Rating:
This chapter is Rated M.
The reason it is Rated M, is because I believe there is some adult context in this chapter, which some fans might like to advoid.

Beta:
Twilighternproud; A Saviour to Fan Fiction!

Authors Notes:
Here is the chapter you fans have been telling me to publish sooner! I made it extra long for you fans - so enjoy!
Also there will only be 3 more chapters and an epilogue of this story left to publish.

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-SEVEN

Astonished Discovery

"What?"

"He's at the medical clinic," Carly sobbed. "It all happened so fast... he was good one minute, and the next he... he collapsed in front of me."

Carly cried softly in my arms after I brought her inside from the hallway. I didn't know what to say to her without saying the wrong thing and upsetting her more. I just held her tight and let her control her tears.

Eddie was sick. He was sick, just like... I didn't want to think about it. Why didn't anyone see the signs? I started to run my mind through every possibility. Dhampirs don't get sick, and when they do – it's serious. Moroi don't get sick, ever, but when they do it pretty much leads to death! Two friends of mine had gotten sick. Some might call it a fluke, but I, don't think it's a fluke at all. One of my friends had died because of a sickness, and no one but a few of us knew yet. They wanted to keep it quiet until they worked out what the cause of the sickness was, but I know... it wasn't just an ordinary sickness. As for Eddie, his came so fast! I only just recently saw him, and if Carly says that he is sick and is hospitalised, then I'm not going to let someone else close to me leave.

"Carly, do you remember seeing any side affects Eddie had experienced, which may have been different than normal?" I whispered to her.

She shook her head, "No. Wait... there may have been something. I – after he came back from hanging out with you he said he was going to go train alone for awhile. I didn't think anything weird about it. He sometimes does it, you know?" She looked up at my expression, I nodded and allowed her time to gather her thoughts. "He was sweaty. Yes, that's it. He was sweating highly. I thought it was from him training, but after he took a shower, it didn't take long for it to come back. Oh god, why didn't I... why didn't I realise this earlier?"

"It's fine, Carly. You are doing great. Don't panic, okay? He is in good care."

"Eddie said he was starting to feel hot, so he laid down for a while. I got him a cold, wet towel to place on his forehead; he said he was feeling better. I should have known he was just trying to stay calm for me."

"Good old Eddie," I joked. "He has been that stubborn for years. He is always trying to calm others before himself. He really cares about you Carly, there is no wonder why he did it. It was all for you..."

Carly continued her story, "he insisted on standing up and having another cold shower, but when he did, that's when he... when he collapsed."

"Everything will be alright," I said trying to smooth her.

"I should head back to him. I don't want him to think that I'm not there to support him."

"Great idea. Do you, um... mind if I come? I would love to see him," I said.

Carly agreed for me to visit him. She left straight away to make her way back to him. I hated seeing her beat herself up. It was unpleasant. I wasn't too far behind her as she enter the medical clinic hall, but I couldn't enter. My mind keep showing me flashes of Christian. What if I walked in there and Eddie was in a worst state of mind? I shook away the memory and walked in. I had to see him no matter what I was feeling.

"Miss Hathaway, I'm sorry fo-"

"Please Dr Olendzki, it's best not to dwell on the events," I informed her. "I'm here to see Mr Castile. What room may I visit him in?"

Dr Olendzki gave me a look over, before telling me his room number and politely exited the room. My breathing did increase; and my heart pace was rapid. Walking through the medical clinic again was something I was hoping not to do for a long time to come. I came to Eddie's door, and Carly was close by talking to him. He also had machines connected to his body, but he looked healthy enough for company. I didn't want to interrupt the deep conversation Carly seemed to be having with him, so I waiting patiently by the door for an opening.

"Rose, didn't think I would see you in here without good cause," he smiled up at me.

"I wasn't planning on it," I chuckled. "Someone I know decided to play dead sheep and ended up in a hospital bed. Anyone come to mind?"

"Ah, Rose. It wouldn't be the same without you," he smiled. "I'm surprised to see you here actually."

"As if I wouldn't come and see you Eddie. Someone had to warn you about their food."

Eddie chuckled and held Carly's hand in between his own hands.

"So what do the doctors think?"

"I'm going to have to be hospitalised until I recover. They are doing some test at the moment trying to figure out what caused my body to shut down."

