A/N: Just wanted to say thanks for all the reviews and all the love :) I may or may not have forgotten when I last updated so instead of trying to figure that out I'm just updating today cus it's Sunday :)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything Vampire Academy...just the movie ticket stub.

DPOV

"How's the dad-to-be?" Ivan asked as he handed me a beer.

"Don't start," I grumbled before taking a swing. "This is the first time she's been gone for a whole weekend."

"Where did she go? Manipulator's Conference?"

I glared at him before saying, "I don't even know. As soon as she said she was leaving I zoned out. I swear I can't take this anymore."

"Why not? You got yourself into this mess. I told you to stay away from her in high school. I told you to cut ties with her when you met Rose. And you never listened."

"I'm not in the mood to be lectured. Plus you know how bad I felt when I dumped her and moved and I hadn't meant for any of this to happen."

"Just because you didn't mean it doesn't take away the fact that it is happening. Look, why don't you get a test done to see if it's yours? If it actually exists…"

"What's that suppose to mean? Have you not seen her belly?"

"Have you not seen soap operas? It's like Desperate Attempt 101. To keep a man give him what he wants: a son. Whether she did the deed with someone else or has someone helping her fake it, I think you should get tested. She can't fake that."

"Are you sure? Cus if she's not pregnant, then she faked that test."

"You fault," he muttered. "I don't get it though. Don't you love Rose? If I had to choose between the woman I love and the woman I feel pity for I'd chose love any day. Who cares if she takes the baby away? You can get test done and fight for your rights."

"She doesn't trust me," I whispered. "That Christmas dinner was the first time she actually talked to me and even then all I got was a 'let's be friends' response. I don't know what to do."

"Fight dirty. I don't want to sound evil, but right now she's at a low point and she's already agreed to be friends with you so exploit that friendship. Gain her trust. Give her what she needs by being a friend. You act like you are perfectly ok being friends while showing her what she's missing out on. You know like when a girl decides to be celibate so you walk around naked and do something you know turns her on but then stop before she gives in? Well you need to something like do that."

"I highly doubt walking around naked in front of her will get her back," I said dryly.

"I said like. That means be friendly when your around her but be boyfriendly too. Like when she's in close reaches of you say something with a dirty innuendo or say it your bedroom voice. You're a ma figure it out! But you also need to show her that Tasha doesn't mean anything. That means you sever all ties. You get that psychotic sociopath bitch out of your life and focus on getting Rose back. But first. Get. Rid. Of. Tasha!" he said firmly. He was right. I needed to man up and do things for me.

"I'm a coward aren't i?" I said after a while.

"To be frank, yes you are. Which I don't get. With everyone else, you're strong, determined, and take shit from no one, but here comes Miss Mental and you're her fucking bitch. What does she have over you that makes you bend over backwards for her? And don't say a baby because this was going on in high school."

"She has a sex tape."

"What?" he asked in disbelief. I know he heard me.

"Remember how I slept with her once sophomore year so I'd be experienced?" He nodded his head, so I continued. "Well she showed me this room that she uses when she wants some privacy. Well remember how my dad came back one day but when he saw I was bigger than when he left he went running?" He nodded his head again, not getting where I'm going. "Well that day I met a girl that was wild and did things spur of the moment, and after the day I had been having that was just what I needed. So I took her to that room and did it with her. What I didn't know was that Tasha had a camera in there to make immortalize her encounters."

"Oh no."

"Oh yea. When she told me that, I begged her to give me the tape. But she wouldn't, she just kept taunting me and teasing about my new girlfriend and it wasn't even like that. We both knew it wasn't going to become something more, but I didn't like the fact that there was a video out there with her in it. I could careless that I was in it, I was just trying to protect her, but that only pissed Tasha off because how could I be more mindful and respectful of a complete stranger but I could careless about Tasha and just use her for a good fuck."

"Wow. So she's blackmailed you this whole time. But you went like four years without seeing her, right?"

"Yea, I managed to avoid her but when Rose and I ran into her she held it over my head. Saying she could make video turn up easily. Why do you think I've been over at her place so much during this whole thing? To find that damn tape!"

