A/N:

Thank you all so much for the awesome reviews and endless support! =) A reviewer pointed out a big mistake I made last chapter - Sydney accidentally appeared two times in Saving Me, earlier as a waitress and later as a kidnap victim. I'm sorry for such an obvious mistake, it can be very difficult to keep track of characters when you're writing several stories at the same time! :P I will fix this mistake very soon.

This chapter leaves lots of questions hanging in the air, but I promise you they will ALL be answered soon! Enjoy!

~Ms. Belikov

Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, profit from this story and all creative rights to the characters belong to Richelle Mead.

The original content, ideas and intellectual property of this story are owned by Ms. Belikov. Please do not copy, reproduce, or translate without express written permission.

Previously on Saving Me...

I turned around and continued towards the cops. A smile appeared on my face when I saw Sydney exit the back of a flashing vehicle, the expression on her face frantic. She had come back for me just like she'd promised. She had saved me.

Snap.

I looked down. "A bear trap. You've got to be fucking kidding me."

My body collapsed, the pain unlike anything I had ever known. The world spun wildly and I blinked slowly. Something flashed before my vision, and I used my last bit of consciousness to see what it was.

A very tall, gorgeous man came at me.

"Hey Comrade," I grinned stupidly. "Good to have you back."

And then I blacked out.

"If those fucking cops had just listened to me and gotten there sooner…"

Hey, I recognized that voice.

"You did the best you could,"

That one sounded oddly familiar, too.

"Clearly, my best wasn't good enough." A tight, female voice said.

"I'm just glad both of you are safe now," Now that vacant voice made my heart clench. "It cannot change what has already been done, but it will stop any further damage."

A soft crying noise drifted over to my ears, and I tried to say something, but couldn't get my mouth to open for the life of me.

Hello! HELLO! I screamed.

No one heard me.

I'm right here! Somebody please help me!

Paralyzed.

I couldn't move.

Claustrophobia drowned me in darkness, followed by panic as flashbacks slammed into my brain.

"My shoulder's on fire!" I screamed in agony at the pain exploding on the left side of my body. "My shoulder is on fire!"

I couldn't breathe.

Please let me out of here! My body began to thrash wildly, but something told me nobody could save me.

Blood sprayed out of his already ruined face, but did little to stop him. Adrenaline and rage were one hell of a cocktail, evidently. This man was a machine, a monster, and it took little effort on his part to throw me to the ground and get on top of me.

All hope vanished when his hands clenched around my throat and began to squeeze the life out of me. I made useless pleads for God to allow me to see one more sunrise.

I reached up far and clawed at his face, aiming for his eyes, but that only seemed to anger him even more.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Something changed in the police officers' expressions, they became more tense, more alarmed.

The one closest shouted something at me, but I didn't hear it.

My whole world went backwards as something grabbed onto my hair and yanked me to a stop. Then I felt a stabbing pain in my back as the blade plunged deep into me.

A popping noise rang out, and I looked over my shoulder.

A small red dot formed on the left side of his chest. He blinked heavily once, and slumped to the ground.

Distantly I was aware of a machine screaming frantically, followed by complete chaos.

"Everybody out! I need everybody out right now!" A male voice commanded. Orders were shouted out, and in the background, a woman screamed helplessly as she fought against whoever forced her out of the room.

As for me, it got better. My world began to fade farther and farther away from my reach, the fuzziness completely engulfing my body, mind, and soul.

And then everything stopped completely.

Was I dead?

This time when I woke up, I wasn't drenched in dread, which was a good thing.

Another good thing—I had the ability to open my eyes.

I blinked heavily several times, my lids feeling like two fifty-pound dumbbells.

The blaring light from above blinded me, and I quickly squeezed my eyes shut. "Ugh. Son of a bitch!"

There was a shuffling noise to my left, followed by soft yet purposeful footsteps. The level of instinct in my body kicked up to the sky, and I unleashed a swift attack. Something caught my wrist mid-strike.

"Rose." That gravelly, accented voice, as corny as it sounded, was like heaven to my ears.

"Dimitri?" I croaked, locking eyes with him. "Dimitri? Is that you?"

"It's me. I'm here."

"Where have you been?" Something snapped inside of me like a rubber band, and I just couldn't stop. "Why did you leave me? Damn it. Goddamn it!"

