After circling the industrial area for a while, I parked the car and wiped down all the areas we had touched. I shook hands with the tatooist and he followed us mutely back to the house. Tim was waiting anxiously at the door, stake in hand.
"Where have you been? Work called me and told me you had disappeared after taking care of a gang, you didn't answer your cell phone! The police turned up there and had no bodies, despite eye witnesses seeing them fall." He had worked himself up into a rage.
"Calm down mom. I picked up the tattooist, saved Dimitri's arse and found a porshe." Tim stared at me and laughed. Staring at me incredulously. Only Rose clear on his face. The tattooist in question stepped forward and set up his station. I opted for Tim to go first while I approached Dimitri hesistantly.
"Where did you learn to steal cars?" his voice was troubled. I gave him my 'duh' face.
"Before I found Tim and was street scavenging. Old cars, you can just break the windows and hot wire them, but ones like porches you need to use a key. If you find a key thats long but narrow, you can put something over it thats slippery and rubbery. It fills the gaps and the liquid makes the lock easier to turn." I shrugged my shoulders as if it was no big deal.
"You had to resort to stealing cars." he was blaming himself, I could see that . I made him look at me, still keeping my distance.
"When I saved you, I released murderers, stole cars, impersonated and that's not even half of it. I attacked other dhampirs. This was nothing." his gaze turned cold as he pieced two and two together. Just before he could speak, the tattooist called me over for my new marks. I saw Sydney's perfect handwiting at the bottom.
Rose: 8 molnija marks, one battle star.
I leant over, my bun conveniant, yet still oh so annoying. The sting was easy to ignore now, I had gotten used to it. The tattooist always left enough room at the top for a promise mark and just added to the bottom. I stared at the floor and heard Dimitri's surprised hiss. The tattooist just kept on going, finishing the battle star first.
"What does the circle mean?" Dimitris voice was low and close, his breath sweeping over my exposed neck as he bent down to inspect it.
"It symbolises the kills she made in Russia. The number wasn't certain, and it wasn't a battle since she was alone. It means she killed over 30 by herself." the tattooists voice was gruff from dissuse. He was always silent when he came over. I was sure he didn't really enjoy his job. I winced as the needle hit a sensitive spot and continued to stare blankly ahead. When I was finally finished, Dimitri knelt obediantly and allowed the tattooist to ink in another star from tonight. He now had two stars, 8 molnija marks and his promise mark. The tattooist left abruptly. Leaving us in an awkward silence. After glancing at the glaring men, who looked like they were intent on burning a hole through the floor, I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a drink. I had a pony tail headache, so I let my hair out again. Relieved, I pulled two more drinks out for the boys and headed back into the room. They remained exactly as I left them. Boys...
Dimitris eyes flashed up to me and I saw them go wide with disbelief. Had I grown a second head or something? I quirked up both eyebrows at him, still unable to lift one and threw a drink at him, secretly hoping it would smack him on the head. Alas, luck was not with me. They both caught them. I sighed unhappily and lift my hair to inspect my neck. Two battle stars, the circle from Russia and my fifteen molinja marks. I was running out of space... I hurrumpfed unhappily and dropped my hair, watching the two morosely sip their cans of drink. This was like being in a funeral home. Dimitri's eyes followed my hair and gleamed longingly.
"You grew your hair out." it wasn't a question, or a statement. It was just a dull void that hung awkwardly between us and tainted the room with unwanted memories. We both knew why he said it. He had always loved my hair. He knew why I wouldn't cut it. I nodded grimly and checked my watch. It was almost sunrise. Tim threw a blanket on the couch for Dimitri and left wordlessly. He was heading out to see her again. We both waited till the sun was peaking out from the sky before tiredly climbing into bed. I sank into the comfort of my blankets and heard him collapse onto the couch. Can ayone say awkward? I yawned and turned over, so my back was to the door and stretched. My muscles pulled tiredly and I winced. I would need to go to the gym tomorrow and work the kinks out. I heard Dimitri clear is throat uncomfortably.
