Don't own VA. R&R!

CHAPTER 4:Getting Out

I froze! I got angry at even hearing Adrian's name. If Mason thought Rose had something going on with Adrian then it must had been true. Damn, why? I felt like wanting to punch something…and specifically Adrian..

"You think that's what's going on?" Rose asked in shock .

"I know it is." Mason said and turned to leave without waiting for her response. I quickly hid because I didn't want to look like I was eavesdropping..which I was that was not the point. I didn't want to see Rose after what I had heard. I would look like something was bothering me and I didn't want to confess in her…Especially not at that point!

I turned to leave hoping that no one had seen me. The cold, winter wind hit me in the face when I got out of the hospital. But it couldn't do anything with the thoughts fluttering in my head. Rose and Adrian? My Roza and Lord Ivashkov? My heart and Lord Drunk? I pulled the door of the car so hard that I almost ripped it away. I started the engine and drove back to the lodge. I was so angry I could beat the hell out of anyone standing in front of me. I got into my room and shut the door. Now, why did that have to come up? Now, that I had finally been able to confess my feelings for Rose to myself..Now, that I had believed that nothing could stop me from telling her that..Why?

However I wouldn't let him steal Rose from me. No matter what, I wouldn't. Even if I had to lock her up and guard her room. Even if I.. I heard knocks on the door and my heart stopped. Last time that had happened Rose was on the edge of death. Now what?

"Dimitri? Are you in?" I heard Tasha's voice calling me. I hoped she had no bad news.

"Yes, just a second!"I replied. I opened and she came in.

"I'm sorry, I should have called first. I just thought you wouldn't mind." she said looking..sad?

"I don't mind. No worries. Are you OK?"

"Yes..umm there was actually something I wanted to tell you…ask you. Are you on duty tonight?"she asked hopefully. Why would she be asking me that?

"No, I have my day off" I still couldn't understand what was that she wanted.. "Why, is something wrong?" I asked her.

"Nothing's wrong, I just need an escort for tonight's ball and I think you wouldn't have a problem be mine… Escort, I mean. Of course if you don't already have one… Maybe you have other plans for tonight?" she said staring at the floor. Damn, the ball I had forgot all about it..of course Tasha would ask me to escort her.

"No, that's fine I don't have other plans for tonight. It would be my pleasure to be escorting such a beautiful lady!" I replied hoping she wouldn't expect my compliment to be something more than that..

"Great, then it's settled! How's Rose?" she asked, giving the conversation a different turn. Damn, why did she have to remind me of her?

"She's doing fine I guess. I was planning to go see her. She's out of danger and doctors say she'll get out soon!" I said trying to sound casual.

"That's amazing news. I hope I'll get the chance to give her my Christmas present. The dress we picked together, remember?" Of course I did.. The dress.. The dress that covered all of her but at the same time revealed all of her body's details. I had spent hours imagining it on her.. how it would leave her legs bear, how it would be around her hips, her breasts… Damn, Dimitri stop it!

"Yeah, I guess you'll get this chance soon enough.. I don't think she'll stay in the hospital much more, so you'll give it to her when she comes out.!"

"That's so nice to hear! But will I get the chance to visit her? I bet she'll be the whole time with her fiancé!" she said happily, laughing.

"What?" I yelled though I didn't plan to; it was instinct. "What fiancé? When did she even get engaged? I had no idea on any of it! Who told you? How did you find out?" I knew my reaction wasn't rational and I didn't actually care. When had that happened?

"Hey, hey calm down! Wow, I had no idea you'd have reacted like that.. if I didn't know I'd say you found out your girlfriend is getting married! Relax!" she was in shock and the moment the last sentence came out of her mouth, I realized what my behavior had seemed like. I froze! Had she…understood anything?

"No, it's not that, I just…" I began to say but she cut me off before I could justify my reaction.

"I know, don't worry. And that was a joke you know! Now, about Rose..well everyone keeps saying that she's engaged to Adrian Ivashkov and some even say that they got secretly married. It's all so Romeo- Juliet thing that I don't think it's something more than rumors.." she ended the story.

Great, just what I needed. I had my suspicions about Rose and Adrian and Tasha didn't do anything but confirm them..in the worst possible way I could imagine.. Engagement? Marriage? What the..? "Yeah, I'm sure that's what's happening" I said after a while of silence in order to ease my previous reaction. "Besides wouldn't have Rose asked me to be her maid of honor? I got surprised by myself for being able to joke about this. Tasha laughed and went on with the ball conversation.

"You do have a tuxedo, don't you?" she asked stressed for a second,

"Yeah, don't worry, I'll dress properly enough to see the Pope!" I said and she asked again.

"I bet you will. But be careful..we don't want girls starting to faint at your sight, right? I mean you already look like a model. But a model in a tux is death sentence!" she said. Ah oh, awkward situation. I knew Tasha was attracted to me-or more- but it was the first time she complimented me like that. It really astonished me.