I nodded, "you're feeling better now though, right?"

Eddie looked over at Carly, and she was on the verge of tears. He pulled her closer and kissed her cheek, before answering me.

"I'm feeling better then how I was, yes."

"I'm assuming you heard about Christian?" I cringed at the sound of his name.

Eddie nodded, "yes, they said he has a similar illness." That's where Eddie was wrong. He had a similar illness. He didn't know it was past tense.

"Okay, well, I better leave you two alone," I smiled at Carly. "I'll come see you tomorrow. Try and rest."

"That would be great Rose. I just hope I'm all good as new by graduation."

As I was walking out of the medical clinic I saw Dr Olendzki looking over some charts. No doubt they were Eddie's. I didn't want to be seen by her so I sneaked past her and ran out of the clinic. I walked into the cafeteria and I saw Tasha and Dimitri sitting down eating together. I took several breathes, and counted to twenty. I had to start trusting Dimitri. I trusted him, but not when it came to Tasha, and that's something I needed to work on. Dimitri wouldn't do anything to hurt me. He loves me. He also admitted to me not long ago that he didn't understand how to work in a relationship, so he would try and work harder to make me feel secure.

I kept my eyes focused on the food ahead and walked passed them. I'm positive they saw me enter. Tasha was in perfect view and Dimitri would have to be able to see me now that I'm plating up food. I grabbed some fries, bacon, eggs and mash potato. As I was making my way over to where the drink were held, I let my eyes flicker over to where they were sitting; Dimitri was looking straight at me with a strong emotion in his eyes. I quickly looked away and grabbed a bottle of Fanta.

"Rose," his voice called out to me.

I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding and turned around in his direction.

"Would you like to join us?" he asked.

Oh my, Dimitri invited me to sit with him and Tasha. Wow. He really meant it when he said he was going to try. I wish I could kiss him right about now! But this only means I have to listen to her gabble on. Oh well, I did let him know I felt insecure and he is trying to prove to me that there in no need, so I better say yes.

"Yeah sure, I would love too," I said giving him a smile.

Dimitri stood up and pulled out a chair for me to sit beside him. He took my lunch tray out of my hands, while I sat down in his chosen chair.

"Where's your food?" I asked him.

"I haven't had the chance to grab a bite to eat yet. I just finished my shift when I ran into Tasha. We came in and started talking."

I nodded and put a fry into my mouth. Dimitri started talking to Tasha about childhood stories. I had no idea about what they were talking about, so I thought the best thing I could do was stay quiet and let them have their fun. I hadn't taken a look at Tasha yet, and I wasn't planning on it. If I didn't have to look at her face, than I might be able to stay good for Dimitri.

Tasha laughed, "...you were always a lady's man Dimitri. It's no wonder you're taken."

I froze in my place and the bacon dropped off my fork back onto my plate.

"No, no, no. It wasn't my personality, it was my eyes. I always knew how to give people puppy eyes when I wanted something," he chuckled along. "Just ask Rose. She falls under the spell my eyes compel."

Dimitri turned to look at me, and I felt Tasha's glare on me as well.

"Um..." I mumbled, "what?"

"Never-mind. Tasha just thought teasing me was eventful. How was your day?"

"It started off good," I blushed. "But I ended up going back to the medical clinic... Eddie's isn't well."

Tasha gasped, "oh no! He's going to be okay though, right?"

"Um..." I said finally having to look and talk to her, "I'm unsure. He says he is better and that he has to stay in until his condition is healthier, but well, he might not want us to know the truth."

"That's awful. What happened?"

I looked up at Dimitri for confirmation if I should tell her details and he understood my question and gave me a sharp nod to continue.

"He collapsed and thankfully, Carly was there to get some help. They don't know what his illness is..."

Tasha's face turned sad, "so it's like Christian's."

"I would say so," I whispered.

I felt Dimitri's hand slowly slide up my leg and rest on my thigh. I knew he wasn't trying to grope me in front of Tasha or the students and teachers in the cafeteria. His gesture was for comfort, letting me know that he was there for me. The three of us stayed in silence for awhile. All I could hear was: the students chatting or laughing at each other, forks and knives scratching across the plates, bottles being spun around on the table, and foot steps of teachers and students walking around.

