After that morning, we didn't seem to have a minute to ourselves while we were in New York. Nikolas was taken out on a mission with Chris and some of the others for a rumored vamp nest up north. I almost protested, but couldn't not let him go save lives. Jordan and I planned on vegging out while he was gone, but she was whisked away with another group of warriors to find a few vampire stragglers that they thought were from Elena's nest.

That left me alone, but I was okay with it. I hadn't had much time with my thoughts lately. I found some paper and a regular pencil and sketched for awhile. I drew Elena's face when she had posed as Anna. I drew Grace, who was only a pawn. I had started drawing Nikolas's face as he had leaned above me in front of the fire at the cabin, when i felt him return. I smiled to myself and continued my drawing.

When the door opened and Nikolas stood there grinning at me, I couldn't stop myself from leaping onto him. He laughed as i wrapped my legs around his waist. "Honey, I'm home." I smiled at him and caught his face in my hands, bringing my lips to meet his. He moved to shut the door, when Jordan popped her head in. This time we both sighed and Nikolas set me down on my feet.

"Don't kill the messenger! I'm supposed to let you guys know that we have a plane leaving tonight for Idaho, and we are leaving in about an hr to get to the airstrip." She looked between us again and winked at me before turning tail and leaving.

"How does this possibly keep happening?" Nikolas murmured. "I'm starting to think that that night was a figment of my imagination. and It'll just never happen again."

I laughed, "When we get to the institute tonight, I'm turning the phones off, locking the doors and not coming out again until I've had my way with you." Heat crept back into Nikolas's grey eyes.

"Oh really, Ms. Grey...and do you mind telling me what you plan on doing with me?"

"I would, but it would probably scandalize you."

"I see. Any hints perhaps?"

I leaned in close to his ear. The sexual frustration of the past few days had made me bold. "Well first Im going to get naked then I'm going to get you naked and then I'm going to very slowly-" This time a twin appeared in the still open doorway.

"Hey lass, Nikolaus, We are having a bit of a send off feast downstairs."

He motioned for us to join him and I giggled at Nikolas's lost expression. "I'm cursed. It's never going to happen again."

The party was worth it though. All the Warriors who had stayed the past three days were gathered in the living room, plates piled high with various takeout. We each grabbed a plate and joined the others as they were regaling tales from their separate missions today. I liked getting to know the other warriors, but I was ready to leave.

Jordan, Chris, Grant, Seamus and Niall were all coming back to the Institute with us, so we gathered what little we had here- Nikolas and I had been kidnapped, so we had nothing. Chris and the rest had been on a rescue mission, so they had what they wore in and their weapons. I was so excited to be going home I couldn't sit still. Clothes that fit me! Oscar, Hugo, Woolf! Moving in with Nikolas into his apartment! Nate, Tristan...Going Home meant dealing with a few more things, but that was okay, the good outweighed the bad.

We got to the airstrip and I was the first out of the car and climbing the steps to the plane. Nikolas laughed at me and I stuck my tongue out at him. The flight was six hours long, which was torture, but i knew with each minute I was one mile closer. I couldn't wait to see the hounds,and I wondered how they had been doing training with Sahir. Tomorrow I would be taking them with me for a nice long walk in the woods . I wondered If Oscar had even made it back yet or if Heb was still looking after him in California. Also, could animals teleport with me? hmmm, definitely a question to ask. Nikolas sat back with Chris, talking for most of the trip. I bounced between Jordan and them, finally settling in next to Nikolaus after she passed out.

"Happy to go home?"

"You have no idea," I whispered suggestively. He whipped his head around to look at me. I hoped he could see my intent in my eyes. I was so ready for privacy with him and the opportunity to finally have sex again. The first time was tender and sweet and amazing. I wanted to explre him more, see if I could possibly make it even more magical this time around. "No interruptions this time, or I may just lose my mind."

"Oh, dear Sara," He whispered back to me " I will make sure that you lose your mind."

There was a very real part of me that wanted to jump him there, company be damned. He knew it too, and smirked, leaning back in his seat. And If I actually did Jump you..?

I would enjoy every moment.

I smiled and lay my head against his shoulder. I surprised myself when I fell asleep for the last two hours of flight.

