a/n : Thanks to all those who have reviewed.

I don't own anything of Vampire Academy except for Katica and Anton.

I hope you enjoy it.

CHAPTER 5 : RUNNING HOME

(Rose's POV)

We just left the final hotel that was just outside St. Bend, Indiana. Now that was the greatest place I ever stayed at, outside of the royal court hotel. I had a weird feeling that we were still being watched. I felt this in Iowa to but it wasn't as strong as it is now. I don't want to say anything because they wouldn't understand these 'shadow kissing' feelings. They would claim I was just being over paranoid. "Roza, you are being too quiet for my taste. What is going in your head of yours?" Dimitri asked. I didn't plan on telling him how I was feeling but I just blurted it out, "I am getting a strange feeling that somebody is watching us." Adrian pulled himself up towards me, while Dimitri just looked over in that concern look he always gets when I state something like this. But actually this time Adrian took the reins and ask, "Are you sure what you are feeling?" I turned my back against the door to face them both and was like, "Yeah, do you think I would lie about something about this. Come on Dimitri, you know me better than that. Hell, I sensed more Strigoi in that dive of a restaurant in Wisconsin two days ago."

"Little dhampir, we aren't calling you a liar but seriously, we need to make sure we are fully ready to take them on. Or at least you two, I don't have elements to help. Also, we are hours away from the royal court."Adrian said. "Plus, Roza, we know you are never wrong but these things, thanks to your 'shadow kiss.' But seriously, if somebody is following us, they are doing one of a hell job not to be seen." Dimitri said trying to make me feel better, but explaining his concerns too. "I still don't get it, why do I have these feelings that we are in danger and somebody following us." I said putting my hands over my face while my hands were getting wet from tears. I feel so stupid and weak. "I feel like this whinny child. I don't think I can be a guardian to these two important people." They knew they didn't have any words to comfort me. Dimitri put his free hand on my knee while Adrian kissed my head. We got really close in this trip, but I knew this wasn't Dimitri's plan. But everything has a reason, I didn't learn as much as I wanted. I can't believe we only have about 10 hours left in this weird road trip. I knew that while I slept they were talking about what's going to happen and how it will relate to Katica and Anton. I am still pissed that they won't tell me, and I am on a need to know basis. ADRIAN KNOWS MORE THAN ME!! Really??

It's funny how close these two have gotten. They call each other by their first names and respect each other. Adrian doesn't say a thing when Dimitri would show a little affection towards me. It's weird to know that less than three days ago, they hated each other with so much passion. Male bonding, I don't get it. Even though Dimitri and I couldn't get to spend any time alone together, I wonder if that was the queen's plan all along. "So, tell me what's going to happen when we get to the royal court. Are you both going to keep on ignoring my existence or will we be doing our jobs, Dimitri? Because I would be more than happy to give my duty to Adrian and I will go help Lissa's guardian." I said with a lot of sarcasm. "Little Dhampir……" I cut him off by saying, "STOP CALLING ME THAT!! Now that I am a guardian, no longer a novice, you have no right to call me a 'little dhampir." He looked hurt. "I am sorry to have offended you. I enjoy calling you that. It's my endearment for you, but I will stop if you like, R-Rose." He said. "I would like that very much, thanks." I replied guiltily.

Dimitri took the reins on talking to me, "Roza, Adrian and I are working together because there is Intel that involves him deeply. I know he has told you that he has known them for quite some time. His family used to vacation at Katina's castle, so I believe he knows her temperament the best besides Anton. We got some Intel from a dhampir who lives on her land. He sent it directly to Adrian, because he knew Arian. The queen would use this Intel against Katica and this meeting wouldn't take place at the royal court. It explains how close Katica and Anton are. How she treats everyone she knows fairly unless you're the queen, she can't stand her. But she is honest and she will do well at the meetin…."

"I still don't understand this meeting thing, would either of you explain it to me or are you going to leave me in the dark again?" I looked straight at the windshield. "Awe sweet, it's not like that, we actually don't know anything about the meeting. All of us will get out Intel about the meeting when we get there. Dimitri, explain to her what we were discussing about how you two will tag team…" Adrian said, and then Dimitri continued, "We will tag team Katica and Anton because they will always, maybe, most of their time together unless Anton acts like himself." They both laughed. "What's so funny?" I asked. "Remember Rose, Anton is just a hornbill. Again, he will screw anything with two legs and breasts. But Katica, we just know a little how she relaxes. We know she walks, hangs out with Anton, and now hopefully me. But people always thought they are and were lovers. They just see each other like brother and sister. So sex, ha, would never happen between them. At least, I hope." Adrian stated with laugher in his voice and a glee in his eye. Ah, a man in love. So he actually never wanted me. It was always her. mmmmm. GOOD! But oh shit for me, will he think he could bed me because I am his dhampir, I don't think so. My bed only belongs to one man and one man only, DIMITRI! Anton better not try a thing or I will happily kick his ass. "I just hope he doesn't try anything on me."

