I had just forked in a big helping of blini into my mouth. It was amazing. It wasn't unexpected. Dimitri was quite the talented person. God-like fighting skills, amazing lover, skilled cook. I really was beginning to think there wasn't anything he couldn't do. And that was just a bonus to follow his incredibly good looks and chivalric persona. I had to swallow before addressing Eddie again or the food might have fallen out of my mouth.

"And you two could be a huge help." I popped a piece of strawberry in my mouth to chase the blini.

He laughed and took a bite of his food as well, "Mmm. Mm hmm. Yea." He gulped loudly, "That's what I figured when Dimitri called us up. At first I didn't know if I'd actually be much help."

"Are you kidding me?" Mia scoffed. "Someone with your skills could always come in handy." She smiled proudly.

"Thanks." He blushed.

Adrian's chair scraped the floor as he slid it over next to us, "So you're the back up?"

Eddie nodded, "Yes, sir! And you know, Lissa wanted to come too. It was hard to see her like that we when left." He frowned, "I would have liked to bring at least two more people but I didn't want to take the risk."

"Who's taking risks?" Sydney walked in with a mug in her hand. No doubt filled with coffee. That girl could down a whole pot of coffee by herself. She looked at Adrian, "Please don't tell me it's going to be you again. You're already risking enough by being the lead man."

Adrian's brow rose, "It's not me. Eddie was just saying he didn't want to risk trouble by bringing more people in on our mission." He smirked, "You actually sound a little worried about me there, Syd."

She looked baffled, "Well I just don't want anyone getting hurt is all."

His smirked wilted a little, "Of course."

"So we have a plan set?" I stood up once I realized I had practically licked the plate clean.

Eddie nodded, "Dimitri was telling us a little about it but wanted to get us all together so we could all put in our two cents." He looked around, "Where is Dimitri?"

"He was just in here." Sydney pointed out.

I smiled, "He went up stairs to clean up. Cooking got him a little messy." I dropped my plate into the sink and started washing it. "He made this all by hand."

"Where did he find the time to learn to cook as well as be a Guardian?" she served herself a small serving of blini with fruit.

"We don't just take fighting classes. Cooking is an elective in our schools," Eddie said happily.

She looked impressed, "Wow. I had no idea."

I nodded, "And he got some of his cooking skills right here at home. Olena told me some interesting stories."

"A man of many talents." Adrian sounded like he meant it. It was nice to hear him talk about Dimitri without bitterness in any of his tone. I was enjoying the light mood when I heard a door shut and instantly went for my stake for some reason. It was still instinct.

Gabe walked in with a hand full of papers and long plastic tubes. "Sorry I'm a little late but I wanted to..." He looked at me strangely. "Did I scare you?"

I realized I was in my fighting stance, "No. Just a little on edge." I relaxed.

"What you got there?" Adrian gestured to the mess of things in his arms.

"This," He dropped them all on the table, "is the help we needed. Blueprints for the building. Names of all the occupying Strigoi and humans. All the information we'll be needing." He smiled truimphantly.

I eyed it all in disbelief, "Where did you get all of this?"

He shrugged, "I saw Yana. And I got to thinking that maybe the Watchers might have some information on the Strigoi. Sure enough they had a whole mess of information. On everything!" He looked really excited as he spoke about it.

Sydney ran her hand over a tube and popped the top off. "This is amazing," she said in awe as she unrolled what looked like an official blueprint. She ran her hand over it with care. "You got to go to their facilities? You know where it's at?" She looked so intrigued.

He shrugged, "Not exactly. I was taken there. Blind folded. And I was even made to wear some ear lugs." He rubbed his neck, "Not much help there."

She looked disappointed by that, "Oh."

"But she did say she wants to meet with you. She's sorry about, well uh, about freaking you out last time you met." He looked nervous delievering the news.

"Oh?" Her tone perked up. "Well, did she say when or where?"

He shrugged, "No. Just to tell you that."

She sighed in frustration, "That helps."

"You actually want to meet with those people?" Adrian looked confused.

"Why not?" She looked serious.

He frowned, "Well you didn't seemed to happy with her the last time you all spoke."

