The afternoon sun was fading, only a hint of its warmth still in the air as the sun slowly crept behind the mountains. I tilted my head back and closed my eyes, saviour what was left, the orange glow colouring the inside of my eyelids.

When the light suddenly disappeared I peeked through one eye to find Dimitri towering over me. "Having fun?" he asked with a half-smile, tilting his head.

I grinned, leaning back on the cement stairs so I didn't have to crane my neck to see him, "That was quick."

He gave a slight nod, shifted to stand beside me and carefully lowered himself to the steps. We had been back at Court for over a week now and he was steadily healing; though he still needed to take it easy. I had been waiting outside the hospital for him while he got the stitches removed from his shoulder.

He didn't like being babied, so I decided it was best to wait for him here.

"You ready for today?" I asked tentatively.

I managed to push it for as long as I could, but we needed to give our report of what happened. All of the patrons and those helping run the fight ring had been processed and trials were ready to begin, they just needed to gather all the information about what happened in there from those undercover.

Eddie had already debriefed, and now it was our turn—Dimitri's was the most important one.

He sighed, leaning his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands. "It's part of the job," he replied, mask already pulled up to disguise his emotions; it was easier for him that way. He had taken on his guardian persona—professional and detached. But once we were home that wall of separation would break and I would be ready to pick up the pieces.

Everything he witnessed haunted him, the only solace we had was the fact that the people behind it would be punished.

I rested my hand on his lower back, wary of his injuries; the bruises were healing but his ribs were still tender. "Ready to go?"

Glancing back over his shoulder at me, he shook his head, turning back to watch the sun. "Soon. I just want…"

He didn't need to finish the sentence. After being locked down in that basement for so long he craved the sunlight, and I was happy to give him what he wanted.

Again I was sitting outside waiting for Dimitri. This time it was in the Guardian's Headquarters, sitting on a wooden chair in the hallway outside of the conference room.

We had to stand in front of seven officials, including Hans, and detail exactly what happened and answer follow up questions. Despite all of this being in the written reports we already made, they needed to cross-check. I had already been in there and recounted my experience, now it was Dimitri's turn.

As much as I wanted to give Dimitri some comfort during his debriefing, if he was anything like me, it's much easier to get through it without me there. I doubt I would have been able to remain impassive if he had been sitting in there.

So I was sitting outside, anxiously waiting for Dimitri to finish; it had already been almost an hour since he went in.

"If I didn't know better, I would think you've had too much coffee."

I glanced beside me, surprised to find Eddie. "What makes you think that?" I asked as he took the seat beside me, a take away coffee cup in his hand.

"Because," he started, eyeing me, "you haven't stopped fidgeting."

I looked down and realised my leg was bouncing and my hands had twisted the piece of paper I was holding. I cursed, quickly trying to smooth out the wrinkles. It was a form stating I was on leave for the rest of the week and had a number for a therapist at Court.

All part of the new laws to better the lives of guardians; when we go through a traumatic event we receive time off and are recommended to talk to someone about it. I hated it but understood the importance of having it.

"I'm just worried," I admitted, looking at the door of the conference room and then back to Eddie. "He's been in there a long time."

He nodded, leaning back into the chair, "He was uncovered for a long time."

I frowned. I didn't need reminding of that.

"What are you doing here?" I changed the subject, folding my paper in half, and then again so I could fit it in my pocket and not risk tearing it again.

"I heard you two were coming in and wanted to see how you were. Figured he would be a while and thought you might want company." Though he seemed nonchalant as he spoke, I could hear the underlying tones, he was concerned.

I gave him a reassuring smile, "We're okay. Dimitri still needs some time after… everything. But he'll be okay."

Memories of that place haunted him, waking him up at night; or he would sit there and become lost in his thoughts with a pained expression. It was almost like when he was dealing with his guilt after being restored; thankfully, this time, I wasn't being pushed away.

Dimitri was gladly accepting my presence with him, letting me comfort him. I was grateful for it.

"How about you?" I asked, taking the time to study his face. He looked better, the bruises on his face had faded and the shadows under his eyes eased.

