Rose opened her eyes, and was assaulted with the smell of burning, dust and debris making her choke and slam them shut again. She forced them open after her eyes stopped watering, and saw a body, laying near her a few feet away. She tried to push herself up, but her aching body was betraying her. Instead, she half-crawled, praying she was wrong in thinking the person was dead. As she got closer, she saw the rise and fall of their chest - but in the guardian uniform, it was hard to tell if it was Eddie or the other guardian. She rolled the person over gently, Eddie's half-closed eyes met hers as he gave her a weak smile, "Glad to see your face."
"God, back at you," Rose said, smiling gently. She winced as she heard - and felt - another part of the house crumbling down, and she gave in to her body's exhaustion, resting her forehead on Eddie's bicep. Eddie whispered, "The other guardian.."
"Dead," Rose said, having spied the still body feet away from them already. Eddie closed his eyes, nodding. He had some shrapnel from the porch sticking out from his leg, but Rose didn't feel confident enough to do anything about it. Eddie could sense her hesitation, and he said, "Don't. Just rest. They'll get to us soon." Rose let out another breath, and rested her head back down to its original spot, closing her eyes to wait out the thundering manor. She found his shirt with her fingers, clenching it tightly to make sure he stayed with her. She felt his fingers weakly brush her hair, then his arm rested against his chest, too weak to move back to the ground. She didn't know how long they waited the destruction out, but at some point, she passed out.
When Rose came back into consciousness once more, she could hear the low hum of conversations going on around her. Despite her need to see if everyone was okay, she remained quiet for a moment, breathing despite the pain in her chest. It was nice not breathing in dirt and dust, like they had been when the house was still falling. Whatever idiot set off the C4 early was going regret it. Gingerly, she opened her eyes, wincing at the welcomed sight of the sun, still hanging a ways over the mountains. It was on its journey down, but it looked like they had lots of time left. She pushed herself up with sore elbows, and looked around. She was on a blanket, among some other Guardian's who were being patched up, or were unconscious like Eddie. He was next to her, still out cold but breathing steadily, which caused her to sigh with relief. He had been closer to the house then her, when the explosion happened, and that shrapnel had worried her. She saw someone had already removed it, stitching up the wound efficiently. Glancing down at herself, she realized most of her wounds had been tended as well, including most of the burns. She even had an icepack laying next to her, which she assumed was for her face.
"Roza," Dimitri's relieved voice came from her other side. She faced forwards, blinking to make her eyes refocus. Dimitri touched her cheek, and said, "How do you feel?"
"Don't ask," Rose replied, hoarsely. She glanced down again at her body. Her clothes were pretty much ruined, which was okay, but her stake was long gone. That sucked. She was dirty, and bloody, with not just her own blood. This made her wince, and she met Dimitri's eyes, asking, "Where is Adrian? You got him out okay?"
"He was getting his leg set - it might not have been broken before we ran, but it definitely is now," Dimitri admitted, helping her up and letting her lean on him for support. She felt like her entire body got hit by bricks, and when she commented on this, Dimitri gave her a wry smile, "Well, you did just get thrown fifteen feet by an explosion that took down a house." She rolled her eyes, but before she could say anything else, they had reached a large van that would start transporting them back to court soon. Her eyes landed on Adrian, who was sitting against the wall in the back, his arms folded, eyes closed. He looked just as beat up as everyone else, and Rose broke away from Dimitri, throwing her arms around Adrian's neck without saying a word.
"Rose," Adrian breathed, burying his face into her hair, "They wouldn't let me see you. Are you okay? I-"
"Shhh.." Rose whispered, not lifting her head from his neck. She shifted to a more comfortable position beside him, refusing to let go. A short while later, she noticed wetness on her cheeks, and Adrian's soft voice whispered, "Don't cry, Little Dhampir."
