Hey guys hope you enjoy this chapter and I decided to do something a little crazy and take a scene in this chapter and do it from Adrian's point of view. Let me know if you like it and want me to do it again or if you don't and just want me to only do Dimitri for Frostbite.

Don't forget to review if you want me to update.

Thanks - Val

Chapter 9

Tasha had planned a picnic for us out on the lawn. She had more food even though we had only eaten a few hours ago and we just talked about our old friends, our old lives before everything changed.

I never thought that my charge would be murdered and I'd be sent to Montana, USA of all places.

On the other hand, Tasha never expected her brother to turn Strigoi along with his wife and then try to take Christian, injuring her in the process.

We'd both been hurt –though her in a much harsher way.

I realized then just how much I had in common with Tasha. I felt like I could talk to her about anything, well almost anything. It wasn't like the connection I had with Rose, since with Roza I could see myself in her and she tended to guess things no one else knew. Tasha, however, was accepting of everything and wasn't caught in immature drama.

It was easy with her.

She had a great smile and I couldn't help but notice her catlike body.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked as I ate an orange.

"Nothing. Well, I don't know. This is fun. It's easy," I tried to explain.

"Yeah, it always has been with you," she commented.

I smiled at that.

"Will you ride with me on the jet?" asked Tasha.

"What jet?"

"The private one to the ski lodge that The Academy got," she explained. "I thought you knew."

"Of course," I realized, "Sorry, I become a little distracted when I'm around you."

"I tend to have that reaction on people," she joked. "So tell me more about your life here at the Academy. Tell me what happened since the last time we talked, or since you came here."

So I began, I told her about getting the Princess and Rose, I told him about Viktor Dashkov who had kidnapped Lissa and went into detail about everything. Well, almost everything. I couldn't exactly disclose the whole Rose fiasco.

"Wow," she responded. "You know what?"

"What?" I asked.

"Christian never told me her got hurt. Ugh," she said.

"That's what you gathered from all of that," I said attempting a bitter tone.

"Well, no but I just noticed. I sort of feel like he's my kid so I don't know. It's a maternal instinct, sort of," she defended. "I can't help it."

"Right," I laughed.

"I can't imagine you being a father," she joked. "Well I can, it's just, well, don't take this the wrong way, but you would be way over-protective."

"I'm not that bad am I? I'm not as still as Guardian Hathaway or anything," I said.

"You're getting pretty darn close," she teased, "At this rate, you'll surpass her stiffness."

"Wouldn't make much of a father then," I explained, "Children need a lot of love."

"Yeah," Tasha agreed, "I can see why Rose resents her."

"Sort of," I agreed. "But Janine did the right thing. What else was she supposed to do? Neglect her duties and everything she was working for?"

"No," admitted Tasha. "But it seems she could put a little more effort into raising Rose."

"You really like her don't you?" I asked.

"Rose?" she questioned.

"Yeah," I answered.

"Yeah, she seems like a ball of fun," Tasha said. "She's very, I don't know, she just goes for what she wants from what I hear, you have to admire that. I don't think I know anyone else who boldly pursues exactly what they want."

"Yeah, well. You like it because you're not her mentor. It can be a bitch to deal with sometimes," I answered.

"Yeah, well, at least you're full of life now. When Lord Zeklos died, you were a mess," she said.

The old memory made me cringe.

"Yeah, that was tough," I admitted.

"How do you feel about it now?" she asked.

"I've learned to deal with it. I still think about it every day but I've finally come to terms with the fact that there was absolutely nothing I could have done and that I wasn't even there."

"That's good," Tasha said. "Rose helped then by keeping your mind occupied."

"Yeah," I admitted. Maybe a little too occupied, I added silently.

"Can I ask you something?" asked Tasha then.

"Sure," I answered.

"Is Rose the real reason you don't want to accept my offer?" she asked.

My heart rate sped up then, did she know?

"What do you mean?" I asked warily.

"Well," Tasha explained, "Maybe you're intent on protecting her. Maybe you don't think that she'd graduate without your help."

Oh. That's what she had meant. My legs felt like jelly.

I couldn't exactly explain the truth, but Tasha had a point with that. "Well, I definitely would worry about that."

"I could wait," Tasha responded then. "Until Rose graduated. If it would put your mind at ease."

I don't know if that would really be better though, I contemplated. My feelings for Roza had only grown stronger.

"Just throwing it out there," Tasha said, noticing my contemplating visage.

"Okay," I answered.

The rest of the day was thankfully avoided from the Rose topic which was good for my mind. That meant I only thought about her 95% of the time.

I had a lot of fun with Tasha and we made plans the next day to watch a film.

