I'm sorry it took me so long, but I'm back in school, so it's going to take me longer to update. But I will let you in on a secret….DIMITRI IS IN THE NEXT CHAPTER! WAHOO! And things are gonna get HOTT! When you review, give me some ideas…*wink wink* if ya know wat I mean. I purposely made this chapter long. So enjoy and review.

It took them a while to settle down. They couldn't believe that I personally knew the queen. I wanted to laugh to myself, because of the irony; I once wished that I never knew the queen, because of how much of a bitch she was to me. I told them that I had to make a call, and that I needed to pay a visit to someone soon in Omsk.

It was going to be a long drive, but they all agreed to go, especially Gabe. I think he only agreed, because of Omsk's reputation of having blood whores; I guess he thought he would get lucky. I kept my disgust to myself. Doesn't he know that we are not invincible and that it is possible to get an STD? Men are so stupid sometimes.

While they all sat in the room, I walked over to the window and dialed a familiar number on my cell phone. It was daylight, but it was raining out. Strigoi were probably still inside, but Zena and Larisa and wanted to sleep, and so did the boys. We all decided that we would stay in and rest for today instead of going to Omsk so soon.

"Ah, my darling daughter, how nice of you to let us all know that you are alive." Abe said, quickly picking up after the first ring. It was wonderful to hear my Dad's voice, and I realized just how much I missed him and that crazy ass attitude of his.

I gave a carefree laugh. "Hi dad, I'm alive. How are you?" It was weird for me to switch back to English.

From calling him Dad, I could practically hear his ego swelling up. "How are you?"

"Fantastic," I said, raising my voice to chipper mode, I dropping the tone (because I hate chipper people) and quickly moved on to another subject. "I just so happened to be in Lissa's head and I know that the Queen wants to see me. How soon can you have a plane in Omsk?"

Some how, some way, my mobster of a father knew something was not right. "Rose, what is going on?"

I put on the act of a sweet innocent daughter. "Abe, there is nothing wrong. The Queen wants to see me as soon as possible."

"And?" He pressed. How the hell does my father know me so well? He barely knows me!

"I miss home." I pouted, letting him know my true reason for going home and why I was in such a hurry, but not the main reason. Outside, I may be a strong willed warrior, but on the inside, I was homesick. I am half human, half vampire-being and I needed my home and my family.

"Give me three hours." He responded after a moment. "And yes, the queen sent word out to every one of her subjects. They were told that if they were to see you, to send out to Court. I was tracking you myself, but every city I came across told me you were there, but you took off. Do you have any idea how hard it is to track you? And I have been using psi hounds!"

I laughed to hide my discomfort. "Okay. I have three new additions, so I need a total of six seats, but I was wondering if I can get a full size plane…?"

"You sure you want them to come? Do they even speak English?"

"Two of them do, but I have it on good faith that they will stick like glue to each other. I think you will be very surprised with my family."

He was quiet, and I just comprehended what I said. My family. That is what they were like to me, my family. But they were my second family. My real family is Dimitri, Lissa, Eddie, Mom and Abe. I know that Lissa is still upset with me, and probably disowned me, but I still loved her like a sister. Nothing will ever change that. As the quiet lengthened on, I began to wonder if I had offended him.

"Dad, are you there?" I asked timidly. I had a strange feeling that I hurt his feelings. If I didn't know any better, which I most likely don't (because my dad was like me-unpredictable), I would say he was regretting not being involved in most of my life.

"Yes, I'm here. Just thinking," his voice sounded said and a little bit hurt, but he quickly changed it to being that tough guy that I met in the streets of Omsk. "And yes, I will get you that full size plane. I will meet you in Omsk. Where are you at?"

I grimaced, realizing how long it will take us to get to Omsk. "Looks like you will be the one waiting. We are in Kazan right now."

"Oh, then I won't rush. Do you need anything else?"

"Yeah, world peace."

I could practically see his eyes twinkle. "Alright I will see you soon, little girl."

This time, when he called me that, I didn't take offence. I actually welcomed it, and I felt like home was just inches away, and the more I felt that feeling, the more anxious I became. I was really going home!

"Alright Dad, I miss you and I will see you soon." I hung up. I couldn't believe I just said that I missed him to my father over the phone, but it was the truth. Even I surprise myself sometimes.

