we thought your bedroom was the best bet."

"Oh right," I said understanding. I wanted to ask if 'we' was her and Dimitri. If yes, were they an item? But I kept my mouth shut.

Tasha chuckled. "He opened the door with a face full of sleep, in his boxers, barking how it was rude to wake people up so early in the morning."

I smiled, looking at the clock on the wall, it was mid-morning already. Clearly late enough for Tasha come over. "Yeah… Adrian is pretty much allergic to the morning. You have to know how to wake him up. Well you're lucky you woke him up at all. The guy sleeps like a dead man. Don't worry; he probably went back to bed as soon as he closed the door."

"Slammed is more like it," she said, but I could see that she wasn't offended. "So Dimitri figured you were probably here getting breakfast." She shrugged, "And here you are."

So that was why Dimitri threw me that murderous glare? He found a half naked Adrian sleeping in my room. But it didn't make any sense! He told me to date Adrian, that Adrian was good for me, that he didn't want to be with me anymore, that he didn't love me!

"Are you guys together?" I couldn't help asking. I knew I had no right to ask that question, I knew it wasn't fair to her or Adrian to have these feelings of hate and jealousy in me, but I just couldn't help it.

"Who?" Tasha asked apparently not expecting that question.

"You and Dimka?" I asked using her nickname for him. I couldn't help the cold edge in my voice, and I knew she could hear it. "You sure spend a lot of time together."

She looked at me silently for a couple of seconds, searching for something, like she was trying to read into my soul with her icy blue eyes. I didn't like that silence. Did it mean yes? Just thinking about it broke my heart into a million pieces… Well, at least what was left of my heart.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, she shook her head negatively. "No Rose. Dimka and I are not together, and we never will be," she said in a sure, calm voice. Her eyes remained locked on mine, and I could see that she meant every word.

I nodded as I took a sip of my coffee, hating myself for the huge wave of relief that rushed through me.

"He needs a friend. A friend he had before everything started, before he fell in love with you," she added looking down in her cup. "I won't lie to you Rose, I had a crush on Dimitri for a long time, but it was never nearly as strong as what you two share…d." She looked up, meeting my eyes again. "If I had known during Christmas what you two felt for one another," she shook her head, "I would never have asked him to be my Guardian, you know."

I looked at her not really knowing what to say. I liked Tasha, I always had, but it was easier to be mad at her sometimes.

"Why did you hesitate to answer?" I asked finally.

"Because of the young man in your room Rose," she said gently. Oddly enough I could see some pain in her eyes.

"Adrian? What about Adrian?"

"He loves you, even more than I thought." I was really starting to wonder what had happened in the nearly two weeks I had spent in jail.

"So…" I trailed off.

"I just don't think you should have asked that question, especially with Adrian in your room."

I was about to snap at her, but there was no judgment in her face, only concern. "It's just- I-" What could I say really? Lie? I just shook my head." I chose to be with Adrian," I said simply.

"Yeah…" She took another sip of her drink. "You all need to figure out what you want before it's too late. "

I was about to ask her who she meant by 'all'. If, just maybe, Dimitri wanted me after all. But I knew it would be out of line, especially after what she just told me.

"So you wanted to see me," I tried to change subject as she seemed so lost in her thoughts.

"Ah yes," she said shaking her head. She handed me a letter that was folded in her rear jean pocket. "This is a letter from the Council. They assigned you to me."

I took the letter and read it twice. Why would they do that? "Tha-That's great Tasha." I didn't mind really, but I had so many things to do before I could be an effective Guardian.

Tasha probably mistook my reticence for anger because she reached for my hand. "It's okay, Rose, if you don't want to guard me," she said slightly squeezing my hand. "That's why I wanted to see you, before the Council announces it officially, today at the meeting about your case. I would love to have you as my Guardian, but if you really want to, I can renounce to my choice. It won't reflect badly on your resume."

I thought about it for a second. I was pretty sure that they would use the opportunity to send me to guard someone in 'no man's land', as far from the Court as possible, to both separate me from Adrian and to stop me from investigating further. No, refusing to guard Tasha would be suicide.

