Please read

A/N: I'm back at school so I can't always update. Come to think of it, I may not be able to update a lot because this is my last year of school, and it's the most important. And school is way more important than updating, so in order to pass this year, I'm taking a few breaks off ff.

So don't ask when I'm going to update next, because it might be awhile.

Don't own VA, only own plot and a few characters.

Chapter 12

Walking up to Dimitri, I saw my whole life flash before me. The first kiss we shared. The love making in the cabin. The times he'd been there for me. The love that we shared was pure and wild. But now…now it's different. I'm protective of him and yet hate him at the same time. What kind of relationship is that? Is it worth holding onto? What kind of life would I be living then, with despising yet loving this man, while spending my life with Raiden.

Raiden…

His betrayal hurt me the worst. Not even Dimitri getting it on with Tasha compared to the damage Raiden has caused me. His scheme with Tallon and his sisters made me question whether he ever loved me. Perhaps he married me to the get the answers he needed, answers to questions I didn't know. Or maybe he was toying with me this whole time.

Regardless, I was over it all, the lies, the cheating, everything. And when I mean I'm over it, I mean I can't live this way any more.

"Do me a favor," I started, and then paused.

Sensing my unease, he spoke, "Yes?"

Looking into his eyes, I continued. "You know that it's either you or me that dies here today."

For a long time he didn't respond. He simply stared into my eyes, just like I did with his. In those few minutes of eye contact, I saw how much this was going to affect us. If he was the one to die then the only way to not be affected it is to forget. The only way I'd do that is to switch off the guilt button. And then it was done.

But I couldn't.

"It'll be better this way," I said, and then lifted up my gun.

And placed it in his hand. He stiffened, looking down at the gun as if it was a UFO. His numb hand closed around it unwillingly. His eyes met mine and then took a step back.

"No," he breathed.

"You have too," I whispered.

His shook his head viciously. "No. I can't."

My eye narrowed dangerously. I watched him gulped nervously.

"I'm so over all of this, Dimitri," I said. Then started walking towards him. For every step I took, he took one back. "Especially the lies and the hatred. It's all too much for one person to handle. You love me, and so does Raiden. You've betrayed and so has he. I'm in a fucking triangle!" I yelled the last bit and kicked at a nearby steel post, flinging it off the building.

After releasing a shaky breath, he spoke through his teeth. "Rose-"

"And what choice do I have then to just leave if you refuse to cooperate," I madly gestured at the gun in his hand. "I'm not sticking around, I can't. Not anymore."

"But this isn't the answer!" he exclaimed, gesturing angrily to the gun. "I'm not going to repeat myself-"

"Rose!" a voice I knew too well cried out. I heard footsteps advancing. Turning my head to the side, I saw Raiden making his way towards us. Tallon stood next to his twin with their sisters flanking them.

"Get away from me," I growled at Raiden.

"You take another step, Tallon, and you'll regret it," Dimitri warned, lifting up the gun. It wasn't pointed to me, but at Raiden. They stopped, but Raiden's eyes were fixated on me. Dimitri turned back towards me and met my eyes.

He shook his head in despair. "I can't do it, Rose. You mean too much to me."

"Do what? What does she want you to do?" Raiden demanded, taking a step forward.

I didn't look at him once.

Dimitri threw the gun a few feet behind him. Before I opened my mouth to speak, I closed my eyes in annoyance as I heard more Strigoi leap onto the building. All of which I knew. My family.

"Rose?" Sonya gasped. Opening my eyes I saw everyone except Joe and Jade, including Hope, in a perfect line on one side of the building, opposite to where Raiden stood. Sonya must have gotten rid of them as soon as she could get her hands on a vehicle. Looking at her expressionlessly, I saw her eyes take in everything. My position with Dimitri close by. And finally Raiden.

Her eyes widened when she saw his family behind him. "Raiden, what is going on?"

I barked a harsh laugh, and lazily got to my feet. "Do me a favor and never trust another word that comes out of his mouth," I sneered, and turned towards him with a look of utter disgust. "He's been working with Tallon all along."

"With Tallon?" Sonya exclaimed.

Aleena's eyes widened in shock. Her blonde hair flying in the wind gave her a daunting effect. "Why would he do that?" she exclaimed.

"Because he's a traitor," I spat.

"Let me explain," Raiden pleaded, rising his hands in defeat and took a couple of steps closer to me.

"No," I said darkly. "I won't give you the privilege of explaining anything, because then you'd just be telling me things I already know. You never loved Hope, or the family. Or even me," I added the last bit in a hushed toned.

Breathing hard, his eyes were overcome with shock. "That's bullshit! I love you! I always have, ever since we've met!"

"This is all a misunderstanding," Jenna carefully put in.

I felt like screaming shut up to her.

After a few seconds of exaggerated silence, I met Dimitri's eyes. There was so much devotion caught up in those beautiful set of eyes, but the outcome was still there. It was either me or him.

I already chose.

Flinging myself in motion, I dodged around Dimitri and went for the gun. Already guessing what I'd do, Raiden ran after me. His body collided with mine just before I could reach the gun. We tumbled to the edge of the building. In the few milliseconds that I was down, he rolled on top of me and straggled me.

I growled. "Get off!"

I struggled against him but it was no use. Still, I kept on fighting.

"Don't let him get away," Raiden forced out, ducking to miss my fist lashing out at him. Tallon and his sisters grabbed hold of Dimitri while Raiden and I struggled.

"I know you hate me right now," he said. "I know you don't believe me but I love you."

He cupped my face with his hands. If I were still a dhampir, tears would be falling by now. I shook my head roughly.

He went on. "And that's why I'm doing this for you," he said.

Then he let me go.

But I misunderstood. I wriggled out from under him only to see him crawling backwards towards the gun. My eyes widened when he rose to his feet with the gun and pointed it at Dimitri.

And fired.