I turned to everyone. They were sitting on the two beds and the four arm chairs watching T.V or watching me. "Okay," I said. I pretty much speak one language now: Russian. "Abe will get us a private plane. We are to meet him in Omsk."

"How in the world do you manage that?" Asked Gabe, referring to me knowing the queen. "And who is Abe?"

I smiled like I had a secret. "I know him as Abe, but everyone else seems to know him as either Abe Mazur, or Ibrahim Mazur." His face confirmed that he knew exactly who Abe was. My smile grew into a wicked grin. "He is not the kind of man everyone views him to be." I didn't want him to know that he was my father. He would probably resent me later, or become distant with me.

He rolled his eyes. "As long as we stick together, I don't have a problem, because I don't speak a word of English. Plus I don't want to be alone with that Abe guy. He is dangerous."

I found it ironic that these rogue dhampires thought a moroi (being my father or not) was scary. I had the urge to laugh, but resisted. Gabe was so much like Eddie, that every time I spoke to him, I could feel depressed for no reason, but no longer will I. I was going home!

"We better get going. I will drive while everyone else sleeps." We managed to find a good size van for all of us to fit in, along with our weapons, sleeping bags and clothes, before we left Krasnoyarsk. All of us piled in the van. Zena, Denis and Larisa all pulled out a couple pillows and some sleeping bags. Thirty minutes later, we all pulled out (after getting breakfast, of course) and started our way to Omsk. I drove most of the way. I kept the radio off, not wanting to wake them. If I woke up Larisa, she would be in one hell of a mood. I remember the first time…

It was our first day in Moscow, and I was surprised to see that there was a lot of snow here then there was in the last city we stopped in, Orenburg. We patrolled the nearby clubs (which there was a lot, so we narrowed it down to the most popular four clubs) and we got ambushed by a gang of strigoi. It seemed to be happening a lot, like they were waiting for us or something. There were only four strigoi, but still, if it was only Denis, Lev, Tamara and I, someone would of most likely have gotten hurt. And that is what was starting to freak me out. Does this have anything to do with that feeling that someone was watching me?

I wasn't sure, and I was thinking about this when everyone was sleeping. Needless of the ambush, we went on patrolling and ended the misery lives of at least seven more strigoi. All of us, especially me, were getting stronger. We were relying more and more on our body strength, and in doing that, we gained more muscle. By now, I was also a pro at using my sword. I found a few awesome techniques with the sword, and cutting a head off was no longer a challenge; if I got angry enough, it was like slicing through a sandwich-not exactly smooth like butter, but it's no challenge.

I got up to go to the bathroom, and accidently tripped over her. We were all sleeping together in one room (I thought it would have been safer if we were attacked). She got up like with impressive speed, and when she saw no danger, but found me on the ground.

And I was the one to disturb the beast. "What the fuck! Watch where the hell you are going. I'm trying to sleep here. Now it's going to take me forever to fall back asleep. Hell, I will be lucky if I fall back asleep!"

I glared at her, and when I got up, I felt my powerful leadership/upset face slip on (there was a big difference between me being upset, mad and pissed off. In that order, I become scarier and scarier). She immediately shut up, but to my surprise, she didn't back down. "I'm sorry." I said, but before I could say anything else, the door busted open.

"Oh! Fuck!" she yelled. "I can't get one God damn good night's sleep? This is fucking shit!" She yelled as she beat the crap out of a strigoi who was unprepared for her strength and raging temper. He already had a broken nose, and a few broken ribs, judging from the way his right arm cradled his torso. If there was only one, I would have found it comical, but there were seven, and we had to kill them, before they kill us.

"WAKE UP!" I screamed, but they were already up with their stakes in hand. I quickly estimated how many were coming through the door, and I counted about seven. Seven, the same number of the gang that ambushed us…

I confirmed it as I cut two strigoi's head's with one swing of my sword; someone was out to kill us, someone powerful who had great influence with strigoi. I just hoped that they didn't have influence in the moroi world as well.

When it was over with, I used some of that potion that Sydney gave me. I used as little of it as I could, because I didn't want to run out of it so quickly. I didn't know how much this stuff costs, but with how well it worked, it had to be pricey. However, alongside the fact that I found out someone wanted us dead, I found out one more thing.

Give Larisa her beauty sleep.

