A/N: Thanks for the amazing reviews :) I'm glad you guys like the story! Here's the dinner :)

Disclaimer: I don't know anything VA and this idea belongs to DEE2389

DPOV

"Com…rade…we…need…to…talk," Rose huffed out after finishing her 10 miles. I quirked my eyebrow, waiting for her continue. It look three deep breathes and half a bottle of water for her to tell me what we needed to talk about. "I'm not coming to practice after school. Not extra or team practice."

"That's fine because I was going to cancel the extra practice to begin with. Can I ask why you can't stay?" I pried, hoping not to get lashed at.

"Only if you tell me why you're canceling? Don't tell me you got a big date tonight," she said jokingly, although it seemed like she was masking something behind her humor.

"No," I said gruffly. "Family matter. Your turn."

"Same reason. We got some big dinner we have to go to." I nodded my head before leading her in some cool down stretches. "So what's so important you can't come to practice?" she asked hesitantly as we finished our stretches. "Someone's about to pop out their baby?"

I let out a small chuckle while shaking my head. "Nope. I guess someone's coming to dinner. I honestly don't know. As long as it's not Ivashkov I don't mind."

"What's wrong with Adrian?"

"Nothing's wrong with him, but our fathers are friends so I don't see what makes this dinner more demanding than all the others I've skipped out on."

"Maybe there's going to be some big reveal," she said thoughtfully before shrugging it off as she finished her stretches. She grabbed her things before saying bye and heading off to the locker room. I wonder if her dinner would be better than mine.

I went straight home after last period, deciding to splurge a bit with my shower time and just stand under the hot water before getting out and putting on a pair of khakis and a navy blue button down. I splashed on some of the aftershave my mother's been giving me since I turned thirteen and slipped on my black oxford shoes. Once I was ready, I decided to do some homework. When I got a rhythm going, the doorbell rang so I put down my pen and made my way downstairs.

"Adrian," I groaned when I saw who was at the door.

"Dimitri," he said, matching my tone. I then went and greeted his parents while he greeted my parents and sisters.

"Hey Sydney," I said in a better tone, noticing Adrian's girlfriend. She smiled a hello, her hand clutching onto Adrian's.

Everyone had started walking towards the family room when the doorbell rang again. "I'll get it," I said as I opened the door, my eyes bugging out when I saw who was at the door. Rose. With that boy who picked her up, and a blonde girl that looked like him, plus two adults. But what surprised me was what Rose was wearing.

She had on a blood red dress, that hugged her curves and fell right above her knee. Her hair was curled and her face had light make-up, making her look more beautiful. She had on red heels that made her look four inches taller. The blonde guy had on black jeans with a red button up, one arm around Rose and the other around his twin, who had on a green dress. Behind them was an elderly couple, the parents I think.

"Dimitri, who's at the door?" my mom called from the living room, breaking my gaze.

"Is that Olena Belikova I hear?" The father, a tall, blonde man in his 30's, said, quickly brushing past me, taking his wife with him. That left Rose and the twins and I at the door standing awkwardly before they headed in the same direction as their father. I waited for them to follow the couple before walking into the living room behind them.

"Eric? Rhea? Oh it's so good to see you guys," my mother said as she hugged them. She turned and saw the kids that were with them. "Oh don't tell me those are the Dragomir twins and…I don't remember Alexander saying anything about adopting…" The family, including Rose, started laughing.

"She's not adopted," Eric said.

Rose extended her hand, saying, "I'm Rosemarie Hathaway, but you can call me Rose, Ms. Belikova?" My mother nodded, saying she could call her Olena. "Well my mother is Mr. and Mrs. Dragomir's bodyguard and I've grown up with Lissa and Andre, so I'm part of the family. My mother was suppose to be here but she got food poisoning."

"Oh, the poor thing, well I hope she feels better," my mother said before wrapping Rose in a hug before looking at the twins. "Oh my, Vasilisa and Andre, you two have grown up to such beautiful young adults. I know you probably don't remember me, I saw you when you guys were about one year old. Well it's nice to see you all again. Let me introduce you to my family. This is the oldest, and Karolina her son, Paul, and her daughter, Zoya. Then there's Sonya, who's about to give me my third grandchild. Finally is Dimitri, he's in your grade I believe, and my youngest, Viktoria, who's a year younger than you. Kids, this is your father's college friend, Eric Dragomir, his wife Rhea, and their twins, Vasilisa and Andre, and Rose."

