I could have gone with something a little more discrete but it was the only little black dress I had. And I wasn't about to go shopping the day of the rosary to get a dress I would probably only wear once. So it was either this or I could have worn a suit. Dimitri didn't seem to mind it as he grinned at me when he saw me.

"Nice to see you in that dress again," he stuck out his arm from me.

I looped my arm with his, "Good. I was a little nervous about it."

Mia giggled, "Just don't bend over too far. It seems like it's gotten a little shorter."

I looked at the length and tugged it down a little. My little bump was taking up some room in this dress so it rose a little higher than expected. "I can manage."

Dimitri put his lips close to my ear, "I think you look gorgeous." He draped my little black jacket over my shoulders before we stepped outside.

The church was practically empty. The priest and his helpers were at the door waiting to greet us as we made our way to them. He shook our hands and once the few of us were inside he had the younger men shut the doors and they slowly walked up to the aisle and stood where Gabe's charcoal grey casket sat. There were a few flower reefs by him.

I zoned out as the priest began to pray. I couldn't help but stare up at the casket. Gabe was laying in there. Dead. Dead due to what? Trying to set him free. I guess in some twisted way he was free now. He had nothing to worry about. I suppose the dead were lucky in that way. They had no real worries once their breath was taken from them.

"You may come say your last goodbyes," the priest bowed and they all turned and started to pray.

Dimitri squeezed my hands, "Do you want to walk up there with me?"

I nodded slowly. This was it. The last goodbyes. I inhaled deeply and let it out slowly as I stood up beside Dimitri. He led me behind him as we walked up the aisle. My feet felt heavy and my chest was tight. It was like my body was fighting with me about going to see Gabe.

But try as it might, we made it to the front. We stood there hand in hand, Dimitri and I. He knelt down on a small cushion in front of the casket and started whispering. That's not what had my attention. No, what caught my eye was Gabe. Once Dimitri kneeled I had a full view of him. He was so pale. Like he was when he was Strigoi. All the color his restored life had given him was now gone. Even his lips were so pale. His hands were placed gently over his chest. I couldn't help but smile at him. He was in a black suit with a white button up underneath and a blood red tight.

Dimitri got up and gestured for me to take my turn. I lowered myself onto the cushion and stared at him. "I've never seen you in a suit before. It suites you," I was tempted to reach out and touch his hand but I knew it would be cold. Cold like a Strigoi's skin. "I just want to say thank you. I don't really know what else to say. I'm not big on words and I don't really go to church or anything so I don't..." I caught a sob in my throat before it escaped. I hadn't noticed that feeling creep up on me. Suddenly I wanted to cry. I covered my face with my hands, "I'm sorry." I sighed and looked back up at him. As I expected, he didn't react to anything I said. I don't know why that thought crossed my mind. Of course he couldn't react. He was dead.

I felt Dimitri's hand rest on my shoulder, "Are you okay?"

I nodded quickly, "Yea." I looked back at Gabe and decided. I reached out and touched his hand. Cold. Then I finally thought of something to say, "I think you should know that we took out those bastards. Just like you wanted. So you are free now. You've got nothing to worry about anymore." I rose from my spot and leaned forward. I gently placed a kiss to his head. Good thing I decided not to wear lipstick. "We'll come visit you from time to time." I turned away from him and took Dimitri's hand. We walked back to our seats and this time it seemed like a shorter walk. Go figure.

All that was left was to wait for the others to say their goodbyes. 'The others' being Adrian, Sydney, Eddie, and Mia. Nobody else knew him. Sure, Liss and Christian had come. So had a few other Guardians that wanted to show their respect. But none of them knew him. Once they all got back to their seats they closed him in. The priest and his helpers glided his casket on a table with wheels to the door and outside to a hearse.

We all filed out. It was very quiet and pretty depressing. Everyone was in black. Everyone looked so sad. I could feel the sadness engulfing me. Threatening to choke out all the happiness in the air. Well, what little happiness there was.

The cemetary wasn't too full. That was saying something. Court had been around for a while so I would think there would have been more tombstones. But no. I guess some people were just shipped elsewhere. Maybe to their own hometowns. Gabe's plot was towards the middle by a giant angel statue. The wings were spread and hands raised high. Like it was praying. And just behind it they already had Gabe's casket positioned to be lowered into the ground.