The drive to Omsk took most of the day, but more than three quarters of the way there, I had to pull over to sleep. Denis took over, and I told him to go to a certain address. I wasn't sure how long the drive would be, but I quickly fell asleep.

"Rose, wake up. We are here." Tamara said, and her face showed excitement.

I opened my eyes and took in the vicinity. There was that house that I grew to love and came familiar with.

A woman stepped out of the house with a kitchen towel in her hands. When I got out of the car, her smile widened to a more familiar and loving smile.

"My dear Rose, you have come back." She hugged me tightly.

"I told you I would, Olena." I smiled back radiantly. I missed her, and my heart grew warm.

She glanced behind me. "Rose, who are these people? I know Tamara, Denis and Lev, but the other three, I do not know."

I turned behind me and saw Gabe, Zena and Larisa looking as fierce as ever. I spoke to them. "Guys, this is a wonderful friend of mine. Her name is Olena. She is Dimitri's mother." The three of them relaxed and their stern faces became friendly. They walked up and shook Olena's hand.

"A friend of Rose's is a friend of ours." Zena said. Her long black hair swung in the wind. Her hair-tie broke on the way here, giving us all a good view of how long her hair truly is. It was almost as long as mine (mine is currently down to my butt, and it was crying out for a hair cut), but unlike my hair, her hair has natural streaks of red in it. Her green eyes were sharp when she was hunting, but in front of us and friends, they were warm, welcoming and cheerful. She also had a funny personality, which gave us all many good laughs in the past few months we have been together. She has grown on us, and I already loved her as a family member-a cousin, perhaps. Larisa was…well, she just grew on you. She is fiercely protective and evaluates things that are challenging to her. She does have her temper, but she can be very nice when she is in a good mood. She had that charisma, like Lissa. Gaberil, is easy to explain. Gabe is an Eddie, so I loved him on the spot.

"Olena, this is Zena." I said. Gabe stepped up, and I introduced him then waved my hand over to Larisa. "This is Gaberil, I call him Gabe, but everyone else seems to call him Ganya." I tried to hide my distaste for the name, but I guess I didn't do a good job, because everyone laughed at me.

"So, you learned to speak Russian?"

I smiled. "Yes, ma'am, but I wouldn't have gotten far without Tamara's help." Olena and I looked over at Tamara, and Tamara blushed.

"She is just a fast learner. She picks up things quickly." Now this was a side of Tamara that I hadn't seen before, modesty. Though, right now she is being too modest.

"She does," Olena agreed, "but it takes a lot of work to get a good complement from Rose, I would take it while she is giving it."

I gave a small chuckle, then looked over at Olena. "I've missed you."

Her expression softened even more and hugged me. "Oh, Rose, you have no idea how much you are missed around here. Um, Viktoria acts really guilty whenever your name comes up."

I was surprised. "You talk about me?" It was a really stupid question, one that I shouldn't have asked, but I couldn't help it.

"Well of course, now, who is hungry?" Olena smiled. "What a dumb question for you Rose, of course you are hungry."

"Well, I'm certainly hungry." Gabe said smiling hugely. It sure didn't take him long to warm up to Olena. I wondered if it was because I was so comfortable around her, that they immediately trusted her. Could it be?

"Well, we better get it served, because I know I am hungry!" said an older woman with white wispy hair, a thin and frail body, with sharp dark brown eyes. Yeva.

I smiled, and to my surprise she did too. It was the first smile she gave me, like really gave me; aside from the humorous, mocking smiles.

"I don't have to carry bricks again, do I?"

Everyone busted out laughing, including myself. "No Rose, come on in. I will feed you all." Olena said.

Olena and Yeva made my favorite foods (well, favorite Russian food) called Pelmeni. Pelmeni is pastry dumplings that are filled with meatballs and its slathered in butter and topped with sour cream or soup broth. She also made pirozhki. It's another pastry, but it's filled with potatoes, meat, cabbage and/or cheese. I wasn't sure which one I liked best. While Yeva and Olena made those delicious pastries, I called Abe and told him we were there.

After our meal, we all pitched in and helped clean up. We ended up helping out with chores, which Olena and Yeva seemed surprised, but allowed us to help. Once we were all done, we all sat down in the living room, talking about past experiences with fighting strigoi. I didn't mind talking about that with them, in fact, it felt right. Last time I talked about fighting striogi with Denis, Lev and Tamara, if felt wrong, because they were glory seeking, and there is nothing glorious with killing them. Here, we all agree it's not for the glory, but because we have to. With Denis being nearly killed last year, I think he got a rude awakening, and found out that that it there is more to it than just the glory.