"That's why you don't want to leave her," he whispered, everything making sense. I nodded my head, taking another swing of my beer.

"You think I'd give up my life with Rose over a baby I'm not even sure is mine? Yea I've never been able to put limits to Tasha, but that crosses the line. Plus, if I'm honest, I don't think we slept together."

"What makes you say that?"

"Because I woke up the next morning with my boxers on."

"You seriously need to go talk to Rose. Why haven't you told her about the blackmail?"

"And give her more reason to think I'm spineless or a horndog? No. I made this mess and I'm fixing it," I said, determination in my voice.

"Fine. But I think you should tell her. She might not trust you completely, but it'll help make sense of things and for all you know it might be what makes getting back with her go from mission impossible to a walk in the park."

"First I should test the waters with being friends. But what should I do?"

"Get Vika to help you. Honestly, as long as you have your baby sister on your side, she'll help make sure you guys always have run-in. Wait isn't she doing that for you already?"

"No. I've been eavesdropping on her. Why do you think I've been home so much? Half the time I make sure Mama doesn't tell her. And every time, I hear her tell my mom where she's going with Rose. I heard her when she said she was going out to dinner, so I called Tasha and asked if she wanted to have dinner with her parents. I heard her on the phone with Niko telling him they were going to the city, so I told Tasha we should go baby shopping. And then I came across the flyer for the fashion show, so I asked Tasha if she wanted to have a night out. And then my mama invited me over for Christmas dinner. Yes, I've been fueling Tasha's fire, but at the same time now she's not so on edge. She actually thinks she's starting to win me over. It helps that Rose has been distant," I said, mumbling the end.

"I don't know," Ivan said, skeptically. "It seems a little too complicated and I feel like it will backfire on you."

"Let's hope not," I said. We spent the rest of the afternoon in my apartment drinking beer and watching sports and action movies.

VPOV

"Dimka, why haven't I seen any ultrasound pictures?" I heard my mom ask my brother as I came home. I stood next to the kitchen, not wanting to make my presence known.

"I don't know actually. She never gets pictures. But she has another appointment tomorrow afternoon, I'll ask her to bring home a few copies." That's weird, I thought, wondering why she wouldn't want any pictures. And why my brother didn't just ask for them himself.

"Doesn't get them? What mother doesn't want ultrasound pictures of their unborn child? And what do you mean ask her, aren't you going with her?"

"She says she forget and she's going while I'm at work. She didn't get an earlier appointment because she's coming back from her trip late tonight so she's going to need her rest." Well if my dear older brother isn't going to go, maybe I should pop in and see how things are going. Maybe put to rest some of my theories.

"Dimka, something's not right about this pregnancy. I don't get why you don't leave work for an hour or so to go see the progress of your child."

"Mama, I already told you why. I don't want to get attached just to have it be taken away. And she doesn't want me there. She says she's already self-conscious about the weight she's been gaining, she doesn't want me to see her big belly."

"Oh that's nonsense," I heard my mother say, rummaging around the kitchen, no doubt, getting ready for dinner. "Gaining weight is normal and a sign that the pregnancy is going well. I say you surprise her. Go in the middle of the appointment."

I heard my brother mumble, "We'll see." I went up to my room and pulled out my phone.

"Hello?" Tasha said on the other line. I pursed my lips to stop myself from saying something nasty.

"Hey, Tasha, it's Vika."

"Oh, hey, Vika," she said slowly and...disdainfully? No I must have been imagining. "What can I do for you? Is Dimka alright?"

"Yea he's fine I guess, haven't seen him recently. I was wondering if you wanted to go shopping for the baby tomorrow. Maybe pick out colors for the nursery and get some of the things you need. Like crib decor and toys," I said, trying not to vomit at the horrible way to spend my afternoon.

"Hmm I guess that sounds like fun. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow at 12, maybe we can meet at the mall around 1?"

"Great! See you tomorrow!" I rushed out, ending the call before she could respond. I send Niko a quick text to pick me up tomorrow at 11:30 before going back down and helping with what I can for dinner.

