Don't own VA. R&R!

CHAPTER 2: The Miracle

And then I saw it. I didn't know if Lissa did too but I saw my whole world falling apart. The only thing I had ever loved and hoped for was in the greatest danger.. Death. My heart broke at the thought of never seeing the beloved dark eyes… never touching the beautiful silk hear..never hearing the familiar warm voice calling me 'Comrade'… No, no that couldn't happen! She couldn't leave me, not now not ever!

What the fuck was I doing? Standing there in shock and not rushing to her side? I had to run, hurry, catch her and prevent her from leaving me forever. I could bear her being with someone else but not losing her that way, where I could never, ever find her. I felt tears coming, but there was no time for crying! I had to do something!

"Let's go!" I told Lissa without caring what my voice sounded like. I didn't understand how time passed from then until we reached the hospital. Neither I nor Lissa had said anything . When we finally arrived, my heart was pounding 20 miles per sec. I didn't want the doctors to tell us anything about her condition. I couldn't bear any bad news now. I just learnt where they had her and rushed to the E.R.

And then I saw her…over there laying, face pale and eyes closed. The medical machines next to her, recording her every heartbeat, her every pulse. No, Roza don't…I thought. Don't leave me… I need you…. Wake up and tell me you were joking..please… Rose's picture blocked every other thought out. No, she couldn't die, not before I got to tell her how much I loved her and wanted her. God, wouldn't take the one thing I cherished most.. No, I wouldn't lose her…

I felt a hand on my shoulder, that half-pulled me out of my thinking. Lissa was standing there watching me like she knew… "How is she?" she asked, tears in her eyes.

"The same..Did you find out anything more?" I desperately wanted some good news, anything hopeful..

"No, she's stable.." Lissa turned at me and said; "Could you please leave me alone with her, for a moment?"

I was about to refuse. But I realized I needed to escape from there, get out like waking up from a nightmare. "Sure." was all I said before going. I walked down the hallway and stood at the corner. I had begun sinking in thought again when I heard some voices.

"I should have stopped her.." I heard someone saying and I recognized Mason's voice.

"It was not your fault!" Mia said, trying to comfort him. Her voice was caring and sounded like a lullaby.

"No, it was. You don't understand. I shouldn't have said anything about the bet. I should have known Rose wouldn't accept anything less than a victory. She would do anything to win! So, it is my fault and don't make it seem like it's not!". There was agony in his desperate voice and felt pity of him for just a second. Like I said, just a second! What had he just said? A bet? One idiotic, foolish and insipid bet? Her life was hanging on a thread over a stupid bet?

"If something happens to her, will never forgive myself. Ever!" Mason said. If something happens to her you will not live long enough to forgive yourself, you irresponsible and immature bastard! Without having control of my actions, I turned and grabbed Mason from the collar of his shirt.

"What did you just say? She's that close to death due to your fantastic bet idea?" I couldn't control my anger.

"Yes, that's what I said but whatever you do you're not making me feel worse than I already do! And what is it up to you? What are you, her father?" he burst. Ok, the boy seriously wants to die!

"I'm her mentor and responsible for her. But since you have no idea what responsibility is you don't get that, do you?" I was actually more than that, but I wasn't going to say anything about it and definitely not to him..

"I don't give a fuck of what you are, ok? If you feel responsible for her then I am in love with her… I have been in love with her since forever and I can't stand the thought of her getting harmed, especially not when it's my fault. So, stop lecturing me!" His eyes were burning with pain and anger. I didn't know how I stopped myself and didn't say anything of my feelings towards Rose. Of how much I loved her and cared for her and wanted her! How could this ignorant student say that he cares about her more than I did? What was he thinking?

"Dimitri!" Tasha's voice from behind pulled me out of the how-to-kill-Mason thought. Slowly, I let go of him and to turned to face her. "I just heard what happened . I knew you'd be here. How is she?" she asked.

"She's stable. I don't know much because I just got here and no one has filled me in about her condition!"

"C'mon let's go at the café and get you some coffee. You need to calm down.."

What? And leave her? No way in hell! "I would rather stay here. But could you bring me some? I need my head cleared!"

"Yes, yes of course! I'll be back in 5 minutes!" She always seemed so ready to do whatever I asked. I felt bad, it was like manipulation her, toying with her since I would ever be able to give her what she wanted me to.

I turned to go back to Rose when I suddenly saw Adrian coming in. Now, what the he was doing here? How did he find out? Whatever the answer was, I didn't want the spoiled man-whore within a mile from her.

"Guardian Belikov!" he called, and as much as I wanted to beat the crap out of him, he was royalty and I had to be polite.

"Lord Ivashkov!" I greeted him. What the hell do you want?, I thought.

"I came as fast as I could. Where I she?"

"In the E.R. her condition is..not good." What was I doing filling him in about how was she..?

