Chapter 1

Amelia Jones' day began like most did. Swear at the alarm clock, before jumping out of bed. Run down the hall to get the coffee going so it would be ready when she came out of the shower. Then after some twizzlers and a graham cracker for breakfast she was off to start her day. It wasn't was Amelia had envisioned for herself growing up. There was no glory in teaching four year olds beginning ballet. But it was her life and she was damn proud that she'd gained this much when she'd almost lost it when things had spiraled out of control two years ago. Besides, who didn't enjoy being a heroine to those bright eyed kids when they got a move right or watched you perform a demonstration that they'd have mastered before they were up to your chin? Naw, she missed the excitement sometimes. But at the same time things were pretty nice.

"Real nice girls," she said grinning like a proud mama hen. Man this year's spring recital was gonna kick ass! The routine was fun, the kids would look cute in their costumes, and the parents would be entertained seeing their little girls up on stage. "Alright let's do some quick stretches before your parents come to pick you all up."

One by one the girls were collected by various adults until the only one who was left was little Natalie.

"Big sis should be here soon," Amelia assured the little girl when a few more minutes had gone by.

"Big sis had an appointment," Natalie said sounding out the last word carefully. "Big brother is coming today."

"Might take him a few minutes to find the right room," Amelia shrugged as she hefted her satchel from one shoulder to the other.

"Like Marta's papa. He gets lost a lot," the child stated.

"Yeah pretty much Nat," Amelia agreed.

Natalie was of course adorable but unlike the other girls she could be kind of intense. Her temperament seemed to be almost the opposite of her guardian and sister Katyusha who was just about the nicest person.

"Vanya!"

Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the presence of what looked like a freaking giant who Natalie skipped towards. She guessed this was said brother whom Natalie's hand slipped into quite easily. The guy had the same silver blonde hair as Natalie's and violet eyes unlike anything she had ever seen spared his sister a brief smile as Amelia approached them with her bag slung over her shoulder.

"Hiya! I'm Nat's teacher," she said by way of introduction.

"That much is obvious," the older brother "Vanya" stated with a bored expression on his face.

"I uh," she said momentarily taken aback by the brush off as she tried again. "Glad you found your way here. We were starting to wonder if you got lost."

He blinked at her before turning to his sister, speaking to her in what sounded like Russian as he led her out. At least Natalie had the manners to say goodbye on her way out.

XX

She didn't give the guy much thought as she returned home. Other than thinking he was a weirdo jerk as she walked into the kitchen to grab a snack.

"Amelia?" her father called as she stepped in the back door. "Home from class darling?"

"Yeah dad," she called snagging a carton of milk and cookies from the pantry before taking a seat at the table. Yes she still lived with her parents except for the two years she'd been part of an actual ballet troupe. Living on her own had proved to be part of the problem. She'd been only eighteen when she'd gone off to rent a place with another dancer. That experience hadn't ended well.

"Papa still working?" she said as her father joined her with his reading glasses on his face.

"He's obsessed with getting the menu just right," he replied putting the kettle on the stove. "Been in a tizzy as soon as he woke up."

"You'd think with two restaurants under his belt a third would be a piece of cake," she said popping a whole cookie into her mouth.

"And my day was fine thank you," he said wryly in his English accent as she got up and kissed his cheek.

"Good. Looks like we've touched base," she said snagging two more cookies until her father looked at her critically and she felt that same shame fill her as she put them back. She felt the need to look away and pick at her nail, a habit that seemed to rise to the surface only when she had her dad's attention.

"So, I heard Maddie and Raoul are back from Montreal," she said to change topics and get him off her case.

"Yes. She called around noon when their flight landed in Miami," Arthur said distracted by the tea kettle whistling as his youngest daughter relaxed.

"Why did she had to move all the way across the country?" she complained with a pout. "She always said she loved living here."

"I suppose she did it because she fell in love dear," her father said smiled to himself. "Tea?"

"No thanks," she said crossing her arms. "I mean I get it. You and papa moved too, but you both found a different place to be. Somewhere between your two homes to start over. It's just weird packing up everything when the other person is still in their home and you're starting over just for them."

"If it's for the right person it can be worth it," Arthur replied gently, looking up at the ceiling when muffled French swearing travelled down to the kitchen. "He's been stuck on poached pears or flambé for nearly an hour."

"God help him if he screws up and picks the wrong dessert," she snorted before drinking down her milk in a long, loud gulp.