She looked back down at all the information laying out on the table, "If they know this much imagine what else they know. She did say the founder was an ex-Alchemist." She scoffed, "Which is still hard to believe but still... It couldn't hurt to see what they can do. What I can learn from them."

"Don't be too down on yourself. You're pretty smart, Syd." He smirked but I couldn't help but notice the force he had put into that sarcasm. It wasn't nearly as flippant as usual.

All our attention was pulled to the kitchen door as Dimitri walked in. He looked a little stunned to see us all looking at him. He smiled, "You made it." He nodded at Eddie and Mia.

"Yea. Hopped on a jet as soon as we hung up." Eddie straightened up like a soldier being addressed by his superior.

He gave a nod of approval, "Thank you. Thank you both."

"Don't mention it. Really, don't. My dad would kill me if he knew I came to Russia." Mia twisted one of her loose curls on her finger.

Eddie groaned, "Everyone thinks we went on a top secret mission for the Queen. Not even Hans knows. He wasn't too happy about it."

I laughed, "I'm sure he wasn't."

"I know he wasn't. I have been ignoring his calls all morning." He looked at his cell phone, "That man is persistant." He tucked the phone back into his pocket and sighed. "So is everybody ready?" His eyes shot to the table, "What is all this, Alek?"

I hadn't noticed Alek still wasn't among us. "I think he's still laying down."

"No." Alek came in stretching, "I'm here. What?"

Dimitri gestured to all the information spawled on the table, "Where did you get all of this?"

He shook his head, "I didn't."

"Gabe did," I beamed. "Showed up just moments ago with it all."

Dimitri looked surprised, "That's incredible. How'd you..?"

"Yana." Adrian, Gabe and I said in unison.

Eddie nudged my shoulder, "Who is this Yana person you keep mentioning?"

I had forgotten to tell them about it. "She's an older Russian woman who helped Gabe. Oh, and Gabe is..."

He nodded, "Yea, Lissa told me. He was Strigoi."

Thanks, Liss. "Well he's an old friend of Dimitri's and he's been working with us. Yana told us about a group called the Watchers."

"The Watchers?" Mia looked shocked. "Never heard of them."

Sydney scoffed, "Neither had I but apparently it was an ex-Alchemist that started the group many years ago. And they know plenty about us. All of us." She still sounded like it was all too unbelievable.

"Wow." Eddie glanced at Gabe, "And you work with them?"

He smiled softly, "No. But Yana knew my family from before I was turned and offered to help in any way she could." He started fiddling with the silver ball. He still has that thing.

"And she gave you all of this?" Dimitri was holding up a paper and scanning it with obvious interest. "How did they get all of this?"

He shrugged, "Not sure. But they had a whole room filled with files lining the walls. What surprised me the most was that they knew exactly where the stuff was filed. I think I even got a glimpse of a file for St. Vladimir's."

"They have a file on our school?" I'm pretty sure my jaw hit the floor.

Mia scowled, "Why the hell would they need that?"

"To keep tabs on everyone." Sydney had her nose buried in a thick pile of paper but she was still intuned to the conversation.

Gabe nodded, "According to Yana, the Watchers know all and see all."

"I guess that's why they are called the Watchers," Mia scoffed. She didn't seem to like the idea that some strange group was keeping tabs on Our kind.

"That's not in the least stalker-ish," Adrian rested his chin on his hand. Most likely out of boredom.

That brought a smile to my face. Seeing as that was exactly what was going through my mind. "But at least now we have some awesome information on this 'company'. We could pull this off."

Alek looked just as optimistic as I was, "And a few of my own associates have agreed to help. If we want."

I shot a glance to Dimitri who was already looking my way. I shrugged, "I don't know if that's such a good idea. We've never done anything with your people."

He looked a little hurt, "They are just as good as I am in any given situation. They just want to kill some Strigoi and rid the world of some evil."

"And I can see why they would want to but we've never even met any of your associates. I don't know if we should risk it." Dimitri's voice was low and careful. It was hard to counter anything he said.

He sighed, "If you could just meet with them..."

"Risk? Risk to who?" Adrian was standing up straight now. Something caught his ear.

Dimitri didn't look up, "It's a risk to us all. We don't know these people well enough to trust them with what or who we have with us."

