So, I just realised I haven't been putting in a disclaimer. Silly me. So, here we go: I do not own Vampire Academy or any characters, they all belong to the amazingly talented Richelle Mead- except David :) though I really do wish I owned Adrian!

Enjoy!

Chapter 2:

Though my revelations had only taken moments, Guardian Mentel had, by this point in time, begun leading Lissa down the stairs toward my cell. I hastily arranged myself to look vaguely normal, when honestly I was starting to feel nauseous. It wasn't my Strigoi alert instincts kicking in, it just felt like I'd eaten too much and then gone for a really long run or something. I couldn't bear to think about Adrian, yet my thoughts were fixated on him. This feeling reminded me of Lissa when she thought about Christian. Did that mean... I loved Adrian? It couldn't possibly be true, although-

"Rose!"

Liss was practically jumping for joy at the sight of me. Never mind the fact that I probably stunk like Eddie's old gym socks, or that I was pale as a ghost. After such a long time, she was simply happy to see me, no matter what state I was in. And whoa, I could say the same about her. She looked impeccable, as usual. Her pale blond hair seemed to have gotten longer since I last saw her – though that was explainable – and she wore a navy blazer and pencil skirt ensemble, which made me wonder where she'd just come from. A meeting perhaps? Either way, she looked stunning and I couldn't believe it had only been a few months since I'd last seen her. It felt like an eternity.

"Lissa! Wow, it's been forever! I'm so sorry I wouldn't let you see me, I just..." I trailed off, unsure if she'd understand my reasoning. From the sympathetic feelings I was getting through the bond (and the look on her face) I knew she'd see why I did it if I just tried to explain it to her.
"I was just... In shock. I mean, finding out I could be executed was a bit much for me to comprehend. I didn't mean to shut you out, just everyone in general. And now, well, now I wish I hadn't. But I can't change that, okay? Please don't be mad or anything."
I swallowed, unsure how she'd respond.
"I'm not mad! We were all just so worried, and-"
I cut her off. "Don't be. I might not want to die, but that's for tomorrow to decide."
Shock pounded through the bond as she remembered what I was being charged for.
"Rose, you can't possibly die! You didn't do it! I mean, anyone can see that!" She went on and on trying to defend me, and I intervened. I didn't really want to talk about my impending fate.
"Liss, can we talk about something else?"
She promptly ceased talking and plastered a sweet smile on her face, though I could tell it was an act. She was scared for me.
"Yeah, sorry Rose. It'll all be fine. I'll stop my worrying."
I knew she wouldn't stop worrying, but it helped to know she wanted me to stay calm. There was silence for a moment while the two of us groped for a better topic to pursue. After three months in this tiny, isolated place I was happy to discuss anything really, so I waited for Liss to come up with something.

"Oh, hey, I never did hear what exactly happened that night between you and-"
I heard the word form in her head before she finished cutting off her sentence.
"Adrian." I sighed.
"Yeah, um, lovely weather isn't it?" Wow, my best friend is terrible at changing subjects.
"Liss, I've been locked underground for the past three months, I'd hardly know. And what's going on with Adrian?"
Lissa was at a loss for words. She simply didn't know what to say. I, however, was sucked into her head as she thought back to the memory that she had tried to hide from me for so long now.

Adrian stood on the runway for the Royal Court's airport. I ran after him, or rather, Lissa did.
"Adrian, no! Come back!" She screamed at his retreating back as he walked toward a small jet. He continued to walk away whilst Lissa shouted for him to turn around, and he seemed to either not hear or ignore what she was saying.
"I swear, Adrian Ivashkov, if you don't get back here right now-"
"What, Lissa? You'll do what? What can you possibly take away from me? Everything I had, all I loved and cared for, it's gone."
She had finally caught up to him when he started his screaming.
"Please, Adrian, calm down-"
"Don't you 'please, Adrian' me. Please doesn't get you anywhere, Lissa. Neither does begging. You pour your heart out to the woman you love, you think she's finally yours and bam! She's gone. You try to see her and she says she doesn't want you."
Lissa could see the dark shadows under his eyes and she knew that she wasn't the only one up late at night thinking about me. His eyes had lost their sparkle, and there was no humorous tone in his voice when he spoke. He was frantic with worry, and the smell of alcohol on his breath told Liss that he had tried to keep me off his mind, and failed.