"When we in one of Orenburg's clubs, we came across a moroi woman, who was just dancing. We talked to her a little bit, and to me, she seemed cool. The gang left a few minutes later, seeing that there was no immediate threat in this club, but later that night we saw that same woman being chased by a strigoi," Denis said, telling the tale. I remembered this episode, and I was happy I got to hear it from Denis's point of view. "She was a beautiful woman, about in her early twenties. So, she was just starting out in life, you know? She was also nice, and full of live. Anger filled me, and I found myself wanting to kill that beast for hurting her.

"And that was just what I did and I ended up saving her. She was really grateful, but no doubt shaken over what had just happened. Rose decided that we should escort her home, just in case if there was another attack. We got her home, and she invited us in. We went in, and I made her tea to settle her nerves. She told us later that she was engaged, and was expecting a baby in eight months. When she told me that, I decided something right then and there: I no longer kill strigoi for the glory, but to keep other's safe. That was what Rose has been telling us, and meaning to teach us. I had finally understood it that night by saving that woman's life. We need to keep as many people as we can safe, because they have lives to live, and people love them. Those people would be devastated to lose someone close to them, just as I would."

Yeva looked at me with pride, and I swelled from it, just like I did when Dimitri gave me that look.

"Denis," I said. His eyes went to me, and I smiled my proud smile to him, and I could see that he was glad that I was proud of him, like it meant a lot to him. "When I first came back to Omsk, you were injured; did you learn anything by that?"

He did not hesitate on his answer, and it rang with truth. "Yes, I did. We need to take precautions and stick together, because losing a life is a loss and can affect others in many ways." I had a feeling that he add on 'in many ways' from the Orenburg episode. I smiled again.

"Rose, what about you, what have you learned?" Tamara asked. Now they wanted me to talk about it, and right now, I wanted to. I felt comfortable around them, and I trusted them. Besides, these guys could use some insight from me.

"What do you mean? As in, when did I learn that killing for the glory isn't all that great, or the fact that death makes a big impact on someone's life and you have to take precautions?"

Everyone thought about it, but Zena answered with cleanness. "Both."

I smiled at that tone. "Well," I paused, thinking of Mason. I reached behind me and pulled out the sword that was written in Russian and looked at it, then looked up and passed it to Yeva, who was sitting next to me. She was on the wooden rocking chair- I was on the floor. Zena was on the floor to, on the other side of me, followed by Gabe, who was standing, then Larisa, Tamara, Denis, and Lev, who sat on the couch. Olena sat on the Lazy Boy rocking chair. Viktoria came down and when we were eating, and she leaned against the arm of the Lazy Boy. Karolina and Sonya came home from work and set the kids down in bed after the meal, but they are now sitting in the middle, on the coffee table, Indian style. Yeva passed my sword over. When I took out my sword, the Belikov's eyes widen in shock, but they weren't afraid, more as amazed.

"Who is this 'Guardian Mason Ashford'?" Tamara asked.

I could feel my face become solemn. "He was my best friend."

"Was?" Larisa asked. She seemed genuinely shocked.

"You seem shocked, why?" I asked her.

"Because you are always so careful…"Her answer wondered off, and everything clicked into place. "Oh, no."

"Oh, yes." I said shaking my head in sadness.

"What happened," asked Gabe, curious, yet something in his voice was giving me condolence.

I looked at him. "What usually causes us to die, strigoi." My sword had reached Karolina and Sonya. Their faces showed great respect and a little bit of sadness. After Sonya saw it, I took it back and put it back into my holder (it's in the back of my jacket).

"I don't understand what you mean by 'when fire meets fire, when panthers meet the lions?'"

"Strigoi are strong, so you need to be strong too, but you also need to outsmart them. That is what I mean by ''when fire meets fire'. Back in the Academy, I loved biology, and studying animal behaviors. I found out that panthers do not travel in packs, much like strigoi, but they do when needed. Lions travel in packs, for security and to be with others, much like us living people."

Yeva and Olena smiled at me approvingly and very impressed. I was glad they liked it, that they thought I was smart.

"But what happened to Guardian Mason Ashford?" Vikotria asked, pressing the issue. She wanted to know the story.