"He better not, or he will have to face my wrath. You are m…." Dimitri cut himself off and looked at the rear view mirror at Adrian. "Dude, don't worry, I have known for awhile." He smiled at Dimitri. "Rose, don't worry, he likes women older than you. I remembered him telling me that one." Dimitri winked at him. Here is my shot, they were joking, so they are relaxed. "Okay, so what else about them. Do you think they had an affair?" Just laughter came out of Adrian. I think he knows what I am doing, "I don't think so! They couldn't, they wouldn't! They grew up together! Their parents would never allowed that for them. But after they died, you never know." Adrian said with a jealous look on his face. I just wonder. "Do you know if she was with anyone?"

Adrian didn't look at me but the window. "I don't know. If she had, then I w…. what the hell is that?" We all looked out the windows and saw somebody running towards us. "What the hell?" We all said at the same time. There wasn't time to get the wards out so Dimitri punched the SUV into high gear. The character just missed us by an inch but turned around. ""ROSE! Get your stake out and undo your seatbelt. I am going to jump out of the car with your sake. I plan to get this son of a bitch who is after us. Ready?" I just nodded and watched him jump. I was scared out of my mind that I was going to lose him. I know it's his duty but still. I grabbed the wheel and moved over. I spun the SUV around to ram this loser who is after us. I waited until Dimitri had our stakes out ready to pounce. But the son of a bitch took off in the other direction when he saw what was happening. "That was weird. What do you think happened? I asked Adrian. He looked white as if he seen a ghost, but played it off by saying, "I don't know but I will take it." Dimitri ran up to the SUV looking concerned at me.

"Okay, it's time to get the hell out of Ohio. But first we must eat. Lets stopped at that restaurant called Hardees's." Adrian pointed to the exit sign of food. "I don't think it is wise but it's getting our night time so strigoi won't bother us. Can we Dimitri?" I asked. "I guess not. We only have half an hour to eat and stuff, then get back into the SUV. GOT YOU TWO?" He said. "YES, SIR!" We both saluted at the same time, and we all laughed.

Adrian was the first out of the SUV and walked inside. Dimitri held me back and said, "I know you don't like Adrian and I being so close but we have a few things in common. One, it's you, we both care for you. I might love you more than what I should, but he does care for you. Second, our needs to protect Katica and Anton. More Katica than Anton, he can take care of himself. Third, this meeting that's going to take a lot out of her and everyone involved. You are going to be at the meeting, but only as Anton's guardian. He leaves, you leave. He moves, you move. He…."

"I know my duty, Comrade. But I think you should have told me what is going on instead of Adrian knowing."I said while walking towards the door. I stopped and looked through the door to see Adrian talking to this woman in a black cloak. Dimitri and I walked up to them and I said, "Adrian, who is your friend here?" He was startled to see us right by him. "Oh, this is…….." He was saying until two guardians that Dimitri knows grabbed her by her arms and one said, "Mi lady, enough games. It's time to go back, the queen is waiting. She would be very angry to know you were off campus. "She looked up at him with a smile, "You are ruining our fun. But Joe, you are right. Adrian, I will see you back at court. Okay Joe and Amir, I am really to go back to my cell now." She said. They carried her back to a huge black SUV. When they opened the door to put her in it, I think I saw that character that almost hit us. I wasn't sure so I won't say anything unless I could get a better look. Then she looked up at me with a smile, like she knew what I was thinking. Now that was crazy talk.

"Guardian Belikov, Do you want an escort back to the royal court?" Amir asked. "Gnaw Guardian Nussan, we want to finish our road trip." Dimitri said. I looked over at Adrian and he was smiling from ear to ear. Must be a girl from the past, she seems more of his type than I would ever be. Thank you God. We got our food and left.

When we got back on the road, we knew we only had like four hours left of this road trip, but I can say we are different from it. Adrian is now Dimitri's close moroi friend because he had none. Adrian and I are better friends than me tolerating him. And if Adrian is excepting towards us, then the rest of my friends would too. Right.

In four hours, my new life will begin with new charges and I don't think I want that. But with Dimitri by my side, I can do anything.