Ok guys, here comes some explanations of what is happening to Rose. Hopefully this will clear all the confusion you might have had. I hope you continue to enjoy my story. I also hope that this chapter is not too graphic for some of you.

I don't own VA. The story line is mine and no one else's.

Enjoy and PLEASE REVIEW!

Previously with Dimirti at St. Vladimir's Clinic

As they take her away I feel my knees shake and go week. My heart gives a hard squeeze it feels like a knife has just been stabbed through me and when she is no longer in my view my knees buckle under me and I collapse to the floor on my knees, with my head in my hands, tears slide down my cheek. I feel like my breath has been knocked out of me.

I stay there for a while until I feel a hand on my shoulder. I look up to see its Lissa. She has been crying. She says "Dimitri, I made arrangements for us to stay here until Rose can go home. We have been given guest rooms. Here's your key." I take it in a daze. "Thank you." I mumble

"Dimitri you should go to the waiting room and have a seat. I'm sure the doctor will come out to talk to us soon." I nod my head and stand up. She takes my hand and guides me to the sofa in a quiet little side room. I am numb. In a hazed state I just sit and wait.

The time is relentless.

Chapter 6 Mysteries of the Mind

DPOV

The last thing I saw was Rose being taken away on a gurney. I have been in this little room for 3 1/2 hours. I am going stir crazy! I keep pacing back and forth, then sitting, then pacing again. The stress is unbearable! I will lose my mind if I don't hear something from Dr. Olenski soon.

My Rosa was completely unconscious when they took her away she has been unconscious for so long. Can't that cause brain damage? Not one single person has come down that hall to give us an update. That in itself gives me a very bad feeling. God, I can't stand the thoughts that are running rampant through my mind. I have to stop thinking the worst. I am loosing my control. I feel like I am going to fall apart. The tears are just barely held at the surface. I need to stay strong. I need to believe it will be ok. I take a deep shaky breath, trying to steady myself.

I look around at everyone here waiting to get word on Rose's condition. I see that Lissa is a complete wreck. She looks as bad as I feel. At least she has Christian to seek comfort. She has her head on Christian's chest as he cradles her in his arms almost like a child. He is stroking her hair as she stares off into space. I'm sure she is just listening to his breathing and the comforting rhythm of his heart beat. Her eyes are red and bloodshot from all the crying she has done in the last several hours. She looks so distraught, I'm sure she doesn't know what else to do. We can only wait.

Christian seems to be worried sick too. Him and Rose may bicker and tease the crap out of each other until we all want to kill them but I see how much he loves and respects Rose. She is like his sister. He considers her family and would do anything for her. He is just sitting there, his cheek resting on Lissa's head, staring out the window, stroking Lissa's hair, it's like he is on auto pilot.

Mia and Eddie have been curled up together watching whatever there may be on the TV in the room. I don't know what's on because my mind is too preoccupied to even consider watching it. Basically its just background noise to me. But the look of worry on both their faces is evident. I know Eddie considers Rose to be his sister with out a doubt. I can see some guilt crossing his eyes now and then as he thinks about what happened to her. I'm sure he has gone over and over it time and again because he thinks he should have moved faster, or been there to protect her. I know I am feeling the guilt. Eddie is just that kind of person that thinks he could have done something to stop her getting hit so hard in the head. But I know that's not the case. I saw him running full out even before the Strigoi hit her. He was trying his very best to get to her. The strain in his voice as he screamed her name when he saw her dropping to the ground, still rings in my head.

Adrian is devastated. Even though he has let Rose go and knows she is with me 100% I know he still loves her with all that he's got. I see it in his eyes when he looks at her. I know he will always love her. We all know that, he has been there for her though everything good or bad especially when I wasn't. He would die for her. As jealous as I may be when he gives her expensive gifts or hug's her a little too long, or just when I see Rose look at him in the eye and they share a moment or laugh about something only they share, I am glad he is in Rose's life. They have an undeniable connection and I know if I wasn't in the picture Adrian would have done everything possible to be with her. And I think she would have been happy with him. It kills me to even think that way, but it's the truth. Rose would not be happy if she didn't have Adrian in her life. I know she loves me with all her heart and soul though. So it's good he is here for her.

