A/N- Hey guys! I'm glad you liked the first chapter! Thank you to SarahBelikova99, Dimka's Chick, wiccagirl-2005, xSmartiezx, and julia. for reviewing! I won't get the chance to update this every day like the Road Trip, but I'll try to update every few days. Sorry about the wait guys but here we go!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters or the world of VA at all. It all belongs to the wonderful Richelle Mead.

Chapter 2: Reminders

Rose POV

The next day I woke up early feeling refreshed. It was nice yesterday, spending time with Dimitri. I sighed, it was another boring day. It was another day without Christian, but don't let him hear I said that. I just hated sitting around idly, Lissa and Christian always met up on Sundays now and without Mason, I had nothing to do, but I still had church. I got up and put on nicer clothes than normal. Might as well try right? I even put some make up on, something I rarely ever did. I usually just used lip gloss, the one Dimitri bought for me that one time. I looked at my painted self and smirked. I looked good today.

I met up with Lissa at breakfast and grabbed something quick. The moroi were all almost done, not that they grabbed very much food in the beginning. I walked in to church with Lissa and her little group of followers. They all went on and on about what their boyfriends were doing next friday. It took me a moment to understand what they were talking about: Valentine's Day.

We ended up sitting near the back because we got there fairly late. Apparently, they were all waiting for me. Liss should know by now that I am almost never on time. I nodded at all the right times while they talked about Valentine's Day. I saw Dimitri sitting on the back row at his usual spot in the corner. He was within earshot. Normally Lissa's friends were quiet during church, they were always respectful in the way that they were raised, but today they were quite chatty. Not loud enough to disrupt other people coming and going, but just loud enough to bug me. I wanted to ignore everything they were saying. Valentines Day was silly. You shouldn't show someone you love them one day out of the year. It should be everyday, 24\7.

I heard Carly gush about how excited she was to wear her new nightie for her new boyfriend, Dean. Even Lissa had a hot date planned on the 14th, she and Christian were probably going to go to the church attic and get it on. Suddenly everyone turned to look at me, and all I could do was blush. Someone asked me what I had plans, and honestly nothing. I doubt Dimitri had anything special for us and I had promised him that I would wait. Not that I want anyone else anyways. Maybe I'll hang out with Adrian if he didn't have a girl over himself. "I'll probably watch a movie while you guys are getting it on." I joked. I knew humor was the only way out of this.

Carly then went on, something about how Eddie wanted to take me out. From the corner of my eye I could see Dimitri tense. He was always jealous about everything, even if he didn't like to admit it. "Eddie is a nice boy. But he likes girls with fangs." I told Carly as I looked straight at Dimitri. He needed to calm down and not worry about it. I could take care of myself. If he only knew how 'not' into this conversation I was. I didn't like Eddie. Eddie was Mason's best friend. That's how I saw him, nothing more, Eddie knew it too, half the time he treated me like Mason's widow, his little sister that he felt obligated to care for.

Finally the service started and the conversation stopped. The quiet was nice for a change, no more chatting about Valentine's Day. Unfortunately for me, the service soon ended and the moroi were at it again. Lissa was going on with Carly and the others, they wanted to talk more about their plans. I couldn't handle anymore of their match making for the day. I also didn't want to hear about something I couldn't have. Plus I think I needed to ask forgiveness for my thoughts lately, they've been centered around Dimitri and that day in the motel. I just couldn't get it out of my head. I walked back in as Dimitri was walking out.

We brushed passed each other and then Dimitri stopped and turned around. "Roza, do you want to do some extra training today. That is, if you're not doing anything." he asked. It was weird, Dimitri usually avoided me unless we had official business or training to do. He claimed that he didn't want to break any more rules before I graduated. I looked down at my clothes. I even had lip stick on. Training? I didn't mind training. To tell the truth, working out was fun for me, especially with Dimitri. But I looked so nice today. My eyes drifted back up to his and narrowed for a moment. "I would have to go change. Because this isn't my training dress." I noted in a smart ass way.

