DPOV
I was sure to die today. At very least I'd be nearly-fatally injured with the same type of weapon that had killed Rose. Again. I knew the range of questions I was preparing to answer in order to be accepted by Rose's parents. Yes, fear pulsed through me because the truth and extent of our history was an ugly truth, but determination and resolution also ran through my veins. The only way I was leaving Rose was by death. Yes, I wanted Abe and Janine's approval, but I'd look death in the eye via the barrel of a gun before I let them separate me from my other half. I'd die before their disapproval kept me away from her. We'd been through too much in the past year and a bit to let an issue such as parents come between us.

Reluctantly I shifted my sleeping beauty off my chest and removed myself from our bed. I thought I'd gotten away with not waking her until I heard "Hey! What gives?" being sleepily mumbled from the bed when I reached the bathroom door.
I chuckled at her early morning gorgeousness and possessiveness. "Go back to sleep, Roza. I'm just cleaning up before your parents arrive."
She shot up in bed faster than a bull at a gate. "Don't go!" she screeched in distress and annoyance- at her parents not letting her tag along since they wouldn't cancel the trip, not at me going.
"Roza, settle. I'll be fine. And you need to stay put right here, in bed preferably, until I get back," I warned tenderly, still extremely worried about her since she was still healing from being shot and only on duty one day and one night shift given it was only a week after Lissa's coronation. Lissa was still telling me off for being so formal when addressing her but I wasn't as comfortable with dropping her title and queen status as Rose, Christian and Eddie, even if I was a part of their family thanks to Rose.
"IF you get back, I'm pretty sure the old man's a little trigger happy," she grumbled. "Why can't we have any privacy? And can't I join you in the shower?" she pulled puppy eyes on me. It was extremely hard to resist, but still necessary.
"Now is not the time to test your control, Roza." And I don't need an extra reason for Abe and Janine to be opposed to me. Our first two times were going to be controversial and damning enough. One thing I knew for sure was that Janine was going to ask about was if Rose and I had done what we had back at the Academy.
"You're scared," Rose laughed knowingly. I hated that she could see through me like that so easily and frequently. It still scared me.
"I'm scared of hurting you. Besides your parents don't have their reputations for no reason. Just as you don't."
Rose pouted adorably and I couldn't help but move to her side and quickly peck her lips before heading back towards the shower. "And don't even think about trying to cook breakfast." I shut the door to the bathroom before she could throw something at me. It wasn't that she couldn't even boil water... well, okay, maybe it had a little to do with that, but I believed she could always learn- and she would have to to survive Lehigh. Mainly I didn't want her over-exerting herself when I was more than happy to cook for her.

By the time we'd had breakfast, Abe and Janine knocked on the door. I had been expecting Abe to just walk on in even though we still had the door locked.
"You'd better bring him back scratch-less," warned Rose by way of greeting. She was getting more and more like Abe the longer she was exposed to him.
"Morning Guardian Hathaway, Mr Mazur," I greeted as we let them in.
"Morning little girl, Belikov."
"Morning Rose, Guardian Belikov."
Both were acting cordial, but I could see they were already planning to torture me. Rose noticed it too and warned them again.
"Roza, I'll be fine," I reassured while collecting my necessities for the day.
"Don't sound so sure, Belikov," warned Janine. That earned a glare from Rose.
"I swear to god, either of you hurt him and you'll suffer in return." Definitely more like Abe. How had I never noticed? She was certainly his female mini-me.
With a chaste peck on the lips, Rose reluctantly let me go.