Dimitri broke the silence, "I was informing Tasha, that I have spoken to Headmistress Kirova about a transfer."

"Oh," I said acting surprised. "How did it go?"

"I expected her surprise for her, but she understood my reasoning and will be setting up the paperwork within the next couple of days," he said giving me a small smile.

"Just like that?" I asked shocked,"...she just let you off so... easily?"

Dimitri gave me a little squeeze on my thigh with his hand and he said, "yes. If it is accepted, I will be Lissa's guardian until graduation and then she will be assigned to someone else."

"I asked Dimitri if it was your increasing bad ass reputation forcing him to change," Tasha tried to joke, "but he said you had it all under control, and it would be good for him to be able to experience something new."

"His bad ass reputation surely will be missed," I said biting my lip. I would miss being so close to him everyday. Dimitri gave me a secret look, which showed that he understood what I meant.

"So, have you and Lissa got anything planned for school holidays?" Tasha asked excitedly.

"Mm. We have spoken about a couple of places; France, Italy, Hawaii... but nothing is in full concrete."

"They all sound so lovely," she smiled.

I found myself smiling back, "they are. It's just, with everything going on lately, we haven't actually made a decision. Not only that but the cost of travelling...I don't have that kind of money, and I don't want Lissa spending what she has left of her parents trust fund to pay for the trip."

"I understand."

"Well," Dimitri stretched, "I better go grab some lunch, before it's emptied out. You coming Tasha?"

Before Dimitri had the chance to stand up out of his seat; I held onto his hand and said, "I have plenty of food here if you want to share."

Dimitri looked at my face and put his mask up, "okay, but I do need to grab some water." He looked over to Tasha, "are you alright to grab your own bite to eat?"

Tasha rolled her eyes, "of course Dimka. I'm not a child. I surely don't have to remind you that I am older than you."

Dimitri gave Tasha a full wide smile and walked her to the food buffet on his way to grab a bottle of water. I started eating my eggs when Dimitri was back sitting beside me. He grabbed a fry and held it up to my mouth, I took it and he smirked.

"Trying to claim me?" He asked, recalling the talk we had earlier.

"No," I said trying to be innocent, "I just wanted to know if you wanted to share."

"Thank-you," he said tucking some hair behind my ear, "I know it mustn't be easy for you."

I took a sip from my Fanta and shook my head. "I'm going to be honest with you, because that what we need to do. When I saw you with her, I was mad, but I was just going to get some lunch and leave you two alone. When you called me over I..." I bit my lip trying to bring the words together, "I was happy, shock and excited, all at once. You made the first move... you ask me to be with you... I– We're making progress."

He leaned in and whispered, "if it was you and me alone right now I would kiss you. No, stop, wait there. I would do more than kiss you, I would-"

"what are you whispering about there?" Tasha asked while shoving a carrot stick in her mouth.

"Just telling Rose about how we met," Dimitri smiled. "I think it's enough to keep her mind occupied for a while to come. How about we talk about something more enthusiastic?"

So we did. We ended up sitting about the table for just over an hour talking. I never thought I would admit this, but, Tasha actually wasn't bad company. She and Dimitri talked about what they used to do together. Nothing inappropriate to my liking, which I was grateful for. I knew Dimitri wanted be to be civil towards Tasha. He didn't want us. I to hate each other, call each other names, or humiliate each other; he wanted us to talk. I understand his reasoning, I mean, they have been friends for a very long time, way before I came into his life. She was the one who kept whatever sanity he had left from his traumatised childhood. I shouldn't be the one to break their friendship and I'm happy I didn't. Dimitri needs someone else in his life apart from me and his family. Tasha did Dimitri some good, and for that, I would always be thankful. Dimitri's face would light up when Tasha and I would discuss a topic in detail and agree on opinions. He would occasionally rub my thigh or play with my fingers. These were his signals of saying 'thank you for trying' and 'this means a lot to me' or 'I love you.' Tasha did lay back from the flirting with Dimitri. There was the odd flirt with the eyes or remarks, but she was no where full on like she was the other day. It seemed to have calmed down today. Tasha let it slip earlier that she knew Dimitri was taken, and I couldn't help but smile at the thought that he was taken by me!

