I could smell the sweet spicy scent of peonies. It made me feel very at ease here but I was more interested in why Adrian had popped up out of nowhere. I ran my hands through the new area of fields he made in his perfect dream world.

"What's the visit for?" I kept my eyes on the intensely green grass and big bulbed, multicolored peonies. I wanted to pick one to examine it more closely. I hadn't seen these flowers since I last opened a book back at St. Vlad's.

He ran his hands through his stylish-messy hair, "I have to admit I have no real reason."

My eyes shifted to his face and quickly back to the ground, "Adrian..."

"Not that I had much else to do. I thought I'd check in on you." He kicked at a small rock and we watched it bounce off and disappear into the grass.

I smiled, "Thanks. But I'm okay."

He looked and nodded to my stomach, "Everyone?"

My hands instinctively found their way to my stomach, "Yes."

He smirked and started pacing slowly through the grass. He was dragging his feet and leaving a small trail behind him. "Walk with me, Rose." He stuck out his arm for me to take.

Hesitation stung at my movements. I wanted to be careful not to make him misread my intentions of our "relationship". But the eager look in his eyes was just too much. I gently placed my hand at the base of his elbow and smiled lightly.

Our steps were slow and narrow. He kept taking in breaths like he might say something but kept just exhaling sharply like he had to rethink it all. Maybe it was the way he wanted to say something that kept him quiet. Maybe it was just going to upset me...

"Rose..."

"What happened to 'Little Dhampir'?" I nudged his shoulder.

He grinned, "I could revert back to that if you prefer."

I shook my head and looked away, "No, I'm good."

He laughed softly. I hadn't heard him laugh like that in a long while. It sounded genuine. "Now that that is cleared up." He paused and cleared his throat. "Rose, there's something that I have to tell you."

I felt my pulse speed up, "Please don't let it be bad news."

"Not exactly." He looked down to the ground and shifted his weight in his stance. "I think this is something important enough that we keep this in the same box of secrets as little Rose."

My heart jumped up to my throat. "It's that big?"

He shrugged, "I don't know really. It depends on how you feel."

"How I feel about...?" I tried to urge him on.

He let out a sharp exhale. "You know how... uh... how the alchemists have been dropping by Court recently?"

I nodded, "Yea..." I looked sheepishly away. "I've been looking for Sydney's face every time I get to catch a glimpse of the groups coming and going."

"Well when you get back you won't have to look far."

My eyes shot up to his face, "What? Sydney's at Court?" My heart dropped, "But she'll be gone by the time I get back."

He shook his head, "No, no she won't." He made a nervous sounding chuckle.

"Why is that?"

If the world wasn't confusing before now it was getting to the point that if everything wasn't explained detail by detail I would be lost. Adrian's face was definitely thoughtful. He was trying to get it right the first time. And not freak me out in the process.

"Well?"

He put up a hand to silence me a moment. He sighed heavily, "She's hiding out here for a while."

"She's hiding out... from the alchemists?"

His simple nod answered that question.

I fumbled for the words, "With who? Where is she?"

He bit his bottom lip, "Liss has her now but we are trying to move her to someone's house."

"How the hell did she end up at Liss'! I just talked to her. How long has she been there?" I couldn't get my head straight. So many questions were piling on one another. I couldn't speak fast enough to get it all right.

"She just got here about three hours ago." He pressed his hand on my shoulder and I could feel myself calming down. My head slowly began to clear. Then I realized what he was doing. In some ways I wanted to pull out of his reach but I liked it. I liked the feeling of being comforted. Even if it was by magic. And it wasn't good for the baby for me to be getting so worked up.

I sighed and relaxed, "Okay." I lowered myself to the grass and leaned back on my elbows. "This is alot."

He smirked and I saw a spark light in his eyes. I started to notice how the grass was making his eyes seem even greener. "I know. I was kind of nervous to lay it all out for you." He shrugged.

