Rating:
This chapter is Rated T.

Beta:
Twilighternproud; another chapter cleaned up by your genesis brain and talent.

Authors Notes:
I'm sorry fans, but I will not be able to update this story until I come back home.
This was not intentional - I got a recent phone call, and there is an emergency I need to attend too.
It is hard to say when I will be able to update next. Please give me at least two weeks.
I hope this chapter satisfies you enough while I'm away. Many of you may be curious about the ending.
I really hope I have a lot of reviews to read through when I get back. It would seriously make my day!

Disclaimer:
The author Richelle Mead owns the Vampire Academy universe. I Want To Experience Love is a Vampire Academy Fan Fiction story and it is not intended to infringe on any copyrights held by Richelle Mead or Razor Bill Company. Richelle Mead is the creator of the Vampire Academy characters, however this story is my original work. Copyright 2010 by xx-RedRoseBlackThorn-xx. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without my express written authorization.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Strange Events

I stirred around in my bed and moved closer to Dimitri. Well so I thought. When I reached over, all I touched was more of the bed. I opened my eyes and Dimitri was no where in sight. Oh crap, please don't say he left feeling guilty. I sat up in bed remembering last night. My birthday night. Dimitri and I slept together. Fine, not really together together... but he got more intimate than he ever has with me. As if water splashed on my head, I looked down to see my naked breasts. Feeling self conscious, I pulled the blankets up and tucked them under my arms.

The door opened and thank god it was Dimitri. He had already changed into grey track pants and a blue loose shirt. He saw me sitting up and I tried tucking the blankets around me tighter. He sat beside me on the bed, and placed what smelt like a hot chocolate on the bedside table.

"Morning," I said biting my lip.

"Early morning," he smirked.

"What? What time is it?"

He chuckled and said, "Too early for you to be up and awake."

"Then why are you up and dressed?" I frowned.

"Because I..." He stopped and looked at me hiding inside my blanket. "I had an early shift."

"Why didn't you tell me last night? I thought you had gotten up and left me," I said accusingly.

He cupped my face and looked into my eyes. "The reason I didn't tell you, was because I had only recently found out. You fell asleep last night and I got a text early morning to swap a shift with Guardian Stephen. I didn't want to wake you, since you didn't notice when the phone went off. I was hoping to come back to bed, where you still would be sleeping. However I had a feeling on the way over here that you had woken up, so I thought I'd bring a hot chocolate in case."

I smiled and said, "Your feeling was correct."

"I never thought in my life, I would see you awake at this hour," he laughed.

"Hey, I do get up early you know. How early is it exactly?"

"Only two in the morning," he moved closer so he could peck my lips. "You look tired, why don't you rest."

"I can't, not now," I said, biting my lip once more. "I don't want to waste time with you."

Dimitri got up and took off his boots and shrugged off his duster. I kept looking at the hot chocolate sitting on the bedside table. I couldn't move to get it though, because one move and the blankets would fall from me. Dimitri noticed me eyeing the hot chocolate, and handed it over for me to hold. I took a couple of sips, while looking at him watch me, and he had amusement written all over his face. I seriously didn't understand what was so amusing. He took the cup away from me and put it on the table.

He brought his lips to mine, and I felt the electricity spark between us again. He pulled back and said, "Thank you for last night."

"I should be thanking you," I blushed.

His lips made a small smile and he lent in and kissed my red hot cheeks. Before moving back and looking at me wrapped in the blankets.

"You know... I'm technically still in bed. Did you want to join me, like you planned on doing?"

"Hmm." He said while looking over my body again. "Are you sure I'm welcome?" he said raising an eyebrow.

I nodded and he moved to the other side on the bed. I laid down on the bed and tried unravelling some of the blanket for him. I wasn't having much luck, and Dimitri noticed it.

"Rose, why are you embarrassed?"

"I'm not... I'm just a blanket hugger," I murmured.

