Jace had been in the middle of conversing with Rae when Gunner had come over and shouted at him... All it succeeded in doing was amusing Jace who arched a brow, "You're not wearing it Guardian, so what's the problem?"

Anna saw the trouble even before it began and immediately headed over, forgetting all about her drink. She stepped in between Jace and Gunner nervously, "Stop it... it's just a costume Gunner... let it go. If you cause trouble with a Moroi you'll get a mark on your records... please don't."

Jace's amusement dropped away immediately, Anna was more defending Gunner's record than she was him and it was making him look bad in front of Rae and the others. "Don't worry about it Angel..." he said annoyed. "He's just jealous."

Jace pulled her back into him and, just to taunt Gunner, kissed Anna's neck... flashing fangs. Anna jerked away as chills broke out across her entire body, "Jace!"

Jason sighed, "Sorry sorry... didn't think it would bother you." There was an obvious barb there... Jace's perfect mask was slipping, maybe because he'd been drinking. Either way, she suddenly felt ashamed and took off her mask and threw it on the floor.

"Forget this!" She yanked the halo off and tossed it on the table on her way out and pulled the wings off shortly after, they were attached to the jacket she'd worn over the dress. Once outside she took quick gulps of air, her hands shaking... Gods... She'd WANTED him to bite her... right there, in the middle of the ball with everyone looking... she hadn't cared... Gunner... Gunner had been the only reason she'd even begun to think clearly, his look had been like ice in her veins and she couldn't STAND that look. Her whole body shook and she jerked off her heels and threw them viciously into the night with a short scream of frustration... She was spiraling out of control.

~*~

Sebastian was almost knocked over when he saw Serena, she was gorgeous yet again and the bunny ears made him feel more like a wolf than a cat. He pushed those thoughts frantically away. Serena was too good to be treated like a piece of meat, even if she did look... well... delicious. He coughed and straightened his tux, "Hello beautiful," he greeted. He kissed the back of her hand with a flourish of a bow. He chuckled at her joke, "Mmm... for a very important date at that. What shall we do with you?"

He hooked his arm in hers and then smiled again, "Hmmm... Only if you ask nicely," he teased her.

He was about to lead her out onto the dance floor despite what he'd said when he'd spotted Gunner headed over to Jace, "Shit..." He looked at Serena, "We may have to break up a fight momentarily..." As Anna stormed off outside Sebastian frowned, he'd seen the look in her eyes... her gaze had glazed over for a moment and her lips had parted right before she'd jerked away. "Oh no... it's worse than I thought." It was one thing for Anna to be being bitten... it was another thing for her to start becoming addicted to it. Sebastian considered staying out of it for now, he'd wanted to have a good night with Serena... but their friends were equally as important.

Serena blushed as he called her beautiful and kissed her hand. She nodded, "Very important."

She placed her hand on his arm as he hook his arm around her. She looked up at him and stuck out her tongue. She was about to ask nicely when he swore. She looked up at him confused, problem with being short was that, well she wasn't getting to see the problem. However, it started to seem worse and worse as Sebastian watched. He looked a little conflicted but the moment Serena heard fighting, she smiled at Sebastian, "There will be more slow songs...."

She then turned and ran toward the fighting. It was awfully difficult getting there though. She wasn't big, so people easily just pushed her around. The closer she got the fighting it was also a lot harder to navigate and get through the bodies. Finally, she emerged and saw Gunner.
~
Gunner looked down at Anna when she stepped in between them, telling him to let it go, "Because it isn't just a costume, Banana!" He turned his gaze back to Jace, "You are mocking everyone who has lost someone to the Strigoi. And I don't particularly like being mocked!"

He watched as Jace pulled Anna back to him and kissed her neck, showing off his fangs. The comment he made was like ice in his blood. He glanced at Anna, there weren't any scars on her neck. His eyes fell further, partially drinking her in, partially inspecting her. The bracelets... She used to always where one before but they had accumulated in the time that she'd been dating Jace. As Anna left them, he looked at Jason, "You fucker!"