After saying goodbye to both Tasha and Dimitri, I made my way over to the medical clinic. I found Carly crying on the floor outside of Eddie's door. My first thought was that he was gone like Christian, but I couldn't accept it until she told me. At first she wasn't able to form any signs of communication, she was too heartbroken. I understood her completely, because if that was Dimitri in Eddie's position, I would want to die with him. Carly and Eddie had become extremely close since they have been together, and it was tearing Carly apart knowing that Eddie was literally only living by a small thread.

When Carly calmed down enough to explain to me what had happened everything came clearer to me. She said that Eddie had fallen asleep, so she left to go fill her cup up with some hot chocolate like she would any other time. The nurse came in to check up on him and his breathing was low. The nurse needed him to be awake so they could do some more tests on him, but it was impossible. Eddie wouldn't wake up. They classified him as alive, for now. His heart is still beating, but his breathing needs help with machines; his body is lacking fluids and is in need of vitamins. Dr Olendzki and her team have not been able to come up with a cure... just like Christian.

I stayed with Carly for a few hours, scared to even leave her alone. I was able to lead her to her dorm, and told her to rest. Guardian Clarke was on duty at the time and said he would occasionally pop in and see how she was coping. Camille Conta and Monica Kurtz offered to keep her company. I was able to have her eat some food, but when she did, it would just come straight back out. I told her to keep her fluids up, because at a time like this she needs to try and keep her body hydrated.

I spent the next few hours with Lissa. I missed spending time with her. I was used to spending nearly every minute of every day with her since the age of 4, until Christian came into her life. Christian became a major part of her life, and it was hard enough for me to be able to have some girl on girl time, but with all the terrible events happening recently, I haven't had the chance to be there for her, like I wish I could have been. We talked about random things, life, boys, music, movies, cars etc. I was able to make her smile and occasionally laugh, which was a good thing, because since she found out Christian was sick and broke up with her, she well, has been miserable. It's still hard knowing I'm keeping a big lie from her, but I also knew it had to be kept a secret. It was for Eddie and Carly as well. The doctor's needed to know what the illness was before announcing it to the public. Towards the end of my visit with her I told her about Eddie in hospital. She was worried and upset, but she had a right to know that he was in a hospital bed. If I didn't tell her, she would have found out some other way, considering Carly had friends with her already. Lissa insisted on being one of those friends with her, so I walked over of to Carly's dorm, and Lissa sat down with the other girls in support.

I was on my way to my dorm, when I changed my mind and walked in the direction of Dimitri's room. There was no way I could sneak up to his room this time, so I took the chance and asked the hall matron on duty to pass on a message to guardian Belikov, that I needed to speak to him. She wasn't going to do it at first, but I explained to her that it was important and that he was expecting me. I just hoped to God, or whoever else out there that he would play along with it. It wasn't long before I saw the door open on the top of the stairs and he motioned for me to walk up. He walked straight to his kitchenette and made two Milo's for us.

"You look like you might need this," he said handing me the mug. "I'm sorry I don't have any cake or cookies," he said a little smug.

"No worries, I have all the desert I need in this room."

"Now, now, Rose. You've already had your fun for today."

I looked at him from under my eyelashes and teased him back, "it's not like you dipped out of any of the pleasure waves."

I saw Dimitri eyes turn to lust, but he soon fixed his posture. "I suggest you finish off your Milo."

I did as he said and we sat in a comfortable silence. Not long after I sat on Dimitri's lap and we started making out. He lifted me up to walk me to his bed, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He started sucking hard on my neck and I gave his fine, tight, perfect ass a squeeze. It was then that he instantly froze and then pulled me off him. I was shocked at first, and then realise he was shaking. I closed my eyes, and prayed he wouldn't be too hard to talk to. I knew he was having a replay of what happened to him in his past. It was only a matter of time for it to come. These past couple of weeks have been great between us, and I thought he was making great progress, but I guess everyone has a relapse every now and then. I just couldn't think I what I did differently to all the other times we made out. I opened my eyes and saw him standing in the corner of his room, with his head against the wall. He was in bad shape.

"Dimitri..." I said softly, "I hope I didn't hurt you."

He shook his head and I saw him trying to control his shaking.

"Did I... did I," I gulped, "did I touch you inappropriately?"

