So originally this was going to be two chapters but I combined them into one. Sorry ahead of time for any mistakes, it's really late at night and my brain's half shut down. Anyway, don't hate me at the end of this chapter. Things have to happen for the plot to build!

And yay! I finally have more reviews than how many chapters I have! Let's keep it that way! And yes, there will be Sydrian in the upcoming chapters. I think this is going to be a long fanfic. Thanks for those who reviewed, followed, and favorited! I usually would say your name and all but I don't have time tonight.

Disclaimer: I'm not Richelle sadly but I do own the plot!

Chapter Fourteen

Dinner Disaster

Rose Hathaway helps clean up in the kitchen silently next to Lissa as the gang clears out. Christian looks over at the new, quiet Rose and can't help but frown.

"What's up Hathaway, why are you so quiet?"

"Why do you care Sparky, I thought you always wanted this," Rose snaps back.

Lissa sighs and takes the plate from Rose's hand before it ends up in pieces before her boyfriend. She had a feeling that they'll be arguing again. True, it's odd that Rose is so quiet but she probably has her reasons. After her long years as Rose's best friend, she knows that Rose always opens up when she's ready to.

"Oh trust me, I do appreciate the quietness, I just keep getting this weird feeling that you're doing something to my kitchen," Christian says standing up.

Lissa walks over and wraps her arms around Christian's waist. "Let it go you two, we're on vacation," she says. "Come on Christian, let's go out on the slopes for a while and talk about our plan for the day."

Rose mutters something unholy as she reaches over for her jacket and stops moving when Lissa touches her arm gently.

"Go find Dimitri and take a day off Rose, I'll have my other guardians come with me ok?"

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive; now go get some air,"

"Yeah right, that's what they're going to do," Christian says rolling his eyes.

Rose growls and clenches her hands by her sides. Why does he have to be so annoying? "You might want to control your boyfriend Lissa because in a minute, he won't be able to look at himself in the mirror ever again."

Lissa does just that and pulls her boyfriend out the cabin, ignoring his protests. Rose watches the two head on over to the slopes with Lissa's guardians and soon walks out the cabin in search for Dimitri. He had said that he was going out for a walk a while ago and still had returned. Rose knows that she shouldn't be worried but she can't help it, it is part of her nature now. Suddenly, strong arms wrap around her waist and she lets her captor pull her behind the cabin into the woods.

"Roza," he whispers. "Where is Lissa, why are you not with her?"

She smiles and turns around. "She gave me and you a day off."

He leans his forehead against her and reaches out for her hands. "Come on then, I want to show you something I found while I was walking."

She nods and lets him lead her into the woods. They walk silently as he holds her close with an arm around her waist and her head tucked under his chin. Rose remembers when he left for college with Christian and the days she slept counting the seconds of until she'd see him again. And then when he finally came back, she had only a day with him before he was sent out to Palm Springs. They both know that their relationship would be a rocky one but neither one of them are planning to let go of each other now or later. They went through way too much to let go now.

And when she learned that she'd finally get to see him for more than one day, she was so excited. She talked about this day nonstop and she was pretty sure that she had drove Lissa crazy and it was when she found out that of all the places they were to meet, they were going to meet in Spokane she didn't want to go. Lissa had said that she could stay behind. She knew what that place meant for her. The only reason she came was because she wanted to see Dimitri.

Rose leans into his side and takes comfort in her boyfriend's warmth. It's then when she realizes that he's wearing his duster. She looks up at him and starts to say something to distract herself from all of her depressing thoughts and is surprised when Dimitri stops walking.

"We're here?" she asks.

"No Roza,"

"Oh, why did we stop then?"

"I wanted to ask you what's wrong; you look very worried and concerned Rose."

Rose sighs and sits down on the log before her. Dimitri walks over and pulls her into his arms and she rests her head on his shoulder as he takes a seat next to her.

"I guess you can say I'm worried," she says. "This morning when I saw Sydney, she looked torn, like something in her snapped and then when I saw Adrian he was… off. I don't know if it's spirit or what. I just don't understand what's happening though! I can't see the connection between Sydney and Adrian."

Dimitri bites his lip and holds back a smile at the thought of the two. He wants to tell his Rose what exactly he and Sonya had seen in them back in Palm Springs but decides not to. Time will tell all and it isn't right for him to tell her. What Rose tells him though gets him a little worried to. Even though Adrian had been Rose's boyfriend, Dimitri still thinks that the young Royal has a lot of potential. Dimitri also knows that it's Sydney who makes him feel whole in a way that Rose never had. Sydney Sage though was a total mystery to Dimitri. During his time in Palm Springs, he had seen a fire in her, a fire that he can't seem to understand.

