"How do you always seem to get yourself in these kinds of situations?" Liss sounded pretty irritated over the phone. "And then you're bringing Sydney? You are risking too much."

I sighed, "We couldn't just leave her behind. And it was her choice to come." I looked at the wooden box we brought Gabe's body in. It sat in the back of the plane. "As for Gabe, I think that it's only right to give him a proper burial. He died in fight against the Strigoi."

She breathed heavily on the phone, "I'll let Serena know. She's on duty until tomorrow. Someone might be stationed with her so just be sure you have the disguise on Sydney. And keep your stories straight. We don't need troubles at Court. Not with the delicate state we're already in."

"I know, Liss. We have it all situated. And thanks. I know I can always count on you," I nodded to the others. They had been watching me anxiously before I even pushed the send button to call her.

"Be glad you're my best friend. I don't do this sort of thing for just anyone," she laughed softly.

I laughed, "I am. See you soon, Liss." I slid it closed and handed it back to Dimitri.

"What'd Miss Royalty have to say?", Adrian asked as he took another sip from his glass of liquor.

"Everything's a go. Serena's going to be on duty once we land so Sydney's disguise must be one by then," I directed that to both Sydney and Adrian.

He nodded, "I have it ready right here." He held up a pretty little charm bracelette and jiggling it.

She smiled, "What did you make me look like?"

"I'd like to know that too," I said inquisitively.

He smirked, "I just added the Moroi features that she needs. Other than that I didn't really feel the need to change her."

She blushed, "So I look like me only a Moroi me?"

He winked, "Didn't want to distort your pretty face into anyone else." Her blush intensified.

He was still the sweet talker. I smiled and took my seat beside Dimitri. He wrapped an arm over my shoulders and kissed my head, "I hope she wasn't too upset with you."

I shrugged, "No more than normal."

He chuckled, "Well just the same, I know you don't like getting chastened or lectured."

"Doesn't seem to stop you from spouting your words of wisdom," I rested my head on him.

"You don't like my zen master teachings?" he looked at me with concern.

Which only made me laugh, "I love your zen master teachings."

His smile returned, "And I love you."

Eddie laughed from behind us, "You both are some of the deadliest people in the world and yet you are so mushy and soft around each other. It's just amazing."

"Nobody asked you to be listening in," I tossed back a crumbled napkin.

He threw it back, "It's kind of hard not to notice."

I rolled my eyes and focused my thoughts elsewhere. The scenery outside caught my attention. All the trees and bodies of water that lead off to a city or town. The clouds were nowhere to be found. It was a perfectly clear day for being late afternoon already. The blue of the sky wasn't nearly as crystal blue as it would be during the earlier hours. But I didn't mind this dimmer color of blue. The sun was mercifully low and out of sight from our angle. It was like the sky was an ocean.

I felt the plane start to descend. I turned away from the window. Watching the ground get closer always made me feel like I was sky diving or taking a leap of an extremely high diving board. Neither I was too found of.

"Sydney..." I turned to tell her about putting on her disguise only to find that Adrian was already fastening the clasp on her wrist. "Never mind."

We finally landed on the strip. Dimitri , Eddie, Mia and myself grabbed the wooden casket holding Gabe's body. Adrian and Sydney stood behind us with their arms looped together. The door opened up to a small crowd of Guardians surrounding our beloved Lissa. She was dressed in a gown that looked way too heavy to be worn out on a warm day. It was pretty enough but I would have prefered something more suited to the weather. The only thing I agreed with was her high updo.

"Welcome back everyone. I am extremely sorry for your loss," she bowed her head to us as we unboarded.

Dimitri bowed back, "Thank you, Queen Dragomir."

Her hand delicately cut through the air as she gestured ahead, "I will be escorting you through to the church. We will make preparations to hold a service and we have a plot for him in the cemetary."

"You are too kind, your highness. Thank you," he nodded to us and we followed behind her and her Guardians. Meredith was among them. She kept glancing back at us with a sad look on her face. She was staring at the casket from time to time and then back at Dimitri. She sincerely looked sad. I felt kind of bad for her. In her mind we were carrying Dimitri's brother.

The casket was heavy and swayed as we walked. I couldn't help but look down at it. It was hard to believe Gabe was in there. Lifeless. It really felt unreal. My mind was fighting with me over processing the idea that he was in fact dead. No matter how many times I looked back at the memory of seeing him die I was just in denial.