The drive to Abe's favourite forest was a silent and tense one. Abe and Janine seemed certain they weren't going to like my history with Rose. Hell! They wouldn't at all like that I already HAD a history with Rose. But I wasn't about to apologise for falling for her... even when she was a minor. I know that if Vika had a mentor only a year younger than me and they were involved before she turned eighteen I'd be repulsed and hate his guts. Hypocritical, but this is Rose we're talking about here, my other half and guiding light, the one who keeps me from my nightmares and falling into guilt, despair and darkness. Since when did I get so sappy? Since Rose turned me into a hopelessly in love man.
"You'd better not be thinking up lies, Belikov," warned Janine. I nearly laughed- nearly.
"No, Guardian Hathaway, I assure you I'm not. I know that would only backfire on me. Regardless, I plan on telling you nothing but the truth."
Janine spun in her seat and regarded me evenly, searching for any trace of dishonesty since I'd said more than I usually did to anyone but Rose.
"Good," she nodded briskly. "You've already given a good impression outside the one your spotless guardian record gives."
Abe scoffed. "Janine, I should remind you that I marred that by getting him to take the fall for breaking Rose out."
"She was wrongly accused. I don't count that."
"If you don't mind me adding, I willingly added that black mark to my record."
"Well, Belikov, I guess that can lead to my first question of the day: Why did you agree to take the fall?" Abe asked in a 'don't mess with me' tone so reminiscent of Rose's.

I was now glad she wasn't here, she'd only try to defend me in any and every way possible. If I was going to take a bullet for her I didn't want her to try getting herself killed again.

"Multiple reasons," I answered honestly. "Part of it was because Her Majesty asked me and I was trying to find redemption by spending my life attempting to repay her, blindly believing only her staking me was what brought me back. But a deeper, less easily definable part of me still loved Rose, it was just hidden under the guilt I was drowning in. Instinct made me cringe at the knowledge of her locked up like an animal. From that I realised I was doing the same thing, but I still didn't know how to come free of my own cage. I knew going on the run with her would make sure she survived, and that the longer I was around her the more she'd guide me out of my own cage. She'd keep me alive simply by living."

I wasn't one to bare my heart, except to Rose who made me do it because I couldn't hide from her, she didn't allow it. But I knew I had to now. I had to let her parents into the thoughts behind any and every action and word of mine that Rose was a part of. It wasn't easy, but for Rose I'd do whatever it took.

Abe and Janine regarded me evenly through the rearview mirror. Then gave a swift nod and barely audible grunt of acceptance as they parked the SUV.

The questions restarted after ten minutes of stalking through the woods. This time Janine fired the question at me. "When did you start having feelings for Rosemarie?"

I mentally flinched at her full name; I wasn't used to it. I'd only use it to propose to her. And even then it was a sketchy maybe I would use it maybe I wouldn't...

I sighed thoughtfully. "I've always been protective of her," I admitted. "I knew from the second I met her she'd be important one day, that she had potential. Her fiery passion, dedication and sacrifice had me awed."
Janine and Abe did not look impressed. "Are you saying it was love at first sight?" demanded Abe.
"No. That's not a concept I believe in, and she held a level of contempt until our first training."
"It sure sounds like it," Janine said in a too even tone.
I took a steadying breath. "I can see how you could think that, but it wasn't. I didn't know her, and I didn't trust she wouldn't be so foolish as to attempt to escape again. I too held a level of negativity towards her."
Abe was the next to open his mouth. "As far as I can tell, it clearly didn't last much longer. Did it?"
"No, it didn't," I conceded.

Silence befell our odd hunting group as we actually hunted for the next ten minutes. Not that it was an easy task to hunt when Janine and I, simply by being dhampir, chased away game... well, animals in general.
Janine spoke next, when we gave up on finding a good target. "When did you start feeling... attracted... to our daughter?"

Oh shit! Things between Rose and I really had moved quickly, far too quickly. But now I look back on it, there wasn't much I'd change. Spokane, lying after the charm, Russia. Short list, but each of them were my worst moments.

"It's hard to tell for sure, I couldn't give you a day or week, but I can tell you the more she read me, saw through me, and understood me, the more I understood her. The fonder of her I grew, the more protective and defensive of her I became. Physically? Well, it didn't take long for her voice and her hair to haunt my dreams."
Abe laughed while Janine scowled. "Her hair?" asked a disbelieving Abe.
I smiled at the memory of how soft it is and how beautiful and radiant, how enchanting and mesmerising. "Yeah. Cheesy, I know, but it has a life and beauty of its own, a mysterious and hypnotising quality."
Janine spoke before Abe could. On task just as usual. "Okay, what next? When did you recognise what was happening?"