Without thinking, he tackled the guy and punched him, "You want to be a Strigoi. Fine!"

He punched him again, all the anger that he had toward the guy burst forth as he pummeled his pretty little face. He stopped when he felt his arm burning. Rae was looking at him, "Stand down," The boy spat in an order.

Gunner stood, looming over him, "Excuse me."

One of the other Moroi jumped on his back and then it was a bit of a brawl. Gunner was at the disadvantage of the fact that they were all Moroi, had elemental powers, and there were more of them. However, not one of them knew how to fight hand to hand and well, Gunner was the best. He had most of them on the ground when he felt a small fist hit his chin, he turned to retaliate only to see Serena in a bunny costume, "Enough," She said before turning away and storming out the door and after Anna. It was really hard to remain angry after getting punched by a rabbit... She even had a little tail to boot.

He rubbed his jaw a little, he was pretty banged up. The guys may have been Moroi but they had put up quite a fight. He kicked Jace in the ribs one last time before leaving.
~
Serena left the dance hall and searched for Anna. This was probably the last thing she actually wanted to do but she needed to help Anna. She heard the girl yell and spotted her in her white dress. She ran over to her and placed her hands on her shoulder, "Anna.... Calm down... This is the worst of it... I promise.... It gets easier...."

She started to pull the girl to the ground, "Your mind will clear up and that will help... It should not take too long either... A week.... Maybe...."

She wrapped her arms around the shaking girl and felt herself shaking. She pulled her closer, "Sleep... I will worry about getting to back.... Sleep... is a good escape..."

Anna leaned into Serena, her eyes welling... Anna didn't cry... Anna didn't cry EVER. Not when she'd found out her little sister was pregnant by some Moroi asshole, not when she'd found out that the reason she wasn't by the same father as her sisters was because her mother had been raped, not after that first time she'd been bitten and she'd felt exactly like they'd called them... a blood whore. Not when she'd broken bones, not when she'd lost Gunner, not even when she'd lost Anya... she NEVER cried... but right now... right now she broke down into sobs.

Serena wouldn't know how strange it was, and that was a blessing in and of itself... As sobs wracked her form she cried against the other girl's shoulder. "I'm so stupid... Not only have I managed to ruin everything with Gunner I let... I let that... that ASSHOLE feed off of me! What the hell was I thinking? What is wrong with me?"

She sniffled as she sank to the ground, "I don't know why I wore this stupid dress, I HATE white... I hated ALL the clothes he asked me to wear." She shook her head, "And now Gunner thinks I..."

She choked up and even though the tears died off rather quickly, she never stopped shaking. She glanced at Serena as the girl explained that the shaking and the desire would wear off... it confirmed what she'd thought for a while. "Thank you... for... you know... not judging me... for understanding."

She let herself feel like a little kid again as she laid her head in Serena's lap... she fell asleep only moments after.

~*~

Sebastian grimaced at the mess Gunner left behind and took a breath before looking down at Jace who was cleaning himself up, "If you're smart... you won't undo this because if you do everyone will know the truth about you... I'll tell them." He locked eyes with the majority of the group and took a breath... then he pushed HARD. Spirit's power flared to life brighter than he'd ever called it before, he'd never tried to compel this many people. "You'll all forget about this... it wasn't that big of a deal. The party is still going on, this was just a diversion and it's boring... old news now.... not a big deal."

He'd won because most everyone in the crowd blinked sleepily and then Seb took off after Gunner, he caught up to him shortly even as the irritation of using that much spirit caught up to him. "Hey! Stop!"

He caught hold of Gunner's arm, "Calm down... your forgetting something... something important. You just let Anna run off. She has been compelled and treated like a blood whore for the past two months... Serena might be able to calm her down but I'm betting you ANYTHING she's terrified that tomorrow you'll look at her like a slut... So, unless you plan on treating her that way then you need to go and find her..." He took a breath, "News flash, she doesn't just LIKE you Gunner... The girl is in LOVE with you. I lost Anya... do you want to lose Anna because you're going to if you two keep on this way... You know that."

