Hey readers. I'm soo sorry that it took me this long to update, but i had serious wwriter's block and just couldn't seem to get into the story. I'm better though now and will try to update as soon as possible from now on. I once again would like to apologize and i thank all of you who have stuck with me throughout the duration of this story. I hope you all continue to read this story and leave me reviews because they are what keep me going. I was reading some old reviews today and i almost started cryong because they were just so awesome and nice and I feel so guilty for making you all wait so long. I'll warn you though, this chapter is mostly fluff and a bit short, but hopefully next chapter will get me back on track with some good action and romance. Thanks for your patience!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Vampire Academy characters or ideas, Richelle Mead does!

Chapter 11

RPOV

I woke up to the feeling of warm arms wrapped tightly around me. I snuggled in closer, craving the warm body that lay beside me. "Good morning, Roza," Dimitri said, his warm breath hitting my ear. I smiled in content, before I sighed. "What's wrong Roza?" Dimitri asked me. I sighed again before I turned around to face him. Before talking I gave him a tender kiss in this lips which he happily returned.

"I don't want you to go," I told him finally. His mouth twisted up into a beautiful smile and he laughed. Then he leaned back down to kiss me. I pulled away first to look at him. "Why did you laugh?" I asked.

"Because I don't want to leave either," he smiled. I smiled back at him before jumping up to go to the shower.

"Wait here. I'll be right back," I called to him from the door. I saw him nod before I walked down the hallway to the bathroom. I quickly washed my hair and body, erasing all evidence of the night's events. I brushed my teeth and put on fresh clothes before heading back to my room and my love.

When I walked in Dimitri straightened up from his slouched stance against the wall. He had straightened out his clothes and managed to tame his hair into a neat ponytail while I was gone. I closed the door behind me and let my eyes rake over his face. His perfection still stunned me and I couldn't even begin to fathom how lucky I was to have such a wonderful man in my life. I was still all too overjoyed that he had stayed the entire night and it must have shown on my face because in the next second he was smiling back at me while placing a chaste kiss on my lips. When we broke apart he looked at me, a slow smile growing on his face, before he finally spoke.

"Are you ready for breakfast?" he asked me. I nodded my head and followed him out the door, closing it behind me. Dimitri walked beside me the entire way and at first I thought that it was conspicuous and that someone might get suspicious, but then I remembered that Alberta told him to escort me to and from my room. He wouldn't get in trouble with Alberta's directions on his side.

When we got to the commons, hardly anybody was there and my eyes immediately sought out the clock.

"Shit! It's already 11:30! We missed breakfast," I exclaimed making sure to emphasize the fact that I'm only upset we missed breakfast, not that I don't like sleeping in. Dimitri just looked at me with a bemused smile and began walking towards the kitchen.

"I'm sure there's something for you to eat in here," was all he said. I followed him to the counter and watched as he asked the worker if there was anything left for me to eat. She ended up handing him a box of cereal, and two bowls and spoons, along with a carton of milk. Dimitri brought the contents over to me and we both sat down together.

"No one had gotten much sleep lately and cereal and toast is all that was served to the others this morning as well, so you didn't miss much," he told me. I smiled happy that I hadn't missed out on something really good like doughnuts or bacon. Although… I think what happened last night would make it worth it if it had happened.

Dimitri set the tow bowls down and poured the cereal into both bowls. I handed him his spoon and he poured some milk on the cereal. I dug my spoon into the cereal and shoved a large spoonful into my mouth. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until the cereal was in front of me. Dimitri looked at me with a raised eyebrow as he gently ate his breakfast. I shrugged. The past few days had taken a lot out of me, not to mention I haven't had a proper meal in days. With all the excitement happening when I got back I never really stopped and had a complete meal, just something small every now and then. After last night's activities though and the offering of food this morning, I was ravenous. I soon shoveled the whole bowl into my mouth and was still hungry for more. Dimitri smiled and poured me another bowl and added some milk before pouring himself some more too.

I finished my second bowl and went to get some more when Dimitri halted my actions by placing a hand on my arm and moving the cereal out of my reach.

"Rose, I think you should stop now and wait until lunch. If you eat too much at one time, after not eating properly for so long, you're going to get sick." I nodded in understanding and he removed his hand and grabbed the dirty dishes as I grabbed the food. We took them over to the worker and left to walk around campus. It was Friday and the other students have classes to attend to. I'm excused until sometime next week because of my recent injuries and kidnapping.

The aftermath of the battle could still be seen everywhere we walked, but it didn't have the same gloomy effect that it did the morning after. Now it looked almost as if the school was stronger, more cautious and ready. Dimitri and I walked around for a while before he pulled me toward the gym. When we got inside there was a mat on the ground in the center of the room. Dimitri turned to look at me when I suddenly stopped. Lissa's emotions were spiking again.