We watched an old Western because it was the only thing I had in my room and Tasha didn't object. She said she really just wanted to spend time with me anyway.

When I sat on the couch with her in front of the TV, she sat right next to me and made us both hot cocoa with marsh mellows. It tasted magnificent.

During the film, she looked at me and grabbed my hand with hers and our grasps attached. We didn't touch other than that, but I didn't pull away.

I said I'd give Tasha and I an honest chance and I was going to go through with that plan. I wasn't ready for other things yet, not when I was still thinking of Rose non-stop, but I had to admit, it was nice to have someone close by. Especially if it was someone like Tasha, she reminded me of home and God I was homesick.

When it was time to say goodnight she kissed me on the lips. It was nice. Nothing too crazy or sexual, but just nice. It didn't get my heart racing or make me want to grab her and take her to my bed or anything like with Rose, but I didn't want to pull away either.

The next day we were flying out in the private jets to the ski lodge. I had to admit, while I'm in no way a superficial person nor do I care for nice things, flying in private jets was pretty nice. The seats were really cushy and had lots of leg room versus the regular first class which I could in no way get comfortable in plus my legs were so long I nearly had no breathing space.

I sat next to Tasha and in front of Christian and Lissa because Tasha wanted to be near her nephew, and I should be watching my charge anyway. Rose walked by us then, I'd barely seen her and it'd honestly felt like an eternity. I could have continued practice, but I just wasn't ready for any of that.

That kiss had crossed the line. Rose smiled at Christian and Lissa but turned her gaze from Tasha and I and made no eye contact.

"Is she upset with you or something?" whispered Tasha as Rose kept walking.

"No, she just probably didn't see us," I lied. Rose was probably angry that I had sort of been ignoring her but what the hell she pushed me to the edge.

Of course, she was a little too eager to sit next to carrot top, she smiled and waved and Mason and took the seat right next to him. I couldn't help but grit my teeth.

Even though I had no right whatsoever to feel that way, I still considered Rose to be mine in some messed up way and that Mason was invading my territory, and I swear to God, it took great difficulty for me not to walk over there and knock him out with one punch.

Oh how I pictured it. Then I could turn to Rose and ask, "Still impressed with this maggot?"

"Dimitri?" asked Tasha, bringing me back to my harsher reality.

"Yes?" I asked.

"There you are. You zoned out. So do you want to shoot pool first or go swimming?" she asked.

"You pick," I said. "Although, I'm not entirely sure that I can do anything yet. I might have to work."

"You always work," she said irritated.

I then noticed Rose holding hands with Mason.

I was going to fucking kill him.

"Dimitri?" Tasha asked again. "You keep zoning out, have you slept at all?"

"Yeah. Sorry, I just was going over some Guardian things in my head," I lied.

"Is that why you have the look of death on your face?" she asked. "Because they're keeping you away from me?"

No, because Rose is acting like a fucking whore, I thought in my head. Then reasoned, holding hands did not constitute her as a whore what so ever and that I was being a little unfair.

"Yes," I finally answered. It came out stupidly and Tasha didn't buy a word.

"Wow! Can you lie any better?" Tasha asked. "Here I remember you having some skills."

Okay, time to clean this shit up D. "Sorry, I'm just worried about security that's all. And I didn't get much sleep so I'm pretty out of it. Where were we?"

I made a choice to ignore Rose for the rest of the ride then and promised myself to not steal any glances to her. I promised not even to turn around and faced Tasha the whole time.

That is what I was supposed to be focusing on anyway now.

I actually managed to for the rest of the ride.

When we got to the resort, I had to admit that even I was impressed once more. It was really nice and luxurious, built like a log cabin to accommodate hundreds of rich people. I felt a little awkward since I was so not up-scale, but it was fine. I put on a good face anyway.

Tasha and I spent the day playing pool with some old friend of her. I should have warned them how good I was. I should have let Tasha win too, but I couldn't. She would have known anyway and called me out on it.

Later I told Tasha I had to check in with Alberta though and left.

"Hey Dimitri," Alberta called when I got there.

"Hi," I answered.

"How are things with Tasha?" she asked.

Did she know, I tried to act at ease, "They're good."

"Good. Have you said yes yet?" she asked.

Damn she did know. "Not yet, can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"How did you know?" I questioned.

"Janine told me so that I could help persuade you. I don't think I can do that though, we need you at the Academy. Besides, I really don't want to be the one to have to deal with Hathaway," Alberta answered.

"Hah," I laughed. "She's getting better."

"She was," Alberta admitted.

"What's that mean?" I asked. Heart rate accelerating a little.

"Her and Mason Ashford had an incident," she began. My palms turned into fists. Please tell me she didn't do anything with that sick little bastard.