"I'm so glad your alive," she said, lifting her head and staring at him desperately, "Adrian-"
"We'll talk after," Adrian said firmly, "You've got to be strung out by now. Lets wait, until we're back at court." Rose nodded in agreement, and Dimitri walked over again, "We're getting ready to go. Rose-"
"I know. I can't drive back here," she said, reluctantly letting Adrian go. She looked at him, and said, "Don't go anywhere without me, okay?" He nodded, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. She backed away as other Guardian's took over, helping him maneuver his leg into a comfortable position for the drive. Rose followed Dimitri.
"Why did the C4 detonate early?" Rose asked finally, knowing Dimitri was waiting for her questions. He frowned, and replied, "I'm not exactly sure. I do know that no other Moroi made it - not even the Queen. If other's reported them dead, and they saw Adrian exit with me, they might have detonated early to end it all."
"Good bloody job..." Rose grumbled, opening the passenger door. They were the only ones in their vehicle now - Eddie was still unconscious, driving back with the rest of the wounded. And her mother... Rose looked back at the crumbled mansion, knowing there was no way to get her body out of the rubble.
"She died a very honourable death," Dimitri said softly, waiting to start the engine, "She was proud of you Rose. If we could get her body-"
"I know we can't," Rose said softly, "I'm just wishing." Dimitri nodded, sadness and understanding in his eyes. She tore her eyes from the debris, and stared straight ahead as they started to drive. Softly, she mumbled, "Hold my hand?" When he didn't reply, she glanced over, and saw a smile on his lips, despite his eyes facing the road. Wordlessly, he held his out, palm up, just like he used to when he permitted hand holding. Rose stared at it for a moment, then took it with hers, clasping it like a lifeline as she fought with her conscious to ignore everything that had happened in the past 24 hours. They'd have to relive it enough in the next few weeks - she wanted this drive home for herself.
When they pulled through the gates back home, they drove straight into the parking garage. Rose was still clutching Dimitri's hand, but as soon as she spied the medic van, she let go, opening her door before they finished stopping. As fast as she could manage, she walked over, opening the back door. Adrian was half-asleep - her blood must have run through his system faster then she anticipated. Gently, she took his hands, guiding him out of the truck. She put one of his arms around her shoulder, his broken leg between them.
"You need to stay in the Infirmary tonight, Ivashkov," Alberta's voice rang out. Rose nodded in acceptance, Adrian remaining silent. They stayed that way as she walked him there, and they got him a private Moroi room. As Dr. Vallencourt raised Adrian's leg into a sling hanging from the bed frame, Rose sat next to him, a wet cloth in her hand. She touched his cheek, and gently began to wipe the blood and dirt away from his face and neck.
As she did this, Adrian opened his eyes, and mumbled, "You need to go get looked after."
"I got stitches and ice packs. I'm good to go," Rose under-exaggerated a little, but she was more concerned with Adrian then herself. Dr. Vallencourt finished setting his leg properly, and gave him some powerful painkillers, saying, "This will make you sleep for a good long time, and let you rest your body. You've been pushed to your limits, Lord Ivashkov. Your body needs to heal. If you need anything, just ring the bell." With that, he left.
"I need to go file my report. You'll be okay?" Rose mumbled, smoothing his hair back from his face. He nodded, already half asleep. She brushed her lips against his, and left, turning off the light to give him some rest.
She was fighting exhaustion now, and she trudged back to HQ unwillingly. It was a flurry of activity, and she could see most of the surviving guardian's giving statements, filling out forms, etc. The boring end of their job. She saw Dimitri waiting silently in a chair, and she walked over, sitting next to him.
"We can give our statement together, if you wish. Save us some time." He said, almost questioningly. Rose nodded gratefully, "That'd be nice. I'm dying for a shower."
"You fought so well, Roza," Dimitri mumbled, not looking at her, "I think the cliche 'student has surpassed the teacher' line can apply here." Rose grinned, and fought hard not to look at him, copying his stare at the wall in front of them as she said, "Is that a compliment, comrade?" They glanced at each other, both pausing, and then laughing lightly. She leaned her head back against the wall, and a few minutes later they heard Alberta call them into her office. They walked in, taking a seat next to Eddie, the only other member of their team left. Rose felt her throat close up once more, and Alberta sighed, starting by saying, "I'm so sorry we lost Guardian Hathaway." She gave a stiff nod, and said, "It hurts."
