Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy or anything surrounding it (but I do own this plot :D)

RPOV

It was a few days later when it happened again.

The days started like any other Thursday in the world: too early. My enthusiasm for training Dimitri went only so far as tiredness and desire to stay in bed until kingdom come offered up enticing alternatives. But I pushed through: forcing myself out of that dorm and into the gym where Dimitri was waiting. Not wanting to brag (well, maybe just a little…) but his mood was certainly on the rise. To hell with Gloucester's fall into oblivion, Dimitri was on an upward trajectory. His former self - not the guardian mask or zen-master-mode, but the Dimitri I knew - was showing through more and more with every moment that passed in that gym. In a way, I actually felt him opening up more; don't get me wrong, he was still extraordinarily careful about certain things and kept a more than respectable distance from me whenever Killian was in the room (annoyingly so given that I had told him that Killian knew) but he seemed certainly softer, indeed more human than his past 'antisocial god' persona that had dominated common perception.

"Good morning, Rose." He said smiling. He had on his shades, his can resting against the bench where he sat and he was listening to an iPod, seeming perfectly content in that little position.

"Morning, comrade," I replied.

He unplugged himself and shook his head. "Will you ever stop calling me that?"

"Not likely," I responded with a little scoff.

He chuckled. "Good to hear." He said with only a hint of sarcasm.

I dumped my bag and began stretching. "Fancy a jog?"

"I'd rather like to hit something." He said, getting up and clenching and unclenching his hands.

I stopped and looked up at him, somewhat pityingly. "Bells or no bells?" I asked.

He gave me a small smile. "Not really much of a difference." he pointed out.

"Does that mean you are up for an experiment?"

I blinked and turned to the newly arrived Killian. "You what?"

He just looked rather pleased with himself which, when combined with his casual work-out attire and soft features, made him look more adorable than smug. "I had a brainwave."

"This a new thing for you?" I couldn't resist.

Killian shot me a look while Dimitri shook his head again. "Rose, behave." He said.

Killian cleared his throat while producing two cylindrical metal objects, two wires and two batteries. "I went to the D.T. lab and got these, I thought they'd help."

"What are they?" I asked, mainly for my own benefit rather than Dimitri's.

"Motors," Killian said, pulling out some gaffer tape and strapping one of the circuits to the centre of a punching bag. A small but steady buzz started. Dimitri stepped towards it, intrigued. He put on a pair of gloves and shuffled in range. Killian put his hand on Dimitri's shoulder and shifted him in the correct place. "The motor is in the centre on the other side of the bag," he said.

Dimitri nodded. Reaching forward, he felt where the bag was and then moved back a little; clenching his fists into an appropriate stance, he listened for a moment before slamming his right hand into the bag, hitting it directly. Killian poked his head behind it, but the motor was unaffected and still running so Dimitri hit again, this time with his left - another landed shot.

I watched the entire thing with a mixed feeling of surprise, awe, pride and delight. It was a sentiment that only grew as Dimitri landed punch after punch, nearly as seamlessly as he could before. Killian just looked very pleased with himself, the smirk not leaving his features for the next hour or so as Dimitri and I fell back into our training regime. It was weird how familiar it felt; there were moments where I actually forgot his condition for the fluidity and ease with which the time passed and practice continued, for the both of us: me for finals and Dimitri for his career. Having only just had a breakthrough in the punch bag department, we hadn't progressed to the world of sparring yet - a rather large part of both my exam and guardian life in general - so Killian became my new partner while Dimitri built up his strength and technique on the bag.

It was in this position that Alberta found us.

"Good morning," she said, cheerful surprise resonating in her voice as she surveyed the scene before her. "How are we all?"

"Very well, Guardian Petrov-urgh!" Killian turned his back to respond and I seized upon the opportunity to strike his legs and render him grounded.

Pinning him down, I grinned. "Distraction brings danger," I said, quoting my beloved.

Dimitri, having stopped his own workout to come a greet the new arrival, chuckled and shook his head. "Leave Guardian O'Hara alone, Rose." He said, wandering towards the group.

I hopped up to my feet and offered Killian my hand. He just glared at it before scrambling to his feet on his own.

Alberta watched the whole exchange with a look of tired amusement and rolled her eyes as a result. "Nice to see you are behaving as well as always, Rose."

