"Abe Mazur you'd better be joking! We're not letting our seventeen-year-old daughter leave everything and everyone she's ever known!" Janine wailed, looking at him in alarm. "We'll lose her forever!"

"Janine, we already almost did! She's eighteen in a few weeks. After that, we can't stop her. The way I see it if we're not part of the solution we're part of the problem! Our little girl wants more from life than she can get in the Moroi world, and I can't blame her. We have the resources to help her be anything she wants to be. Isn't that what being a parent is about, Jeanie? We always said we wanted her to have every advantage we didn't."

He looked appealingly at Janine, holding his arms open to her as she sagged in defeat.

"But leaving the Moroi world?! It's so final!"

"Look – it might not have to be forever. We can work on Rose and Dimitri's behalf to have the charges dropped. What right now might look like something untoward in five years time is going to look very different - especially if they're still together. We'll focus on getting the charges lifted so they can return to spend time with family and friends when they want to. Dimitri I'll need you to fill out the formal resignation of post forms before you leave. Lord Ivashkov, I assume you'll be kind enough also to sign them? The last thing we need is to add a dereliction of duty charge to what you're already facing."

Adrian muttered his compliance. Lissa and Christian were standing in stunned silence.

"What can I do?" Lissa asked, rousing herself from her shock.

"I shouldn't be seen. Can you go to my dorm room and pack for me? I probably won't take much, but I'll need a range of clothes and underwear and some training gear. I want my photo album, iPod, chargers, all the photos from my photo board, and under my bed there's a shoebox. Please don't forget that."

"We'll box up anything you don't take, and your parents can store it," Alberta promised. "Nothing will be left behind."

"Do you have much to pack?" Abe asked Dimitri.

"No. I only have a bag with me. I don't have a lot, but I had to leave most of it in Minneapolis with Tasha Ozera." He said the name with bitterness.

"Dimitri? I think I might surprise my aunt with a trip home this weekend. If she hasn't destroyed your stuff, is there anything in particular you want? I mean, I'll try and save it all, but is there anything particularly special?" Christian asked.

"Yes. There's a set of stakes, my photo album and a Western book with an inscription in Russian on the inside. If you can get those, anything else will be a bonus."

"I'll do my best," Christian promised.

"Tasha Ozera? The one who spread this video?" Abe asked in an icy voice.

"She's my aunt," Christian said in the saddest voice. "First my parents, and now Tasha. It seems like being an Ozera means you're predisposed to doing horrible things."

"Don't be silly. You're not like that. I wouldn't let you date my best friend if you were," Rose said, in what was probably the kindest thing she'd ever said to him.

"Well I'm sorry she's your aunt, but I'll be looking into whether she released that video. If she did, I'm going to make destroying her my new hobby," Abe said menacingly. Rose hadn't seen it before, but at that moment Abe looked every bit the mob boss. A mob boss with a mission.

"If you see Eddie on your travels, can you tell him to come up here? I'd like to say goodbye to him, too."

Lissa nodded, sticking her head out the door and checking the coast was clear before pulling Christian out into the corridor. The door had barely closed when Alberta's phone rang. She pulled it out, looking at Rose and Dimitri and holding a finger to her lips in warning.

"Alberta," she answered in her usual efficient tone. "Yes thanks, Hans. I assumed that would be the case… Two videos? What's the difference between them?… Yes, well I suppose so… Yes. We're looking, but on a campus this size he could be anywhere… No. I don't think that will be necessary… No – we can't find her either. I'll order a room-by-room search… I don't know either, Hans. Young people in love do stupid things."

She rang off, checking the call had been terminated before she spoke.

"That was Hans Croft, Head Guardian at Court. A warrant has been issued for your arrest, Belikov. Officials at Court have seen both versions of the video. You're being charged with statutory rape."

"Then that's it. We're really leaving," Rose said, looking at Dimitri timorously yet with love and trust.

"Looks like we are," he replied. "Any ideas on how we do this?" he asked the assembled company.

