Author's note: First of all, I just want to apologise it took me so long to update! I started college again and was experiencing some serious writers block. So I do also apologise if this chapter isn't up to standard, I really wasn't sure how to finish the story off, but I'm really looking forward to writing my next story! Thank you so much for reading and for all your continuous support.

Rose's Point of View.

We finally pulled through the grand steel gates of the Academy in the early hours of the morning, meaning the winter sun was shining high in the sky, and most of the students were fast asleep in their beds. Not including my friends, of course, who were eagerly awaiting my arrival.

My leg was bouncing up and down as I sat uncomfortably in the back seat of the sleek black SUV, I could barely keep still I was so excited to see my friends.

Lissa was sending so much excitement through the bond, I was struggling to stay out of her head, it took a lot of concentration, so much so that I hadn't even noticed when we pulled up to a stop inside the academies garage.

I blinked and saw Dimitri's loving face turned to face me. Concern and love shining brightly in his beautiful bottomless eyes. "Ready?" He asked with a small smile on his face as Alberta climbed out of the car. I cleared my throat and nodded, I couldn't help but smile back at him.

By the time I had unbuckled my seatbelt, Dimitri was already out of the car and opening my car door for me, he outstretched his hand, and I eagerly took it. He and I both knew I didn't need any help getting out of the car, but I would take any excuse I could get to touch him. His hand held mine for longer than what would be acceptable of a mentor and his student, but with no one around, I really didn't care.

He reluctantly pulled his hand away from mine as Alberta passed us our bags from the back of the car.

I practically ran through the door out of the garage, and stopped in my tracks when I saw my friends waiting for me under the shade of the oak trees lining a path.

I heard Lissa's scream before I saw her charging towards me, I dropped my bags on the floor and opened my arms, she threw herself into my awaiting arms before I could take a breath and embraced my best friend into a bone crushing hug.

I heard her sobbing before I felt her tears wetting the side of my face and before I knew it I was crying along with her. "I missed you so much Rose!" She mumbled against my shoulder, her words muffled by her sobs.

"I missed you too, Liss. You have no idea how much I missed you." I said truthfully, which only made us both cry harder.

"Jeez, Rosie. I don't think I've ever seen you cry before, it's not a pretty sight." Christian Ozera's sarcastic voice met my ears and I shot him a killer look over my shoulder. His eyes widened slightly and he raised his hands in mock surrender.

Lissa finally let me go, and I turned to face Christian, ready to give him a piece of my mind. But much to my surprise, he was holding his arms open with a warm smile on his usually cold face. I stepped into his arms and was surprised with the comfort I received from the embrace.

"Thank you for looking after her." I whispered low enough so only he could hear.

I felt him tense slightly until he relaxed once more. "Thank you for looking after yourself, Rose. And we both know you kept an eye on her. I know you would have been straight back here if anything happened." He whispered back near my ear. "Besides, it's been boring without you." He said a little louder so everyone could hear, that cocky grin was back on his face.

Eddie stepped up to me next, he threw his arms around my waist and swung me around in a circle before placing me with my feet firmly on the ground once more, to say I was surprised by the gesture would be an understatement. I had been worried about Eddie, after losing Mason I was worried he would struggle with school life, but like me, he has made it through. "Glad to have you back, Rose. Kicking the other novice's asses is getting way too easy; I've missed having some real competition."

I was spun into someone's arms in such an intimate way I almost thought it was going to be Dimitri. Adrian's arms slipped around my waist and I could do nothing but hesitantly wrap my arms around his shoulders. Dimitri was talking with Eddie and Alberta but I didn't miss his eyes flicker towards Adrian and I.

In that moment I wanted to shove Adrian off, but I could tell he had missed me, and to be truthful, I had missed him too. "Little Dhampir, I'm so glad you're back." He muttered.

"It's good to be back, I hate to admit it, but I've missed this place." I confessed, making him chuckle.

"You and I both know that's not true, the cradle robbers aura is practically glowing and don't get me started on yours." I gave him an exasperated look and playfully shoved him away from me.

We all stood for a few minutes talking, Lissa had so many questions for me about my time in Russia, and it was hard for me to keep all the gory details to myself, both about Dimitri and everything else that happened. I didn't want them to worry about me.

I let out a yawn that I had been desperately trying to hold in. Alberta was the first to notice. "Alright, it's about time you all went back to your dorms, you two must be tired." She said, motioning towards Dimitri and I.

Lissa hugged me again while she said goodnight, and we promised to eat breakfast together tomorrow and catch up properly. I was so happy to see her again; it felt like a part of me was missing when I was so far away from her.

Dimitri said he'd walk me back to my dorm while Alberta escorted the Moroi back to their dorms. My heartbeat sped up at the mere thought of being alone with him again.

We had only been back at the Academy half an hour and I already hated that I couldn't hold Dimitri's hand. Our hands kept brushing up against each other as we walked in comfortable silence up to my room, Dimitri even insisted on carrying my suitcase up for me.

I was struggling with the lock on my door when Dimitri brushed a lock of hair behind my ear, bringing a smile to my face.

I finally got the door open and stepped inside, it felt like year since I had been inside my small dorm room, I hated it at times, but it was home.

Dimitri put my suitcase down near my bed before shutting the door behind us.

He took a step towards me and cupped my face in his hands, tilting my chin up so I was looking up at him. "Are you okay?" He asked, his voice rough.

I subconsciously bit my lip while I thought about how to answer; his eyes flickered down as he watched the movement. "I'm fine; it's good to be back and to see everyone again. But I miss Baia already. I don't know how you leave them every time."

He smiled sympathetically. "It's always hard leaving my family behind. It was easier this time though."

I frowned at that. "Why was it easier this time?" I asked.

His smile seemed to light up the whole room. "Because I had you."

I leant up on my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his. His arms slipped around my waist, pulling me against him. I slipped my arms around his neck and tangled my fingers through the soft ends of his hair.

I lost track of time as our lips moved together. We reluctantly pulled away but Dimitri kept me safely in his arms. "I suppose I should go and let you get some sleep." He said, but I could tell he didn't want to leave.

I pouted. "Can't you stay here?" I asked as I batted my eyelashes at him.

"Don't tempt me Roza. You know I can't stay, I would if I could." I knew he was finding it just as difficult as I was, so I shouldn't make it any harder for him.

"I know, you're right. I'll miss you though." I admitted.

"I'll miss you too, but I'll see you tomorrow."

"We're still going to keep practising together, right?" I asked, almost nervously.

"Of course, Roza. Not that you really need the extra training, if only so I can get you alone." He said seductively as he dropped his arms from their place around my waist and took a step towards my dorm room door.

He had just put his hand on my doorknob when I stopped him. "Dimitri?"

He turned and looked towards me again. "I just wanted to say thank you, for taking me with you, and for everything that happened while we were there." He smiled at me once more. "I think everything is going to be okay now, as long as we're together." I concluded.

He nodded in agreement. "As long as we're together. Goodnight, my Roza."

There we have it! The story is finished! I can't believe I have actually finished my first proper story! I just want to thank every single one of you who have taken the time out of your day or night to read this story, and also to those of you who have favourited, followed and reviewed the story. I really really hope you enjoyed the story, and I'm sorry if you didn't! I am also sorry if the ending wasn't quite what you wanted, this is the first ending to a story I have written, and I really wasn't sure how to do it!

My next story should be up and running soon enough, once I have thought of a name for it and written the first chapter!

I also just wanted to say that my thoughts are with all of those who are affected by all the natural disasters that have been taking place recently, and that I hope everyone is doing okay.

Thanks again.