"It is a long story." Long and painful story.

"We want to hear it." Zena said, pressing the issue. Larisa and Tamara looked at Zena with an approving nod.

I sighed. "Okay, but you asked for it." I felt my muscles flex, like I was readying for battle, not with strigoi, but with my inner demons. "Mason and I was a thing, back in the day. We weren't dating, but we were close to it. It was near Christmas break and we were all going to a ski lodge. Strigoi attacks were occurring, so the Academy rushed there, seeking more guardians for safety. I was a novice at the time, and ahead of my peers in many ways. My mentor saw and acknowledged that. When the guardians found sittings in Spokane, Washington," I spoke the name with fear and hatred, "he told me about it, thinking I was mature enough to handle it. I told him that we needed to go there now, and take them out. He said no, we need to take precautions and get more guardians to come with us, and analyze the area." I sighed. "I was naive, and thought I knew best. He told me not to tell anyone. As we talked about this, I got more and more frustrated with his wisdom crap, so we got in an argument. I went off and told Mason, but before I went to Mason, I rethought what he said, and realized that he was right. When Mason and I talked about it, Mason was the same way I was, but he didn't sit back and look at what could happen like I did.

"Mason got frustrated with me, and went off to Spokane."

I stopped, needing to take a breath. Not because I was telling the story as fast as I could, but because the bad part was coming up. I looked the window, not seeing anything but that horrific day.

"Mason wasn't stupid, he took back up; Eddie Castile. He is a good friend of mine and since this tragedy, we have become closer. He also took a moroi, named Mia Renaldi, who was at the time not at all a friend of mine." I smiled in humor, remembering our encounters. "Mia's mother was murdered when strigoi entered a household that she works at. Mia was filled with anger and wanted revenge, so she went with Mason. I don't blame her for doing what she did. I would have done the same thing she did if that ever happened to someone I loved dearly.

"But long story short, I went after them. I needed someone to help compel them, so I went to Christian, Lissa's boyfriend. He agreed, to help me, and to keep this from Lissa. We went to Spokane, and with luck, our tracks were covered. When we found them, I was relieved that they were okay. We were on our way back, but Mason talked me into going down a tunnel that they found. I found a list…" The list, I have forgotten that. Would that have anything to do with what could be happening now? I wasn't sure, but I went on with my story after a moment's pause. "I realized immediately that the list was dangerous. Even though it was coded, I could tell what it was. I herded them away and onto a clear road, but by then it was too late." I saw Olena's worried gaze, knowing that the horror was yet to come.

"The sun was up, so we thought we were safe from harm, but like I said, I was naive. Humans worshiped the strigoi. They found us. Of course we fought, but when they took Mia captive I froze, realizing a moroi was on the line. When Mason and Eddie saw me stop fighting, they knew something serious was happening. They froze too when they realized Mia was in danger, and went willingly, just like did, into the van that they drove up with. They took us somewhere, I didn't know where, because of the van's lack of windows.

"I soon found myself in a basement with them. A couple of strong, fit humans, and two strigoi. It was not my first time seeing a strigoi, but it was my first time not being able to move and defend myself. Isaiah was the leader. I will never forget him. Those evil red eyes, and that sick, twisted smile," I shivered and the memory of his face. "Elena was the second one, a new born, I think. She controlled herself well around him; fear, I believe was the reason why she did. Anyway, he told us that the dhampires were to die, but one of the moroi could live, by killing one of the dhampires and turn strigoi. Mia and Christian refused.

"Isaiah kept made us all go hungry, and made the moroi go without blood for a while, two days, almost three. We escaped by using Christian's fire magic. We tricked the humans, while he burned my binds. A single moment of surprise was all I needed, and I took it. I knocked a human out, and bind him up tightly, but killed two in the process. We got the others binds off quickly, thinking Isaiah and Elena might be back any moment to check up on us. Mason and I were in charge, because Eddie was unable to fight to do Isaiah torturing him. We should have done a thorough check of the house, but we were anxious to get outside and into the sun, so we didn't; we headed straight for the door.

