With An Addition (VA Fanfic)

Repercussions Part 2

RPOV
We stepped into the corridor and I felt like a ticking time bomb. And by the looks in Dimitri's eyes, so did he. We'd both been played. But worst of all, was that Jen had been manipulated and used. It was in both our eyes: we had to get out of here, not just for Jen's sake, but for our own as well. I know I'd told Art that if Strigoi came I would force myself to protect my Moroi. But now the Moroi were endangering and manipulating my family, I couldn't put the Moroi first. I had to protect Jenée and Dimitri from the Moroi. They came first: my baby and my partner. How could they not?

"How are we doing this, Dimitri?" I silently pleaded. We had to be out by the end of today. We had to be gone by breakfast. And no one could latch on... except for maybe Mom...
Dimitri looked between me and Jen and the surrounding corridors. We had been heading toward my room but Dimitri tugged us in a different direction. He was heading towards Mom's room.
"Dimitri!" I squeaked in protest.
"We need their permission."
I scowled. "That defeats the purpose."
"They'd do a lot of things for Jen. I'd do a lot of things for you. Do you trust me, Roza?"
"With Jenée's life," I answered honestly. Where was he going with this? On Dimitri's hip was a shocked and silent Jen. She was letting us, her parents, handle the fallout. Sometimes she really was like her father and it made me all the more determined to hide her away.
"Then trust me now. The proper channels are the way to go."

"Rose, Belikov," Mom greeted distractedly. Then she noticed Jen and her face lit up. "Hey Jen."
"Nana!" Jen squealed and squirmed in Dimitri's hold.
Mom nodded to Dimitri and he released our baby. Jen ran into Mom's waiting arms. The surrounding guardians halted what they were doing and watched Mom and Jen in awe.
I don't think Mom was ever this melted with me- and I was her daughter. But it made me love her a little to see her forget her duties for my baby. How could I rip Jen away from her starting-to-change-her-ways grandmother? My eyes met Dimitri's. He didn't have the sudden moment of doubt that I had just experienced. His expression told me that all would be well, as long as we got out of here. It reminded me of why we'd come to see her and Alberta in the first place.

"Mom, we need to speak to you- about Jenée."
"Petrov, you too, if you could spare a minute."
At our words every face in the room turned and all eyes fell on us. Mom and Alberta studied us for a few moments before both nodding. They followed us outside. Jenée came and stood at my side, she clung to my leg. I ran a hand through her hair and Dimitri blurted out why we were here, what we wanted and needed.
"We need to get Jenée out of here before she becomes a test subject and political pawn."
Understanding shone in Alberta's eyes. "The meeting? Who?"
A pained look crossed Dimitri's face before a look of betrayal did. His mask returned. "Tasha. Jen's strong, Alberta. Too strong."
"Strong at what?" Mom asked me.
"Jen," I sighed. "Show Nana what you did to Chrissie this morning."
Jen reluctantly nodded against my hip then stepped away and lit up her hands. She sent a lick of flame curling around Mom's head before absorbing it again.
Mom gasped from the heat of it. "What did you want from me about getting Jenée into hiding?" she asked Dimitri.
Dimitri's eyes asked me if I was sure about this. I smiled tightly. I was sure. It sure as hell hurt, but I was sure about fleeing with Jen. We had a daughter to protect. Flesh and blood, heart and soul. Jenée had to come first this time. I wouldn't have Jenée out of sight for even half a moment. I would always know what was happening with Lissa anyway. I wouldn't let the bond dictate my loyalties and priorities this time.
Dimitri faced my Mom and squared his shoulders while Jenée barrelled into his embrace. "We need you to sign off on the dropout forms."
Mom's eyes burned holes into me. "I thought you'd agreed-"
"Mom," I cried, "please! You know I'll go anyway. We won't get hunted if you do this. You can come visit, but please, just this once, help me protect my only daughter the only way I know how."
Mom and Alberta studied my family for a moment. "And where do you come in, Belikov?" asked Alberta.
Dimitri looked between me and our daughter with affectionate yet fiercely protective eyes. "I'm their ticket out of here. Where they go, I follow."
"Look after them, Belikov. And don't forget our conversation from yesterday." Dimitri paled a little at Mom's words. I felt as lost as Alberta looked.
"I'll help you escape, on the proviso, you chase down any nearby lead that crops up in the next twelve to eighteen hours. Both of you." Alberta knew how to drive a hard bargain. Mom's stony expression and sharp nod indicated it was the best offer we were going to get. Their narrowed eyes and pursed lips informed us we were lucky to be allowed to flee society and desert our duty, abandon our charge at all in the mayhem we were surrounded in. Yet the nearly imperceptible twinkle in their eyes also told us they understood it was best for us to leave now before order was restored.
We nodded. Best take what we can get while we can get anything at all.