Hey, guys. What's going on? Hope everyone had a great week. Back to the story.

Disclaimer: Rose Hathaway and Dimitri Belikov? Damn, I wish I'd thought of them.


One month later...

"Dimitri, where are you taking me?" I grumbled. He was currently leading me through a forest, insisting that I keep my eyes closed. We had traveled across the state, staying in motels for a few nights before moving. Though we didn't have a million dollar home, I was content to have his company. It didn't matter to me. I still hadn't told him that Adrian was feeding us tons of money.

I felt a little guilty for telling him that I was coming back, but I'd found a solution to our problem. It would have been impossible for me to try to love Adrian anyway. My heart belonged to Dimitri.

We had taken advantage of the fact that Dimitri was no longer my teacher a few times. We were still becoming accustomed to holding hands and kissing in public, though it was the most natural thing.

"Keep your eyes closed." His voice was full of excitement, so I kept my eyes shut. Whatever this was had him exceptionally eager, and I didn't want to ruin that for him. He was rarely like this anymore, not that he ever was one for keeping his emotions on his sleeve.

"Okay, okay," I sighed, walking forward, letting him lead me. I kept my focus on the feeling of his cool hand in mine. He still rarely called Z 'our baby'. I think he was afraid to accept the fact that he was going to be a father even though he was twenty-five. I did everything I knew to make him more open to the idea of being a father, but he would hastily change the subject every time.

He had been doing well when he fed from me. I hadn't fainted since that night; he'd been extremely careful when feeding from me.

"Open your eyes," he whispered. My eyes snapped open. We were in the middle of a forest. What the hell?

"Dimitri, what -"

He held up a finger, effectively silencing me. "Trust me, Roza." I nodded. "Stay here."

"But -" I tried to protest, but he leaned in, pressing his lips to mine lightly. He pulled away a moment later.

"Please trust me," he murmured. I opened my mouth to object, thought a moment, then shut it. I nodded once more. He brushed his cool fingers against my cheek gently, then whispered, "Stay right here. Wait for me to come back."

"Okay," I replied softly. I sat down on a tree stump, looking up at him. He smiled down at me, then began walking away. For a split second, panic overtook me. What if he was leaving me? What if this was all a plot? I wouldn't know if this was really a surprise or not. I calmed myself. He wouldn't leave me like this. I knew Dimitri.

I waited for a few minutes. He didn't return. I began to fidget. Maybe he had left me, and I had talked myself out of going after him? A full ten minutes passed before I began to get really nervous. I stood up and started to pace worriedly, clasping and unclasping my hands.

Another five minutes later, I heard a twig break. My head snapped up, my eyes flickering over the scene in front of me. I automatically tensed, years of training ingrained into my system.

"Rose, it's just me," Dimitri sighed. I relaxed, smiling.

"I was worried," I admitted in a small voice. "I didn't think you were coming back."

He took my hand, squeezing gently. "I would never leave without telling you. Now come with me. I want to show you something." He led me a few more feet forward, then leaned down to whisper in my ear, "Go forward."

"But what if I miss it?" I asked. He just chuckled.

"Roza, I promise. You won't miss it."

I trusted him. "Whatever you say, Dimitri." I started to walk. I glanced back, and he motioned me forward. After a few moments of walking, I felt inexplicably nervous and afraid for some strange reason.

After five more minutes of walking in the direction Dimitri had pointed me, the feelings got more powerful, and my eyes widened. I'd felt like this before when . . . There was no way. . .

Then I saw her. Lissa was standing in the middle of the forest.


Yay! Lissa's back!!! :D

Question of the day: What's the biggest surprise you ever got?

Review, please. Next chapter will be up soon. I swear.

- J.C.