I do see Adrian getting pretty close with Sidney though. How funny life can be to put two so completely different people together. Sidney is strong and decisive and has morals. Adrian is mostly weak and confused and intentionally chooses to forget what morals are, he likes living on the edge. But somehow they match really well and I think they are both just coming to see that for themselves. I can see in Sidney's eyes when she looks at him that she is scared but wants to see something happen with him. She is happy when they are together and so is he. They could really have something special someday.

I heard Sidney place a call earlier to Abe and Jannie. I'm glad she called them. I was too out of it to even think. She told them what happened and it sounds like they are on their way here. I don't know where they were or how long it will take them to get here, but I know when Rose is in danger they come. They want to be here for her now that their relationship is better. I know they love her very much, she may wonder but I don't. Jannie is good with her guardian mask, but knowing how it works I can see the emotion in her eyes even if she tries to hide it. She loves her daughter more then anything.

Alberta has come to check in with me every hour since we arrived. Her concern for Rose is like a mother for her daughter. She has raised her since Rose was 5, I know she loves her like her own.

I was leaning on the door jam to our little waiting room when I see Alberta walk through the clinic door just as Dr. Olenski is walking down the hall way towards us. Finally! Some News!

"Dr. Olenski, thank God, I have been losing my mind with worry, please tell us how Rose is" I say in a rush.

Dr Olenski POV

I was waiting for Rose's party to arrive. All I know is she has been hurt in a fight with a group of Strigoi. I only know she was hit in the back of her head. I am so worried about her, head trauma can be such a serious thing. My God, the trouble that girl gets into. She should have her own room here and she's not even a student anymore! She has been in this clinic more then anyone in the history of the Academy. My nerves are standing on end I can barely stand waiting for them to arrive.

Suddenly, I hear the sound of an engine and its loud, they are driving extremely fast. The next thing I see is the SUV flying through the gate at a high rate of speed. I am sure Guardian Belikov is driving. He is probably desperate to get her here. That makes me more worried though, because that means he knows it's a serious injury. I watch as the SUV screeches to a halt in front of the clinic. The medical team was on standby just waiting their arrival. We all run towards the vehicle as Guardian Belikov practically jumps out of the SUV before it even stops moving. He runs to the passenger side of the vehicle and opens the door. I watch as he lifts Rose's limp body off the seat and brings her to us, laying her down gently on the gurney we have waiting. The look on his face says it all. She is hurt bad. He is trying to hold it together, but on the verge of loosing it.

"Guardian Belikov, tell me what happened." I say as he looks up at me. We start running into the clinic pushing Rose on the gurney. He holds her hand as we run.

"Strigoi hit her hard in the back of her head. I don't know what he hit her with because of the distance, but the sound of it hitting her made a huge cracking noise that echoed through the parking lot. She went down within seconds. She was bleeding profusely, but Lissa healed her enough to stop the bleeding. She has been unconscious since I put her in the SUV." He looks at his watch, "About 48 minutes ago." He says almost breathless. All the stress of the situation showing on his face.

48 minutes oh God. That is not good. "Thank you, Belikov" I let him have a few seconds to kiss her forehead and I hear him whisper some words and we take her away. I look back to see him fall to his knees, head in his hands. I never thought I would see the day that a man like Belikov would show any kind of weakness, but when it comes to his love for Rose…. Words just can't describe. I can only make a promise to myself that I will do all that I can.

O.R. Dr Olenski's POV (Graphic Surgery Scene)

"Nurse Cathleen, get her prepped for surgery immediately. Put in an I.V. push 2mgs Morphine, take her down to get a CAT scan on her brain and get me as soon as you are done" I say in a rush as we get into a room and nurse's strip her of her street clothes placing her in the hospital gown. I check her pupils for reaction her left pupil is fixed and dilated.

"Nurse Betty, please go set up the OR for brain surgery. I will need the standard tray plus the cranial drill, and tubing to drain the fluids and relieve the pressure to her brain."

"Nurse Debra, I need you to get the clippers ready, we may have to shave a portion of Miss Hathaway's head." I say sadly, I know how much Rose likes her long beautiful brown hair. She will be upset when she wakes and sees half of her head shaved.

"Go get the CAT scan NOW!" I say forcefully. They take Rose out of the room and head for radiology. I stand there a moment to collect my thoughts and then head to get clean scrubs on.