"Dimitri?" Rose calls.

"Yes Roza?" he asks.

"Can you do me a favor?"

"Anything for you Rose,"

She grins up at him. "You need to take Adrian out for dinner."

Chapter Fifteen

Adrian sits in the bar and watches as Dimitri takes a seat next to him. Adrian feels anger rush over him and clenches his fist. Why can't he leave him alone? Why is the Russian doing this to him? He waves over a hand and orders a drink.

Dimitri sighs. "I thought you dropped the drinking," he says.

"Why do you even care?" Adrian snaps loudly. A few people stop to stare at them as they make their way to their tables. "Just leave me alone!"

"Adrian," Dimitri hisses. "You are making a scene."

Adrian jumps up from his seat and grabs the drink the waiter hands him. "Get this Belikov, I don't care if Rose set you up for this, I don't give a crap. I don't care what you are getting for this. You can either leave or I will go."

Dimitri sighs. How did he even try to agree to do something like this? Dimitri knew he shouldn't have even tried something like this when Adrian's angry and ticked off.

"Adrian, you're angry. For what I don't know but you need to tell someone, you need to cool down," Dimitri says as he grabs Adrian by the arm to hold him in place.

Adrian pulls his arm free and turns around to the face the door of the fancy restaurant. "Good b-" he says, try to make his escape from Dimitri, but stops midsentence as he takes in a familiar golden aura walk into the restaurant. Dimitri follows his eyes and feels his heart sink a little as he takes in Sydney Sage. So this is why he's angry.

Adrian feels his heart come to a stop as he takes her in. She's wearing a dress, a pitch black dress with long sleeves that hang loose by her wrists. Her dress hugs her perfectly in the right places and it goes down to her knees. She's wearing a pair of sandals that have at least two inches of height and her golden lily is covered up. Her long beautiful hair is tied up by a loose bun on her side and a blush covers her soft cheeks. She's so beautiful, he thinks. Adrian's heart grows heavy with pain as he watches her walk in but what hurts the most is watching the boy next to her drape his arms around her shoulders.

Sydney POV

Marcus Finch is obviously a wealthy man. His suit has to cost him an outrageous amount of money, his hair is gelled back neatly and professionally, and his watch might even cost more than his suit. And I have to admit, he's pretty good looking. He has shiny blonde hair and a striking pair of blue eyes that can make any girl swoon but I prefer green eyes. My heart comes to a stop as I watch him walk onto the curb of the sidewalk that's adjacent to the restaurant. What am I thinking? It's over Sydney, there is no more Adrian remember? Now forget!

Marcus grins at me as he holds out his hand. "Hello there Miss Sage," he says.

I nod grimly. "Call me Sydney,"

"Well Sydney, you do look quite stunning tonight," he says. "Are you always like this or did Clarence get you to impress me?"

I blush. Is he flirting with me? "Let's get to business Mr. Finch," I say and walk to the door and start to pull it open when Marcus catches it first and holds it for me. I let out a mental sigh as I catch him winking at me. This night is going to be a lot tougher than I thought.

He smiles as he drapes an arm around me while we walk into the restaurant. I feel myself turn even redder as he leads me over to the waitress at the front desk.

"William Carstairs, I made a reservation for two earlier today?" he says.

The waitress blushes and nods flustered. "Yes sir, right this way Mr. Carstairs," she says.

Marcus holds out his hand for me to go first and I follow the tall, red headed waitress to the very end of the restaurant. I take a seat on the opposite side of the table from where Marcus is sitting and look around the dim lighted restaurant. He managed to reserve the most private table in the entire restaurant and the restaurant to is very expensive and posh. There is a huge bar in the far end of the restaurant and is packed with people and a huge dance floor sits in the middle. Glass tables, big and small, surround the dance floor, many of which are already occupied.

"I must say Sydney, you are very professional, the alchemists did a good a job with you," he says as he takes a sip of his water.

I turn around to face him and nod grimly. "I guess they did," I say. "Look Marcus, I can't be here for long and I need answers. I need to know how you know the Dragomir Princess is in Spokane."

He stops drinking his water. "I have my sources," he says.

I narrow my eyes. "I'm not playing games Marcus," I say.

He chuckles and leans closer towards me and I shift back in my seat uncomfortably. "Neither am I Sydney. I can be serious if I want to and right now, I am."

"Answer my question," I say again.

He raises an eyebrow. "Let's just say I know a lot about you Sydney. I know Carly, in fact I met her once. I know your mother, I know her little secret, I know your little secret and if you ask which one, I'm pretty sure I know all of them. I know your little sister and I must say, Jared's training her pretty good. Her name is Zoe isn't it? To be honest, I think Jared's losing trust in you Sydney," he says. "He's been going through your stuff back home in Utah and your mother knows nothing of it. She's too busy wondering if she should paint her house green or that light brown color."