"I probably shouldn't hear this," Alberta interjected. "If I don't know, I can look surprised. I'm going to call all guardians to start searching the grounds for you. We'll start at the other side of campus and work our way over here. I can give you a couple of hours, tops."

"Thanks, Alberta," Rose said standing up and giving the older woman a hug. "We appreciate it. We owe you so much."

"Not at all," she said, tearing up a little. "If I don't see you before you go, I love you too, Rose. You've always been very special to me," she said with moist eyes, referring to the letter Rose had left for her. They hugged for a moment longer before they pulled away.

"Call me if you need anything," she said to Janine, before nodding to Abe.

"You take care of her, or I swear I'll find you and kick your ass," Alberta threatened Dimitri, but with a smile. Then she let herself out of the suite, pulling out her phone to start organizing the search.

"Right. The priority is for you two to disappear. If you're going to live in the human world, you're going to need papers. Birth certificates, social security numbers and the like. I can organize them, but it's going to take some time," Abe outlined. "Ideally it would be best if you two could take off somewhere isolated for a few months. I'm not sure just how actively they're going to pursue you. If you go completely off-grid for a month or two, we'll be in a better place to know what we're dealing with."

"Well between Lissa and Adrian you'll be able to find me," Rose offered, quickly describing the ways the two Moroi had of contacting her, no matter where she was.

"That's good because you should probably leave the network chips for your phones here so you can't be traced," Abe said.

"Good point," Dimitri commented. "Rose – give me your phone. I'll transfer all your contacts and photos off the sim card." He quickly did what needed to be done with both their phones. "Are there any last calls you need to make?" he asked.

Rose shook her head. The only person she'd like to see before she left was Eddie, and she could use her mother's phone if she needed to call him.

Dimitri pulled the back off Rose's phone, pulling the chip out of the back of it.

"We can get a new one when we get to wherever it is we're going," he explained. "I'm going to pack and call my family. It might be quite some time before I can speak with them again," he said sadly, moving into his bedroom to put his few items into his duffel bag.

"Dimitri? Give me your family's account number. I'll arrange that money transfer now," Adrian said, pulling out his phone and following Dimitri into his room.

Abe picked up his phone. "I'm going to make the necessary arrangements to get you and Dimitri out of here," he said, giving Janine a pointed look. As Abe started speaking into his phone in another language, Janine came to sit next to Rose on the sofa, taking her hands.

"I know you're angry with me for not telling you about your father earlier. When we get the chance, your father and I would like to sit down and explain our reasons to you. In retrospect, we've made a lot of shitty decisions, but we want you to know we did them thinking we were protecting you, not because we didn't care. Neither of us had any idea how neglected you were at the Academy or how abandoned you felt. We both regret that very much."

Janine was crying as she spoke. While Rose found it hard to believe that her parents were so clueless they didn't realize a four-year-old would want their Mommy, she gave her mother the chance to say her piece.

"I didn't visit much because I couldn't. Getting time away from my charge was hard. While your father and I saw each other, it was only because Abe would come to where my charge was holidaying. It was a handful of hours every eight to twelve months. I understand that it was still more than you got with me, and I regret that. But I want you to know it was because I couldn't come, not that I didn't want to."

Rose sat and thought for a moment. Sure her mother's explanation explained some things, but not all of it. Not by a long shot. But she had other issues to focus on, and the only thing she had to hold on to in her relationship with her mother was bitterness, and right now that didn't seem so important.

"I can't say I understand. I don't. I have a lot of questions I'd like answered, but ultimately, I want to move beyond it. I want to see if there's some way to have a healthier relationship going forward, and I'd like to get to know my father," Rose said. She was pleased with that as her response. It didn't dismiss her feelings, but it let her mother know she was prepared to try and put it behind her.

"Once you're settled, your father and I will come see you and answer all your questions. Until then, just know we both love you very much."

Abe was still speaking rapidly on his phone when Adrian emerged from Dimitri's room. Finding Rose and Janine talking intently, he smiled and went through to his bedroom to give them space.