Dimitri moved over and slowly unravelled the blanket from around me. I looked down the whole time. I know Dimitri has seen me half naked before, I mean he basically owned my body last night, but I don't feel confident around him. I feel like I need to be better for him, because he is so damn perfect. He didn't say anything, and I assumed he was looking at my body.

I felt a hand lift my chin up to face him, "You're beautiful Roza. I'm sorry if I don't tell you enough."

"No, it's not you Dimitri. I just feel–"

Dimitri had kissed my left breast, and sent a shock through my body. He looked back up at me and kissed my lips. We stayed there smiling and looking at each other, until I had dozed off to sleep again. This time I woke up to brown eyes looking at me, with a big smile on his face.

"Did you get any sleep?" I asked.

"I got enough," he answered.

He got up, kissed my forehead, put on his shoes and duster before checking his phone.

"Going so soon?"

"Yes, love. You get ready for breakfast. Don't forget the statistics test today."

"Oh shit, I totally forgot. Ah, crap."

"Rose," Dimitri shook his head. "It starts at eleven. Make sure you are there," he warned.

"Yes, yes. Go on, you have Guardian duty to do." I stood up and gave him a chaste kiss before he left.

I got dressed and brushed my hair up into a pony tail, before leaving for the cafeteria. Lissa and Christian were already eating breakfast, so I joined them not long after.

"Morning, how are you feeling today Rose?" Lissa asked

"All good to go. You know I didn't drink Liss."

Just checking... you know... in case. She said through the bond.

"How was your night Fire-boy? I bet it was sizzling."

Rose, stop it. That's embarrassing private stuff.

"Well it's not my fault you drag me in." I said out loud.

"Will you two stop it," Christian hissed. "You know I hate only hearing half of the conversation."

Lissa gave Christian an apologetic kiss and I pretended to gag, which made Christian glare at me. Christian still looked pale as ever; I have no idea how Lissa didn't notice it, but I wasn't going to say anything. Unless it was too serious, Christian would have to fess up to his girlfriend.

"Rose, there's something I was meaning to tell you about the Royal Court..."

"Oh, yes." I think I knew where she was going with this, but I would pretend I wouldn't know.

"Queen Tatiana asked to speak to me while we were on our visit. She wants me to live at the Royal Court, when I gradate."

"Mm. The choice is up to you, Liss. Just remember, if we stay there she will try and control your life," I warned her.

"I like the idea. We could learn so much living there. I just don't like the fact that I can't choose which university to study at," she sighed.

"Or who to date," Christian butted in.

I ignored his statement and said, "Where do you want to go Liss?"

"Lehigh University. It would be great for me and you... you could even start classes you like and I would follow you."

"Lissa, you have to choose the class you take. I will be your Guardian, I'm there to protect you, not get an education. Ok, so I'll have to learn some stuff because I'll be sitting in on your classes, but university is for you to study, not I."

"I want it to be fair," Lissa said.

"And it will be. Just the old fashioned way."

"Hey guys," Eddie said as he joined the table. Carly joined us as well.

"Someone have a good night last night," Christian teased, while taking in Eddie's happy mood.

"As a matter of fact I did, we did," he said looking at Carly who smiled back.

"Carly and I are officially a couple."

Lissa squealed and got up to hug Eddie and Carly. "Congratulations, I was hoping it would happen soon. Welcome to the group Carly."

I watched Christians smirk on his face grow wider, "About time you get some action, Castile," Christian snickered.

Carly blushed while Eddie raised his eyebrows.

"Oh, I almost forgot," I blurted out. "I wanted to thank you all for your lovely gifts. You were all so thoughtful, I love every single one of them."

"Your welcome," Eddie and Carly said at the same time.

"I thought a photo album would be perfect," Lissa chimed in.

"It was, you did an amazing job. How did you even get some of the photos?"

"We walked around and took them. Just call us sneaky."

"I'll say, but thank you." I lent over the table and gave Lissa a hug.