20 minutes later I have seen the scans and she has a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Her brain is swelling and was bleeding until Lissa stopped the bleeding. It's causing pressure on the brain as it pushes against the scull. We need to drain the fluid to relieve the pressure on her brain or she will die.

The skull is hard and inflexible while the brain is soft with the consistency of gelatin. The brain is encased inside the skull. During the movement of the skull through space (acceleration) and the rapid discontinuation of this action when the skull meets a stationary object (deceleration) causes the brain to move inside the skull. The brain moves at a different rate than the skull because it is soft. Different parts of the brain move at different speeds because of their relative lightness or heaviness. The differential movement of the skull and the brain, when the head is struck results in direct brain injury, due to diffuse axonal shearing, contusion and brain swelling.

Diffuse axonal shearing is when the brain is slammed back and forth inside the skull it is alternately compressed and stretched because of the gelatinous consistency. The long, fragile axons of the neurons (single nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord) are also compressed and stretched. If the impact is strong enough, axons can be stretched until they are torn. This is called axonal shearing. When this happens, the neuron dies. After a severe brain injury, there is massive axonal shearing and neuron death.

Most people are unaware of the scope of TBI or its overwhelming nature. TBI is a common injury and may be missed initially when the medical team is focused on saving the individual's life. Before medical knowledge and technology advanced to control breathing with respirators and decrease intracranial pressure, which is the pressure in the fluid surrounding the brain, the death rate from traumatic brain injuries was very high. Although the medical technology has advanced significantly, the effects of TBI are significant.

TBI is classified into two categories: mild and severe.

A brain injury can be classified as mild if loss of consciousness and/or confusion and disorientation is shorter than 30 minutes. While MRI and CAT scans are often normal, the individual has cognitive problems such as headache, difficulty thinking, memory problems, attention deficits, mood swings and frustration. These injuries are commonly overlooked. Even though this type of TBI is called "mild", the effect on the injured person can be devastating.

Severe brain injury is associated with loss of consciousness for more than 30 minutes and memory loss after the injury or penetrating skull injury longer than 24 hours. The deficits range from impairment of higher level cognitive functions to comatose states. Survivors may have limited function of arms or legs, abnormal speech or language, loss of thinking ability or emotional problems. The range of injuries and degree of recovery is variable and varies on an individual basis.

The effects of TBI can be profound. Individuals with severe injuries can be left in long-term unresponsive states. For many people with severe TBI, long-term rehabilitation is often necessary to maximize function and independence. Even with mild TBI, the consequences to a person's life can be dramatic. Change in brain function can have a dramatic impact on family, job, social and community interaction.

As I think this through I am scrubbing up for surgery. I don't have time to tell everyone waiting in the lobby. They will have to understand that time was of the essence.

"Nurse Debra have you shaved the occipital area of the head?"

"Yes, Dr. Olenski, she is all prepped and ready."

"Dr. Killian please administer the anaesthesia" I said to the anaesthesiologist.

"Nurse Betty is she on a Morphine drip?"

"Yes, Dr. Olenski, 30mg controled drip."

"Ok, then lets begin"

Rose is laying face down with her head secured with a brace making sure nothing moves. One slip of the drill and she could be dead.I look around at the monitors checking her blood pressure, heart rated and breathing. Her blood preasure is high so we need to watch her closely. I make eye contact with everyone in the room. I am now totally focused on the surgery at hand.

"Scallpel" I say with my hand waiting. I feel the cold handle of the blade being placed into my right gloved hand. I look at Rose one more time and then focus. I place the scallpel on her skin on the left side of her scull. As I press down it easily slices through the dermis layers of the skin. Bright red blood flows from the fresh incision.

"Suction" I watch as the blood is sucked into the tiny tube. I place another cut perpendicular to the one I just made in the shape of a plus sign. The cuts are small just enough to put the drill on the scull. I separate the tissue from the bone with small precise movements of my scallpel.

"Clamps" I pin the skin back to reveal the white scull bone underneath. I place another set of cuts on the right side of her head and clamp the tissue back. I cover the last one with a cloth to protect it from fragments of bone flying into it while I drill through the scull.

