A/N: August 29, 2011
Hello! Rain Here!
Sorry about the wait. Here is chapter seven of 'Who Said'!
First of all, I would like to shout out a big thank you to Nicia! Thank you Nicia for helping me edit and proof this story! It wouldn't be as good without your help!
I would also like to thank you guys who reviewed!
Reviews make me happy! Don't forget that a happy me, means more and faster chapters! More and faster chapters means happy you! Happy you means more reviewing! More reviewing Happy me!
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I don't care if it's two words or the maximum amount of words. Just review! Every Opinion Counts!
Okay! I got a few story recommendation shout outs!
After being abused by her husband, and getting a divorce, Rose becomes a single mother of three children. Find out what happens when she starts night classes and meets Dimitri Belikov. Follow Rose in the wonderful fan fiction called 'Life Will Turn Around' by Nicia.
A quote by Nicia. "If you're looking for the perfect blend of humor and romance, any of the fan fictions by Ms. Sweden are the perfect choice. Every chapter makes me laugh out loud and leaves a smile on my face after I've finished reading. So put them at the top of your to-read list!" I totally agree!
When Dimitri Belikov, a private investigator, is hired by the shady Abe Mazur to hunt down his long lost daughter. He heads to the States and goes undercover masquerading as a high school student. Will he find her? What happens when he falls in love with her? Follow Dimitri in the wonderful fan fiction 'The Search For Rosemarie Mazur' by MadameRozaBelikova. I also highly recommend all of their other stories as well!
Another quote from Nicia. "Also, please check out the story 'Who Would Have Thought' by x-Kryst-x. It's a relatively new VA fic that looks to have a promising storyline with a good dose of drama and a bit of angst thrown into the mix. But sadly she doesn't have many reviewers :'(" Again I totally agree!
-I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it!
~~Rain!
Previously On: Who Said A Lot Couldn't Happen? –
– Janine's Point Of View –
After hearing that song just now, I can see my Little Rose as a mother. A great one at that. I can see her in a rocking chair singing softly to her baby and rocking him or her to sleep. I can see her playing with him or her as they grow older. Holding them when they are crying for her, whether it's because they just want attention or they're hurt or are just fussing.
I can see her getting up in the middle of the night to take care of them. And being there as they take their first steps and say their first words. Helping them train to become Guardians when they're older, and watching proudly as they walk across that stage to get their diploma and promise mark. And encouraging them to become Guardian's if they so wish to do so. Maybe finding love like she did and getting married and having a family.
Most of things I wished I could have done with her. My Everything. Just like this child will be hers.
"Mom?"
– Rose's Point Of View –
It's been a month since everything started to even out somewhat. A month since Dimitri returned. And month since he found out about his children, who I am currently four months pregnant with. In that month, a lot has happened.
Well, two major things that happened – one right after the other.
The first thing was that the day Dimitri came back Adrian disappeared from campus.
According to Eddie, Lissa, Christian and Mia; Eddie had split everyone up to go look for me after I saw what they had done to Dimitri and left. They couldn't get a hold of me and didn't know where I was; so Eddie had told Adrian to go look around my dorm area and see if I was wondering around there.
That was the last time anyone had seen or heard from Adrian at all. Not even the Queen has.
Shortly after I woke up in the clinic I was filled in by my mother on what they did to Dimitri, and told Eddie's theory about how Dimitri leaving and Adrian could be connected.
But if you ask me it seems a little too coincidental for my liking. And it was just that. A theory. A theory with no evidence.
Whenever we ask Dimitri if he remembers anything that happened on the night of Graduation or anytime afterwards till he returned, he just changes the subject or leaves.
Two weeks after word of Adrian's disappearance had gotten to the Queen, the Queen did something. And. She. Was. Pissed. To the point that she sent Guardians to St. Vladimir's to arrest me under false charges.
The confrontation in front of the Queen, I guess you can say, was epic.
It started when Lissa had wanted to go off campus for a little bit but first had to discuss Guardian arrangements with Kirova and Alberta.