"I'll be okay," he promised, taking a sip from his cup. "I spoke to some of the dhampirs that we got out. I felt like I had to apologise, you know, for how I had to be in there. They all were thanking me instead."

I'd considered visiting them, even thought of offering Dimitri to be able to do the same as Eddie, I knew he felt guilty for the way he had to act when undercover. They couldn't show any remorse when there, only treating them cruelly to not draw suspicion.

That would be part of the questions for Dimitri—why he broke his cover.

It wasn't that he gave himself away, no one had any suspicions of him being a spy. It was just that he couldn't stand to watch them force another person to their death.

He told me of ways he tried to help, sneaking more first aid supplies into the cell, scaring off dhampir at the clubs when Strawn was looking for new meat. Not many of the guards were willing to fight him on things so he could usually avoid picking the weakest for fights, giving them a chance to heal before being put back in the pit.

"Have you spoken to Gordon?"

I looked back at Eddie, frowning, I replied. "No, I called around but he was still being held. He doesn't deserve to be locked away, not after everything he's been through." No one was sure how to handle him killing Strawn, it seemed likely that it would be up for a judge to decide.

"I asked around, a lot of people are on his side, so I doubt they will keep him locked up for long," Eddie assured me. I hoped he was right.

Strawn wasn't an innocent in this, Gordon was, and he deserved his freedom.

We lapsed into silence for a while before the conference door opened and Hans stepped out followed by Dimitri. Both of them wore hard expressions; I doubted it was any easier to hear about everything that happened.

"Thanks for coming in, you two can go." Hans nodded towards me, turning back to Dimitri, "Think about what I said."

I raised my eyebrows but Dimitri gave nothing away, thanking Hans and moving to my side. Before Hans could disappear I quickly stopped him, "Sir, I want to ask you about one of the dhampirs we saved, Gordon."

Hans paused, raising an eyebrow at me, "The one that shot Strawn?" he confirmed.

I frowned, "He did do that but he helped us get everyone out. And after everything he went through in that place, he should be given leniency," I argued. Gordon helped me and even took care of Dimitri when I asked, fighting for his freedom was the least I could do.

His expression was still set with the usual look of exasperation whenever he was dealing with me, even after seven years of me being a guardian, I still pushed his buttons. "I agree," he replied gruffly. I was taken aback, expecting to have to fight more. Hans sighed, "After looking over everything and now I have all the details, I will make the call for him to be released."

Relief washed over me, Gordon's fate had been weighing heavily on me. I knew he was going to do something but I didn't stop it; though I didn't know if I really wanted to.

Strawn didn't deserve any mercy.

"Thank you, sir," I dipped my head at him, stepping back when he turned and disappeared back through the door.

My shoulders sagged, now the debriefing was finished I struggled to keep up my mask and retelling it all brought the memories to the surface again. I side-eyed Dimitri, his face was blank and eyes glazed over, he was lost in his.

"I think we will head off. We should catch up before you go back," I offered to Eddie. I was grateful he had been willing to join the mission, though we had some rocky moments in our friendship I knew I could still count on him. I reached forward and hugged him, squeezing just a bit tighter and for a bit longer than normal.

Eddie returned the embrace. "I'll call you," he replied when we pulled back. He shook hands with Dimitri, them sharing a look before he said goodbye to us both.

Now alone, I reached for Dimitri's hand, wrapping my fingers around his. I gave him a soft smile when he looked at me, "Let's go home."

The smell of the pasta sauce filled the apartment, my stomach growling in anticipation. It was the last of our pre-made meals, we would have had more but we both weren't keen on the soups.

Once we got back from the debriefing we laid in bed for a while, Dimitri letting the emotions of the day hit him; I held him for hours, trying to give him all the comfort I could. After a while, he pulled himself back together and went to shower while I started on food for us. I had a night planned of eating comfort food while cuddling on the couch watching westerns.

I heard the bathroom door open and his bare feet padding on the floor as he walked up behind me, leaning back into his chest when he pressed up behind me. I moaned in appreciation as he kissed down my cheek to my jaw.

"Who knew you could cook so well," he murmured, feeling his smile against me.

I scoffed, continuing to stir the sauce, "Well, it does help when someone else cooked it and I just get to reheat it." I lifted the spoon out and held it up for him to taste.