"Drill" I hold the drill in my right hand placing the bit on her occipital bone. I pull the trigger on the drill the whine of the motor in combination with the sound of the grinding of the bone is sicking, as I watch it begins to ream away the bone. Fragments of the bone spirial outward and fly away from the hole I am creating. I watch carefully as the drill digs deeper into the scull. Her occipital bone is only about 10mm thick which is only comprarable to the thickness of the tip of my pinky finger. 1cm, does not leave room for error.

I press down waiting for the bone to give way to the tissue contained within. I lighten the pressure as I see the drill coming closer to the right depth. Finally the drill plunges through the bone and blood and other fluids squirt out of the whole. I watch as her blood presure goes down slightly with the release of the built up pressure. I clean the area and place a tube up to the scull and tape it to the scalp it is only temperary to allow drainage.

I move the piece of cloth that is covering the other incision I made on the right side of her head to reveal the scull bone I begin to drill again slowly and carefully. In no time at all there is another hole leaking the fluids from her brain. I watch as her blood presure decreases again. That is a good sign for now. We wait for the fluids to drain from her brain. The preasure seems to be stabilizing.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding and tell the surgical intern to close the wounds and wrap her head.

"Come get me immeadately if you need me." I leave the OR when I look at the time I see it has been 3 ½ hours since I took Rose away. I head down the hall way to a waiting Guardian Belikov.

"Dr. Olenski, thank God, I have been losing my mind with worry, please tell us how Rose is" He says in a rush.

"Belikov, lets step into the room so I can tell everyone at the same time." He nods and steps back inside the little private waiting room.

"I will do my best to explain what is happening to Rose in a way for you to understand. The injury she received from the blow to her head has caused her brain to swell. It was bleeding before Miss Dragomir healed her to stop the bleeding. That was good, because the bleeding causes pressure on the brain and if the pressure isn't released a person can die. We have taken her into surgery. After shaving part of Miss Hathaway's head, I had to drill two small holes in the back of her head to stop the cranial pressure and swelling of the brain. I drained the excess fluids and her blood pressure stabilized, which is a good sign. The surgery went well, Rose is a fighter, and I have high hopes that she will make it through this just fine. The next 24 hours are critical. She will be in the ICU recovering for the next several days. She is still unconscious and we will be waiting for her to wake up. In the mean time she really can't have many visitors. The ICU is highly maintained sanitary environment. Only Guardian Belikov and Miss Dragomir will be allowed in until morning. I know you all have been waiting to see her but she needs complete quiet and rest. We will be watching for signs of a coma. Dimitri you may come see her for a few minutes and then Lissa can have a moment. I suggest the remainder of you go get some rest and you may see her one or two at a time tomorrow." I look around at their stunned faces. I just nod my head to Dimitri for him to follow me. I walk him to the ICU.

DPOV

As Dr. Olenski told us what has happened to my Roza I am stunned. I am not sure how to react. I listened to her and when she said that I could go see her that gave me some hope. I followed her to the ICU. I walked into the main room but inside there was a room that was incased in glass. A nurse was seated at a desk right outside the room with computers and monitors all around her. She gave me a weak smile as I walked towards the door of Roza's room.

The smell is what hit me first. It smelled of strong antiseptic and medicine. I could hear the beeping sounds of the monitors coming from the room as I approached. I was dreading what I would see, my heart was beating so hard I thought it would beat right out of my chest. I walked in through the door and my body froze at the sight of my Roza unconscious hooked up to every machine you could imagine. She was on a respirator so she had a tube down her throat. There was an IV hooked up to both arms. A blood pressure cuff was wrapped around her right bicep. Her head was wrapped in a white bandage. She had wires hanging from her everywhere, her head, her chest, and her finger.

It was the scariest sight I think I have ever seen. I could hardly move. I forced myself to take a step closer. As I moved I felt something wet hit my arm. I looked down at my arm like it was a foreign object. I saw the wet spots and a few more fell. I reached up to touch my face and I realized I was crying. I couldn't contain it any longer. I fell to my knees at Roza's bedside and sobbed. Pain in my chest surged through me I felt like I was going to die. I took her fragile hand in mine and brought it to my cheek. I laid my head down on her stomach and wrapped my arm around her and just cried. I don't know how long I stayed like that but finally I calmed enough to get up I bent my head down to her cheek and gave her a kiss.