"They were doing some crazy stunts on the slopes and nearly killed themselves. Mason was a little hurt, but Rose was fine, luckily."

"I turn my back for one second," I began.

"I know. They were yelled at for a little while, I don't think they'll try it again," Alberta explained.

"Good," I answered.

"Those are a match made in heaven," Alberta joked. "I think they instigate each other for crazy stunts, I'll have to keep my eye on them."

"Yeah, me too," I answered quickly.

"Well here are your assignments for the break," she said while handing me some papers.

"Thanks," I nodded and went to walk out.

"Oh, and Dimitri," she called.

"

Yes?" I asked.

"Do what's best for you. Whatever you decide, I'll be behind you," Alberta said.

"Thank you," I nodded once more and walked out.

Adrian's POV

I was outside smoking some cigarettes, trying to pass the time since my parent's had insisted I come to this joint because they were all scared of Strigoi and once more –the damn Moroi population was in panic.

They worried way too much.

It wasn't as terrible as I thought with its nice accommodations and food, and some decent looking chicks but nothing really kept me here.

Honestly, it was the same Royal bullshit and most the guys and girls only really liked me because of my name.

Sure, it got me easy things but it was a little boring at times.

Then I smelled something enticing, something beautiful.

I saw a girl walk out with dark brown hair and a tanned face, definitely Dhampir with that body –damn.

Things might actually get a little less boring out here.

"Hey, little dhampir," I called.

She looked startled and then realized that it was me standing on the porch. I thought these Guardians in training were supposed to be bad-asses not scared of anything. I kept smoking my cigarette and smiled, they always fall for the bad boys.

This one though crossed her arms and totally checked me out, up and down. Then it sort of turned into sizing up. I didn't mind really though, I had to admit the scenery right now was amazing.

I also noticed then that she had a black eye.

Ahh, a feisty one.

Definitely interesting, I thought silently to myself.

"Yeah?" she finally asked after a thorough examination.

I checked her out once more, I couldn't help myself. She was bundled up in winter clothing and had a wicked bad eye, but even then, she looked dead sexy.

I shrugged. "Just saying hi, that's all." No need to get your panties in a bunch. Wow did I just say that. This place is really screwing me up.

She waited then, probably expecting more but I just stuffed my hands in my coat's pocket and shrugged.

Finally, she took some steps forward.

There it was, that wonderful smell filling my vampire senses, "You smell good, you know," I pointed out suddenly.

She stopped walking and gave me another puzzled look like I was , I had caught her attention. My smile grew.

"I... um, what?" she questioned.

"You smell good," I repeated.

"Are you joking? I've been sweating all day. I'm disgusting." She began, I could tell that she wanted to walk away then, but she didn't. Spirit seemed to do that to people, draw them in, make me charismatic even if I they thought I was a complete douche.

It was…useful. Especially when a girl was clearly uninterested.

"Sweat isn't a bad thing," I continued, leaning my head against the wall and looking upward thoughtfully. "Some of the best things in life happen while sweating," I thought, my mind going to other places. "Yeah, if you get too much of it and it gets old and stale, it turns pretty gross. But on a beautiful woman? Intoxicating. If you could smell things like a vampire does, you'd know what I'm talking about. Most people mess it all up and drown themselves in perfume. Perfume can be good...especially if you get one that goes with your chemistry. But you only need a hint. Mix about 20 percent of that with 80 percent of your own perspiration...mmm." I tilted his head to the side and looked at her. "Dead sexy."

"Well, thanks for the hygiene lesson," she said clearly still uninterested. Damn, I wasn't used to trying this hard. I guess I should probably bring up my name soon. Or I'll try this whole "game" thing like the other people. Damn it kind of sucks to be normal sometimes.

"But I don't own any perfume,and I'm going to go shower all this hot sweaty action off me. Sorry," the little Dhampir answered.

I pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered it to her while moving only a step closer.

"Bad habit," she said, watching me light it.

"One of many," I replied while inhaling deeply to prove I didn't really care. "You here with St. Vlad's?"

"Yup."

"So you're going to be a guardian when you grow up."

"Obviously."

Interesting. My parents wanted me to get a Guardian soon and I completely objected to the idea, the last thing I needed was a damn baby sitter. But maybe having a dead sexy chick follow me around and protect me –damn, that was hot. "How long until you grow up?" I asked. "I might need a guardian."

"I graduate in the spring. But I'm already spoken for. Sorry."

I was surprised. It was probably some royal Moroi who had the same idea I had. Maybe I could beat my new opponent. "Yeah? Who is he?" I asked.

"She's Vasilisa Dragomir."