"You'll be away for your eighteenth birthday," Janine said softly.

"I suppose I will," Rose replied.

"Are you sure, Rosemarie? You don't have any doubts?" her mother asked anxiously.

"I have heaps of doubts, but none about Dimitri. I know it will sound stupid given this has only all just happened, but it feels like the right choice for us."

"What will you do?"

"I'm not sure," Rose admitted. "I like the idea of Dimitri and I going somewhere peaceful just to figure it out. I know we'll have to find our feet, get jobs and start supporting ourselves, but it's going to be weird having every option open to us when both of us have had our futures mapped out for us our whole lives."

Abe finished his call and came to sit on the sofa opposite Janine and Rose, looking pleased with himself.

"All sorted?" Rose asked curiously.

"All sorted," he replied with a grin. "I'm almost looking forward to this!"

Dimitri had finished his call and came back into the living room. With Rose seated next to her mother, Dimitri had no option but to sit next to Abe. Dimitri pulled the back off his phone and discarded the sim card, tossing it onto the coffee table in front of him. Abe was about to speak where there was a knock at the door. Adrian came out of his bedroom while Rose and Dimitri stood up and went into it, closing the door behind them.

"Who is it?" Adrian asked cautiously through the door.

"Eddie Castile," a disembodied voice called through the door.

Getting a nod from Janine, Adrian cautiously opened the door to reveal the tall young Novice.

"Alberta sent me. She said I had to give you this?" he said handing Adrian an envelope, looking through the doorway at Janine and Abe curiously.

"Come in," Adrian said, almost yanking him into the suite and quickly shutting the door behind him. "You can come out, it's Eddie," Adrian said in the direction of his bedroom.

A sheepish Rose and Dimitri emerged from their hiding spot.

"Sorry, Eddie. There's a warrant out for Dimitri's arrest. We can't let them find us," Rose explained.

"Because of the video? What are you going to do?"

"We're leaving. Kirova is going to expel me, and Dimitri will be jailed if they catch him. Our careers are shot, so we're giving the human world a go," Rose said with a bravado she didn't feel. "Once we leave, we're going to have to cut off contact so, for now at least, this is goodbye."

"Damn, Rose! We only just got you back, and now you're leaving?" Eddie said looking at her sadly.

Rose's tears started again as she pulled Eddie into a long tight hug.

"I'm sorry. I'm not going to be around to look after Lissa, so you need to keep an eye on her for me, all right? Christian as well."

"You can count on me," Eddie promised.

They pulled apart and looked to where Adrian and Dimitri were busy at the dining table; Adrian was filling out the paperwork to release Dimitri from his allocation, while Dimitri filled out the other form which was his formal resignation as a guardian. He stopped to read it over for a moment before signing his name to the bottom.

"Are you ok, Comrade?" Rose asked, feeling the guiltiest she'd ever felt in her life. With that signature, Dimitri's life's work, to date, was at an end.

He nodded, a peculiar expression on his face.

"I am, milaya. I feel free. Ready for a new adventure."

A knock at the door announced Lissa's return, she and Christian quickly stepping into the suite. Lissa was carrying a bulging duffel bag, quickly running through everything it contained. She was babbling, but she and Rose both knew that time was ticking, and neither wanted to say their goodbyes.

"Thank you," Rose said, taking the bag but referring to so much more. "I owe you so much, Liss. You've been my best friend as well as my family. You were there for me when I had no one. You saved my life after the crash, supported me even when I've been unreasonable and didn't deserve it, and finally, I wouldn't have met this one if it wasn't for you," she laughed through her tears, canting her head in Dimitri's direction.

"You know we're never truly apart," Rose continued, tapping the side of her head meaningfully, "And I'll be relying on you to stay in touch, even when I can't."

Rose gave Lissa a long hug, the two young women crying as they clung to one another, Lissa saying her own farewells to her oldest, dearest friend. Appreciating she had to let go, or she never would, Rose released Lissa and moved on to Christian.