A smile finally found its way to my face, "So who's houses have you been considering?"

"Mine."

And it instantly dropped, "Is that such a good idea? After everything that happened with your mom and stuff?"

He shut his eyes tightly and sighed. I wanted to slap myself. It was still a delicate subject but his mother had gotten into alot of trouble after the incident of lying to keep him out of trouble when Tatiana was found dead. I should have just stopped at it being a bad idea.

I placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed softly. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have..."

He placed a hand on mine, "It's fine." He half laughed, half sighed. "I'm fine."

"But I still don't think it's a good idea to hide Sydney at your place. You could get into alot of trouble, Adrian." I plucked a piece of grass and started shredding it into strips that floated away with the light breeze.

He took a torn piece out of my hand and let it go. The breeze made it dance in the air just a few seconds before it disappeared in the distance. "I know what I'm doing. Everyone else is always so busy. I am the only one that doesn't have much to do with my life." He chuckled.

I shook my head, "Do you think you could handle taking care of another person?"

"I'll think of it as having a pet." He smirked.

I scoffed, "Don't tell Sydney that. Not a good reference." I thought about his comment a little longer, "Have you ever had a pet?"

He shrugged, "When I was younger but it didn't last long."

A knot formed in my throat, "You let it die?"

"No," he laughed out the word. "My father gave it away because he didn't like it."

"What kind of pet was it?"

He looked down to the ground and smiled to himself, "A bird."

"A bird? What kind?" I tried to imagine him with a little canary, blue jay, or robin. None really matched him well. I would guess along the lines of a raven or crow.

"It looked kind of like this." He put out his hand in front of him and a little bright green and yellow bird materialized on the palm of his hand. It was tilting its head from side to side. Just looking at Adrian in amazement. "I don't even know what kind it is. I just remember the way he looked." He reached out and stroked it from the top of its head to its tail feathers. It fluttered its feathers under his touch.

I laughed softly, "It looks like a parakeet." I reached out and gently petted the top of the bird's head. It closed its little black eyes and lowered its body down into Adrian's palm.

He sighed, "Either way I know how to take care of another living thing." He lifted it up and it flew away.

"Sydney isn't exactly like a pet bird. She's more", I tried to find the right word. "Opinionated and has a great sense of free will."

He eyed me a moment, "I can handle it, Rose."

I sighed heavily, "I hope so. Just becareful. And try not to kill each other."

"I can promise you nothing." He grinned and turned his back to me. "I guess I'll have to let you go now, huh?"

I nodded, "I'll be getting to the hotel any minute now. They'll wake me up."

He leaned against a tree and rested his head in his hand. "It was nice seeing you. Even if it's just a dream."

"You, too." I was starting to feel a little awkward. I hated to think that he might have some feelings for me still.

He turned to me. His eyes were still on the ground. "You take care until you get back. All three of you."

I felt my heart sink, "Thank you. You take care too. Wouldn't want to get back and hear that you're imprisoned for aiding and abetting a criminal."

"Why not? I already did that for you." He smiled.

Before I could utter another word I felt my body jolt into reality. Dimitri's face appeared over me. His eyes were darkened due to lack of light but I could still make out a faint smile on his face.

"Rose?" He ran his fingers over my cheek and I felt tingles cluster in my chest.

I smiled, "I'm awake."

He nodded, "We are here. Time to unload."

"What about them?" I tilted my head towards Fabian and Robert.

"We are loading them into the plane." He point towards the front of the vehicle.

I hadn't noticed we didn't go back to the hotel. We had gone straight to the pick-up point. No wonder why it was so dark out. The only light came from the plane's front and interior. Dimitri had already shut off the van's engine.

I stepped out into the cool night air. It smelled like wet dirt around here. "What are we doing? I thought we were going to stay one more night since it's so late."

