It's been a while! I hope you all had a lovely holiday! 3 It's not much, but it's something. Not a great edit, but I felt you all had waited long enough for an update.

I tapped my pen against my desk as I watched the snowfall. It was bitterly cold outside, more than usual for the Pacific Northwest. It was cold enough that even Dimitri mentioned how cold it was.

Well, I guess that was an exaggeration on my part. We must have been in the Arctic if he thought it was cold.

"Are you seriously wearing a blanket around your shoulders?" Sydney asked. I looked away from my window and pursed my lips.

"You have a heater under your desk going. Don't judge," I pointed out, "And it's not a blanket."

Sydney rolled her eyes.

"Okay. It's not a duvet, but it is a blanket. Like one that you put on the couch," Sydney said. I shrugged.

"It's freezing outside!" I exclaimed, "Look at how much snow there!"

Sydney smiled. "I can see how much snow is outside. You do know you can turn up the thermostat in your office?"

"I did it already."

Sydney walked over to the thermostat and smirked.

"Rose, you turned the air on, not the heat," she teased."

I groaned quietly and stood up, walking to the thermostat with the blanket wrapped around me.

"Bullshit," I muttered under my breath while looking at the thermostat, "Thanks."

Sydney smirked at me and started to leave before backtracking.

"How did your dinner go on Friday?"

I groaned quietly and pulled my feet up onto the chair.

"Honestly, I don't know how I feel about the dinner. It went okay, but it will still take a lot to mend our relationship. It wasn't a little thing they kept from me, and it's going to take a long time to fix."

Sydney leaned against the door frame and frowned.

"It is your ego, or heart?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Just checking. If it was your ego, I was going to tell you to get over yourself.

"Thanks," I glibed as I went back to my desk.

"How is Dimitri doing?" Sydney asked as she slyly moved to the coffee pot.

I shrugged. "Moody that he hasn't been able to really work out, but he's coming back to work tomorrow, so don't make a huge deal," I explained, kicking my heels off and pulled my feet up onto my chair. Sydney nodded and brewed her coffee, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Okay good, because I need to talk to him about something. Well Human Resources too, but him in particular," she started. I looked at her from under my blanket with raised brows.

"You're not quitting, right? I'm asking as your friend, not your boss' boss' wife."

"No, no, nothing like that," she mused as she tucked her hair behind her ear with a blush. I scoffed quietly and pushed my chair away from my desk with my foot and pinned her with my eyes.

"Spill. What did you do?"

Sydney's cheeks flamed.

"Why do you assume I did something?" she asked, her voice raising in pitch.

I grinned at her.

"What is it?"

She scurried to the door and shut it before sitting down in the chair across from me.

"I'm seeing someone."

"Okay? I didn't realize we had a 'report your relationship' policy. And even then, it's only for people who are involved internally but nobody really cares about that," I said with a smirk but she brushed harder.

"Yeah…but when it's with one of the authors that we just signed a massive deal with?"

I pressed my lips together and I tried to suppress my laughter.

"Syd, you sly dog. Who is it?"

"Adrian Ivashkov," she said sheepishly.

I raised my brows. "Who?"

"A. Vash," Syndey said, and I gaped at her.

"Oh! Damn! Girl, you know how to pick 'em. Handsome and has a way with words. Get it, girl!" I exclaimed with a smirk. Sydney smirked slightly and licked her lips.

"Do you think they're gonna be mad?"

"Why should it matter if you're in a relationship with someone?"

"I don't want anyone thinking that I got in a relationship with him because of his connection to the publication."

I shrugged. "I don't see any issue with it" I said as I wrapped the blanket tighter around me. Sydney nodded and got up to collect her coffee.

"You might not, but you aren't my boss," Sydney pointed out and I shrugged.

"But I can make sure my boss is cool with it," I teased, knowing that I couldn't but I was trying to ease her tension. Sydney rolled her eyes and shook her head as she walked out of the room.