Serena listened to the girl sob, exclaiming about everything she had hated in the relationship with Jace. Serena didn't say anything, not knowing how she could help. However, when Anna looked up at her and thanked her for not judging her, Serena smiled. She didn't know how she could judge her. Sure, the fact that she chose to do the very thing Serena ran from but that wasn't worth basing an entire person off of. It didn't take long for Serena to break down, till she was practically begging to be bitten. How was that any different. Serena had let people feed off of her for far longer than Anna had and it was only for a short while that she had hated it. She nodded, "Do not worry about it..."

Then Anna was asleep on her lap. Serena sighed a little and took off her mask, that she had just realized she had left on. She placed it beside her and ran her hand through her hair, something she rarely did these days. She placed a shaking hand on Anna's head and slowly started to pet her, trying to calm her in her sleep.
~
Gunner stopped when Sebastian grabbed his arm. He turned and looked at his friend and kind of got a flash back to when he had gone and yelled at him to go get Anya. He shook his head, this wasn't going to be as easy... They wouldn't get into this relationship with bright futures... Even if things were cut short for Anya and Sebastian, they could imagine getting married, having kids. All that was hearsay or impossible for him and Anna. Despite that, he found himself pushing Sebastian, "When did you become the love guru?"

He walked back toward the dance, not really knowing where to go. Until he spotted Anna's blinding white dress and Serena sitting with the girl's head in her lap. Serena looked up at him when he approached, "Are you going to be nice?" she asked.

Gunner laughed a little and nodded, "Terribly... I have to make up for somethings... May I?" He asked as he crouched down. Serena nodded and Gunner lifted Anya off the ground, pulling her into his arms. Serena looked up at him, "She is going to be shakey... and scared... So you better be very nice.... Or I will punch you again."

Gunner smiled, "And we don't want that," He looked between his friends, "I'm going to take her to her room... You guys go enjoy yourselves."

He then walked off and was about halfway to Anna's room when he realized he didn't have anyway of getting in. Changing course, he went to his own room. Well, at least this way he could stay with her without freaking out Niya. He placed on his bed when he reached his room. He sat on the edge and took off her bracelet. He sighed as he looked at the scarring on her wrist... He should have punched Jace a hell of a lot sooner.
~
Serena was still shaking when she stood. She gave Sebastian a small smile, "Care to dance?"

Anna groaned as she was lifted, inadvertently hiding her face in Gunner's chest as he carried her. She didn't wake up till she was in his bed and he was taking the corsage off. Her eyes flashed open and she tensed as her gaze locked on Gunner's face. She held herself warily, her eyes guarded... obviously she was ready for him to really lay into her. Then, she seemed to realize she was a) not outside with Serena anymore and b) not in her bedroom. Her brows drew together and she pulled her wrist up to her chest and rubbed at it with her free hand... "Where am I? Am I in your room?"

Before, being in Gunner's room would have been cause for some kind of joke... He'd been teasing her about coming to his room since freshman year and now he'd finally managed it except... neither of them had expected it to happen and certainly not like this. She sat up slowly, still feeling dizzy.... "Spend years hiding a scar from you and the others and then I do this..." She laughed bitterly and put her face in her hands, "I'm so stupid... You don't have to tell me... I know."

She pulled her knees up to her chest and struggled with the dress to keep it from slipping over and revealing too much. "Stupid fucking dress..." She shivered, "I just... I know it was dumb and I don't even know WHY I let it start to begin with... I don't even really REMEMBER.... but after that... I just... I wanted to..." She ran a hand through her hair, "I wanted to feel better... Judge me if you want but..."

She shook her head again and rubbed at her wrist again, trying to focus on it instead of the tears she knew were running down her cheeks again and instead of Gunner's face. She didn't want to see that disapproving look... she just.. wanted out of this dress and she wanted to sleep. "I hate these clothes..."