He didn't say anything and didn't shake his head. It's what I feared, I brought something back for him to remember. If only I knew what I did! I didn't want to approach him and make him even more unstable, so I chose to continue to sit on the bed and try to get him to open up.

"I'm really sorry. I didn't know I would hurt you in that way." What else could I say?

"You didn't hurt me," he whispered. Oh right, he said that already!

"I shouldn't have touched you the way I did. I should have held back my aggressiveness. Please forgive me?"

Dimitri shallowed and said, "I'm the one who needs to be forgiven." He turned around to look at me and harshly said, "you haven't done anything wrong. You were doing what anyone else would have done. It's me. It's always me that screws everything up. Especially with you. Don't you see? This is what I am, Rose. I always come back to this heartbroken, moody, disgusting fake being who you call a man."

He looked at me so steadily in my eyes, trying to send his message straight through to me. Most likely trying to scare me off, hoping I would leave, so it would be easier for him, but I wasn't leaving. I stood up and held my ground. He sighed in frustration and looked around from my determined posture.

"I'm the so-called-man who let someone else rule him; touch him all over his body. A man who can't treat you right. Can't give you what you deserve most. It'll always be here. It'll always be in my mind. I thought I got over it, but no. Look at me! JUST LOOK AT ME!" he yelled.

"Dimitri," I whispered, while wiping my tears away, "I need you to trust me. I need you to listen to me."

"I can't," he said voice hoarse. "I can't do this to you any more."

"Do what? You're not doing anything I don't want you to do, except hiding. I don't want you to hide from me. If I touch you where it's inappropriate, I want you to tell me. It's called communicating, remember? Something we both agreed on... and honesty."

He looked up at me, and I saw his eyes water. "I wanted to make us work, Rose. I want you so much, but I can't – I'll never get over this," he shook his head in disgust.

I took a few steps towards him, "Dimitri, we are working. You might have a set back every now and then, but that's a given. I understand that, I know to look out for it. You can't let this illness stop you from having a fulfilling life."

He closed his eyes tight and his breathing hitched, "I'm sorry."

"I know you are, baby," I whispered with relief. I moved closer to him and held his head between my hands. "I love you, and it's unconditional. Nothing you say or do, is going to make me run away from you. If that were the case, I would have packed my bags and bolted to Antarctica back when you confessed at the Royal Court."

He snickered at my metaphor, but I saw the pain in his eyes. "Wouldn't Antarctica be too cold, plain and deserted for your high liking?"

I rolled my eyes, "not if I wanted to escape from you. So if I do end up running away – which I don't intend on doing – you know where to come find me."

His tense posture didn't change, but I saw his amusement in his eyes. I knew I would have to make the first move with him, so I moved up and kissed him on his lips. I let them linger for more than necessary, for his comfort. I intertwined our fingers and lead him to the bed. He followed but he was wary.

"I think... I think we should talk about this."

"Talk about what?" he asks uneasy.

"What happened between us... We need to communicate. I need to know the boundaries," I looked up from my hands and met his anxious eyes. "I know there aren't many, but obviously today I have over stepped one – or some."

"My behind is not a place I liked to be touched," he finally answered after some thought.

"Because of your father?"

He nodded, "he used to hurt me."

I saw that it was hard for him to speak. I knew it would be, but I needed to know to some level why he reacted the way he did. I was after all, the only person he has shared this information with. I held out my hand and he took it without any hesitation, however, I did need to prompt him for more information.

I spoke very quietly, "I remember you saying you were eight. Was that when he first started...?" I couldn't finish the sentence. I had a horrible feeling in my stomach just thinking about someone taking advantage of him. "Or did he just torment you?"

Dimitri squeezed my hand and continued to stare at his feet. "It was touching and whipping first," he barely managed to speak. "Not long after, he started..."

"I fucking swear, if I ever see this man, he will beg me to kill him!"

Dimitri flinched, "Rose, you will not go anywhere near him! Do you understand?"

I swallowed my pride and nodded; he only slightly relaxed. "I'm sorry, it's just... I don't like seeing you like this. You shouldn't have to put up with it."

"So, with me saying this in all honesty, my behind is off limits."

"Agreed. I'm sorry I touched you there," I said feeling guilty. "I mean, I knew what he did to you, and the only way he could have done it was from..." I cringed at the thought of his father taking him from behind! "...I should have known not to grope you there."

