Hey, it's Rose. I am sorry it took me a long time to write another chapter. I have been very busy with the new trimester. But here is chapter five. Hope you guys like it. And please review.

I found myself slightly in a daze on our walk to Lissa's room. I noticed that the moroi's building is much fancier than the dhampire. Why is that? We put our life on the line, and we can't have the same, nice look?

When I walked into Lissa's room, a wave of emotions hit me. It hit me so hard, I had to take a few steps back from the blow. "Lissa," was all I said, and it held many emotions, the majority of it pain and sadness. Sadness for her loss and pain, and that I brought up in my outburst with my mother. My mother was no longer in the room, and neither was Dimitri.

Lissa shot up out of her seat like a bullet and the next thing I knew, I was in her arms. "Rose…you never told me, that my family met that much to you. I never knew you left that way. I mean, I could tell the determination to protect us, and respect that you had for my family, but… And, when they died, I could tell you were very sad, but I never thought you felt like that."

"Shh." I hushed her softly, and held her tight. "It's okay. I'm sorry I got you worked up. I didn't know you were even in the room. To tell you the truth, I hardly even realized someone walked through the door. I just needed to know a few things from my mom.

"Don't be sorry, Rose. I should know what you were feeling, that you felt the same loss as I did. You could have coped with me."

"I did cope, Liss. It was just a longer process being alone." I hugged her for a moment longer, then let go, putting my hands on her shoulders. "But, I have you still, which is a blessing. I think God took pity on me." I smiled. "And, come to think of it, I have not only just you, but Adrian, Eddie, and Dimitri, and as much as it pains me to say this, I also have Christian too. So, I have a family to protect, to love, again. It's not the same, but, I have it. And I will protect you guys with everything that I am, and that I have. That is, if you let me."

Lissa looked like she wanted to cry again, but she swallowed back her tears, and nodded. "God Rose, stop making me cry!" She took a few steps backwards and slid her hand into Christian's.

We laughed, and a few other people joined in softly. I looked and saw everyone there, except Mia. She was probably studying with a tutor right now. Eddie came up and gave me a hug, and a kiss on the forehead.

"Liss, you're worried about crying, I'm turning into a pile of goo."

Everyone's lips twitched. "We are here for you, Rose." Eddie said.

"Yes we are." Adrian said, standing by Lissa. I looked him in the eyes, and saw that his was full of light.

I nodded, sharing the same light in my heart that is in Adrian's eyes. "So, Sydney, what are you doing here?"

She stepped up. "I was sent here from Abe. He wants me to come with you to help you out."

"No, I'm fine. I can manage on my own. If I need you, I will call you."

"Not in the way you might think. He wanted me to stay behind and keep a close look on everything. He also wanted me to give you this," she handed me a pouch, and in it was a bunch of vials that looked like they were filled with the same concoction, which looked like clear liquid. "It's the concoction that disintegrates the strigoi body's. It's the same concoction that you thought was cool." I smiled. "I am to stay here and watch over Lissa and Adrian, right?"

"Yes, please, and thanks for the vials. So, you are still following Abe's orders?"

"No, I just wanted to help you. Besides, if I was helping someone from this race, it would only be you. I thought you were cool. You try to make a difference in the world, and I like that. It makes you a very strong person…er, I mean dhampire. I also don't run across someone as…unique as you. I and, thought that we are becoming…not quite friends, but something close to it."

I gave her a half smile. "Like good acquaintances?"

She smiled. "Yeah."

I looked around the room, and sighed. What a day…so far. Adrian's hand slid into mine, and he gave mine a gentle squeeze. I smiled at him. "I'm okay, just on another emotional roller coaster ride."

"Yes, I know what you mean, little dhampire."

"So, you and Dimitri are to take off while the moroi are asleep."

The soft and light feeling I was high on, suddenly vanished and turned into dark. "When I said I'm going solo, I mean alone. One person, which is me, I do not need any company on this expedition. "

"Abe forbids it, Rose. I wouldn't go against what he says. When we call him Zmey for a reason, Rose. He will find a way to get what he wants, and believe me when I say that when he gives you an order, it is best you not argue with him, otherwise, the next time he gets in, it's bad; embarrassing even."

"I can handle Zmey. I can't handle Dimitri."

