"Rose? What are you doing out here?" Dimitri asked me. "You should be in your room."

"I just needed to get some fresh air." I muttered.

I had been abruptly brought into a heavy hot and heavy moment in Lissa's head and I couldn't sleep anymore tonight. I normally would have better control over myself in situations such as these. Lately however, things have been very difficult and I just haven't been up to anything.

Noticing my lack of a Rose Hathaway cunning comeback, Dimitri walked over to where I sat in the dark courtyard and took a seat next to me against the tree. Just the nearness of him was enough to ease my soul the tinniest bit.

"Is there anything you want to talk about?" He asked.

"No." Although Dimitri and I had become closer since Spokane I really didn't want to bother him with my disastrous life. He would always be there for me as my mentor but I didn't want to scare him off as my friend or what ever it is we are now.

"You know you can trust me with anything right?" He took my hand in his and as his warmth spread up my arm I knew he was right. I could tell him everything and he would still be there right by my side. That was just who he is.

"It's just things now are so..." I pause, trying to find the word for what thing are now. "Different?"

"Different? Like.." He breaks off asking me to finish.

"Like the way everyone treats me like a widow or something. I know I went through a lot in Spokane and that loosing Mason took a lot from me, but he was only a friend. A very great friend, but a friend none the less. They are codling me because he is gone now but expecting me to be extraordinary because I mad to kills. I don't think that they realize that what I killed was once someone just like them. I just...I just wish that things were back to normal. Even Lissa is different. She is never without Christian anymore and although I don't actually hate him anymore, I would still like to have someone to myself for a little while sometimes." I have to stop to take a breath and I see Dimitri's intense gaze on me. "I just really don't know anything anymore."

"It's OK for things to change you know. Spokane was a terrible event to go through but it was a major turning point in a lot of lives. And anytime you need someone all to your self you have me. I know things aren't exactly easy for us but I won't let be alone anymore." As he finishes his sentence he slips his arms around me and a few of those worries from earlier slips away.

"I don't deserve you Dimirti. I am kinda amazed that you even deal with me."

"I myself am amazed that I deal with you Roza."

"Hey!" I say and swat at his arm.

" You know you are a handle full." He laughed and hugged me. "But you are my hand full and I wouldn't want it any other way."

"Thank you Dimitri. I'm glad you found me tonight."

"You are lucky I found you tonight." Trying not to laugh he stood up and offered me his hand to help me up.

Taking the help I asked him what he meant.

"Tonight's rounds were supposed to be made my Guardian Alto."