Ignoring the way my body screamed in protest, I locked my arms around his neck and hugged him with everything in me. I loved the way he held me back like he never wanted to let go.

"I missed you so fucking much." Tears spilled down my cheeks, and I didn't give a damn.

"I missed you, Roza." The longing and pain in his voice was unmistakable. My chest burned and tightened in response. A hand drifted up the back of my neck and wrapped in my tangled hair.

Closing my eyes, I took a long moment to fully absorb him. The way his hard, large body made me feel safer than I had been in a long time. The natural scent of his skin that made my heart pound. The unbreakable embrace that brought me home.

I was exactly where I belonged.

Dimitri was the love of my life, and I couldn't believe that I'd pushed him back, forced him to stay away from me. Never would I make that mistake again. I needed him like the air I breathed, and not just because of what I'd recently been put through.

He pulled back, and my fingers tightened in his shirt, but it was only to stare into my eyes. His bottomless gaze was something that would forever bring me warmth, familiarity…love.

There it was. I saw it in the way he looked at me. He loved me as much as I loved him.

Dimitri pressed his forehead to mine for a moment, then kissed me so gently it made me cry harder.

"Back up," I said, half laughing and sobbing. "I haven't brushed my teeth in…"

"Four days."

"FOUR DAYS!" I exclaimed. "I've been out for that long?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"You sustained significant injuries."

The memories of my captor were like bullets through my heart. "Oh, right."

Dimitri stood up straight, brushed a lock of hair out of my face. The look in his eyes was vacant, distant, violent. It threatened to send chills up my spine, but I'd already seen so much, nothing really scared me anymore.

I captured his hand and pressed a kiss to his palm.

"I won't ever leave you again, no matter what you say or do to get me to go away." Dimitri told me. "I will protect you Roza, and make sure that you are always safe and taken care of."

I gazed at the bandage on my shoulder. The cast wrapped around my foot and leg. "I need more drugs."

He chuckled richly. God, I loved his laugh.

"Where are you going?" My heart dropped, absolute terror freezing my entire essence.

"The doctor. He needs to be informed that you've awoken."

I nodded my head rapidly, trying to convince myself everything was going to be okay and Dimitri wasn't going far.

The door opened and he disappeared. I waited anxiously, doing my best to stay calm. The beeping of the heart machine grew louder. With each nurse and doctor that passed by, I'd jump and get severely annoyed with myself. Why was I so afraid?

Suddenly, an ominous feeling consumed me. I held my breath, fresh sweet blooming over my skin.

Several more nurses passed by, pushing a male patient on a stretcher. The man turned his head towards me.

"Kiz," Abe grinned sinisterly, distorted mouth full of dark blood. "There is no escaping me…even in death."

I screamed.

Dimitri was before me in a flash. "What's wrong, Rose? Rose. Say something."

Fear closed up my throat, the words sucked right out of my lungs. I lifted my arm and pointed at the hallway, hand shaking uncontrollably. "A-a-a-a…Abe. Abe."

But then I blinked, and the patients face vanished into a stranger. An average looking, middle-aged man being treated for an ugly gash across his chest.

"He was there," I said. "I swear, I saw him. He was right there!"

"No." Dimitri said, grabbing my face and forcing me to turn my head. "He's not."

"But I saw him—"

"Look at me, Rose." Dimitri commanded. I obliged. Those seemingly endless eyes bore into mine, and a blanket of tranquility covered me. "Take three deep breaths. Do you trust me?"

I nodded.

"I need you to say it."

"I trust you."

"Then believe me when I say that wasn't him and you are entirely safe with me." Dimitri said, voice so deep and soothing. "No one is going to cause you harm. I swear by it."

I stared at him, and couldn't help but believe so deeply in every word he said. "Okay," I croaked finally. "Thank you."

Lissa poked her head in the door and screamed, "Ohmigod! Ohmigod! Ohmigod! She's awake!"

"She's awake?" A crowd inquired.

"Yeah, she's awake!"

"No way!"

"Way! "

"Really?"

"Just shut up and get in here!"

All at once, the room was filled with familiar, loving faces. I expected to feel panicked, claustrophobic, desperate to get away from anybody and everybody.