"How's the Itouch?" Christian asked.

"It's great. I really hate to say this, but it was a fantastic idea."

Christian chuckled, "I know, I thought of it. The songs are great, aren't they."

"Yes, they are. There not too bad actually. I might leave them on there."

Christian wiggled his eyebrows at me and Lissa slapped his arm.

We all spoke about the funny events that happened last night at my party. Meredith was the centre of conversation for a while, considering she danced with two boys. The topic then changed over to how soon graduation was coming and what we would do after we left the academy. Carly said her plans were to travel around France and Scotland, before settling down with a house, marriage and children. Eddie wasn't all too surprised about her decision. I assume they had spoken about it before they had gotten together. It wouldn't be too bad of a problem for Eddie. Considering Carly could request Eddie as her Guardian, then they could travel together.

Christian spoke about how he wanted to further improve his cooking skills, and if that meant staying at home looking after the children while Lissa worked, then he would do it. Lissa loved the idea, considering she knew she wouldn't be home often. She had a busy future ahead of her. Since she is the last and only Dragomir, she has years of representing the family and accelerating in her career. In this case, it meant that I would be going where ever she went, which wasn't a problem. Yes, I don't like politics. I think it's a bunch of shit that falls out of peoples mouths, but, when Lissa speaks people want to listen. One day she will make an incredible leader of the Moroi world.

Adrian decided to pop in with the group, as he does most mornings. Eddie asked him what he's going to do with himself, since the only reason he is staying at the academy is because of Lissa. They are both spirit users so they take the time to practise together. Adrian said that he might consider doing a university course, or travel the world to find more spirit users and teach them. Both of his choices surprised us all. Neither of us thought he was going to University. However, we didn't think that he would want to teach either. It did seem like a good plan though, because there were other non-specialised Moroi out there.

"So cousin, what's the plan for the day?" Adrian asked.

"I was wondering if you could try and teach me how to dream-walk."

"I could try," he smirked. "I still think it would be easier if you stick with trying to read aura's first."

"Aww, please Adrian," she begged.

He chuckled, "I think that can be arranged. After classes meet me in my room, I preferred to be in a relaxed environment and since it's where I sleep..."

I noticed Christian getting tense and I gave him a don't-start look. He looked down and played with his food, while Adrian and Lissa were in conversation and so were Eddie and Carly. I stayed out of the conversations to keep an eye on Christian, and well to think about the statistics test today. I kept thinking about what might be set up for us to do, until I was brought of out my daydream, from Christian slamming his fork on the table. Everyone looked up at him with shocked looks.

"I'm going to the feeders," he practically shouted out.

"Alright, let me come with you," Lissa spoke softly.

"No. I'll be fine by myself."

Christian stalked off out of the cafeteria, with everyone watching him walk out of the door. I looked up at Adrian with a confused look on his face, but also a slight smirk on the side of his lips. Lissa was shocked and worried about his outburst, but decided it was probably nothing and relaxed a little.

"Adrian," I whispered. "What was his aura like?"

"It was orange mixed with yellow and had a brown edge to it," he scrunched up his face.

I rolled my eyes, "Explain to me what that means."

Lissa interrupted us. "From what I have learnt, orange means built up feelings. I don't know about yellow and brown." She looked at Adrian, "What's it mean?"

Adrian looked between Lissa and I, and I could tell he was thinking through whether he should tell us the truth.

"Yellow is something along the lines of feeling different," he gave me a sharp look. "The brown I'm not too sure myself. That's something I need to figure out."

Lissa let out a sigh, just as the bell to first class went. We all said our goodbyes, but I stayed behind to talk to Adrian.

"Adrian don't crap me around alright."

"Hold up, Little Dhampir. I have never, quote, 'crapped you around' before." he said looking hurt.

"I know you know what Christian's aura had told you. Please tell me."

"Rose, sometimes it's best not to know. Especially for Lissa, I don't want her to find out until I knew for certain." Adrian looked serious and I knew I needed to know what he saw.