"It's Lissa," she said quietly before clearing her throat. "I prefer that over Vasilisa."

"Is Nathan here?" Mr. Dragomir said before breaking into a smile, clearing seeing Adrian's father. "Oh Nathan good to see you. Daniella lovely as I remember. Oh is this...?"

Mr. Ivashkov nodded his head. "This is my son, Adrian, he's also in your kid's class. And this is his girlfriend."

"Lissa, Andre, Rose, I don't if-"

"We already met, Mr. D," Rose said with a cheeky smile, moving from Andre's arms into Adrian's. "Actually we're already friends. I may have spilled my lunch on him on the first day of class." Lissa, Andre, Rose, Sydney, and Adrian fell into a carless fit of laughter while the Ivashkov and Dragomir's broke into a smile.

"Well it's good to see everyone's here already," my father's booming voice said. "Wait, Dimitri didn't you say you had a friend coming?"

"Yea, they-"

"So sorry I'm late dude, you won't believe-" Christian started to say before his eyes fell upon Lissa, who blushed when she looked at him. I heard my father grunt before declaring dinner ready and we all went into the dining room.

Dinner was pretty uneventful, my father and his friends announced they were merging together, but most of the time was spent getting to know the Dragomir's. For the most part, I kept quiet, glaring at Andre when him and Rose would have their own side conversation filled with laughter when no one was talking to them. The adults sat on one half of the table, while my sisters and I sat with Adrian and the Dragomir's on the other side.

"Are you guys seeing anyone?" my baby sister said, snapping my attention from my conversation with Christian. Everyone's head whipped towards my sister, who just shrugged her shoulder.

"Andre's got a girlfriend," Lissa said when Rose and Andre didn't say anything.

"So you two don't have a boyfriend," she pressed.

"Nope," Rose said, popping her 'p' when she said it. "Don't need one either."

"Sure you don't, little woman," Adrian snickered. "Just wait until it gets closer to the dance, you'll need a boyfriend to fend off potential suitors."

"Nah, that's what she's got me here for," Andre said, pulling Rose towards him. Rose just blushed and tried getting out of his arms.

"You know, I don't think I've seen you around the school," she said to Viktoria.

"Oh, I go to Saint Basil's with my friends. Dimitri's the only one who's going to St. Vlad's but that's cus Alberta wanted him on the track team." Rose nodded her head in understanding.

"Are you going to the Homecoming dance though?"

"Yup, got Dimitri and his friends to get guest passes for me and a few friends since their dates go to the school already."

"Aw isn't he such a sweet big brother," she cooed, smirking when she saw my cheeks burn.

"Do you have a date?" Christian asked, looking at Lissa. She shook her head and he was about to say something but I cut in.

"I highly doubt Kirova's going to let you go after the stunt you pulled last year."

"What he do?" Andre asked, him and Rose's eyes twinkling at the sight of a juicy story.

"Literally brought the heat," Adrian said. "I mean he gave turn the roof on fire a whoooole new meaning."

"He didn't," Rose gasped. Adrian and I nodded, Christian hung his head in shame.

"He thought it would be cool to take Homecoming to a new step so he slipped some vodka into the punch, poured a cup and lit it up, but when he turned around the flame caught onto the curtain and pretty much ended the dance."

"Wow," Rose breathed out. "Never pegged you to be friends with a pyro, Comrade."

"We were friends before the incident. And the one that happened when we were ten."

"Dimitir!" my father shouted from the other end. "Now is not a time to bring that up. Or at any other time for that matter."

"Why?" I shot back. "Cus it ruins your perfect image to have people know your son was a bit reckless with his two best friends when they were little boys?"

"Dimka," my mother said softly, shaking her head, telling me not to provoke my dad.

"No, because no one wants to know how idiotic you were then, and how stupid you still are now. The fact that she's tutoring you is shameful enough."

"There is nothing shameful in having a friend that is more of a study buddy than a tutor. And you'd be surprised how many times I've helped her. You're just pissed I spend more time on the track field than I do working in your stupid office," I said before getting out of my seat and briskly walking towards my gym.

RPOV

I shifted in my seat, awkwardly, while Mr. Belikov glared at the seat Dimitri sat in. Actually, the whole table was sitting pretty awkwardly, no one dared to say a word, half of us not sure of how we react, and the other half, his family, knowing exactly what the outcome would be. The silent tension hung in the air for a few minutes before Mr. Ivashkov cleared his throat.

