Things at the academy had slowly returned to normal, whatever normal was for us anyway. Lissa and I had made up it didn't take much, a couple times being in the same room together; her guilt and apologies flowing through the bond made forgiving her pretty easy. Things between her and Christian were still strained and tense but they were working through it. Lissa had promised to stay clear of Ivashkov unless she was accompanied by Christian or myself; she even agreed to go back on a med rotation. It was less then what she was previously taking, but they were testing the meds to see if there was a balance where she could still use spirit but not be affected so much by it. She seemed to be doing well. Even Adrian was keeping his nose clean. Graduation was quickly approaching only a few months left. Field experience for the novices was beginning soon. This was where we were assigned to a Moroi 24 hours a day 5 days a week. We had Wednesdays off for training and Sundays off to rest. I was looking forward to the extra time I would get to hang out with Lissa. I felt like even though I was connected to her through the bond, we had lost some of the friendship we once had. We kept secrets from each other now; we used to only keep each others secrets. I really was hoping this extra time would put us back on track, I missed my friend. The guardians have already gone into planning mode to prepare for our last big test before graduation. They were holding nightly meetings to discuss what Dhampir was assigned to what Moroi, and to strategize on their attacks against us. Novices really enjoyed these trials, it gave us a chance to fight back to attack those teachers who gave us hell throughout our years here and prove ourselves all at the same time. Personally I am really hoping Stan attacks me, I would love to use some of Dimitri's training against that moron. That man needed to get his ass kicked to put him in his place, and I was really hoping I would get the chance to do it. Dimitri and I have had limited time to enjoy each other because between my classes and training, and his on duty shifts and these secret guardian meetings there was little time left. I was always trying to trick Dimitri into giving up something from those meetings, something that would give us novices and edge, but he always saw right through me, usually laughing at me saying something like 'Nice try' or 'Yeah that will work, I was born yesterday' he could be so annoying sometimes. Honestly though I was thankful for our training sessions right now because at least it guaranteed me a hello and goodbye kiss a day. I felt like we were saying goodbye as soon as we said hi lately. It was frustrating but it was ok because we were good we were solid. We decided to be together and once we committed to it, it got easier. Less angst more love. It was still hidden a secret but we stopped fighting ourselves and that was huge for us. It was kind of peaceful, oddly calm. It was giving me a terrible sinking feeling in my stomach. Things were going too smoothly where was the catastrophe. It's the whole calm before the storm theory. I have always believed in that notion. It is always calmest before the storm.

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It felt wonderful to be in the sun. I missed the sun, being a Dhampir I was forced into darkness, Moroi could be in the sun but not for extended periods of time. So we lived on a schedule opposite of most humans. Our days are human's nights; our nights are their days. So when I get the chance to be in the Sun I feel alive, I feel warm from the inside out. I walked across the field I was in; I was looking for something I just can't remember what it was. I hate when that happens. Think Rose, what am I looking for why am I out here? Why Am I out here, where is here? Just as I realized I was dreaming, my dream self walked through the tree line in the field and I realized where I was; my heart started pounding furiously as my stomach fell to the floor. I was in a cemetery, I froze. I didn't want to go any further. I knew I was dreaming, but something told me I didn't want to be here anymore. Dreams in cemeteries are nightmares; even in my semi conscious state I knew that. Then I saw her about fifty feet to my left. She was kneeling before a gravestone, next to a huge oak tree. I could see her sobbing from where I stood, I could see the way her sobs caused her body to shake with tremors. I was instantly sad for her, whoever she lost must have meant a lot to her, my thoughts instantly flooded with Mason, his cold lifeless body laying before me. I knew loss too, I didn't know who she lost or what they meant to her but I could sympathize with the concept of her loss. I felt like I was intruding on a private moment, I knew if I were her I would want to be alone but something about this girl drew me closer to her. As I got closer, she felt familiar to me. I felt like I knew her. When I was a couple steps away, I put my hand out to touch her shoulder. Before I could make contact, she shifted her weight slightly to the left and the gravestone came into view. I fell to my knees, shaking uncontrollably. I couldn't speak I couldn't breathe. She stood and turned away from the grave walking past me, not even noticing me. I heard her say "How could you leave me, I'll never forgive you." She took two more steps and said "I love you always and forever" I watched myself walk away from Dimitri's grave. I woke up screaming.