Moy malen'kiy voin. Sara. Its time to wake up. Nikolas's voice interrupted my dream. I felt his arm around my back, and another one under my knees as I was lifted. I was capable of walking, but I just enjoyed the moment and curled my head in towards his neck.

"The excitement must've been too much for her, " Chris laughed. "I was serious about tying her to the seat earlier, jumping up every five minutes to go talk to someone else. She's like a puppy!"

I scowled and Nick must have felt my facial expression change because he chuckled too. "I was half tempted myself." I sat up more fully then and smacked his chest playfully.

"Bullies."

We got off the plane and piled into the 15 passenger van headed back to the Institute. I was drumming my finger against my leg as I watched the scenery fly by, to the point where Nikolas grabbed my hand to still it. "I'm just so-"

"Excited, yes we know." Jordan was less than happy to be leaving actual Warrior duties to be back at school. "You do realize we are in Idaho, right? The epicenter of nothing?"

"I'm just happy for things to settle down for a while. I need some down time."

Everyone in the car laughed at that, and I frowned up at Nikolas. A twin came to his rescue, "Yeah right, Lass. I don't think you do peace and quiet."

I was indignant. "I do so! I had plenty of peace before this whole Master business began."

"Living in one of the quietest towns in America you managed to befriend a troll, two werewolves, aide the troll in healing demons, and sell highly valuable materials on the demon black market. " Chris was still chuckling at my expression. "Since meeting you I have seen more crazy than i could have imagined."

"Well... that was all just coincidence! I was in the right place at the right time. And sometimes I was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"No, Trouble follows you around. It knows you by name, you guys hang out as often as possible." Jordan put her hands out defensively at my glare, "Hey, I'm not complaining. Its the reason we became friends. Hanging out with you may be bad for my wardrobe but I've had a blast. I'm looking forward to whatever insanity you attract next." This time both Nikolas and I glared at her. "But, like, that probably wont be in any time soon. Or at all..." She trailed off, avoiding Nikolas's scowl.

No more trouble, I swear, I assured him.

I just wish I could believe that. She's right, anything odd within a 200 mile radius is going to come right to you.

Well, at least fate stuck me with such a great warrior for a mate. He smiled and shook his head a little. Then looked thoughtful.

You know I wonder if there's something to that.We both contemplated the fact. It made sense, I guess, if you wanted to delve into the whole ideal of fates. Which I did not. not now anyway. I thrummed with energy the closer we got to the institute. The snow covered fields whipped by the window and I briefly thought back to the last week when I was doing exactly the same thing...but un-mated. Everything was so different now. I squeezed Nikolas's hand tight, thinking of Tristan and our inevitable conversation.

Nervous to start our forever? I shook my head at him and smirked

Not a chance, you're stuck with me now. I worried my lip for a moment. I was thinking about Tristan.

He tugged my lip free. Nothing to worry about, love. You'll see.

We turned onto the road leading to Westhorn. The very thought of Tristan sat in my stomach like stone, but my heart soared to be reunited with my hounds and Nate. And moving in with Nikolas. The conflicting emotions were like an espresso shot and my already (apparently irritating)excitement went into overdrive. The second the van stopped I threw the door open and jumped out. I hadn't even taken a step before i was greeted by two large slobbery tongues.

"Oh my god! Boys! Stop!" The command was lost on them as I was laughing too hard to really get the words out. The assault continued and I reached up to scratch them both behind the ears. " You good boys, you knew I was coming back. I missed you, too. Yes, you are good boys." I crooned to them as I stroked their soft fur and nuzzled them back.

"Actually this is part of their rounds now, they are a bit ahead of schedule for this area, but i assumed it was due to an approaching vehicle." Sahir was standing behind Hugo and Woolf, looking immensely pleased with himself.

"So, its working? They are doing it? Did anyone freak out?" The dogs each took a side and leaned into me as I pet them.

"Not anyone who was here during the attack. I think anyone with brains has realized it's better to train them to be on our side, than have them against us." He crossed his arms and grinned. "I think you are the first warrior they've 'attacked'."