Like a revived Strigoi and a rouge Alchemist. "He's right. It could mean more trouble." It was hard to see the look of disappointment on Alek's face but it was for the best. At least that's what I was telling myself. We could have used the extra man power. But not with the chance of it costing us a friend.

He finally gave in, "Okay. I'll call them off. But you're sure about this?"

"I'm sorry to have to turn them down but we just can't take the offer," Dimitri busied himself with one of the documents.

He sighed, "Okay." He pulled out his cell phone and walked out of the room.

Adrian watched him, "I don't know about this guy."

"Alek? He's a good guy. One of us." I thought back to the first time we fought togther. He'd saved me too. "He's just trying to help boost our numbers."

He scoffed, "I just don't want him trying anything funny. Not if it'll endanger anyone," he glanced back at the still very occupied Sydney.

I nodded, "He wouldn't. He's not the rebelious type." Well not that I had seen any rebelion from him since we met.

"Good." He walked back to the table and started ruffling through some paper.

Dimitri had made his way to me, "Look at this information. There's everything here." He looked straight into my eyes, "This is our salvation. We can do this. We have all the information we need."

My pride swelled, "We can do this."

"Guys! Come look at this." Sydney had a few of the papers sprawled around a blueprint. "See these spaces?" They looked like gaps between the walls but there was no openings to go into the gaps.

I shrugged, "What about them?"

She smirked, "The building was redesigned and remodelled many years ago. They made all new walls but never took down the old ones. That only means..."

"There's a walkway in the walls." Dimitri's eyes sparked with realization.

"Exactly!" She ran her pointer all the way around the building to a spot that had a line, "This here is where it stops but it doesn't end."

Eddie scratched his head, "Could you explain this in human terms?"

"It means that the way around stops but you can still move up. You'll have to accomplish it by climbing up the planks in the walls or spider walking it up. Mind you, I don't know how strong the walls are so if you do try to spider walk there's a chance one of your limbs might break through. I'm guessing it's sheet rock."

I forced a laugh, "And this goes all the way to the third floor?"

She winced, "There lies the problem. It doesn't." She pointed to the blueprint for the third floor. There was no gaps in the wall. "You would have to find a way to come out of the wall on the second floor and work your way up."

"That'll be fun." Mia rolled her eyes.

"That'll be where the disguises come in handy." She looked at Adrian. "You should try to break through into a room with enough people to disguise youselves as. Then you'll be able to walk freely."

I hugged her arm, "You're a genius! You should do our strategies and tactics more often."

She blushed and half hearted hugged me back, "I'm hardly a genius but I do have my moments." I released her and she handed me a paper that was on the corner of the blueprint. "See these people? They all share a room in the servants' quarters. Second floor." She smiled, "And there's seven servants. Which is more than you'll need."

"That doesn't mean you're coming with us, Syd." Adrian looked over my shoulder to see the paper, "But most of these servants are women."

She giggled, "That means one of you guys are going to have to be a girl." She batted her eyes at Adrian, "And I think you drew the short straw."

He backed up and smirked, "Me?"

Eddie chuckled, "It would have to be you. Me, Alek and Dimitri aren't nearly pretty enough to be a girl."

"Ah ha! Good one, Castile." He shrugged, "Ah well. At least you admit that I got the pretty face."

Sydney winced, "Sorry. It was the best I could work with."

He shrugged, "No use in crying over it." He gestured to the paper, "What's next, Commander Syd?"

She grimaced at him, "Right. Next would be to get the servants out of there. Conscious or unconscious." He looked at Gabe, "And preferably alive."

He nodded, "I got it." His looked serious so I could only hope that he would keep to his word.

"So once you have someone sneak them out you can start planting the bombs." She pinned down each corner on each floor.

"Bombs?" I gave her a confused look.

She nodded, face serious, "I wasn't joking when I said you should blow the place up."

Eddie sighed, "Yea, but where are we going to get bombs on such short notice."

"We are in Russia," Adrian shrugged.

Dimitri chuckled, "That still doesn't mean you can find them at any local store."

"I can help with that." Alek was staring down at the blueprint, "I have the connections."

