As they exited Lissa's, Rose decided Adrian's place was way nicer, and thats the direction she headed. He resisted at first, trying to get her to tell him what the hurry was. After it became clear she wasn't talking, he fell silent as he followed her - trying to deal with the overwhelming darkness, she imagined. Rose herself was feeling too devious to notice much of the darkness. She knew Adrian said he wanted to wait awhile before they were physical together, but in her mind, they had waited three years - it was about damn time. She even had a good reason for it. They way she saw it, since working out seems to make the darkness fade in her so well, that any physical activity would be good for both of them. Smiling inwardly, she opened his door, pulling him inside and slamming it shut.

"Now will you-" Adrian started, but Rose turned around quickly, and kissed him hard on the lips. After a split second, his arms came around her, kissing her back with the same intensity. Slowly, Rose thought she could feel a slight lightening of the pressure in her chest. Pulling back breathlessly, she gaze into his eyes, which were surprised. He had felt a little better, too. Suddenly, he gave her a wicked grin, and his hands pulled her hips closer, as he whispered, "Why didn't I think of this? I think I might actually enjoy it..."

"You'll do more then enjoy it," Rose promised with a teasing grin. She switched positions with him, pushing him into the room until his legs hit the couch and he sat. She climbed onto his lap eagerly, finding his lips again, hands exploring his chest. Button after button, she undid his shirt, until his skin was bare for her to touch. He ran his hands through her hair, and in a flash was standing, Rose's body wrapped around him. Rose laughed as they kissed, her cheek rubbing against his as he carried her towards the bedroom. In his ear, she whispered, "How you feeling, Ivashkov?" The only response she got was a growl, as he slammed the door behind him with his foot. He dumped her unceremoniously on the bed, claiming the upper ground as he lowered his head, kissing her neck and shoulders. She shivered, thinking briefly about all the times she had wanted to do this with him. She knew he was thinking the same thing, and then her mind flicked off as his hands made quick work of her shirt and jeans. He leaned back, grinning, "I think I'm the luckiest man in the world."

"Of course you are," Rose agreed easily, sitting up on her elbows, "But if you don't come back down here, your going to be the most unhappy." He rolled his eyes at her, biting her bottom lip to shut her up. She arched into him with a soft groan, her lips finding his again. They tumbled over in the bed, fighting each other for control, and soon, they were lost.

"Where are you going?" Adrian's raspy voice asked, as Rose sat up in bed. They'd been snuggled up together, skin on skin, enjoying the lazy relaxation that only came after sex. Rose stood up, not caring that she was naked, and she tossed him a satisfied grin over her shoulder as she walked towards her clothes, "I have training with Dimitri." Adrian nodded, putting his arms behind his head, "I have to say, this beats smoking and alcohol." She laughed, not looking as she shrugged her shirt on over her head. The blanket rode low on his hips, and his chest shone with perspiration still. Rose's dark skin was glowing with it, and she tugged on her pants. He watched, until she was dressed, and he suddenly said, "Stay."

"What?" She frowned, turning fully to look at him. The sight made her heart jump again, but she mentally scolded it back down. She crawled into bed once more, leaning over to kiss him sweetly, and he repeated, "Just stay this time, Rose. Please?"

"I can't, I have a job to do," Rose sighed, leaning back. Adrian had never asked her to skip training before - this was new. She didn't know why he wanted her to. Or how to respond to it. He touched her cheek, and he said, "I'm sure Belikov will understand."

"Dimitri is doing this as a favour, I can't just ditch," Rose said regretfully, turning to leave. Adrian nodded, "Yeah, okay. I'll see you later?"

"For the rehearsal dinner," Rose nodded, confirming with a smile. She was almost at the bedroom door, when she suddenly heard him blurt out, "I love you." She froze, fingers grasping the door handle. She didn't turn, but she heard him sit up in the bed, leaned back on his hands now. Slowly, she looked back, and saw him staring at her, looking determined with his chin held high.

"I'm not taking it back, if that's what your thinking," Adrian said stubbornly, before she could speak. Rose stayed quiet, and stared at him for another minute until she realized what she was doing. She fumbled with the doorknob, and mumbled, "Don't say that, Adrian." Quick as a flash, Adrian was next to her, touching her hand to stop her from leaving.

"Why is that so hard to believe? You know I've always been in love with you. Ever since we met," he continued quietly, "I've never said that to anyone before, Rose. Can you honestly tell me you don't love me back?"

