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

Chapter 58

RPOV
Dimitri took me to a classy restaurant for dinner. Since I'd bought the clothes for a formal-style dinner date. God, I loved him. Today had been so fun and relaxing.

So. I was currently sitting in a booth with Dimitri... and the waitress taking our order was hitting on my man. I mean, I get he's hot and all. But he taken. He's mine. She didn't seem to give a damn that I was right here and practically on his lap. As it was, one of his hands was on my knee. Did the classy restaurant's waitress seriously have no class?!

"She was hitting on you." I stated once she left.
"I didn't notice. My eyes are only for you, my love." My other half gently tipped my chin up and brought me into a short, sweet, loving kiss.
"I love you, Dimitri. Seriously. I can never say it enough." I sighed while leaning into his side.

I was completely lovesick. Had been practically all year and would be until either of us died. The man had changed my life the moment I laid eyes on him. And he'd keep changing it as time went on, as life happened and our relationship grew, developed and matured more and more over time.

Over dinner, we simply enjoyed being in the other's company and that we were in public. Over dessert, we reflected on the day and mused about what our future could possibly hold for us. One thing we wanted in our future was a child. At least one, likely more given they were supposed to be impossible. Marriage was something we agreed needed to happen... At some point. And we weren't going to run to do so.

We'd stay Guardians, get married and have our own family. We'd find the perfect balance somehow, simply because duty and the Moroi meant too much to us. Liss, especially, meant a lot to me and I couldn't possibly abandon her. Ever. The girl was my sister- enough said.

Dimitri held my hand the whole drive home. Well... The Academy wasn't going to be my home for very much longer. As in 'a matter of hours' not very much longer. Not that I really cared I was leaving the hell hole of a school, because my home was wherever Dimitri was.

I hadn't been expecting what occurred when I returned. Dimitri and I walked into Alberta's office to notify her of our return... Only for her to tell me to sit and for Dimitri to scramble.
"Dimitri?"
"Yes, love?"
"Would you mind unloading and dropping my stuff in my room? Please?"
"I'll even pack your room up so you're ready to leave for Court."
"You are a godsend. Thank you. I really don't know where I'd be without you. I seriously don't know what I ever did to deserve you. God, I love you." He'd melted me to the point I was gushing. Yup. I was totally lovesick. And it was showing.
"You're you, and you exist. I love you too, my Roza." My man kissed me passionately before leaving the room.

"Did the world just disappear?" Alberta asked, with her amusement ringing loud-and-clear.
"It may have."
"Translation: 'yes. It most certainly did, and always does with him around.'"
"Alberta?"
"Yes, Rose. I've known right from Portland you two could never just be student and teacher. And yes, I purposely cooped the two of you up so you'd crack. The tension was getting so palpable, it was smothering." She was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in!"

I hadn't expected Hans Croft to step in the door. And it worried me to no end. "Guardian Hathaway Mazur." he gruffly greeted with a tight nod. How'd he know?
"Guardian Croft. Sir." I nodded back.
"Here." The seasoned guardian handed over an envelope. A heavy cream envelope with the Monarch's seal on the reverse. Uh oh.
"Sir?"
"Open it, Guardian Mazur." I was going to take a little time to adjust to the name change. I opened the envelope and nearly dropped the letter.
"Sir? How is this possible?"
"You have proven yourself more than worthy. You have the grades and the experience."
"B-but that means I've replaced someone."
"You nearly replaced me, Mazur. It was your age which held you back."
"Yes, Sir. Understood, Sir."

Man! My man had changed me. I hated authority, yet couldn't help but fear and respect the Head Guardian. Especially if I had nearly put him out of his job.

"Rose?" He dropped formalities as a thought spiked his curiosity.
"Yes?"
"How'd you end up with Belikov?" That had me on high alert. What did he know? How did he hear about my relationship status? "I just saw him minutes ago... Wearing a sappy expression."
"What have you heard? What do you know?" I asked cautiously. He could get Dimitri in major trouble. And me.
"I know you've just come back from a date. That the stoic Belikov is absolutely lovesick. That the world disappears. I heard about that display yesterday, in the cafeteria line. That he's brave- given your lineage and lethality."
"Anything else?" I carefully pressed.
"If you're worried I'm going to investigate, rest assured, I'm not. I don't want to know. You're both two lethal and dangerous to let your skills go to waste. You're free to go, Hathaway Mazur."
"Yes, Sir." I followed farewell procedure and beelined for my dorm.

"Roza? What just happened?" My boyfriend engulfed me in a hug when I tumbled into my room.
"C-Croft." A look of dread crossed his face.
"Are we? Am I?"
"Far from it. I-I j-just r-received
m-my a-assignment."

It was beginning to sink in just what calibre of guardian I was. And it was scaring me senseless. I had a lot more responsibility, even though I was on a larger team. I had been deemed one of the best, and kicked one of the best-of-the-best out of a job.

"How? Assignments aren't supposed to be done until after the meet-and-greet. They certainly aren't supposed to come out until summer's nearly over."
"I'm an oddity." I muttered out. "H-h-here." I handed him the envelope that contained letter deciding my future, therein. "Read it. I'd barely skimmed it before I freaked and numbed in shock." My man took it and gasped when he saw the seal.
"R-Roza? Is this what I think it is? Did I train you that well, and are you that gifted?"
"Have I replaced a Palace Guard? Yes. I have. I nearly replaced Hans, apparently." My boyfriend was hardly ever shocked, or, at the very least, he normally didn't show it. But he did now, as his chin and the letter dropped to the floor.
"Y-you are simply amazing, woman."
I was pulled into a kiss. One which soon heated up. Good god. I loved him. And boy! Was that one way for my soulmate to say 'congratulations, my love'.

We eventually had all my stuff packed up. Just in time for the Moroi graduation. Lissa was so excited to finally graduate that she forgot she was pissed at me for doing a disappearing act on her. Although, she was happy that I was publicly with Dimitri. 'At last.' Her words, not mine. Though I did agree with her wholeheartedly.