"Same here, I'm trying to protect her and if that means helping Christian, then I'm in," I said.

He nodded and answered me. "Lissa was correct about the orange. It means his holding things in, not letting them go. She was on the right track, but yellow is the symbol of sickness. It's not a colour I see often on Moroi, and hardly ever on Dhampir."

I looked at him, trying to sort out my thoughts. "What type of sickness? Do you mean he's dying?"'

"No, well at least I don't think so. Maybe he is coming down with a head cold." Adrian laughed at himself.

"Adrian," I spat. "This is no time for jokes! The colour brown... explain it."

"It was a dark brown on the outside of his aura," he said softly. "When I look at yours you have a black edge. As said before, its when you have a spirit side effect. All I know is, I don't have a good feeling about it. Something isn't right with him."

"So what we have so far is, Christian is holding in feelings while being sick and has an evil edge to his aura. Hmm. And you were making a joke out of this!" I yelled.

"I'm sorry. I'm concerned about him too. It's important not to worry Lissa though, not yet."

"I agree. We have to know what's happening first before we freak her out. I'm trusting you to keep this a secret Adrian."

He sighed, "Have I told any other secrets?"

Thinking back about Dimitri and I, I replied, "no."

I felt my phone buzz in my pocket and I pulled it out to read the message.

I thought I better remind you, since you always seem to be running late.

You have fifteen minutes to make it to the gymnasium for your test. Hurry up.

Love Dee

I smiled down at the phone and Adrian gave me a smirk.

"You're aura is pink. Is that your lover boy?"

"Why yes it is. His reminding me about my statistics test in fifteen minutes. I better get going."

"What's your number Little Dhampir? Add mine, 08 345 264 88."

"I'll put it under sleaze-ball," I chuckled. I saw his face and I added, "I'm kidding Adrian. You know not to take me seriously."

"I should receive a hug for the sore blow."

I smiled and gave him a hug, before I left on my way to the gymnasium.

I pulled the phone out of my pockets again, to reply to Dimitri.

On my way now.

I had sumthin 2 sort out.

Should I expect 2 get a reminder txt everyday?

I laughed at the fact that Dimitri had sent his text, with the correct spelling, punctuation and grammar. Whereas I shortened it down wherever I could. Dimitri would talk to me about that later, no doubt. My phone vibrated almost straight away. Man he is fast at texting!

If that's what you need so you can be at the correct place at the correct time, than shall be it.

I'll see you when you get here.

I'll be waiting for you.

While I smiled and lost my thought while reading the message, I didn't notice Eddie come up beside me.

"The text message that interesting aye?"

"Um. Something like that," I said. "You know you shouldn't sneak up on me like that."

"I didn't think I was until I saw you distracted. I got a fright myself," he laughed. "Seeing you walking to the gym on time. It's very hard to catch."

"Oh, you should talk. I thought Carly might have made you late for once," I laughed with him.

"The idea came to her mind, that she and I skip. However I had to remind that this was my future," he said a little glum.

"How are you two going?"

"We seem to be going alright. She spent most of her life with Royals, so she acts like one. But when she's with me; I see a different side to her. She is caring and sweet. I sometimes have to remind her

about who I am and what my duty will be; she seems to think there is no problem," he gave a little smile and sighed. "I'm realistic however, and know it will be tough on us. I even realise that our relationship will only last until graduation, the maximum a couple of weeks after."

"I'm afraid that's how most relationships go, but Eddie do me a favour." He took his direction away from where we were walking and looked at me. "Don't just give up, because that's what most people choose. Give it a fighting chance for you two to be together. If you can get through the rough patch of four months not together all the time, with people talking behind your backs, then you can have the rest of your life together."

"Thanks Rose," he said, as we were through the gym doors.

