Love, or Something Like It

Christian and Rose are getting closer. Will they make it? This chapter is about them growing and beginning to learn about one another. I hope you like it. It's just a fun chapter.

Thank you for all your reviews. Keep them coming. They keep me going.

Richelle Mead owns all original VA.

We headed back to the house after closing. I was exhausted. Given the events of the night, I still had a pretty good time. Christian and I danced a few more times, but that was it. I still felt so bad for the way I had acted and wasn't sure how he was going to react to me.

We all had tomorrow off, but I knew I needed to run in the morning. I settled into bed and fell asleep quickly.

My dreams were filled of dancing and of Christian. His smile, the way his arms felt around me, his blue eyes blazing with desire for me, his lips as they caressed my own. I remembered how I felt in his embrace. Then I heard Adrian's voice. "Be happy." That was the last thing he had told me. Be happy.

I woke up earlier than anyone else, but the sun was up so I changed, grabbed my iPod and went out to run. Once on the porch I put my shoes on, strapped my iPod to my arm, and just as I was putting my ear buds in, I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Mind if I join you?" Christian asked with a smile.

"Sure, why not?" We started running down the block. The breeze on my face felt great. My muscles loved the motions.

"So, you feeling better today?" he asked.

"Yeah, I guess so." We ran to the park where we went that first day. I was surprised to see some children playing already. We found a bench and plopped down.

"So Blaze, did you have fun with Viktoria?" I asked jokingly.

"Oh lord. She is insufferable. I mean she's nice enough, but she's so, I don't know, clingy? I just don't look at her like that. I've told her plenty of times, but she just won't give up." He sighed. He wasn't being mean, just honest.

"Yeah, she seems to like to push."

"Well, Sonya and I have been friends for a long time. The Belikov's have become a part of my family, they've replaced what I lost, and that's how I see her. She seems to think that the flashier she dresses or the more she flirts I'm going to change my mind. And I've told her it's not going to happen. She's just not what I'm looking for." He said as he looked at me with those beautiful blue eyes.

"What are you looking for? In a woman that is." I felt my face begin to flush and turned my face away.

He grabbed my chin and pulled my face around so I was looking at him. "I'm looking for someone who's strong, sweet, wants a future with me, sexy, fun, passionate, honest, sexy." As he said that last word his lips brushed mine. "I think I know someone who that describes." He brushed my lips again and my eyes closed.

"I don't want to hurt…Viktoria, or anyone else." I said as his lips traced my jaw.

"You won't. And I promise not to hurt you." This time his lips pressed gently to mine and I melted into him. The feel of his fingers in my hair, on my back, the taste of him on my lips, it all felt right.

This time I heard Adrian's voice again. "Be happy." And I knew I could be. I didn't know why this attraction had happened so quickly, but I was ready to follow my heart. It's only been two months since Adrian died, but being here in Christian's arms just felt right.

I pulled away breathless, but slowly. "Chris, I want to be with you, but I think it's best if we keep it between us right now. I just don't want anyone getting hurt." He smiled.

"Hmm, a secret relationship. That could be fun. Wouldn't Lissa know though?" He asked smiling.

"Well, I know how to block her, but that would make her more suspicious. I think she would. She'll be the only one." I kissed him again "Come on. I think we should get back. Everyone will wonder where we are. Maybe we can slip away later." I smiled at him.

"I may have a way." He got up and pulled me to him. "How did I get so lucky?" Then his lips crashed into mine and I melted again. We jogged back to the house and when we got there, breakfast was just finishing up.

Viktoria came up to me, pulling me into the kitchen to eat. "Where'd you go this morning? I woke up and you were gone. So was Christian." She said that with a little malice lacing her words.

"I went for a run and he caught up. Running in the morning always does me some good."

"Ah. Well eat up. Abe said he has something to tell us all. Well, you guys really, since I'm not really in the 'cool group'." She said with a small smile.

"Eat up dear. I have plenty more if you want it." Olena said then walked up to Christian. "Chris honey, you hungry? Dig in." she said smiling her motherly smile.