–Two Weeks After Dimitri Returned–
I was in Kirova's office, once again, but this time it wasn't for punishment. Thankfully. Dimitri, my mother and I had been called to her office by Alberta to discuss an issue with a few of the other Guardians. I was in the middle of saying something when I was sucked into Lissa's head for a second. She and Sparky were starting to go at it, when she broke the kiss, saying that really wanted to go off campus and that she needed to talk to Kirova about it, before she sent me a message to meet her at Kirova's.
I was brought out of her head to someone shaking me.
After blinking a few times and focusing on my surroundings, I found Dimitri stood right in front of me, a worried expression covering his normally stoic face.
Normally I would love to look at that god-like face of his not to mention his bo–
Stop that, Rose! Get a hold of yourself! He. Left. You! You're still pissed at him for leaving, no matter how good looking he is! Said the little annoying voice in my head.
After glaring at his hand, then him, and then shrugging off his hand when he didn't seem to get my unspoken message, I told him to get out of my face before turning to the others.
"Sorry about that. Lissa and Sparky were going at it. She sucked me in; thankfully she didn't let it get too bad. But, anyway, she's on her way here to ask you to let her off campus for something. I don't know what." I told them.
"It's alright, Rose." Alberta said. "Continue with what you were saying from before."
"Alright. I was sa–"
Knock…Knock…Knock…
"Oh! For the love of God! I'll never be able to finish what I need to say!" I cursed as I turned and glared at the door – a glare that normally made people pale and run for their lives. Okay, that was an exaggeration… But you get the point, though it does happen from time to time.
"Rose, is it Lissa?" Kirova asked.
"Hold on." I said before checking the bond, without to find Lissa was still on the far side of campus.
"No. She's still half way across campus." I said coming back to myself.
"Very well." She said before calling for whoever was on the other side of the door to enter.
When the door opened, I was surprised to see a certain Guardian with Ozera blue eyes and raven black hair.
"Well, well, well. Look at what that cat dragged in." I was genuinely surprised to see him. "If it isn't Guardian Ivan Ash." I announced to everyone in the office. I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Dimitri stiffened when said the name 'Ivan'. "Have a nice time back home?"
"Nice to see you too, Hathaway. And yes, I did. My brother said to tell you that he would love to meet the famous and lovely Rose Hathaway one day, now that he is here at the academy to teach." Then after looking around he addressed the others in the room. "Guardian Hathaway. Guardian Petrov." He nodded to Alberta and my mother before turning to face Dimitri with a confused expression. "And who are you?"
"This is Guardian Dimitri Belikov." I told him. As soon as the word 'Belikov' left my lips, Ivan attacked Dimitri. "Stop it, Ivan!" I shouted before turning to my mother, Kirova and Alberta who were just staring at the scene playing out in front of them. "Stop them before one of the gets hurt!" They still didn't move. "Stop them or I will!"
That snapped them out of their trance. No one wanted me to do anything that could harm the babies.
Alberta and my mother ran over grabbing Ivan. Of course that didn't stop him from struggling and trying with all his might to get free – to attack Dimitri.
After pushing back Dimitri and telling him to stay, I turned around to go calm down Ivan… when I felt Dimitri's hand grab my wrist. I knew that it was him because even after all the time that had passed, and everything that had happened between us that electric shock still shot through me.
I tried to pull my wrist free, but he wasn't having that.
"Don't go near him, Rose. You could get hurt." He still didn't let go, instead, his grip tightened, and he pulled me back a step.
"Let go, Belikov." My tone of voice was ice cold, as I glared at his hand on my wrist. It was a voice that everyone knew meant trouble. It was a voice that was so cold it could give icebergs a run for their money. "Let go or you'll end up with worse damage than Ivan would do to you. I don't want to hurt you."
Like you hurt me, but physically. Those words hung in the air between us. Like a double meaning.
"No. I will not." He said defiantly, with a hint of fear mixed among those words. As I looked up at him for the first time, I noticed the color had drained from his face. He was probably understanding the words that lingered in the air and remembering the last time I attacked him.