For once I was on time, and that was all thanks to Dimitri. Eddie and I sat on the stairs waiting for the other Novice's to show up. Meredith and Shane came to sit with us. We were all in a conversation similar to this morning's events; my birthday party. Meredith blushed several times, but Shane always went in and gave her a reassuring hug. From the outside it looked to me as Shane wanted to be on Meredith good side, so he will get something out of her. My attention was lost in the conversation however, when Dimitri walked into the gymnasium from the back door.

"Will you guys excuse me."

They all nodded and I made my way over to Dimitri, who as a matter of fact was speaking to my Mother. I waiting patiently for them to stop talking, and Dimitri turned to face me.

"I appreciate the mobile, mum."

"No worries, Rose. I know we haven't been on the best of terms, but I'll like to think now that you was a way to communicate with me – I could hear more of you..."

I looked at Dimitri who was eagerly waiting for my response. After thinking about her request and taking slow gulps, I finally spoke.

"I would love that," I smiled.

Janine nodded to Dimitri and walked out the back door as Dimitri walked in through. Dimitri was now giving me a small smile, and I think it had to do with my improved relationship with my Mother.

"So as you can see, I'm here." I gave him a salute.

"Good, because you better use this time to warm up," he said he Guardian mode.

"Or I could do it right before the test."

Dimitri gave me a stern look and that's all it took for me to say, "Fine, but you better watch me to make sure I do it correctly."

"Rose, I already know you do it correctly," he sighed.

"Are you sure? Are you really sure?" I said in a seductive tone. He didn't say anything back so I turned around and said, "You don't know what you're missing." I turned around to see his reaction and I caught a hint of a small on his lips.

I did my warm up stretches just in time for Alberta to speak.

"Can every one move in closer, please. Alright, this is your second test. You're second last test to build up your marks. So make it count and give it everything you have. As you know, it's a statistics test and boy, are you going to be impressed with what we have in store for you. One by one you will walk out the gymnasium back door and enter a new landscape. You will be given a gun and a stake. I would choose wisely when to use your gun, because you will only be given three bullets."

The gym was full of moans when we heard about the bullet rule. "You are to walk through the corridors and rooms. Images will pop up, either in your face or in the distance. You may see one image or you may see several at a time. Your job is to decide whether the image is harmful or harmless. Your score will be recorded and once you reach the end door, we will ask you some questions. Is that understood?" The crowed murmured yes and then Stan took over.

"You may believe that this test is easy, but let me tell you it will not be. We have marked which image should be shot and which image should be staked. If you shoot or stake the right image, you receive 5 points. If you shoot the staked image or stake the shot image, you will received 3 points. Now here is the down side. If you shoot or stake an innocent image you loose 5 points. If you don't shoot or stake an image which is harmful, you loose 3 points."

We all made a groaning sound, not wanting to mess up. Alberta and Stan weren't lying when they said it would be hard. "As you can see for one right one there may be a wrong choice, which brings you back to 0, so stay focused and concentrate hard. I can't wait to see who wins." He pulled out a piece of paper and yelled, "Mitch Gondola, you're up first. Please make your way to the back."

Guardian Michelle Celeste stayed with everyone in the gymnasium while, Janine, Alberta, Stan, Emil and Dimitri went out the back to commence the training. The wait seemed to go on forever. Meredith and Eddie had been asked to go through, and they never returned. Well no one that went through returned, so I'm guessing the Guardians told them to exit another way, so no one could give us the heads up on what to expect.

Stan came back into the gymnasium and told us we may leave for lunch, but be back within an hour to commence our test. I didn't need to be told twice, so I left in a hurry. Coming up in the hallway was the feeders. In my line of sight I saw Christian come out of it. No way! He went there this morning. He must be drinking a fair bit.

"Christian," I yelled. He didn't turn around, so I trying again. "Christian!"

There was no way that he didn't hear me the second time and all he did was keep walking. I was catching up to him real quick, until I noticed where I was following him too. I was now at the back of the academy. He stopped by a small grass area and all of a sudden, I saw flames shoot our of his hands and burned the leaves off the trees.