The preist stood at the foot of the casket while the rest of us stood around it. He was still talking. Talking about someone he knew nothing about. Telling everyone that he was a good Guardian. And his death was neither in vain nor taken for granted. That his services were indeed appreciated and that his soul was now at rest in heaven. But Gabe didn't die to protect a Moroi. He didn't die in some sanctioned mission. He died in a fight for his life. A fight for freedom. And all the priest managed to accomplish was to irritate me. I made a heavy sigh which earned me some ugly looks from other people around me. I tried my best to ignore them all. What did they know anyway? They didn't know Gabe. Why were they even here? Now their presence was an annoyance to me as well. I sighed heavily again.

"Roza," Dimitri tightened his hold on my hand. I hand't really noticed our arms were still looped and his other hand rested over mine. He was looking down at me. He looked both upset and sad. It was the upset part that had me confused. Was that look there because of me or was he feeling the same irritation I was feeling towards these strangers?

The way he said my name always spoke legions. I didn't really know how to respond this time. So I gave him a little smile and shrugged lightly. Then returned my attention back to the rambles of the priest and stares of the strangers. I wanted this all to be over already. Or at least for these people to leave so we could spend some time with him. I stared down at Gabe's casket. Sorry about all these intruders. It wasn't my idea to have them here. It was meant to be more private. And I began to wonder what he would say in return.

Finally the formalities ended. People filed out and the priest was gone. Gabe was now in the ground. They were already piling in the dirt into his grave. Dimitri, the others and myself stood idly by and watched. I wanted to be closer but according to the cemetary help, we needed to be out of the way for safety reasons. Blah, blah, blah.

"It was a really nice funeral," Mia said quietly as she rested against a headstone.

I shook my head, "Too many strangers for me."

Eddie shrugged, "They were just there to show their respect."

"But they didn't know him or what he died for. They were just there because they thought he was Dimitri's brother and that he died protecting someone with his life." I scoffed, "Some respect."

"Roza," Dimitri looked at me and shook his head.

I scowled, "What? Tell me I'm wrong! Anyone!" I looked at them all. "You all know I'm right. If they knew who he was. That he was a restored Strigoi, the bad deeds he had done, that he died on a rouge mission trying to earn his freedom. Do you honestly think that any one of them would have been there? Do you?"

Nobody dared to look up at me. They knew I was right. I knew I was right. Dimitri had been a well known and respected Guardian when he was turned and they all turned on him when he got restored. Imagine what people would think of someone like Gabe. I recalled the looks and whispers behind Hope's back. Behind Dimitri's. I cringed at the memories.

I looked back over at Gabe's grave. They were finishing off and the machinary was being hauled off. "I am going to go sit by Gabe. And give him my respect." I turned away and started off towards his grave. The tombstone wasn't set up yet. The only thing marking the pile of dirt was a small metal sign that read his name. Only it wasn't truly his name. Maybe it should have been. Gabriel Belikov. I ran my hand over it and sat down. I sifted my fingers through the loose dirt just at the edge of the grave.

"You were right. And I'm sorry," Dimitri was standing behind me.

I scoffed, "Sorry about what?"

He kneeled beside me and pinched a clot of dirt causing it to break and run to the ground, "For not backing you. I was upset with you for looking so uncomfortable with everyone there. But I understand why you were annoyed. To be honest, I just shut them all out. I didn't let it bother me."

"At least one of us has that under control," I leaned back.

He chuckled, "You could too if you tried."

"I shouldn't have to try. Wasn't this supposed to be a private funeral?"

"I'm sorry about that," Liss' voice was meek. I hadn't realized everyone had made their way over to us. "I tried to but Hans insisted that some Guardians be allowed to show their respect to a fallen Guardian. There wasn't really much I could do." She was looking down at the ground with her head slightly bowed.

I reached for a way to apologize, "I didn't mean anything by it, Liss. It was just... uncomfortable to see people here that didn't even know him."

She nodded, "I completely understand." She still looked down.

"Hans shouldn't have had a say in it. Prick," I crossed my arms tightly over my chest and looked back at Gabe's grave.

Christian fidgetted, "I hate to say it but I agree with Rose on that. If the family had requested that it be private then they should have respected those wishes."

I nodded at him and loosened my bundled posture, "Thank you."

"Cannot to much about it now. At least all the kiss asses are gone," Adrian said smugly.