Dimitri's face brightened up. "Of course Rose. Meet me at the gym in an hour?" I just nodded at him and then I watched him walk away. I mushed my face up in a aggravated way. "Men..." I muttered. I trotted towards the front of the church, looking up at the statues that lurked from every corner. "Dear, ...higher person, God, who ever is listening" I whispered. "I figured I would try praying to you since everyone seems to. Even Christian and Dimitri believe in you. Anyway I would really like to stop having sinful thoughts for the next few months. Help me control myself around Dimitri. After that though throw them at me for ideas." I joked. I didn't know if 'God' understood jokes. I hoped he did. I smirked to myself. " Oh and also make Valentine's Day come and go as fast as you can please. I know you owe St. Valentine something but..." I stopped and shook my thoughts away for a moment. "Just make it slip by without me noticing. Thanks."

I left and went back to my room to change. Training would be good, I decided. I was feeling tense and working it out physically is better than keeping it all in, even if the tension was because of Dimitri. Walking from my dorm to the gym I noticed so many people talking about the upcoming weekend. I just wanted them to shut up, why did all these people get to spend their day with their significant other, when they usually spent it together anyway, when I couldn't even hold hands with my lover in public.

As I walked in the gym I noticed the lights were off. Mainly because no one was in here. No one trained on Sunday. Sunday was the day of rest, Dimitri said an hour right? Dimitri was never late. He must be getting supplies or something. "Dimitri? You in here?" I called out. Dead silence. "Dimitri?" I called again. Then suddenly someone attacked me. I knew it was Dimitri immediately. He pinned me down and was about to whisper in my ear when I grabbed him and threw him off of me. I managed to knock him back and pin him myself. I guess he wasn't expecting it.

Straddling over him and grabbing his arms I pulled them above him head. His scent overpowering, his after shave was wonderful. I grabbed his shirt and pulled him close to me. My lips slammed to his. I had slipped. I had made a move even though I had promised not to. I swore I wouldn't make things hard on him. No teasing. No flirting. And definitely no heated kisses during training in the dark. The worst part was this was probably the best kiss we had shared with each other in a long time. It was filled with passion and longing, and soon enough our tongues delved into each other's mouths and it turned into a makeout session. I held onto his shoulders and tried to pull him closer than was humanly possible. Dimitri did the same, one hand on my back, pushing me to him and the other tangled in my hair. Finally we stopped.

I looked back at him and sat up. I couldn't make this any harder for either of us. I crossed my arms and touched my lips with one hand. They trembled already from wanting him again. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." I looked back at him for just a split second. " I won't do it again." I told him quickly. I slowly looked at Dimitri to gauge his expression, and tried to pull back and get up, but Dimitri just pulled me back into his arms and hugged me. "It's okay Roza. We both needed that." he said to me, calming me down.

I lay peacefully in his arms, I loved the feeling of being embraced by my lover but we had to get working. Even if it was Sunday, this would be hard to explain if anyone caught us. "You've got to let me go or I'm going to do it again." I told him with a serious yet seductive voice. "What if I want you to do it again." he whispered so quietly, I almost didn't hear him. Dimitri released his arms, but I didn't move from him. I just looked at him and leaned into him. My lips pressing to his again. This time it was slow and sweet. " We should stop." I whispered between our kisses.

Dimitri kissed me one last time before pushing me away. He got up and walked to a dark corner of the room grabbing something. "Come on Roza. Let's see if you can stake me." he said as he threw something over to me. I caught it easily, it was a practice stake. Dimitri and I started to circle each other. I tried to focus but my eyes wouldn't stop drifting to his lips, red and swollen like mine from our rough kissing. "Dimitri..." I started. I didn't know how to do this after doing that.

"Focus Roza." Dimitri commanded, cutting me off from my thoughts. I looked him, looking all serious and like the fighting Russian God that everyone called him. I took in the fact that my sweet Russian God was gone, replaced with my normal dickish mentor. I came at him, placing my sexual frustration into anger and power. Dimitri threw me off like I was a fly. He must have known I would fight like that. We circled each other again, this time Dimitri feigned left and was going to try to knock the stake out of my hand. Like I he knew my moves, I knew his so I tried to dodge his hit. I must have moved to the wrong place because I noticed his shadows and the darker form closing in it and it was too late. My nose got the better part of his palm, instead of my hand like he intended.