I laid back on the bed with the cold cloth over my forehead. After my conversation with Sydney, my head started pounding. I had hoped I was escaping the bug everyone at work was catching, but I wasn't sure I was that lucky.

"Are you feeling any better?" Dimitri asked as he came out of the bathroom, wrapping a towel around his waist. If I hadn't felt so sick, I would have made a joke about how delicious he looked, but I couldn't have worked up the energy.

"No. I think you should sleep in the guest room. I don't want you to get sick. You're dealing with enough crap already," I whispered. Dimitri limped towards the bed, not having far to go from the bathroom door to the bed. He sat on the edge of the bed and rested the back of his hand against my cheek.

"You're warm. Do you want me to run you a bath?"

I shook my head.

"No, it's okay. I'll do it," I whispered as I pushed myself up, "This flu has been going around the office like crazy."

Dimitri nodded and stood up, gingerly making his way towards the closet to get dressed. He just had the cast removed this morning and was allowed to put some weight on his leg.

"Just in time for Christmas," Dimitri joked as he got dressed. I mused as I leaned down to turn on the tap, sighing as I stood up straight. I felt dizzy and sluggish.

I heard a faint click behind me and turned slowly to see Dimitri walking towards me with his cane.

"Only a week left now," I said tiredly, "It's a shame your family couldn't be here for Christmas."

Dimitri nodded and came over, kissing the top of my head.

"I would say let's go there, but I don't think we'd be able to get the appropriate visas in time," he said, tucking my hair behind my ear.

I nodded. "Do you mean for our Christmas or Russian Christmas?"

"Ours," he said as he took his watch off the counter and walked back into the bedroom. I smiled and went back out to grab my phone. I pursed my lips as I read a few emails when Dimitri came back.

"Have you heard from Jasper?"

I shrugged. "He applied for a leave of absence."

Dimitri nodded and walked back out to the living room, calling out over his shoulder but I didn't catch what he said. I poured a little bit of eucalyptus oil into the water and sat on the edge, closing my eyes. I almost toppled backwards when a snout nudged me, startling me. I opened my eyes and ran my fingers through Meeko's fur before leaning to the side to turn the water off.

I stripped down and got into the tub, hissing quietly as the hot water cascaded down my skin. I knew that it wasn't that hot, but it felt like boiling water to me. I groaned as I leaned back, my muscles protesting as I moved. I was definitely getting the flu.

I peeked over the edge of the tub and blew a kiss at Meeko as he laid on the mat, his paws tucked under his snout. I smiled and tilted my head back against the tub as I closed my eyes, breathing slowly.

"Are you ready to go back tomorrow?" I called out when I heard Dimitri moving through the bedroom.

"Don't you shut the door when you're in the bath?" Janine called out and I flinched, sinking lower into the tub. I moved my head and saw her standing in the hallway, and I saw the eye roll she gave me when I sank lower.

"Not the first time I've seen you naked," she mused but didn't come into the bathroom.

"It's my house," I pointed out, "What are you doing here?"

"You didn't answer your phone."

"And that meant that you needed to come here? I'm clearly busy," I stated. Janine sighed quietly and cleared her throat.

"Your father is in the hospital," she said. I wasn't sure what shocked me more; her calling him my father or that he was in the hospital.

"Is he okay?"

"In his mind, he's fit as a fiddle. But he had a heart attack."

I sat up and licked my lips.

"Can you hand me my towel?" I asked. Janine walked into the bathroom and handed me the towels, her lips pressed together as I wrapped it around me.

"Was it bad?"

"We don't know yet. He didn't realize that he was having one until his intern pointed it out. He thought it was heartburn," Janine said as I walked past her into the closet, getting dressed quickly.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting dressed," I said with a roll of my eyes. I threw on sweatpants and a sweater and tied my hair up as I came out of the bedroom.

Janine raised a brow at me and looked at Dimitri who was lingering in the doorway.

"You mentioned you weren't feeling good," Janine said and I sighed.