She looked shocked. "What? But you went to Russia to-"

"It's a long, depressing story that I wish not to go into right now."

She looked like she wanted to know, and wanted to know everything. If I was in her shoes, yeah, it looks pretty bad. Girl went to Russia to kill him, but ends up saving him, only to not want him, but another man. It is messed up, but he is the one that doesn't want me. If only she knew. "Is that all I need to know?"

"I will be calling in to check up on you, and so will Abe."

"Ok." I glanced at the clock. I had about seven hours until the moroi were crawling into bed. Which meant that I should probably go pack my clothes, get everything ready, and organize my thoughts down; at first, I thought putting my thoughts down on paper was a bad idea, because someone could pick it up and read it. But now, I am starting to reconsider the idea.

I turned to Adrian, and looked at him. I looked into his beautiful green eyes, his stylishly messy hair, his lips… I finally looked back into his eyes, and realized that he was doing the same thing to me, as I was doing to him; memorizing . "Adrian, you have to promise me to be on good behavior, and try and not to give Sydney a hard time." I smiled at that last part. Knowing Adrian, he would flirt with her senselessly. A part of that thought really bothered me. I don't want Adrian flirting with any other girl, but me. However, Adrian wouldn't feel anything for Sydney, or any other girl for that matter… right?

I sighed and he pulled me into a tight embrace. "Be careful little dhampire. I will be here, waiting, as always."

"I will be safe, I promise. Besides, this isn't a real good-bye. You are going to visit me, right?"

He pulled back to look at me. His expression showed absolute surprise and shock. "Really? I thought…"

"I only hate it when you visit uninvited, dream walker." I suddenly found the perfect nickname for Adrian, Dream Walker sounds perfect for him.

"Well, that does change things, huh?" He asked with a smile, the shock slowly fading. I had a feeling that I keep shocking Adrian.

I stepped away from Adrian and turned to Lissa. She walked up to me with a sour look. "I don't see why you have to go alone. I want Dimitri to go with you Rose, or at least Eddie. Someone that knows you, someone that you can trust."

"Lissa, I don't have a lot of people I trust. Yes, I trust you. I trust Adrian, Eddie, Dimitri, and Sydney. But when it comes to certain things, I only trust myself."

"Is that why you are going alone?"

"No. I am going alone because it is safer that way."

"That's a bunch of shit, and you know it!" Lissa's face was turning red with anger.

"Liss, calm down. I want to go alone, okay? Say good bye or don't, but I am leaving and going alone."

She just stood there, in anger, so I turned around and left the room, going to my own room to pack. I glanced at Eddie and he was giving me a hard look, like he couldn't believe I was doing this; being this reckless.

I wish everyone could see why I wanted to do this alone. It wouldn't be safer for me by any means. It was actually more dangerous, and that was why Lissa was so upset. She doesn't understand that I don't want anyone to get hurt. I was more afraid of losing Eddie and Dimitri, than getting myself killed.

I quickly found myself opening my door. I walked in, set the backpack on my bed, grabbed the duffel bag from under my bed, and started backing every piece of clothes I owned. I honestly didn't know how long I would be gone. It could be a week, to a month, to a couple of months.

Dimitri was irritated at the fact that I was going alone, but really, it wasn't his choice in going. He promised Lissa he would stay and protect her for the rest of his life. Now, he has a chance to prove it. And, I know he would stay if I told him that there was danger when I leave. Hell, I know there will be danger when I leave. It seems like the whole fucking world is out to kill her or use her against her will!

That thought made my whole body stop moving. What could happen if I leave? I know Dimitri is good, a god practically. I know what he is capable of, but still… I don't want to leave her.

"I shouldn't leave her." I whispered, looking down at what I put into my bag.

"Your right." A voice came.

Thinking of the devil. "What do you want Dimitri?" I didn't bother looking at him, knowing he would steal my breath away. I hate that.

"To tell you that you shouldn't leave her and to give me the mission."

I looked at him then, well, more as of glared at him. "If you-"

"Think about it Rose, I you are her guardian."

"She isn't my legal charge, but yeah, I know what you are getting at."

"You are her shadow kissed guardian, you are the best one to protect her, why the council doesn't see that is beyond me, but you are. I can protect her, but nowhere near as good as you. Leaving her would be a mistake."