She spoke gently to him. "Adrian, she never said she didn't want you."
"She never said she did, either."
"But you know she does! What brought this on?"
He wouldn't meet her eyes, and whilst Lissa waited for an answer, she knew she probably wouldn't get one.
"Adrian? Maybe... Maybe if you talk about it, you'll feel better?"
And see some sense in all of this, she added mentally.
"If Rose won't talk to me, then I don't see the point of talking to you. No offence Lissa, but my mind is made up. I'm leaving."
"Adrian, NO! She'll come around, she's just-"
"I'm leaving, and I'm not coming back."
Lissa froze. Protests rose feebly to her lips, but she knew he wouldn't listen. Only I could make him stay, but I hadn't known this was happening.
"Go see her. Rose." Lissa blurted out. "Tell her you just need... Five minutes. She'll talk. You know... She really does love you."
"Don't. Say. That." He growled. "Anything but that. She shut me out, Liss. She's obviously moved on. Maybe she never loved me in the first place. That's probably it. Belikov; it was always him, though I'd hoped things had changed between them since he turned... I guess I was wrong."
"Adrian, I-"
"Goodbye, Lissa."
And with that, he boarded the plane and left Lissa standing there, her eyes brimming with tears.

"I'm so sorry, Rose."
Lissa's voice brought me back to the present day, but I couldn't speak. I feared I would cry, or scream, or need some form of restraining. She seemed to realise this and said gently, "Rose, it isn't your fault! He, um, overreacted."
"I-it is m-m-my f-fault," I sobbed, trying and failing to hold back my tears. "If I hadn't j-just shut d-d-down like that, he w-would s-st-still be here!"
With that, I collapsed onto my bed and threw my face into the pillow, not caring how unstable I must have seemed. After a few hushed whispers that I didn't bother trying to decipher, I heard the door to my cell open and felt someone sit next to me on the bed. I knew it was Lissa without having to look, so I continued on crying into the pillow, knowing she would worry for me and hating the weakness I was showing, but unable to stop.

Adrian left. It was all my fault, and there was nothing anyone could do to bring him back.

"Rose..." Lissa began gently. "If there's anything I can do, anything I can say..."
"C-can you t-t-tell Adr-r-rian to v-visit me?"
She hesitated, and I could feel her weighing up the options. Keep me from getting my hopes up, or tell me what she knew?
The latter won out. "There's a rumour he'll come back to see you one last time at the trial, Rose."
I paused, and sat up while wiping away what I hoped was the last of my tears. "Text him, Liss."
Uncertainly, she said, "What would you like me to say?"
I pondered for a moment. What could I possibly say to make him visit me?
"Um... Tell him I said, I'm sorry I shut down. I'm sorry for everything. And can he please dream walk. Tonight. It's urgent. Tell him it had to do with what we discussed the night before I was taken away. Please, Lissa."
She knew it was a long shot, and so did I. However, she saw the desperation in my eyes and how much I needed this. Now knowing how tomorrow would turn out, if things took a turn for the worst, well... if this was my last request ever, it was hardly fair to say no.

"Rose... I'll do it. But don't get your hopes up. Because I don't know how much further you can fall."
At least she didn't sugar coat it, which was uncharacteristic for her. And whilst I knew that the odds of Adrian even caring any more were next to non-existent, I could hardly help hoping. This was my last chance. If he came through with this, there was still hope for the world. Well, that's an exaggeration. But there'd be a light at the end of the tunnel for me. If he decided to ignore my message and go on living without me, well... I couldn't bear to live without Adrian.

"Princess, your time is up."
Guardian Mentel had returned to escort Lissa out, and once again I was alone for the night. Before exiting the building, Liss sent me a message through the bond.

Sorry. Please don't worry. I'm sure it'll all be fine.

I hoped so. As long as I saw Adrian once more, I could face anything. Even death.

Oh, and Rose? Text message sent. Sweet dreams, and don't stay up all night 'talking'.

I could feel the suggestive tone in her thoughts. Ah, Liss. Could your jokes get any lamer? Oh well, nothing I could do about the whole mess of a situation now.

"I'm guessing the Princess told you about Lord Ivashkov?"
David had finally returned, and hoy, did he know how to irritate me.
"Yeah, thanks for getting back to me earlier," I shot back at him.
"Hey, no harm done right?" He flashed me his movie star smile that had made me swoon earlier. As if I'd fall for that act right now.
"I nearly didn't let Lissa in, thanks to you! I could have sat up all night waiting for a visit from someone who isn't even here! How long have you know he was gone?"
"No need to rip my head off. The day after he left, the entire place knew." He reconsidered. "Other than you, obviously."
I shot him daggers with my eyes, and he felt it. He hastily avoided my piercing gaze and resumed his guardian post.

As for me, well I was going to catch some sleep... And hope that Adrian would find me tonight.

Aww, poor Adrian. He thinks Rose doesn't love him! :"(

Okay, so what'd you think? Come on :) review!

Oh and to my amazing friend Lauren, who's LaurenNicoleIvashkov on here, we both know Adrian is MINE :D Although, all things aside, I'm going to marry Chace Crawford one day, so you know... Hehe.

REVIEW :) Please. Everyone who reviews can have some imaginary caramel cupcakes, because caramel is like the best food ever invented! Haha

Love Jess!