************************************************************************ I was still screaming when I opened my eyes, panting uncontrollably. No he can't, he is not dead, and I won't let him die. He can't die, I was starting to hyperventilate, I was in a full panic. It was a dream, a nightmare it isn't real. I don't see the future; it was a nightmare not a premonition. I needed to get a grip. My tears were still free flowing from my eyes as I grabbed my sneakers, and a hoodie then headed for the door. I needed some air; I needed to get as far away from my nightmare as possible. I snuck past the dorm matron without even trying; they really needed to work on security here. I was in such a hurry to get outside I burst through the side door and took off running, planning to use the trees for coverage in case anyone was patrolling outside the dorms. I had just reached the tree line when I heard his voice.

"Is it just the fact that it is called a 'Curfew' that makes you need to break it?" Damn it, how does he do that, he is always sneaking up on me. It is really quite annoying how stealth he is, especially since he hasn't taught that skill to me yet.

"I just needed some air" I replied quickly trying to pat away the tears from my face before making eye contact with him. I didn't want him to know I had been crying.

He finally stepped into place behind me wrapping his arms around me and pulling us a little deeper into the tree coverage, "And can we discuss the outfit? You do know it is the middle of winter in Montana right? He pulled me so close into his arms so his jacket wrapped around me too.

"I was in a hurry, and it is day time in the real world! The sun is out."

" Your wearing … I don't even know if there is enough fabric to constitute calling those shorts Rose."

I turned in his arms and wrapped mine around his waist. Talking into his chest still avoiding eye contact. "Are you complaining?"

"I'll be complaining if you end up with hypothermia" He lifted my chin to his eyes lowering his mouth to kiss me, but stopped just short and looked at me closely. "Rose what is it, you were crying." His voice was riddled with concern.

"It's nothing, it was just a dream, I whispered closing my eyes and going to tipey toes to try to reach his lips. Dimitri's body turned rigid as he let go and stepped away from me and said "Rose, go to your room and wait for me there I will take care of this once and for all." His tone was in full guardian mode now. He turned to leave.

"Wait, What! Where are you going?" I was confused where was he going? I had to lunge forward to reach his arm before he got away. I stretch so far it made me lose my footing and I started to fall. Dimitri reversed my hold on his arm and managed to grab my wrists and steady me before I wiped out.

He righted me as he spoke " I am going to put a stop to this Rose, I won't let him hurt you like this, even if it is just a dream this has gone too far I should have stopped it long ago." Then it clicked how stupid of me to not realize it sooner. When I said it was 'Just a dream' that had caused my tears, Dimitri took that to mean it must have been Adrian.

"No Dimitri, he had nothing to do with this, it really was just a dream, my dream, well my nightmare actually but all me I swear." I tugged on his arm a little pulling him closer to me he placed his hands on my waist, Dimitri's tension released from his body but his face was still conveyed his concern.

" Oh, I guess I just assumed, sorry but I hate that he can do that and so I thought… did you want to talk about it? Your Nightmare, I mean?"

"No I don't even want to think about it."

"That bad?"

Dimitri's tombstone flashed across my eyes again ~Dimitri Belikov Hero~

"Yeah that bad" the image still tormented me even though I am awake and he is standing in front of me alive and well. I had to stop thinking about it, if I ever wanted to be able to close my eyes again. Then something occurred to me. "Hey by the way what are you doing here, I thought you had your big secret guardian meeting tonight, but I didn't think you were on duty tonight, oh or did you come by to tell me what you and your guardian friends are planning to do to us poor inexperienced novices?" I joked.

"I'm not on duty and I'm not here because I am worried about you poor inexperienced novices," he hesitated slightly before continuing, "I was on my way to your room, I needed to be with you."

"Oh Yeah? I asked attempting a raised eyebrow but I am pretty sure I didn't pull it off. "Here you are lecturing me about the rules and curfews, huh is it in the rule book somewhere for an older male guardian coming to visit his young female novice in the middle of the night in her bedroom? Cause I have to tell you Comrade that is one rule book I could get on board with!" His smile was wide and reached all the way to his eyes as he shook his head and said "Ah Roza"

But as quickly as his smile came, it left and I was becoming aware of how sad his face had been tonight, I was so wrapped up in the emotions of my dream, I didn't notice how tense he seemed until now. "Dimitri what is it? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," but he paused and I looked him right in the eyes letting him know not to bother I wasn't going to buy 'Nothing'. "It was a really long and rough day that's all and I just really needed to see your face." He was holding my chin again with his thumb stroking my jaw line his fingers spread upward to caress my check.

"That bad?" I asked

His hand stopped moving as he thought for a moment before responding. "It's over now." he leaned forward planting a deep sultry kiss on my lips with a forceful pressure, It took my breath away and a shiver ran through my body.

Dimitri took it as my being cold, but he was so wrong my body was overly warm from his kiss. "Its freezing out here you should go inside"

I looked at him with my best seductive smile and said "Will you come with me?" as I ran my tongue across his bottom lip. He shivered now and I had a feeling his shiver wasn't from the cold either.