"Well, Alex, dinner was lovely as always," he began to say as she got up. "But the family and I should be heading home now. Olena, the food was delicious. Girls, stop growing up into beautiful woman. Alexander, see you in the office tomorrow."

"Are you sure you don't want to stay for a drink?" Mr. Belikov said, snapping out his mood. Mr. Ivashkov just shook his head, saying he had to get Sydney home soon either way. We all said good bye to them, and then Mr. Dragomir said we should probably leave too, but I didn't want to. Not until I knew Dimitri was ok. Nonetheless, I said good buy to the Belikov family, exchanging numbers with Viktoria because quite honestly, as much as her brother gets on my nerves, I can tell she and I together would bring cities to their demise.

"Um, Mr. Belikova-"

"Olena, dear."

"Right. Olena, where are your bathrooms?" I asked sheepishly. Like I expected, she pointed in the direction where Dimitri slaked off to, and I know for sure he didn't go to the bathroom. I saw Lissa look at me with a questioning look before noticing where I was walking towards and then her eyes slitted into a pointed look. I'm surprised she even minds since this could be her chance to talk to Christian, they've only been playing "catch me staring" the whole dinner.

When I got there, there were three doors. One was the bathroom, one had a light turned out, but the scent come from it was a little funky, and the third was left slightly opened. I went with door #3, only to see a hallway that leads to a small building with bright ass lights.

"Wow and here I thought you were just cocky because of your looks," I said when I walked in to find Dimitri inside a fully equipped gym, punching the shit out of a bag, his shoes and shirt in heap next to it. He stopped, and turned abruptly to face me, his washboard abs momentarily distracting me. I cleared my throat before continuing. "Well I guess since you're fine, I should get going."

I spun around, but before I could take a step he fingers wrapped around my wrist and turning me around to face him.

"Wait," he murmured. "Why did you come here?"

"Uh, we were invited to have dinner with yours and Adrian's family."

"No. I meant here, the gym."

"Oh," I said, trying to buy myself time. "Well you stormed out of there pretty badly. It got kinda awkward. Gotta say, Belikov, you sure know how to clear a room."

"It's not my fault," he growled, dropping my hand and turning back to the punching bag.

"Jeez, learn to take a joke," I muttered as I shifted my feet awkwardly. "You know…your dad shouldn't have reacted like that. I mean…you were just sharing funny childhood stories."

"Yea well we Belikov men are suppose to be emotionless pricks that only smile when our banks get bigger. We suppose to be…proper…indifferent…cold…bastards," he gasped out, punching the bag extra hard with the last few words.

"Yea, I can see."

He turned around, grabbed my wrists in each of his hand and pulled me too him so we were face-to-face, I was practically standing on the tippiest of my toes. Safe to say my face was covered in shock and slight fear. "If you don't like it you can leave," he growled, letting me go after. I stumbled a bit to get my footing before glaring at him.

"Look I just came to see if you were ok because unlike you, your father, or my mother, I do care if people are fine," I bit out. "But I guess your heart's too cold to notice an act of kindness from an act of animosity." I turned around and started walking away. When I got to the door, he spoke again, but softer this time.

"I'm…sorry…" he said. When I turned around, he was sitting down facing me, but his head was down. I walked back to him, crossing my arms and giving him a defiant look.

"Wait, did you just say sorry?" He looked up and glared at me, so I let out a deep breath before sitting down, tucking my feet to the side since my dress was to short and tight to cross my legs. "Look…sorry…it's just one minute you're all high and mighty and too good for emotions and the next you're…apologizing."

"I shouldn't have lashed out at you," he said. "It's just the way he belittles me. It's one thing when it's just my family and he's telling me how I'm a failure at life, but when there are guest over and he reprimands me like I'm Paul's age…it's…it's…demeaning!"

"Maybe it's his way of showing he cares," I said softly, reaching for his hand that was messing with the padding. He looked up at me confused, so I continued. "My mom can be a bit…distant. She cares more for her job than me, I mean sure the Dragomir's were kind enough to let me stay with my mom, but it's like she doesn't notice me. That is, of course, unless I do something wrong, because then she's all mommy dearest giving me a good lecture. Half the time I do something reckless just to catch her attention. You, on the other hand, have your dad's attention and he just wants you to grow up to be like him, successful with a good wife and big family. Haven't you ever thought he yells at you because that's how he shows his care?"