"Look after her, alright fire boy? And wear some clothes when you're wandering around. You never know when I might just pop in for a visit," she teased.

"I hate to cut this short, but they're going to be leaving soon, and we have final details to iron out. It's probably best if all of you are in public when they leave. Can I suggest the commons?" Abe said innocently.

Adrian hugged Rose.

"See you in your dreams, little Dhampir," he said sadly. "I'm going to miss you. You too, cuz," he said, moving on to shake Dimitri's hand. And within a couple of minutes the suite was cleared, Abe, Janine, Dimitri and Rose the only ones left. The sun was starting to rise which meant it was nearly dinner time at the Academy.

"After you're picked up, you'll be taken to Billings where you'll board a private plane. It's going to take you to O'Hare where you'll be met by an associate of mine. He's going to have some travel documents and money for you. It won't be the full documents you'll need to start your new life, but it will be enough to get you out of the country, which I suggest is your best option in the short term. Your mother and I will find out what we can and communicate with you through Lissa or Adrian. There will be some contact details in the information my associate gives you. If you need to get in touch, use them."

"Will we have to live overseas?" Rose asked apprehensively.

"I don't think so," Abe said. "Once the initial brouhaha over the video abates, you should be fine to live anywhere you choose."

In a move that surprised them both, he leaned across the space separating him, taking her hands in his own.

"I want you to know whatever you want; I have the means and the desire to make it happen, Rose. If you want to finish high school and go to university, that can be arranged; or if you want to start a business or travel the world. You're young - feel free to take some time and explore your options. That goes for you, too," he said giving Dimitri a serious look.

"Thank you, Abe," Dimitri said holding the Moroi's gaze in his own. "But my job, now, is looking after your girl."

"Yes it is; so take the time and resources you need to set yourself up to do that," Janine said, starting to weep again.

Abe looked at his watch.

"It's time for your mother and me to go. Remember we love you," he said standing and pulling Rose and Janine into a three-way hug.

He pulled away and shook Dimitri's hand. "We're counting on you," he said solemnly. "Don't let us down."

"I won't" Dimitri promised, tucking Rose under his arm when her mother finally released her. "How are we going to know when our ride is here?"

"Oh you'll know," Abe said with a grin. "Go wait by the southern stairs. Don't be seen, and be prepared to move fast."

With that, he grabbed Janine's hand and led her from the room.

"I guess this is it?" Rose said in a shaking voice, looking up at Dimitri tentatively. "I'm so sorry that all this has happened."

"I'm not. You were right, Rose. Our love never stood a chance in the Moroi world – we'd always have to hide one way or another. I'd rather have you in the human world than hide our love here. No regrets?" he asked hopefully.

"No regrets," Rose smiled up at him.

Taking a final look around, they shared a tender kiss before shouldering their bags and heading out into the corridor. As instructed, they took the southern stairs, waiting on the landing between the first and ground floors. Dimitri stood behind Rose, his arms wrapped around her as they waited. Right on 7.30 am they heard a sound from the sky. A helicopter.

"You're fucking shitting me," Rose mumbled in surprise.

"Your father doesn't do anything by halves, does he?" Dimitri replied with a grin.

They took the final steps to the ground floor, pulling up short when they saw Stan Alto standing at the foot of the stairs looking at them.

"Stan – move. I don't want to have to kick your ass, but I will if I have to," Rose said menacingly.

He actually rolled his eyes at her.

"I'm not here to arrest either of you. Alberta posted me here to make sure no one searched the building while you were still in it. Good luck Hathaway, Belikov. I wish you every happiness."

Stan stuck his head out the door, looking around carefully.

"It's clear. GO!"

Dimitri grabbed Rose's hand, and together they ran towards the helicopter, ducking down as they ran beneath its blades. It had landed in the flat area between guest accommodations and the Commons, and students, staff, and guardians were piling out onto the lawn gazing at it in surprise.