Liss glared at him, "Adrian."

He grinned, "Come on, you know it's true. They were just here to kiss ass to Dimitri because he's like a god among the Guardians."

The man had a point. "Some of them were."

Dimitri shook his head, "I hadn't really noticed."

"That's understandable. We were actually occupied with the proceedings unlike some," Mia said as she took a seat beside me.

Sydney plucked a small white flower that was sprouting alone nearby and placed it gently on Gabe's fresh grave, "And that's all that should matter."

Suddenly the unthinkable happened. A group of humans were heading our way. At Court. That would have gotten me a little worried on a normal basis but that's not what got me on edge. What got me to a near panic was the instant they got close enough I noticed that they each had a golden tattoo on their cheeks. A golden lily to be precise. I shot up from my spot and nodded my head in their direction.

"We've got some company," I got in front of Sydney to block prying eyes from reaching her face.

A slender woman with ash brown hair was in the lead. She approached Liss and bowed her head. "I'm sorry to disturb you at this time, your majesty, but we are in crisis and thought you might be able to help us. I was told you'd be here." Her eyes darted from face to face. I made sure to glare when she looked at me.

Liss nodded, "How can I help you, ma'am?" She sounded sweet and respectable. Christian seemed to inch closer to her. An invisible shield radiating from him towards Liss.

"We have an Alchemist that has gone rouge and we thought a few of your people might know where she might be," she shot me a quick glance.

"And who did you have in mind?" Liss side stepped so that she was blocking me from the woman's view.

She smiled, "Rosemarie Hathaway."

"Belikov," I thought I should correct her. I stepped forward, making sure to keep Sydney in the back of our group. "And what do you want from me?"

She bowed her head slightly but the look on her face showed she didn't want to give me any kind of respect. "From what I read in the reports, you and Sydney Sage were acquaintances. She aided in your escape and helped prove you of your innocence for a crime you did not commit." She took a step closer which was way too close for me. Among our kind that would have been considered a challenge.

I shrugged and showed indifference, "Yea, your point is?"

"Rose," Liss' tone showed she thought I should try to be less rude. But what did I care? This lady was trying to bring harm to a friend of mine. I just met her and I already didn't like her.

She chuckled lightly, "We thought she might seek you out for assistance to avoid the Alchemists."

I crossed my arms over my chest, "And just why would she be running from you all? What is her crime?"

"Aiding and abbetting a fugitive and inflicting physical harm on a high ranked Alchemist officer," she kept her hands behind her back. It reminded me of a soldier.

I scoffed, "Really? She attacked an officer? Doesn't sound like Sage to me. You must have the wrong girl."

"I assure you, it is no mistake. While she was waiting to be sentenced she injured the officer and escaped. Our first thought was that she would go looking for a friend," she gave me a sly smile. I wanted to slap it off her face.

"Why would you think we were friends? Everyone knows Alchemists don't like Our kind," I scoffed and rolled my eyes to exaggerate my point.

She frowned, "Oh? I had the impression that you were close. Considering she went out of her way and helped you."

Now I stepped closer to her, "She didn't help me escape. I did that one my own. With the help of my husband. And friends." I couldn't stop the smile from growing on my face as she backed up. "I used Sydney to prove I was framed. She was just seeking glory and credit for putting Alchemists on the good side of Our people."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, that is so," I said mocking her. "So go harass some other people, lady."

Her smile had vanished and so had her attitude. "I guess we were mistaken. Sorry for taking up your time." She turned back to Liss, "If you should hear anything please let us know. Your majesty." She bowed her head.

Liss nodded, "I will be sure to do that but I can assure you that we have not had any humans nor Alchemists on our grounds as of lately, other than you and your companions today."

She smiled, "Thank you." Her and the Alchemists then all turned and left the grounds.

I could still see that woman whispering to her little minions and looking back as they slowly disappeared from our sights. I spat, "What a bitch!"

"Rose! Must you?" Liss gave me a disappointing look.

I scoffed, "You cannot be serious. She was so rude and the lies she was saying about Sydney." I turned to Sydney, "As if you'd ever injure someone."

She turned red unexpectedly, "Oh, about that..."

"You didn't..."

She made herself small and looked to the ground, "I might have hit someone over the head when I escaped. But only because it was the only way for me to get away. I didn't know I had seriously hurt Mich."