"Big mistake. Isaiah and Elena were on the second floor, but coming down quickly was nothing to them. It was like they flew down the stairs, like Dracula." I could feel and hear the anxiety in my voices as I continue on with the story; I was reliving that horrid day. "We needed a distraction fast, and there was only one thing that would distract them: a fight. As we were coming up from the basement, I told Mason that if anything were to happen, I would handle it, and he was to take the others far away from here, as fast as he could. So, before I made my move, I whispered under my breath, loud enough for Mason to hear 'far and fast, Mase,' and I lunged at him. He caught me in a hold. Of course, I was not strong or skilled enough to fight him, but it got his attention, and that was my goal.

"One thing and another happened, and I pissed him off and distracted him completely. I paid no attention to the others, just him, and when one musical creak reached my hears, I felt and wanted to shout with joy. But them escaping pissed Isaiah off bad, and he wanted to kill me. Not that he didn't want to before, but I had never seen such a pissed off strigoi before, and it scared me to death. He told me all the things he wanted to do to me, telling me exactly how he was going to torture me…"

I gulped, and I felt tears coming down my face. "A shadow fell on the floor. 'Don't you touch her,' Mason said, coming to my rescue. I shouted at him, telling him to get the others to safety, but Mason wouldn't listen. He stood in the sunlight, protected, but Isaiah lured him out by using me as bate." More tears came down, and my voice started to crack. "Mason wasn't fast enough, and I watched helplessly on the ground as Isaiah lifted Mason off of the ground and looked him in the eyes. I heard a sickening crack, followed by the fading of the light of life in Mase's eyes."

I had to stop for a moment, otherwise I would break down. It was okay to have tears come down, but I needed to be strong and not cry like a baby. I took a couple deep breaths, then continued. "Elena wanted Mason as a snack, and Isaiah said that should hold her over. I cracked, and I was pissed. It was like something possessed my body, and I had to protect him. No monster as going to touch him."

"I went at Isaiah, and he got a hold of me. Mia came back, but stood in the sunlight. She used her water magic and busted up an aquarium full of water and used the water, forming a ring around his neck to suffocated Isaiah, which he let go as he tried to 'pry' the water away. I took a sharp shred of glass from the aquarium and staked Isaiah with it, causing him to be out for awhile. I should have headed for the sun, but I went the opposite way, and grabbed a dull sword and chopped off Elena's head. But then Isaiah had recovered, but I was on top of him by then, chopping his head off. His head was disconnected from his body, but I didn't see that, all I saw was him killing my best friend…seeing the light fade from his eyes. I told Mia to go, and get the guardians. I had to threaten her, because she wanted me to come, but I had to stay and protect Mason, thinking that there could be more strigoi coming, and they would eat him.

"I was in shock, and when the guardians came for me, I only saw them as a threat. I was ready to charge at them if they came any closer, but my mentor was the one who snapped me out of it and brought me back to reality. In that experience I have learned that killing is not at all exciting. It is dangerous and the only reason we kill them, is to get rid of them, and keep people safe."

No one spoke, and Tamara had tears in her eyes, along with Sonya, Karolina and Olena.

"So that is why you chose a sword as your ultimate weapon, because of Spokane. And you put Mason's name on it, because he was a hero to you." That came from Viktoria.

I nodded and dried my tears off with the back of my hand.

Everyone was quiet, then Sonya spoke for the first time. "How old were you when this all happened?"

"Seventeen."

It went quiet again, but not for long. Soon, there was a knock at the door. I walked saw it was Abe. I smiled then jumped out, almost knocked him over with a huge hug. "I've missed you." I admitted in English. God, I seem to miss everyone! My heart was swelling with all this love crap, but I liked it, but most of all, I missed it. I could feel everyone's shocked eyes on us, and I felt smug to know that they didn't see this coming.

He hugged me back, and I felt is lips on the top of my head. He said something in Turkish and then stepped away. "I have missed you too, Rose." He said in English. "I can tell that you are fluent in Russian."

I was curious to know how he knew that. "How can you tell?"

"You have the faintest of accents, but I doubt that even Lissa would hear it."

"Well, I guess we are just going to have to find out."

"You are going back to America?" Olena said, coming from behind me.

I turned back, and looked at her cheapish. "Yeah, I was kind of hoping that you would want to come. I need to tell you something, can we go back inside?"

