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Disclaimer: All characters belong to their rightful owner, Richelle Mead. I own nothing - except this plot and Alexei.

Chapter 16

Rose's POV

We headed to the gym first and I dropped my bag in the corner. We then began stretching.

Dimitri stared off into the distance while he held his arm across his body. After ten seconds on each arm, I turned around to face the stretching beam behind me.

A few minutes later I declared, "I'm done".

No response.

I spun around to find Dimitri with the same arm across his chest.

"Earth to Dimitri," I threw my water bottle at him, in hopes of gaining a reaction; it worked.

He dodged it easily; his eyes glanced around the room, instantly alert. "What was that?"

I felt the corner of my lips turn up into a smirk, "Have you ever tied a spoon to a cat's side?"

He cocked an eyebrow at me and gave me a 'you've lost it' expression, "No…why?"

"The extra weight makes them fall over," I recalled an old memory of a time when Lissa and I had run away. I was extremely bored. But hey; the cat started it when he hissed at me, "it's kind of funny to watch."

"And your point would be?..." He still looked lost.

"Long story short, you might want to stretch your other arm before the extra inch and a half you're just added to that one, gives to a nasty lean."

He gave me another look before he processed what I'd just said, "Did you just compare me to a cat?"

Oh crap, busted. With a grin, I bolted out the door and around the track. I sensed more than heard him catching up to me. Before I could turn around to check where he was, he tapped me once on the shoulder, and took off in front of me.

I spent the next lap catching up to him; but when I did, I smacked his arm and ran ahead.

We continued this hardcore game of tag until the require number of laps were complete. Although, I think Dimitri only ended the game so I couldn't tag him again.

When I finally regained my breath, Dimitri instructed me to do the standard push-ups and sit-ups; all timed of course.

"Ninety-nine," he counted, "One hundred. Well done, you've beaten your last time by two seconds."

My stomach muscles gave way and I slumped onto the floor with a huff. I may have been doing a lot of fighting, but it had been months since I'd done sit-ups. I was just glad that when Lissa healed me, she took away my baby belly; it would have been a bitch to get rid of otherwise.

Dimitri held out his hand and when I took it he helped me up. Once on my feet, he guided me to the mats, and we began sparring.

There was no doubt that I had improved dramatically since the last time we sparred. I was able dodge the majority of his shots, and even manage some of my own. By the second last match, we had both been 'staked' twice; this last one would determine the winner.

We circled each other, slowly moving around the centre of the mats. Every so often, one of us would jump forward, trying to bluff the other. It didn't work. At last we both leapt forward at the same time and the fight began.

I sprung forward but he stepped to the side and kicked me behind the knees. My legs buckled and I made sure to roll backwards so I could jump to my feet. Next I kicked him in the stomach with a front kick, punched him in the ribs, and then returned to my original stance.

Dimitri recovered quickly and didn't hold back when he attacked. With a move I'd only ever heard of, he kicked me below my elbow; a kick called the 'spinning heel kick'. It involved spinning on your front foot –similar to a back kick- but instead of throwing the other foot straight back, you bring the heel around and back on an angle. It's hard to explain, but hurts like hell when done correctly. Of course, this is Dimitri we're talking about.

A few strikes later and I was on the ground. He held me pinned beneath him with my stomach on the floor. I was about to admit defeat when his grip on one of my wrists loosened in a very non-Dimitri way. Using it to my advantage, I elbowed him in the solar-plexus and flipped us over with the last of my strength. Seconds later, I placed my hand over his heart and grinned.

"I win, what's my prize?"

His deep brown eyes shone with pride as he starred up at me. Wordlessly he flipped us over so my back was now on the ground and closed the space between us.

The kiss held everything I missed about Dimitri; not only the fierceness and power, but also the kindness and compassion that was absent while he was Strigoi.

When we finally broke apart, I was breathless –he still had that effect on me after all this time. Between gasps I was able to get out, "Why didn't you just…say so…I would've ended the fight sooner."

He gave me one of his rare full smiles that were few and far between.

I'm pretty sure that pain in my chest is the feeling of my heart stopping; but hey, at least I could die a happy woman. "We should go."

Dimitri stood then, helping me up with him. Hand in hand Dimitri grabbed my bag and we walked toward the doors. Before opening them, he gave me one last kiss and dropped my hand. Once again, he handed me the bag.

I took a deep breath; what awaited me on the other side of the doors wouldn't be welcoming. I knew this from experience; the halls of Saint Vladimir's Academy always held the latest gossip. Unfortunately for me, I would be the target until I leave. There was no way that I could ever regain the respect that I once held. I frowned.

When the doors opened, whatever conversation was previously being held vanished. The only sound came from our footsteps as they lightly touched the pavement.

All eyes were on me; giving me a slight feeling of déjà vu of the first time I was brought back to the Academy. My frown deepened.

Someone grabbed my elbow, and panic rose in my chest; that was until I realized it was Dimitri. To an outside eye, the gesture would have appeared hostile, but the look in his eyes suggested otherwise. They showed sadness with a twinge of reassurance.

I began to relax. At least that was until the silence broke and the taunts started. A few of the comments made my eyes prickle and I willed myself not to cry. My chest pounded in my chest and my throat closed up. I wouldn't make it to my room in time, but that won't stop me from trying.

I broke from Dimitri's grip and bolted down the corridor; almost reaching the corner when a loud thump made me skid to a halt. I spun around to find Dimitri holding a novice against a brick wall. One arm was across the other guy's throat, while the other was raised ready to punch again.

My stomach dropped when I saw the blood dripping from his knuckles. Beside the Dhampir's head there was a severely chipped brick.

Dimitri's voice sent chills down my spine, "If I hear one more word about Rose, It'll be the last thing you ever say." He sounded like a Strigoi; like his soul had been sucked out of him. I couldn't stop the fear that filled me.

Finally he dropped the Dhampir and took a step back. When he noticed the remaining students, "Get to class before I place you all under house arrest," he snarled. No one questioned the fact that he didn't have the power to do that, but they left just as quickly anyway.

The hallway emptied immediately, and it was only Dimitri and I left. He unclenched his fist, "You need to go to class too Roza." I sighed and started jogging to my dorm, "You go on and get ready; I need to excuse you from your first class. I'll meet you at your dorm in 30 minutes."

"But what about your hand?" I was trying to stall, the more time I spent here, the less I would have for class.

"That's what Dr Olendzki is for. Don't worry I'll be fine, now go." Without another word he took off in the other direction.

After a quick shower and change, there was a knock at the door. Dimitri was on the other side, and I didn't miss the bandages on both of his hands. He refused to be healed by Lissa. "Are you ready to go?" He gave me a quick once over before waiting for my answer.

I pretended to think about this for a moment, looking up at the ceiling, "Nope. Does this mean I don't have to?" I asked, using my best begging face.

"It wasn't a question."

Damn.

Not much happened in this chapter, but I'm trying to space out the timeline. I also wanted to show that Dimitri really is struggling after returning to his normal self.

So, what did you think? Review! If you're unsure about something, or have any questions, just ask. I might even write a chapter about to clear things up.

~Serious~