I was heading back to my room, planning to lock myself in there for the duration of my stay when I saw my mother standing in my general path. Luckily, she hadn't seen me when I ducked out of the hallway she was standing at the end of. At this point, my hands were killing me. I was hoping to find Adrian again, but I didn't think I'd be that lucky. As I walked, I hoped to maybe find the infirmary, something… anything, but I figured that was at the front of court, where my mother was located. I did not plan on going back there anytime soon. It was then that a familiar voice called my name. When I turned, I found none other than Adrian. When he looked at me, I could tell something was up.

"Dimitri sent you after me… didn't he?" I asked. He started to shake his head, but I placed a hand on my hip, causing him to nod.

"Alright, yeah… he did. He just wanted me to check on you. He said you were hurt." He said, walking over and taking my hands in his own. He leaned down and pressed his lips to the top of my hand, away from the bloody tissue, and I watched as the blood disappeared, and the cuts healed, until nothing was left but a small red mark along my knuckles. I sighed.

"Thank you." I said. He smirked as he released my hand.

"Anytime." He said. "Now, why are you running from Dimitri?"

"Because he's stupid." I muttered, sounding like a petulant child. Adrian chuckled.

"He didn't tell you about your mother being here, did he?"

"You knew too?" I asked.

"I just assumed you did too. I didn't know what kind of relationship you had with her. Had I known, I would have said something." He told me, and I could tell he genuinely meant it. I sighed. "Would you like to come back to my room and hang out? I can tell you're not ready to go back to yours." He said. I nodded once, and allowed him to take my arm, as we walked down the halls of court. When we walked in, I found it to be bigger than mine and Dimitri's rooms put together. I smiled.

"Shouldn't have expected anything less." I said. He laughed. He walked over to his fully stocked bar and poured himself a glass of scotch. I shook my head at him.

"Would you like something to drink?" He asked, motioning to the bar. I smirked and nodded. What better way to get back at Dimitri and my mother than by doing something they both disapprove of. He chuckled. "That's my girl." He handed me a glass, and allowed me to choose. I chose Vodka, only because it was an acquired taste that I could actually stand. I walked over and sat down on his couch.

"I'm sorry I keep using you as a crutch when people piss me off, Adrian." I said. He shrugged.

"It's okay. I don't mind if I get to spend time with you. Plus, I like to think if I ever needed you, that you'd be there for me." He said. I smiled.

"I would be." I promised. He nodded and walked over to sit down next to me.

"So, why the sour feelings towards your mother?" He asked. I sighed.

"I haven't seen her in about ten years." I told him.

"Ten?" He asked, seeming a little shocked. I nodded.

"She dropped me off at St. Vladimirs and I really haven't seen her much since. Lissa's parents took me to see her once when I was younger, cause they felt bad. Other than that, she's never made an attempt to come see me, to let me know she was alive… nothing. It's like I never meant anything to her at all." I told him. He frowned slightly.

"Little Dhampir, I'm sorry." He said. I shook my head.

"Don't apologize for her actions. They were her own. She knew what she was doing when she left me." I told him. He nodded.

"You're so strong though. Do you ever stop to think it's because she wasn't in your life? Because you didn't have someone there to baby you?" He asked.

"I know that's exactly why I am the way I am." I told him. He smiled.

"Would you trade that for a real relationship with your mother?" He asked. I paused, thinking this over, before I shook my head.

"No… I wouldn't." I told him.

"Then can you-."

"It's not the fact that I wouldn't change it, it's the fact that she didn't try. Don't you atleast have some kind of civil union with your parents?" I asked. He nodded. "I don't. I have nothing with that woman, because it's like she never existed. She wasn't ever a part of my life, and now she wants to see me, and tell me how to run my life, or boss me around like a mother would. NO. In order to be treated as my mother, you have to act like my mother first. She failed that task."

"I guess you're right. I understand." He said. "I mean… I don't, cause I haven't experienced it. I can kind of sympathize with you though. My parents and I didn't have the best relationship either. I can understand why you would be upset by it though."

"He should have told me." I said.

"He should have. You're right." By this time, my glass was empty, so Adrian took it and refilled it, handing it back to me. "He's going to kill you, you know. Dimitri or your mother one."

"They can both kiss my ass." I muttered. He chuckled and smiled brightly.

"There's my Hathaway." I rolled my eyes at him as he handed me my glass. I took a large drink of it, loving the way it washed away all the worry and anger I was feeling. I wasn't sure how long I was with Adrian, before there was a knock at the door. Adrian was in the bathroom, so like an idiot, I stumbled to the door. When I opened it, there stood Dimitri. The moment he met my eyes, he frowned. I started to slam the door, when he caught it with his hand, forcing it back open.

"You're drunk." He said.

"I'm not." I argued, stumbling slightly.

"Rose, who was at the-." He started as he came out of his room. "Oh boy." He said, not bothering to finish.

"Come on, Rose. We're going back to your room." He said, grabbing my arm. I snatched myself away, stumbling away.

"What are you going to do, take me to my mom?" I asked, harshly. He sighed.

"Rose, you're acting like a child. You're going to have to face things throughout your life that you don't want too." He said.

"Well, you shouldn't force that on me, Dimitri." I snapped at him. He recoiled slightly. "You don't know me, Dimitri. Stop pretending to understand me, and the shit I go through. You have no idea. I've grown up without parents, watched my best friend's parents die, died myself, ran away, got caught, and in the midst of all of that, I'm losing my mind. Don't act like you get it, because you don't. You don't get me, and you never will… so just give up." By the time I was done, I was lightheaded from using so much oxygen on my rant. He stood there for a second.

"I'm trying to help you, when it's obvious that you need it." He said.

"I don't need anything from you. I'm fine on my own."

