DPOV

Roza's due date is a week away, but her contractions have gotten worse. She's had horrible back pains, her ankles were swollen, and she seemed miserable. I've done everything in my power to keep her comfortable, but the baby is so close to being born. I've called the doctor on everything that has been going on with Roza, and she says that when Roza's water breaks, that's when she should be sent to the infirmary.

"Comrade?" Roza was lying on my bed, trying to rest. "My back really hurts." I was on my laptop, trying to figure out as much as I can about childbirth. Yeah, I learned a few things from when my sisters had their children, but this is my first child, and I want to make sure I have some idea on what to do.

Closing my laptop, I walked over to Roza, knelt down, and started gently rubbing her back.

"I'm sorry, Roza," I sighed.

Roza laughed humorlessly. "It isn't your fault."

"I got you pregnant," I said softly, almost guiltily.

"We had to get pregnant," she muttered.

Not saying anything else, I continued to gently rub her back. Making a slight grunting sound, Roza shifted uncomfortably.

"Should I get you something?" I asked worriedly.

She shook her head. "No, I'm fine. But something doesn't feel right."

I frowned at her. "What do you mean?"

She carefully turned and looked at me, her brows furrowed in confusion. "Can't you feel it?" I shook my head.

"It could be a shadow-kissed thing," I suggested carefully. She gave a halfhearted shrug.

"I just don't like this feeling," she said irritably.

"Is it another contraction?" I asked.

She shook her head. "The contractions are more painful, this is just a jumpy feeling. And it's not the baby moving, it's something else."

I shook my head and sighed, feeling helpless. "I'm not sure what to tell you, Roza."

Awkwardly standing up, Roza swung her legs off the side of the bed and gave a long sigh. Slowly standing up, and wincing a little, she awkwardly walked into the bathroom. I followed behind, making sure she got there safely.

"You don't need to follow me, Dimitri." She looked at me tiredly. "I won't break."

I gave a small smile. "I know you won't." I jumped a little when there was a knock on my door. Hesitantly, I went to go open it, looking back at Roza one last time. She had already gone into the bathroom, the door closed and locked. Quickly nodding, I opened the door.

The only thing I saw was a gun to my face.

... :) :) ...

A human. It was a human. A man, not as tall as me and not as physically fit. He had a slender build but it wans't like the usual Moroi slender. The man was probably in his forties, already balding, and had stubble covering his chin.

"Where's the girl?" he asked icily. I could just see the gun slightly trembling in his hands. "Where is she?"

"Dimitri?" Roza called from the other side of the door. "Who's at the door?"

The man looked at the bathroom door then back at me. "Go get her," he commanded.

"No." I looked at the man straight on. If I were Moroi, I'd compel the man to go away, but I'm dhampir, so I'd have to use what I know how to fight.

The man pressed the gun's barrel to my throat. "Go. Get. Her."

QUICKY A/N: CLIFFHANGER! I'LL LET YOU KNOW, DEAR REVIEWERS, THAT I HAVE DECIDED ON WHAT ROSE&DIMITRI'S BABY'S GENDER SHOULD BE!:) I'LL LET YOU GUYS FIGURE IT OUT ON THE UPCOMING CH.'S! & SORRY I HAVEN'T BEEN REVIEWING IN A WHILE. MY PUPPY GOT PUT DOWN LAST NIGHT AFTER HAVING SOME HEALTH ISSUES SO I'M DEPRESSED.

BUT I UPDATED & I HOPE Y'ALL LIKE IT!:D

THANKS!

:) :)

YOURS TRULY,

~SMITHY