A/N – I was dead out of ideas for a lil while so that is why these have been coming a but slower. Hope you enjoy these, and again. Thanks to my Beta AnimeSiren!

There's also a bit more Adrian in here now. I'm debating on who Rose should end up with. Poll on my page!

Chapter 7

Rose POV

Christian held me tight as he rested me on his bed, he gently freed his neck from my strangling hands but I only clung on to him tighter. I loved the feel of his warm body against mine, it felt … protective? Ha! Never thought I'd live to see the day when Christian Ozera made me feel protected.

"I am so sorry," he crooned softly, rocking me lightly. I wondered where all my infuriation towards him 'breaking' into the bathroom was gone.

"Shh," I whispered back. Wait, now I was reassuring him? I felt a single hot tear trickle down his face and land on my shoulder where he was resting his chin. "Don't spoil the moment."

Everything I had ever wanted or needed was now in my arms. I realized then that if I had him then I could lead any sort of life.

Christian POV

I woke in the morning to an empty bed. Where had Rose gone? Just as I propped myself up on my elbows, she came through my bedroom door and handed me a plate. That was a surprise.

I cautiously inspected it and found home-made doughnuts with whipped cream from a can and chocolate ice-cream sauce. She was watching me wide-eyed as I took the first bite and moaned. This. Was. Great.

I thought I was a good cook but if she could make these then I sure had some competition. She smiled at me as I stuffed my face. She daintily took one and dipped it in the sauce. As she finished it off, I saw chocolate sauce and sugar at the corner of her mouth. I could not miss this opportunity. If I let a devilish smirk spread across my face, well that was my prerogative.

I pushed the empty plate to the floor, where it landed with a loud clatter, and pulled Rose down to me. I gently kissed then licked off all the chocolate sauce and sugar while she giggled. I went to put my hands up her shirt but she pushed me away with an expression close to terror in her eyes.

"Why do you keep pushing me away, Rose?" I needed answers. Last night we were so close and today we were only just getting started. I suddenly thought of something... I acted kind of like Rose when it was my first time. But, it couldn't be, could it?

She looked at me and I saw her blush gently. I reached out to stroke her cheek and she leaned forward into my touch. "I never have... You know..." Ah ha! So I was right. She didn't need to be worried though. I would have just gone easy on her if she told me.

"Hey. Don't worry. You should have just told me and I wouldn't have pushing things last night. I just thought you had. With Ivashkov and with other people." I said it gently and what I was trying to get across was that I had heard the rumours. This apparently wasn't the right thing to say though as she smacked my hand away and blew up at me.

"You believed that I was a filthy blood whore! Is that all you wanted me for, Christian? You're no better than Adrian!" She got off my bed and I could see her tears brimming, "I can't believe you think that of me. I thought you knew better." Oh, Rose. I should have known better!

She gathered up her remaining clothing and shoved them on whilst walking away from me. All I could do was watch as she left me for the second time in twenty-four hours because of what I did. Why am I such an idiot? I should have known Rose hadn't had sex before! I at least could have asked...

I wanted o go and see Rose but I knew that was probably not the best idea so I lay back in bed and thought of last night with a different ending – what! I am a guy!

Adrian POV

I can't believe I let my little dhampir slip through my fingers. I needed to see her but I didn't want to get a fist in the face, so when she turned up on my doorstep on a Sunday morning, I was more than a little surprised. I even took a hesitant step backwards in case this was a fist flying visit.

I was even more surprised the next moment because she was in floods of tears. As I stepped aside for her to come in, she sat on my brown leather couch. I locked the door and sat next to her, waiting for her to calm down. I didn't know if I should touch her so I just waited. When the tears finally subsided, she laid her head on my lap like she used to do when we were together and I stroked her silky hair.

"Adrian, I'm so sorry for blowing up at you the other night! I had had my heart broken by Dimitri and then I thought by you. But it wasn't, because Lissa used compulsion on you. I could feel it through the bond," she what! How dare she do that to me, me of all people! She made me lose Rose all because of her! "I know you didn't do anything. But then, Christian made me feel all better and like I was whole again but last night he pushed for sex then this morning he said he only asked for it because of all the rumours which he thought were true. I'm not sure what I want to do Adrian because I love you and him. I don't want to hurt either of you."

I took a deep breath knowing what I had to do and spoke for the first time, my voice very quiet, "Rose, I think that you and Christian should give it another go, and you and I should try being friends for a while. If you still want me after a little then we can talk about that but for now its best this way. You will only get hurt by me, just like last time." As I finished that sentence I felt a single traitorous tear slip and my voice broke. Rose looked up and looked shocked to see me crying over her.

"Thank you Adrian, for everything. This means so much to me. What happened when I left after we split up?" Oh, God! Why did she have to ask that one particular question?

"Well, Christian knocked me out for one, then Lissa healed me, and then I may have cried myself to sleep just as I did last night because I couldn't deal with you being angry with me, I thought it was all my fault." Please, Rose, don't say I'm trying to make you look bad.

"I can't believe he did that! I love you Adrian. Please stay with me today."

So that was how we spent the day. Talking and laughing and watching T.V. It felt so normal, so real. It felt like something I could handle without remembering the scent of cloves and whiskey.

When it was time to sleep, I lay her on my bed and then scooted next to her. She had only one of my tops and underwear on, while I had my comfy black top and boxers. This was how it was supposed to be. Why couldn't life be that simple?

Lissa POV

After Christian knocked out Adrian, I healed him and then I ran back to my room. I stayed there crying until I heard running outside my door. I pulled myself together and took a peek. People were running and shouting and doing victory dances.

As Camille ran past, I grabbed her arm and asked, "What's up with that lot?" I mean, people didn't usually do stuff like that so I guess it must have been pretty important.

"Didn't you hear? Strigoi attacked and that Ozera freak burned nearly half of them up, staked a whole load, then the Guardians allowed us Moroi to fight with them. We took them down and no one got hurt!" Wow... I guess I did miss something important. Everyone else had been able to do something and now I can't even heal because no one was hurt. Was it like, make Lissa look like an idiot day?

"Oh, okay. Thanks, I guess..." I trailed off and smiled as I went back into my room to sleep. I spent the whole of Sunday in there, only going out to go to the feeders when I started feeling slightly light headed. I was embarrassed to show my face and kept completely to myself without meeting anyone's eyes. I would stay like that until I talked to Rose and sorted things out.

Rosemarie Hathaway had been the one to fill the role of best friend for as long as it had mattered. What had happened to make things go so astray?

Okay. Well, I know this sucks but I can't get to the juicy bit until I know who Rose is going to end up with. Check back for updates and review!