He shrugged, "I figured we should get going to turn them in before anything else happens. If he has any minions they will track us to the hotel." He frowned, "God only knows what that will lead to."

He was right. We could end up being trapped and catured. Or worse. I shuddered thinking about the possibilities. Dimitri wrapped an arm around my shoulder assuming I was cold. I gave him a sweet smile as thanks. If only he knew the ideas that were floating around in my mind. Was this normal to think about the worse case scenario or was I just being paranoid?

We boarded the plane and secured Robert and Fabian in the back of the cabin. Each one had his hands and feet bound. We even took precautions and blind folded Robert. He could still cause some damage with his Spirit magic. The flight back to Court seemed to take forever. I think it was due to the fact that all the Guardians and Moroi were standing guard the entire time. No one bothered to rest or take a break. I don't think anyone dared to. Not with this type of danger in our midst.

When the plane did finally land it seemed like everyone couldn't wait to get off. Everyone except myself and Dimitri. We stayed back to help the officials unboard Robert and Fabian. Robert was still very much unconcious but Fabian was wide awake.

"Do you know what you're doing? This is ridiculous! I've done nothing wrong!" He started trying to resist the Guardians who were beginning to exchange warry glances. "You just wait! You'll end up licking stamps back in the post office with the rest of the nobodies!" His voice silenced as he was practically dragged into the jail.

I sighed heavily, "Finally."

Dimitri nudged me, "What's with you? Did he do something that offended you before this whole thing?"

"No! And I feel insulted that you would think I would act on such childish reasons." I stuck my nose in the air and turned my back to him. "I can't believe you."

He half laughed, "Whoa! I didn't even accuse you of anything. I just wanted to ask why you have such a problem with the guy."

I spun back around so fast that he stepped back just a bit. "Did you not hear him back there? Or how he acted?" I scoffed. "Come on! What kind of person leaves their comrades high and dry?"

"He did eventually join in."

"At the end. When we had practiacally everyone injured and Robert was weakening." I crossed my arms over my chest. Defiant to prove I was right.

He ran his hands through his hair, "It was his first time out in the fields."

I shook my head and then hung it in despair. "It was all the Moroi's first time out there. And if I had known he was going to be such a chicken I would have told them not to bother sending him with us."

"And you think you had a say so in this?" He now straightened his back and seemed to tower over me by great lengths.

I tried to stretch myself out as well and even tried to tip toe a little to gain some height. Little good did that do me. "Do you think I care if I have the say so? They still would have gotten a piece of my mind." I growled out the last words and gritted my teeth.

He placed his hands on my shoulders and pulled me to him. My cheek rested on his chest and I felt him inhale deeply and let the sigh linger. "Roza. You are so wreckless."

I tried to pull away but he was holding me tight. "I get things done."

He ran his fingers through my hair. "Some times the quickest way isn't the best. You must learn to be patient."

"Patience." I sighed. "That's not one of my strong suits." I gripped his shirt and crinkled it under my hand. "I'm trying, Dimitri. But..." I turned my face so that my forehead was pressed to his chest and the tip of my nose grazed his cotton shirt. He smelled like sweat and soap. "But you know I will not just stand by and watch some thing go wrong and do nothing about it. It's not in me."

"Nor me." I felt his lips press down on top of my head. He sighed. "Let's just get home, get some rest, and you need a shower." He softly laughed.

I pinched him, "This coming from the big sweaty Russian."

He pulled back just enough so that I could look up at him, "I don't stink."

"Oh, but you do."

He smiled and leaned towards me. His lips were warm and soft. It was sweet and alluring. I couldn't help but think of how smooth the texture of his lips were. When he pulled away my eyes lingered on his mouth. How he kept his lips slightly parted so that his teeth just peaked out. His tongue looked thick and sat just behind the bottom row of teeth. The ends of his lips turned up just a little so that it looked like he had a grin on his face. I felt my heart flutter.

Dimitri grinned, "What's the matter?"