Jesse Zeklos and that damn lounge. How dare he have touched her? I still hadn't figured out how deep in my heart she'd already buried herself without my permission. How did I go about explaining that incident?

"Her body and how it reflected what I knew of her character started drawing me to her when I broke up a make out session between her and Jesse Zeklos in a disused lounge."
Abe and Janine's eyes darkened. They obviously knew of his bad reputation too. "What did you walk in on?" enquired Abe.
I laughed without humour, frowning at the memory of what that sad excuse of a Zeklos had attempted to force my Roza into doing. "I didn't walk in, I stormed in. She was shirtless and he was trying to force her into letting him feed off her."
"How did you react?"
"I was disappointed in her actions, I had such high hopes she wasn't going to fuel the flames of the rumoured reputation she had- and I must stress that those rumours are exactly that."
I couldn't continue because Janine nearly exploded after sighing in relief Rose had been innocent longer than she'd believed. "YOU took her innocence!?"

I refused to shrink or cower at her tone and volume. Showing that kind of weakness would not do me any favours. As I'd assured Rose, I would take whatever they threw at me because she was worth it. She was my salvation and I would do anything to protect her, anything to stay by her side because I knew even after everything I'd done to her I was still her salvation and she wanted me or no one and I couldn't stand the thought of her being alone.

"Not then, but yes, I did, because I love her more than should be possible and wanted her to know." I was cautious with my wording, yes, but to their ears it wouldn't matter. It would sound the same no matter what. It wouldn't matter if I explained how Rose had consented, how she'd wanted me just as much... if not more so.

Then came the question I knew Janine had been burning to ask, the one question that made sure she came on this trip instead of bailing me out as Rose had silently begged last week, and not so silently since.

"Did you sleep with her while she was your student, a minor?" Janine ground her teeth, as if trying to futilely deny the fact. Why else would Roza's reaction when I was bitten and turned have been so strong? Why else would her heartache have been so clear, oh so clear on her face? Abe had a mask on that rivalled Rose's when she decided to try to stay composed.
One word would be the death of me. I couldn't explain it. In their minds it was inexcusable no matter what. So I was as blunt as Rose. "Yes."
Fury and disappointment clearly formed both of their expressions, but I would not cower. "You have no clue how badly I want to put you on trial for statutory rape right now," Janine said all-too-calmly. Both parents had their guns trained on me, ready to fire. I held my head high and kept my shoulders squared. Fear coursed through me, tensing my muscles and attempting to make my heart race nervously. But courage, resolution, and maybe a bit of foolhardiness kept me from cowering, kept me from giving into my body's natural reactions to the threat on my life. Because something so right as that night couldn't possibly be so wrong.
"For your sakes, I wish I could say I regret it, but I don't. You can pull apart my sex life, but not Rose's. I'll tell you my reasoning other than how deeply I love her if you really want to know, but I won't expose the moments Rose wants kept private. Not without her permission."
They looked pale at the thought of learning the details of their daughter's sex life. Though they did ask two more questions before we returned to hunting animals rather than those two trying to find reason- any reason- to take me from my Roza. "When?" Abe simply asked.
"Just before the Strigoi penetrated campus wards. Hours before I was turned." I pointedly directed the last bit to Janine.
Understanding shone from her face and she nodded. "Not earlier than a fortnight before her birthday?" she asked more calmly and with a raised brow, but her voice was still as commanding as ever.
I shook my head. "Not any earlier." It wasn't even a full white lie.

The charm both did and didn't count. As much as I'd wanted to continue without its influence, I wanted to protect her more. Without its influence I was reminded of how innocent and young she was, how pure. I wouldn't change that until she was certain in her own right that I was who she wanted. IF I was the one she wanted to change that. And I, by some miracle, was the one she wanted to hold her innocence.