Finally we were done and Abe ushered us all into the front room. "We have been here for almost a week now, and it's time to give the Belikov women their house back. We will not be leaving Baia for a while, but I have acquired an office building that is being converted into a dorm of sorts as we speak. We will be having two more quests joining us soon and it is too much to have in this house. We won't be far, but we will all have beds and your own rooms. We will be moving in tomorrow." I knew he worked fast, but this was extra fast.

Next thing I knew Lissa was at my side. "We're going on a picnic. You, me, Dimitri, Chris, Eddie, Kori and Tasha, Tasha's really only coming so it doesn't look like you and Chris are together." She smiled slyly.

"You already know, huh? Eddie, Tasha and Dimitri can't know." I said, suddenly nervous.

"I know, I know. They won't, but it'll be fun. Chris said he knew of a park that's amply shaded so we can stay longer." I knew exactly which one.

"Sounds fun. I'm gonna go shower and change." She nodded and I headed up the stairs. I stepped in the shower and let the hot water run over me. All the tension and worry I had been carrying around melted away. I finished up and turned off the water. I stepped out and wrapped up in towel, it was then I noticed I hadn't brought clothes in with me. I put my ear up to the door and didn't hear anything so I grabbed my dirty clothes and opened the door hoping to run into my room unnoticed.

When the door opened Christian fell into the bathroom, as if he was sitting against it. He glanced up with a shocked look that immediately transformed to embarrassment. He stood up looking at the floor. "S-Sorry. I-I wasn't expecting…" he wasn't sure what to do or say.

"Its okay." I said, giggling nervously. "I forgot my clothes." I said as I slid past him, brushing up against him. I wasn't sure if it was an accident or if I did it on purpose. Maybe it was a little of both.

His face blushed and I smiled. "See you at lunch." He said as he shut the door and I took off into my room. I hurriedly changed into a pair of blue cut offs, a white baby doll tee that said, "bite me" on the front, French braided my hair and slid on my sneakers. Putting on some lip-gloss finished the look and I headed down stairs.

Lissa was in the kitchen with Olena. I walked in, picked up a piece of that black break that was so good and began munching on it. "So Liss, what's for lunch?" I asked, mouth full.

"Oh just some sandwiches, chips, macaroni salad and fruit. Is there anything else you want to bring?"

"Umm, some vodka?" I said grinning evilly.

"if you want." Olena said as she put the fruit in a container. She reached up and grabbed a bottle from the cupboard.

"I was just joking, but hey, I'll take it." She put it in the basket with six short glasses.

"Just don't come back hammered." Olena laughed.

"Yes Ma'am." Lissa and I said in unison. Just then Viktoria came in.

"Hey, where you guys headed?" She asked.

"Just to the park for a picnic." I said.

"Cool, care if I tag along?" I really didn't want her to.

"Don't you have some studying to do before you go back to school?" Olena chimed in.

"Yeah, but…"

"There are no buts about it. You will say here and study. End of discussion." There was no arguing with her. Viktoria hung her head.

"Fine." She muttered and stomped up the stairs.

"Christian doesn't need her drooling all over his food or trying to feed him." Olena said to Lissa. I smiled a little at that and turned and walked onto the porch where Yeva was rocking.

"Hello Roza. I've been waiting to talk to you. Do you have a few moments?" She asked in her frail voice.

"Sure." I sat in the chair next to her.

"I've seen where you are going. I've seen what you are meant to do. It will be a long journey, one that will change the Moroi world as well as our own." I knew all this. "You will need to be in possession of a blue diamond charmed with all five elements and with your blood. It will show you the opening of the Cavern of the Light. This is not just any blue diamond; it is a special one that is on display in a museum in Northern Siberia. Your father has the specifics. Obviously it will not be easy to get, but you must have it to find the cavern. That will be your first leg of the journey." She smiled and kept rocking.

"Will we succeed?" I asked. If she could see the future, she should know.