I shook my head and looked down to his chest, "Nothing."

He tilted my chin up to look at him, "Then why did you blush?"

"I did not."

He smiled big. "Come on." He swept me off my feet and began carrying me towards our building. "Let's get you home."

"Dimitri! Put me down." I arched my body but he had a good hold on my torso and thighs.

He chuckled, "Don't fight it. Just go with it." He sent a gorgeous smile at me.

I relaxed into him and wrapped my arms around his neck. "Why the ride?"

He shrugged, "Maybe I just can't wait to hold you."

"That's so cheesy." I began playign with the hair on the back of his head.

"You know you're enjoying the attention."

I laughed out loud sarcastically, "Like the affection more."

We stood in front of the door to our room. He lowered me down and I stood in front of him. He pinned me against the door and I felt the clean lines of our bodies join perfectly. His heart beat was steady and luring. I could smell the scent of his skin. Everything about him was so inviting. It was a permanent feeling of wanting to melt into him.

"Roza, I want to talk to you about something. Something serious." His dark eyes burned into me. I could feel the tension building.

I bit my bottom lip, "Okay..."

He sighed and leaned his forehead against mine, "I don't want you going on any more missions. Not for a while at least."

I stiffened, "How can you possibly expect me to obey that?"

"I'm not asking you to obey anything." He scoffed. "I... I just cannot take it. The worry, the danger. It's just too much to ask from me."

My hand found his and I pressed his fingers to my cheek. My eyes shut and I felt him cup my face. "I don't like to be a burden on you. But you know who I am and you know how I am. I'll do my best to be careful and I know I'll always have you with me. So don't worry so much." I wrapped my arms around him. "We'll be fine."

"I wish you could somehow promise that." He forced out a short laugh.

I smiled, "Me too."

Suddenly I felt a flutter in my stomach. It felt like a squirming feeling but lighter. My hands quickly splayed out over my abdomen. I waited to see if it would happen again.

Dimitri immediately noticed my reaction. "What? What's wroing?" He placed his hands over mine.

I shook my head, "I think, I think I just felt the baby."

"The baby? Really?" He kneeled in front of me and placed his ear against my stomach.

I laughed, "I doubt you're going to hear him."

"Him? You think it's a boy?" He smirked.

"I don't know. 'Him' is what came to my head." I shrugged.

He chuckled, "I know I won't be able to hear him. I'm just curious." He ran his hands over my stomach, "I cannot wait til the baby's here."

"Rose!" We both turned to find Christian running towards us. He stopped in front of us panting. He placed a hand on my shoulder to hold himself up. "I... I have to... tell you..." He exhaled heavily. "Phew! Got to catch my breath."

I shook my head, "Whenever you're ready."

He gave me funny look and finally straightened out, "It's about Liss."

My heart dropped, "What about Liss?"

He waved me off, "No, she's fine. But she wants to talk to you now."

"It's urgent?" I shot a glance at Dimitri who looked like he was ready to sprint off by my side.

"Yes." He ruffled his brow and tilted his head back towards where he came, "So you ready?"

I nodded, "Lead the way."

I shouldn't have been too surprised when we finally came to a stop in front of Adrian's door. Now I knew why Christian had been panting from the run. It wasn't exactly the closest place. I raised my hand to knock but just before my knuckles could touch the door it opened. I was just inches from hitting Adrian's face.

"You mad at me already?" He smirked.

I made a sour face, "If I wanted to hit you I would have done it by now." I pushed past him and into the room. "Where's Liss?"

She stepped out from a open door way as if on cue. "Hey..." She dragged out the word.

Sydney stepped out behind her. She looked mildly timid but I could tell she refused to show just how unnerving this whole situation was. She gave me a faint smile and rose her hand slightly. "Hello Rose."

I simply waved back. "Does anyone want to tell me the whole story please?" I dropped back into the large recliner. The leather squeaked lightly as I adjusted myself to comfort.

