A/N: Hey guys, this is my new story, so I hope you like it. I'm only human and no doubt you would probably spot some grammatical errors in here where I've missed it.

Disclaimer:

Richelle Mead owns VA series and all it's characters. No copyright infringement intended. I do, however, own my own creativity, plot and characters that are not recognised by anyone else.

Chapter One: Homesick

As the sound of static droned over the radio, I knew instantly, I was closer to Montana. The place where shrubbery was defined as Mountain ranges, and roads were made for off tracking. At least that's how I always saw it as, of course that was me being overly dramatic. I guess I just saw boredom reeking out of this state. I was doing seventy miles an hour on the freeway, letting trees and post past by in torrents.

"Oh god Liss, if you thought boarding school was torture. You can bet my ass this is ten times worse." I groaned into the small device attached to my ear. I was turning off the interstate, making my way toward the Montana exit, talking to my best-friend Lissa on the phone.

She giggled. Apparently, my said torture was something that amused her. I failed to see the punch line.

"You'll be alright. He's your dad, not the devil."

"He's the Mayor of course he's not the devil. He's more like the devils advocate; like the snake that convinced Eve to eat that apple. Living with that man will be hell. I can just feel it."

"Isn't that a little melodramatic? Besides, from what I can tell, he's a good man."

I rolled my eyes. Lissa would probably say Hitler had been a good man. She's always focusing on the good parts of someone's character no matter how extreme the situation was. It's why I liked her so much. Me? I was opposed to the subject of good.

"Ugh! Are you even listening to me? The man is manipulative, sarcastic and annoyingly arrogant…okay fine! He's exactly like me, but still…"

"Like you said before, it's only temporary right? Hey if it makes you feel any better, at least you don't have to get a job like my parents are forcing me to do." I grinned, feeling a bit better.

"You're right. I do feel a bit better."

I could imagine her rolling her eyes at this very instant. Since graduating boarding school, we'd been sent home to our family's. Lissa lived in Pennsylvania with her cousin Adrian and his parents. She called them her parents too since she'd practically been brought up by them.

After the tragic accident that claimed her parents and her brother, the Ivashkov's took her in. She'd been in the accident unharmed in her car seat. She was only three years old. So she'd never had the chance to even know them. Thinking of that now, made my temper tantrum with having to come home to my father sound stupid. Especially since, I actually had a father to come home to. That was more that I can say for her. And my mother was probably on some vacation with her newly-wed Mr. Svelzky. I scowled just thinking about it.

"-Besides" She crooned over the line. "I'll be visiting the weekends, can't be too bad."

I flicked my indicators signaling to my right as I veered up to a red light. Absentmindedly, I looked toward the man across the street, as he appeared from under the hood of one of the wrecks that he'd supposedly been working on. His back was faced toward me so I didn't catch a glimpse of his face. But with a body like his? Who had time to look there?

Long chestnut silky hair teased his shoulders, while the taut muscles that claimed his bare torso were perfectly defined and screamed HOT! From where I could see him, he'd probably pass for being over six foot, and he'd obviously spent his spare time in a gym with how perfect his shape had been in. Clad in overalls that hung dangerously low on his waist and a pair of black shit-kickers. I was biting down on my lips as the sweat mingled with oil grease gleamed from the afternoon sun on his shoulder blades.

I was vaguely aware of a constant beeping of a horn coming from behind me, and I was instantly shoved out of my reverie. R-rated thoughts dissipating as I glared at the annoying road-beast in my rearview mirror.

I resisted the urge to stick him with the middle finger, but the green traffic light ahead of me cut me off when it suddenly turned yellow.

I put my black skyline in gear and shot off, making it in time to cross before it turned to a stop light. I felt smug knowing the car behind me had to wait longer for the green to flash again. I grinned evilly. Suck on that road-beast!

"Rose, are you there?" Lissa's voice droned on from the other side.

"Yeah, sorry. Just got a little distracted, that's all." I let my eyes flick back up to the rearview as the man at the chop shop faded in the distance. Distracted indeed. I silently thought.

Moments later, I pulled up to a wrought iron gate, opening on cue as if I was expected. Probably was. Mr. Mayor was anything but efficient. My so called father's mansion was highly maintained with manicured lawns, fancy outside ornaments, and conspicuous guards dressed in black suits like agents – dotted all over the estate. The driveway curved like a horse shoe, so it was easy to get in and out without wasting time on reversing out.