~*~

Sebastian watched Gunner go and then as Serena turned to him he smiled, "Hopefully, those two kiss and make up... but it might be too much to hope for." He glanced back at her as she asked him to dance, "Oh absolutely... How could I say no to those ears and that cute fluffy tail?" He took her hand and led her back to the party and then onto the dance floor. He pulled her close and began to dance with her, "Thank you for caring for Anna... and for slugging Gunner. He needed some sense knocked into him..."

As they danced he twirled her, careful of his toes as she spun back. "Are you having a good time... now that the drama is over I mean...? I haven't been a horrible date have I?"

Gunner looked at Anna when she woke and asked if she was in his room. He nodded as she pulled her hand away, dropping his to his lap, "Couldn't get in yours...."

He sat there in silence as she spoke. He did not like seeing her like this, he really should have punched Jace sooner. When she mentioned her clothing, he smirked, "I like them," He teased slightly before standing. He grunted a little in pain, the adrenaline that had been coursing through his veins was finally slipping away and making him realize that Serena wasn't the only one who got a good hit on him. He walked over to his drawers and grabbed a t-shirt and pajama pants that had a drawstring. He carried them over to her and tossed them over her dress, "There..."

He slipped into the bathroom and changed as well. He pulled off his charred shirt a noticed a few burns on his body. Well, he was just glad they hadn't been air users or water users... He liked breathing. There were also a few spots that he could tell bruises were going to be gross in the morning, his chin was one of them. He rubbed his jaw, he'd have to see if he could get a chance to spar with Serena. She was surprisingly strong... Even in a cute little rabbit costume.

When he was in a t-shirt and boxers, he knocked on the door to his room. Anna's voice replied a moment later and he walked in. As fantastic as she had looked in the dress, he liked her ten folds better in his pajamas, even if they were ten times too big. They were something Anna would wear... On a smaller scale. He walked over to her wrapped his arms around her, only to wince. He recoiled and rubbed his left arm, "Fuck... I didn't even notice half of what they were doing...."

He climbed onto his bed, ignoring the fact that he had an empty one across the room and pulled Anna into his right side, "I'm... sorry," He whispered before kissing the top of her head.

He smiled down at her, "We'll talk about how I defended your honour in the morning... Get some sleep...."
~
Serena smiled at him when he agreed. She pulled her mask back on her face and allowed him to lead her to the party and finally the dance floor. She placed a hand on his shoulder when he pulled her close to him. As he started to thank her, she shrugged, "It is okay... I could not leave you to do either. Could I?" She teased.

Also, had it been Sebastian, would it have stopped Gunner or just angered him. With Serena if he did retaliate, she could have protected herself, even in heels and a dress. She was pulled out of her thoughts as Sebastian twirled her and she made sure to look out for his feet this time. She smiled at him and nodded, "I am..." She looked around a little, "And I think you are a good friend too... Most Moroi love to talk... A novice punching out a ground of Moroi to be stopped by a.... bunny is the gossip of the year.... And no one has said a word," She looked up at him, "I am thinking that some of that is your doing..." She squeezed the hand that she held lightly, "Are you okay?"

She nodded as he explained why they weren't in her room. She also blushed when he mentioned liking the clothes, "I'm glad someone did..." As Gunner tossed her a pair of clothes she smiled somewhat, "Thanks..."

When he headed into the bathroom Anna hurried out of the ridiculous dress and into the much more comfy pj pants and t-shirt. She tossed the dress into the corner of the room where she could forget about it and as she heard Gunner knock she called back, "It's safe..."

When he climbed onto the bed next to her her heart did an odd stutter and then when he pulled her back into his chest she momentarily forgot to breath. She was still asleep... that was really the only explanation. Right this second she was in being tucked into bed by Serena and was imagining all this... Except that the warmth radiating from his body against her back and the arm locked around her begged to differ. She eyed the burns on his arm and sighed, "For once I wish I had Seb's spirit ability to heal..."