"I know your tired, but we need to get this on record as soon as possible, especially since the queen is dead," Alberta said, going into business mode, "We-"
"ROSE!"
Rose jumped, startled as a feminine voice screamed her name. She turned just in time to see a blond blur throw herself at her. She groaned in pain as Lissa hugged her tightly, then jumped back when she realized she had hurt her.
"God, Rose. I'm just so glad your alive," Lissa said, tears in her eyes. Alberta raised her eyebrows, and Christian came up behind Lissa, saying, "I don't think we should be here-"
"Can they stay?" Rose asked, glancing back at a skeptical Alberta, "They won't interrupt, and it would save me a lot of trouble re-telling them all of this later."
"Belikov, Castile?" Alberta questioned. At their nods, she sighed, leaning back, "Very well. Princess, Ozera, please try hard not to interrupt too much. We need to get through this as fast as possible."
"Thank you," Lissa nodded, sitting next to Rose. She had just noticed the bloody, bruised bodies occupying the three chairs, and she had gone pale. She knew the fight was bad, but knowing was different then seeing it first hand. Dimitri cleared his throat, and in a soft, tired voice, he started to outline the entire attack. Every now and then, Rose or a very exhausted, beat up Eddie put in what happened next. When they got to Lara's bedroom, Dimitri paused, looking to Rose. Rose looked at Lissa, their eyes holding as she whispered, "I was about to be killed. She had me, I had nowhere else to go. But as she came down, my mother appeared, taking the dagger meant for me." Lissa gasped, covering her mouth with one hand. She knew better then to hug Rose during their Guardian duties, but every bone in her body yearned to. Christian took her hand, trying to calm her as Rose quickly told Alberta how she killed Lara, then they escaped just as the explosion started to go off.
"Alright. I'll file the report - do you three need any further medical attention?" Alberta asked, and Rose shook her head, "I don't, but Eddie..." She looked to Lissa, who firmly shook her head, "I'll take care of it."
"Very well. There will most likely be a meeting tomorrow, to discuss the proceedings that go with the Queen's death. Until then, your all excused from regular guarding rotation." They stood, leaving the offices wearily.
"Oh Rose.." Lissa whispered, taking her friends hand. Rose squeezed back, too tired to feel anything. Lissa softly said, "If you need to stay with us..." Rose smiled, and said, "I'm okay, Liss. Nothing has sunk in yet. Ask me again tomorrow, though. My life is pretty much a big mess right now." Lissa nodded, her eyes glistening, "I'm so sorry about your mother."
"So am I..." Rose admitted, not wanting to get too into it. The memory was still too unreal for her. Lissa turned back, and said, "Eddie, stay with us tonight. I'll heal you." Eddie nodded, and Dimitri excused himself, wanting to get back to Tasha and their new children. Rose said, "Liss, I'm going to go stay with Adrian."
"Is he.." Lissa trailed off, not sure how to word what she wanted to say. Rose shrugged, "He was too exhausted to speak much. He has a broken leg, and the bastards fed from him without mercy. I want to be there when he wakes up." Lissa nodded, kissing Rose on the cheek, "See you tomorrow?"
"Yeah. And put your game face on. Queen Naomi is dead, which means politics are going to skyrocket," Rose replied, a bit sarcastically at the end. Lissa nodded, "Court is going to be in an uproar. I'm sure we'll hear more tomorrow." Christian nudged Lissa aside, then gave Rose a close hug, "We need to go. Eddie is dead on his feet." Rose nodded, and watched Lissa leave with Christian and Eddie. Rose quickly returned to the Infirmary, where she found Adrian, fast asleep. She smiled, and climbed into the wide bed, curling up next to him without touching them. Neither of them were in any condition to snuggle. She closed her eyes, and fell asleep to the joyous feeling of Lissa's Spirit circulating her body.
A/N: Not as climactic as the previous few chapters, but I do hope you enjoyed it. Please review if you have any comments/criticism! I've already got a sequel planned - but there are still some more chapters for this story yet to come :) Be excited!