"It's too soon, Adrian," she stated, "We just started dating. Your just in the honeymoon stage." This made him scowl, and he replied, "You know as well as I do that I know the difference. I love you, you stupid Dhampir." With that, he opened the door for her, leaning on it in all his nakedness.

"You're late," he reminded her, as she stared at him with a dumbfounded look. He kissed her cheek softly, and she made her escape. As the front door closed behind her, Adrian swore loudly, slamming his palm into the door. Figures. He finally tells her he loves her, and look what happens. Shutting the bedroom door again, he went into the bathroom, turning on the taps to make a very hot shower. He vaguely noticed the darkness had completely left, but wasn't in the mood to be happy about it. He needed to figure out how to deal with that stupid Dhampir he loved so much.

When Rose reached the Training Center, she was still dumbfounded with shock. Adrian said told her he loved her. How could he say that to her? Didn't he know what that meant? She ran it over and over in her mind, ignoring the tingling in her heart she felt whenever she remembered his soft voice saying it to her across the room, or asking her to stay with him. Instead, she focused on all the repercussions. Her mind wasn't all there as she walked over to Dimitri, and she barely heard him when he started to talk. She only snapped back to the present when he grabbed her shoulders, shaking her gently to get her attention.

"Rose? Were you in Lissa's head?" Dimitri asked, concerned. Rose shook her head, feeling instantly guilty, "No, sorry. I'm ready." He eyed her skeptically, and slowly said, "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothings wrong," she replied in a false voice. She winced, knowing it sounded terrible, and Dimitri sighed, "Come on."

"Where are we going?" She asked, following him as he walked out of the Training Center. He stayed silent, leading her towards the track. There was no one around, and he turned back to her, "We'll do our training outside today - but now, since we're alone, you can talk." Rose sighed - she should have guessed this was his plan. She groaned and fell back on a bench, rubbing her face, "Adrian told me he loved me." She felt Dimitri sit beside her, but didn't move her hands from her eyes and he said, "What did you say back?"

"I didn't. He doesn't really love me," Rose grumbled, crossing her arms defensively, "I don't expect that." Dimitri sighed, and said, "Roza, its obvious you love him back. You wouldn't be so upset about this if you didn't."

"I'm not upset!" Rose exclaimed, pulling her hair up out of her face, "Look, I don't want to talk about this, can we just fight?" He sighed again, tossing her some earplugs with a small smile, "Fine, but put these in."

"Ugh, really?" She whined, taking them grudgingly. He nodded, "You'd be surprised when this could come in handy. Alexei really does know what he's talking about."

They trained for awhile, starting with Rose wearing just one earplug, and then both. It was ridiculous, in her mind, but it took her mind off her troubles with Adrian, which she was thankful for. As the time progressed, she learned to sense which way Dimitri would come at her from behind. After she finally stopped an attack, after being on the losing end for so long, Dimitri gave her one of his rare, sweet smiles. She smiled back - she knew he was happy with her progress.

"Don't you need to get ready for the rehearsal dinner? I do," Dimitri asked, wiping sweat from his brow. Rose nodded, smiling, "Yeah, I do. Thanks again, Dimitri." They started to walk back, and just before they parted ways, he stopped her and said, "I would suggest talking to Adrian before the dinner." He walked away without another word. Rose sighed - when was Dimitri not right? She knew she had to.

Setting out, she returned to Adrian's place. She knocked, rather then just going inside, since she knew he was probably pissed off at her. He opened the door after a moment, looking devastatingly handsome in his dress clothes and semi-messy hair. He leaned on the doorframe, arms folded, an eyebrow raised. He wanted to make her squirm.

"I'm sorry. I'm an idiot." She stated this softly, and he gave her a quick nod, moving so she could enter. She did, and he leaned back on the closed door again, staring at her. He had been ready to beg and plead his case, but she seemed to be making things much easier for him. Without turning to see him, Rose just turned her head slightly to the right, looking down as she said, "I don't love well, Adrian. I love Lissa, I just barely love my mother..."

"It doesn't matter, with other people," Adrian said finally, in an even voice. He walked over, putting his hands on her shoulders, squeezing gently, "I'm all you have to think about, Rose." She turned to face him finally, and her arms slipped around his waist, as she rested her head against his chest. He moved one hand up to the back of her head, running his fingers through her hair.

After a moment, she nuzzled his jaw, whispering softly as she said the words he'd been waiting years to hear.

"I love you too, Adrian."