"Um.. Rose? Is there perhaps a bigger couch somewhere?" I rolled my torso back over and burst into hysterical laughter. He had his head on the arm and was stretched out, feet hanging off by a foot. Soon my sides hurt from laughing so much and I wheezed, trying to get my breathe back. He stared at me with solemn eyes. He didn't find it as funny. Still chuckling, I jumped up and stood over him.
"I'm short, I'll take the couch, you can have the bed." his eyes widened and he began to shake his head furiously.
"Do it comrade. I stole your old room when I was in Russia, therefore you steal my bed now. It's only fair." I put my hands on my hips and popped one. Giving him my glare. I suppose it wasn't so scary when I was in shorts and tank top. He sighed, eyes still gleaming and took his blanket with him. I still saw. He was only wearing chocolate brown pajama bottoms. Nothing else. I swallowed with difficulty and sank down on the couch, putting my back to him again. Lying like this, my hair touch the floor. I pulled the blanket further up my shoulders and shut my eyes. Ignoring his gaze, I finally drifted off into a dreamless sleep. Which was fortunate. Tonight wasnt the night to be having nightmares. Not with him around.
I opened my eyes slowly and stretched luxeriously. The pillow was warm and firm against my head and I snuggled deeper, pulled at the blankets. I could still feel the suns intense warmth through the window. I could sleep a little while longer. Besides, Tim was staying at Kate's place, having a movie night. He didn't mind staying here, but he missed her. She lived on the norturnal schedule as well, just outside court. It was a long drive, so he always stayed the night. I turned and my pillow flexed accordingly, weight dropping down on my waist. I froze and my hands clenched into fists. I wiggled my toes. No bonds on my ankles. I inhaled deeply and knew immediately that it was Dimitri. My heart ached and I feigned sleep, knowing he would deny this ever happening. I was going to get everything I could. I sighed as I inhaled again. He always smelt the same, perfect and masculine and like home. What ever home was anyway. I didn't really know anymore. A cell started ringing and he grumbling, tightening his grip on my waist and reaching over me, fumbling in his duster pocket.
" "ello?" his voice was almost unrecognizable, the russian accent was so pronounced. I heard Lissa loud and clear. He placed his hand on my hip and left it there. I could feel his tiredness radiating off him.
"Oh my.. Dimitri.. Did I wake you? I am so sorry! I know you have had trouble sleeping. How long did you sleep for? Have you found her yet. You do realise that if she doesn't want to be found, there is no way you'll ever get to her? Maybe when it was just me and her, but not now she is fully quilified gaurdian and isnt burdened by me. I mean-" she went to conitnue but he cut across her.
"I found her. I fell asleep at around 7am." her little gasp obviously woke Christian and I could just hear him talking in the background.
"No, Chris. He found Rose, that's all. The baby's fine." she sighed and I heard him grumbling again.
"Look, Lissa. I gotta go, she's still asleep, I don't want to wake her." he paused and he stroked my back lightly. " Her head is on my arm, she might hear me talking" I could hear the smile in his voice. Lissa laughed and murmered goodbye before hanging up. Dimitri put the phone back down and slowly edged himself down the bed. I allowed myself to cling lightly to him, feeling his skin beneath my hands. He gently pulled me closer and turned onto his side. My head was on his bicep. Something fell on my face and trickled down my cheek. Another followed. He was crying? His soft thumb pad wiped them away. I sighed and leant into the touch involuntarily and he cupped my cheek with his hand. I didn't know how much longer I could feign sleep. I could feel him leaning down. Feel his breath, warm and soothing. His lips touched mine gently, sending a slow tidal wave of feeling through me. After not feeling for so long, I let it go. I kissed him back, curling my fingers into his hair and pushing myself up. He didn't hesitate, kissing me back, holding me to him. Tears fell freely, mingling with my own. I didn't know what we were crying for anymore. For the loss? The reunion? The angry words that had been carelessly thrown between us? It didn't matter to me anymore. I had him and I didn't want to let him go, ever.
I tangled my fingers into his hair as he pushed me back onto the bed, where he had obviously carried me.
"I'm sorry, Roza, For treating you as I did as a strigoi, for pushing you away. I am sorry for not forgiving myself sooner." he whispered in his husky russian laced voice. I nodded and kissed his lips one last time before snuggling down in his arms, the warmth of his bare chest lulling me into restfulness.