His head snapped up to look at me. "You shouldn't be sorry! You didn't know I was still sensitive about it."

I gave him a small tight smile, "and you're sure he didn't go near your sisters?"

"No," he said with confidence. "It was just me, and well, my mother."

"And she had no clue?" I wonder out loud. How could she not know?

"No," he looked at me like it was obvious. "I told you before, they thought the bruises were from training. He acted like a caring father in front of my sisters – they were young at the time. So was I at the beginning of it all. As I started realising what was happening to me, my older sister, Karolina, started to see the jerk he really was. Sonya was too naïve at the time, and well, Viktoria was too young to notice much."

"I bet your mother was proud you beat the day light out of the creep!"

He smiled, "yeah, she was quite proud."

I pulled him to me and gave him a gentle kiss, "will you tell me more about your family?"

He blinked a few times at me, "you would like to know more about them?"

I looked at him shocked. Of course I did, why wouldn't I?

"Absolutely. When you speak about you're family you smile and relax. It's obvious they mean so much to you."

He looked again at me searching my eyes and then my face for some type of emotion or answer for him. "They are very important to me, Roza. Perhaps we could talk about them another time?" he whispered.

I nod my head and caress his face. I pull on his hand and lead him up further on the bed. I know he understands that I wouldn't try and take advantage of him, that's why he follows my lead so freely. I laid down on the bed and brought him towards me. We end up relaxing on the bed, with him resting on my stomach and me drawing patterns with my fingertips along his neck and rubbing circles into his scalp. I lean up slowly so I can take a peek at his face, and his eyes are closed and his breathing is at a steady pace. I begin to relax, and smile. I knew the make-out session didn't turn out the way it was planned, but it did on some level bring us closer. It was a good feeling knowing Dimitri would open up to me more about his father, and hopefully tell me more about the family – he obviously and dearly – cares so much about. There was also a welcoming feeling of joy, knowing Dimitri needs me to be there for him, care for him and hold him together when he needs it the most. Just the same as he has done for me so much over the past year. It was a sign that we needed each other.

I started drifting off to sleep as well when I started to feel him move on me. I opened my eyes to see beautiful brown chocolate eyes staring up at me. I smiled down at him and he lifted his hand, so his thumb could trace over my lower lip. I'm just about to ask him if he wants to stay with me later tonight when his phone rings. Now, usually when his phone rings, he looks at it and ignores it, and tells me it's not important. Until, recently I've learnt it's been Natasha Ozera ringing him, (I've learnt this from eavesdropping on their conversation). However, when the phone rings this time, he looks at it, raising his eyebrows, and answers it.

"Guardian Belikov," he answers.

I look at him and see his posture tense up again, I frown and sigh. This can't be good. I decided to listen in on his side of conversation. What does Tasha want now? Can't she leave us alone!

"Is it correct?... I see... How soon?... I don't want it to take longer then necessary... Yes... I'll be there right away."

He looks over to me, and holds out his arms for me to jump into, and that's just what I do. I wrap my arms around his neck and hold him tight to me. He kissed right below me ear and chuckles when I squirm under his hold.

"I have to go, beautiful."

"No, I don't want you to go," I said while holding onto him tighter.

He pulls me back so he can't look at me properly. "I have a meeting about the mission to attend. I don't think it's highly recommended to skip out on a very important meeting involving life and death, when it will help increase my chances on changing guards."

"Oh..." I look at him surprised. So, it wasn't Tasha! Thank God for that! "Well you better not keep them waiting then."

He gives me a small crooked smile and kisses me before leaving. Ah, I wish for once everyone would just leave us alone, so we could have some alone time. I sat in my room thinking everything over. After thinking about Dimitri and I, I thought about Eddie. If I lost Eddie than... ARGH... I wasn't going to lose him too! I thought about all the possibilities that could tie Christian's and Eddie's illness together, but I came up with nothing. I walked away from my bed and went over to my laptop, knocking a box on the way. And what do you know... it's the gold bracelet Victor left me.

THAT'S IT – THE BRACELET!

It's the bracelet, I know it is. I just don't know what to do with it or how it's doing anything. I couldn't go tell anyone, because they would think I was nuts, but I knew there was one person who might think I'm nuts, but would listen and try to help me.