"Anyway," she said when I remained silent "when do you want me to be ready? How about 11:00?"

"Yes, 11:00 is great. I'll step by your room then." I said.

"Settled then!" she said and turned to leave. "Don't you dare be late!" she joked and left.

Then, I had all the time to think about Rose…as usual. Why couldn't that girl just be a normal 17-year-old teenager? No accidents, no death threats, no marriages or pregnancies? Tasha hadn't say anything about pregnancy but I was sure there would be another rumor among others. If I waited maybe someone would come to congratulate me for being the baby's god-father. Crap! Dimitri, you are not allowed to keep thinking of her. Get her out of your mind! You are a guardian, a pretty good damn it, you face Strigoi and your student can mess up with your head all the time, really? But she wasn't just a student I knew that. She was much, much more. I hoped tonight's ball would help me concentrate. It was a pretty good chance to escape from my problems. One actually…Roza. Her name hit me like cold water. I hadn't seen her since she woke up, many hours ago. What was I doing? Leaving her alone? She would think I had actually abandoned her in there. She would think I didn't care…

I quickly wore my shoes and rushed to the parking lot. I drove back to the hospital and while parking I run into a very painful image; Rose getting out of the hospital with Adrian helping her walk by holding her shoulders and her waist. I saw her pushing him away twice in order to walk by herself, but twice she lost her balance and he caught her. I didn't remember any time in my entire life that I got so jealous. Jealousy rushed down my body like poison. Burning every part of me. I took some deep breaths trying to control myself and not turn Adrian into my practice dummy. God, was it hard…

They made it to Adrian's car but Rose hesitated before getting in. she scanned the place around like she was looking for someone, expecting someone. Hope took the place of jealousy..did she? That moment was over an Rose got into his car as he started the engine. In seconds they were gone, and I continued standing there…just standing there. It seemed like hours had passed before I was able to move and start the car.. although it had just been a few minutes. Why did she leave with HIM? How did HE know she was getting out..for one sure I had no idea. Was this a punishment for I had left her because of my anger? So many questions pounding inside my head making it impossible for me to think clearly. But I had to so, with much effort, I drove back to the lodge. Right then I was thinking only one thing; Rose. I had to see Rose!

I knocked her door and Lissa was the one who opened it.. "Oh, Guardian Belikov!", she said quite surprised "How can I help you?"

"Princess, is Rose in? May I see her?" Damn, I should have been more typical and said miss Hathaway… I hoped she would skip that..

"Yeah, sure come in! She just came and she's in bed…"

"That's because you won't let me stand up and be normal." Rose cut her off. I saw her eyes widen a little when she noticed me and, to my shame, I liked that reaction of hers. "Hey, Dimitri!" she greeted me. No worries about being typical then. Good. "Where have you been? I was beginning to think you were kidnapped?" she joked. Lissa laughed and I had to smile. "I was making plans of coming to your rescue!"

"No, I just had some run to do. Guardian staff. I was about to visit you when you I heard you were out of the hospital.." truth. Most of it. ".. so I came to visit you here." I finished my story.

"Yeah, thank Lissa for that" she said quite bitterly. "She sent Adrian to bring me back. Geez, Liss Adrian? Seriously? Couldn't you have sent someone else? I mean for God's sake!" she complained.

Yes Princess couldn't you have sent someone else? Like me? But I wasn't going to show that the fact had bothered me. Like really bothered me. "Rose always take what you can! Now, how are you feeling? Is there any pain?"

"No, I am brand new! No, seriously I feel amazing. No one has to worry and not letting me be normal." she said glaring at Lissa.

"So, since you're fine, I guess I can go. I'll see you later, so try not to break anything or get yourself injured again!" I said before stepping out of the door. Though I meant it to be a joke I actually was serious. She was more than capable of getting herself back at the hospital within 24 hours since she got out. The wish "take care" to Rose was a prayer for everyone around her.

"I'll see what I can do!" she joked back. "I'll see you later Comrade!" she said waving her hand as I left..

After that visit I felt more relaxed and happy. Relaxed because she was fine and being herself again. Nothing like the hardly-breathing corpse I had seen at the hospital. I shivered at the memory of that picture. And harry because Rose seemed angry and bothered of the fact that Adrian had picked her up from the hospital. Nice! As I turned the corner I saw Adrian heading to the direction I was coming from.. Rose's room. Now, would have been my fault if I beat the hell out of him? I wanted to.

"Hello Guardian Belikov! Coming from Rose's room?" he asked smiling. I would really love to vanish that smile out of his face.

"Yes, Lord Ivashkov. I went to see how my student is doing." Did he notice I emphasized the word student? I hoped no.

"Nice to hear! But I would like to see so myself. Have a nice evening!" and with that he continued his way to my Roza's room. The joy I was feeling before I rushed into Adrian, disappeared. If things kept going this way, then it would be a long holiday. Very long!