I dropped the stake and reached up to my nose. Wow that hurt like a mother fucker. I felt the wet blood dripping out of my nose. Dimitri seemed to finally snap out of his shock. "Roza!" he ran over, grabbing my shoulders. "Roza are you okay? Please Rose I didn't mean to hit you there. Rose?" I didn't say anything. I think I was in a bit of a shock myself. Dimitri was usually so careful, it wasn't like him to lose control like this.

My nose hurt, but not as bad as you may think. I tried to twitch my nose, good it wasn't broken. Dimitri had held back a lot with me, even with his control practically lost. It was probably either fractured or bruised, and with dhampir healing, it would be fine soon enough. Maybe I'd get Lissa to help me if she was feeling alright. "Its fine." I groaned and stepped from him. " Can we turn the damn lights on now?" I touched the base of my nose again. It was sore, and slightly wet so I guessed it was still bleeding. I laughed for a moment, remembering winter break. "My mother hits harder than you. When she hit me in the face I passed out." I tried to crack a smile. I didn't want Dimitri feeling bad, it was just an accident.

After the lights flickered on, Dimitri just stared at me again before running into the locker room. I guess he could see the blood now. It was just a cosmetic bruise, nothing serious. He ran over to me with a towel. "Here." he said. "Keep that on your nose to stop the blood. Practice is over. Let's get you to the clinic."

I was sick of Dimitri's hovering. I knew he felt bad for hitting me but I didn't need to be treated like a child. "Can you calm down!" I snapped as I took a seat on the bleachers. "Its okay. Its just a bloody nose." I told him as I leaned back with the towel pressed to my face. He was acting like I was about to die. Then it struck me to why that might be. His father, maybe a reminded him of his mother when she got hit. My voice quieted. "Its okay. I know you didn't mean too." I said while I looked over at him. I probably looked like shit now. So much for looking amazing today.

Dimitri pouted. How adorable. "I would feel better if you went to clinic." he muttered under his breath. I still heard him, I always heard his little mumblings if I was paying attention. "Dimitri, I'm okay." I told him and stood up. Looking at the towel that was stained in my blood, I said, "I'm sure I'll accidentally hit or kick you the wrong way someday." I smiled and looked up at him.

"I just..." Dimitri started to say something then said, "I'm sorry Roza. I really am Roza." he just kept apologizing. I didn't know what to do to get him to stop. He sat next to me on the bench and apologized again. I tried being playful again, maybe it would get Dimitri out of his mood. "You're being cute." I told him as I leaned my head back and waited for him to tell me that 'cute' wasn't a manly word. But he didn't. He was worried and I understood that, but he needed to chill out. There was just a little blood, it wasn't a cause for immense worry.

"I'm really sorry Roza. Are you sure you don't want to go to the clinic?" Dimitri said again. I shook my head on his shoulder. " No." I told him as I folded the towel to a clean part and put it back on my face. Before he could say anything else I cut him off. "And I know you didn't mean to. If you were going to beat me up you would have done it by now."

I could feel Dimitri frowning. I guess I shouldn't have said that, it just reminded him more of the situation he had with his father. Stupid Rose, stupid. "Alright then." Dimitri admitted. I could feel Dimitri's arm moving behind me. I leaned up off of him and stood up. "Maybe next day we have off together, let's go for a walk." I noted as I made my way to the showers. Once I stripped off all the sweaty, bloody clothes, I stepped into the hot water. It was nice, pounding on my back washing away the evidence of our day together. Maybe today wasn't perfect but it was nice to spend time together. Especially the beginning of practice. That was pretty great. I don't know how much time passed, but when I stepped out of the shower I was all pruney. Great, now I have to face the moroi looking like this, maybe Liss would heal my face at the very least.

Dimitri POV

I woke up to my alarm clock blaring, breaking the wonderful dream I was having of Roza. We were in the gym sparring and then I pinned Roza down...I was about to kiss her and... No dimitri stop that, the voice in the back of my head said again. It was right. I shouldn't be thinking of Roza that way. Not if I didn't want a problem that would probably make me late for church. I quickly took a shower and got dressed, putting my signature duster on. I only went to church to repent for my sins, to ask for forgiveness for killing all those strigoi, and to see Roza which may be a sin in itself.