Serena was there just as Liss had said. She bowed her head and smiled at us. Once Sydney was passing she paused, "Hello. May I ask for your ID?"

"She's just here to accompany me for the funeral. She's a dear friend of mine," Adrian took Sydney's hand in his.

She looked a bit startled, "Oh. I'm sorry." Her eyes traveled to the casket we were carrying. "I didn't mean to."

"It's fine. Thank you, ma'am." He bowed his head and pulled Sydney along behind him. Sydney seemed to tighten up and slip closer towards Adrian. He smirked and looped their arms together, "We're fine."

She nodded but she looked uneasy, "I'm okay."

The doors to the church opened, "You may take him to the room just left of the podium. Then we can discuss matters back in my room."

We were walking the casket in when we heard some people speaking in hushed tones behind us. Dimitri and I laid the casket down on the long marble slab and walked out.

"Your highness, I think you should discuss this somewhere we can all be present," a male Guardian suggested as he stepped closer to her. I didn't recognize him. I eyed him warily and felt the need to say something but Liss beat me to the punch.

"And I think I want to discuss this in the privacy of my room, Guardian Preger." She kept her back to him and stayed facing Dimitri and I.

He bowed his head and stepped back, "Yes, ma'am."

I looked at her with obvious curiousity. She just shook her head lightly and then nodded definitively. "Shall we?"

We split as she walked past us and we followed just behind her. I couldn't help but look at the guy that had threw in his two cents. He was tall. Maybe five foot ten. His hair was a mousy brown color and from what I saw his eyes were hazel. And what little skin I could see resembled Eddie's tone. For some reason his face reminded me of the actor Adam Brody. But his voice was unexpectedly deeper. Hans must have assigned him to Liss while we were gone.

Adrian bumped my arm lightly as he walked beside me. He gestured to the guy questionably. I just shrugged in a way as to say, 'I don't know who he is either.' He sighed as a response to my answer.

We got to the front doors of the building and Liss turned gracefully on her heel, "You are all now excused. I can find my own way to my room. Thank you." As if on cue, all the Guardians dispersed in different directions. She smiled and opened the door, "Let's get going."

I laughed, "Wow, look at you."

She smiled, "Hmm. I know. I'm still getting use to it."

"You sound like you're getting better", Eddie commented as he walked in.

The indoor decor looked just the same as ever. So dreary and old fashioned in some ways. I noticed our hall hadn't changed much either once we reached it. I stopped at my door, "I'm going to put our stuff inside and then we'll go to your room."

Liss nodded, "Okay. We will be in my room when you are ready to join us." Dimitri and I stepped into our room and watched the others file past to go to Liss' room.

Dimitri shut the door behind us with his foot and dropped the bags. He sighed in relief, "I'm actually pretty glad to be back."

"Me, too." I threw my pack onto the floor and dropped back onto the couch, "There's no place like home."

He chuckled, "Anywhere you are is home."

I felt buttlerflies flutter in my stomach and I blushed, "You really feel that way?"

He leaned over me and looked down with those deep brown eyes, "I've always felt that way." His lips pressed softly against mine. It was pure bliss. I opened my mouth slightly to let his lip slip between mine. I love the way he tastes. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer against me. He snaked his arm around me and pulled me towards him which made my back arch.

I pulled back and looked back into his eyes, "I don't think we have enough time. We have to go meet with the others." I pressed another passionate kiss to his lips.

I felt his mouth curve into a smile, "So we should hurry over so that we can get back to this." His lips answered hungrily. His grip tightened around me and I pressed firmly against him. He slowly loosened his hold on me and released me to straighten up.

I threw my feet over and stood. There was a urged to want to just take him down but my mature side was thinking more responsibly, "I'm just going to change and we'll head over."

He smiled at me and kissed my head, "I'm just going to get a quick snack and sit in here waiting for you."

My stomached growled, "Could you maybe get me a little something too?"

"Of course", he kneeled down and ran his hand over my little bump. He pressed a kiss to my stomach just above my belly button. "Sounds like someone is hungry."

I laughed, "I think this baby has doubled my appetite."

He stood up and smiled down on me. It was a gorgeous smile. It warmed my heart to see him smile like that again after what we had just been through. "Funny. I thought your appetite was always this healthy."

"Yea, funny," I bumped him with my hip as I passed him to go to the bed room.

I went straight for the closest. A few of my better clothes were hanging in there. I slipped hanger over hanger until I spotted my good jeans and a long sleeved blue shirt I had been neglecting. I hadn't worn it in a really long time. It was some time after Adrian's little poem that I had just brushed it aside.