"We'll see about that!" he said to my astonishment. Now what did that mean? We went to the E.R. and there she was..same pale face, same weak breathing. I felt so helpless, a feeling I had never known of before. A nurse was getting out of the ward and we went to her. Before I even got to speak, Adrian said; "I want to see her!"

"Excuse me, sir, but you're not allowed to go in there. I'm sorry." the nurse said. I was prepared for this kind of answer, but Adrian didn't seem to give up. He leaned in so he had the nurse straight in front of him and repeated; "I need to see her! May I please go in?" I was about to laugh on him.. did he really expected to use his charm to get this his way? However the nurse's reply really astonished me;

"Yes, of course, sir, you may visit her!"

"Thank you so much!" he said and got into the ward. I followed when the nurse stopped me;

"Excuse me, sir, but you're not allowed to go in there. I'm sorry."

"Are you kidding me? How the hell did he..?" and then it hit me. Compulsion. Adrian had used compulsion to get in the E.R. Damn it! From the glass, I saw him holding her hand into his and anger took control of me. What right did he have to touch her like this? To even be around her? Why did he…

"Your coffee!" Tasha's voice surprised me and I turned to her.

"Oh, thanks!" I said.

"I see she has company." she said pocking me in the chest. I felt useless..

"Well..yeah.." making clear I didn't want to talk about it.

"Let's sit!" she said but I couldn't relax enough to sit.

"I'm fine!" I said instead.

Adrian got out with a smile on his lips. Was he happy that she was dying? I didn't get the time to think more on that, because just then something happened in the ward and I saw doctors and nurses running in. My palms were sweating, my heartbeat became faster as panic rushed through my body. She wasn't dying, no, no, no… She couldn't. and I saw Adrian. It was definitely his fault. He had disturbed with his presence and.. one of the doctors came out to inform us and we all run to him..

"If you haven't believed in miracles by now, I suggest you start.. She perked. I don't know how but..she did. Which one of you is Dimitri? She has been asking for him." he said. I didn't know why I became the happiest man on earth; because the woman I loved had survived or because she had been asking for me the moment she woke up?

"That's me! Can I see her now? I asked and I saw Lissa noting at me from the corner of my eye.

"I wouldn't allow it if the circumstances were different but considering the situation I think it's the best. You have 10 minutes and don't disturb her!" the doctor said.

That was all I needed. I rushed in the ward and in saw her expecting me. God, how I had missed those eyes. "You're late Comrade!" she said and smiled to me. Thank you Lord, thank you, thank you..

"I apologize miss! How can I make up for your waiting? I joked.

"Let me think about it. How about you take me from here and get me back to the hotel? If we sneak out now, we won't get caught!" That was my Rose.

"You scared me, you know? Do you have any idea how stupid what you did was?" I said being serious. As much as I hated to confront her I had to make sure she wouldn't put me through something like this again. Not that I expected her not to…

"I was just trying some new stunts. I couldn't have imagined things would have come to this end. I'm really sorry!" she …looked sorry but she was Rose. Probably she would try it again once I turned my back..

"Say that to your mother! She'll get really pissed when she finds out!" I joked again. Surprisingly she took my hand and stared in my eyes… My breath stopped.

"I don't worry about it! You will calm her down!". As I stared into her eyes, the eyes I loved, I lost myself in their depth only to remember I had almost lost her. But there she was, all healthy and ok as if Adrian's visit had healed her. What? Could that be possible? No way.. What if Lissa… No, Lissa couldn't use her powers.. But if Adrian was like Lissa.. No that wasn't possible..

"What are you thinking about?" she asked me driving me out of my thinking..

"Nothing, I'm just happy that you're OK and.."

"Rose, oh my God..!" Lissa screamed from the door and run towards Rose. "You're OK thank God, thank God..!"

I slowly got out and Tasha came to me. "You must be exhausted. You should go back to the hotel and get some rest." I was about to refuse but I knew I had to inform Janine.

"You know what? You're right. But I'll be back in a couple of hours. You want me to give you a ride?" I asked her.

"No, thanks. I had some things to do in town. I'll see you later!" she said and I noted relieved. It would be too awkward in a car the two of us. I turned to leave when she called again;

"I know the situation is…inappropriate but I'm still waiting for your answer!" Great! Just what I needed right then.

"I haven't forgot!" I said and with that I was gone.

I got back at the lodge and went straight to Janine. She was checking out some new strategy plans against the Strigoi. "Guardian Belikov I need your help." She said when she saw me entering the room.

"Rose is in the hospital. She had a pretty ugly fall while skiing." I said. Janine's expression froze. "But don't worry at all, she's fine now!" I hurried to add before she got time to react/.

"I'm going there! Are you coming?" she asked and grabbed her jacket. Maybe Rose hated her- which I doubted- but Janine would do just about anything for her. She was worried about her all the time- I didn't blame her on that.

"I was there. In fact I just got back. You go and I'll come in a couple of hours." I said.

"Thanks for letting me know. I'll see you around!" she said and hurried from the door.