I was already seated when I saw Roza walking into church with her friends. I was sitting in my usual pew in the back of the church. She looked amazing in her dress. It's funny that she decided to dress up, I never saw her dressed up, except that one fateful light of the dance and the lust charm. Maybe I could get her to dress up for me, not that she wasn't beautiful without make up, it just would be nice... I became lost in my thoughts of Rose. I needed to leave the academy to get supplies for our night together. I still needed to figure out a date for that. I heard the priest call order and I sat up straighter, putting my earlier thoughts in the back of my mind. I needed to talk to Alberta about my plans later.

I glanced over at Rose as the priest tried to call order. I expected Roza and her friends to sit near the front where the other royals were. Instead they chose to sit in the back, only a few spaces away from me. I knew it was wrong but with my Dhampir hearing I tuned into their conversation. I wanted to know what Rose was talking about. All the girls were excited about Valentine's Day. I had totally forgotten about that holiday, I never really celebrated it in my life. It was a day I usually helped Ivan get ready for his date and then holed up in my room with a book. That, I decided, was the day I would make things special for Roza. I heard her say she was going to stay alone and watch a movie. No one deserves to be alone on that day, especially not Rose, not with our love. I mentally checked my calendar. It was so soon, I was surprised. It was this Friday. I would need to get supplies quickly.

I kept listening lightly to their conversation, ignoring all the little things Carly said. Rose was right, although I'd never admit it, but the Princess' friends were annoying. Suddenly Rose's name was mentioned in conversation and I perked up. Something about Eddie taking her out. My hands clenched into fists, only I should be taking Roza out, I knew Mr. Castile only cared for her like a sister but it still made me jealous. Rose blushed and looked toward me. I heard her say, "Eddie is a nice boy. But he likes girls with fangs." I calmed down a bit as she looked at me. She knew what I was thinking, she could read me as well as I could read her.

The service started and everyone quieted down. I sat there, reflecting on my thoughts and sins. It was the same every service. May the father bring peace to those lives that I have ended and cleanse me of any sins I may have accumulated. Finally the priest ended the service and everyone filed out. I watched Roza walk out quietly after her friends. I stood in the back waiting for everyone to leave before I left myself.

As I started to leave, Rose walked back in. We nudged shoulders as we passed each other. I was surprised that she was leaving Lissa alone. I would've expected rose to follow her back to her dorm, it was after all, her day off, she could spend as much time as she wanted with her best friend now that she was off probation. I turned around, I decided that I needed to see Rose today. It was a horrible idea, but I couldn't help myself. "Roza, do you want to do some extra training today. That is, if you're not doing anything." I asked before I could even think about anything else.

Rose thought about it for a moment, looking at her shoes then up at me. "I would have to go change. Because this isn't my training dress." she joked. I smiled at her. "Of course Rose. Meet me at the gym in an hour?" I asked. I couldn't wait to spend some time with Roza. Even if we couldn't do anything I loved spending time with her. Maybe we could spar today, I had been distancing myself lately, but I think I could control myself. It's been so long since we've had skin to skin contact.

I headed happily to the gym. Almost bouncing in my step, I hope no one noticed. I was going to set up the room for sparring and get practice stakes. Rose always wanted to use a real stake, but it wasn't safe yet. I knew she was more than capable, but I wanted to keep her safe. It was dark when I entered the gym. Maybe I should keep it this way I thought, it would be good practice for Rose to fight in the dark since strigoi can only come out at night. She would almost never be fighting in the light.

An hour must have passed because soon I heard, "Dimitri? You in here?" I stayed silent. I decided to sneak up behind her and surprise her. "Dimitri?" She called again. I stepped behind her and pinned her down on the mat. Immediately she began to fight back. She threw me off and I was thrown by her strength. She pinned me down before I even realized what she was doing. This was a good idea I decided, right before she grabbed me and kissed me. It was filled with passion and love. Like a kiss between lovers who haven't seen each other in months. I guess we were in a way. When we both pulled away we were panting. Rose looked away from me like she was embarrassed. She shouldn't be, I had wanted that kiss as much as she did, I was just better at hiding it. We were lucky it was Sunday and dark. This way it would be very hard for anyone to catch us.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I won't do it again." Rose rambled at she glanced at me, like she was going to get punished. She tried to get off of me but I just pulled her back. "It's okay Roza." I say hugging her. "We both needed that." And it was true. I was burning before that kiss. Now the fire was still there but temporarily satiated. We sat there again for a moment with Rose in my arms. "You've got to let me go or I'm going to do it again." Rose whispered seductively. I smiled. "What if I want you to do it again." I said quietly, hoping she didn't hear me. I let her go knowing it was the right thing to do, but she didn't get up. Instead, Rose pushed me down and kissed me again. "We should stop." she breathed.