This house put the Whitehouse to shame, though one could argue that the architecture could have been its twin. Except it wasn't white, it was the color of beach sand on a blearing sunny afternoon. I think my dad was going for the Sahara desert theme. I gritted my teeth. I hated coming here. It always reminded me that my dad in fact had control over everything. If not the state, then my life. I suddenly missed boarding school.

"Great! Welcome to my humble abode!" I muttered to myself. Lissa chuckled into the device.

"I'll let you get reacquainted with your past. Call me when you're all settled, yeah?"

"Yeah, roger that." I clicked the end button on the ear set and shoved it back in my glove compartment. I glared over at the estate with an exasperated sigh. I wasn't sure if I was ready to get reacquainted with my past.

I put my car in park, next to the four identical SUV's that sat out front. My father had insisted I drive something classy and overbearing like them. But I preferred something small that can get me places, to something so huge like an SUV and an American flag that practically said 'Hey look at me, I'm the Mayors daughter'.

I wanted to be inconspicuous, not stick out like a sore thumb. My skyline was my baby, and it suited me just fine, even if it didn't quite fit the classy department. As I shuffled over the right side to find my duffel, I was met with a bunch of guards greeting me at the window. I scowled. They hovered like a suffocating bad smell. The car door opened for me, and a familiar face greeted me with a half smile.

"Miss Rosemarie, we've been expecting you." I rolled my eyes and grinned at my longtime friend Eddie Castile.

"How many times have I told you to call me Rose?" I said in annoyance. Eddie gave me one of his contageous smiles.

He was dressed in the same attire as the rest of the bodyguards. White ear bug glued to the inside of his ear, and a fresh haircut. He shrugged casually, taking my hand and helping me out of the door like the gentleman he was. I was quite capable of doing so on my own, but Eddie was the few guardians that worked for my father that I did like. He was like a big brother to me.

"Like a million. But it's proper guardian etiquette to address the Mayors daughter by her full-name and title." He pried the duffel bag away from me and shoved it over his shoulders. I grimaced.

"Stuff guardian etiquette! It's stupid and it's just my father's show at power play." The other two guardian's snickered at me as they retrieved my luggage in the trunk. I ignored them.

"So, how was your trip in, you must be exhausted from the long drive." Eddie steered me through the threshold, and I found myself taking in the big mansion. The vestibule itself looked big enough to hold my room and Lissa's room together. I forgot how huge this place was.

I shrugged. Sure driving hours took a lot out of me, but I was used to it.

"I'm not that tired, but I can use a cold drink." I said, eying the in house aquarium on the side wall.

Eddie nodded to the in-house maid Maria and ordered a coke, and a few refreshments. He even included chocolate glazed donuts. My mouth watered just thinking about them. He apparently still remembered my appetite.

"So, where's Abe?" He glared pointedly at my impolite way of addressing my father. I never called him Abe to his face, though.

"Mr. Mayor is in his office attending a business meeting." I rolled my eyes. I was doing that a lot lately.

"Great! Nothing-new then. I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Mayor knows I'm even here." He shook his head.

"He's expecting you; he couldn't wait to see when you got in."

"Oh goody! Better paint my happy face on then." He cocked an eyebrow.

"You have one of those?" I scowled playfully and hit his arm, making him chuckle.

Eddie was probably the only guard who had a sense of humor. The others walked around with carrots stuck up their asses. It's why it was so easy to be myself around him. I crossed into the kitchen letting the double doors fly behind me, only Eddie caught them half adrift. I planted my rump down at the breakfast bench. Eddie stood next to me. He refused to sit, since he'd be worried he'd be pulled up for sitting on the job.

He and the others took their jobs seriously. I watched Maria prepare my food as she carefully placed the refreshments on some fancy silverware platter, along with expensive looking china. I rolled my eyes so she couldn't see. A brown bag would be perfectly fine. Besides, I'll be scoffing the food down before it even hits the silverware. I didn't say that though. I wasn't mad at her, I liked her.

"Here you go Miss Rosemarie, there's cream in the milk jar." I gave her a genuine smile. Even Maria knew what I liked.

"Thank you, Maria." She nodded but not before offering Eddie something to eat too. He refused of course letting Maria go about her business with tending to the house.

I dug in and moaned appreciatively when the chocolate glazed donut hit my taste buds. I was sent to heaven momentarily. I heard a chuckle beside me.

"You and your donuts, its no wonder you haven't had a heart attack." I shrugged licking off the stray icing on my fingers.

"I'd say I died a happy camper if that were the case." He chuckled again and shook his head.

