Dimitri followed Skyler stubbornly in order to make sure she arrived home safely. Once he was certain she was in Gabriel's care and out of harm's way, he turned and headed back for the shelter of the forest. Although it was beautiful; wild and untamed, he could not appreciate it. Not without his lifemate.

Everytime she came to him, it made it harder for him to let her turn around and go. Dimitri truly wished that he was the type of man who was strong enough to let her have those few extra years, such as Gregori had done for Savannah, but he knew his limitations. The man would go mad soon without her. Even as it was, he had to guard his emotions more carefully...she was intelligent, and would understand how dangerous he was.

Dimitri didn't want her to be afraid of him.

He returned to his human form with these thoughts in mind, and made room in the earth to sleep. Afterwards he simply laid there, mind turning everything over. It was time. He couldn't let her leave him again. There was too much at stake; he was becoming more and more desperate.

He could not go on without her. If he allowed her more time, he would eventually slip up...killing while feeding. Turning into the very thing he despised the most. And she would be condemned to a life of solitude and loneliness as well, though she might think she didn't care for him.

Skyler may not be able to comprehend it, but she could not live without him. It was such an explosive situation. Her love was the one thing that could save the man, but the one thing she was truly frightened of was men.

Unable to bear these thoughts any longer, Dimitri covered himself with the cool earth and allowed his mind and body to shut down.

"Skyler, what's the matter?"

Francesca's voice brought the girl back to the present. She had been dwelling on her meeting with Dimitri earlier, and nervously biting her nails. Quickly, embarrassed, her arm dropped to her side. "Nothing, I was just...thinking."

The woman frowned at that, shifting baby Tamara to her other shoulder. "Are you sure? You know you can tell me whatever is on your mind." She was genuinely concerned, and even as she spoke the woman sent waves of reassurance towards her.

The young girl shook her head. "I know, but really, it's nothing. I think I'm just going to go read." Francesca looked skeptical. Skyler left the kitchen, passing Gabriel on his way in. She flashed him a fake smile before curling up in an armchair with a book. There were only a few more hours until dawn, and the family was having fun.

Gabriel took Tamara into his arms, making a silly face that looked odd on an ancient hunter such as himself. Francesca was laughing as she greeted her lifemate; he had been summoned by the Prince. However he assured her all was well by using their common path.

"Gabriel, set Tamara down on the floor...no, not like that, on her feet. I think she's about ready to start walking on her own..."

"Really? Now I'm in even more trouble..." He laughed as he did as Francesca asked, setting the toddler down gently on her feet but still supporting her.

A sudden feeling of loneliness hit Skyler. She had looked over at them while turning the page, but the book rested on her lap now. The three looked so happy.

Her heart clenched. Tamara was their real daughter; she had been adopted. Did Gabriel and Francesca ever feel that she was in the way? Skyler was all too aware of her inadequacies...did they resent her for them?

She bit her lip, looking down at the book that no longer seemed so interesting. 'I'm their daughter, too.' Skyler couldn't let her past keep her from her happiness now.

Her hand found it's way to the wolf pendant she constantly wore, and a measure of reassurance washed over her. The feeling was familiar, and somehow it felt...right.

Maybe...it was time to take a chance.

Skyler chose her outfit carefully. She didn't know why, but she suddenly had the urge to look her best for this little 'talk' Dimitri had wanted. As she looked at herself in the mirror, self-consciousness took over.

The red streaks she had in her hair were beginning to fade, and her dark roots were coming in. Dark circles beneath her eyes betrayed her lack of sleep; the nightmares of her past still haunted her. Sure, she had a womanly body, but she always hid it with baggy clothes. Skyler despised being stared at.

And the scars...she touched the crescent shaped one on her temple, then quickly took her hand away. No. She wasn't going to care.

Angry at the very thought of wanting to look nice for him, Skyler pulled on a pair of jeans and a soft dark blue, long-sleeved shirt. Running out to the closet she shoved her feet into sneakers and pulled a coat on when Gabriel entered the hallway.

"Where are you off to?" he asked her, voice calm but filled with suspicion.

Quickly she put up mental blocks, and made sure that her mind was filled with everyday things. "Just going to walk around outside. It's a little stuffy in here," she said, wrinkling her nose.

The suspicious look didn't leave his face. "Well, don't wander too far off...you know that da--"

"I know, I know, Gabriel." And although she felt happy that he was worried, the thought of her being a burden entered her mind again, and she felt panicked. "I won't be long, I swear."

Before he could ask more questions, Skyler was out the door. The crisp night air suddenly made her very aware of what she was doing, and she hesitated. No need to panic, she told herself.

Looking up at the night sky, she realized it was snowing. Large fluffy flakes gathered in her hair. Gathering up her courage, she entered the forest once more.

Almost immediately he was there. Their eyes met; his ice-blue ones, her gray ones filled with fear.

He held out his hand. "Come with me. Let us find someplace a little more...private." Dimitri was aware of how protective Gabriel was over her during these times.

She nodded, forcing herself to take his hand. Immediately comfort washed over her, keeping her fears at bay for a little while.

They treaded through the silent forest, with snow flakes dancing around them. She found herself mesmerized by his voice, and the warmth of his hand. Skyler had forgotten her mittens, and the touch was almost electric.

"Thank you for coming to talk with me." He spoke, but did not look at her. "I know you were hesitant to do so."

Skyler managed to look away from him, instead focusing on the ground. "Like you said, we need to work things out. And if Gabriel and Francesca were involved, it would be more stressful. I don't want to trouble them any further."

They arrived beneath a large tree that caught most of the falling snow. He turned to face her, not letting go of her hand. It didn't bother her...she didn't want to let go either.

Dimitri looked into her eyes. "You fear me." There was sorrow in his eyes.

Skyler wanted to say no, she really did. But lying would get them no where. "Of course I do. You could easily take over my life." Her voice was steady; she was filled with determination.

"Would that be such a bad thing?" He saw her expression rapidly change, and quickly added on. "Look at all of the other women. Look at Francesca. Do they seem unhappy to you?"

Skyler tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let go. Immediately she thought back to yesterday, when the realization she might be nothing but a burden had hit her. Francesca was happy. Raven loved Mikhail. Shea was undoubtedly devoted to Jacques...

"...No..." she whispered, almost afraid to speak too loud.

"Do you think I am capable of harming you?" His voice was so pure; it demanded the truth.

"...No..." she said again, looking like a mouse caught in the trap. "But I'm not like them."

"I know. And that is why I care for you." Dimitri didn't use the word 'love'; he feared it might scare her even more.

Skyler tried to pull her hand away again, but instead he tugged her close, against him. He felt her stiffen and struggle, but he held tight, pressing her head against his chest. "I am sorry, but I cannot live without you any longer." Agony was in his voice.

"What are you...!" Gabriel...!

But before she could even send a cry for help to Gabriel, he issued the command for her to sleep. Skyler fell limp into his arms, looking like a fallen angel. Knowing that he had little time, he took only a moment to brush a chaste kiss against her lips, and flew into the sky with the girl in his arms.

A/N: Okay, I hope I am doing okay with these two. Also for those of you who are not aware, Mrs. Feehan put an outtake of Dark Celebration on her website that is all Dimitri/Skyler. Go to christinefeehan dot com, then under her "Dark Series" drop-down box. Go to Dark Celebration, then to "deleted scene" (the first one).