A.N: Hey guys!

I can tell you it has been VERY hard to make the deadline today but since you are so nice to me and review I really worked my butt off to get it to you on time.

I know you don't care but my company got a new HUGE client and I'm really busy and stressed but I owe you that much.

Please don't forget to review and tell me what you think.

Take care

Steffy

Chapter 16

Dimitri seemed to be studying me from the middle of the room, his arms crossed on his chest. He was looking for something in me I could feel it and it was making me largely uncomfortable. I met his eyes for a second before quickly looking away to the sofa.

"Please sit down," I said gesturing toward the sofa, happy with the steadiness of my voice.

He nodded and sat on the edge, hands on his knees. His body language was clear, he didn't want to be here.

"So what do you want to know?" I asked sitting on the armchair across from him.

"What are you ready to share?" He asked knowing better than to try to get answers out of me.

"You were right, I didn't go to Detroit or Vegas for fun," I admitted in a sigh. "I was…I had a hint on how to get over the Quorum law."

"How on earth could you manage that? How does that kid fit in all of this?"

"Think Dimitri, look at her...REALLY look at her then tell me. Who does she remind you of?"

Dimitri scrunched his eyebrows like he always did when he was thinking hard. After a minute or two I saw his eyes widen with understanding.

"Is…She is a Dragomir?" He asked with incredulity.

I nodded once.

"But…I'm confused. I thought Eric Dragomir was the last Dragomir then he had Andre and Vasilisa I…"

"Maybe Eric Dragomir was not as faithful as everybody thought he was," I trailed off.

"That kid…She is Lisa's sister?" He shook his head. "Do you know how insane that sounds?"

"I know it does, but-she is his daughter I know it and when the time comes…DNA testing, but I'm sure."

"How did Lissa take it?" He asked and I could hear the worry in his voice.

I looked at him silently not really knowing what to tell him.

"She doesn't know!" He said sounding almost offended. I had to use all my self-control not to tell him to screw himself and that I knew Lissa much longer than he did.

"She wants to be a member of the council, she'll understand."

"What if she doesn't think that her place on the council is worth putting dirt on the man she loved the most? Because allow me to doubt that."

"She might be mad for a while, but I had to do it. Personal feelings don't really matter here, the greater good is at stake I have no choice."

Dimitri looked at me with incredulity. "I never thought I would see you get that detached that…pragmatic."

"We all change Dimitri, but a lot is thanks to you."

He winced but stayed quiet.

I sighed, now was really not the time to get back to our banter, "If I didn't find her someone else would have. I really did what had to be done…trust my judgment just this once."

He nodded silently. "Is there anything you need me to do? I should get my guardian title back any day now."

"Good, you really deserve it. God knows what you are ready to sacrifice for your mission."

"You are the one talking? Sacrificing your best friends memories for a Council spot."

"I had a good teacher," I added coolly.

"Maybe it's better if I left now." He said standing.

"Yes maybe it is," I said standing too. As I turned around to walk him to the door I saw the long flat box containing Victor's bracelet on the kitchen counter and couldn't help but wonder if our chat wouldn't have been different if I wore it.

"I'll see you later Rose," he said by the door and it seemed that he wanted to add something but restrained himself and I knew better than to ask.

As soon as Dimitri left I decided to go look for Adrian. I was getting mad too, it was true that I did make some mistakes but the silent treatment was not working for me.

I first went to Adrian's room even using the key card he gave me, but I could see he didn't even go there after landing. I groaned knowing too well where he might be…his parents house.

When I made it to Adrian's parent house I almost changed my mind and turned around. I really cared about him, I even loved him that was a given but I wasn't sure I could deal with the wrath of his parents right now.

His father never hid his resent and animosity toward me, but his mother had been more or less civil, nice even and facing her now made me cringe.

I just hoped that if she was the one opening the door she would keep her pretense up, she didn't know I knew how much she resented me now.

I knocked once a lot softer than I should have maybe because a part of me was still screaming to turn around and go back to my room, to wait for Adrian to come back to me. He had told me once, he was addicted to me and he would probably always make his way back, but I was the one who kept messing everything up it was only fair for me to take that first step.

Adrian's mother opened the door and even if she was home she looked so classy.

"Rose…" She said keeping the hand on the door in a sort of subconscious barrier.

"Lady Ivashkov," I said as formal as I could.

"What can I do for you?" She asked and I didn't miss the fact that this time she didn't ask me to call her Daniella.

"Is Adrian here?" I asked trying not to be destabilized by her obvious coldness. I knew what to expect before even walking here.

She stared at me for what seemed to be forever, lips pursed it seemed like she was thinking of the kind of answers she had to give me. Finally she sighed and moved a little out of the way.

"He's upstairs in his old room, second door of the right." She replied barely letting me go through like she might still change her mind about it.

"Thank you," I replied squeezing between her and the door to get in. I avoided her eyes and that was new. I hated that feeling of guilt.

"Oh and Rose?" She said when I was half way up.

I turned around to see her stand at the bottom of the stairs "yes?"

"You promised me not to hurt him; I thought your words were worth something," she added so calmly that it actually spooked me out.

I didn't get a chance to answer anything as she immediately walked away in the living room.

I winced at the hurt words, they hurt…they hurt deep because it was the truth, the ugly and naked complete truth.