He made a noise of approval, taking the spoon from me and gently pushing me aside to take over, checking on the pasta that was cooking in the other pot. I was happy to hand off the work, jumping up on the countertop so I could watch him cook.

"You doing okay?" I asked, tracing my hand down his arm, watching his expression. I could understand if he didn't want to discuss things, though I hoped he felt less overwhelmed now.

Dimitri met my eyes, giving me a genuine smile; it was small, but it was real. "I'm okay," he assured me, stepping closer to kiss me.

Some of the worries that had been twisting my stomach in knots eased. I smiled back, relaxing as I enjoyed our domestic bliss. There was no one we had to hide from here or enemies we had to fight.

"So, what was the thing Hans told you to think about?" I had been itching to ask Dimitri about it since leaving Headquarters but knew it wasn't the time. His eyes flicked to mine, a glint of amusement in them.

"I was wondering when you would ask," he smirked.

I rolled my eyes, pulling a face, "Yeah, yeah. Are you going to tell me?"

Checking the pots again, Dimitri turned down the heat on both and then shifted to be between my legs, hands resting on my hips. "Croft suggested that I take some time off for a while, and I think it would be a good idea," he explained in a hesitant tone, eyeing me as he waited for my reaction.

I nodded, "I agree."

"You do?"

I brought my hands to his neck, scooting forward to press closer, "You've been through a lot, comrade. You deserve a break." I raised my eyebrows, "Did you think I would be against that?"

The corner of his lip twitched, "There's more." I stared at him waiting for him to continue. "He also offered me a position working at Court, still active duty but it would be less risk," he paused, seeming to be working up the courage to continue, "I was thinking of taking it and maybe if I did we could discuss our future."

I tilted my head in confusion, "Our future?"

His eyes dropped, taking a breath before looking back at me, "I want to have a family with you, Roza. I want to get married and experience things with you that I never thought I would be able to—the things I thought I had missed the chance to do. I thought we were going to die that night. I had accepted it, but we survived and I don't want to wait anymore."

I blinked at him, lips parted as I stared back stunned. Sure, we were engaged, had been for a while; even knowing that there was a possibility for us to have kids, but we never discussed it.

My silence gave him pause, quickly backtracking, "I know this is a lot. If it isn't something you want that's okay but–"

"It is, though." The words blurted from my mouth without me meaning to say them, stunning Dimitri this time. "I mean," I cleared my throat, nerves making my cheeks flush, "it's something I've thought about."

"And?"

"And it appeals to me."

Dimitri's lips captured mine, moving passionately against me; closing my eyes as I lost myself in the kiss. His hands gripped my hips and pulled them to be flush against his, my own hands finding purchase in his hair. When he started to grind against me I broke the kiss.

"I don't want to make kids right now," I quickly amended, shaking my head at the grin he gave me. "We can talk about it and you know, in a year or two, maybe start trying."

A playful look was in his eyes, dipping his head to kiss along my neck, "Then I guess we shouldn't repeat what we did the other night."

I flushed again, realising he was referring to us having sex without protection. "Yeah, well, that was a special occasion."

"What was the occasion?"

"We weren't dead."

Dimitri chuckled, his warm breath fanning against my skin causing me to shiver. All thoughts of eating were quickly leaving my head as I started to crave something else. His lips returned to mine, his hand leaving my skin and fiddling with something until I heard the dials on the stove click off.

"Eat later?" I asked between kisses, my legs wrapping around his waist.

Dimitri groaned in response, in one quick motion, lifted me off the counter and carried me to the bedroom. "Later," he agreed, dropping me down onto the mattress, "right now, I have to thank you for saving me."

I laughed, giving him a flirtatious look, "Saving cowboys in distress is just what I do," I teased before pulling him back down on top of me.

And so, that's the last chapter.

Please let me know what you think, it is a bit of a different story from my others but I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it!

I'm not too sure what story I will be posting next, I have two with a couple of chapters ready, one being Warrior of His Heart part 2. (Even posted a little sneak peek on my FB page)

I definitely won't be gone for long. Thank you for reading and reviewing! I appreciate every single one.