"No, I am on duty in a few hours and I do need to get some sleep, it really has been a long day. I think we both know if I come in there with you neither one of us is going to get much sleep." His eyes were deep with passion as if he was still trying to convince himself to leave. The idea of not 'Sleeping' because Dimitri was in my bed warmed me even further and a blush filled my checks as I looked at him and whispered. " Sleeps overrated". He laughed out loud something he doesn't do very often, but when he does it lifts my soul and sends it soaring. God I love this man.

"Rose I did have a reason for coming here" he paused "besides just seeing your face." He said as he stroked my check again. I let out a deep sigh I knew it was too good to be true that he was here because he needed to see my face. Things like that only happen in hopeless romance novels! " I wanted to ask you something." His words came out softly almost a mumble. The stress and tension was returning to Dimitri's face and body, great it must be something bad. I tried to prepare myself.

"So ask, what is it? Why are you being so cryptic?"

"I'm not being 'Cryptic', I just wanted to know if you would go on a date with me? He spoke so quickly I had to repeat his words in my head to be sure I heard him right. Once I was sure I had I laughed managing to squeak out a "What!" as a response unable to control my giggles. Dimitri pulled away from me slightly looking bewildered.

"Ok not exactly the response I was hoping for. Is the idea of going on a date with me really that hysterical?" He raised his eyebrow questioningly. That stopped my giggles cold.

"No Dimitri of course not, I love the idea of going on a date with you, but isn't that kind of impossible."

"Nothing is impossible Rose" He whispered his lips brushing my earlobe.

He was being absurd, as much as I loved the idea, it couldn't happen at least not until after I graduated and we were officially out. I tried to explain my reaction by pointing out the absurdity of it. " Really how could we go on a date do you really expect Kirova to just let me walk off campus on my own. I know you don't think we could manage a date here on campus without being caught!"

" No, of course it would be off campus, and you wouldn't be walking off campus anywhere by yourself! You would be driven off by me." He made it sound so logical, it wasn't.

"And Kirova? Are you going to just walk into her office and say hey hope you don't mind but I am taking Rose on a date be back in a few hours, don't wait up?" At this point I was abusing sarcasm but I couldn't help myself. It was torturous having him dangle something in front of my face that I so obviously want and so obviously can't have.

" Rose would you like to go on a date with me, that is the question on the table the only one you need to concern yourself with answering. If the answer is yes then I will handle Headmistress Kirova and everything else. If the answer is no I will understand." He actually looked like he thought I might say no, was he paying any attention to the last few months.

"Of course the answer is yes Dimitri, I can't believe you even have to ask. Why now though?" I questioned him because I had this feeling. This feeling that something was up. "Dimitri what aren't you telling me?" His eyes flashed to mine for a split second before he spoke and I knew I was right. Something was up.

He tried to recover quickly continuing to hide something from me. "Does it surprise you that I would want to spend sometime with you? Some real time with you, where I can hold you hand without worrying who might see. Where I can pull you into an embrace anytime the mood strikes me. Where we can be a real couple for once. Where I can proudly claim you as mine to anyone who looks our way. Does it surprise you that I might want that, that I might need that?" his voice was so longing I couldn't remember why I was questioning this. If we could have a date, a real date, real time to be a couple, I would die for that. I was crazy to be questioning this. I leaned into Dimitri kissing him so desperately, if I could have found a way to completely melt myself into him I would have. Dimitri seemed to be feeling the same way because he was crushing me into him so tightly I could barely breathe, and I so didn't care. I would give up breathing to kiss Dimitri, I would give up anything. When he finally pulled his lips away to give us a chance to breathe we were both breathless. We panted in unison, until he broke the silence by asking " So that's a yes then?" his smile lit my world.

"Like I could say no to you" I blushed immediately, realizing how much I meant that, I could deny him nothing. He owned me, even if he didn't realize it. I was his, forever and always.

"I'll remember that" he looked at me with such intensity I went weak in the knees again and leaned into another long deep kiss. This time when he pulled away a deep moan emanated from his lips. "You need to go back inside now Rose" his lips were still so close that they brushed against mine with every word.

"Dimitri" I exhaled his name, and I knew he could hear in my voice how badly I needed him, how willing I was to give him everything.

"Good night Rose" Dimitri turned me and gave me a little nudge back towards the dorms. I turned and gave him a dirty look, before saying " Good Night Dimitri" as mockingly as I could muster.

I got about two steps before he grabbed my hand pulling me back just a little and said "Sweet Dreams, Beautiful" and kissed my hand before I turned and ran back for the dorm.