After Abe had eventually shot an elk and made me retrieve it, he asked one dreaded question. This one I was scared of more than the 'did you sleep with my minor daughter' one that had come from Janine. That sex question was the only reason she was on this trip, I was certain.
"What happened to Rose in Russia, Belikov, and I know for a fact she was there because of you." His eyes narrowed dangerously.
I looked away as the images came flooding back. "Our worst nightmare," I whispered. If there was one point in our relationship that drained us of strength, it was this one. We talked about it when we had to, but otherwise, we'd decided to forgive and move forward. It was a part of our past we couldn't deny, but it was a part we didn't want overshadowing everything else.
"Explain," demanded Janine.
My eyes met theirs once more. "She went to Russia to find me and kill me. Only after leaving a string of dead Strigoi all over Novosibirsk and Moscow did she find me. She had managed to incite fear because she tortured them and killed them unless they could send me to her. I went to find her, knowing we'd either kill each other... or..."

I had to take a steadying breath. Even with having forgiven myself the memories were still unpleasant and I still couldn't understand how Rose lived with them. Then again, so far, I saw her just focus on the present and the future. She truly was my guiding light. Now I sounded sappy. Rose Hathaway, what have you done to me!

"Or what, Belikov?" ordered a very dangerous looking Abe. I'm pretty sure I was now top on his hunting list. Then again, I probably had been since the mobster had come up with this idea in the first place. I couldn't blame him, first boyfriend he has to interrogate was Ivashkov, and the age gap there was as worrying as his reputation. Then he's got to deal with me... yeah. Not surprised he decided to bring me out into the woods with firearms and no Rose.
"Or I'd capture her, weaken her physically and mentally until she agreed to be turned. She refused to be weak though. She tricked me into not feeding from her for two days, and had me convinced she was going to agree. Only... she staked me with a chair leg. It left me paralysed for long enough for her to escape and find the stake Tasha," her name tasted like acid on my tongue, "later framed her with. She escaped guards and combination locked metal doors." I shook my head in awe of her strength and creativity. "It was a horrible situation, but I'm still left in awe of how clever and resilient and brave she was that night. She... she was nearly the one that ended up in the river, and by choice. She decided if she couldn't kill me, couldn't outrun me, and couldn't anger me enough to kill her, then... then she'd take matters into her own hands before she let me turn her. In the end, that stake just missed killing me and I was left in the river while she continued to run."

I didn't realise it until I noticed Janine and Abe's awkward expressions, but I was crying. I had every right to cry. I had just told Rose's parents of her second weakest moment, and to make matters worse, it was the first time I'd told anyone the details. Weakness was not what I needed to show right now. But maybe, just maybe, guilt and regret were my allies in this moment.

In the end, Abe cracked. "Would you hurt her now?"
I shook my head violently. "Never. All I want is to protect her. I know I don't deserve her, I know I'm not worthy of her, but she's owned my heart for as long as I can remember. I love her and, by some miracle, she loves me. The thought of anyone hurting her terrifies me, absolutely and completely terrifies me, knowing I have hurt her ripped me up and makes me determined to ensure she never faces pain again."
"You can't shelter her, Belikov. She's a guardian and a Hathaway."
"She's a Mazur, too, Janine."
Janine's eyes rolled before they settled on me once more. "As I said, she can't be sheltered or coddled."
"But she will be loved and protected. She is loved and protected," I evenly replied.
Abe and Janine made a worrying, non-committal sound that set me on edge. I wanted their approval, but I sure as hell wasn't going to let their disapproval stop me from being with Rose for as long as she wants me.

Abe and Janine loaded me with dead game to carry to the car. Once we were back in the SUV, Janine asked another question about my sex life with Rose.
"Did you sleep with her while on the run? While she was with Adrian?"
Slowly, I nodded. And if looks could kill... "I assure you, neither of us did it lightly. She had just gone through a backlash of spirit's darkness and was struggling to come to terms with it. She leaned on me for support and comfort, came to me for understanding and guidance. She confronted me and made me confess that I still loved her, but I also told her that I was trying to do the honourable thing, and that I wouldn't betray Adrian by chasing after her." I sighed at the memory of her defiant and loving expression. That woman could manipulate me and she knew it. "She responded by telling me she wasn't property, that she made her own decisions, and that she wanted me because she had been made for me."
"You still should have denied her," Janine spat.
"If you'd been there you would understand."
"No. I don't think I would. I don't think I would understand how you could take advantage of her."
"I never took advantage of her. I made love to her because she wanted it. Because she needed it. I didn't sleep with her for my own sake. It was always for her. It will always be for her."