"Yes, because you're proving it now." He said, smartly.

"I don't need you to help me. I don't want your help. I'll do fine on my own, because I'm strong. I'm strong regardless of all the shit I've had to deal with. I don't need you, nor do I want you, so just leave me alone." I said, almost screaming at him. He stood there, staring at me. I watched as his eyes changed slightly before he put on that guardians mask and turned walking out. I stood there, staring after him. The moment the words left my mouth, I knew I'd regret them. I stood there, staring at the now slammed shut door.

"Damn it." I muttered, running a hand through my hair. Adrian was silent behind me. I turned to look at him, and he just stared at the door, where Dimitri had been. He then looked down at me.

"What just happened?" He asked.

"I… I don't even really know." I sat down on the edge of the couch and put my head in my hands. I knew I'd just fucked everything up royally.

"It'll be alright." He said, sitting down beside me. I sighed, knowing it wouldn't be.

"Look, it's been fun, but I've got to go." I said.

"Rose, don't go yet-." He started. I shook my head.

"I've already fucked things up, Adrian. I don't need to make them worse." I turned and kissed his forehead.

"Goodnight." I said, getting up and walking out, closing the door behind me. I started across court, heading for my room, when I heard a voice. Damn.

"What?" I groaned.

"Where have you been? Dimitri and I have been looking for you." She scolded me.

"He found me. Can I go to my room please?" I asked, stumbling a little. She narrowed her eyes slightly.

"You're drunk."

"Now that we're done stating the obvious." I muttered, annoyed.

"You know better than this, Rosemarie."

"Goodnight Janine." I said, turning and walking away. She grabbed my wrist to try and stop me, but I yanked away, pushing her back. "Don't touch me. Don't act like you care, don't pretend to be a mother now. I told you to stay away from me, and I meant it. I'm so much better off without you in my life, Janine. I don't want anything to do with you. I have Lissa. She's all I'm ever going to need." I said.

"If you keep behaving this way, I'll see you never get her." She said. I growled, and stepped towards her. I felt darkness coursing through my veins now. This could end badly.

"You wouldn't dare."

"I'd do it if it's what's best for her." She said.

"I am what's best for her." I screamed at her.

"Not when you're doing things like this." She said, motioning to my wobbling figure. I growled.

"Stay away from me." I turned and walked away.

"Rosemarie, do not walk away from me."

"Good-bye Janine." I said, as I continued down the hall. When I got to my room, I turned and looked at Dimitri's door. I debated on knocking and apologizing, but decided not to, and walked into my room. I changed out of my uniform, and put on my PJ's and laid down. I tossed and turned, feeling exceptionally guilty for what I'd said to Dimitri. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep if I didn't apologize, so I got up, and walked out to his door. I knocked twice, and waited. I heard his feet hit the floor, and approach the door. It wasn't until I heard him coming, that I realized I had no idea what I was going to say. When the door opened, he took one look at me, and started to shut it again. I slammed my hand against it, preventing him from closing it.

"It's late… what do you want?" He asked.

"Can I talk to you?" I murmured.

"I'm listening." He said.

"Dimitri-." I said. He turned and walked away from the door, leaving it open. I followed him in, closing the door behind him. I knew this had bad idea written all over it as well, but I didn't care. "I'm sorry for what I said to you. I didn't mean it. I was upset… and tipsy. I blew up."

"It's not even important anymore, Rose. We'll be back at the estate tomorrow, and she'll be out of your hair, and this will be the past." He said. I looked down, and back up at him.

"I can't have you mad at me." I said, taking a few steps towards him.

"Rose, it doesn't matter anymore. Just go to your room, and get some sleep."

"No, don't tell me it doesn't matter, because it does. I hurt you… I saw it." I said. His head snapped up and his eyes locked on mine. "I saw the look of hurt in your eyes when I said I didn't want or need you. Don't tell me that it didn't bother you, because I'm not blind. I know you better than that. Please, don't be mad at me."

"How'd you know?" He asked.

"I saw it in your eyes. You're easy for me to read, Dimitri." I told him. "I can see past your guardian mask."

"Roza…" He murmured. My heart jumped slightly. I knew he only used that nickname when he was feeling affectionate towards me. "It… It doesn't matter anymore. It's not a big deal."

"Admit it…" I whispered.

"Admit what?"

"That what I said hurt you. I need to hear you say it." I murmured. He'd never admit to it, had it not been me asking, but I knew he would.

"It hurt me. I didn't believe it, but the fact that you said it is what made it hurt." He said. I shook my head.

"You know I need you. I wouldn't have made it through half the stuff I've been through without you, Dimitri. You know that." I said. He took a few steps forward, putting us only a few inches apart, and took my hands in his.

"I know. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about her. I should have forewarned you, and I didn't."

"It doesn't matter anymore. We'll be gone by-." I started to say, when he caught me in the web that was his eyes. I was like a moth to a flame. I was drawn into him. He leaned in first, but the moment his lips touched mine, my body was a blaze. I reached up, wrapped my arms around his neck, bringing my body to his. He grabbed the hair tie in my hair, pulling it out so he could knot his fingers into my hair. It wasn't long before I realized what was really happening, what I was doing, and what I was getting myself into. I pulled away from him, and met his dark eyes.

"Dimitri… I-."

"We can't… but I-." He started, but I shook my head. I stepped back away from him, putting some distance between the two of us.

"I need to go." I said, starting towards the door. I opened it and spared a final look at him.

"Goodnight." He called, before I shut the door. When I got back to my room, my heart was racing. It was like he'd spiked my blood. I went into the bathroom, and got a quick shower, before laying down in my bed. Even after washing my face, I could still taste him on my lips as I feel into a blissful, yet confused sleep.