I pale and stand up from the table. "H-how do you know all that?" I whisper. My mother called just two days ago telling me about the house painting project. Did he listen to my call? If he knows all this, what does he know of Jill?

"As I said, I have my sources," he says.

"Sources?!" I cry. "What sources? How do you all of that about my family, how do you know my dad's going through my stuff, what do you know about Jill?"

He gives me a smile and starts to reach for my arm to pull me back to my seat but I take a step back and walk into something hard. I turn around and find myself looking into a pair of fiery emerald eyes.

"Who are you?" Adrian demands.

Oh no.

"What are you doing to her? Did you touch her?" Adrian growls.

"I shook her hand," Marcus says casually. "And I gave her a little hug. Why does that bother you?"

"Leave," Adrian hisses.

I stop still as I take in the smell of alcohol surrounding Adrian. He's drunk and he's angry. I take a hold of Adrian's arm and pull him back.

"Adrian, please go," I beg and find myself hopeless.

"I think I'm going to stay here, I'm pretty sure Sydney wants me to," he says and grins as Adrian's face pales. "Oh, I see, she wanted to have dinner with me over you huh? Sorry about that man but I couldn't help myself. I heard a lot about Miss Sage here and wanted to meet her in person."

What is Marcus trying to pull? The only thing he's doing is getting Adrian angrier. I look around for someone to help me and find Dimitri walking up to me with a dark look on his face. He takes a hold of Adrian's arms and starts to pull him back but his grip isn't strong enough. He underestimated Adrian's strength. Adrian breaks free and lunges for Marcus and pushes him back to the table. A waitress screams as Marcus punches Adrian hard on the face. Dimitri looks shocked and jumps into action as he tries to pull the boys off of each other. Adrian hisses in anger as blood trickles down his nose. He ignores the blood and knees Marcus hard on his chest and dives in for another punch.

I pull on Adrian's arms as Dimitri holds Marcus down.

"Stop it!" he yells as people start to crowd around us. "Both of you!"

Marcus lets out a laugh. "What's wrong, afraid pretty boy's going to get hurt?"

Adrian growls and tries to break free of me. "Let me go Sydney!" he yells.

Marcus glares at Adrian and finally pushes himself off of Dimitri. Dimitri watches him with a hawk eye as he grabs for his jacket and my heart sinks in despair. "The meeting is over Sydney, I'm leaving. Goodbye Sydney" he says.

I drop my hands from Adrian's arms and watch him as he heads for the door. I try to run after him but Adrian pulls me back.

"No," I whisper and try to break free of Adrian's grasp. "Let me go Adrian!" I scream but it's too late.

The loud purr of Marcus's car ignition fills the silent restaurant with an echoing roar and his bright head lights disappear as he drives off into the dark night.

I turn and look up at Adrian. "Are you happy now?" I yell as I pull my arm free. Adrian looks down at me with sad and pained eyes, completely oblivious to his bloody nose and the purple bruise on his neck. "I just lost Marcus! And know I'll never know how he knows Jill or my family! I just lost the key to all the answers Adrian and it's all because of you!"

"Sydney," he whispers as he tries to reach for me. "I thought he was hurting you, I didn't know… I wasn't thinking Sage."

My eyes burn with tears and I turn around so I won't have to look into his sorrow filled eyes. I know it wasn't entirely his fault and that Marcus shouldn't have led him on like that but I can't help get angry at Adrian. He's the one who started. He was the one who was drunk, he was the one who threw the first punch and he was the one who disappointed me.

And so I can't help but say,

"You never do Adrian, you never think about what you are going to do, you just do it, and now you've ruined everything," and with that I grab my purse and run out of the restaurant ignoring the curious eyes of the other tourists.

Wooh! Drama! I know, another fight?! But this is the way the story goes. Sorry! Or should I say I'm Sorry. See what I did there? Anywho, if it makes you feel better, drama brings romance. Do you think that Adrian had only one motive to attack Marcus or was there something else that was bothering him?

Also, I planned this story before Marcus was fully introduced in the series so my view is probably a lot different from yours so I guess you immediately expect his character to be OOC.

Next chapter should be in Jill's POV and we'll see what happens between her and Eddie. Also, I started a blog. Purrfictionist360 . You can find extras on my fanfics, deleted stuff, summary of the upcoming chapters and etc. Book reviews and writing tips as well! I didn't get to update the summary section but I will do that this Friday so check it back then! And check out my one shots I'm writing. Leave a prompt and review!

Review and I hope you enjoyed!