She bit at her lip, "Gunner..." She was about to note that tomorrow she was going to regret having let him do this... because it would just leave her confused and remembering what they couldn't have... but she decided that right now she didn't care about tomorrow... So, instead.... She turned in his arms, slid a hand behind his neck and kissed him. It was light and tentative but it was a kiss.... one she wasn't going to run from afterwards. She pulled back, "I know that we're stuck in this place where we can't be together... not if we want to be taken seriously as Guardians... but this is our last year to be stupid kids so..." She shrugged, "Let's be stupid... Once the school year is out... we'll worry about it then..." She took a breath, "If... you want to... I get it if you don't..."

She didn't really want to be FACING him if he rejected her so she shifted, getting ready to turn away.

~*~

Seb smiled warmly, "I'm alright for now... a little irritable but not at you." He grinned, "I don't think anyone could stay mad at you in that outfit..." He squeezed her hand back, "You can worry about me later.. It usually doesn't hit heavily until something sets me off or I'm on my own. Right now, let's just have a good time."

He gave her a little dip and smiled before pulling her back upright and kissing the back of her hand as the song ended. "Serena, you've been amazing... You've been great to my friends and you're an awesome Guardian. I hope you know that..."

Gunner shook his head a little when Anna saw the burns on his arms, "Don't... I wouldn't let Sebastian heal this and I sure wouldn't let you. Battle scars... And had I been thinking... I probably would have been able to handle them all without thinking... I deserve to be a little hurt. I'll go to the infirmary tomorrow.. I think they might have managed to dislocate my shoulder," he said with a small laugh.

He looked down at her when she said his name and cocked an eyebrow. Then he felt her hand on his neck and he was pretty sure his ears were bright red. Then she leaned in and kissed him and this time, he had time to enjoy it. He managed to close his eyes for a moment before she pulled away. His eyes remained closed as she spoke. Suggesting that they be stupid and figure things out when the time came. Then she seemed to get a little shy, giving him the chance to reject her. He felt her shift on his arm and pulled her closer to him, into him. He chuckled a little, "I just beat up a group of Moroi students... Do you really think that this is something I don't want?"

His right hand rested on her back, holding her against while his left arm was throbbing basically glued to his side. He was starting to wonder how he had managed to carry Anna all the way to his room. He gave her a shy smile, "Will you.. uh... kiss me again?"
~
Serena laughed and shook her head a little, "Coniglietto have that charm, no?"

When he mentioned that it wouldn't hit him heavily till he was alone, Serena decided that she was going to, somehow, not leave him alone. Really, she should probably leave him with Gunner and be with Anna but she didn't know if she wanted to be around Anna. Not because of the girl but because of what the girl was going through, it was a little too close to home. Besides, Gunner and Anna had some talking to do that she didn't want to get in the way of. She wasn't paying much attention when Sebastian suddenly dipped her. She let out a small yelp before she straightened. Her free hand shot to her mouth as Sebastian kissed the back of her hand. She blushed a little as he complimented her and smiled behind her hand, "Grazie... Um..." Her blushed deepened, "Do you want to stay in my room? I do not have a roommate... and then you would not have to be alone..." If possible, she blushed a little more, flustered. She felt silly asking him if he wanted to spend the night in her room. Her room was her sanctuary. The one place where she didn't have to worry about others seeing her scars. Now, she was inviting a male Moroi into her room, which wasn't allowed to begin with, and intended to sleep. He might end up seeing them. That was a fact that shouldn't have bothered her, Sebastian knew not everything but, like Anna, he had a pretty clear idea of what had happened to her back in Italia. She bit her lip, "You... You do not have to.... I just thought... It... might make you... feel better."

Anna's cheeks turned red and she smiled at his answer, an actual smile. She found him pulling her tighter against him so she couldn't turn away from him and it gave her butterflies in her stomach. When he asked her to kiss him again she bit her lip and then nodded, tipping her head back and meeting her lips with his. She deepened the kiss as she slid a hand up his arm and nipped his lip a little just as she popped his arm back into the socket. She pulled back and grimaced apologetically, "It WAS out of socket...." she said by way of explanation. She'd used the kiss and effectively distracted him so it wouldn't hurt quite so badly... Now though, she kissed him again with no ulterior motive other than that she really liked kissing him.

