Dear Tina (Guest), I am glad you like the story. And no problem it is a valid question. Originally crimson power was to be the only origin story for the twins. I had the concept of the experiments but not the specifics. I was writing this story when Wrong fairy tale came to mind. Seeing as I wasn't going to write to stories featuring their children and both times there was a Strigoi component in the children I opted to keep the names and some things similar so a sequel could satisfy both Crismon power readers and Wrong fairy tale readers. Also maybe I am a bit lazy to come up with two stories. So even though I wrote Wrong fairy tale first, it is actually the second origin story. This was always meant to be the way they came to be.

Chapter 10:

RPOV

The next morning I was sitting at breakfast. I knew Lissa was patiently waiting for me to tell me how things went with Randall. She and Adrian had already planned a spirit meeting with them and Sonia but she wanted to know who the man was. I couldn't blame her, he was known to be violent. I would be hesitant as well. Especially now that Lissa is pregnant. I wondered if I should tell her about my own pregnancy.

But before I could make up my mind one way or the other, she walked in.

"Hey, Rose, How did it go last night. I didn't see you afterwards so I am guessing it didn't went well and you guys needed a bit of alone time?"

I just nodded.

"It was hard. He was apologetic but I don't think Dimitri is at that point yet."

"I understand, it must be hard for him. It is hard when a parent turns out to be something other then what you have viewed them as all those years."

I knew she was sympathetic towards Dimitri, although she experienced the opposite with her father. When she found out he had cheated on her mother. She still knew what it was like to feel like you didn't know your father. It doesn't only change your view of them, but of yourself as well.

"I mean, I can't imagine what it was like to meet with him. Was he sober? Was he nice? I asked Adrian but he didn't know, he had never seen his uncle sober. Isn't that weird. I mean…"

"I am pregnant."

I interjected. Lissa was going on and on and I hadn't meant to say it like that. I was still debating whether or not to tell her at all this soon, but it was too late now. It just flopped out.

"You are what?"

"Last night, Randall saw it first. When I got up from the couch, he saw I was pregnant, actually kind of attacked me for supposedly cheating on Dimitri."

"Rose, how? Oh God, did Nathan do anything… to you. I mean not he personally… but experiment wise?"

"Oh God no. Don't worry Liss, I am pretty sure they are Dimitri's"

"What? How? And did you say 'they'."

"Yeah, twins, according to Randall. And I am not sure what happened. I mean, we survived something amazing because we were special. Dimitri is special. I think I survived because I was already pregnant with the twins once they tattooed me. There is so much we don't know about what happens to people after they are turned back. I think you healed all of him when you brought him back."

Lissa sat down contemplating all of this.

"If this is true and you are pregnant because of Dimitri being turned back, how come you are just pregnant now. You guys have been together for years and the walls aren't soundproof you know. I know you guys have sex."

There was actually a visible shudder coming from Lissa. I just looked embarrassed. I knew Lissa knew about our sex life, she actually walked in on us a few times.

"Well I was on birth control to regulate my period and my mood, you know I can PSM like there is no tomorrow, but you know it also actually functioned as a birth control. When Nathan took us prisoner, I stopped taking them because… well I didn't have any with me anyway. The night before we were tattooed we kinda… you know, it being the last night we could be alive we kinda went… all out."

I blushed again and Lissa actually joined me in the blush.

She was still processing this. I am glad she was buying the story. We had discussed it together last night. I didn't want to lie to Lissa but I also didn't want to expose Declan against his parents' wishes, so it meant we would play dumb but tell her the truth.

"Oh my God Rose, Do you know what this means? Maybe we could use the vaccine to cure Dhampir infertility too. Image what it would mean if dhampirs can have children together. If we could figure out what is special about the twins and how it is affecting you, also see if the twins have the same kind of spirit hum in them as we saw in Olive."