Yanking my arm from his grip, I drew it back then let it fly forward, hitting him square on the jaw. It wasn't my strongest hit but it would do a enough damage to satisfy my anger. He stumbled back a couple of feet, clutching his face in one hand. The look he threw in my direction me was a taunt. One that said 'Is that the best you got?' He was trying to goad me into fighting him, trying to get me to break my control. But I wasn't going to fall for his games.
Turning on my heel I went over to Ivan, to calm him down.
I reached up and gently placed my hand on his cheek. His eyes met mine, and the realization of what he was doing sparked in his eyes. Once that realization was there he stopped fighting my mother and Alberta.
"Let him go." I told them.
"Are you sure, Rose?" Alberta asked.
"Yes, Al, I'm sure. Let him go." Using her nickname told her I was serious.
"Very well. Janine." She said, telling my mother to let go. Once they did he fell to his knees.
As I knelt down to his level and tilted his face up to meet mine, I noticed he was crying. "Ivan, are you okay?"
He looked up at me and nodded. "It gets to be too much sometimes. Being Shadow–Kissed. I don't know how you handle it. Especially now that you're pregnant." His voice trembled as he wrapped his arms around his body. Like he was a frightened child.
"What!" The shocked exclamations of the others echoed through the room.
I ignored them as I quickly threw my arms around him, drawing him in and crushing him to me. "It's alright. It takes a while, but you'll get used to it – to the darkness. Has Jason been using a lot of magic lately?" As I drew back after a minute but keeping my hands on his shoulders. I rubbed his shoulders comfortingly as he breathed deeply and composed himself.
"Not that I know of."
"Okay. How about you go back to your room and rest for a bit? I know how tiring it can be when the darkness gets a hold of you. Especially at the beginning when you're first learning how to deal with it." I smiled and helped him to his feet.
"Yeah. I think I will. I'll talk to you later." He nodded and left with me watching as he closed the door quietly. Almost as soon as it had closed there were another set of knocks.
Checking the bond I found it was Lissa.
"It's Lissa. Don't tell her or, for that matter, anyone else about Ivan yet. He's not ready for others to know. I only know because I walked in on him having a bout with Spirit's darkness in the gym." I told them once I calmed myself down with a couple of deep breaths, earning a few shocked looks from the others. "What? Never seen me calm myself down?"
With that they quickly composed themselves as well.
"Come in!" Kirova called. Letting Lissa know it was alright to come in. Duh.
The door opened to reveal none other than Lissa. When she stepped into the office she noticed Alberta, my mother, Dimitri and myself were there already, that shocked her, but didn't put her off from making her request known.
"Princess. What can I do for you?" Kirova said standing up behind her desk.
"It's not important, I can come back. I'm sorry to have interrupted your conversation. I just wanted to go off academy grounds for a bit and do some shopping." She said in a business tone of voice – cutting straight to the case.
"Yes, Rose here already informed us that you did, for which I don't see–" Kirova started to speak, but was interrupted. Oh, for the love of God. This time is was because the door burst open, revealing ten Guardian who were not from this academy.
My mother, Alberta, Dimitri, and I automatically jumped in front of Lissa and Kirova - protecting them from the threat. They come first.
"What is the meaning of this?" Kirova demanded from the unknown Guardians.
"We have orders from Her Majesty, Queen Tatiana Maria Ivashkov and the Royal Council to bring into custody Guardian Rosemarie Hathaway." Said the Guardian at the front of the formation.
"And what exactly am I being brought into custody for?" I placed my arm across my stomach as the guardians moved towards me.
"For the disappearance of Lord Adrian Ivashkov. We can do this the easy way or the hard way." The same Guardian said. The Guardian watched me closely as I moved my arm. "What are you doing?"
"Trying to protect my children." I answered.
Of course this got the attention of everyone.
"Children, Rose? As in more than one?" My mother asked, clearly shocked and amazed. I could tell this without even looking her, it was evident in her voice as she spoke to me.
