I've been on such an Anastasia kick as of the last few weeks ever since I watched the videos of the Broadway musical. So to get some of it out of my system I decided I would write about it. Also, the casting for the musical was fantastic, I haven't been able to stop fangirling over Derek Klena as Dimitri.

Quick things to mention before you start reading, this takes during the movie with the movie characters. Please enjoy.

"The curse! The Romanov curse"

"What? What curse?" Dimitri could barely understand a word Anya was saying as she rambled into his shirt. She was in absolute hysterics as she clung onto him like a lifeline and who was he to blame her? She very well almost died tonight...had he been a second later Anya would have plunged herself into the water depths of the ocean.

How cruelly ironic that the girl they were trying to play off as the Grand Dutchess almost met a similar fate as the man who was the catalyst of the death of her family. Very few people remembered Rasputin, only the people in the palace that night knew of his threats to the royal family and Dimitri, having managed to escape the kitchen once more had witnessed the entire thing.

He had also witnessed the final fall of the sorcerer himself. As he was being dragged out by the Russian guard he managed to momentarily came too and glanced over to the frozen river. He had just managed to catch a glimpse of the princess kicking into the freezing water as she and her grandmother fled. That was the last thing he saw before falling unconscious again.

It was also the last time he saw the young princess, how he hoped she would survive. But fate had not been so kind to save the princess...but at least he had been able to save Anya.

"It was just a nightmare, you're safe now" Dimitri pulled Anya closer to him, the girl gladly accepting his embrace. Most likely to calm her nerves and share the warmth his body provided against the cold of the rain and wind surrounding them. But they both knew it was the first reason. She was so scared holding her seemed like the only thing he could do.

But in a way, Dimitri could help but sadly smile as he held the young woman in his arms, knowing this would be the only time he would ever be able to again. Once their journey was over he would likely never see her again. She would either be accepted by the Dowager Empress and live the life of royalty or she would remain on her quest for finding her family. She might even find out they used her, then she'd want nothing to do with him. None of which he would blame her for, but for now, he would continue to be selfish. Even if it was one of the last times he got to.

"You're safe now Anya, I promise" Anya still shaken nodded but did not loosen her grip on Dimitri. The two stayed like that for a few more minutes until Dimitri finally spoke up.

"Anya we should head back to our room, you'll catch a cold" He spoke softly and slowly drew circles on her back with his hand, hoping to soothe her as much as he could. Anya nodded once more and let Dimitri lead her back to their room. Somehow Vlad had remained asleep through the entire ordeal. The moment the two walked in the door Anya was greeted happily by Pooka joyfully jumping into her arms. Dimitri could tell he was happy to see his owner alive.

"Honestly Anya, you should be thanking your mutt. He woke me up and alerted me that you left the room" Anya remained silent but scratched Pooka's head affectionately which he gladly accepted. He didn't need words he understood what she meant. Dimitri noticed the girl was silently shivering. She was still in her clothes which were absolutely soaked, it was only expected she be cold. He was right when he said if she didn't change she would get sick.

"Anya, you get dressed, I'll wait outside and wait" Anya was in the motion of pointing to Vlad when she was cut off.

"Don't worry about him, he'll remain asleep long enough for you to get changed...I'll get changed in the other room ok?" There was a small storage room next store, it was very cramped but it was big enough for him to use for a minute or two. He'd let Anya use it but it'd be safer in their room. If something were to happen, anything she wouldn't be alone. Plus he doubted she'd be a big fan of cramped spaces.

Anya finally nodded and Dimitri walked over to his suitcase to grab a change of clothes. Right as he was about to walk passed her she grabbed the hem of his shirt stopping him in his tracks.

"Yes?"

"Thank you, Dimitri" The voice was so soft Dimitri almost didn't catch it but he knew what she said. Dimitri gave a small smile before speaking up.

"It was nothing your highness, I'll see you in a moment"

Dimitri took no longer than five minutes to get changed and made sure he kept an ear out for any movement passed the door. Thankfully he heard nothing but the waves crashing against the bow of the ship. The storm had definitely calmed down since they returned to their room. Dimitri didn't waste much time before returning to the door and knocking softly to not wake up Vlad but loud enough to get Anya's attention.

"Hey Anya, can I come in?" The young man didn't hear much of an answer aside from muffled shuffling from the other side of the door. Not long after the shuffling came to a halt and the door opened slowly revealing a newly changed Anya carrying a very sleepy Pooka in her arms. The two walked into the room and quietly sat on the side of her bunk where Anya quietly placed Pooka on the end of the bed, he deserved his sleep. Dimitri gave the mutt a small scratch between the ears before returning his attention to Anya.

