Just a fun post-last sacrifice one-shot of Dimitri teaching Rose to drive.

I've never felt fear in Rose's presence. I would willingly put my life in her hands any day. But right now, gripping the handle beside me, my own death played out in front of my eyes over and over.

"Are you going to live over there?" Rose asked with a laugh.

"Pay attention to the road please," I mustered out, taking a slow breath through my nose. I promised Rose I'd teach her how to drive after Lissa got settled as Queen, mostly because she was required to have a licence to go on outings outside of court, but I never thought she'd be this bad at driving.

I wasn't teaching her how to drive standard either! It was automatic and I still feared for my life.

"Will you relax? You're making me nervous," Rose joked and my eyes bugged out at her.

"Remember what I said about easing onto the gas peddle? You burn more gas each time you accelerate that quickly," I reminded her as the car lurched again. Rose hit the brake and we lurched again.

"Ya sobirayus' umeret'," I muttered to myself as I brace my hand against the dashboard.

"You better not be calling me names," Rose said dryly as she turned the corner, making my stomach flip as the took the corner too quickly and aggressively.

"I am really regretting this," I groaned, "I should have let your mother teach you."

"My mother would have slit my throat while trying to teach me," Rose said dryly, barely missing the curb. Thank God I took her to the part of Court that was rarely used to teach her. Rose slammed on the brakes and I grunted against the seatbelt.

"Rose! For the love of God," I exclaimed.

"Sorry! There was a squirrel!"

"Don't slam the breaks like that. When you're on the road you won't always be able to stop for a squirrel," I said quietly, trying to keep myself calm. Rose sighed and glared at me for a moment.

"My driving isn't that bad, comrade. You're overreacting," she said plainly.

"Actually, it is," I said, "I'm a little concerned."

Rose rolled her eyes and reached for the stereo. "Maybe a little music will make you less tense," she chirped, turning it onto a county station I had listened to earlier.

Rose bobbed her head side to side to the music, singing along with the song out of spite.

"Jesus take the wheeell!" she sang and all I could think was I agreed with the statement. I let her drive back to the back of Guardian Head Quarters. Croft and Janine were standing outside talking when we pulled up, a smirk on Janine's face.

I couldn't get out of the car fast enough when Rose put it into park.

"How was that?" Janine asked, chuckling at my face.

"You can take her next time. I love her, but that was terrifying," I grumbled with a shake of my head.

"I wasn't that bad, comrade! Don't be so dramatic," Rose said as she crossed her arms over her chest, a small wince on her face. Crossing her arms still caused a twinge of pain where she was healing.

"Rose, you dented the bumper. I think Guardian Belikov is far from dramatic," Guardian Croft pointed out from where he stood. Rose's eyes widened a little and she leaned over to look at the front of the car. I knew she made impact with the garbage can, but I didn't think she did any damage. I was wrong.

Rose looked back up at all of us sheepishly. "Oops."

"How about I take you on your next driving practice? I think that would be a better idea. At least then I can write off any damage you inflict," Guardian Croft said. I could see that he was trying hard to keep a straight face, but his nose flared, and his lips quirked up at the side.

Rose looked at me with a slightly terrified expression. "Oh, I don't know. I don't want to take up your time. I know that you're very busy," Rose said as she tried to back her way out of driving practice with him. I shared a look with Janine and I smirked at her.

"Would it be worse to let her father teach her?" I asked Janine. Janine snorted a laugh.

"He'd encourage the bad driving. He can't drive to save his life. After letting him drive me to the hospital when I was in labour with Rose, I swore never to get in the passenger seat with him," Janine laughed and patted Rose on the shoulder.

"You'll get better. Besides, Croft taught me how to drive. You'll be fine," Janine said before walking away, whispering good luck to Croft.