"Ah," I said grinning. I sure as hell knew who Rose Hathaway was. "I knew you were trouble as soon as I saw you. You're Janine Hathaway's daughter."

"I'm Rose Hathaway," she corrected as if she wasn't too fond of being associated with her mother.

"Nice to meet you, Rose Hathaway." I extended a gloved hand to her that she hesitantly took.

"Adrian Ivashkov."

"And you think I'm trouble," she muttered.

I laughed at that. She had a point.

"Handy, huh? Each of our reputations precedes us," I joked.

Rose shook her head though. "You don't know anything about me. And I only know of your family. I don't know anything about you."

"Want to?"I asked tauntingly.

"Sorry. I'm not into older guys."

"I'm twenty-one. Not that much older." She was playing hard to get. It was… unusual.

"I have a boyfriend," she interceded. It was obvious she was lying by the way she said it.

"Funny you didn't mention that right away," I mused. "He didn't give you that black eye, did he?"

She blushed then, "He wouldn't be alive if he did. I got it during ... practice. I mean, I'm training to be a guardian. Our classes are always rough."

"That's pretty hot," I admitted dropping my cigarette.

"Punching me in the eye?"

"Well, no. Of course not. I meant that the idea of getting rough with you is hot. I'm a big fan of
full-contact sports."

"I'm sure you are," Rose said dryly.

The sound of footsteps behind Rose made both of us glance up. I noticed a young looking Moroi girl walking up. She stopped suddenly when she saw the two of us.

"Hey, Mia," called Rose.

The Moroi girl glanced between the two of us.

"Another guy?" she asked. Ouch! Catfight! This night was getting better and better.

I just gave Rose a questioning, amused looked.

Rose didn't look pleased however, and I wouldn't be surprised if she pounced on Moroi girl and showed me just what a tiger she was.

"Mia, this is Adrian Ivashkov," Rose introduced.

I shook her hand. "Always a pleasure to meet a friend of Rose's, especially a pretty one."

"We aren't friends," Rose interjected.

"Rose only hangs out with guys and psychopaths," explained Mia, voice filled with scorn.

"Well," I answered cheerfully, "Since I'm both a psychopath and a guy,that would explain why we're such good friends."

"You and I aren't friends either," Rose argued.

That was cute. I laughed. "Always playing hard to get, huh?"

"She's not that hard to get," said Mia, "Just ask half the guys at our school."

"Yeah," Rose retorted, "And you can ask the other half about Mia. If you can do a favor for her, she'll do lots of favors for you."

A flicker of embarrassment passed over Mia's face, but she held her ground.

Ahh, high school, I reminisced.

"Well," Mia said, "at least I don't do them for free."

I made some cat noises unable to control myself.

"Are you done?" asked Rose. "It's past your bedtime, and the grown-ups would like to talk now."

"Sure," answered Mia. "I have better things to do anyway." She turned toward the door, and then paused with her hand resting on it. She glanced towards me then. "Her mom gave her that black eye, you know."

Then she went inside. Well, I think Mia totally won that bitch battle.

Rose and I stood there in silence. Finally, I took out the cigarettes again and lit another. "Your mom?" I asked. How could I not?

"Shut up."

"You're one of those people who either has soul mates or mortal enemies, aren't you? No in-between.
You and Vasilisa are probably like sisters, huh?"

"I guess."

"How is she?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. I mean, I know you guys ran away...and there was that stuff with her family and Victor Dashkov...."

Rose stiffened at the reference to Victor. "So?"

"Dunno. Just figured it might be a lot for her to, you know, handle."

Besides the fact that I read some reports. It could be possible that she too was a spirit user. I wasn't supposed to be reading those reports, but well, when you're the Queen's nephew, you have some special privileges.

Rose studied me carefully, "I've got to go."

"Are you sure?" I asked mildly disappointed. "I thought it was time for the grown-ups to talk. Lots of grown-up things I'd like to talk about."

"It's late, I'm tired, and your cigarettes are giving me a headache," she growled.

"I suppose that's fair." I drew in on the cigarette and let out the smoke. "Some women think they make
me look sexy."

"I think you smoke them so you have something to do while thinking up your next witty line."

I choked on the smoke, caught between inhaling and laughing. "Rose Hathaway, I can't wait to see
you again. If you're this charming while tired and annoyed and this gorgeous while bruised and in ski
clothes, you must be devastating at your peak." I made my move.

"If by 'devastating' you mean that you should fear for your life, then yeah. You're right." She then jerked open the door. "Good night, Adrian."

"I'll see you soon," I teased.

"Not likely. I told you, I'm not into older guys."

She walked into the lodge. As the door closed, I called out, "Sure, you aren't."

I had to see this girl again.