The girl had barely spoken since the incident, the only words he had heard out of her were a quick thanks and the incoherent words of a Romanov curse. Her silence was unnerving, he hadn't heard her this quiet during the entire journey. He wasn't usually one to pry but this was a special case.

"Anya...what happened?" The room remained silent for a couple of moments. Dimitri didn't think she was going to answer but was quickly proven wrong when a quiet voice finally spoke up.

"You'll think I'm crazy" Dimitri let out a small laugh despite himself, but not at her. It was more at himself than anything.

"No, I don't think you're crazy and won't think it...if you choose to tell me" Before Anya continued speaking she nudged closer to Dimitri startling the young man as she leaned on his shoulder. He instantly stiffened at this gesture but remained silent waiting for her to continue her story.

"It was a dream, I was dreaming I was in a field and I was following a little boy and then we came across...a family, three girls and their father" Anya's voice seemed to falter as she spoke, even with her sitting so close to him she sounded so far away. It seemed as if she was reminiscing on a faraway memory rather than a nightmare from no more than a few minutes ago. But she also seemed so sad.

Dimitri hadn't even noticed that he had dropped his arm around Anya drawing her closer to him, trying to provide any kind of comfort he could muster. He let her continue speaking.

"They jumped into a river for a swim, one by one they jumped in. I followed them to the edge where they started calling for me to join them and honestly, I was about to for a moment but then the family disappeared and turned into devil-like creatures as the river turned into a fiery hellscape" Anya's breath hitched but continued her story, Dimitri softly rubbing her shoulder. If it weren't for how shaken she was both of them would be surprised by Dimitri's actions but that was at the back of their minds at the moment.

"More and more started to surround me and I panicked, that's why when you grabbed me I struggled I thought you were one of them...if it weren't for you..." she started to choke up but Dimitri was quick to act before the waterworks started again, he had enough of a crying Anya for one night. He couldn't say why but he hated seeing her cry.

"Shh I know, don't worry you're alright now...and for the record, I don't think you're crazy"

"You don't?" He shook his head.

"No nightmares are natural for someone who's been through as much as you've been through, sure this one was...extreme but your life has been through a big change, what's most important is that you're safe and I got to you in time" for the first time in hours Anya gave a small smile.

"You're making me feel kinda better, hey Dimitri?" He crooked his head towards her.

"Yes?"

"Do you ever have nightmares?" Dimitri stopped and seemed to think over the question, which he was. He had three choices.

He could tell her nothing and tell her to go to sleep. That made him sound like a jerk so best not.

He could play it cool and say no he had never had a nightmare before. That might make Anya seem weak and underplay the importance of her nightmare. Bad idea.

Or his final opinion and probably the scariest was to simply

.

.

.

.

.

Tell the truth

Surly he couldn't do that, could he? What would Anya think of him? What would Vlad say? No, he simply couldn't say anything, he wouldn't his pride simply wouldn't allow him to. He hadn't let his guard down in such a way in years. He was prepared to tell Anya that no, he had never had a nightmare or bad dream like she had just experienced but right as the words were about to leave his mouth he quickly snapped it shut once his eyes met hers.

Her eyes were so big and blue he couldn't help but get caught up in them. But what really caught him by surprise was just how frightened they looked but at the same, they had something else behind them. He quickly realised that despite how scared she was still full of hope. That was just how Anya was, she had faced so many scary things in her life but she still had hope and faith in her dreams. How could he lie to her now? Damn what was this girl doing to him?

To hell with it! What did he have to lose? Soon enough...he'd probably never see her again. He'd swallow his pride for once in his life.

"I'm sorry I should pry-" Anya seemed to take his silence as an answer and started to apologise but Dimitri cut her off and waved his hand as if to hold her speech.

"No it's alright, I was just trying to remember as all but yeah, I've had nightmares really bad ones too. Maybe not as bad as you though but they've been bad" Dimitri shuddered remembering some of his childhood nightmares. An action that didn't go unnoticed by the girl under his arm. He didn't even notice her cuddle closer to his side.

"What were they about?...if you don't my asking"

"I don't know really it's a few things, the revolution, leaving on the streets...my father's passing but they were a very long time ago" In all honesty, Dimitri hadn't even thought about half these dreams since he was a young boy or in his teens but unbeknownst to even him they still cut deep to this day. He had lost his father very young and that had been shortly before starting his work at the palace. He still thought of that night now and then, when he had let Anastasia and the Dowager Empress threw the door. He had hoped they had survived, especially the young princess but...