But all I felt was need. A need so strong to have them around me, as if my very life depended on it.

Janine, Adrian, Sydney, Christian, and Lissa all stared with wariness, careful to give me space. I was shocked to see tears glistening in every single one of their eyes.

My vision went blurry and I barely sobbed out, "come here, you big babies," before I was ambushed and smothered with hugs.

"Move it! She's my best friend!" Lissa bumped Christian out of the way with her hip to gain better access. He stumbled, and to steady himself, grabbed onto my bad leg.

"Ahhhhhh!" I hissed. "Holy mother fucker—sorry mom—that hurt like hell! Owwwwwww. Sssssssssss."

"Damn it—sorry Janine—Christian!" My best friend punched her boyfriend in the arm. "Ohmigod Rose, are you okay? I'll get the doctor. Doctor! DOCTOR!"

"EMERGENCY!" Adrian called out.

"911!" Sydney shouted.

"Guys relax," I laughed, gritting my teeth in pain. "I just need some drugs ASAP. I'll take anything right about now."

"Holy shit—sorry Ms. Hathaway—Rose, are you okay?" Christian came forward, sounding very sincere, which was a first for the smart-ass. "I totally didn't mean to! I'm so fucking—my apologies again, Ms. Hathaway—sorry."

"It's okay. I'm fine. Just get me some drugsssssss! NOW."

The doctor came in and issued everyone out, except Dimitri when he realized I was beginning to freak out, and adjusted some of my IV's and the clear bags hanging from the medical wrack. The dripping rate increased.

"Hello, Rosemarie. How are you feeling?"

"Hey doc," I slurred, my tongue suddenly feeling heavy. "Really goooooood."

"I want you to count back from ten for me, sweetie." He directed, and I smiled goofily.

"Mmmkay." I giggled. "10, 9, 8…7…"

"Hell yeah! This place is poppin'." I nodded appreciatively, gazing around at our new two-bedroom apartment.

"What are you doing?" Dimitri asked from behind me, humor in his voice.

"Dancing terribly." I sang, as I danced around awkwardly with my leg cast. "This is the life of a, the life of a, go getta! Go getta! Oh, look at me go, Comrade. Bet you can't do this. Whoop. Whoop. Don't be jealous!"

He merely stared at me as I attempted to do the moonwalk with crutches, lips twitching.

"I'm not envious."

"Yes, you are. Don't lie."

"You are crazy."

I smiled, "Thank you. How are you feeling?"

"Like I want to kiss you."

"Then come to mama, sugar!"

Dimitri growled, "Don't call me that," but nonetheless closed the distance between us, cradled my head in his large hands, and pressed his full mouth to mine.

When I pulled back, I was—of course—intoxicated with desire, my IQ stuck in the single digits. "I love the way you kiss me," I mumbled, lips centimeters away from his.

"I love the way you taste." Dimitri said, eyes blazing.

"Ahem." Someone cleared their throat loudly. Our heads snapped over. Two police officers stood in the open doorway.

"Get them out of here." I snarled. "I don't want to talk."

"I'll take care of it." Dimitri said simply before disappearing with the men. The front door shut softly.

I worked on controlled breathing and tried not to let the memories consume me. Since being released from the hospital two months ago, the police had tried unsuccessfully on several attempts to question me. I was aware that it might help the case, but I still wasn't anywhere near prepared to relive those days I spent in captivity. Maybe one day I would be, but that day sure as hell wasn't today.

I had minimal contact with Sydney, but I'd heard she was doing well. She was now living in seclusion with her parents and devotedly attending therapy sessions and church. I was happy to hear she was trying to pick up the pieces and improve her life, but without sugarcoating it, there was only so much treatment, rehabilitation and faith could do for her. Bottom line, Sydney would never be the same. Still, I wished nothing but the best for her.

As for myself, I had a long way to go, and I might never be healed, but I knew with someone like Dimitri along with my family by my side, I would repair a lot faster. And there might be a chance—just the smallest chance—that I might live half a normal life again one day. Sometimes hope was all that you had. Never doubt the sheer power of it.

"Ready to get your cast removed?" Dimitri asked, snapping me out of thought.

I faked a smile. "You betcha."

Twenty minutes later, Dimitri whipped his black SUV into a parking space.