I decided giving him a glare wasn't good enough. I gave him the infamous 'Rose Hathaway death glare.' He took two steps back. Smart man. "If you are here to vouch for Lissa, you have another thing coming."

"Lissa didn't send me, I did."

"Wow, that must have took guts. Now leave." I turned my back on him and continued packing.

"Why are you doing this to her, to the people you love?"

"Doing what? I am being sent out on a mission, like I have a choice."

"You have two people more than willing to go with you. If you asked Lissa and Adrian to go with you, and they know their lives would be at stake, they would go in a heartbeat for you."

I turned around impossibly fast, that for a minute, I had to stop and let my organs ketch up. Dimitri didn't move an inch, but I knew he was startled. "Do you think that for a minute I want their lives to be in danger? No, I never want that. I want to protect them. Why do you think I am going alone? I know how dangerous the road is. Hell, Dimitri, I have been on an even dangerous road before, and almost got killed. Yet, here I am, alive and kicking. But when something like this comes up, and we are in a live or die situation, I need to be alone. I am more reckless when I am alone and I don't have to worry about others, but my recklessness gives me an edge that the strigoi won't see coming. Everyone is safer if I go alone."

"But the danger for you going alone-"

"It's not as dangerous as you are lead to believe." I lied, it really is as dangerous as they lead to believe. However, I need him off my back. I need to do this. Alone.

He sighed. "You have always been a terrible liar."

I turned around and zipped up the duffel bag and draped the strap over my shoulder, and holding the black backpack that the Alchemist gave me. "Whether you believe me or not is your choice, but step aside. "

He didn't move. "I will move, on one condition."

I raised my eyebrows. Since when has Dimitri have conditions?

"I will come with you."

I could feel my death glare snap back in place. "Are you really going to go back on another promise?"

"I never went back on any of my promises?"

"Okay, ignoring the promises you made me, you promised Lissa that you would protect her."

"And I will, by protecting you."

I snapped. My fist connected with his jaw, which knocked him down on the ground. "Thanks for moving." I said sweetly as I stepped over him. No way is this dushbag going to protect me as if I am some helpless little girl! He can kiss my ass.

I knew Dimitri was fast at rebounding, but wow. I never thought he would be that fast. He got up in what seemed like strigoi speed, and knocked me against the wall, pinning me there. My arms were above my head, my back against the wall, my wrists in pain, due to the fact that this dumbass was holding them tightly in restraint.

"What the fuck is your problem!" I yelled, and looking at his face.

He gave me the most dangerous face anyone could conger up. "I am coming with you."

"What makes you think I will let you come with me? Now, get the fuck off me before I break something, particularly your legs."

He didn't move, if anything, his hold got even tighter, hips touching my body as he came closer. "I never met anyone as stubborn as you." I thought I detected pride in his voice. But his eyes said otherwise, therefore, I dismissed that thought.

"Glad to know I'm on your most hated list." I retorted. He had a point though; I am a very adamant person when needed.

He glared at me, and I looked away from his gaze. It wasn't that I was suddenly scared.

I was suddenly turned on. And if Dimitri found that out, well… it wouldn't be such a pretty picture.

"Why won't you let me help you? I can help you, you know I can."

So, the warrior god learns to beg. I wanted to smile, but held it back. "Because, you're out of my life, remember? You want nothing to do with me, so leave. I mean it Dimitri. This has nothing to do with Lissa. However, it has everything to do with the Queen."

He looked at me, me just like my mother did. I felt like a child again. I stiffened my posture, ready for another verbal fight. Instead he let go and took a step back.

"Thanks." I said in a reprimand voice. I picked up the bags that I dropped when he slammed me into the wall.

"Why the sudden interest in the Queen?"

"She just needs my help, so I decided I would help." I had to have a reason why I was helping her; Rose Hathaway does not volunteer out of the blue for any reason. "And I figured if I helped her, she would lighten up on me dating Adrian."

He said nothing. He just simply looked at me. I stood there, feeling like a stick-in-the-mud. I turned and walked out. I needed to say good-bye to Adrian before I left, and Lissa-though she might slam the door in my face.

I walked over to Adrian's room, all the way on the other side of court. I didn't care though. It was moroi time, so it was still too early for the dealer to be open. I knocked.

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