I didn't want to but she was right. We couldn't risk getting caught. I gently pushed her away. "Come on Roza. Let's see if you can stake me." I say walking over to where I placed the practice stakes and throwing one over to her. Rose got into her stance and stared at me. She didn't seem like she was paying attention to the lesson. "Dimitri…" she started. I cut her off. "Focus Roza." I said. She needed to learn how to fight when she was distracted as well. This would be good practice for her and me both.

Roza came at me hard. I deflected her and we started circling each other again. She was using more of her anger and strength than strategy. She needed to focus. It was still dark in the gym making it hard to see, even though I could feel that it was getting late and the sun was going to rise soon. I feigned left and threw a punch to the right trying to dislodge the stake from her hand.

I hit her in the face. I cursed. "Roza!" I ran to her and grabbed her. "Roza are you okay? Please Rose I didn't mean to hit you there. Rose?" I was freaking out. She wasn't responding and it was too dark to see if there was any blood. I was afraid to reach up and touch her face. I thought she would push me away. Rose didn't say anything. I was getting more worried now, did she have a concussion too? Finally she spoke, "It's fine." she groaned. "Can we turn the damn lights on now?" she said, turning away from me. I hurried to the gym doors to turn on the lights. When I did, we both blinked to let our eyes adjust to the light. I heard Rose say, "My mother hits harder than you. When she hit me in the face I passed out." and she threw me a smile. The smile barely had an effect on me, I was too worried. Now that I could see, I saw blood dripping out of Roza's nose. I hurriedly ran into the locker room to grab a towel. When I returned I handed it to Rose. "Here." I said. "Keep that on your nose to stop the blood. Practice is over. Let's get you to the clinic."

"Can you calm down!" Rose snapped almost angrily. I jumped back. Rose rarely got snappy with me. I just wanted to know if she was in pain, I hated that I ever caused her any pain. "It's okay. It's just a bloody nose." she said sitting down. When the blood seemed to slow, she calmed down. "Its okay. I know you didn't mean too." she said quietly. "I would feel better if you went to the clinic" I muttered. Rose always seemed to know what I was thinking. I never meant to hit her that hard.

"Dimitri, I'm okay." Rose said again to reassure me. "I'm sure I'll accidentally hit or kick you the wrong way someday." she joked, but I wasn't in the mood. It was… "I just..." I started and sighed. There was no way I was going to get Rose to go to the clinic. Rose was stubborn. If she said she wasn't going to the clinic I wasn't going to get her there unless I carried her kicking and screaming or I really knocked her out. "I'm sorry Roza." I say again. I wouldn't be able to stop apologizing until she was healed. I sat next to her on the bench. "I really am Roza."

Rose seemed to ignore my apologies and said, "You're being cute." and leaned her head on my shoulder. I just stared at her. I wasn't in the mood to joke. There really could be something wrong with her nose. I apologized one last time. "I'm really sorry Roza. Are you sure you don't want to go to the clinic?" Rose shook her head on my shoulder, not looking at me. "No." she said. I opened my mouth to say are you sure but she cut me off before a sound could come out. "And I know you didn't mean to. If you were going to beat me up you would have done it by now."

I frowned at that. I would never hurt her intentionally. "Alright then Roza." I started gravitating closer to her. I wanted to hug her but I couldn't bring myself to, I was scared that she would cringe from my touch after I hit her. But Rose had a different idea, just as I plucked up the courage to hug her Rose stood up and started walking towards the locker room. "Maybe next day we have off together, let's go for a walk." she called.

Maybe Roza, I thought to myself. I wish I hugged her. I wanted to go get the Princess to heal her, but Rose might get more worried about the Princess using her powers and harming herself than for her own health. Once I could hear the shower running, I stalked off to Alberta's office. I guess she really was okay. It was Monday now in the human world, I had to start my journey to the mall the gather things for mine and Roza's getaway.

A/N- Another super long chapter! They do more of their own thing in this story. I hope you like it! Read and Review please!

Ciao!

~Tiffany 3