I climbed out of the masculine vehicle and groaned, "Ugh. I hate this place."

"Technically, we're not going to the hospital." he pointed out. "We are going to the doctor's office located in that small building over there."

"I'm so sick of you." I teased. Dimitri snorted and grabbed my hand, guiding me towards it.

Fifteen minutes and some waiting time later, the nurse put us in a room and performed some standard procedures, then informed us that the doctor would be in momentarily and quietly left. Thank God. That bitch was totally undressing Dimitri with her eyes.

I stared at my legs swinging restlessly on the bed. "Comrade?"

He looked up and lifted a brow in question. "Yes."

"Why won't you have sex with me?"

Those dark eyes flashed with surprise, and—I'll be damned—he cleared his throat as if uncomfortable. "You know why."

I narrowed my eyes. "Because of my leg. That's not a good enough answer, Comrade."

"Yes, it is."

"No, it's not."

"Yes Rose," he said sharply, "it absolutely is."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

I snorted, my nerves heating up. "You're my boyfriend. I'm your girlfriend. Normal boyfriends and girlfriends have sex. Let's have intercourse…I really want to have sexual intercourse with you, Dimitri."

His gaze widened a fraction.

"Come on, Comrade! What are you waiting for? Penetrate me, Dimitri. Penetrate me!"

Dimitri's eyes peered over my shoulder, and flashed with alarm.

Someone cleared their throat. "Didn't mean to interrupt you two. I can come back in a few minutes if you'd like…"

I faced the doctor, blushing furiously. "Er, no. That's okay. We're ready to go."

"It appears so." She winked, grinning cheekily and extending her arm. "My name is Dr. Olendzki."

We both shook her hand.

"It's nice to meet you, Doc." I said politely, camouflaging my raging embarrassment. "When can we get this cast removed?"

"We can get that ball rolling right away if you want," she offered. "I was supposed to have lunch two hours ago and I'm frickin' starving." As if on cue, a low growling noise came from her stomach.

I grinned, "We're on the same page. I can't wait to get out of here!"

"And I can't wait to get you out of here!" The doctor declared, laughing. She busted out a device that looked similar to an over-sized, electronic pizza cutter and immediately got to work.

What seemed like no time later, I was testing out the strength of my leg by slowly standing up and applying weight to it.

"How does it feel?" Dr. Olendzki asked.

"Fine," I said triumphantly. "Sore, throbbing a little, but besides that, it's good."

"That's what three reconstructive surgeries will do for you."

"Do you think I'll set off the metal detector at the airport?"

She chuckled and said, "You just might."

"Cool."

"Walk around, see how you feel."

I did, feeling excitement and independence ignite my bones. "Oh my god, I'm all better! Now I don't have to go through physical therapy! That's what I'm talking about!"

"Rose." Dimitri and the doctor said in unison, tone scolding.

"Alright, alright." I said, defeated. "I'll go to stupid physical therapy."

There was a light knock at the door, and the nurse entered, facial expression blank. She approached the doctor and spoke into her ear lowly. When she pulled back, the doctor look displeased.

"I'll take care of it." she said disgustedly, waving her folder dismissively. "That man is a monster. It's hard to believe you're related to him, Rosemarie."

Absentmindedly I watched the nurse quietly exit the room, and then it dawned on me. My head snapped over. "What did you say?" I demanded.

Dimitri visibly tensed.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I do not mean you any disrespect, it's just that, well…in all honestly, I don't believe scumbags like him deserve to be treated medically." Dr. Olendzki said. "What's the point of even letting him live? The bastard's going to hell in the end anyways—"

"That's enough." Dimitri cut her off, standing in between the two of us.

I looked up at him, absolutely murderous. "Get the fuck out of my way, or you will seriously regret it."

He clenched his teeth audibly, and obliged.

"You mean Abe?" I growled, feeling my whole body begin to tremble uncontrollably. I clutched onto the bed for support before my legs could give out.

Genuine surprise and confusion flooded her face. "Uh, yes, I do. Once I wrap this appointment up, I have to head upstairs to sign some release forms before I can eat my lunch—"

My vision swam, my senses on overload. It was all too overwhelming and the last thing I heard before collapsing was Dimitri calling out my name.

My captor was alive.