"More like he does it to control me. You honestly think I want to follow in his steps? I do track because I love it and it's something he has no control over because how can he tell me to stop if it's helping me be a leader and get stellar grades and could very well pay for college? Which of course is going to have to be some Russian college that can get me a business degree to become the heir to Belikov Industries."

"And that's a bad thing? Everything I have is because of Eric and Rhea. The only reason I'm not some shut off loner is because I grew up with Lissa and Andre, who could care less that I'm their worker's daughter. The Dragomir's showed me what it's like to be loved. I mean, you have both your parents, and no matter how dysfuntional you seem to think your family is, at least you have one. I don't know who my dad is. And I barely know my mother, so hate to say it, but I win the pity party." When he didn't say anything, I looked up to see him studying me. And just like at practice, I found myself getting lost in his chocolate brown eyes, which were darkened by sadness.

Pretty soon I found myself leaning in, my eyes closing when my lips touched his. It was a soft kiss, meant to get rid of all the bad tension surrounding us, but when I pressed a little too hard he fell back, his arms clutching my waist as I fell on top, giggling against his soft lips before the kiss became more sensual and demanding. When we broke apart for air, I pushed myself up and sat back.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that,"I whispered as I got up. "I should go, they're probably waiting for me."

He got up with me, and held onto my hand. "You can use it."

"Use what?" I asked, looking at our joined hands, part of me wanting to break away, reminding me that he's infuriating and rude. But then I remember the part of him that's open and just wanting to be free.

"The gym. If you rather train here than at school, then after practice we can come here."

"But I thought I was just suppose to be learning how to run."

"Well yea…at school…Alberta said not to take you to the school's gym until she thought you were ready…she said nothing of using my gym," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"I'll think about it," I said. "Maybe do morning practice at school and then we can come here for the afternoon. But what would we do? You don't have a track field."

"Weight train. You need a firm core," he said as he placed his palm on my abdomen, applying light pressure. "And you can't do that with running."

Appalled I looked up at him. "I really should be getting back…and I'm sure you need to go talk to your father…"

"Why are you so quick to run away?" he asked huskily. As he closed the space between us. "Scared of me? Plus, I can give you a ride home. I…"

"You what? Plus, I don't think Eric or Rhea would like me going home with a stranger," I said, biting my lip to keep me from doing something stupid. Having him so close messed with my mind.

"But am I really a stranger?" he asked before crashing his lips against mine.

Really? Again? I thought before pressing my lips against him in response, my arms going around his neck as my hands goes into his hair. His hands trail down my body until they get to my thighs and he lifts me up with a small grunt, making me moan. My legs wrap around his waist as the kissing picks up, his tongue caressing mine, and one of his hands stay on my back while the other grasp some on my hair. I don't know how long we stay like that, but the kissing never ends, just gets more heated. The intensity goes through the roof when I feel him press me against the wall, his other hand going into my hair. One of my hands goes down to hold his neck, pulling him even closer to me while my legs tighten around his waist.

Then, suddenly, from the door we hear a very loud, "Ehem." Shit.

LPOV

"Where did Rose go?" my mother asked when we got outside.

"She said she had to go to the bathroom, she should be out here quickly," I said, eyeing the door and waiting for Rose to run through them. When a minutes went by and she still hadn't come out, we all go worried.

"What could be taking her so long?" my father asked.

"Well Dimitri is her biology partner, maybe he wanted to set up a date to get to work on their project or he wanted to show her something," I said. Show her mouth something, I thought to myself. "If you want, you guys can go home and Rose will get there later."

"And how are you going to get home?" Andre asked, being the overprotective brother he was.

"I can give them a ride home," someone said coming out from the shadows. Christian Ozera. His piercing blue eyes bore into mine for a moment before he turned to look at my parents. "It's on my way home. Plus, I'm pretty sure Vasilisa's right, Dimitri's such a bookworm he probably lost track of time showing her something."

"It's Lissa," I said quietly. He looked at me curiously before remembering what he said and looking down bashfully.

"My bad, Lissa," he said, giving me a shy grin, causing me to look down, my cheeks turning pink.

"Well that was sweet of you to offer, but we can wait," my mother said.