Lissa was currently in class sitting next to Christian. I- Lissa- was annoyed that Christian was too busy writing down the class notes in his notebook to respond to the note she had just passed to him. She poked him in the upper arm and he didn't even acknowledge it. Lissa was getting pissed, no she was beyond pissed, she was full-out angry and upset. The darkness was beginning to take over her mind and actions and I could feel the explosion that was surely about to come followed by Lissa getting in trouble if I didn't do something to help her. So before I could really think about what I was doing, I entered her mind in search of the darkness threatening to overpower her better judgment. When I successfully located it, I pulled it into me through the bond, forcing it into my own being rather than Liaa. The dark, evil, horrific emotions filled my head and suddenly all I wanted to do was beat Dimitri and scream and kick or fight in some way just to relieve all the negative emotions that were flowing through me.

I was able to feel Lissa get slightly happier and less annoyed, a different way of looking at things than she was a minute ago. I felt someone shaking me and heard them repeating my name in a sexy Russian accent. I pulled out of Lissa'a head and when I opened my eyes, I was confronted with Dimitri's face, eyes looking at me with concern.

"Are you all right, Rose?" he asked me. I was annoyed that he was asking. Of course I was alright, if I wasn't then I wouldn't be here or this calm at the moment now would I? Instead of saying this out loud I forced a tight smile on my face and nodded stiffly. Dimitri noticed the difference and narrowed his eyes at me. "Roza? Whats wrong?"

"Nothing," I answered, restraining myself from punching him or yelling at him to get out of my face and mind his own business.

He went to place a hand on my shoulder and I snapped. I slapped his hand away and tried to attack him. He looked confused for a moment, which allowed me to get a good punch in, right on that pretty little face of his. Understanding filled his expression and only proved to irritate me further as I stopped using the practiced and skilled punches we were taught and began wildly swinging my arms and kicking my feet, letting the anger override my precision and judgment. I took every chance I could as I repeatedly attempted to injure Dimitri. But he was quick and kept sidestepping all my attempts. Eventually he was able to gain the upper hand and tackle me to the ground, pinning my arms above my head. He was speaking to me all the while, but I couldn't make out the words over my screams and struggles to get him off of me.

I finally realized that the more I struggles, the more stuck I was, so I began to relax my muscles and stop my screams. I could hear what he was saying now and I concentrated on it, waiting for him to stop so I could figure out how to get him off of me.

"Rose. Roza. This isn't you. This isn't you. This is spirit taking over again. Please Roza. Come back to me, please come back," he spoke softly yet commandingly, determination flooding his words. I struggled to understand, but when I did I grew scared. I couldn't get the darkness out; I couldn't seem to fight it. It was in control and I was stuck in the backseat watching it all unfold, listening to Dimitri's words.

"Roza. Roza. I love you. You're strong, so strong. You can fight it Roza. Please, Roza fight it. Please Roza," he whispered in my ear now. His words encouraged me, gave me strength and I internally struggled to regain control, to push the darkness away. And then I felt it. I felt it leave my body, taking all the negative emotions with it. I let out a shaky breath and Dimitri loosened his hold on me.

"Rose. Roza. Are you okay?" he breathed, the ends of some unruly strands of hair tickled my cheek as he talked. I nodded but I was still shaken up quite a bit over what just happened. I know he noticed because before long he had me pulled to his chest and sitting in his lap, stroking my hair. I leaned my head on his chest as a few silent tears streamed down my face. Dimitri pulled back and wiped the tears away with the tips of his thumbs. Sobs wracked my body then and Dimitri hugged me to him tighter. "Shhhh, Roza. It's okay. You're alright now. Come on Roza, everything's okay. You're safe. I got you," he whispered and kissed my forehead a couple of times.

My sobs began to quiet and I felt pretty embarrassed about both my outburst and my tears. I was supposed to be strong, but instead I lose control and end up crying like a baby afterward. I ducked my head in embarrassment, but Dimitri put his finger under my chin and lifted my face to meet his eyes.

"Rose, there's no reason to be embarrassed. You were able to fight it, you did fine. There's no need to feel upset over this. You are not weak, okay? You're one of the strongest people I have ever met. Don't ever forget that. We can get through this and try to figure out how to stop the effects of spirit. We can do this, Rose."

I nodded my head and offered a small smile as I wiped away the last remnants of my tears. Dimitri smiled back and winced a bit when he did. I looked at him in concern and noticed a fairly large bruise starting to form across his cheek, exactly where I had hit him. I gasped quietly and covered my mouth with one hand as the other went to his cheek, softly stroking the mark as if to soothe it.

"Oh my god. I'm so sorry Dimitri. I didn't mean to. Are you okay? This was my entire fault. I'm so sorry," I rushed out before Dimitri kissed me into silence.

"It's fine Rose. I'm alright. It's just a small bruise and really doesn't even hurt. Don't worry Roza, you didn't hurt me, not really," he said reassuringly. I nodded still unsure, but too exhausted to argue any further. Dimitri pulled me towards him again and wrapped his arms securely around me as if to protect me from some other source. I snuggled into his chest, remembering the loneliness I felt without him a few days ago. I missed him so much and now that I have him back I intend to keep him close to me whenever possible. Dimitri leaned his chin on the top of my head and I closed my eyes, effectively falling asleep in his arms again.

So once again, i know it wasnt my best chapter, but I'll get there in the next chapter. Please hit the review button and tell me what you think. And if anyone has any ideas where this should go, i am always open to suggestions and i love hearing (reading really) your ideas. Thanks :)