"Yes. Twins." I answered her.
"Why didn't you say, Rose?" Said an upset Lissa. "Now we have to get two of everything!"
"Lissa, mom, now's really not the time to discuss this. We will talk about this later."
"But we will talk about it, Rose." Lissa said in her, 'I'm not taking no as an answer' voice – a.k.a. her 'Princess Voice'.
**VA**
Once we arrived at court, I was brought in front of Queen Tatiana Ivashkov and the Royal Council. Well, the Royal Council minus the Dragomirs, since Lissa doesn't meet the quorum law – meaning that even though she is engaged to Christian she still can't assume her position on the Royal Council because she doesn't have any biological family.
Well, that she knows. I'm just waiting for Lissa to figure out why she's been sick lately.
And if she doesn't soon, I'm going to have to tell her.
After glancing around the room I noticed that there were only two people here besides us, the Council and the Queen. Once I studied them more closely I realized they were Adrian's parents, Lord Nathan and Lady Daniella Ivashkov. The moment that Tatiana saw me, she stood up and started demanding answers; her face contorted into an angry scowl.
"Where is he, Hathaway?" The bitch demanded, breaking all etiquette and protocol. "What did you do with Adrian? You are having his child and are his fiancée after all, are you not? So, I demand to know where my Great-Nephew is! Tell me this instant–" Her threat was cut off by people shouting.
"Tatiana!" Yelled Lord Ivashkov, at the very same moment that a few members of the Royal Council yelled 'Your Majesty!' at her. Both were yelled in utter outrage.
Everyone else was shocked at her outburst.
Through the bond, I could feel hurt, anger, and sadness coming from Lissa; along with the thoughts of what Tatiana had said about Adrian and I. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a mixture of defeat, regret, anger, and great sadness in a pair of eyes that appeared as blank to everyone else as the face they were set in.
A face and pair of eyes that belonged to none other than Dimitri Belikov.
But what I noticed – and pissed me off even though I kept my face blank as I thought what she'd said through – was the 'Hathaway'. No 'Miss. Hathaway', and definitely no 'Guardian Hathaway' as was expected. It was like she has some kind of personal vendetta against me, because no matter what I did or didn't do – it didn't matter.
And Adrian's disappearance didn't help matters, along with all those stupid rumors about him and I.
My thoughts were cut off by Tatiana continuing like nothing was said at all. And as she continued I still kept my face blank.
Her next words proved – to me at least – that my earlier theory about her vendetta against me was proven.
"Or," she continued, "I will strip you of your 'Guardian' title. I might strip you of it anyway. I've always thought you didn't deserve it - to be a Guardian. Yes, I think I will do that." She finished, with a smile so smug it was evil.
Once those words were out, there was nothing but pure silence. So silent that you could hear a pin drop. Not only did I not have another hair pin, but it wasn't the right moment to for that.
No one said a word or moved a muscle for what seemed like an eternity.
**VA**
Until multiple cries of outrage and protest rang through the room, breaking the silence and causing all hell to break lose.
The yells were coming from everywhere around me. Voices overlapped other voices, so it was impossible for me to tell you what they were saying. But I didn't make a single sound of protest.
It wasn't because I was shocked into silence or really rendered speechless – and judging from the way Tatiana's smirk grew, that was what she was thinking. That my silence and lack of protest – despite my group screaming along with members of the Council and Lord and Lady Ivashkov – meant that I was speechless.
And guilty of the crime I was accused of.
Tatiana snapped her fingers – summoning three Guardians. "Arrest her." She commanded, pointing towards me, her face still in a smug smirk.
One I was about to wipe off.
They were half way to me when I opened my mouth finally. What I said caused everyone in the room to drop silent and look at me.
Not once did I look away from Tatiana.
"Do you really hate that much, Tatiana? What did I ever do that caused you to hate me? Because, you've been after me for a while now. Ever since Adrian came to St. Vladimir's, you've been after me. No, it was before that. It started when Lis- Princess Dragomir and I came back to St. Vladimir's." I stated flatly.