"I will wear a mask," I pointed out and pulled on a pair of socks. Janine tsked and sat on the edge of the bed beside me.

"Rose. He's in good hands and visiting hours are over. Wait until tomorrow, you may be feeling better in the morning, and I will have him call you or text you when he is awake. Okay? I just didn't want you to find out from someone else," Janine placated, tilting her head slightly to look at me. I sighed and pulled my second sock on before rubbing my face.

"Fine," I whispered. Janine nodded and wrapped her arm around my shoulder, giving me a small squeeze while kissing my forehead. Her kiss lingered for a moment before she pulled away with a frown.

I raised my brows at her, and she squeezed my shoulder.

"You have a slight fever. Get some sleep. If anything changes, I will call you or Dimitri."

I nodded and looked at Dimitri, who glanced towards Janine. I moved and pulled the covers down to make a point to Janine that I was staying put. She smiled softly at me and stood up, patting Meeko on the head and he quickly filled her vacant spot.

She whispered good night and walked to Dimitri, whispering to him before slipping out of the room. I figured he would have walked her out, but by the sound of the door when she left, he provided her with a key.

"I'm surprised she came here."

Dimitri shrugged. "Your mom looked a little stressed when she got here. She waited about a half hour before she came to check on you," he said as he set a glass of water on my nightstand.

"A half-hour? I was only in the bath for a bit."

"You were in there for a little over a half hour," he repeated and I shrugged. Maybe I dozed off? Dimitri pulled a packet out of his pocket and popped two pills out, handing them to me.

"What are these?"

"My secret to stopping the flu in its tracks," he said, "And I rarely let anyone else have it. I used to get it in Russia."

I eyed it dubiously before popping them in my mouth and chasing them down with water.

"I'd like to point out that I will write a note that will be found with my dead body that you did it," I teased as I got comfortable in bed. Dimitri smirked and got into bed beside me, laying on his uninjured side beside me.

"Should I be worried?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No. But don't be alarmed if you pass out. It's potent," he teased. I chuckled and got comfortable looking at him, tucking my hand under my hands.

"I'm glad you're coming back tomorrow. The office has been too quiet," I whispered. Dimitri smiled softly and stroked my cheek.

"I'm looking forward to being back," he whispered. I closed my eyes and let my other hand intertwine with his as sleep took over.

I rolled my ankle around as I read my screen, pursing my lips every few minutes. I was grateful that I woke feeling better than I felt when I went to sleep.

"New kicks?" Reid asked as she lingered in my doorway, glancing towards my shoes. I looked down at them and nodded.

"Yes. My husband has much better taste in shoes than I do. And is willing to spend more than thirty bucks on them," I laughed, "I can't justify spending that much on a pair. Even red bottoms."

Reid smirked.

"I'd kill for a pair."

I smirked. "To be honest, they're not all that comfortable. I'd rather wear a pair from Macy's, but I've got to wear them at least once. And they're red, so it's festive," I explained, leaning back in my chair.

"Is Dimitri back today?"

I nodded and glanced at my watch.

"In the next half hour. He had to go for physical therapy this morning," I explained. Reid nodded and headed back to her desk, while I stretched out in my chair. I picked up my phone and narrowed my eyes when I still didn't have a message from my father.

I put my cell phone down when my desk phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi, kiz," Abe said and I sighed in relief.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" I asked, straightening up in my chair.

"I've been better. How are you? Your mother said you weren't feeling the best last night."

I scoffed. "I'm fine. I'm not the one who had a heart attack. Do the doctors know what caused it?"

"Coronary spasm. They've determined it was caused by my migraine medication," he said, "I'm fine."

"You don't sound fine," I said quietly, "You sound off."

"I'm on some pain medications, but I'm okay. Your mother panicked a little," he said and I sighed, spinning slightly in in my chair.

"I want to pick your brain on something."

"Of course," he said.

"How long does it take to get an expedited entrance visa to Russia?"

Abe cleared his throat, and I spun in my chair again to make sure Dimitri hadn't gotten to work earlier than expected.