Eddie was my childhood friend. His father had been my father's right hand, and personal bodyguard. So we grew up together. Well, up until I was sent off to boarding school. His father had died a few weeks ago, from an assassination. Of course, my father was the primary target, and doing his job; Sir Edward Castile had died in the line of duty. The Russian federation was our biggest suspects but nobody had proof of that yet. It's why my father had ordered for me to come home, and live among the safety of his home security. My personal prison I liked to call it.

Though, I could only see why. After losing his right hand, he'd taken precautions seriously. A pang of guilt washed through me as I remembered Eddie's father. I didn't even make it to his funeral because it was the same day as my graduation. I guess it was only minutes before Eddie would follow in his footsteps and become a guardian too, though not my father's personal one.

That position was apparently a closed book at this point. I don't think my father was ready to replace him so soon.

"What's got that mood down?" I flicked my eyes up to Eddie and forced a smile.

"Nothing. Just good to see you. That's all." I reached over and gave him a peck on the cheek. He nodded.

"Nice to see you too. Maria has your room ready, if you'd like to freshen up." I nodded.

"Yeah, after I'm done with these babies." I said holding up another glazed donut. He chuckled and sauntered off with my luggage. After finishing my donut, I doused the grease in a gulp of coke. The fizz scratched my throat in a good way settling my thirst. I was vaguely aware of footsteps sounding behind me.

"Ah Kizim, you made it home." I suddenly lost my appetite at hearing that voice boom through the kitchen. I turned around planting a fake smile on my face when my father made an appearance. Usually he'd be in his meeting all night. I was almost flattered he took the time to see his only daughter home. Almost.

"All in once piece like you said. Can't be leaving pancreas, and limbs anywhere around the city now, can we?" My tone dripped with sarcasm, but my father ignored me and ushered me over for a hug. I wasn't the hugging type and neither was he. But he must've been in a good mood. That was more than I can say for myself. I sauntered over to him and leant into his hug trying to return the gesture. It was short lived and his primed chocolate suit smelled of Cuban cigars mixed with spicy cologne. I wrinkled my nose.

"Baba it's been a long time." He smoothed out my long hair with a look of endearment. He kissed my forehead.

"Too long Kizim. You're all grown up. Tell me, how was boarding school?"

"Oh just the usual. You know. I get kicked in the shin, I return the favor ten times worst. Detention soon follows." I paused wiping the grease on a napkin. I shrugged as if my story was no big deal.

"You know me; I refuse to go down without a fight, always keeping up my reputation." He stared disapprovingly.

"I sure hope it's a good reputation Kizim." I smiled deviously.

"If that's what makes you sleep at night." He grunted and steered me toward the living room where we would 'catch up' on loss time.

After settling in, and a much needed break from mindless small talk with my father, I speed dialed Lissa. She answered on the second ring.

"Hey Rose, what's up?" I eyed my room with scorn. It was big enough to fit a apartment in here. Big oak bedpost took up most of it, and the essentials a room needed...or not. Considering the entertainment system took up the opposite wall. I shook my head.

"Oh nothing, just reporting back from hell." She giggled.

"That bad?" I grunted.

"Yeah, pretty much. Although it was good seeing Eddie. He looks good. You know he works for my dad now? It's kind of weird, 'cause he looks exactly like his dad did in his prime. But it suits him well. So, what's going on in su casa? Any dramas? Please say yes!"

"Well, not so much in the 'drama' aspect. But I did find a job I'm interested in. It's a position in the local pharmacy down town, and I volunteered to help out at the animal shelter too."

"The drug store? Yippee! I've always wanted to have my own personal drug dealer." She giggled.

"Yeah, it's something right?"

"I still can't believe Nathan and Danielle are even making you guys work. That's just beyond cruel. Are they holding out on your allowances too?"

"Nah, we get allowance on top of what we earn at our jobs. Plus, it's supposed to teach us how to earn for a living if we want to survive out in the real world."

"Ugh! The real world sucks." She agreed with an 'uh huh'.

"Well, it beats having to stay here. I feel like I'm on home detention or something. How's Adrian holding up?" Silence over the phone. I sighed and bit down on my tongue in anger.

"My fathers impossible, I can't believe he made me break it off with Adrian. Some crap about me keeping my enemy's too close for comfort. He's not even full Russian. Not that my father even cares what I think."

I stated bitterly. My father had found out I'd been dating Adrian Ivashkov a little over a month ago. After hearing his last name, and searching his bloodline, he'd forbidden me to see him, or have any contact with him after finding out his ancestors dated back to the Russian Royals. Back then, they were named The Royal Flush.