Adrian was right. Even if I knew Lissa meant well, she was willing to do a lot more then I was comfortable with. Besides even if we could find a cure it would mean our whole guardian system would fall. The reason it developed in the first place was to protect the Moroi because we needed them to survive. If that was no longer necessary it would mean more and more Dhampirs would think of a job outside of guarding. And although it would definitely improve the lives of dhampirs, if the Moroi didn't change it would mean their extinction. I was actually relieved that Lissa seemed to be rooting for the Dhampirs instead of doing anything to preserve the Moroi. I wouldn't put it past Nathan to try and hurt the twins just so he could keep that information a secret. It was for both reasons I wanted to keep this quiet.

"No."

"Rose?"

"The answer is no. Whatever you are thinking, my children will NOT become labrats. I can't believe you would even think that. Especially after what just happened to me and Dimitri. Imagine I was asking you about willing to probe your baby."

"Rose I didn't mean it like that. Especially after what Nathan did. I just think this is a miracle and we could learn something from this."

"Lissa I can't be more clear. You can take some blood samples from me. Dimitri's is already on file and I won't mind if Sonia looked at their aura's when they are safe and at home, but otherwise the answer is NO."

I didn't know if I was getting through to her. Sometimes I really missed the bond. But her face turned from serious to outright happiness.

A hear piercing scream dragged me out of my own thoughts. Lissa flung herself at me.

"oh my God, we are pregnant together and you're having twins. When they get older they can guard my child just like you do with me. Oh my God I am so happy, we can go shopping together now, maybe catch a breathing class together. It is going to be so much fun. I was feeling a little guilty. I wanted to share so much with you about my pregnancy but I knew it was a bit of a sore subject for you."

I guess she was right. I am just glad she was also bonding with the twins and not just viewing them as an opportunity. It had been a long while since Lissa and I could do something together. I mean I accompanied Lissa to many things but there was always a divide between us. Here there was no difference. Queen or guardian it didn't matter, we were both pregnant women. I couldn't help but smile at this although I was a bit apprehensive about all the things Lissa had in mind. Not only was I just accepting the fact I was pregnant. I was also a little worried about going shopping with Lissa and going to a birthing course. Lissa normally was over the top in those things I can only imagine what it was would be like now that she was pregnant.

"Rose what are you going to do about your job?"

I was wondering that too. We had dismissed the possibility of kids because our jobs were so demanding. I still didn't know if Dimitri or I could just sit back and become court guardians again. Not only were we one of the best out there when it came to hunting Strigoi, we were also warriors through and through. We didn't do well with inactivity. But at least for the remainder of the pregnancy we would be staying here.

"I don't know. I will still have to work until I am a few months further along and I have no idea what we are going to do when they are born. I don't know if we can just sit around and do nothing."

"Ah Rose, you won't be doing nothing. You'll be my guardian, right?"

"yeah, but I it does mean we can't go on slayer missions anymore."

She nodded. She understood. She probably had a similar conversation with Christian when she became pregnant. She wanted her child to have a father and although that is never a guarantee in this world, for Moroi and Dhampir alike, you could minimize the risk.

"Don't worry Rose, I am sure it will be alright. But for now, how about a little vacation time. You guys have a buckload of personal time and I think you need it."

I nodded. That was a good idea. We hadn't been back on duty yet even if we had been cleared medically. Maybe we did need a bit of time to ourselves. And I knew just the place to do it.

That night I was snuggled into Dimitri's arms in our own bed. Now that we were both alive and well there was something I was curious about. I didn't feel any different after the tattoo. I wondered if Dimitri did. I wondered if the tattoo actually worked. Although the idea is sort of monstrous and I knew Dimitri in particular had a problem with becoming more like a Strigoi again, I couldn't help but think it would give us an advantage in the field.

"Do you feel any different?" I asked out of the blue. It took Dimitri a moment to understand exactly what I was asking.

"I don't know really, maybe. You?"

It wasn't often that Dimitri stumbled on his words. I knew in that moment he had felt something, but was uncomfortable talking about it. For now I let him.