"Any plans for the weekend? Matthew will be back in town. I thought we could go to the opening of the restaurant as a family," Arthur said pouring hot water into a mug.

"Hey Matt's back? Alright!" she said excitedly. It felt like it had been just her and her parents in the house for the longest time. Even though it had only been a week since her older twin sister had started her honeymoon. But her two brothers Matthew the hockey legend, and Alfred the up and coming politician had long since moved out to live their lives. She tried not to let herself feel like she'd been left behind but it did sometimes feel that way. Even if all of them had rallied around her when she'd been hospitalized.

"I'll take that as a confirmation," Arthur said bringing his daughter back to reality. "You know what would look nice? That what lace dress we got you at Christmas."

"Maybe," she said while thinking, 'hell no'. "I'm gonna go play some video games. Unless you guys need help with dinner?"

"We're having take away. Enjoy yourself love," Arthur said with a brief smile as he watched his daughter walk off. Oh how he worried about her.

Class ended early the next day so Amelia could line the girls up to the bathrooms and let them try on their costumes for the spring performance. Just to be on the safe side and make sure all the measurements were done.

XX

"Good, good, good," Amelia said nodding to three girls who had stepped out so she could check their outfits. "Now change into your leotards again."

Man sometimes when they weren't following instructions they ran around like chickens with their heads cut off.

She shook her head and noticed a figure approaching her and found herself looking up at Natalie's brother. Jesus had he been that hot yesterday? She probably didn't notice with him acting like a jerk. But to be fair maybe he was just shy. Natalie had certainly been even quieter than her usual self when she'd started the class.

Deciding to give him the benefit of the doubt she waved him over with a smile before declaring another girl ready to go change.

He nodded when he saw her. Well he at least recognized her enough from the other day.

"Natalia is where?" he asked impatiently.

"Changing into her outfit for the spring recital. You're the first parent here," she said putting on her best smile. "I don't think we got the chance to introduce ourselves. I'm Amelia. Miss Jones to the kids."

He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, grunting.

"In most polite societies we exchange names and greetings," she couldn't help adding in a voice sweet as sugar even if her eye was twitching.

"Katya says you are good teacher," he said looking at her blankly, his expression and face cold. "I suppose I will see when I am dragged to spring recital."

"Actually I studied ballet growing up," she said, smiling so cheerfully her cheeks hurt. He wanted to be like that? Well she was not gonna take his attempts to insult her lying down. "I danced with a troupe for two years."

"Hmm," Ivan said in a tone that left her with the impression he thought she was lying.

"It's true."

"Ah."

"Will you stop that?" Amelia exclaimed, stamping her foot as Ivan looked at her in amusement.

"Throwing tantrum like five year old is not attractive quality in a young woman," he said before Natalie stepped out, grabbing her brother's hand and marching off with him while Amelia stood sputtering and glaring at the back of his head.

What an asshole. She hoped this wasn't going to be a regular thing or she might slip and bitch him out in front of god and a group of impressionable preschoolers.

"Do you like Miss Jones big brother?" Natalie asked as they waited for the bus in the late summer day.

"Not particularly," Ivan said honestly. He had more important things on his mind then some peppy dance teacher. Though he would admit he was glad his sister liked her. She kept to herself and did not like many people. But somehow the blonde woman had earned a place in Natalie's tiny heart.

He had nothing against Amelia in particular. He simply did not enjoy small talk for the sake of politeness. Nor did he think he had anything in common with her aside from his sister. Although, seeing her temper spike had momentarily caught his interest. It was rare to see a glimpse of fire or spark in people.

"She is very pretty and dances well," the little girl went on. "If I study from her I will become prima ballerina."

"If you study hard and love what you do Natalia," he said smiling down at her softly. "One day big brother and sister will be greeting you after your first triumphant performance with roses."

That made Natalia beam in a way that few but Ivan ever witnessed. Her brother was the best in the world.

XX

I'm not dead! I really didn't know if I would write any more fanfiction but this pairing took up residence in my head and would not let me go til I wrote up this plotline. So here's to more Rusame adventures guys. It's good to be back. This is rated T for right now but eventually I'll probably up it to an M rating. Also, I wanted to warn all of you that I will be writing about some potentially triggering content. This story is going to talk about eating disorders, body image issues, possible drug use. I'll let you know as it goes and of course post warnings at the beginning of chapters that are going to have triggering content. Reviews always appreciated and thanks for reading!