As I climbed up I started to rethink my whole approach, maybe I was wrong to come to him now. If he went to his parents house, under their constant judgment rather than stay in his luxurious suite there had to be a reason and I knew that reason was me. He probably thought I wouldn't have the courage to come here…it was a big mistake. I didn't know what I should do, knock at the door or simply walk in, but as I reached the room I knew I would have to walk in as he wouldn't hear me knock over the blaring music it was "Against all odds" by Phil Collins. Was that an omen?

I opened the door slowly, peeking inside and found Adrian his back to the door apparently very busy on a drawing table. He was so lost in his work he didn't hear me enter…maybe he did, but just didn't bother interrupting his work for me.

I approached and looked at the drawing. It was an old man sitting on a bench in front of a pond. You could see high skyscrapers on the horizon.

"It's beautiful," I said just starting to realize the extent of his talent. I never saw one of Adrian's drawings before but the detail, the refine touch and the old man's face…that was the most striking. He looked so alone, so sad but the face was screaming recognition, his face reminded me of Adrian so much.

He looked up to meet my eyes and there was no anger or frustration in them just turmult. "Thanks," he simply replied with a small smile before concentrating on the details of the tree behind the old man. "You will see that soon enough, it's Central Park…My favorite spot in Central park actually".

I was still looking at the drawing, but not really seeing anything anymore. He just confirmed he was letting me go, not that it was a surprise because my job was my job, but he said that I would see it he didn't say 'we' or I'll show you or anything letting me think he might join me there. Was he giving up? Did the damages I made FINALLY be irreparable?

"I'm sorry," I whispered looking at the back of his neck. I could hear the pain in my own voice and I knew he could hear it because he let go of his pencil and turned his chair to face me.

"Don't be sorry Rose; there is nothing you need to feel sorry for." He said nicely and I could hear and see that he meant it, but it didn't sound like him…like my happy go lucky Adrian there was an edge in his voice but it was not something I could recognize. What is it the Spirit Madness getting to him or was it all my work? I was not sure I wanted an answer to that one.

I reached up to touch his face, but dropped my hand just before. You are distancing yourself.

He probably guessed what my intentions were because he reached for my hand and brought it to his cheek keeping his hand on top of mine. "I love you Rose, that all I can say."

"And I love you too, you know that right." I said straddling him on the chair so we were face to face, almost noses touching.

He looked into my eyes silently not answering. It was the first time I really took the time to look at his eyes standing that close, I usually tried to identify the feelings in them, but right now I was concentrating on the color only and it was mesmerizing…beautiful. They were not only emerald, there was specks of gold in them.

I leaned in the remaining inch and started to kiss him hungrily. I felt a huge wave of relief when I felt his lips responding, moving in total synch with mine.

I started to unbutton his shirt, but he stopped me halfway through.

"Not now Rose," he mumbled against my mouth.

I jerked my head back with surprise. Adrian rejecting the possibility of having sex? With me?

"How...What…" I started not really knowing what to say.

"You know I'm a little crazy and right now my artistic self needs to be expressed." He smiled and rested his hands on each side of my face. "I just need a little time but I'll see you tomorrow okay?"

I nodded silently in between his hands, if he needed time I could grant him that much plus I needed to concentrate on so many other things, I would take that time to figure things too.

Adrian looked at me a bit longer and sadness started to settle in his eyes. "Rose I-"

"No, no it's okay. I—have to go anyways," I added getting off his lap. "See you," I added rushing out. This girl was not me, I was not needy, I was not prying.

I had barely exited the Ivashkov's home than I met Tasha, but on the plus side was that she wasn't with Dimitri.

"Rose! Christian told me you were back." She hugged me quick. "So, how is my guardian doing?"

I forced a smile as I couldn't believe the whole New York issue and I'm leaving to guard Tasha didn't even cross my mind these days. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure it's still what you want?" She said probably hearing the hesitation in my voice.

"What? Yeah! Of course it's just…I have a lot on my plate right now and it slipped out of my mind for a second. It's all good," I added with a gesture of dismissal.

"You know Rose as I said before I'm more than happy to have you with me, but…"She sighed looking away for a second like if she was trying to figure how to word things.

"But?"

"But if you decide to come with me to escape making choices or to deal with things it will come back and bite you in the butt."

"I don't have anything to escape…" Yet I added to myself. "But thanks for the concern."

"Anytime Rose, I'm here."

I nodded and reached for my phone to give Lissa a call. As much as I hated to admit it Tasha was right I had to face things sooner or later.

"Lissa?" I was walking back to my room

"Hey! I was just about to give you a call," she said cheerfully. "Dinner went very well. I actually like Jill."

"That's great." I took a deep breath, "but you are right, I had other motives to bring her here."

Lissa stayed silent but I could feel her "I KNEW IT"

"I will come to see you in the morning and tell you everything." I said trying to sound cool even if my heart was pounding in my chest thinking that it might just be our last moment as friends. "Yes tomorrow…" I added more to myself than for her.

"Rose…Are you alright?" She asked and I could feel her concern.

"Yes. See you tomorrow Liss. Sweet dreams." I said hanging up.

When I went to bed that night I knew that sleep would be hard to find, but I also knew I had no choice, that I had to do everything I had done and if I were to lose Lissa's friendship, it was just the way it was ought to be.