I laughed, "And you knew him."

She nodded, "Well, yes. I was teamed with him once for an assignment."

Adrian looked more impressed than he was upset, "That's unexpectedly hot."

"Adrian!" Liss chastened him.

He cringed, "Would you please stop saying my name like that?"

She sighed in exasperation, "This is serious. If they find her we could all be in serious trouble."

"Not likely. Since they won't be finding her," he said in certainty.

She shook her head, "You cannot expect us to hide her forever."

"Why not?"

"You're crazy!" She threw her hands in the air.

I laughed, "You've known that for quite some time now, Liss."

"But this is huge," she gave Sydney a sympathic look. "Hiding you could be dangerous."

Adrian put himself in front of her, "Nobody is ever going to know."

"I agree with Adrian," Dimitri mumbled.

Everyone's attention shifted to him. I looked at him confused, "Really?"

He nodded, obviously in thought, "We can keep her hidden here for as long as we can. If things start to get suspicious we can always move her back to Russia until it all cools down again."

"Easier said than done," Eddie sounded as unsure as Liss. "Don't you think it would look suspious to be moving around so much like that since she's disguised as a Moroi? It's Guardians that are always going from place to place."

Then I got an idea, "Not if she's with Adrian."

Now all their attention was on me. "What crazy idea do you have in mind now?" Dimitri asked with a traitorous smile peeking at the edge of his lips.

"Think about it. Adrian is the rebellious type. Nobody ever tells him he can't do something. If he wants to keep his girl here or take her on romantic get-aways then nobody will bother to ask about it." I smiled at them, "It's the benefit of being Adrian Ivashkov."

Christian looked intrigued, "But what about Nathan?"

Adrian had that one, "Trust me, he won't care."

Silence held over the group as we all thought it over. I had very little thinking to do. I had my mind set. We were going to protect her at all costs. She did the same for me and Dimitri once. Even if it was all due to my evil master mind of a father.

"Let's take a vote," Christian said.

I looked at Liss for confirmation. She looked ambivalent. Finally she sighed and nodded, "Take a vote."

"I say 'yea'," I looked up to Dimitri beside me.

He nodded, "Yea."

Adrian clasped Sydney's hand in his, "Yea." He pressed a kiss to her head.

"Yea for me too," Mia smiled at them.

Eddie looked a little troubled but his answer was no different, "Even if I'm on the fence about it Sydney is a good person. Saved my friend's life. So I say yea."

Adrian patted his shoulder, "Thank you."

Christian smirked, "Yea." He smiled at Sydney and his gaze shifted to Adrian, "Please don't make me regret that."

He nodded, "You won't". He looked at Liss, who was still looking quite deep in thought. "Liss?"

She stayed quiet and still. Her eyes running through all our faces, over the land, to the buildings in Court and then down at Gabe. She nodded, "If this doesn't work out well I just want you all to know that you have got to be the strangest, craziest, sweetest and best people I have ever had the pleasure of being friends with. And I love you all." She paused and smield at Sydney, "I vote yea."

We all seemed to quietly celebrate the decision with smiles and nods. Sydney looked a little taken by it all. Her eyes were wide and teary. She kept rubbing her arm and running her hands over her face. I took a step towards her as the others began to make plans.

I nudged her, "Hey, are you okay?"

She didn't bother to look up at me, "I don't know if this is the right decision."

"You don't want to stay?"

She shook her head violently, "No, no! It's not that. It's just... I could bring danger to all of you. You all are risking too much for me. I should just turn myself in to the Alchemists."

I scoffed, "No, you're not doing that. We all want you to stay. Didn't you hear the vote?"

"I heard it. And I understand that you all are really good people. All my life I had been told that you all were evil and cruel monsters. I was always so afraid, so wary of your kind. And it turns out We were the monsters all along. I've been lied to my entire life. But being with you all, being with Adrian, it's made me open my eyes to all the good things I've been fighting." She wiped at her face. Her hands came back wet with tears, "I just don't want to endanger that. I don't want anyone getting hurt all because of me."

What I did next, not even I expected it. I hugged her, tightly. She went stiff for a moment but then relaxed and hugged me back. I pulled back a little so that I could look her in the eye, "You are not a danger to us, Sydney. You are our friend. And a great one at that. We all love you. Adrian loves you. And we are willing to do what it takes to take care of one another. You are one of Us now."

