Hey everyone! Here's the next chapter!

Warning: there is a little bit of swearing – it's in Russian

Disclaimer: I don't own anything VA related, just my own story line.

Chapter 3:

Dimitri's POV:

I wake up with the world's worst headache. It's ten times worse than being hung-over. "черт возьми," I manage to mumble. Something – or someone – squeezes my hand. I open my eyes and see a familiar face.

"Tasha?" I ask. What is she doing in my room?

"Yes, Dimka. I'm here."

"What happened?" Why are you in my room? Is what I really want to ask.

"You were attacked by Strigoi-" WHAT?! Oh God, how did they get into the school? Looking around I realise that I'm not in my room, but what looks like a hospital room. I must be in the school's infirmary. I have no idea what happened. Hopefully Tasha can shed some light on the situation.

"How? I ask, "I was in my room. Was the school attacked? Is any else hurt?"

Tasha's confused expression doesn't fill me with any confidence.

"Dimka," she says. Ugh, must she always call me that? I mean I know it's my nickname, but I hate the way she says it. "You're not at the school. You're at Court. What do you remember?"

How in the world did I end up in Court? Was my condition that bad that I couldn't be treated at the school? I think back to the last thing I remember. It was a normal night of patrolling the school grounds; nothing out of the ordinary.

"I remember going on patrol at St. Vladimir's, and then coming back to my room and falling asleep." Tasha's expression becomes more panicked.

"Do you remember any else you did that day?" She asks.

"I went over the case file that was given to me on the two run away students." That's has been an interesting task, finding the last Dragomir, Princess Vasilisa and her novice friend Rose Hathaway. They have been gone for about 2 years. They are very good at hiding. If I can find them I will be appointed Princess Dragomir's guardian. That is a huge honour. I hope I can find them.

Tasha's expression of shock brings me out of my thoughts. What's so bad? I mean, I know the two students have been missing for a long time, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to find them.

"And you haven't found them yet?" She asks.

"No, but we got a lead in Portland. We were going to investigate the next morning." I guess that won't be happening now, since I'm injured and at Court.

Tasha gives me a sympathetic look. I start to get a sinking feeling in my stomach. Whatever she is going to say next is not going to be good.

"Sweetie," Sweetie? Seriously? Ugh. "It's been about a year since the guardians found them," I eyes widen in shock. A year?! A whole year?! Before I can speak Tasha continues, "You left St Vladimir's and came to work at Court. Yesterday, you were hit in the head and knocked unconscious when Strigoi attacked you at the mall."

How the hell can I not remember a whole year?!

"I don't remember any of it." I say dismally. The headache is getting worse, if that's even possible. "Why did I leave and come to Court?" I ask. Maybe I followed the Princess here? Tasha gives me a gentle smile.

"It's okay," she says. "I remember everything. You came to Court because of me."

My brow furrows. Why would I come to Court because of Tasha? She answers my unspoken question, but it didn't make me feel any better.

"You're my guardian, and I'm pregnant with your child."

Turns out my headache can get worse. A lot worse. My mind starts spinning. How did we even get together? I've never been interested in Tasha. What changed? Did we get drunk, sleep together and, consequently, Tasha got pregnant? I know I don't have feelings for her. I don't want to hurt her though. I'll have to be careful with how I word my next questions.

"Are we… a couple?" I ask quietly. She smiles wide.

"Yes Dimka, we are. We have been together for a few months now. I found out that I'm about 3 weeks pregnant." So it happened quite recently. I wonder how, I mean, obviously I know how, but was the pregnancy unexpected?

"Were we planning on getting pregnant?" I ask.

"Well, children have always been in our plans, Dimka." The grin on her face stays the same, it's almost creepy. "But, no. This pregnancy was unplanned. It happened when we had a few too many drinks one night out. We were so overcome with passion for one another that we didn't think properly about precautions."

Okay, that definitely doesn't sound like me. I would never get drunk while out with my charge, even if she is my girlfriend. I shudder slightly at the idea of Tasha being my girlfriend. Don't get me wrong, Tasha is a wonderful and strong woman. But the way she goes about dealing with certain government topics, like the use of offensive magic, is more to the extreme nature. To put it bluntly, she's a bit crazy. I have known her for many years, and we have been great friends. But in recent years, her risqué ideas have be too out there for me. Besides, she really isn't my type. I wonder if I had an ulterior motive for choosing to be with Tasha, as a partner and a guardian.

I was brought out of my thoughts by Christian Ozera, Tasha's nephew, entering the room. He looks relieved. He opens his mouth to say something, but before he could, Tasha hurries to him and ushers him out of the room. She flashes me a winning smile before saying, "I'll be right back."

They both exit the room and Tasha closes the door behind her. How odd. Why wouldn't Christian be allowed to talk to me? I sigh. Too many weird things have happened since I woke up. The pounding headache isn't helping either. I close my eyes and try to relax.

Tasha's POV:

Damn, I nearly forgot about Christian. Time to work some magic. I stare directly into his eyes and feel the magic of compulsion. His expression goes slack. Perfect.