"Where we off to, babe?" Niko asked when I got in the car, his eyes roaming over my outfit. "I didn't know there was a dress code." I decided to have fun with this trip so I wore a black rib tank, tight black yoga capri pants, my all black vans, and did a Katniss braid, where it started from one side and came around and ended on the other side.

I laughed before giving him a quick kiss in greeting. "No dress code, I just wanted to have fun. We're going to the hospital."

"Are you ok?" he asked, his eyes filled with worry.

"Yup, I just need to go check something out." He eyed me wearily but drove me to the hospital without asking anymore questions.

Once we got there, I realized something. I cursed under my breath. I had no idea where her appointment was. But as luck would have it, I arrived just in time to see Tasha walk in. "Wait here," I told Niko before quickly getting out of the car, quietly following her.

When she takes to elevator, I wait until I see what floor she goes to and take the stairs afterwards, getting up in time to see her turn the corner. Thank God for all those trainings I did with Dimitri, I thought as I noticed her going into an office. I pulled out my phone and opened the recording app, hoping to get something good. The door was open a crack so I could see Tasha and whoever she was talking. It was guy with cropped hair, I couldn't really see his face since she was standing in front of him but I could see when his head lowered to meet hers in a kiss. That bitch! I thought as I switched over to my camera to tape the whole thing.

"Well hello there," he said in a low voice when they broke apart. "I missed you last night."

"I know, I had a fun this weekend."

"Every weekend could be like that. If you just came clean and left with me." I could hear the hopefulness in his voice, but I also got the sense this wasn't a new idea.

"Ethan, we've been through this. When the time is right, I'll leave with you. I just need to make sure there's no chance of him getting with that little slut."

"I still don't get what the big deal is. Why can't you just let them be happy together so you and I could be happy with our little family," he said, his hand gently stroking her belly. My blood started boiling at the sight. I never liked her to begin with, but this just went to a whole new level.

"Stop being stupid," she snapped, slapping his hands away.

"Sorry," he grumbled as she ran and a hand through her hair.

"And because," she growled. "It's not fair that she got him in less than a month while I grew up with, went above and beyond to get him to notice me, and still after so many years he never once had any feeling above a close friend. And it serves him right for getting so drunk he couldn't tell if I was lying or telling the truth about that night."

"Nothing happened right? You just made it seem that way." I don't what kind of look she gave him, but I guess he believed her. "Anyways, does any of that really matter now? You found me, and I can offer you a life he can't."

"Babe, just let me do this please," she said huskily as she straddled him, capturing his lips in another long kiss before groaning, but not in pleasure. "God this stupid belly is so annoying."

"I think it's beautiful."

"Shut up," she snapped as she got off him. "Now help me get comfortable." I couldn't believe me eyes, and I swear if I didn't have it on camera I don't think I'd have the courage to tell anyone else, especially my brother.

Ivan POV

"You are?" asked a man with short brown hair and a trimmed beard wearing the flashiest suit I have ever seen, paired with gold earrings and a gold chain. I couldn't decide if I admired him or feared him. He seemed like that man that on his spare time bust knee caps.

"Oh…um…I'm looking for Rose…um…Hathaway," I said, his glare unnerving me.

"Who are you?"

"Ivan. Ivan Zelkos, Mr…"

"Mazur. Abe Mazur, Rose's father," he said extending his hand out, when I slipped my hand in his he shook it firmly. "Come in. I'm sorry but Rose isn't home but she should be on her way from work if you'd like to wait in the living room."

I nodded my head and followed him to the room, taking a seat in the couch. He left to go get a drink. It'd figure that Rose's father would be a mobster looking man.

"So Mr. Mazur, what do-" I began to say when he came back, handing me a beer.

"Where's Rose? ROSE!" Viktoria shouted as she ran into the house. "Oh hi Mr. Mazur. Ivan? What are you…nevermind, where's Rose?"

"She's not back yet," he said slowly, eyeing her cautiously. "Why what's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just need to show her something."

"Hmm well if you two need anything, I'll be in my office," he said before leaving.

"V, what's wrong?" I asked, taking in her frantic state, and her spy get up.