"What can I say: must be prepared for anything," I said with another grin in Killian's direction.

"Well, as entertaining as you are, I am actually here to assess Guardian Belikov's progress," she said, turning towards Dimitri.

At this, my guard shot up. "Fucking hell. It's only been a week!"

"Rose!" both Killian and Dimitri said at the same time, the mix of Russian and Irish chastisement creating an odd but strangely harmonious melody.

"Nonetheless..." Alberta said, giving me a slight glare as she did, "...I thought I'd pop in to see if indeed any progress has been made. You will be glad to hear that I am pleasantly surprised by my findings." she paused, now fully facing Dimitri. Alberta, in the years I had known her, had been fair but never overly emotional. I guess it came with the job. But at that moment, there was a familial tenderness in her expression as she looked over her blind colleague, her blind friend. "I am glad," she added after long last.

A small smile ghosted over Dimitri's resting placidity. "Thank you, Guardian Petrov."

She smiled and then turned to me. "And Rose, please try and curb that tongue of yours."

Fair enough, I thought. "Sorry, Al-Guardian Petrov." I corrected.

She gave me a look, but her features, having softened, made it a little less intimidating. "Oh, before I forget: Guardian O'Hara, your meeting has been pushed forward, so if you wouldn't mind coming with me, I'm sure Guardian Belikov can keep an eye on-" she cut herself off, looking a little embarrassed. "He can handle Rose." She finished quickly.

Dimitri gave a reassuring smile. "It's fine, Guardian Petrov."

Alberta still looked embarrassed. "I apologize, nonetheless."

Thankfully, I was there to move the conversation along. "What meeting?" I asked both Killian and Alberta, not really too fussy over who chose to answer.

Killian was about to do just that when Alberta jumped in. "It is none of your concern, Miss Hathaway," she said in full Captain mode. Killian shut his mouth and Alberta turned back to Dimitri, saying "Perhaps you could try and encourage some discipline in her today?"

Dimitri scoffed a little. "I shall endeavour."

Alberta smiled. "An impossibility to be sure."

"I am still here!" I pointed out, inciting a chuckle from all parties.

"Woe the day we ever forget," Killian said with a slight smirk on his face but mixed with a plethora of edict and uncertainty; evidently, he was still a little uneasy with the casualness with which Alberta - his boss - was addressing the room. To be completely honest, I don't think he was quite comfortable being friendly with Dimitri, let alone his immediate superior. My pinning him to the ground less than ten minutes earlier probably hadn't helped matters, but really, I think Killian needed to lighten up.

And so, I helped him out a little by acknowledging his comment. "Oh, you bet," I said with a wink.

I heard Dimitri chuckle a little and Killian's smirk grew with the conformation (and the fact that Alberta had 'shockingly' not bitten his head off).

The sound of Dimitri's laugh. The sight of Killian's smile. A perfectly ordinary Thursday.

Those were the last things before my world went black.

I was in a car; the cool, smoothness of the leather seat brushed against my exposed skin as the car's steady movements moved me against it. I could smell those seats: a decaying scent that came with the age of the car and the contribution of the other smells - that of the outside world, breezing through the open windows, that of the remnants of lunch sitting in the boot of the car and that of that new perfume. I would remember it anywhere. It seems like such an insignificant thing, but that smell of that perfume - a sweet, floral combo with a hint of caramelized apple embedded within - I could never forget it. It was an odour I hadn't smelled since, and I never wanted to; it was left 100% associated with that day…

It was the perfume Lissa and I had bought the day of the crash…

"R-Ro-"

I felt myself gasping and gagging - lurching forward, time seemed to stop. I felt like I was drowning, suffocating.

"Ro-"

A voice. Crying out from the darkness. So clear, yet so broken by pain; unable even to finish the one syllable of my name.

"Ro-Ro-"

But I knew who it was. A voice from another life. A voice I had thought I had forgotten, but probably could never. A voice… That voice…

"R-Ro-"

Andre Dragomir.

I awoke with a jolt and a nasty one at that. It was made all the worse when I saw the sterile white decor which could only ever be found in a hospital. I groaned loudly, closing my eyes tightly and willing that I was not here. When I opened them, I was met with the jade-green Dragomir eyes. For a moment, it was Andre's face which flashed across my vision instead of Lissa's. My eyes widened and I felt myself pale.