Climbing into the back seat, stowing their bags at their feet, the pilot gave them a grin, passing them earphones to put on. Dimitri quickly closed and fastened the door, and seconds later they were lifting off. The pilot took them low over the top of the crowd gathered on the lawn. Looking down Rose could see Lissa standing with Christian, Eddie, and Adrian, her parents standing just off to one side with a stunned Alberta. Dimitri wrapped his arms around Rose's shoulders from behind as she waved and blew kisses, and then moments later they lifted off and were flying high into the sky.

Flying amidst the rising sun was beautiful, and the perfect metaphor for the beginning of her new life with Dimitri. The two of them sat looking out the windows at the countryside below before turning to each other with huge excited grins. She had to hand it to Abe; she was so exhilarated she didn't have time to feel despondent.

They landed at Billings where their pilot pointed them towards a waiting plane. Another pilot greeted them, and they were quickly loaded onto a small luxurious aircraft. All gleaming walnut surfaces and comfortable leather seats, it looked like the finest that money could buy, which it probably was.

"We'll be in the air two and a half hours," he said kindly. "There's no cabin crew on the flight, today, but feel free to help yourself to refreshments," he said gesturing to a galley with food and drink.

Before they knew it, they were in the air again, cuddled together in rich leather seats sipping sodas and sharing cheese and crackers. The two of them were quiet; adjusting to the idea that from here on in, it was just the two of them.

"Wake up, beautiful… We're about to land."

Rose opened her eyes and smiled. It was hard not to smile when she woke up cuddled in her Russian God's arms. She righted herself in her seat, gripping his hand when minutes later the wheels of the plane kissed the runway. They taxied to a side terminal, looking out the windows as their aircraft flitted around other craft taxiing in and out. So many people were going to so many places!

Disembarking they walked across the tarmac and into the terminal, immediately seeing a tall Dhampir wearing a private guardian uniform. Rose and Dimitri tensed, not sure if this was what they should be expecting.

"Rose? Dimitri? I'm Pavel, your father's personal guardian," the man said, smiling at them kindly and speaking quietly enough not to be overheard. "With your father well protected at the Academy, I was taking some recreation leave. If you'd like to follow me, I have booked one of the business lounges for our use."

Dimitri nodded to Rose, and together they followed Pavel to a small, private lounge kitted out with a table, some phones, a fax machine and a computer.

"Your father asked me to give you this," he said once the door was closed, handing over a small duffel bag. "There's fifty thousand dollars in there, fake passports, some emergency contact details and instructions on how to access several bank accounts for additional money. I spoke to Abe a few minutes ago, and he asked me to tell you that all is well back at the Academy and that he and Janine look forward to speaking with you when things calm down a little."

"Tell him thank you," Rose said with a grin. "The helicopter was a wonderful surprise. And tell him I love them. Both of them."

Pavel nodded. "There are taxis out the front. They can take you to the main terminals or wherever else you want to go. You have this room for another twenty-five minutes so you can organize yourselves. Can I take this opportunity to wish you both the very best of luck."

He shook Dimitri's hand, then Rose's, and without further ado left them in the lounge.

The two of them looked at each other, reaching into the bag to fish out their new ID. Recognizing photos from the St Vlad's yearbook on their new Russian passports, they were Rosalie and Dmitri Smirnoff; twenty-one and twenty-three respectively. The day and month of their birthdates remained the same; it was just the years that had been changed. Putting them to one side, they pulled out the money, divvying it up between their two bags. Rose tucked the banking and emergency contact information into her bag, and then they were done. Checking the duffel was empty, Rose tossed it into a bin in the corner of the room.

"So, Comrade. Where to from here?" Rose asked, staring up at her Russian lover with a loving smile.

"Well… it's nearly Spring in Siberia?" he suggested with a grin, grabbing her hand and leading her out of the room and across the terminal. Grinning like the young couple in love they were, they shared a kiss before stepping out into the light, hailing a taxi to take them to the main O'Hare terminal and their new life together.

- OO The End OO-