Hello Everyone! First of all, Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement. You're the best!! Just to let you all know…I will NOT quit writing this story,

not only for myself, but also you guys. I just roll with the hits and keep going…That's life! I hope you guys are ok with the direction in this chapter..I took the advice of

a reader and my friends agreed I should try the idea. So, please enjoy!

As always, I own nothing..Thanks goes to Richelle Mead for VA and it's characters...

CHAPTER 35

Pavel had drove us on what would have usually been a 55 minute drive from Adrian's family Estate to Court in 33 minutes. Whenever I told him to hurry up, he wasn't wasting any time.

When we pulled in to the medical clinic at Court; Pavel jumped out of the SUV, opening the back passenger door, and grabbed Adrian off the backseat. The three of us rushed into the clinic, with Adrian still unconscious in Pavel's arms.

I screamed so loud that everyone in the entire place seemed to have stopped to glare at me. "My fiancé needs help now! Somebody get a Doctor this instant."

Dr. Olendski came rushing out of the emergency exam room with two nurses on each side of her. "What happened?" She asked while she dispatched one of the nurses to grab a gurney to rest Adrian on.

I was almost in hysterics at this point. All the strength I had was drained from my body. I couldn't be strong any longer. I loved this man and I couldn't bear to lose him. We have suffered so much already.

I couldn't hold my emotions back anymore; the tears flowed from me, and I didn't know if they would ever stop.

I stuttered in between the sobs that were trying to break free from my chest. "His wrist were slit and he lost a lot of blood. Tatiana Ivashkov had turned Strigoi; she bit his neck, and was forcing her blood into him.

I had given him some of my own blood at the scene. He gained consciousness for a brief minute, but then he passed out again. Please help him." All my words rushed together in one long sentence, barely making any sense.

"Has he said or did anything since?" She had asked.

"No, he hasn't. Please tell me he is going to be alright. He has to live. You have to be able to do something for him." I pleaded for her assistance.

The nurse brought the gurney before us while Pavel laid Adrian's body on it. He looked horrible, pale, and just so still. I honestly didn't know if he was going to make it through this.

I laid my head on his chest and wrapped my arms around him. "Please Adrian, don't leave me. God, I will die without you. Please…"

I was sobbing so hard, my chest ached, and my heart actually felt like it had shattered into a thousand jagged pieces, the pain I was feeling was excruciating.

Dr. Olendski spoke to Abe as she nodded in my direction. "We have to get started on him now."

My dad tried pulling me from Adrian. I clung to him, not wanting to let go. I didn't know if I would ever hold him again and the thought crushed my very soul. "Come on Kiz. You have to let them work on him. They have to move now."

I was on automatic pilot, a robot. I slowly released my grip from him as I watched them rush down the corridor with his life, my life, hanging in the balance.

I glanced down at my hands, jeans, and shirt. I was covered in Adrian's blood, it was everywhere. I brought my hands to my face, and dropped slowly to the floor as I cried hard, deep sobs.

I had no idea how long I had stayed in that position until the thought occurred to me. "Where is Lissa?"

Abe looked at me startled. "She should be here somewhere with Ethan. I had informed her to meet Guardian Petrov here at the clinic." He turned to Pavel. "Could you please call her?"

Although it felt like hours; I knew it was only minutes; Lissa came around the corner with Christian and my baby. Lissa ran to me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders, helping me off the floor.

I felt the scared feelings rush through her as she took in my appearance. "Where is he?"

"They had taken him back to an exam room. I just hope that we weren't too late. I am so scared Liss, he didn't look good at all. Do you think you can do anything for him?" I pleaded for her to help me.

She shook her head. "I will do whatever I can for him. But, Rose, I don't know if it will work, a fair amount of time has passed already." I knew she would do anything for me, still regretting the fact she wasn't able to help Dimitri when I desperately begged for it.

"We have to try. I will give anything Lissa."

I glanced up at Christian, who was holding Ethan this entire time. My eyes must have said it all to him because the words that came from his mouth confirmed my thoughts.

"Rose, don't worry about it. Ethan is fine, perfect even. He was checked out thoroughly by Dr. Olendski. They didn't find anything wrong; no trauma, nothing, not even a scratch. He was hungry, acting just like his mother; being difficult."

He gave me a wink. "If anyone tries to bring him harm, I will light their ass up like a bonfire, now go to Adrian. I've got this covered. Besides, this little guy is growing on me, like a rash." He laughed and motioned for me to go.

Lissa and I headed in the direction they took Adrian.