I expected her answer.
This was her silence – that smug look had disappeared as soon as I opened my mouth – till she finally did answer.
"That is ridiculous!" She said trying a little too hard to deny what I had about her, before turning to the Guardians who were just standing there in between me and her. "And I told you to arrest her. So do it this instant!" Her words were layered with compulsion.
Of course, it didn't work due to the new law. A law which states that all Council members plus the Guardians in all meeting rooms must wear rings charmed to resist compulsion.
There was another moment where silence filled the room and no one moved; not even the Guardians.
It wasn't until one of the Council members spoke that it continued.
"Is this true, Your Majesty?" They asked. As I turned my head I saw that Princess Ariana Szelsky had spoken. It was obvious since she was the only person out of her seat and standing.
"Really, Ariana? You're going to believe this… this little whore over me? Your Queen?" She answered Ariana before turning once again to the Guardians. "Again! I order you to arrest her! What I say is final, so arrest her before I have your jobs and have you arrested! I want her charged and thrown in jail!" By now Tatiana was fuming. She was clearly getting pissed that people are not listening to her.
"No, I'm just trying to get and sort out all the facts that have been presented to us, Your Majesty. And you are wrong Tatiana, you may be the Queen but what you say does not go. That is what the Royal Council is for, and I will not sit here and vote to have me or my family's say taken away. You are asking us to be your puppets, to bow down, hand over our freedom, and to do every little thing you say, with comments like that and the actions you have made in the past. We, the Council, are here for the purpose of making sure that not only do you stay in line but to make sure you do not have too much power and abuse said power. Do not misjudge your place, Your Majesty. You may be the Queen, but the Royal Council can over turn your position as queen if we see you are acting out of order, as you are now." Ariana spoke bravely before turning to face me. "Why don't you continue, Guardian Hathaway." She smiled as she emphasized my name and title.
I have to say I was proud of her; she always seemed to be level headed, even now when she was in her late fifties. Proving right all of the reasons for which I have always liked her.
"Thank you, Princess Szelsky." I faced her and bowed deeply to show my respect. Turning back to Tatiana, I continued. "I have a question for you, Tatiana. Where did you hear that I had ever slept with Adrian? And, for that matter, hear that I was engaged to him? For I can tell you that I have never, not once in my life slept with Adrian Ivashkov. Nor have I ever been engaged to him. He is nothing more than a friend, despite his continual attempts. I also have no idea where he is. The day and time he disappeared I was in the clinic due to the fact that I had fainted, and I was there overnight. I can prove this; all you have to do is call Dr. Marie Olendzki at St. Vladimir's Academy." As she opened her mouth to cut me off I continued speaking. "Let me finish. I know what you're going to say, you'll say that it's 'Queen Tatiana', but that's not going to happen. The moment you address me by my proper name is the moment I will address you by yours." I said in true Rose Hathaway fashion. "Also you have no right to strip me of my title and arrest me, for I have not done anything to deserve it. Well, besides your dislike for me, that is. The reason and charges that you have brought me here under are false. So I wish to go home and continue on with my life."
I couldn't help but notice, every Guardian in the room – including the three that obeyed her – seemed to be completely shocked by Tatiana's reason for this 'trial'.
"Tell me who the father of your child is, then I don't care what you do." She sneered.
She was trying to make me fall into her trap and say that Adrian is the father.
"Guardian Dimitri Belikov." Shocked gasps emanated from the entire room – Guardians and Moroi alike - at this revelation. "I know this because he is the first and only person that I have ever slept with despite the rumors about me. And before you ask, those rumors aren't true. They're just that – rumors. The reason we believe this happened was because I am Shadow – Kissed. I'm leaving now." I paused for a second before turning to face Ariana and the Royal Council. "I want the false charges erased from my records, please. And thank you again Princess Szelsky."
After putting Tatiana in her place and asking that of the council, I turned and left.
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