They were the Russian version of the mafia. It wasn't fair on Adrian. He'd been punished for simply sharing an ancient bloodline with the enemy. Even if it was a small sample, my father saw him as a potential threat. It's one of the reasons I despised my father.

"He's okay though. Adrian I mean. He understands that what you two had could never happen again. He's dealing."

"He knows I'm sorry right?"

"Yeah. I just wish he'd stop drowning his sorrows in that damn bottle of vodka. He drinks those things like they're water."
I frowned at the sound of the doorbell ringing. From my window, I could see out the front entrance. I raised my eyebrows when I saw the white pick up truck, with a shiny pearlescent maroon FORD mustang trailing behind it. It was my dads chosen vehicle when he was on 'vacation'. He must've had it taken in to the chop shop recently. My draw dropped when I saw him step out of the pick up truck.

"Oh Lord have mercy, I'm in Heaven." My eyes were lit with a lusty glare.

"What?" Lissa asked curiously.

"Grease monkey alert." I whispered over the phone. She squealed at the mention of our code for hot guy candy.

"Where? What does he look like? Describe. Every. Detail. Wait, take a camera shot on your phone." I chuckled over the line at her fangirl rant for boys. I couldn't blame her.

"Can't see from here, gotta go, Liss. I'm dying for a close up."

"No fair!" She complained.

"I'll ring back with all the deets, I promise." I hung up the phone and raced down the stairs.

"-yeah, the engine's running fine now, just the carburetor needed to be replaced, but it's all done." My father nodded in thanks.

"I just need you to sign here." Grease monkey pointed out something on the clipboard, and my father scribbled with his fancy pen. Eddie must have opened the door, 'cause he was standing a few feet away incase someone at the door posed a threat. I poked my head out from the stairwell and got a good glimpse of the man I'd seen earlier at the chop shop.

He was much taller than I'd suspected, at least six six. If that was even possible, and the accent that rolled off his tongue made my toes curl. Bummer I couldn't get a glimpse of his body up close, his overalls were covering them, but his face definitely done his body justice.
His hair was roughly tied at the nape of his neck, and I noticed stray pieces framing his face. I blushed when his brown eyes flicked over to me briefly, as he regarded me curiously Shit! I'd just been caught staring. He had a hint of a smile, but it passed as soon as it had come.

"You're a good man Belikov." My father nodded a farewell. "Pleasure serving you Mr. Mayor." I was disappointed when he shut the door on him. My father smiled and passed me, as he made his way back to his office. I bit my lip and opened the door as I watched this Belikov release the FORD mustang from the tire irons.

"You fixed that all by yourself?" He whipped his head around and frowned. Probably wondering if I was talking to him. He nodded at the mustang.

"I did." His voice sounded better up close, I realized. I whistled at the final product.

"Man, that must have been some work. That thing's been sitting in the garage collecting rust for years. You add the coat too?" His eyes roamed over the glossy paint.

"Yup! With his chosen color of course." I smiled.

"My favorite too." I didn't know I had voiced that out loud. Silence followed and I all of sudden felt like I was invading his space. I pursed my lips as his arms went to work with the trailor. He cleared his throat, and gave me a side-glance.

"So, you're the infamous daughter he's been raving on about?" I frowned.

"He talks about me to his mechanic? I'm intrigued." He shrugged.

"Sure. You're the talk of the town." I was dumbfounded. I am?

"So, what? Now you're his own personal mechanic slash gossip partner…?" I teased. I didn't even dent his mask of composure. The man was like an iceberg. Where was that smile I saw on his face earlier? It was like it vanished with out a trace.

"Just a mechanic." He replied like it was obvious.

"A mechanic he allows to do personal drop offs? A Russian mechanic at that. Shit! The man likes you. You know he practically owns you now." He chuckled and I found myself liking the sound. Bingo. He shook his head and frowned as if he'd forgot what he was laughing at.

After dumping the FORD on the driveway, he slipped into the pick up truck and gave me one last glance. The corners of his mouth twitched as his eyes roamed up and down my body.

"See you again, Mr. Mayor's daughter." He saluted and he was on his way.

"It's Rose!" I shouted, but I wasn't sure he heard me over the growl of the engine. It was the second time today I'd seem him fading from my view. I was grinning from cheek to cheek. You can count on it.

A/N: Just something that was swarming around in my head and had to write down. I hope you like it. I know I haven't been writing fanfiction for awhile, but I missed it so much! And I missed you guys. Also, I'm dedicated to this story and I intend on finishing this one since I have somewhat of a plot outlined. Review what you liked or what you didn't like. I love hearing what you guys have to say. Otherwise I'd just get rid of it LOL

xxTiny