"Rose…" Lissa's broken voice came over my senses and pushed the image of her departed brother from my forethought.

"Liss…"

"Oh, Rose!" she said while tentatively moving her hands up and down, unsure whether to touch me or not. "I am so sorry - I had no idea it was so bad - I'll stop, I'll…" she trailed off.

"Liss-"

"No, no: Guardian Belikov was right. He brought me to my senses. I am so sorry I didn't listen to you sooner."

"Lissa…" I said, sitting up and pulling her close. "Thank you, but...I don't think this is your fault."

She took the hug, but I felt her falter and pull back. "What?"

"I d-don't think this is darkness…" I repeated, even more unsure than I was before. It wasn't even a fully formed idea - I had literally just thought of it then and there - but as I pondered it further, I found myself being more and more convinced by it. Sure, Lissa's use of magic played its part, but no more than it had before the attack. The pain, the excruciating and unbearable pain, that had haunted me over the past few days was just that: a new thing. It had only started after I had seen Mason, which had nothing to do with Lissa's practising given that Dimitri was still in his coma and no one knew if he was going to wake up, let alone that he was blind. Come to think of it, weren't the wards meant to keep out ghosts? I shouldn't be able to see any of them, let alone find myself affected by their presence.

Yet maybe it was the darkness? Maybe Lissa's overuse was pushing me closer to the edge as well? Really, I had no idea. I honestly wish that there was like a 'Darkness for Dummies' or literally anything to offer up some explanation for what was going on.

"Rose?"

I sighed. "Sorry, Liss: I was miles away."

She offered up a small smile. "That's okay. I was just saying, Dr. Olendzki said you are free to go when you like but be prepared to be called back."

I smiled. "I think she might just be sick of having me here."

Lissa laughed. "It is becoming a little habitual."

I rolled my eyes. "How'd I get here anyway?"

"Oh, Guardian O'Hara carried you in."

I blinked. "He did what now?"

She laughed again. "Apparently he had to take you off Guardian Belikov who picked you up after you fell and was about to bring you down here."

I felt my heart skip a beat. "Dimitri…"

Lissa grinned. "Well, fear not: your beloved mentor wasted no time coming to get me and giving me a piece of his mind." Guilt flashed across her beautiful features.

Horror, on the other hand, bolted through me. "He didn't…"

"I have honestly never been so terrified of anyone in my life..." she said, deadpan.

"Oh, Jesus, Liss: I am sorry. I told him not to-"

"No, I think I needed to hear it," she said, her eyelids falling over her eyes. "I was being selfish and stupid: putting my pride before both our wellbeing. Forgive me?"

"Forgiven," I said instantly.

She smiled. "Thank you." Her smile faltered a little as a thought crossed her countenance. "What did you mean?"

I frowned. "Huh?"

"When you said you didn't think that it was the darkness? What else could it be?" she asked.

I sighed, tossing off the hospital cover and sliding my legs out of the cot. "I don't know. Honestly, I have nothing."

Lissa bit her lip. "Maybe it is just the darkness. Let's see if my abstinence helps."

"Yeah…" I said, trailing off a little as I contemplated whether or not to tell her about Andre. It was tricky and delicate and it would hurt a lot, but feeling that we were in this together, whether either of us liked it or not, I figured that I shouldn't keep secrets from her, especially when it concerned her. "Lissa, you know how I have been seeing ghosts lately…"

"Mason right?"

"Yeah, but, others…"

She frowned. "Rose…?"

I closed my eyes, clenching my hands to the side of the mattress and taking a deep breath...before deflating entirely. "Never mind. It's nothing."

Lissa was clearly a little sceptical but did not press. "Okay. Are you heading to your dorm? Alberta got Lazar to give you the day. I even asked Avery to put in a good word…" And so Lissa went on. All the way from the hospital to my dorm where we parted ways. All the way, I remained notably quiet, not really responding, and just letting Lissa speak. A small part of me told the rest of me that this was a good thing: Lissa clearly needed to vent as Tatiana's influence was an ever-growing part of her life and not one she particularly welcomed, though she would be lying to say that she had enjoyed having Avery around. But I knew that was just an excuse. The real reason for my silence was my silence over seeing Andre. I don't know why I lied - I just couldn't physically get the words out. I think a subconscious part of me, with or without the bond, knew Lissa was still hurting and even just mentioning Andre's name would reopen so many wounds she had done so well to close. I couldn't do that to her, not just now anyway, no good would come of it.