For the first time I spoke "Roza, I love you, please come back to me, wake up." I said nothing else. I just sat down in the chair as stared at my precious beloved Roza. A little while later I saw Lissa standing in the ICU area by the nurse's desk. She was standing there looking at me and Rose through the glass. I could see the teardrops falling from her cheeks. I got up from the chair I was sitting in, touched Roza's cheek with my fingertips and walk out to Lissa.

LPOV

I was waiting for a long time for Dimitri to come back but he didn't. Finally I just had to go see her. I have been so worried I can't even function. Rose is my sister. She is one of the most important people in my life. If something happens to her…..I just don't know. I walked toward ICU and when I got to the door I hesitated. I'm so afraid of what I will see. My mind is picturing so many horrible images. I have seen here in a hospital bed before but this time…God, please let her be ok.

I pushed open the door and was relieved that a nurse was sitting there at a desk full of monitors. She gave me a sad smile, stood and greeted me "It's an honor Queen Dragomir" as she bowed to me. I nodded my head and stopped at her desk. "Thank you, I have come to see Miss Hathaway." She pointed to a glass enclosed room. I turned and could see right into the room. Dimitri was on his knees his head on her stomach an arm wrapped around her. He was crying. It was a devastating sight. She looked horrible tubes, wires and machines everywhere.

I saw a chair outside the glass room so I sat down and waited. Dimitri wasn't ready to leave her side yet. I could wait a little longer. So I asked the nurse what her condition was. "Critical" was the only response. My heart sank in my chest. I felt a tear run down my cheek again. I didn't even bother to wipe it away. I sat there for another 15 minutes or so and I stood up again so I could see through the glass again. This time Dimitri was just sitting there staring at her. His face was bank and sad. I could see the pain. It made my heart clench and I started crying again.

Dimitri looked up at me then after a few moments he stood. I watched as he touched her cheek with his fingertips so gently the look in his eyes was heat wrenching. He didn't want to leave her. He was doing it for me. I knew Rose would want him there. I felt bad. But I also know she would want me too. So I waited for him to come out to me. Seconds later he walked away from her.

"Lissa" he said with a nod. "How is she?" I asked even thought I knew the answer. "Same" he mumbled. "You can have a few minutes with her I'm going to go get something to eat and go to the bathroom and stuff. I will be back in a few minutes." He said with a wave of his hand, he just walked away before I replied. He looked absolutely devastated. I watched as he walked through the other door and turned to Rose's room.

Seeing her like that, so hurt and helpless. All the tubes and wires. I couldn't help but just cry. I walked over to her sat in the same chair Dimitri was in and reached for her hand. It felt like I hadn't seen her in forever. I put my hand on her forehead and sent some healing waves through her. I know she doesn't want me to heal her but this is different. Brain injuries are serious. She will just have to accept that I did what I had to do. I watched the monitors and machines and saw all the numbers change as I healed her.

The nurse must have seen it too, because she got up and came in to check on her. She saw my hand on her head and I could see the realization of what I was doing dawn on her. She hesitated then took her pulse and looked at all the machines and then to me. She just nodded and gave me a slight smile. Then she turned and walked out. I heard her hushed tones as she spoke to someone on the phone. I'm sure it was Dr. Olenski.

I sat there with Rose until Dimitri came back. He was already looking rough and it had only been about 7 hours since this whole thing happened. I was worried about him. "Dimitri, are you sure you don't want to get some rest before you stay here?" I asked concerned. He just shook his head. "No, I'm ok, I'll be fine. I have to be here." I stood and walked over to him and gave him a hug. He was taken back at first but then he gave me a small hug back. "She's going to be ok, you know that right, she's a fighter and she will fight to come back to us, to you." I say strongly. He just pulled away and took a deep shaky breath and reached out to touch Rose. His fingers slid in her hand. He just stood there looking down at her. The worry evident in his eyes. "I'm going to get some rest I'll be back in a few hours." I said as I left the room.