She nodded and we went back into the living room. She sat down the Lazy Boy again, and I spoke, but only to the Belikov's. And I spoke in English. "After you last saw me, I was under the impression I had killed Dimitri, by staking him." I shook my head no. "I had failed. I missed his heart when he turned to miss my blow." I looked at Yeva, who had a knowing smirk on her face. "When Mark and Oksana told me that tale, I had to find out more. Needless to say, Dimitri told me he was alive, and he was coming for me. Long story short, it took a lot of effort, and a bunch of faith, but it pulled through. I found a way, and I brought him back from being stigoi."

Olena, Viktoria, Karolina and Sonya exchanged stunned looks, and all of them, bursted out in happy tears.

Before it got uncomfortable, I cleared my throat. "I would like you to come back to America with me. Dimitri has no idea you would be coming, and he would be ecstatic to see you." I knew this was going to be a very long, and very emotional time for Dimitri, and he was unprepared for it, but damn it! He needs to see is mother and sisters, and his Babushka.

"Well, I'm going." Yeva said in English, getting up and straitening her spin. "I need to see my grandson."

That is when all women, even Yeva raced upstairs and packed their stuff. An hour later, I found ourselves taking off in the airplane. I sat down a seat before the walkway, and to my surprise, Viktoria came by, smiled, and took the seat next to me.

"Hey Rose." She smiled happily and addressing me in English. I guess it must have been a habit for her.

I gave her a tentative smile back, and spoke in English "You still hate me?"

Her expression went from happy to embarrassed. "Yeah, about that…you were right about Rolan Kislyak. It wasn't easy to come to terms with, especially on how I felt about him. I was still angry about it, but mostly hurt that you were right about him, and how he treated me when that guy said to leave me alone. A few days later, I worked up the nerve to ask Sonya if Rolan was the father."

She was quiet for a moment, so I spoke. "How did that conversation go?"

She gave me a timid smile. "Not as uncomfortable as you may think. She was shocked that I had found out, and even more shocked that you had found out. When we first started to talk, she had a hard time confessing, but the more she talked, the more she opened up and told me everything." She took my hand and squeezed. "I never apologized, and I never got the chance to thank you." That smile went away, and she became serious, but in a friendly way. "I'm sorry for the way I acted, and never gave you the chance to explain. And, thank you, for telling me, and getting that creep away from me; Dimka would have done the same for me- watching out for his sister."

I smiled back. "You're welcome."

"So, you brought back my brother?"

My smile faded quickly, and I began to shut myself out. "He doesn't truly believe I had saved him, because I wasn't the one who yielded the stake. However, he knows that I went through a lot of trouble to get him turned back."

"He loves you, Rose."

I smiled. She hasn't even seen us together yet, but she knew her brother and me. "Yes, he does. He told me before I left." I wasn't so much as looking at her, but remembering the say I left: the heartache, Adrian cheating on me with Sydney, Lissa being pissed off at me, then of course, Dimitri finally admitting his love to me. "I'm going to be so happy to see him. I haven't seen him in so long."

"How long?"

"A year." I answered simply, but in the inside it was a big deal. I had never been away from someone that I loved that long.

Her expression told me that she was stunned, and that she had no idea that I was away from him for that long. "Does he even know you are on your way back?"

I shrugged. "I doubt it. If Abe told the Queen I was on my way back, then yeah, he might know."

Her mood went back to being happy. "Well, I better get some sleep if I am to see my brother for the first time in many years. I wonder if he has changed…"

I began to laugh. "I doubt it. A little bit more though, but he is still that sensitive guy underneath all that armor of his." I said, chuckling at the end.

She laughed. "Good night Rose. Get some sleep."

I sighed and nodded. She walked away, and went into a clear row, so she could lay down. The chairs were really cool, especially in the first class section; they turned into recliners so you could sleep laterally. I did that, but it wasn't but an hour or two later that Denis came to me.

"Rose, Tamara and Larisa are fighting again." Denis said to me, addressing me in English. I sighed, so much for sleeping. Looks like I have to babysit a bunch of young adults. I got up, and Denis gave me an apologetic smile.

"I didn't want to disturb you, but they are going at it…again."

I rolled my eyes. When has fighting Larisa not been actual comeback fighting? Lightly, Tamara and Larisa have been getting in a lot of fights, and none of them would give me reasons as to what started the fight. They would just glare at each other and leave the room after I broke it up. I didn't want to get involved, thinking that they would work it out the problem together. However, that doesn't' seem like that has happened, and it has to soon. And I would prefer it to happen before we land in

I went downstairs. The plane had two floors on it, which was awesome. More room for cat fighting, it seems. I grimiced at that thought.