"Rose is in red. Never in blue..."

I shook my head and laughed as I pulled it off the hanger. I threw off my top and pants. It looked like the knees were wearing thin. Those will make for some nice ripped pants. I pulled the blue shirt on and struggled into my pants. I frowned as I tugged them past my hips. Have my hips gotten bigger? I sighed in frustration as I zipped and buttoned them. They were snug for sure. Soon I wouldn't be able to fit in them.

I walked out into the living room to find Dimitri eating a bag of chips. He smiled at me, "That's a nice shirt. I don't think I've ever seen you in it."

I shrugged, "I don't really wear it. Did you get me anything?" I looked greedily at the bag of sour cream onion chips he had open on his lap.

"I said I would," he produced a plastic bag and pulled out a bar of chocolate and a bag of sour cream onion chips. "You approve?"

"Yes, thank you my sweet sweet husband," I sat beside him and quickly popped open my bag of chips. I started piling one chip after another into my mouth. I hadn't noticed I was so hungry. I decided to eat the chocolate as well. I peeled down the wrapper and bit off a chunk. I looked up to see Dimitri staring at me in amusement. "What?"

He chuckled, "Nothing. You just look like you are eating as if you haven't had a meal in days."

I scoffed, "Am not. I'm just hungry." I bit off another piece of chocolate.

"I can see that," he brushed back a strand of hair off my face and tucked it behind my ear. The backs of his fingers lingered on my cheek, softly caressing me before he dropped his hand. He crumbled his empty bag and balled into one hand, "Excuse me while I dispose of this."

I nodded as I took another big bite of my nearly finished chocolate bar. These things never last long. But they were just so good. I popped the last of it into my mouth and let it melt on my tongue. It was a sweet milk chocolate. "Mmm."

Dimitri walked back in and chuckled, "What's 'mmm'?"

My mouth was thick with it so I tried to speak with my mouth closed. I pointed to my mouth and dangled the empty wrapper, "Choc-let."

He took the wrapper, "You finished that off fast."

"Don ake hun of me...", my words sounded foreign and I laughed a little at the sounds I made.

He chuckled too, "Okay. I'm sorry for 'making fun of you.'" Apparently he got my message as strange as it was. He took my hand and pulled me to stand, "Come on. We got to get going."

I stood up reluctantly and finally got the last of it down, "Fine." I smacked my lips.

He suddenly pulled me to him and kissed me hard. He sucked lightly on my bottom lip and I started feeling a little frisky. But he pulled back, "You taste like chocolate."

I touched my lips. They were still tingling and warm. Now I had the taste of his mouth mixed with chocolate on my tongue. I sucked in my bottom lip and smiled, "Do we have any more?"

"Why?"

I smiled seductively, "For when we get back."

He laughed and pulled me to him again, "Then yes. We have a few bars left. I put them away." He turned my back to him and kissed the back of my jaw just below my ear, "For now we have to get to the others."

His breath on my neck sent chills through me. I felt goose bumps prickle around my neck and shoulder. "Okay." I started walking and his hands slipped from my hips.

We stepped out and to Liss' door. I reached out to knock when the door opened. Adrian gave us a smile, "I was wondering why you two were taking so long. Snacking?"

I frowned, "Why would you guess that?"

He pointed to the collar of my shirt, "You have a small stain of... chocolate?"

I pulled my shirt and sure enough there was a tiny brown spot. It wasn't obvious but Adrian had spotted it quickly. I groaned, "Great. I just put this shirt on too."

Dimitri chuckled, "It's just a small spot. Not even noticable."

"He noticed," I pointed at Adrian.

He just shrugged, "I have an eye for things out of place. Just look at me."

I rolled my eyes, "Nice."

"Took you all long enough", a familiar voiced called out from the couch. Christian peaked over at us. "Don't we have some serious things to discuss?"

"Right. What's top priority?" We all walked over and took our places. I sat on the couch opposite of Christian, Liss and Eddie with Dimitri and Mia. Adrian stood behind the chair Sydney was sunken into. She looked uncomfortable in this setting.

"I think that should be Gabe. Since we have to do a quick play of his funeral." Liss gave Sydney a sweet smile, "You are in good hands so there's not much to worry about just yet."

She nodded, "I agree." She managed a smile but I could see the uneasiness behind it. I had to hand it to her, she was playing the confident part pretty well.