Adrian Ivashkov.

I pick the box up which contained the gold bracelet, and grabbed my keys, before I headed to the door. I looked around my room one more time, and stepped out the door and locked it behind me. I quickly grabbed my mobile out of my pocket and sent Dimitri a quick text. I knew he had a meeting, but it's been over an hour and it should have finished.

I'm goin 2 Adrians.

Don't h8 me.

Just trust me.

I don't no how long I'll b, but plz cova me 4 trainin.

So where to next? Adrian is either outside smoking or in his room sleeping. No real surprise, right? So I set off in the direction of the guest wing. It was raining outside and very windy. I opened the door to the outside when my phone went off. I quickly stepped back, closed the door and checked my mobile.

I don't hate you. I'll always trust you.

I'll cover for you, but you owe me an explanation and various other things.

Should I mention, I can't help but be jealous...

I smiled to myself as I wrote back...

U hav every rite 2 b jealous.

I'm gunna b wid Adrian, u deserve da rite.

Thank U! I luv u 4 eva.

I regained my posture; opened the glass door and speed walked along the path to the guest dorms. I smelt smoke along the way and knew either Adrian was out here smoking or he just left to go back inside. So I turned the corner off the path and saw Adrian leaning against the wall, with a cigarette in his hand.

"Are you going to give up on these one day?" I asked sarcastically.

"Ah, Rose. How good it is too see you," he said with a wink.

I smiled and rolled my eyes, "I figured you'll either be here or in your dorm."

"You came looking for me?"

"Yep. How do you feel, now?"

"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you, sweetie. Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of you seeing me?"

"Adrian," I huffed, "I do try and see you. You make me sound like I only come and see you when I want something."

Adrian smirked, "Ah, so you do want something."

I nodded and explained everything to him from the letter I received, to Stan giving me the bracelet from Victor and the illness of Christian and Eddie. I was able to be completely honest with him, because he knew from the being about Dimitri and I. He was a little surprised about the letter Victor sent me, but he said because it had to do with me it shouldn't have surprised him. He admitted my theory that the bracelet is tried to their illness is a bit far fetched and going to be hard to convince anyone. But after telling him how Victor had given me a lust charm, before I met him, he seemed to be convinced that it was possible. He finished his cigarette and led me to his room. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket as I was talking to Adrian, but didn't want to be rude and pull it out, as he was giving me his time to help me. Dimitri had sent me a message back...

You're welcome beautiful.

Behave, and remind him about the no touching policy.

I miss you already, see you soon, xxx.

"Your lover boy?"

"Yeah... I asked him if he could cover for me this afternoon. I don't know how long we'll be."

Adrian laughed, "you know Little Dhampir if you wanted to see me, you only had to text me. You have my number after all."

Adrian was right. I didn't even think about texting him. All I've done with my phone is text Dimitri when needed. It was used for my personal uses only. My bad.

"I know, I'm sorry, I didn't even think about it..."

"No worries, maybe next time? Alright, let's get this started. How do we start?"

"Um. Well, I got Eddie to do a check online about the bracelet. We didn't find out much only where it was brought, and than that lead us to no where either."

Adrian's eyebrows furrowed, "but you think it's got a charm like the lust charm?"

"Yes," I said somewhat doubting myself, it sounded so ridiculous.

"How would it work? It can't just work by being near you, because otherwise you would be sick as well."

"I don't know. With the lust charm, I had to be wearing the necklace for it to work," I said remembering Dimitri taking it off my neck.

"Have you worn it?"

"No, I haven't..."

Adrian low whistled, "wow, you have a mint."

"Huh?" He had me so confused.

"Do you have any idea how much this bracelet is worth?" He asked raising his eyebrows.

I snickered. "Yeah, I know. What a waste of money if you ask me. How the hell does he still have loads of money? Wasn't he was suppose to be stripped of his title..."

"Beats me... Wait," Adrian said in all seriousness. "You said you haven't worn it, but has Christian or Eddie?"

"No, they haven't worn it. It's a bracelet Adrian, they wouldn't be caught dead wearing it."

Adrian shrugged in defeat.

"Wait. Shit!" I spat. "Eddie touched the bracelet the other day. Oh my god, it was the same day Carly said he looked sick. He held onto it while he was looking up the information on the computer. It wasn't for long, but he definitely touched it."

