Okay, so here is another short one made up from the scenes between about the rescue from the deck and then the next day following.. Made up in less than an hour.. XP

The young brunett man lay completely still while staring up at the dark celiling of their small cabin. He shivered a tiny bit remembering he had to strip his clothes off and was only in his blouse with his boxers. Dimitri pulled his large blankets tightly around him and took a sideways look over to their drying clothes. He prayed his would be suitible to wear over to Sophie's house tomorow. Thinking about that, he stole a glance to the object of his affection.

The beautiful red-headed maiden had her deep blue eyes closed contently as she lay fast asleep in her lower bunk. The blankets along with her coat were wrapped around her like a coccoon. As if she were a slumbering butterfly awaiting to burst out and fly to her destiny. The long flowing curls her auburn hair had held so perfectly that evening, had been washed away with the help of the wind, rain, and ongoing ocean waves crashing upon the boat.

Dimitri could still recall the look of pure terror her eyes held after he shook her awake.

"Romanov curse! The Romanov curse!!"

She screamed over the raging crush of the ocean waves. She looked to be on the brim of hysterics and crying after he had pulled her away from the edge. Anya had always acted so tough in front of him. Not wanting to show a sign of what she had become just now, a frightened little girl. She had showed to him that, even though she would deny it, she was weak too.

He remembered how she uninvitingly, yet he would not have rejected, wrapped her arms and seemed to be clutching him for dear life. She sobbed into his allready soaked undershirt softly. Dimitri waited to make sure she wasn't going to pull away, then allowed himself to wrap his arms around her and hold her so close. He rested his chin on her soft head of hair and smiled secretly to himself.

He had desired to hold her this close, to the point where he could feel her heartbeating in time with his.

"It's allright, I won't let anything happen to you Anya."

Each word he spoke to her was truthful and filled with compassion and love. Dimitri wanted more than anything to tilt her chin upward and allow her sweet blue eyes to stare into his, probably with a mixture of confusion as to why he was doing this.

It was then that small nagging voice swelled inside his mind. It grew louder with everyday he had been on this journey. For everyday since they had met, Dimitri, for some reason had this growing need to be beside her. To hold her as close as he was doing just now. Most of all, to finally kiss those lips. Those perfect, rose petal soft, pink lips. He knew that was one thing ten million rubles would never buy him:

Anya's love.

"Earth to Dimitri!! Are you forgetting the entire plan!! To flush away all you have worked for?! You cannot and must not get involved with this girl!!"

Just as Dimitri had tried to shut the little voice out, Anya had slowly pulled away from him. She looked just rather confused and as if she was kicking her self on the inside for holding onto him.

"I'm sorry, I never have..."

But as she looked onto his eyes, her words became lost. For some reason Dimitri had pulled her back into his arms. He didn't care about the money anymore, he needed her. Anya's eyes fluttered shut as she leaned in, lightly outstreaching her lips to him. Just as his bottom lip was about to make contact with one of her tender pink ones a huge wave of water splashed into his face and the whole scene dissapeared.

He opened his eyes to find the only "kiss" he was recieveing was a dozen wet ones from Pooka.

"Argh!! Yuck!!"

He took his wrist and rubbed his slobber soaked lips repeatedly. He heard a soft giggle come from over behind him.

"Aww, did mean old Pookie wake sleeping beauty with love's kiss."

Anya sniggered fixing a bright yellow ribbon in her hair. It was as if last night had never happened. Dimitri began to get out of his blankets when he realized his pants were still hanging dry on the other side.

"Anya, you need to get out so I can get dressed." he said frustrated by his morning surprise.

Anya rolled her eyes. "Shouldn't you ask me politely if I am to be said Grand Duchess?" She knew this was getting beneath his skin so badly.

He had risen from the floor with his blanket tied around him like a skirt or kilt.

"Fine," he sighed along. Even though he loved to fight with Anya, she was just so cute when she would do such. "Your royal higness, would thou allow me to have this room all to myself as so I can put my trousers back on?" He asked with a mockery tone.

"Yes, you may do so.. I shall take my leave and see if my royal puppy and I may go and find some breakfast unless count Vlad has eaten it all." she grabbed Pooka and carried him out giggling to herself.

As Dimitri had shut the door he allowed himself to chuckle and smile, even if she wasn't in the room her presence still lingered.

Well, hope you liked it.. R and R and also do tell me what story I should update.. either another of this or my other Anastasia one..