"I can fill you in." Sydney took a seat near me. I doubt that she was comfortable enough to sit near any of the others. She looked squeamish and ready to bolt out of here at the first chance. But I noticed the familiarity in her eyes when she rested them on me. I was her comfort zone. Well as comfortable as she could get around one of our kind.

I gestured for her to continue. "Thanks." My eyes scanned the room. Everyone seemed to be watching her. Like she was alien to us. Technicoly she was. Was associated more with humans than we did Alchemists. Whether it was them avoiding us or us avoiding them, I couldn't be too sure.

She cleared her throat and leaned towards me, resting her elbows on her knees, chin held high. "Well you know the last time we saw each other I was in some boiling water with the Alchemists, right?"

I nodded, "Yea. I was kind of worried about you."

She gave me a soft smile that read a silent 'thank you'. "After you came back and cleared everything up I thought I was in the clear. Wrong." She shut her eyes and sighed heavily. "The Alchemists wouldn't have it. I was looked down on as someone that helped them and could have brought real harm to the rest of us. So they were going to send me away."

"What's the big deal? They send you guys all over the world." Adrian grinned and leaned up against Sydney's chair.

She inched away slowly, "This is a whole different type of away." She rolled her eyes at him and turned back to me. "Isolated and kept prisoner as a traitor on a freaking island. I would have spent the rest of my days there. But then..." She glanced back at Adrian. "I couldn't let that happen. So I escaped and I ran."

"She showed up at my door. Serena had brought her up saying that she had a private message for me. Something very secretive that could not simply be passed on to the queen." Lissa smiled brightly, "I couldn't just turn her away."

Sydney laughed softly, "It took me a few hours but I made it."

"And just before they alerted everyone about a rouge Alchemist." Christian nodded in approval.

Adrian sent her a dashing smile, "Crafty."

She tilted her head from side to side. Probably thinking whether to take that as a compliment. "Thanks..."

"So what's the plan now?" I leaned towards Sydney. She didn't flinch or move away from me. Instead she dropped her head in closer to me.

"I was thinking to just lay low. Maybe even leave the country." She batted her eyes and I knew all too well what she meant.

I smiled and that's when Dimitri caught on. "No." His voice was very monotoned.

I nudged him, "What do you mean no?"

"We are not flying out of the here with her." He kept his eyes firmly on me.

"And why not?" I stared back intently.

He sighed, "Not in the condition you're in."

Sydney eyed me and then looked around the room, "What condition?"

"She's pregnant." Adrian shrugged like it was not a big deal.

Her eyes shot back to me, "You're pregnant?"

I glared at Adrian, "Why don't you just shout it from the roof tops?"

He made a face and he made his lips mouth the silent 'oopsy'. He sucked in air between his teeth and it made a loud hissing sound. "My bad."

"Wait. You're with Dimitri. You can't be pregnant with..." She looked back at Adrian. "Oh."

"No!" Dimitri, Adrian, and myself blurted in unison.

She jumped from the clash of our voices. "Sorry! Then how?"

I waved her off, "Long story but Dimitri is the father and yes, I am pregnant."

She clasped her hands together awkwardly and smiled, "Well then congrats."

"Thank you but that's not the issue." I gave a tug to Dimitri's shirt. "She's a friend. I can't just leave her hanging like this."

He eyed me and dropped his head back. Like it was so hard for him to refuse me when he was staring right at me. "Roza."

"Please." I gripped his hand, "She was there for us when we needed her."

He finally nodded. "Fine. But if we are going to do this we are going to do it fast and efficiently." Everyone's voices cluttered the room with agreeing tones and words. Dimitri hushed the room, "Okay. Then I guess we need to pack."

Sydney stood and looked around, "Where are we going?"

Dimitri and I were looking eye to eye. I knew exactly where he planned to hind her. "Russia."

By Shadow Kissed Mori