The Next Morning

LPOV

When I walked into the ICU to Rose's room I almost panicked. The room was empty! I turned around to the nurses' station and it was empty too. I was so scared, what happened? Where is she! Where is Dimitri! He would have come to get me if something would have happened right? I walk out and thankfully I bumped into another Nurse. "Can you help me, I am looking for Rose Hathaway and she's not in her room in the ICU"

"Yes your Highness, she has been taken for some tests." Oh, thank God. I let out a sigh of relief, for a moment I feared for the worst. "Thank you, Nurse." I say in a breath. I went and sat in the chair outside Rose's room and waited. Finally about an hour later they brought her back. Dimitri was right there with her. He never left her side. He seemed a little more relaxed or relieved, something was different about him. I stood and walked straight to him. "What happened?"

"They checked her brain activity they took a whole bunch of scans. Her brain is better. Much better. They say she could wake up" he said. There was so much hope in his voice I couldn't help but feel the same. "Dr. Olenski is coming down in a minute to explain what's going on in her head." He continued.

It was only moments later when Dr. Olenski walked in.

"Good morning, Queen Dragomir." She greeted me. "Good morning, do you have some good news for us?" I asked eagerly. She smiled. "Yes, come have a seat." She said happily. We took our seats and she looked at both of us for a moment then she started to explain.

"Rose is experiencing some interesting things. She is now stable so her condition is no longer critical. This is great progress in such a short time. I am sure it helped that you healed her last night." She smiled to me.

"Rose's brain has high levels of activity in three major areas, dreams, memory and imagination. She is not in a coma, which is a very good sign. She is in an extremely deep REM sleep. So, another words, she is having a very intense and vivid dream, and memory mixed together. She may be experiencing a deja'vu type thing in the dream, like a memory. I can't tell you where she is in the dream or what is going on but everything feels completely real to her. It is playing out some sort of scenario in her head. As active as her brain is, at the same time it is resting and processing everything here in the real world. As far as I can tell she can hear you. The bad news is that we don't know how long she could stay in this state. She could wake up any second or she could be stuck in this deep REM sleep for days. We just don't know. I think it will depend on how fast her brain recovers from the trauma.

She will stay here in the ICU for 24 more hours, if her condition stays stable as it is now, we will move her to a regular room. Also, she could talk in her sleep and move, but don't be alarmed this is quite normal. She could even respond to stimuli outside of her dream, she could incorporate it into the scenario or she could feel like she is hearing things. These are the mysteries of the mind. Dimitri I assume you will be staying bedside?"

"Yes, I'm not going anywhere." He said firmly.

"Yes, I suspected as much, Queen Dragomir you may stay also if you like." I nodded my head. "I have also heard that Rose's mom and dad will be arriving some time today. I will have them sent directly in when they arrive." Dimitri and I both nod. She stood and walked away.

"I wonder what Rose is dreaming about?" I ask with a slight smile. "I bet you are there." I say to Dimitri with a grin. He shakes his head and has a small smile playing at his lips.

"I don't know I hope it's good" he says with a grin. We both stand and head to Rose's bedside. She looks better, some of the hoses and wires are gone. She looks like she is sleeping peacefully.

Not too long later I hear a commotion outside and look to see Abe and Jannie rushing through the door. Dimitri stands to greet them and we start to explain everything that has happened. They listen patiently as we tell the long story. All the while Jannie is caressing Rose's cheek and arm and hovering over her. Abe is not his composed self that he usually is; I can see the stress weighing heavy on him. I decide it is my time to go for a little while so Abe and Jannie can have their time. I see Dimitri has moved back too, to give them space. I know he won't leave her though.

"Well, I have some Queenly duties to attend to and I need to check in with Kirova. I will let the others know about Roses condition. I will see you later." They all say good bye to me as I leave.

DPOV

"Do you think she will wake soon?" Abe asked.

"I don't know the doc said her brain is recovering so however long that will take."

Abe walked over to Rose and said "Hey little girl" to all of out surprise Rose said "Hey Abe"

I thought for a second she woke up, but looking at her nothing had changed, then I remembered what the doctor said. "She is just responding to outside stimuli." I said as Abe and Jannie looked at me shocked. They both nodded. The disappointment clear on their faces.

So, I sat down again just waiting and wondering what on earth she could be dreaming about.

Well there you have it, the explanation of what is happening to Rose. Tell me what you think, the stuff about TBI is all true. So next chapter we go back to 1898 into Rose's head. We will hear Abe's story of how he met Dimitri. Cool, huh! Let me know what you think. PLEASE HIT THAT REVIEW BUTTON!