I shook my head negatively. "No, I want to be your Guardian…. Well, if you want me of course."

"Of course I do. It's just-"

"Just what?"

She shook her head and smiled. "Let's talk about that some other time okay?"

I nodded. "I have a favor to ask you though."

"Go ahead," she coaxed curiously.

"Umm, would you mind if we talked while walking back to my room? I'm pretty sure Adrian is starting to wonder what's taking me so long."

"Yes, that's fine," she said as she stood up.

I quickly ordered two coffees to go and a couple of donuts.

"So, what do you need Rose?"

"I need two weeks, maybe three, before starting work," I said shooting her a quick sideways glance.

"Well, I need to stay here a bit longer anyways, so I don't see a problem, I filled out the papers today. I-" She cleared her throat. "May I ask you why?"

"I'll tell you, but not now. I'm not even sure yet. It's-it's complicated."

Tasha chuckled. "Isn't it always? Everything is complicated with you Rose," she said with good humor.

"You don't know how much I wished it wasn't," I sighed wearily.

"So make things simpler," she said with a slight shrug. "People always complicate things Rose. Things are never really as complicated or as bad as we think they are," she added as we reached my building. "Well I'll let you join your grumpy boyfriend. I'll see you later."

"See you later," I said with a light wave

"Oh by the way, Rose," she said as I entered the building.

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad you're my Guardian." She smiled big and bright before leaving toward the Administrative building.

When I walked back into my apartment, I couldn't help but smile. I knew Adrian well now, and my smile widened when I found him fast asleep on top of the covers.

I put the coffees and donuts on the small wooden table and went to kneel by his head. "Come on sleepy head, time to wake up," I said gently brushing Adrian's cheek with the back of my hand.

I could see a small smile form on Adrian's lips, but he didn't move or open his eyes.

I grinned, knowing perfectly that he was awake now. He was enjoying the moment… Little prick! I stood up and nudged the bed. "Come on Ivashkov, move your ass, the coffee is getting cold," I said before going to the living room.

Adrian joined me not even two minutes later, his hair a mess and eyes full of sleep. He was cuter than ever, but that wasn't something I would tell him. He was cocky enough already.

"You know, you need to have a word with your friends. They can't show up like that when it's barely morning…" He grinned, taking the cup of coffee on the table. "I need my beauty sleep!"

I rolled my eyes, pretending to be annoyed. "I'll inform them, be reassured. I won't let such blasphemy happen ever again."

"Thanks" he said pecking my lips quickly before sitting down at the table. As he reached for a donut, he asked "What did they want anyway?"

I looked at him leaning against the wall. It was funny how comfortable he was now in my apartment, like he belonged here. "Tasha wanted to see me about my Guarding appointment," I said as I finally realized the effect that this announcement would have on him.

"Oh, okay. I don't…" he stopped half bite, his eyes widened in understanding. "Did you get appointed to her?"

I nodded.

"Are… Are you happy about that?" he asked setting the donut on the table. He didn't look that hungry anymore.

I shrugged slightly. "It's not that bad, it could have been a lot worse you know. And Tasha… I like Tasha she's nice and-"

"She lives in New York Rose." He was trying to sound calm, but I could hear the distress in his voice.

"I know she does, but-"

"Maybe I can get in with late admissions," he said out loud, but it was clear he was talking to himself. "My dad would surely be happy if I decided to go back to college."

"Adrian…"

"Columbia is out of the question, they would never take me, but maybe NYU. It's not like my application is that bad, and-" he continued his rambling like I wasn't there.

"Adrian…"

"Or maybe Brown. He has the contacts, he could-"

"ADRIAN!"

He finally shut it and looked at me as if he just remembered I was there. I didn't need to see auras to figure out that his was all over the place. I could see that in his eyes.

"Rose, New York, it's…." he started.

I smiled and sat on his lap. "Please don't worry too much about that, not now… Not yet," I said gently. "I won't start working for the next three weeks and New York isn't that far." I kissed his forehead. "And you know, she has to come here often for business since she's the head of the Fight with Magic Committee."