"Christian, you are going to forgot about the events that happened in the past 24 hours. You haven't seen Dimitri, because you gave him a couple days off. Dimitri has become my guardian, not yours. If any one asks you, he requested to be my guardian. Do you understand?"

He nods solemnly. "Yes Aunt Tasha."

"Good. Now leave the hospital, you never saw Dimitri and I here."

With a dazed look he turns around and leaves. I sigh in relief. My plan is working so far. If things go the way I want, Dimitri will be a part of my life forever. Just as I'm about to walk back into Dimitri's room, his doctor comes down the hallway. Hmmm. I better make sure the doctor doesn't reveal any unwanted information.

I smile warmly at the doctor and catch his eye. His expression goes slack, just like Christian's.

"Hello, Doctor. I just want to make sure that no personal information will be revealed when discussing Dimitri's condition. You will only talk about the necessary medical information that he is required to know."

He nods, "Yes Lady Ozera."

"Great," I say, dropping the compulsion, "let's go talk to Dimitri."

We enter Dimitri's room. His eyes were closed so I thought he was asleep. But as soon as we approach, he eyes snap open. The Doctor smiles kindly at him.

"Hello Guardian Belikov. How are you feeling?"

They discuss Dimitri's condition for quite some time. The doctor is very concerned that Dimitri doesn't remember a whole year of his life. However, after multiple tests and examinations, the doctor finally concludes that Dimitri is – physically - fine and can be discharged. I follow the Doctor out to get Dimitri's belongings. I need to get a hold of Dimitri's phone and block Rose's number. Once I get his things, I quickly grab his phone. The screen is flashing with multiple missed calls from the skank. Ugh. There are also missed calls from Lissa as well. Hmmm. Maybe I should just replace his sim card and get him a new number, so nobody can reach him. I pocket the phone and take the rest to Dimitri.

"Let's go to our apartment, sweetie," I smile grandly at him. He looks confused again.

"We live together?" he asks.

"Yes we do," I reply happily.

He gives me a small smile as we exit the room. He is quiet while we walk to my - I mean our apartment. As we enter, he slowly walks around and examines his surroundings.

"Where are all my things?" he asks. I freeze for a moment, then quickly recover and say, "Well, we only just decided recently that we would live together, so all your things haven't been transferred yet." I flash him another winning smile and he seems content with my answer. He suddenly looks very tired. It must be exhausting not knowing what's going on.

Before he can ask me any more dangerous questions I say, "Dimka, why don't you go lie down and rest. I'll bring you some hot chocolate."

He seems very happy with the idea, and goes into my room to lie down. I whip out my phone and ring to have a new phone sent to Dimitri. I smile deviously. My plans are working.

Christian's POV:

Wow, I'm confused. I walk away from the hospital in a daze. Why was I at the hospital? Was someone hurt? I walk around Court, trying to figure out what's going on through my muddled mind. My phone buzzes in my pocket. It's Rose ringing. What could she want? She hardly ever rings me.

"Hello?"

"Fire boy, where's Dimitri?" Rose demands.

"Well, hello to you too, Rosie," I say. I hear her scoff which makes me smirk. I love riling her up. It's so easy to do.

"Christian, I'm serious. I tried ringing him several times, but he didn't pick up."

Okay this is bad. Firstly, Rose rarely ever calls me by my first name. Secondly, she is hardly ever serious; and thirdly, Dimitri rarely ever misses her calls. Ever. On the unusual occasion that he does, he would ring her back almost immediately. I try and think back to the last time I spoke to him. Was it yesterday? I furrow my brow. I can't actually remember when I last saw him. Did I give him a day off? That's right; I gave him a couple days off. I don't know why though. How odd.

"Are you there, Fire boy?" Rose's comment brings me back to the conversation.

"Yeah, yeah. I haven't heard from him the past couple days. I gave him time off."

"Why did you give him time off?" She asks. Good question.

"Umm, I guess because I'm a great charge?" I'm really confused but I don't want to worry Rose. Yes, that's right; I do actually care about Rose's wellbeing. I just have a unique way of showing it.

"Okay then," she says slowly. "Well, if you hear from him, can you please tell him to call me?"

"Yeah, of course," I reply, trying to sound more confident and reassuring.

"Thanks. Later Sparky."

"Bye, Rosie." We both laugh then hang up.

Man, I'm so confused. I have no idea where Dimitri is. I try calling him. It goes straight to voicemail. I guess I the first place to look for him would be at his apartment. I sigh wearily before making my way across Court to his apartment building.

Translation: черт возьми = f*cking hell

Okay, so, not a cliff-hanger this time. I have a reason for that. Early next week I'm having a minor operation, so I might not feel up to writing until later in the week. I'll try and write as much as possible this weekend so then I'll be able to update sooner rather than later. But yeah, I'm just warning you all that an update might not happen for a while. But don't worry, I'm definitely not abandoning this story! I've got too many great ideas to give this up : )

Also, who loved Dimitri's POV and his opinion on Tasha? I found that fun to write hehe.

Thanks to everyone for has followed and favourite-d (that's a word, trust me ; )). You guys rock : D