"I'm just another human," she dropped her head and it rested on my shoulder.

I smoothed her hair. It almost felt like a motherly instinct to comfort her. "No, you're not. And I am sure others will agree when I say that you are so much more than 'just another human' to us."

"I agree," Adrian's voice was behind us.

I slowly released her and turned to him, "Nice job eavesdropping."

He shrugged, "I was coming over and just happened to catch the last bit of your conversation." He took Sydney's hand, "And Rose is right. You have nothing to worry about. We'll take care of you."

"I don't doubt that," she wiped at her face again.

He cupped her cheek and made her look up. Her eyes were clear and her face was red from crying. He shook his head and tsked, "Don't doubt anything. Doubt turns thoughts ugly. Makes the fire of hope dwindle. Makes dreams feel impossible. It makes the affects of love feel disappointing."

Her smiled looked frail but at least she was smiling. "But..."

He brought her closer, "Do. Not. Doubt." Their eyes connected and it was as plain as anything. More than that, it was definite; absolute. They loved one another deeply. The kind of love you'd throw yourself in front of a bullet for. The kind that makes you weak at the knees from a kiss or tender touch. It reminded me of Dimitri. The way he looked at me with his deep brown eyes. It was like watching a love story.

I turned to see the other's still talking. Dimitri seemed to be the quiet one taking it all in and throwing in a few suggestions every so often. He must have felt me watching because he looked up and directly at me. We hade instant eye contact.

He winked and smiled at me. He mouthed the words, 'I love you.'

My heart was all aflutter. I blew him a kiss and whipsered lowly, "I love you." And for once after such a long time everything felt like it would be okay. Like the world was starting to turn the right way again. I sat back down beside Gabe. I couldn't sit the way I wanted due to my dress so I folded my legs beneath me. I placed my hand gently on the grave and sighed. "I think you're going to like it here, sir. The best services by the keeper, you'll always get visits, and each time people come by to see you they bring presents." I laughed, "I'll be sure to bring you plenty of apples when I come. And trust me, I'll come often." I got the sudden urge to bury my hand in the loose dirt. I sank my hand in until the back of my wrist was covered. It was cool and slightly moist. I felt calm and relaxed. There was a soft tingling in my finertips. "I think the only thing that really sucks is the food. Unless you order out. I know some really great restraunts."

"Having a conversation?" Dimitri sat down beside me and I rested my head on his shoulder.

I sighed, "Do you think he'll really like it here?"

"I think so. And once the baby is born we can bring him by to meet uncle Gabe," he ran his hand on my stomach.

I laughed, "Yea. That would be nice."

We stayed silent for a while. I could hear the others talking and laughing behind us. I closed my eyes and pictured everything. Liss and Christian with their little bundle of joy. In my mind that baby was probably going to have blonde hair and blue eyes. A little of them both. And perhaps Mia and Eddie will be more comfortable with their relationship too. They'll be sitting side by side, holding hands, sunbathing. Adrian and Sydney warmly in each other's arms. Smiling. I don't know if they'd someday have a kid of their own. God save us from a mini Adrian. Maybe Jill could come by next time. When she's not being detained due to the risk that she might run away. And hopefully Alek could come over here someday too. Dimitri and I were going to be coming by plenty for sure. With our little one. Bringing Gabe a new gift when we visit.

Dimitri stood and put out his hand to help me up, "We should be getting back soon. Or the day might just be wasted sitting around."

I laughed and pulled myself up, "Waste a day? Who could ever do such a thing?"

He chuckled, "How about we all go out to eat?"

"We should tell the others first," we made our way over.

Adrian looked at me strangely, "Rose?"

I stopped, suddenly nervous, "What?"

He reached out around me, softly wafting his hand through the air, "Your aura."

"What about it?" I looked down at myself. Which was pointless since I couldn't read auras.

"It's pulsating," he put a hand to my wrist and held it there. I could feel energy coming from his hand to my wrist. "How are you feeling?"

I shrugged, "I feel fine. Pretty great actually considering..."

He shook his head, "Nothing strange?"

"No, Adrian. Why? What's going on?" I was getting anxious. That 'fine' was starting to turn into a 'not-so-fine'.

He let me go and looked me up and down, "We need to get you to Sonia. Something is wrong."

By Shadow Kissed Mori