"So he touched it? Is that even long enough?" Adrian wondered, "What about Christian?"

"No, not that I can recall. Fuck," I sighed, "that doesn't help us."

"Ok, let's stick with Eddie 'touching' the bracelet. You would have touched it, several times. Even bringing it over here to see me. Same with Stan in that case."

I slouched over in defeat. I had to face it... my theory wasn't solid and made no sense. Wait, yes it does!

"I've been holding it, but not touching it." Adrian cocked an eyebrow. "I've been holding it by the box it's in. Eddie actually took it out and held it in his hands. Same with Stan. Shit – we are on to something... Stan gave it to me by holding the box."

Adrian smirked, "you do know how crazy this sounds?"

"I'm fully aware... but we have to be in the right direction."

"I'm sorry, Little Dhampir, but unless you can find a way to match Christian with your 'touching' theory... we have nothing to stand by."

I nodded my head with agreement and sat down going through all my thoughts. When I was with Christian, what we did, when it was...

"I got it! Christian was playing with it in his hands... weeks ago! Not long after we got back from the Royal Court. He liked it and was thinking about getting one for Lissa. He was 'touching' it, Adrian! It's just like Eddie," I screamed.

"Woah – hold up. Are you sure?" Adrian asked concerned.

I took a deep breath and thought about it. I thought back to when Christian came to my room, because Lissa was practising her magic with Adrian...

"I love her... I love her so much."

"Than why are you telling me? Have you been listening?" I sighed and said, "I know you love her – tell her."

"I tell her all the time," he sighed and reached over to look at the now mine – gold bracelet.

"Christian, she knows you love her."

"I haven't even brought her anything, to show my affection."

"You don't need too, she can see it in the way you look at her, talk to her, touch her."

I shuddered at the thought of Christian touching Lissa. I've had too much experience with feeling the way Christian touches, to my despise – no thanks to Lissa.

Christian was now fiddling with the bracelet, "I could get her something like this." He wasn't really talking to me any more, he was in his own world.

I snapped back into reality and said...

"I'm positive! I remember the conversation completely. Christian was holding it and fiddling with it."

"Good. So we know you have to touch it, but how does it work? I mean he obviously had to have it charmed. He's an Earth user?"

"Yep, he can do those sort of tricks by himself," I sighed. He needed no help in that department.

"You said so yourself, for the lust charm to work you need to be wearing it. In this case all they needed to do was touch it..." He trailed off.

"...which means it's one hell of a charm." Great! That's all we need. How did Victor become so strong?

I know he had all the years to practice his element, but in prison you're not meant to be able to have much strength, so to be able to do such a powerful charm – is enticing. To be able to make charms work, by only people touching it requires loads of strength. He must really want me dead! I shivered from the thought of leaving Lissa alone, and well – Dimitri.

"A sickness charm?" Adrian asked.

"Hmm. A death charm? God – I have no idea. I didn't know there was such a thing."

"You know what we have to do know, don't you."

I shook my head, "no. It's what I have to do. They can't know you were in on this. If they don't believe me and think I'm crazy, I'm not going to bring you down with me. I'll go tell Headmistress Kirova and Alberta."

"Rose, you don't need to protect me."

"Yes, I do Adrian! I wasn't able to protect Christian or Eddie. I'm not going to let you go too!"

Adrian finally agreed to let me speak to them myself. I walked to the administration building thinking about how I would come out with the information, without making me look crazy. Adrian was right, this was one hell of a hunch. But all the information comes back to my bracelet, I just have got to be able to convince about Victor would leave me such a gift, without letting them in on the letter.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and knocked on the door. I didn't get a reply straight away; I was beginning to believe Headmistress was out, but than I finally heard...

"Please, come in."

I opened the door and closed it shut behind me; only to find myself in a room with: Headmistress Kirova, Alberta, Mother, Guardian Chase, Guardian Stephan, Dimitri. It was the very same company I had earlier when I spoke to Headmistress about the attack. Except this time Tasha wasn't with them and there was a very tense Dimitri looking my way.

"What's going on?" I asked Headmistress shocked. I must have interrupted something important.

"I was going to ask you the same thing Miss Hathaway."