Liss sat up straight and proper, "We'll do a quick rosary. Would you prefer a closed or open casket?" She directed that to Dimitri.

His face grew serious, "Open. Were there people assigned to clean him up?"

She nodded, "Yes. The father and some of the people of the church offered to get him ready and they even picked out a suit for him. I purchased a coffin earlier when Rose and I spoke so everything is set."

"And the grave?" Dimitri's voice grew quiet.

"It'll be ready tomorrow morning. Ready for the burial right after the rosary," she clasped her hands together and rubbed her knuckles. "I understand he meant much to you. From what Rose tells me, he sounded like a good man."

He just nodded, "He was." He shut his eyes and dropped his head. His sigh made his shoulders rise and fall. "I want it to be private."

"Understood. I'll let it be known," she gently placed her hands over her lap.

"Thank you, Liss," I said as I wrapped an arm around Dimitri. "This is really great of you."

She displayed a playful smile, "I'm just doing what I can. It's all thanks to you that I'm where I am now. It's the least I can do."

His face stayed so serious. It was hard to imagine what could be going on in that head of his. Dimitri was a complicated man. He was always thinking, always worrying. But it was never for selfish reasons. For him everyone else's well-being was a top priority. His outter shell was firm and serious but he was a chivalrous man with a kind heart.

I placed a hand on his shoulder, "We should get back to the room. You look like you could use some rest."

"Okay," we both got up. "Thank you all. Really, this means so much to me."

Christian winked and nodded, "Like Liss said, it's the least we can do."

"Would you two like to join us for dinner? Christian is cooking again." Liss' smile brightened.

He grinned, "I don't like to brag but I've gotten pretty awesome. The baby seems to like my cooking." He ran his hand over Liss' little bump.

"Sounds good. We'll be here," I smiled and waved to everyone.

Dimitri just did a small quick wave and we walked back out into the hall. He leaned against the wall as I closed the door. I eyed him curiously, "What's on your mind?"

He sighed, "I'm going to head over to the gym."

"Okay. Do you want me to join you?"

He shook his head, "I'd like to be alone for a while. I think training can help keep me distracted." He cupped my face and gently kissed my lips. His eyes stared deeply back into mine, "I'll see you when I get back."

I nodded, "Okay." I hadn't realized we had made it to our door and my hand was just resting on the door knob. "I guess I'll be here then."

"You should get some rest. Don't worry about me," his hand slowly slid from my cheek. There was an instant emptiness where his fingers had just been. He tried for a smile and walked away. I watched him until he rounded the corner out of the hall and disappeared.

I pushed the door open and walked in. I felt like I was stuck in thought. I kicked the door closed behind me and just stared at it. "Huh." I leaned on the back of the couch and just watched the door. Maybe he would change his mind and come back to enjoy that chocolate we had discussed. Or just change his mind and take me with him to the gym. Why did he need to go alone? I didn't want to be alone. Being alone right now made me feel... well, lonely. I bit my lip and hit my final conclusion. I was going to tail him.

I ran out the door and down stairs in time to see him walking across the grounds in a good speed. It almost seemed like a fast walk. I kept on the opposite side of him, keeping close to the buildings and let people pass between us. I needed to keep a good distance from him or he would spot me. His radar for that sort of thing was pretty good.

He suddenly stopped midwalk and turned around. I quickly dropped to the ground behind some shrubbery. I could see his frame from between the foliage. He was looking around suspiciously. After some time he seemed to shake it off and kept on his way. I waited until he was nearly out of sight before getting up and following him again.

We were nearly at the gym when someone stopped him. It was that Guardian that spoke up about Liss keeping them around for our comversation. Liss called him Guardian Preger, if I remembered correctly. They talked for maybe three minutes before Dimitri started walking again. The other guy, however, just looked on after him. I wonder what that was about. I had to wait until he was gone now too. I didn't feel like making any small talk with anyone right now. All I wanted was to see what Dimitri was up to.

Dimitri walked into the gym and let the door close behind him. I sprinted to the side if the building and peered in. He was walking into the dressing room. I took the opening and hurried in. The place was empty. Nobody really came here around this time of the day so I wasn't surprised. I quietly slipped into the girl's dressing room. I could see him from here when he got out.