I ran up to him and slammed into him, pushing him down on the ground. He landed knees and elbows first and his head hit after. He rolled over and kicked me, which was rather hard for a Moroi. I elbowed him in he ribs, enough to cause him pain and pinned him down on the ground.

"What the fucking hell were you trying to fucking do?" I yelled.

"Get off me," he growled.

"Not until you explain yourself. Either you do, or I'll tell Lissa and Headmistress Kirova."

He looked at me and resigned. I slowly let him go and eventually he shoved me off me.

"Why were you following me?" He spat.

"You're lucky I was only was following you. What if it was Lissa? Or even worse, if one of the Guardian saw how you were acting and followed you. What would you have done then?"

He looked around pissed off and spoke. "Adrian is pissing me off."

"Oh right, so that explains you burning the leaves of this innocent tree, but it doesn't explain your behaviour and feeding habits," I hissed.

"Nothing is wrong, Rose," he said through gritted teeth.

"There is something seriously wrong with you, if you can't see that your feeding has increased. It should be only once a day Christian, but you going in there two to three times. I don't even know how the teacher doesn't notice you."

"Fine. I have been feeding more, but that doesn't make me a bad person."

"Not only have you been feeding more, you are as pale as shit. You need to get help and quick."

He started walking off, so I caught him by his arm.

"Leave me alone, otherwise I won't hesitate to burn you," he threatened.

I didn't like the way Christian was acting and was starting to scare me. The only other option I had

was begging. Something I never thought I would do to Christian.

"Christian, please listen to me," I said softly.

"I've heard enough."

"If it's Adrian doing this to you, than I will do something I thought I would never do."

"Which is?" he probed.

"I'll try and convince Lissa to stop training with Adrian. Only because I can see what it's doing to you," I said quickly.

His eyes narrowed, "You would do that for me?"

"It's just an extra step in the deal we made," I said trying to cover up the real truth. "But you have to try and do something for me."

"And here is the catch..." he trailed off while walking away again.

I shoved him up against the tree. "You listen to me Christian. I do not have to help you here, I can let you ruin your relationship with Lissa, and get expelled if I wanted to," I threatened. "Yet, here I am trying to help you. I want you to rest. That's all I'm asking three days bed rest and than I'll know you'll be fine."

I tried my best to cover up my lie. I needed the three days to work out what was wrong with him. If he was just sick then the rest would do wonders, however if he was still pale and feeding then I would have to do something.

"I have class-"

"I'll tell them you're sick. It shouldn't be too hard for them to believe, you look shit. Promise me you'll stay in your room to rest."

"Whatever."

I slammed him back onto the tree and he tried kicking me but it did no use.

"Rose!" Dimitri's voice roared through the air. "Put him down this instant," he warned me.

I looked at Christian and felt myself burn with rage, "H needs to suffer, they all do!"

"Let him go now," Dimitri raised his voice. "NOW!"

I threw Christian onto the ground and his fire heated up my hand. I went to lung for him, but strong arms held me back. I twisted and turned in Dimitri arms, but it was no use. I couldn't escape to get to Christian.

"Lord Ozera, leave now. I will speak to you about this later," Dimitri ordered.

"Don't forget what I said Fire-boy," I tried grabbing him before he walked off. "I need to go after him," I shouted.

Dimitri turned me around, "Rose, look at me. Come on, look at me."

I looked him in the eyes and I felt myself winding down from my outburst.

"I don't now what happened... I just..." I said through heavy breaths.

"You need to tell me everything. I can't ignore what happened here," he stated.

I wanted so much to let Dimitri know what was going on, but for some reason I couldn't let myself tell him about Christian. It felt like some part of me would be betraying him. So I told him something else. It wasn't a complete lie, it just wasn't the whole truth.

"I tell you what happened... I lost control and all this anger took over," I sighed. "I blame the spirit's effects."