"I'm sure Mr. Dragomir has to be in the office early. Honestly, it's no problem," he persisted. "That is, if Lissa's fine with it." He looked at me again, and the words fell from my mind. It wasn't until Andre cleared his throat, that I looked away, a light to the side to the house catching my eye.

"Uh, yea it's fine with me. Mom and dad, please?" They both looked at each other before nodding their head, thanking Christian for the ride.

"I'm going to wait with Lissa, too," Andre said, eyeing Christian up and down.

"Ok, son, just make sure you guys get home soon," our mother said before kissing us both good night. Once they left, I started walking towards the house.

"Actually, while you two gentlemen wait here, I'm going to go find Rose."

"You might want to try the door that's at the end of the hallway, next to the bathroom," Christian said. I nodded my head, wondering how Rose would know about whatever that door led to, and why she went there.

"Oh, Vaslisa," Mrs. Belikova said when I walked past the dining room. "I thought you guys had left already."

"Oh. No. Rose never came out and we were waiting for her."

"Oh I hope everything's alright with her, I can go check if you'd like."

"No it's fine, she just needed me to bring her something. You know, for that time of the month," I said, hoping she would let me go.

"Oh, poor girl, well hurry off don't want to keep her waiting." I nodded my head and excused myself before walking down the hall, seeing the door at the end that was slightly ajar.

It opened up to another hallway that lead to another door, but it was to a building I caught a peek at when I was out front with my family and Christian. That door was always opened, and if I got close enough I could see and hear what was going on. Part of me wishes I didn't though.

I peeked in to see Rose on Dimitri, legs wound around his waist and hands in his hair, with him carrying her, one hand supporting her back and the other lost in her hair, both engage in a heated kiss. How he was able to do that while standing without using a wall for support amazed me. I felt rude for looking into their little moment, and part of me wanted to back away and wait while the other wanted to barge in. I decided to give them another minute, which Dimitri used walking over and pinning Rose to wall. They were so wrapped into their own world that they didn't notice me opening the door.

5…4…3…2…1…

"Ehem," I said, clearing my throat very loudly. It was comical to see Rose push Dimitri away while Dimitri himself sprang 3 feet back, neither realizing that this would cause to fall and land on her ass. It took all my strength to keep my face serious and not break into laughter.

"Ugh, Lissa what are you doing here?" she said as she got up and rubbed her butt.

"Well seeing as you took forever in the bathroom, I had to come see what was the hold up. Glad I came when I did."

"Yea well," Rose started to say, clearly flustered. "We should go. I'm sure your parents are waiting."

"Actually they already left. Christian's taking us home." Rose stopped walking and looked at me, trying to see if I was joking. "Seriously. Andre's out in front with him waiting for us. So I suggest saying goodbye to your boyfriend…verbally."

She glared at me before awkwardly turning around and saying good night to him.

"You know if this is what it means to not like a guy, I'm curious to see what happens if you did like him," I said once we were walking down the hall. She shoved me with her shoulder playfully, a smile creeping onto her face. "And imagine if I hadn't gotten there when I did? I'm scared to think of the position I would have found you guys in."

"Will you shut up already? We were just talking…"

"Oh I could see that. Your words probably failed you so you decided to use your tongue."

"I'm serious! We were talking, you'd be surprised the kind of shit he has to through and as I was leaving and it just happened. Twice."

"Twice? Did you kiss him or did he kiss you?"

"Both," she sheepishly admitted. "God what am I doing!"

"Being a teenager," I replied, a smirk on my face. Which quickly fell when we got out the front door and Christian's eyes lifted to meet mine. My smirk turned into a shy smile. Rose looked from me to him before grabbing my arm and turning me towards her.

"Seriously? Him? I thought I had problems choosing a guy!" she said sternly, but quiet enough for only me to hear it. "Did you not hear the stories about him? Or were you to busy gazing into each other's eyes?"

"Hey!" I said defensively, pulling my arm away discreetly. "For all you know he's as misunderstood as your tonsil tossing buddy back there." I flipped my hair over my hair and walked towards Christian's car. "Shotgun!" I called out as he opened the door for me. Andre and Rose got in the back, both having a slight scowl while Christian let me be DJ, both of us laughing when we found a song we both liked or disliked. It all seemed to be a perfect ending to the night...

...until we saw the lights.

A/N: DUN DUN DUN! WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED! What did you think about the chapter? Favorite part? Leave me a review with your love and I'll see you next week :)