As I opened the door to the examine room; there were so many people around him, doing so many different things at the same time. The Doctor glanced up at our entrance.

"Rose, Vasilisa! Is there something you need?" Her voice was anxious.

"I wanted to see if I could help in any way." Lissa ask with her voice slightly shaking from fear.

"It wouldn't hurt, but I don't think he is in imminent danger. Rose, I think when you gave him your blood, it saved his life. At this point, he is just extremely weak and needs to give his body a chance to rest.

He is in desperate need to replenish the blood he had lost and I am debating whether he is strong enough to take a feeder or through transfusions. Maybe, if you're able to heal him slightly, we can go with a feeder. It would be easier at that point, having him conscious."

Lissa walked to Adrian and rested one hand on his chest while grasping his hand with the other. I walked to the other side of him taking his hand into mine. I felt this warm energy surge through Lissa, as she tried to heal him, and then the remnants of the effect came crashing into me.

I was prepared for it; fighting any of the ill effects that were rushing through me. Now was not the time to deal with any of the darkness. I had seen too much of it tonight. I had to be strong for him.

Within minutes, Adrian was starting to stir about. Lissa looked at me and gave a small smile . "I am going to go and give you two some time together. I will see you soon. Remember Ethan is in good hands. Christian and I have it covered."

She gave me a kiss on the cheek and walked out the door; as everyone followed out, giving us privacy.

"Rose?" Adrian asked in a gravelly voice.

"Yea, Babe. I am right here." I gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

"Where am I?"

"You're in the clinic at Court. You're going to be fine. I am so glad you're finally awake and talking to me. I was so worried." My voice broke on the last word.

He raised his hand slowly, stroking me cheek. "Don't be upset, Little Dhampir. I would always find my way back to you. I could never leave you alone. Come on, climb up in bed with me." He gave me a weak laugh, while patting the space on the bed beside me.

I climbed up in the bed and lay with him. "What am I going to do with you Ivashkov? You've only been conscious for 5 minutes and already your mind is in the gutter." I laughed back in response to the expression on his face.

"It's not my fault you do that to me. I can't help myself." He gently pressed his lips to mine. "Thank you." He said.

"For what?" I questioned, he had nothing to thank me for.

"Rose, you saved my life. You gave me your blood without even thinking of the horrible consequences. I could have been turning strigoi when you did that. Why did you take that chance?"

"I would do anything for you. Wait! You heard all of that?" I was in complete shock.

"Yeah! I heard everything. I was unable to move or speak, but somehow I was completely aware by hearing everything that was going on around me. You were so brave…… I take it that Tatiana is dead?"

"Ahh…she is. Did you hear all of that too?"

"I heard everything…..Are you okay? Ethan?" He asked nervously.

"We all are. But, I haven't really spent any time with him yet. I have been with you. I couldn't leave your side until I knew you were going to be okay. Ethan is in good company, he is with Lissa and Christian, and knowing Christian, he is probably corrupting him at this very moment."

I gave Adrian a genuine smile. I was so relieved that he was okay.

He looked so pale and vulnerable. I suddenly remembered my conversation with the Doctor. "I am going to get Dr. Olendski. She needed to know when you were awake. She mentioned that you would need a feeder as soon as you woke up.

You are still really weak and you need the blood." I gave him a sad smile as I mentioned this to him.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"It's nothing, silly even." I gave him another small smile.

"Come on, Rose. What is it?" He pleaded for an answer from me.

"It just that, I feel incredibly stupid telling you." I blurted out.

"I am jealous." My face must have been three shades of red because it felt like it was on fire.

"Jealous? Of what?" He had a look of utter confusion on his handsome features.

"I don't want someone else's blood being the blood that nurses you back to health. I want to be able to do that for you. I want to be able to help you become healthy, not someone else."

He gazed at me with surprise written all over his face. "What are you saying Rose?"

I took a deep breath. "I want you to take it from me. I want you to use me, my blood." I stammered, afraid of his response.

He shook his head quickly. "No! No way am I taking your blood. You're not doing that for me or anyone else ever again." I knew actually what he was hinting at, but that's not the way it would be.

"Adrian, it's not like I want to become your bloodwhore. I am offering myself because of my love for you. I need to do this for you. I love you. I can't bear the thought of another person giving your vitality back to you. Please..let me do this for you..us."

He inhaled deeply; then exhaled slowly, lost in his thoughts, and then finally gazed into my eyes. "If we do this, it will only happen this one time. And I am only doing this because it is important to you. I would never want you to feel obligated to such an act."