It seemed like a while before he finally emerged. He had changed into shorts and was shirtless. His hands were wrapped so I knew he was going to be hitting the bag. His body was so cut and lean that I felt my heartbeat quicken as I watched him stretch. He walked over to the bag and just started hitting it. At first it was small quick jabs. Very accurate and precise. Hitting just in the center, making a small dent in the bag. But then his pace quickened and the hits got harder. The focus was starting to waver and his punches were landing in wild shots. Soon it was just a flurry of punches at random. It all seemed out of character for him.

But he wasn't done. He started throwing kicks and knees at the bag. The chain whined and creaked as it strained to hold the beaten bag. I could see the material of the bag thinning and weakening. Sure enough, the bag tore. Sand started pouring out of the hole he had created. That didn't seem to phase him. He was still going crazy on it. Landing heavy hit after heavy hit until it ripped in half completely. He stared down at the mess he had made. Slowly he dropped to one knee and placed a hand to his head. He stayed there like that for what felt like a really long time.

I could barely process everything I had just witnessed. I had never seen Dimitri lose control like that. Not even during training. It wasn't like him. I sat on the floor and stared out at him from the small slit between the door and the frame. He sat back and leaned against the wall. His hands running through the sand on the floor. He picked up a handful and let it slip out of his fingers. He just stared at it. Neither amusement nor interest in his eyes. Just an empty stare.

"You can come out, Roza." He sighed heavily and stood up.

I didn't move. There was no way he knew I was here. Maybe he was just taking a lucky guess.

He shook his head, "I know you are here. You followed me from our building."

Great. I got up and walked out, "How did you really know I was here?" I stopped and leaned against the wall beside the dressing room door.

He smiled, "I know when I'm being tailed. And I know you're curiousity."

"Then why didn't you say something before?" I pushed off the wall and started walking towards him.

"Because it didn't really matter. I just wanted to let off some steam," he gestured to the destroyed bag.

I nodded, "And this is how you let off some steam?"

He just shrugged, "Some times. I do feel a little better."

"But you do know you're going to have to replace that, right?" I was now right in front of him.

He chuckled, "I know. Wouldn't be the first either." He get just a little closer to me and squinted at me, "Why did you follow me?"

"I don't know. Curious, I guess," I laughed.

He held my chin between his thumba nd pointer as he tilted my head up, "Curious about what?" He brought his face closer and it made me anxious.

My eyes kept switching from his eyes to his lips, "Why didn't you just let me come with you?"

"I like alone time when I'm..."

"Murdering a punching bag?"

"Letting off steam", he chuckled.

I gave him a lobsided smile, "But you still did your thing even after you knew I had followed you."

He shrugged, "Not much I could do about you following me here. We both know how stubborn you are."

I rolled my eyes, "I am not that bad."

"Yes, you are," he pulled me against him. His skin was sticky with sweat. But once his lips connected with mine I didn't even care. All I could think of were his lips and the way he tasted. Suddenly he wasn't sticky in my hands, he was warm. Electric sensations trickled down my spine as his hands ran the shape of the curve of my back.

He slowly tilted me back until I felt the floor meet my back. I was greeted with the coolness the floor had accumulated and the roughness of the sand being pressed against me by my weight. Dimitri's lips left mine and I felt breathless. He placed a hand on either side of my face and held himself over me. Strands of his hair fell forward out of its ponytail casting shadows across his face. But the intensity in his eyes never dimmed. He brought his mouth back down on mine and it was a hard and passionate kiss. My lips answered hungrily. I placed my hands on his back and my fingers dug into his skin as I pulled his body against mine. One of his hands slowly began to pull my shirt up and I felt his skin brush against my stomach. A soft moan escaped my lips as a reaction.

The door of the gym opened and we both turned to see someone walk in. The hazel eyes that looked down at us shifted away quickly as he turned, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to interupt but Liss is looking for you both."

"We'll be right there. Thank you, Guardian Preger", Dimitri sounded pretty composed considering someone had just walked in on a steamy moment.

He nodded, still not looking our way, "Yes, sir. I'll let her know." He quickly rushed out the door.

I bursted out laughing, "That was interesting."

Dimitri chuckled and I felt the rumble transfer into my chest. He pulled himself up and put out a hand for me to take, "We should go get ready now. Liss is expecting us for dinner."

"And Christian is cooking," my stomach growled loudly as he pulled me up.

He wrapped an arm around me and placed the other hand on my small bump, "Sounds like this baby is going to have mommy's appetite."

I cupped his face and kissed him softly, "Let's hope he doesn't have my temper."

By Shadow Kissed Mori