Even with that justification, I still felt guilty. I flopped down onto my own bed (far more comfortable than the stupid hospital cots, let me tell you) and tried to relax. I knew sleep was out of the question, so I didn't even bother and just tried to reduce some of the restlessness that I had built up over the course of the day, including my chat with Lissa. Naturally, I got nowhere and was almost glad when there came a knock at my door, forcing me up and off my bed.

I was even happier when I saw who was on the other side.

"Rose."

"Dimitri."

He smiled and stepped in. He was in his Guardian uniform, as per the norm, but there was an addition to his attire, something I hadn't seen in a while: the duster. He now had the complete Dimitri look: the uniform, the duster, the tied-back hair. The addition of the blacked glasses gave a Terminator vibe which, if I do say so, Dimitri was absolutely rocking.

But as good as he looked, I still had a bone to pick with him.

"What's this I hear about terrorizing my best friend?" I said, closing the door and crossing my arms over my chest.

He, having located my chair and sat down, delivered a pointed look in my general direction. "'Terrorize' is not the word I would use."

"It's putting it mildly according to her," I said.

At this, he was looking a little guilty. "I might have been a little frank…"

"Mhmm…"

He sighed. "Is she okay?"

"She's fine," I assured, walking over and hopping on my desk. "But I will point out I was the one in hospital…" I said, hinting a little.

Dimitri smiled. "No offence, my love, but when are you not?" he said, humour lacing his tone.

I mock gasped. "How rude!"

He chuckled. "I am sorry. How are you?"

"A little hurt, actually." He laughed again. I smiled. "But fine. Really."

"What was it?" he asked, leaning forward a little.

I sighed. "I don't know anymore. Ghosts, to be sure, but I've given up trying to understand." I said, looking down at my fingers.

Dimitri's expression turned contemplative. "Mason again, I assume."

At this, I hesitated. "No."

"No?"

Again, hesitated. "I saw Andre."

"Andre?"

"Andre Dragomir."

"Andre Dragomir!?" Dimitri said, the surprise clear in his tone.

"Yeah…" I said. "It was horrible."

"Was he...in pain? Like Mason was?"

"Yes." At this, silence followed. Dimitri pondered for a moment while I rubbed my hands over my face. "I didn't tell Lissa," I said, breaking the silence.

"Understandable," Dimitri replied.

"Really?" I said cautiously.

Dimitri looked up in my direction. "Of course. There is no need to cause any more suffering."

I smile somewhat sadly. "I guess," I said with a little sigh. "I just feel so helpless."

"Hey," he said, standing up and walking towards me. "We will figure this one out. We always do," he assured, reaching his hand out to brush against my cheek. His fingertips skimmed my skin and I leaned in to allow his palm to flatten out.

"Thank you."

"Always, my love."

I smiled. "Where were you earlier?" I asked, more curious than interrogatory.

"I went to speak to Alberta with Guardian O'Hara."

"Killian." I corrected.

He smiled. "Yes, Killian."

I laughed a little. "He's terrified of you as it is; the least you can do is make him feel a little more comfortable."

"With informality?"

"Obviously. How'd you think we became so close?"

"Your misconduct definitely had something to do with it."

I grinned. "Exactly." He smiled again. "What is about me?"

"Hmmm?"

"Your meeting."

His smile grew. "Not everything is about you, you know."

I raised my eyebrows. "Was it?" I asked again, pressing the matter.

He paused. "Maybe…"

I laughed. "That's a yes."

He shook his head. "You are incorrigible."

I grinned. "What were you talking about?"

"I am not at liberty to say."

"Bullshit."

He cocked a brow. "Would you like to take this up with Guardian Petrov?"

I smiled and leaned forward so that my lips were millimetres from his as I whispered: "Gladly." before claiming his kiss. His tender kiss soon turned into an all-out make-out session as I pulled him closer and wrapped my dangling legs around his waist, keeping him as close as I could. He certainly didn't seem to mind. He kept his hands to the side of my face before running them back through my hair; said hair was tied back, but that was soon rectified with one smooth move and the hairband was tossed aside and my mane was set free. As for me, I kept my hands against his chest before running them down to rest on the hem of his trousers. I felt something sticking out of his pocket and with one touch I knew what it was.