"Ivan, you have to help me." I gave her a questioning look. "We have to get Dimitri away from Tasha and get Rose to forgive him."

"And how do you suspect we do that? She has all but given up on him and he's not sure what to do."

"Yes, but that's because he thinks he's expecting a child and she thinks he cheated."

"What do you mean thinks? V, what do you know?" She chewed on her bottom lip and looked to make sure no one was around before pulling out her phone and playing a video staring Tasha and her gynecologist. The longer the video went on the bigger my eyes widened and the greater my disgust for the woman became. When it ended, I couldn't believe this. My best friend has been beating himself up for letting Tasha play him like that and losing the first woman he's been able to see himself have a future with and all for what? Revenge. "V, we need to get them back together."

"That's what I'm saying! But how? We can't show either of them the video because then a shit storm's going to happen."

"No you're right. If we do this, it's got to be done right. He needs to leave Tasha, while he thinks she's pregnant so she can realize once and for all nothing will keep him with her. And Rose has to forgive him, even though he didn't actually do anything wrong. But how are we going to get there?"

"Easy. I'll tell you when we go out and you and Dimitri magically turn up. Him and Rose have already made up enough to be pleasant around each other, hopefully that'll mean they can get close again. Maybe being friends first is what best."

"I like the way you think little girl," I said playfully. "Are you sure we shouldn't show Rose?"

"If we show her, she'll realize she was wrong and run to Dimitri and tell him everything and we need him to leave Tasha, kid and all, rather than the truth coming out and her having even the slightest chance to weasel back into their lives."

"Yea but, V, isn't that a chance worth taking? I mean you should see how miserable he is. He's so ridden with guilt for letting things with Tasha get so far, don't you think he deserves a break. Plus, he'll hate her and see her for the lying, home-wrecking whore bitch she is."

"No. He dug his grave, let him lie in it for a while longer. That way he'll learn that being mister nice guy doesn't always pay-"

"OH MY GOD! I'm so hungry I could eat a damn cow. Olga be-" Rose said, cutting herself off when she saw Viktoria and I sitting on her couch. "Whatcha guys doing? And what's on that phone?" She walked to grab the phone but Viktoria was quicker.

"Nothing. I just…had to show Ivan the pictures from the fashion show and Christmas dinner since he wasn't here. You know, show him what he missed out."

"Oh shit, I'm sorry Ivan, I didn't mean to exclude you," she said before I waved her off.

"Doesn't matter, I was all the way in Maine spending the holidays with the in-laws and I left extra early to surprise Cassie. But you can make it up to me," I said, an idea forming in my head.

"Oh?"

"Well it's Cassidy birthday this weekend so we're going to dinner, you should come."

"Who's going?" she asked skeptically.

"Oh, you know, Cassie, myself, Dimitri, V and her boyfriend and her parents since they flew in with us and decided to stay until the end of the weekend."

"Just Dimitri?"

"Oh god yes. Cassie wants it to be small."

"So why invite me?"

"Cus in the short time I got to know you, and the few encounters you had with Cassie, she and I have grown very fond of you and have missed you dearly," I said, thinking of no better way to get this little plan in motion.

"I'll think about it. Is it fancy?"

"Well I wouldn't recommend coming in jeans and a midriff. A dress would be nice. It's going to be at Scott's if that helps."

I saw her lips pucker into an "o" shape and her eyes glazing over in hunger. "I'll be there," she said taking out her phone and asking what time it was at. Viktoria and I said our goodbyes and made our way out.

"Well that was a smart idea," Viktoria said as we walked to Nikolai's car.

"Did you expect anything less?" I said before saying goodbye to them and going to my car, calling Cassy to tell her it'd be a dinner for six.

A/N: So do you think Vika and Ivan can pull it off? Should they have told Rose? What else should they do to bring Rose and Dimitri together? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated (I have a dinner idea but that's for later in the game). Let me know in a review what you think :)

Also...what do you think the truth about Tasha is? And how do you think Rose and Dimitri should find out?

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK LOVELIES! (prolly misspelled that haha)