"You would need a private visa; an expedited one could take about a week. You'll need some kind of proof of invitation, but Dimitri's mother could write a letter and provide it as the invitation. Wouldn't Dimitri know this?"

"I'm trying to see if I can swing a surprise trip for the Orthodox Christmas," i explained.

"Ah. I'll send you the link to get the application done," he said before moving the phone away for a moment, "My nurse is here. I'll call you back."

"Okay, take it easy," I mused before hanging up. I set my phone down in time for Arthur to tap on the glass. I stood up and adjusted my shoes before I walked out of the office, standing in the hall as the elevator opened. Dimitri seemed a little unsteady as he stepped out, his cane silent compared to the sound his shoes against the floor.

"Welcome back, Mr. Belikov," I teased, taking his messenger bag once he was close enough. He gave me a look that said not to baby him, but I knew that the weight of the bag was enough to throw his balance off.

"Good to be back. Did Ellen get settled okay?"

I looked up at him with a furrowed brow.

"She's back?" I asked quietly. After the funeral, both Dimitri and Arthur urged Kirova to take some time off for herself. She did, thankfully, but I didn't know when she was going to return.

"She told Arthur that she would be back today," he replied as he rounded the corner to walk into his office. I frowned and nodded to myself as I set his back down on his desk. I excused myself quietly and casually walked towards Kirova's office. The door was shut but I knocked on it before turning the handle.

"Kirova?" I asked as I stepped in. She was sitting at her desk, looking exhausted despite having almost a month off.

"Rose, hello," she said as she looked over the stack of papers on her desk.

"How are you?" I asked, slipping inside and closing the door. She flickered her eyes up at me and pursed her lips. It was an expression I was used to seeing before we were on friendlier terms.

"I'd be better if these weren't left until the last minute," she drawled and I cleared my throat.

"Well, I will leave you to it then," I said before slipping out of the office. I walked past the bullpen and grabbed the mail that was on the counter.

"I need the updated tax forms for the new year on my desk by the end of the day!" Kirova called from her office. I bit my lip and smirked at Sydney.

"She doesn't seem to be all that happy to be back."

I licked my lips.

"I think she's far happier to be back than she wants to admit," I mused as I opened a few pieces of mail.

"Why do you say that?"

I shrugged. "The publication sort of made her take time off. She hadn't taken vacation time in two years," I explained.

"Wow, I can't imagine it," Sydney said as she went back to her desk. I smirked and backed up enough for Kirova to see me.

"I'll have mine and Dimitri's done shortly."

"Make sure you click the appropriate boxes for being married," she snapped. I smirked and nodded, heading towards my own office. I sat down with a sigh and typed the password into my computer. Dimitri was flipping through the manuscripts on his desk and then looked at me.

"Kirova's in a bad mood? Haven't heard her like that in a while."

I smiled. "I think she's in a great mood and is reminding everyone to respectfully fear her," I said. Dimitri raised a brow and cocked his head.

"Got to keep everyone one their toes. Don't want anyone to think that she's gone soft," I shrugged, reaching for the bottle of water on my desk. Dimitri shrugged, not seeming to understand what I was getting at, but I did. Everyone saw her a softer, more vulnerable version of her when her husband died. In a sense, she didn't want people to forget how stern she was. Sometimes I forgot it too, given that she was much kinder to me in the last few months. But I understood, she wanted to maintain her reputation of not to be messed with. She didn't want anyone's sympathy.

"Have you heard any more about your father?"

I grimaced at the name.

"Abe is doing okay," I said softly, "The doctors know what caused the heart attack so that's good."

Dimitri nodded and pulled one of the manuscripts out from the pile, taking a notepad out and opening it as well.

"Good, I'm glad," he said softly, looking around the office with a quiet sigh.

"What?" I asked.

"I'm just really glad to be back in the office," he chuckled. I laughed.

"Don't get too used to it; we close at the end of the week for Christmas."