"Still," he pouted, burying his face on my neck and wrapping his arms around my waist.

I chuckled, "Don't be a baby, and you know I have something to do. Now the question is, are you on board or not?"

Adrian moved his face so he could look into my eyes. "On board for…?" he trailed off, apparently really confused. "I'm sorry little dhampir, but I've only been up for half an hour, my brain isn't fully awake."

"Is it ever?" I teased.

He winked. "As far as you are concerned? Yes absolutely."

I wiggled out of his arms and stood. "To find Lissa's 'sibling'," I said, somehow uncomfortably.

Adrian looked at me silently for a couple of seconds, like he was trying to figure something out. "Not that I want to be pessimistic Rose, but do you even know where or how to start? I mean, my aunt couldn't have been vaguer and…" he sighed. "The world is a pretty big place." He smiled nicely. "But you know I'm on board. I told you once, and meant it; I'll help you if you need me, no matter how crazy or hopeless it might sound."

It took all of my willpower not to jump into his arms and kiss him senseless, but we needed to talk business and I had to go see my father too.

"I know where to start," I said mysteriously.

"I'm all ears," he said leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest.

I told him everything about the Alchemists, the stolen records and how I thought the records had to be in Las Vegas because Sydney suspected me to have stolen them since I was there at the time. I told him the little we already knew, The Jane Doe account was a good place to start.

"I see," he nodded. "And you need me there to 'persuade' the banker to give you information you couldn't access any other way," he added looking away, but I didn't miss the flash of disappointment in his emerald eyes.

"It's not the only reason I want you there with me, Adrian. I could find any Moroi there to compel a human," I said trying to meet his eyes so he could see that I meant it. "As shocking as it might be, I also enjoy your company."'

His features softened immediately into his big, cocky grin. "Of course, I'm awesome!"

I snorted and rolled my eyes at him. But, truth be told, he really was awesome.

"Who else is coming along for the fun? Lissa?"

I shook my head vigorously. "No, Lissa can't know, not yet!"

Adrian opened his mouth, but closed it like he was trying to find the words to say something. He opened it again and closed it again.

"What?"

"That's a very, VERY bad idea Rose. You can't hide something like that from her! It's… BIG." I could see he was taming what he REALLY wanted to say.

"I know that, but what if I can't find him? Or what if your aunt was wrong? Or…" I shrugged "What if it's a bad person?" I shook my head. "There are too many variables here, and it would be stupid to tarnish her father's image for nothing."

"Maybe we should just leave things the way they are," he suggested standing up.

"Lissa needs to sit at the Council, and you know that, even Tatiana knew that. She's the twelfth member, she's essential for the progressive side of the Council." I rubbed my eyes. "If we want things to move forward Lissa needs to at least get a seat on the Council, and maybe even reign."

"You know this can blow up in your face right?" he asked standing by my bedroom door.

I nodded wearily. "Of course I do, but it's something I have to do."

"Okay little dhampir," he winked. "I stand by you, no matter what." He turned around to go in the bedroom, but stopped mid-way. "We'll have to wait two days though. The Testament will be read tomorrow, and my presence is requested."

"Of course, I need to see Abe before he leaves tomorrow anyway. Don't worry."

"Talking about Abe, the man likes me, you know that right?"

I frowned in confusion. "Yeah… I guess he does.

"SO, if you want, we could get married while in Vegas. It would be the perfect cover story, and I'm pretty sure your dad wouldn't mind," he said with a big grin.

"Right… Go put some clothes on Ivashkov. If you're not ready in ten minutes, I'll kick your ass out of this room, even if you're in your boxers."

"Just think about it!" he said walking in the room. "Perfect cover story, I tell you."

"Of course I will," I said sarcastically. For the first time since Adrian was in my life, I wasn't sure he was joking, even if I prayed he was.

Now I just needed to find a Guardian willing to come with us and a perfect excuse for Lissa… I just hoped that I wasn't making a mistake.