"The infirmary is going to want you to explain all those bruises... you can blame it on me. I wouldn't mind everyone thinking I beat up the toughest guy in class," she teased him.

~*~

Sebastian saw how flustered she was getting and chuckled a little, deciding to take mercy on her. "I would love company... and knowing Rae, after a party I won't get to spend the night in MY room anyway."

He squeezed her hand again comfortingly and then pinched the bridge of his nose, "I'm going to have to get out of here soon anyway... the aura's are starting to give me a headache. Sometimes I wish I could shut them out."

He understood how big a deal her inviting him was, he wasn't going to embarrass her by saying no but he wasn't going to make it seem like more than she wanted it to be either. He wanted to keep her comfortable around him, it was... important to him. "Besides, why would I say no to such a cute bunny?" He poked her nose playfully and then nodded towards the door, "Are you ready to go? I can make sure we don't get caught.... and are you sure?" He mussed her hair but again, he did it carefully, "I don't want you uncomfortable... even if I do promise to be a gentleman."

Gunner smiled as she kissed him again and nipped slightly at her lip. A moment later, the pain in his arm spiked, causing him to grunt, "Ow..." He said after, although the pain had receded slightly, which he was grateful for.

To make up for it, she kissed him again, although his brain was racking up anymore injuries that she could be trying to fix. Finding none, he relaxed and kissed her, just for the want of kissing her. He looked up at her when she drew away and suggested telling the infirmary that she was the reason he was so banged up. He chuckled, "I think saying I fell would be more effective," he teased, winking at her.

He adjusted his arm under her slightly and sighed, "I wasn't kidding when I said you should get some sleep...Serena will kill me if I keep you up all night."
~
Serena let out a small sigh when Sebastian spoke, stopping her from her rambling. She smiled a little when he agreed to stay in her room and was a little surprised that she was. She looked up at him as he pinched his nose and complained about the auras giving him a headache. She started to move him away from the spiked juice, feeling that Anna wouldn't be too happy if she let him 'self-medicate'. He poked her nose a moment later, causing her to scrunch it a little in response, she felt like he wasn't even thinking of the alcohol in the juice. Which was good and she wasn't going to mention it. She smiled as the cute comment and found that him calling her pretty or beautiful was still shocking, causing her to blush, and it just made her... happy.

She nodded when he asked if she was ready to go. A moment later, he asked if her was sure. She hesitated a moment before nodding, "You need somewhere to sleep... I will be fine."

She bumped her shoulder against his a little and started to guide him to her dorm. They were still holding hands as they walked and Serena didn't mind it at all. She took off her mask and smiled at Sebastian as they snuck into her building.

She walked them up the stairs and down the hall to her door. She blushed a little as she reached into the front of her dress and produced the key to her room. She didn't really have anywhere else to put it. She opened the door and stepped inside. She pointed to the bathroom door, "You can clean up in there.... There should be some makeup remover... under the sink that will help with the... um... face paint."

Anna smiled and yawned slightly before curling up against him and slowly drifting into sleep. She didn't wake up till the text morning and thankfully, since it was a sunday there were no classes today either... which meant no bell waking her up early. The first thing she noticed was that she was nice and toasty... usually in the morning she woke chilly and mildly cranky because of it. Also, there was a heartbeat pounding away underneath her ear, the sound was remarkably soothing. She opened her eyes and realized that she was curled up with an arm around Gunner, her head on his chest, and a leg slung over his waist... Her face heated at the awkward positioning and she bit her lip as she tried to move her leg carefully, trying not to wake him as she untangled her limbs from his.

~*~

Sebastian smiled as she reassured him that she'd be fine and then he followed her. When they reached her room he grinned and teasingly arched a brow at where she was keeping her key. Then, he followed her inside. He'd almost forgotten about his face paint and imagined it was probably smeared and running from the heat at the party and the sweat he'd broken out in when he'd used Spirit on that group of kids. He was absolutely certain he'd regret it tomorrow, knew he was going to be horribly cranky and probably extremely sensitive to auras and the thoughts of other people floating around him. It would be hell... but for tonight he was free of it.