"Thank you, Alek." I gave him a pat on the shoulder.

He smiled, "It's the least I can do. I really want to be of some help."

"You're helping enough by risking your life and going in there with us," Dimitri praised. He looked around at everyone, "All of you."

"Maybe not all of us," Sydney said bitterly.

I laughed, "Even you, Sydney. You've done so much already."

She blushed, "Hopefully I'll be able to do more. I am also planning on being ready nearby with some help for anyone who's injured."

"That actually sounds like a good idea," Adrian nodded.

"What do you mean 'sounds like'? It's a great idea," she teased.

He rose a brow, "Brilliant even." That made her smile.

"So, once the bombs are planted I want you all the get the hell out of there in one piece and straight to me." She nodded to Dimitri, "And I'll leave the trigger for the bombs with you. Once you get everyone out, pull the trigger."

He nodded, "Understood."

"This is going to be exciting," Mia clasped her hands together loudly.

Eddie eyed her with concern, "You can be scary sometimes."

"Damn right! You know I can handle myself." She winked.

I cleared my throat, "Now we just have to work on the disguises, Adrian." He nodded. "And discuss battle strategy once we get to the third floor." That I directed to Dimitri.

He nodded. He turned to Sydney, "May I?"

She stepped aside, "Be my guest."

"Thanks." He gestured for us to close in, "Alright. Rose, Adrian, Gabe and myself will take the lead. We'll plant the bombs on the first floor as we make our way. Once we make it to the second floor we will unarm and send out the servants through the wall. Which means this will take some time."

"I can just compell them to leave the building through the wall," Adrian suggested.

"Perfect." Dimitri have him a nod of approval, "Then while they are getting out we will put on the disguises and make our rounds. Rose, Adrian, Gabe and myself will take the west wing." He slid his hand across what resembled a hall way. "Alek, Mia and Eddie will take the east." He slid his hand across to the opposite side. "We will plant the bombs in the furthest corners of the building. Here," he pin pointed the corners.

We all followed along. All agreeing and asking questions to better understand just what was going to happen. It didn't take long for an arguement to break out.

"I think I should go with Rose and Dimitri instead," Alek said to Gabe.

He scoffed, "I don't think so. Dimitri already put us in teams."

"But I could be a better strength on their side," he argued.

"You mean they could help protect you?" Gabe forced a laugh.

Alek balled his hands into fists, "You want to run that by me again?"

Eddie tried to lighten the conversation, "Maybe we can turn this down a notch."

"Stay out of it," Gabe warned.

"You don't talk to him like that! We barely know you," Mia growled at him and bared her fangs.

Sydney began to look uneasy. Adrian noticed, "Mia. Please don't." He gestured to Sydney who had backed away from her.

She gave her a sympathetic look, "I'm sorry. I got a little carried away."

Mean while Gabe and Alek were still at each other's throats.

"You're dense if you think you can compete with someone like me, " Alek scoffed.

Gabe laughed out, "I'd like to test that theory."

Dimitri slammed his hand down on the table. It shook us all, "Enough!" He shook his head, "We are staying in the teams I named." He scowled at both of them, "There will be no fighting or arguements. Understood?" His voice so commanding and strong. Nobody dared to defy him.

Gabe was the first to nod, "Yes, sir."

"Understood," Alek didn't look too pleased about it.

"Good. Now may I continue?" He was still staring at them.

"Please," Gabe nodded to him.

He turned his attention back to the blueprint. He continued on as if nothing had happened. But the tension was still in the air. I caught Alek still giving Gabe some uneasy looks. My motherly instincts kicked in and instantly wanted to separate the two. I laughed to myself picturing both men sitting in a 'time-out'.

"Rose?" Dimitri was looking at me.

I snapped back to attention, "Hmm?"

He smiled, "Did you hear what I said?"

I bit my lip and shook my head, "Sorry."

"You and I will move to take out the Strigoi that approach the group on the third floor. Gabe will plant the bombs and Adrian will be busy with his magic." He nodded at me.

"Got it."

"What happens if someone gets in trouble?" Sydney really sounded worried.

"That's what these suckers are for." Gabe lifted a bag that he had brought and pulled out a couple of walkie-talkies, "Thought we could use them."