I laid back on the bed; pulling him towards me. "It's not how you make it sound. It will only be this one time."

He was too weak to fight me on this and he knew it. He needed the blood; having me lay there, offering it to him was too much to bear, as he lightly kissed my neck. "I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't. I promise." I whispered to him.

I felt his elongated fangs gently scrape across the sensitive skin on my neck. My heartbeat accelerated, due to fear and excitement. He eased his fangs into my skin, withdrawing my blood. At first it had hurt, but then the oddest thing had happened.

I had never experienced this before, not with Lissa or even Dimitri. It was as if I could read Adrian's thoughts, desires. I didn't know if he was aware that he was doing this or if it was spirit effect from Lissa trying to heal him.

I tried to quiet the thoughts racing through my mind, so I could absorb his into my memory.

I knew Adrian loved me. But, I really had no idea to what magnitude. I was so touched by his gratitude for me and Ethan. He would literally do anything for us. I saw how he felt the first time he saw me on the balcony, when I told him I loved him for the first time, and

the devastation he felt when he found my lifeless body that day by the lake. His mind conveyed every thought he had ever had of me. I was so surprised by his greatest desires, which was for me to marry him and give him a child.

Oh my dear Adrian, he really was too good to be true. This connection between the two of us was the most inmate, beautiful thing I had ever experienced with another person. It made me love him more, even when I didn't think that was possible.

I didn't want this bond we had between us to end. It felt as if his soul, my soul, somehow joined together, bonding us in a way I didn't know was possible.

But, as much as I didn't want to admit it, I was really starting to get dizzy from the endorphins the bite had sent racing through my system. It was as if he had sensed it, he withdrew his fangs from my neck.

Adrian pulled back from me, instantly, his color had reappeared. He seemed anew, vibrant.

"WOW! What the hell was that?" He had the most dazzling smile on his face. "That was the most incredible experience of my life."

I gave him a euphoric smile; while sounding extremely high, I responded with an almost incomprehensible. "Ah huh."

He laughed, slightly shaking the bed. "Rest my Little Dhampir. We will talk about it later. And thank you…for everything." He kissed my forehead as I fell asleep.

ADRIAN'S POV

I laid back on the bed beside Rose in total contentment. My life was pretty much complete; so thankful all of this was behind us, and I couldn't wait to marry this amazing woman lying beside me. I wanted to move forward without any further distractions.

When she gave me her blood, I couldn't believe what I was feeling. It was like everything in our hearts and minds were combined. It solidified the fact that Rose loved me as much as I loved her. I no longer had any doubt. She was fully prepared

to die with me out there with Tatiana; which was a scary concept, considering I wasn't able to help her. All I can think is, thank God for Abe. He never lets us down, saving the day once again.

I will forever be grateful for the day this beautiful creature walked up on the deck at the ski resort and into my life. My thoughts were interrupted when Dr. Olendski walked in the door.

"Lord Ivashkov, I am relieved that you're awake. How are you feeling?"

"I am feeling much better."

"I think maybe we should get you a feeder. You lost a great deal of blood and we need to restore your loss." She stated matter of factually.

I didn't want to go in to any details with her and frankly, it was none of her business. "I think I will be fine, thanks." I ended the discussion.

She glanced at Rose lying beside me. "Is everything okay with Miss. Hathaway?" Her one eyebrow cocked as if she suspected something.

"She is fine. She just had a hard day that's all, we all have."

"You're right about that. I will be releasing as soon as your paperwork is complete and your lab work is returned. Is there anything I can get you?"

"Actually, you can let everyone know that we are fine and if they could just meet us at home? I would greatly appreciate it." I gave her a small smile hoping she would just leave the room, so we can get ready to leave this place.

She walked out, closing the door behind her. I lightly shook Rose, she had been asleep for an hour or so. "Babe, it's time to go home."

She looked at me with groggy eyes and smiled. "Really? We can leave?"

"Yup..Let's get out of here."

When we walked into our home, everyone was seated in the living room, waiting on us. I was so glad to be home with our family; they were all happy, healthy, and relieved the day turned out the way it did.

I saw that Christian had a sleeping Ethan in his arms; I turned to him and said. "Can I please hold my son?" As I took him in my arms and held him against him, I knew this was where I was meant to be. I was home with him and Rose.

Don't Fret it's not over….I just didn't know how to end this chapter…Sorry if it got a tad boring.

I plan to make it up in the next chapter.. ; )

Please review if you liked it….Thanks, Terri