Sure, she was absolutely brilliant in bed and every bit the goddess she was when she fought and was as beautiful as she looked. But I hadn't taken her to bed with the mindset of her pleasuring me, it was always with the intention to make her feel loved and treasured. In this life she had such little recognition of her value and importance, I needed to make that up to her when she was my absolute everything.

Janine and Abe huffed. The SUV fell silent for the remainder of the trip back to Court. I had to work to stop my knee from bobbing in anxiety and anticipation. I wanted to get back home, back to Rose, my Roza. I wanted to encase her in my arms and assure her I'd never leave, I'd never let her go, I'd always be there to protect her. With her parents permission or without it.

When I walked in the door, with Janine and Abe trailing me, Rose pounced. Literally jumped into my arms when I'd barely taken two steps in.
I chuckled into her hair and walked us through to the kitchen. "Hi, sweetheart. I'm perfectly fine," I whispered in Russian. Just so Abe and Janine couldn't argue otherwise.
"Thank god, you're alive," she gasped. "Honestly, you were an absolutely stupid fool to agree to being hunted by them." My neck was peppered with kisses as I set her down on the prep bench. "You are an idiot, sometimes, Comrade. You have no clue how worried I've been all day. No clue whatsoever, you big buffoon."
"I was perfectly safe, Roza."
"No you weren't," interjected Janine.
"And where's our hello, little girl," added Abe.
Rose growled into the crook of my neck before slightly untangling herself to respond. "You'll get it when you promise you haven't hurt my boyfriend and accept that we'll be together with or without your permission."
Honestly, the possessive edge to her hard expression was attractive... and a turn on.
Her parents looked unphased by her threat. "In that case, we'll leave. And Belikov, try not to sleep with her."
"You're lucky I haven't-"
"Get out!" screeched Rose. "I've had enough stress today because of you two to last me another few lifetimes. I want to inspect every spare inch of Dimitri to make sure you didn't hurt him- so Get! Out! Or I swear...!" Rose didn't move as she ordered her parents around.
"You've got guts, Belikov," farewelled Abe before he tugged a glaring Janine back through the apartment.

Rose let out a sigh of relief when the door shut. She shifted in my arms. "Now, tell me they don't know about everything."
I chuckled and kissed her. "They know about everything except Victor."
Rose's eyes bugged comically. "No! You didn't! You told them about the cabin and the charm?"
I smiled. God, she was so cute when she was angry. "I told you, not about Victor- that includes the charm."
"Stop smiling! You told them about the cabin! Do you not realise they could throw you in jail for it?"
My smile widened and her exasperated expression grew. "They could've shot me on sight, Roza, but they didn't. I think that says something, don't you?"
"Yeah. That they'd rather see you suffer behind bars than give you the 'easy way out'!"
"Oh Roza... They know that making me suffer means making you suffer, and the last thing they want is for you to suffer."
Rose glared at me incredulously. "So?"
"Forget it," I whispered against her luscious, loving lips. "Besides, I thought you wanted to check me out? Didn't you?"
Rose blushed. "I didn't mean it like that!"
I kissed my way down her jaw and nibbled at her sweet spot. "Mmmhmm. Sure you didn't."
"Dimitri!" she moaned. "I th-"
I pulled away and grinned at her. "I told you I'd make you lose control in seconds."
"You cheat!"
"Not according to your neck," I nodded at the hickey I'd created.
"Dimitri Belikov! I have work tomorrow!" Oh god, she was hot when she was... frustrated.
"So? Take sick leave and I'll clear it up for you."
"You are not the man I thought you were!" she whined and slid off the bench.
"Yeah, well, if memory serves, I was your teacher. Little Miss Innocent." She couldn't possibly imagine half the things I had wanted to do to her.
"I'm not innocent, Comrade."
"You are so, Roza, you are so innocent it's heartwarming." If occasionally frustrating.

I took her hand in mine and led her to the bedroom, our bedroom. That was still taking some getting used to, but I knew it wouldn't be long since I was already thinking of our apartment as our home. She's been my home for a long while now.