They were small enough to cup them in my hand, "Where did you get them?"

He shrugged, "A store. Not everything comes from Our shadow world."

"True." Adrian took one into his hand and turned it on. "What's the working distance on this thing?"

Gabe smiled, "It runs for miles."

"Nice!" Adrian clicked his on and signalled me to turn mine on too.

I pressed the long side button and whispered into it closely, "Adrian?"

I could hear my voice clearly. He smiled, "They're good."

"They should be. Cost me a pretty penny," Gabe smiled.

"Where'd you get the money?" Sydney asked as she picked one up too.

He shrugged, "The bank. Even Strigoi need money."

I nearly laughed. It was strange to hear something like that. "That's not weird."

Alek scoffed, "Right. Wonder where that money came from."

Gabe scowled at him, "Do you have a problem with me, Alek?"

"I have a problem with all murders." He eyed him with distain. "Just be glad that you're friends with Dimitri or I personally would have staked you long ago."

Dimitri shut his eyes tightly and sighed. I placed a hand on his arm, "Are you okay?"

"Good going, dumb shit," Gabe scoffed.

Alek looked at him, "How is this my fault?"

"Dimitri is a restored Strigoi, remember?" Gabe gave Dimitri a sympathetic look.

His face went still as he looked at Dimitri. "I.. I'm sorr.."

Dimitri put up a hand to silence him, "I've had enough. I'm going outside." He started walking off.

I looked back at both men. "Well I hope you're happy."

"Don't look at me! Idiot over here is the one who started it," Gabe sneered at Alek who still looked upset with himself.

I shook my head violently, "No, Gabe. It's both of you. Grow up! We are doing this mission to save your ass. And Alek you are either going to get over the fact that Gabe was once a Strigoi or you're gone. He's not anymore. He's done more than enough to prove that he's on our side." I took a breath, "Now I am going outside to check on Dimitri. I suggest that while I'm gone that the two of you work your shit out."

I turned my back on them and walk outside. Dimitri was sitting on the edge of the side walk with his head in his hands. My heart dropped. I placed a gently hand on his shoulder, "Dimitri?"

He kept his head down but released a heavy sigh, "Some days I wonder if I will ever truly forget. Ever really forgive myself."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that." I sat down beside him. I pulled him to me and rest his head on my lap. "You know I love you, right?"

His smile revealed itself after I brushed back the hair from his face, "And I am so grateful for that."

I began to run my fingers through his hair, "I only wish that I could help you forget."

He turned his face to look up at me, "You do enough to help me forget." His eyes widened slightly.

"What?" I tried to move but he held me still and shushed me.

He pressed his ear more against my stomach. He smiled again. "I feel something."

I felt myself smile like a fool, "Really?"

He nodded and put my hand on my stomach just above his head. There was a soft fluttering, "Feel that?"

"Yea," I felt my eyes fill with tears. "He's been moving around in there alot lately."

He turned his face to my stomach and kissed it. "Hello in there."

I laughed, "You think he can hear you?"

"Of course. The baby book said so." He kissed my stomach again.

"You read the baby book?"

He turned back to me, "Yes. Didn't you?"

I frowned, "I tried."

He chuckled, "I'm sure you did. But there's not enough action in there for you."

"Not nearly enough," I teased.

He pulled me down to him and kissed me. "God, I love you, Roza."

My stomach fluttered even more, "And I love you, Dimka." He smiled and kissed me again.

"Dimitri?" Gabe's voice was so low that it was barely audible.

He sat up and turned his attention to the two men standing side by side. They both simultaneously knelt to the ground and bowed there heads. "We're sorry."

Dimitri stood up and stared at them, "Please get up."

They both fumbled trying to get up. But they managed. They both straighten up.

"Our actions and words were childish and we are deeply sorry if we offended you in any way." Alek bowed his head.

Gabe nodded, "We didn't mean to cause you any discomfort or pain." He bowed his head as well.

Dimitri nodded, "Thank you for that." He looked back at me and grinned. I gestured for him to turn his attention back to them. He did just that. He patted both men on the shoulder and turned them to the house, "Let's get back to work."

By Shadow Kissed Mori