I laughed and felt Nikolas approach. I had been so excited for him to get in on training the dogs with me, but judging by the expression he wore, I was doubtful. Hugo leaned away from me to sniff Nikolas, and both him and Sahir tensed slightly. Hugo looked to me, then Nikolas and sniffed again. I wondered if he could smell me on him or was sensing the closeness between us. My questions were answered when he leaned into Nikolas and licked the side of his face, sending me into peels of laughter. "I don't think so, Hound." He said firmly and Hugo sat back on his haunches, considering him. Then leaned into him as he had done me and I giggled again.

"But he loves you!" Nikolas gave me a stern look before he raised a hand to halfheartedly pet Hugo. "Hey, they're your dogs now too. Better learn to love 'em." Nikolas sighed in defeat and reached over to pet Woolf as well, who sniffed his hand, but stayed at my side.

"I suppose this one is mine, " He scratched one of Hugo's ears.

"Deal." I said softly, my heart swelling at the sight. "All right boys, finish your rounds, I'll come join you later. " I patted both the dogs and nodded at Sahir, promising to catch up later and go over his training techniques.

Nikolas and I joined the others as they walked into the entrance of Westhorn and I was overcome with memories, mostly good ones. I breathed in deeply, "Ahhh, its so good to be home."

It certainly is. Nikolas was looking at me with a hungry expression. Let's go wash the slobber off your face in our shower.

I scrunched my nose up, knowing how unsexy it was to be covered in dog spit, but Nikolas seemed just as eager to get me alone as before. In our home. Our home. Because I lived with Nikolas now. We hadn't made it out of the entrance hall before Celine intercepted us.

My mori growled in the back of my mind. The rational Sara side of me knew that Celine was absolutely no competition to what we had. My mori wanted to beat her down and threaten her life if she ever spoke to him again with her perfect lips. Luckily for everyone involved, rational Sara won out. I had a teensy moment of pleasure when I saw her double take our clasped hands. A flash of guilt and remorse followed when I caught a glimpse of the pain it caused her. "Nikolas." She nodded to him.

"Celine," he replied curtly. He still hadn't forgiven her from trying to talk me into breaking the bond.

"Tristan...he wants to see you." She seemed unsure with his reception, as if she had planned this out and it had gone much differently in her mind.

"Can it wait? We've just stepped inside. Its been a long week, we'd like a chance to relax." I bit back my smile. Yes, she was outright ignoring me, but i didn't need to shove our relationship in her face. Unless she really deserved it. My mori purred at the thought. Our Solmi. Only ours.

"Actually Tristan requested that you come alone. So Sara is free to go relax on her own." She turned, finally acknowledging me with a brittle smile. I quirked an eyebrow at her. Her words sunk in though and my earlier fears came back to me.

Nikolas seemed surprised. I could see him warring between wanting to fix whatever was happening between Tristan and I, or at least going to hear him out, and finally getting some peace with me. You need to go. He's your friend, and he's hurting. Regardless of whats between him and I,it doesn't mean you should avoid him in his time of need.

I don't want to be away from you. He seemed apologetic, and I knew he was off with Celine, who hated me, to go talk to my Grandfather. Who also hated me. It all stung, but Nikolas had done nothing wrong. I smiled reassuringly at him and nudged him forward. Go on, Ill be waiting.

Celine had witnessed our interaction. Her expression passed through several emotions, from shock, to grief, to rage, before settling on a placid cold bitch look I'd come to associate with her. Nikolas stepped away from me to head to Tristans office and she lightly grabbed hold of his arm. And to my embarrassment, I growled. Nikolas flashed a grin at me and shook her arm off. Celine paused, but continued walking by his side a beat later. I turned to go to my room, when I heard Nikolas's light running steps behind me. "Hey, I think you'll need this." I turned and he was holding the key to his apartment..our apartment, out to me.

"Oh yeah, Gotta wash all this slobber off."

"You better, I'll be coming back for you soon." He pulled me in for a quick, albeit pulse pounding kiss. I love you, his voice whispered in my mind. I pulled out of the kiss and leaned my forehead against his. I love you too. I spun out of his grasp before he had a chance to kiss me again. He needed to go be with Tristan for awhile. I could wait for him.