I figured that it's about time that I uploaded the next chapter, so here ya go. This chapter was completely written by my wonderful coauthor, Bethismyname :) the only thing that I did was edit it a little bit, add this note, and post it.

Also, I just wanted to let you guys know that I have absolutely no idea what happens with Dimitri until I get the next chapter from Bethismyname. We don't plan out all of the little things that happen, only the larger plot details. That being said, if there are ever coincidences where things don't exactly match up, that's why. We do our best to keep everything straight, but sometimes it just doesn't work. Please don't get upset or leave a horrible review. Feel free to contact either one of us, especially if you have questions. Anyway, I'm done rambling now.

Disclaimer : I do not own VA or any of the recognizable characters

Please review! Your reviews make me feel better :)

Enjoy!

DPOV ( Written by Bethismyname )

I sighed as I struggled to get my key into the lock. Plans had been changed at the last minute, and I had ended up taking a flight home 2 weeks later than expected. I used my shoulder to push the door open, ducking under the low doorframe.

I looked around. It was just as I remembered it. Photos lined the hallway that led down to the reasonable sized kitchen. Two other doors led off from here, one to the cozy living room (filled with yet more pictures) and another to a small bathroom.

I headed up the narrow stairs. It had two bedrooms, another bathroom and an attic that I used for storage.

My bedroom was the same, the double bed pushed against a wall, a wardrobe and a bookshelf. Plain and simple, just the way I liked it. I dumped my duffle bag – the only luggage I have – onto my bed and walked over to the shelves, running my hands along the frayed, worn out books, relishing in the memories they brought me.

I unpacked my bag, putting the box that held all of Roza's letters on my bedside table, and hanging my clothes up for later.

Finally, exhausted from my journey, I collapsed onto the bed. Still in my uniform, shoes, and duster, I fell asleep in seconds.

I was woken by an annoying 'bleep' and jumped up immediately, ready for action. I took in the familiar surroundings of my home before relaxing after a few seconds. Finding the source of the noise, I answered my phone.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Dimka!" an excited voice cried from the other end.

"Mama?" I replied in surprise.

"My baby boy! Did you get home safely? How was your flight? Have you met any girls?" she asked relentlessly.

"The flight was fine, I'm fine. And no, I haven't directly met any girls."

"What do you mean by that?" she asked, happiness lacing her tone. I rolled my eyes, my mother was so desperate for more grandchildren, not that I had ever given her any, it was unreal.

"Don't worry, forget I said anything." I said, thinking of Roza, "I'll pop by later, but I want to get a head start on cleaning up this place."

"Promise you'll come round? Everyone's been looking forward to seeing you. Paul's grown so much, and you haven't even met Zoya yet!"

"Yes, I promise!" I said, laughing slightly. "Now I really have to go. I love you mama, bye!"

"Love you too baby boy." She whispered before hanging up. I wasn't a 'boy' by any means, but to Mama, I'd always be her one and only baby boy.

I smiled down at my phone; I missed my family so much in my time away.

I headed downstairs to find a pile of post on the rug by the door that I hadn't noticed when I got here yesterday.

I picked it up and brought it through to the kitchen with me. I started my coffee and began reading through the mound of mail I'd received.

One caught my eye immediately and I pulled it from the pile. Recognising the writing on the front, I ripped it open and began to read.

I'll admit, I felt jealous at the thought of her getting lessons from some other guy, but pushed the thought to the back of my head. I can't, shouldn't feel this way about her. Not only was there an age gap, but we'd never met in person and she probably didn't even feel the same way.

I finished it just as a piecing whistle alerted me that my coffee was finished. I turned the radio on to a random station and sat back down, deciding to reply immediately.

June 29 2009

Dear Roza,

I'm so happy it went well for you – I told you it would!

If you really want to pursue a career in music, maybe learning an instrument is a good way to go. While writing songs, it can help you figure out a tune in your head.

I paused to sip my drink, staring down at what I'd just written. Was I really encouraging her to get to know another guy? A guy she barely knew? I chastised myself, I shouldn't be feeling so protective over something that wasn't mine.

A new song began playing over the radio. It wasn't the type of music I usually went for, but there was something about it that compelled me to listen. The singer's voice was so beautiful, so pure and innocent. It complemented the song amazingly well and I was drawn into the tune. The lyrics reminded me about how I felt toward Roza. The feelings expressed in the song went so deep; they hit me like a ton of bricks.

"And that was 'Fallin' for You' by Rose-" my heart leapt at the thought it could have been my Rose singing, but my hope was dashed away quickly "Mazur. I can see this girl going places! She's young, she's beautiful, and she's managed to get a song into the charts unbelievably quickly in her career!"

It wasn't her. The Rose I knew's surname was 'Hathaway'. I tuned out the rest of his words, and continued with the letter in front of me.

I've said it before, but I wish I could hear you for myself. But if you're as good as I think you are, I'm expecting to be hearing you over the radio very soon.

I got home last night, and it's so nice to be on familiar ground. Your aspirations for your future have made me think – I'm free of the army now, but what next? You have a whole plan, a whole life ahead of you but as far as I know, I've got nothing. All I know how to do it what I've been trained – and that's to fight and be alert for danger at all times. There's not much I can do with that, especially with my lack of qualifications to match.

I'm sorry for putting all my worries onto you at such a happy time in your life, I can't help it. You're the only person I have left after Ivan… passed.

-Your Comrade

I placed the letter to the side in an envelope once I was done and got to work on the stack of post that still sat untouched in front of me.

By the time it was all done, I'd given up on the very prospect of cleaning, so decided to visit my family as promised.

I went out the side door into the garage. Seeing my car for the first time in so long warmed my heart and put a smile on my face.

It roared into life as I twisted the key and my smile only grew as I began to drive down the road. I passed a post office and glanced down at the letter on the seat beside me. With new confidence, I decided to get a job. Or try to at least.

I parked outside my mothers and walked up the path.

"DIMKA!" I was barrelled into by a blur of brown hair. Hugging her back immediately, I smiled.

"Hey Vika."

"Vika? What's that nois-" my mother paused in the door, staring at me in shock. In a second, she'd run down the path and enveloped me into a hug, accidently pushing Vika away as she did so. "You've grown so much!" she said, marvelling at my height. I wiped away the tears that fell down her cheeks and smiled,

"We only talked this morning." I reminded her softly.

"That's not the same as seeing you!" she scolded, "You've been away too long! God knows what could have happened to you! You barely phoned, and the only other communication we got was a measly letter!" I stepped back, surprised in the sudden change of attitude, "I was so worried about you!"

And she was back again, my same old Mama who never stopped worrying. I wrapped her in another hug.

"I'm back for good now. I promise." I said into her hair.