"I have not been permitted that vision yet, I don't know that I ever will, but I know you will be tested to your limits, you may not all make it back. Some very powerful Strigoi will try to stop you, obviously they do not want you to succeed, and they do know you are coming. I am sure they have been training just as you and your friends have. That is all I know."

"Thank you." I guess. I was surprised at the information she had given me. Was I going to have to break in and rob a museum? Not something I wanted to do.

Lissa, Dimitri, Eddie, Kori, Tasha and Christian came out the door just then. "You ready Rose?" Tasha asked.

"Yeah, let's go." I turned back to Yeva. "Bye Yeva." I said politely.

"Good bye Roza."

We got to the park and found a nice spot and sat down to eat. We talked and laughed while we ate and I relished in the fact that Christian and I got to sit so close, and no one but Lissa was the wiser.

"So Chris, I noticed my sister has a thing for you." Dimitri said. I was surprised it hadn't come up before now. "You interested?" He raised an eyebrow.

"No, she's like a little sister. At least that's how I look at her. I'm already seeing someone anyway." He said with a smile.

"Oh yeah? Who is she? What's she like?" Dimitri asked. I suddenly was very nervous.

"Well, she's someone I haven't known very long. We're just getting to know each other. But I miss her every moment we are not together. She's absolutely gorgeous, strong, sweet, funny, intriguing. Maybe I'll introduce you guys to her some day."

"Well, it could be a while. This journey is going to take some time." Eddie added. He and Kori were holding hands smiling at each other; I didn't think they were even paying attention to us.

"Well, maybe she'll come visit?" Tasha asked, then smiled at me. She was too observant for her own good.

"Yeah, maybe." Christian said smiling.

"Blaze, why don't we leave these two loving couples alone and go shoot some hoops or something?" I asked.

"Okay, Aunt Tasha, you wanna come along?" he asked.

"No, you guys go and have fun. I'm going to walk down by the river and watch the ducks."

"Okay, be careful." He replied as we got up and grabbed the basketball and headed in the opposite direction.

When we got far enough away I stopped and pushed Christian against a tree. "You know your aunt knows, right?" I said, poking him in the chest and trying to sound irritated. He grabbed my wrists and quickly spun me around so my back was now up against the tree.

"I know, she can read me like a book. But she won't tell anyone." He said then leaned in and kissed me passionately. I smiled against his lips. He pulled away and stared into my eyes. "You know, you are so irresistible."

I gave him my best seductive smile. "I know." Then I broke away and started off toward the courts.

We played a few rounds then went to sit on the ground. "You know, once we're in the 'dorms' we'll be able to sneak around even more." Christian said as he poked me in the ribs.

"Hey, that tickles, and we'll still have to be careful." I said smiling.

"Why? Are you ashamed of me?"

"No, I just don't want anyone talking down to me. I've been through a lot in the last few months and I don't need any grief from anyone." I said in all honesty.

"I know. I'm sorry, but I don't think anyone will have a problem with it." I looked out over the court at nothing. "Rose, I won't hurt you if that's what you're thinking."

"That's not what I'm thinking. God Chris, I'm scared. I'm scared that if I let myself fall for you one of us won't come back. I couldn't handle that." I went to push up off the ground. He grabbed my hand and stopped me.

"Is that what this is? You're scared that if you let yourself love someone else, you'll lose them? Rose…"

"Blaze, stop. You don't know what it was like." He looked at me with hurt in his eyes. "Okay, maybe you do, but still. A part of me died that day. I don't know that I can go through that again. And you can't promise me we'll both make it out alive." I said as tears threatened to escape my eyes.

"All the more reason to live now. If I learned one thing from my parents, that's it. Live each moment as if it were your last. It could be."

"He's right you know." Tasha appeared out of nowhere. "You can't deny yourself the option of being happy just because something may happen. That's like living life while you're asleep." Man she sounded so much like Adrian.

"I'm so scared." I said quietly.

"And I will do everything I can to take that away." Chris said then leaned in and gave me a light kiss.

It's not all roses for them from here, but there is something. I hope you all liked it. Please review and let me know what you think.

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