A month outside the gates (a VA fanfic)ON HOLD

Chapter 33

RPOV
My marvellous man found me four hours after we landed.

In those four hours, he'd been on shift and I'd been on the slopes- and had shown Mase and Eddie who was boss. I'd refused to do anything dangerous and still managed to show them I owned the slopes.

My boyfriend and I spent hours in that gym. We could only actually train, but it was enough to just be in his presence. We were both so in love, and addicted, that we wouldn't be able to survive a fortnight of trying to keep away. That would cause the cover to crumble. Training was an excuse to be near the other, to ease the separation anxiety and reduce the sexual tension.
It was just before dinner when we left- and it had been just after lunch when we'd entered.

"Where'd you go?" Mase asked when I joined the group for dinner.
"Training with Dimitri."
'Yeah, sure!' Liss laughed mentally. 'It's an excuse for contact!'
"Seriously?!" The three guys exclaimed in disbelief.
"Is he that mean? He's training you on holidays?" Mase continued.
"Why?" Christian.
"How can he do that?!" Eddie exclaimed. "You're on break for Pete's sake!"
"And got kills already." Christian added.
"That's why. And I asked for the extra gym time. He's giving up his holidays because I asked for extra hours."
"You asked?!" Mase and Eddie exclaimed- they were completely shell shocked by the idea.
'Not that much of a surprise.' Liss commented mentally. 'Not really. You'd have asked even if you weren't with him.' She wasn't surprised in the least. And the guys shock had her holding back hysterics.
"Yes. Alberta okayed it. She also gave me a twenty-four seven gym pass, with the condition that Dimitri's with me."
'Of course. He's already with you, Rose!' Liss teased. Neither of us missing the double meaning.
Conversation eventually shifted off my so-called meanie of a mentor and his making me train my butt off while on holidays.

Two days later Dimitri found me after his shift, only to pull me into a Guardian meeting. There'd been an attack two states away and they were collecting data. Said data was pouring in, and it was pouring in as it came to light. It had been a group of nine Strigoi, and humans had staked the wards- just like we'd found at the Badica's. Also, the human 'burglar' I'd knocked unconscious during my training intensive had been one in league with a Strigoi, or band of, because he'd had a stake.

The Moroi freaked and called a Council meeting to discuss the politics of the problem, while the Guardians just dealt with things practically. Liss wanted me in the Council meeting, but I was needed by the Guardians. Alberta had ordered me to stay. She'd also been the one to get Dimitri to bring me in.

Twenty-four hours later, and vital evidence had turned up in Spokane. It took another thirty-six hours for the Councils to clear a team to investigate this further- and to take action and actively hunt, of required. Dimitri, Emil, Yuri and I were selected as the team.

When I found the evidence, I wasn't terribly impressed by it. They were after royals, and were keeping track of successes. Only one of the smaller clans had had an entire family wiped out. But it would nearly take Liss to have a heart attack and her line would be gone.

We went on the hunt. No one was ending my charge's line. No one was even going to be able to plan a royal wipeout while I was alive.

It took til sunrise the following morning to find the house the Strigoi were hiding in. Procedural sweeps were carried out, because I could sense that was the house when we'd driven past it. I'd gotten a nauseous feeling reminiscent of what I'd felt milliseconds before the Badica's had been breached.

The second I stepped into shade, I was attacked. I'd sensed them coming for me. What the hell was with picking on me?! Never mind. The battle of, and for, my life began before I could even think the thought. These two were ancients and it was a tough and rough fight, but I found my openings and didn't hesitate to use them.