"Is that a chocolate bar or are you just pleased to see me?"

He laughed against my lips, giving me a chaste but gentle kiss, and pulled away. "Indeed. I wanted to make sure you were alright" He pulled it out and handed it over. I grabbed it a little greedily and made to get it open. He laughed. "Nice to see where your priorities lie…"

I looked up at him. "You know I love you, but I haven't eaten since this morning, and you also know how hunger affects me."

He laughed. "Thanks," he said, trying to step back and untangle my legs from his waist with little success.

I smiled and brought him closer again. "You really think a little bar of chocolate will turn my head from you?"

He smirked. "Don't demean the gift…"

I scowled. "There's no pleasing you."

He laughed. "Oh, there is." And he picked me up.

I wrapped my hands around his neck, my legs tightening around his waist. "Should you be doing this?" I asked.

"I am perfectly able."

"Please don't hurt yourself," I said.

He frowned a little. "Have a little faith, Roza." And he knelt, bringing us both to the floor and laying back so I straddled on top of him.

I smiled, inclining my head so that my long hair fell down only the one side and rekindled our former activity. "You know," I murmured, breaking away, "I do have a bed…"

"Funnily enough, I don't know where that is."

I chuckled. "I could show you."

At this, he hesitated. I sighed. I knew he wanted us to be together, unburdened by the seemingly unending list of things that strove to keep us apart, but his moral conduct was steadfast, no matter how sweet the temptation. I wasn't about to press it as I was more than content just to have him alive and here with me given how easy the alternative could have been. It was at that moment that I was hit again with just how fortunate I was to have him here. He could have died. Or worse… But, no: here he was, the same tender and kind-hearted Dimitri Belikov that I knew and loved. What more could I want?

"I love you, Dimitri," I said, really feeling I hadn't said enough lately, not properly at least.

A small smile broke upon his face. "And I you, Roza."

I smiled and then saw it reflected in the black visor of his glasses. I frowned a little before brushing my hand against his cheek and resting on the frame. I could see, and feel him tense as I did. "May I?"

Hesitation followed, but a slight nod told me to proceed. I took off his specs and was met with his eyes: that cloudy, warm chocolate colour, unfocused yet still so powerful. They moved so quickly from side to side as if desperately trying to find anything to look at but to no avail. I smiled and brushed the pad of my thumb over his eyebrow. He closed his eyes. "I wish I could see you," he whispered.

I felt my heart lurch in my chest. "I look a mess right now."

It was a weak attempt at a joke, but it didn't go unnoticed by Dimitri's slight smile. "You were always beautiful to me."

I leaned my forehead against his. "We see more than just with our eyes."

He smiled. "I know…" he said trailing off as he did. I knew he knew. But I supposed there is a difference between knowing and believing. "Sometimes I wish I could just stay asleep."

My chest tightened and I felt a lump form in my throat. "Dimitri…" I choked, lifting my head from his.

"No, not like that…" he amended, bringing his hands to cup my cheeks. "I mean... that is…" he pondered for a moment before pursing his lips and sighing a little. "What I mean is that waking up is hard. I dream. I dream of everything, anything really." He swallowed. "I dream of this school, of my home in Baia, of my family, of you. But I also dream of fields and trees and sunsets and all those tiny, insignificant things that I had never thought to really notice. But I don't just dream it, though, I see it. I see it is such bright colour, such vivacity, that it all seems so real. And then I wake up and I see nothing." He stopped. "Every time I wake up, I am blind again."

I pressed my cheek into his palm, almost nuzzling it with the intent of comfort. "That doesn't have to be a bad thing."

He smiled and cocked a brow. "Are you about to tell me that there is no light without darkness?"

"I wasn't, but that is quite good."

He chuckled. "Roza…" he said, his fingertips ghosting along my hairline. "I wish I could see you again," he whispered like an echo. "But I am more than content just to have you here."

I smiled and brushed my lips against his open pal. "Well, I don't have any intention of moving." I embraced him again and, in that moment, felt an overwhelming sense of peace - I daresay even optimism - and that perhaps everything could be just fine.