Hey everyone...I know, I know, been a looonnnng time but I'm back. Sorry for the absecnse. At first it was writers block and laziness, then my computer broke down, then it was just pure laziness until just last week. So I hope you like. Characters belong to Richelle Mead unfortunatly.

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Chapter 4

Today was mine and Dimitri's day off. When I was a novice I told myself that a day off was something I would never want seeing as I needed to look after Lissa but that was before I knew she would become Queen of the Moroi. Even if I knew that back then I still wouldn't take a day off. Even if I knew that I would have Dimitri.

Lissa was a stubborn queen though, well, more like a stubborn best friend, she insisted on giving Dimitri and me days off together. Dimitri wasn't her guardian but she was queen and Dimitri was her boyfriend's guardian, so she had a big say on his scheduling as much as in mine. She would tell me she did this because she had enough guardians as well as Christian. Don't get me wrong, I loved my days with Dimitri, but something told me she had another motive. I think she thought she owed us for, more or less, keeping us apart while we were still at St. Vlad's. I didn't blame her, but I knew she felt guilty no matter how many times I told her that it was okay.

So, this brought us to today. Dimitri and I were having a day out in Philadelphia, starting with breakfast at a diner, which was more like dinner for us since we had to take up a human schedule to go out and about.

Our food had just arrived when Dimitri asked, "So, what are we doing today?"

At first I didn't answer him seeing as I had a plate full with two pancakes, eggs, bacon, and a side dish with two doughnuts. Yes, this was more important at the moment. After taking down both doughnuts and the bacon, I answered him.

"Hmm, well I need to buy some new shirts and jeans, so I think we should go to the mall. I haven't been to a mall since-," I cut myself off remembering the last time I'd been at a mall.

Dimitri gave me a worried look and asked, "Since when?"

I stayed quiet for a moment but reluctantly told him. "Since the time we went with Victor." I didn't like to remember times spent with Victor Dashkov. Especially times before I knew who he really was, a sick, menacing man.

I knew Dimitri figured out what I was thinking, like always. "Let's not think about that okay?" He smiled at me and leaned over to give me a chaste kiss. We didn't think anymore about Victor as we finished our breakfast, which took a while. Dimitri had ordered as much as I had and of course Dimitri being himself ordered two more coffees to go for the both of us, which I was thankful for. God, he had turned me into a coffee addict as well as some other kind of addict, but let's not think about that right now.

As soon as we were given our coffees we made our way to the mall. It took us a while to get a parking space, but it was the weekend, what else could we expect. We entered the mall and the first thing that caught my sight, Forever 21. I made my way over to it dragging Dimitri along. It had been a while since I came to this store. I walked around, glancing at the cute tops and studded jeans but those weren't the ones I was looking for. After finding a stack of not studded or embroidered jeans, I skimmed through them and grabbed a couple in my size. I turned to see a rack of sweaters and sweater dresses. I found some I liked and took them as well. I made my way to the fitting room when I spotted something in my peripheral. A section of athletic wear. I made my way to it with Dimitri at my heels, and I had notice he was very quiet.

"Are you okay?" I asked him.

"Yes, why?"

"Well, you've been really quiet since we came in here."

He smiled. "I just like watching you shop." I gave him a confuse look. "It just fascinates me, the looks on your face when you see something you don't like or something that you love. It amazes me." I laughed but didn't comment.

Once at the fitness section I grabbed a red sports bra and showed it to Dimitri. "How do you think this will look on me?"

He looked at it and gave a look of speculation. "I don't know. I think I need to see it on you to give you an answer."

I laughed and made my way to the fitting room but there wasn't anyone to ask for a room so I just walked to the farthest room and took Dimitri with me.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"Well you said you need to see it on me to give me an answer. And I also need your opinion on the other clothes. How can I buy something if my boyfriend doesn't think it looks hot on me?" He smiled and sat in the corner chair while I tried on the sports bra. From the reflection in the mirror I saw his eyes widen as he saw my half naked body. After putting on the bra I turned to him. "So?"

"It's perfect." He stood and walked to me. He leaned down to my neck and ran his nose up and down and put his lips to my earlobe and whispered, "Do you remember the day I caught you making out with that kid in the lounge room?"

"Yes," I practically moaned.

"That was the first time I really noticed how beautiful you are. I have to say that I didn't like the situation but seeing you sitting on that couch in that black bra. . . Well let me just tell you that I had to take a very cold shower that night. It has to be one of the best times I've ever shared with you."

I pulled away and smiled at him. "Number 8?" I asked.

"Definitely."

I kissed him and just before it could lead to clothes removal there was a knock on the door. A store clerk chastised us for going in without permission but let me try on the rest of my clothes. Dimitri and I spent a good part of the day at the mall and finally decided to go home. I had to admit, it had been a fun and productive day. Now, only seven more to go on Dimitri's list.

Hope you liked it. Chapter 5 will be up soon.