When I got there, I saw that Tamara's nose was broken, and that Larisa was favoring her right ankle. Tamara always went for the feel, knowing that if someone were to run away, they would need their feet to be in good shape; she would take them out first, followed by the heart, if it was a strigoi, or knocking them out, if we needed information or was just trying to stop them.

I got in the middle of the fight, and the two girls, as always, stopped what they were doing, but glared at one another.

"This isn't over, bitch!" Tamara spat out. Whao, okay, I never heard her swear before. This was new. Something really pissed her off, and I was going to get to the bottom if it this time.

"You are so right on that, cheap whore." Larisa said in a low and dangerous voice.

"Enough." I said in a controlling voice, speaking in Russian. "What is going on here?"

Tamara turned away from us, walking away from the fight. "Nothing."

"Well it sure seems like something. Tamara, spill. Everyone else leave, except for Tamara and Larisa."

Larisa and Tamara sat in two separate rows, but on the ends, so if one felt like it, they could lean over and hit the other. I stood a foot away from them in the middle, looking impassive as I could manage.

"I have ignored the fighting, thinking you two would work out whatever you are upset about like the adults you two are suppose to be. However, that seems like you two would rather act like spoiled brats and pull each other's hair out. What is going on?"

Neither of them would speak.

"Is it over a guy?"

Tamara lifted her eyebrow to what I said, and Larisa was not at all affected by what I said.

"Is it homesickness?"

No response.

"Then what is it?"

Tamara sighed in frustration. "Larisa has been keeping in touch with Zakhary."

I was set back. I was not at all expecting that. "What have you and Zakhary been talking about?" I demanded.

Larisa fidgeted nervously. "He wanted to see how we were doing."

"Oh, cut the shit Larisa. Tell her the truth. Maybe she might be a little bit more understanding than me." Tamara said with angrily, with doubt ringing in her voice.

Larisa looked at me alarmed. "I swear Rose, Zakhary just wanted to know how we all were doing."

I have a hard smile, and it wasn't a nice smile. "Let me guess, he is curious to know how many kills we have made."

Her face looked ashamed, and she let go of my gaze. "Larisa," I said gently, being a friend instead of a leader. She looked at me, clearly hearing the difference in my voice. I took the seat by her and smiled.

"Zakhary is very naïve. He has yet to mature, like you did. Tell me, what did you tell him?"

"At first I was flattered that he was calling and checking up on us, but he has been calling a lot lightly, and is more demanding than friendly."

I shook my head in disappointment; not at her, but at Zakhary. I looked at her then. "Do you want to go back to Zakhary and the others?" And I asked her as an equal, as a friend, and not as a leader.

She shook her head, and spoke her thoughts immediately, like she didn't want me to have any doubt in her. "I like the way you operate. You make safety your number one priority. Zak does not do that, he makes the kill our number one priority, but most of all, you try and make everyone happy with your decisions, Zak doesn't."

"It's his way or the highway, huh?" She nodded at my response. "I'm used to working that way. I'm from a democratic country, not a monarchy or a dictatorship."

She smiled at that, and Tamara's tension eased a lot. "Tamara, why were you so angry with Larisa?"

Her face became defensive. "I thought she was letting Zak keep tabs on us. I thought he was tracking us and was trying to tear our gang apart. I wanted to stop it, and get rid of Larisa before they succeed."

"I would ever do that to anyone." Larisa yelled in outrage. "Why would you think such a thing?"

"Because it has happened before to other people."

I sighed. "Well she is not doing that. Are you satisfied?" I asked Tamara.

Tamara nodded and went to get up. I shook my head. "Sit. You two are to stay here for an hour and talk. Get to know each other more. Trust one another." I know it was childish, but they had to get along. If we got in a serious fight, and these two needed each other's help, then they needed to trust one another and get along in order to overcome whatever odds they were in.

"No." Larisa said in boldness, but she quickly changed her tone to being sweet. "I mean, I do trust her."

"No you don't. Talk for an hour, report to me what you have learned and shake hands before me in a truce." Who knows, maybe they would become great friends.

I walked up the stairs, and saw the others laughing at some joke, listening to music, or watching a movie. I sat down where there was nobody around and closed my eyes.

Only nine more hours in this plane. Uh, America has never seemed so far away.

So how did I do? Plz review.