"Is...is that why you didn't like when I brought up family? Because of your father?"

"No? Yes? I don't know, I haven't really thought about it. I guess I gave up on family and didn't what to hear anything about it"

"Well I think you're wrong" This response took Dimitri by surprise.

"Excuse me?" Anya sat up straight so she was looking Dimitri in the eyes, causing his arm to fall to her waist. This time Dimitri was aware of their position but didn't have the guts to move. All he could do was sit there and listen.

"I think you're wrong, you shouldn't give up on family, you shouldn't give up on someone loving you. That does no good for anyone especially yourself, imagine if I had given up on family where do you think I'd be?"

"Safe in St Petersburg?"

"A fish factory, not to mention I'd be miserable. If I gave up on the family I never knew I wouldn't be here and I never would have met Pooka, Vlad or...you" the two paused and gazed into each other's eyes as Anya continued.

"Plus, it wouldn't be fair to anyone who might love you"

"I'm not exactly lovable"

"Maybe, maybe not you never know"

"You think so?" The two slowly started drawing closer to each other, their eyes hooded as they did so.

"Yes" Before the two could get any closer Dimitri once again snapped back into reality and pulled away once again leaving Anya confused and feeling somewhat hurt, why did he always do that? She thought. But rather than Dimitri just walking away like last time he just withdrew his arm and started to speak.

"Who knows? Maybe you're right I sure as hell don't know a thing but I do know one thing"

"And that is?"

"You are by far the bravest person I've ever met and probably the kindest too, you deserve so much and accept everything you get in stride" Anya blushed at his words and remained quiet as he continued.

"I wish you the best tomorrow, I truly hope you find the family you're looking for" he wasn't lying when he said this. He truly wanted to believe that Anya was the forgotten princess. That she would find the family she was looking for, even if he had to walk out of her life forever.

"Thank you for everything Dimitri" She honestly couldn't thank him enough. Not only had he saved her tonight but he offered her the chance to find her family and her forgotten past and maybe even more. Sure he could be a royal pain in the ass sometimes. He could be arrogant, stuck up and obnoxious but without him, she wouldn't be here. For more reasons than one.

"You're welcome Anya, we should probably get to sleep we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow" Dimitri spoke nervously as he prepare to stand up and return to his spot across the room only to be once again stopped by Anya. He turned around to see Anya looking away looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Could you stay close? Just in case I have another nightmare" Her request made sense. If she were to have another dream like she did and he stayed close he would be able to stop her before anything got out of hand. He gave a small smile and nodded, quickly walking over to grab the blanket he was using and placing it next to Anya's bed.

"Thanks...I've been thanking you a lot tonight haven't I?" She let out a small laugh and watched as Dimitri walked back over towards her.

"You have it's been super weird"

"Hey!" Anya playfully hit the young man with a pillow. Dimitri easily caught it and crouched down to Anya's level handing it to her once again. Anya gladly accepted it.

"Goodnight Dimitri" the young man paused for a few seconds, wearing a slightly conflicted expression on his face, as if contemplating something. Anya was about to ask him about it when she was quickly cut off by Dimitri who gave her a small peck on the cheek, completely surprising the girl and leaving her stunned.

"Goodnight Anya" He spoke quickly turning around and laying down just as fast, leaving the stunned girl sitting on the bed. What just happened? All Anya could do was lay down and settle in bed, leaving herself laying in her thoughts.

Why had Dimitri's action affected her so much? It's not like she lo-...

Anya's eyes widened as she touched the place Dimitri's lips had just been unable to fully believe what was happening. She wasn't in love with Dimitri was she? The more she tried to think about it the more she found herself blushing and unable to believe what was happening.

She was falling for Dimitri...

"Oh my"

And finished! This was probably one of the quickest chapters I've ever written that I'm actually proud of. I love Anastasia so much, both the movie and musical and it will always have a place in my heart. In regards to how I wrote the characters, I tried to keep them in character as much as I could but I think I meshed the characters from the movie and musical together.

I'd like to think there was more to the nightmare scene since they too seemed much more comfortable with one another when they reach Paris. And thus this fic was born. I really hope you enjoyed my story and please comment any opinions, creative criticism and suggestions. But please no flames.

Also, leave kudos if you enjoy

Thank you everyone!

~Luna