"I don't know, not really, and I don't actually know what is caused by the pregnancy or the tattoo. I have never been pregnant before."

I smiled at him wanting to relieve the tension. He smiled back.

"Lissa said it might be a good idea to take a little break. Go on vacation."

"That has been a while."

"I know. Maybe we can go to Baia, I kind of want to tell them about the twins in person."

There was that goofy smile again.

"you know mama is going to be excited. She will go insane."

"I think it is so cute you still call her mama. And maybe you can tell her that other thing face to face too."

And the goofy smile was gone.

"yeah, maybe."

I snuggled closer to my husband. He was always nice and warm. But today he was warmer than usual. He didn't have a fever, I just think he worked himself up to much. It was a lot to take in. I just hoped getting back to his family would calm him down.

Lissa had arranged a car to take us to the airport. We had phoned Olena last night we would be coming. She had asked why so suddenly. She didn't know about the experiments and we didn't tell her we were pregnant. But she was certainly suspicious. She kept asking if something was wrong or if something happened. Eventually we guilted her into dropping the issue.

"Why can't we just come and visit our family on a whim. We have enough days and Lissa insisted. We have been in the field for a while and now we want a break."

She had apologized. She is going to be angry once she finds out we did have an ulterior motive, but I think she will forgive us after she finds out what the news is. And then maybe be angry again when we tell her the second news about Randall.

When we arrived in the garage at the car Adrian was leaning against the car. He had Declan with him.

The little fellow ran up to us.

"Why are you leaving Auntie Rosie, we just got here."

"Well sweety, we are visiting Dimitri's family in Russia. But we will be back in two weeks."

His slight frown was replaced by a sweet smile when we mentioned Dimitri's family. Adrian and Sydney visited them once to meet his cousins and they took Declan with them. He loved playing with Zoya and Katya and Olena absolutely adored him. He was pretty cute.

"But you'll be back soon right?"

We were only gone for two weeks but I didn't know if Adrian would be staying that long. I looked over to him but he simply shrugged. With the Randall situation not sorted yet I suppose Adrian didn't want to leave court yet.

"We'll see you soon Deccie."

He scrounged his nose up at the nickname. At least he was too young to understand a noncommittal answer.

Adrian took Dimitri aside for a moment while I sat goodbye to Declan. By the third kissy face Declan was running away from me.

"no please auntie Rosie, I'll get koodies."

I laughed as I got into the car.

DPOV

"Dimitri can I talk to you for a minute?"

I saw Roza was deep in conversation with Declan. So I turned around towards Adrian. His face was unreadable, not good.

"I went with uncle Rand to the hospital. They diagnosed him with Borderline personality disorder. He is taking medication for it now. Spirit seems to always have a root in an actual mental disorder. I suppose this is his."

I knew over the years we had all suspected this. We never figured out if Spirit caused the mental disorder or if an underlying mental disorder drove a person towards Spirit. But I suppose my father was gifted with a violent personality disorder whereas Lissa for instance was more prone to classic depression.

"Thanks for telling me this, Adrian."

"Actually he told me to tell you something."

I immediately tensed again. So far anything that had come out of his mouth even sober had been offensive.

"He was sorry about what happened but he needs you to know he did take a good look at you both."

Adrian took a deep breath and I knew that I wasn't going to like what he was going to say.

"He said your aura is different. There is something in there that he had never seen. I thought maybe it was because you were turned back, he wasn't exactly in a position to read your aura last time, but… Dimitri, he said it was in Rose and the twins too. Whatever my father did, it changed something."

"Do you see anything out of the ordinary?"

He looked pensive.

"I don't know, maybe, I can't really pinpoint it. We'll have to…"

"No autie Rosie, I'll get koodies."

Declan ran past us and hide behind his father legs. I heard Rose laugh behind me. She winked at us as she got into the car. I gave Adrian a look of gratitude that was laced with concern but I got into the car with my wife. For now I was glad to go back home.