A/N: sorry for the late chapter upload everyone! I had wanted to post this chapter sooner, but it took me longer than I thought to figure out what direction I wanted to take the story. But it's all sorted out now, so my chapters will hopefully be more regular! :D

Also thank you, and welcome to all my new story followers, and to those who have left reviews! I appreciate it, and it helps me stay motivated!

But enough with my prattling, here's the next chapter!

Chapter nine:

I COULDN'T REMEMBER WHEN I had drifted off to sleep, but I knew that dreamless slumber was better than reality. Except, my sleep wasn't dreamless. At least, not anymore.

I stood on a porch, surrounded by icy, white snow. But I didn't feel cold at all. I could see a shadow lurking behind me, but I didn't panic. I knew who it was.

"I was wondering when you'd show up," I said, turning around to face Adrian. He was leaning against the wall, cigarette in hand. It was exactly like the first time we had met. Except this time, he didn't grin or start to make smart ass remarks. Instead, a look of horror washed over his face.

"Dear god Hathaway." His eyes ran up and down my body, and that's when I realised what he'd be seeing. Cuts, scars, bruises and blood. I looked down to see that I was still in my shredded Guardian uniform. "What have they done to you?"

"I'm fine Adrian, it looks worse than it is." I closed my eyes and focused, just the way Adrian had taught me all that time ago. A moment later, my skin was back to its healthy self- less pale and free from the wounds that covered my body. I had swapped my Guardian uniform for my favourite pair of jeans, and a sky blue top with spaghetti straps that I had seen on a shopping trip that Lissa and I had gone on the other week. If only I could do that in real life…

Dropping the cigarette, he crossed his arms and shook his head.

"I know you're lying, but there's no time to argue right now. You could wake up at any moment-"

His words trailed off, as he started to keel over. The world around us started to fade in and out, but it wasn't me who was waking up.

"Adrian! What's going on?"

I helped him to stand upright, and after a few moments, our dream world became stable again.

"Sorry, I almost lost it there for a second. Something in the real world must have startled me."

I didn't believe Adrian for one second. I could tell that there was something more going on, but he was right before. We didn't have time to argue.

"Look Adrian, I know why you're here. But I don't know where I am. I mean, I know I'm in the Re-education Centre, but I have no clue where that is!"

I choked back a sob that was beginning to build up. I couldn't let myself cry, otherwise I wouldn't be able to stop.

"Don't worry, Sydney is going to do a locator spell, which will tell us where you are. I just wanted to see how you were managing…" His eyes drifted to the beautiful mountain behind us. "And to also give you a bit of relief from reality."

I let my head sag.

"I'm fine, I just-"

A hand grasped my shoulder. I turned in surprise, and immediately started to tear up.

"Roza."

I wrapped my arms around Dimitri's warm, safe body, and sighed with relief when he pulled me in closer.

"Is this real?" I asked, tilting my face towards Adrian.

But Dimitri was the one to answer.

"Yes. He said that he could combine our dreams together, as long as he was present."

I noticed the intense look on Adrian's face, and realised that it would be taking a lot of Spirit for him to do this. I couldn't waste any time.

Wiping away my tears, I pulled back away from Dimitri just enough so that I could address both him and Adrian at the same time.

"I don't want you guys to come rescue me," I said with as much muster I could manage.

I could feel Dimitri's body tense, while Adrian just rolled his eyes.

"No need for heroics Hathaway."

I shook my head.

"It's not like that! The Alchemists want you all to come save me. In fact, they're counting on it!"

Dimitri titled my head so we locked eyes, and I almost melted. His deep brown eyes were filled with confusion.

"Sydney is going to secretly stay at Court, she won't be in any danger of the Alchemists capturing her again-"

"They don't just want Sydney! They want you, Adrian and Lissa!" I exclaimed, and Dimitri's eyes widened. I turned to Adrian, who seemed just as shocked. "I don't know why, but I'm guessing it's not so we can all sit around and have a tea party."

I was hoping that this news would be enough for them to call off the search, but no such luck.

"The others can stay at Court, but I don't care if it's a trap, I will do everything and anything to get you back Rose!" Dimitri hissed, as his hold on me tightened.

"And you will get me back Dimitri! I will figure a way out, I promise. It's only been a couple of nights, I can hold out a little longer-"

I let my words trail off as I watched their expressions shift from agitation to worry.

"What is it?"

Adrian was the one who answered. "You've been missing for over a week."

I frowned.

"No… I would know if it had been that long!"

"Sydney has been trying spell after spell to try and find out where you are, but something is blocking her. Even Adrian has been trying all this time to reach you..."

I stared at the ground, trying to remember the last thing that had happened before falling asleep. I cringed as the memory of being slashed with a blade came to mind. But that couldn't have been my last memory… could I have really been unconscious all this time?

"Roza." Dimitri pulled me closer to his side. "We will find you."

I could feel tears start to build up in my eyes again. But I couldn't let Dimitri noticed, not again. So I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss. His fingers slid through my long, dark hair, and for a moment I forgot everything. I forgot that I was imprisoned, that the man I loved was hell bent on endangering his own life to save mine, that we were in a dream and that this was probably the last time I would see Dimitri.

"I love you," I whispered, my breathing heavy. He stroked my cheek, and opened his mouth to reply, but then he was gone.

I spun around, and found Adrian kneeling on the ground.

"I'm sorry. I tried, but I couldn't keep him here any longer."

I pulled him back onto his feet, and then into a hug.

"Thank you Adrian."

He pulled back, a frown on his face.

Oh crap, maybe a hug was too soon for our recovering friendship…

"I can't keep this dream going much longer either," he said, closing his eyes in concentration.

"It's okay Adrian, I'll be fine," I started to say, but my quivering voice gave me away. A thought suddenly crossed my mind. "But please don't tell anyone about my injuries. It will just make things worse."

Adrian looked conflicted, but nodded.

His body suddenly tensed, and I could tell that we didn't have much longer.

"Once Sydney figures out a way to locate you, Lissa will send the best army of Dhampirs she has to bring you home."

The mention of Lissa made me smile. I missed my best friend, and it was times like these were I missed having the bond.

"Don't worry about me, just look after yourselves. We can't let the Alchemists get the upper hand, even if that means me having to die in the process."

"Oh don't be so dramatic Rose, it doesn't suit you." A smirk played on the corners of Adrian's lips.

The porch beneath our feet began to fade away, followed by the surrounding snowy mountains. The dream was coming to an end. Soon, I'd have to face reality.

"See you soon little Dhampir."

He said it like it was statement. Like I was going to see him and the others again. But the truth was, I'd probably be dead before that happened.

I forced a smile onto my face just before Adrian faded away.

And then, there was nothing.

So there seems to be some gaps in Rose's memory... wonder why that is? ;D

Can Rose hold out long enough for the others to find her?

We shall have to wait and see...

Remember to R&R!