The last thing I remember about that night was the reddish-brown color of Rose's long hair before the bullet exited her back and entered my chest. Her beautiful, motionless face slowly faded away as I whispered, "Roza… Oh Roza…" into the night air.

Slowly, but surely, I regained consciousness. Pain shot through my body as I remembered what had happened what seemed like only minutes ago. Cautiously, I opened my eyes. I was in the hospital. I tried, unsuccessfully, to stifle a groan. Someone started walking towards me. I could hear the short; staccato clicks of their shoes. I guessed they were high heels.

"Well, I see someone decided to wake up," I heard the nurse say. "It's been three days. We were starting to get worried about you." I looked over to where the familiar voice was coming from. Dr. Olendzki was standing there with a smile on her face.

"Well, Dr. Olendzki, I am strong. I can take a bullet wound." I replied. "Where is Rose?" I asked suddenly. I needed to see her. "Did… did she make it?"

"Yes," She said. "But she's in the ICU. After taking that bullet for you, it went through her lung. She went into surgery, and now is unresponsive. We just need to give it time."

I didn't know what to say. I was thankful she was still alive, but on the other hand she was only just barely. She was so stupid sometimes. Why did she have to perform stunts like that? I just don't understand why she forgets what I did to her. I winced, thinking of it.

I tried to slip off the bed and go to the ICU, but my legs failed me. I landed on the cold, hard tiled ground with a thud.

"Whoa, Dimitri! What are you doing?" Dr. Olendzki asked.

"I need to see Rosamarie." I said through a clenched jaw.

"Not today. You need your rest. You can go see her in, maybe, a week." She said, coming towards me. She leaned down to help me up.

"I'm okay." I mumbled. I stood up and a grimace filled my face. I eased myself onto my bed. "Please!"

She gave me a sad face, almost a pity look. I did not like looking weak to other people. I should not be in this situation in the first place. I should be dead. Did Ambrose not see Rose? Did she escape? That sounded like her, like something she would do. I sighed.

"You know what?" I asked. "I'm not going to be a pain today. But tomorrow, I am going, weather you like it or not. My mind is made up. There is no changing it."

Dr. Olendzki just shook her head in frustration. "I can't make you stay here, but I don't have to help you get around." She said. Then she walked away.

Now alone, I got some well-needed rest.

In my dreams, surprisingly enough, I did not dream of Rose as I would have expected. Instead, standing before me, was Adrian Ivashkov. We were on a beach in California. Or, at least, that is what it felt like. Adrian was wearing black jeans and a red t-shirt.

"So… Dimitri…" He said in between sips of lemonade. "You tried to save Rose from being executed. You said you killed the Queen?"

"I did kill the Queen." I said stiffly. Adrian had no right in my personal business. I know he would have also taken Rose's place for her.

"Well, then apparently you and Rose both killed her." He said. "She refuses to let you take control of the situation. But you know what I think? I think I have a couple of liars on my hands. I know neither of you did it. So does everyone else. The people over at the court are just to proud to get of their high horses and see what's really going on."

"Well, until we know who did actually committed the crime, I did it. That's my story and I'm sticking to it." Then a realization hit me. "You've talked to Rose? How is she? What's going on?" I asked.

"Yea, I've talked to her, ya know, the whole dream walking thing. Do you want to see her?"

"Well, of course!" I exclaimed.

"I think I could get you too into the same dream together, but you'll have to give me a minute."

"Okay."

Suddenly, he disappeared.

What was I going to say to her? She was undoubtedly going to be mad at me, but then again, I should be made at her. Yes, in a way, I was mad at her. Furious. How could she do that? I honestly thought that by dying, I might be able to make things right with her, but instead, she jumps in front of me when a bullet comes flying at my head. Rose has never made any sense.

All of a sudden, pain shot through my left cheek. When I looked over, I saw an angry Rose glaring back at me.

"You… You slapped me?" I asked stupidly. "And I didn't catch it before it happened?" She didn't laugh at my joke. It was more like ignore.

"You idiot! What the hell? Don't you ever do that again! She yelled. "You scared me to death!"

"Literally." Adrian mumbled, which probably wasn't the smartest thing he's ever said. Especially talking about Rose. Before he even saw it coming, he had a bloody nose.

Ah, that's my Rose, I thought with a smile.

"You should be lucky that this is only a dream, or I might even be mad, little dhamphir." Adrian said. He was rubbing his bright red nose. She gave him a murderous look that scared even me. And that's saying something. Then she looked over at me.

"Wipe that grin off your face, Comrade, you don't even want me to start on you! First, I actually break someone out of prison to save you from being a strigoi, and then you refuse to see me. You decide you don't love me anymore when… when that's not even possible! I finally forgive you and then you try to die! You make someone actually hold me captive while you sacrifice yourself. What the heck is wrong with you? You think dying will help me? I can't lose you. You're… you're Dimitri. You can't leave me. Got that? Or else, I will break your nose." When she finally stopped talking, she was breathing hard. There were actually tears running down her cheeks. I was speechless.

Did I really hurt her like that? No, I couldn't have. Could I? I guess I didn't really think about how me dying would affect her. I just thought about what it would be like without her. She loves me. It would be that much harder for her.

"Oh, Roza… I am so sorry. I didn't realize…"

I didn't get to finish. She ran up to me, giving me a hug so strong, I stumbled back and almost fell over. I hugged her back. It felt so good to stroke her hair once again, to feel that familiar body that I had once loved so much.

After a little bit, Adrian cleared his throat awkwardly. We separated.

"Listen, Rose, me and Dimitri have some things to talk about. Do you mind if I, uh, drop you?"

She nodded and slowly walked towards him. Then she gave him a hug. "Thanks, Adrian. Thanks for letting me make everything right with Dimitri. I really needed it." She gave him a kiss on the lips. Then she faded.

Adrian stood there for a little bit.

"So. What did you want to talk to me about?" I asked. Still, he managed to sit there unresponsive. When he finally spoke up, he said, "You still love her, don't you?" It came out as a faint whisper.

I didn't know what to say. He took me by surprise. Did I still love Rose? Did it even matter if I did? She was obviously better off with him. He didn't hurt her like I did. I didn't even know if I could handle loving her. But did I?

"I am bad for her. I always hurt her. I don't deserve someone like Rose." I said.

"That wasn't the question. Do you still love her?"

"I'm not answering that." I said. "Just take her. She loves you."

He was getting mad.

"That's the problem! She loves you too! Dammit! What are we going to do?" He asked.

"Please. You're better for her. Please take her. You can give her more than I can. Besides, her and I are seven years apart. That's bad. You're her age. Even if I loved her, anything between us would be impossible. I want what is best for her. Just promise me you'll take care of her, because bad things will happen if you hurt her." I gave him a faint smile. Everything looked okay from the outside, but with every word I spoke, my heart was crumbling more and more. Pretty soon it was going to be gone. I did love her. More than I realized. I didn't want to lose her, but I wanted what was best for her more.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to wake up now." I said. Reluctantly, he made the dream disappear. I was heading back to reality.