"Good idea, I'd rather not color your pillows permanently pink and purple." He headed in the bathroom and washed his face before stepping back out. "You don't mind if I sleep in my boxers do you? I can remain fully clothed but it might make it difficult to sleep..." He smiled apologetically, "I promise to keep all appendages to myself, clothed or otherwise." He pointed to her extra bed, "Also, I'll stay safely on my side of the room... Unless you have nightmares," he teased. "You don't have nightmares do you? I'm not very good at being a knight in shining armor... if I invade your dreams on accident and it's a nightmare I can't promise I won't run and hide," he joked as he kept his face serious... even as he winked.

After she gave her answer he curled up on her extra bed with a yawn, lacing his fingers behind his head, before slipping off to sleep. He slept so heavily that if it weren't for his quiet breathing one might have though he was dead.... or Dracula... bwahahaha!

Gunner hadn't meant to actually fall asleep in the same bed with Anna. The plan was to calm her down and apologize then move to the free bed across the room. However, he was exhausted and fell asleep sooner than he anticipated. He was still partially sitting up as he drifted off to sleep, his arm wrapped around Anna, holding her close to him. He slept soundly through the night, which amazed him, he would have thought some kind of pain would have kept him up through the night.

However, he slept through till morning. He opened her eyes when he felt the blankets rustling. He looked down to see Anna's leg moving slowly off of him. He then stole a glance at her, "Sorry," he whispered, "I did mean to move to the empty bed.... This... is just so comfy," he chuckled and squeezed her with his arm slightly, "Are... we still going to do this? Or try to?"
~
Serena looked at Sebastian when he came out of the bathroom, face paint gone. She had just been rummaging through her drawers looking for pajamas. She smiled at him, "It is fine. You are not sleeping my bed..." She hesitated when he asked about nightmares, "Not always... but that's what the acchiappasogni is for," She pointed to the dream catcher that hung by her bed. She shrugged, "It helps... Running and hiding are good qualities in a Moroi," she said with a smirk.

She watched as he climbed into bed and tried to busy herself quietly. Once he was asleep, she slipped into her bathroom and changed into her nightgown. She clipped her hair up and off her neck before she slowly removed the makeup. She hated putting makeup on her neck. Despite it making it all easier to hide, it fooled her as well. When she wore scarves, she knew she was hiding something. When she put on the foundation, she looked normal, like nothing at all had happened. Then when she wash it away the years of torment were fresh as the scars, that covered a majority of the side and back of her neck, came back. She sighed when it was all gone. She let her hair back down around her shoulders and climbed into her bed silently. She stole a glance at the still sleeping Sebastian and curled up in bed. Pulling her hair over her neck, she took a deep breath and fell asleep.

Anna laughed a little, "Don't worry about it..." At his question she bit her lip, "If... you still want to." She rubbed the back of her neck as she sat up, feeling vulnerable again. "I just... I don't want you to do this because I'm falling apart... or because you're pitying me..." She grimaced, "What I mean is, I don't want you to be with me because I pressured you into it... I want you to be with me because YOU want to... Even if we can't be together... for long. I'd rather have something than nothing... If that makes any sense."

She sat up and glanced at his bathroom, wishing she'd been sane enough last night to have gone home and grabbed a change of clothes but if she'd been able to go to her room then the convo between her and Gunner wouldn't have happened... She was suddenly not so grumpy about not having clothes to change into for a shower. She'd go later... they had to get breakfast at some point and the kitchens were open all day on the weekends. "Poor Niya is probably wondering what happened to me..."

She glanced back at Gunner, "Is this okay with you... I mean... are you sure that WE are okay with you....?"

~*~

Sebastian woke before Serena and though he stayed laying in the spare bed he did watch her sleep for a bit, trying not to be creepy about it though. He just though she looked... peaceful... less worried. Her scars showed the way that she was sleeping and he felt a surprising amount of anger begin to boil beneath the surface, but he knew what it was... Some of it had to do with Spirit, the startling intensity of it, but the rest was the protectiveness that had been building inside him since... Well, the day he'd met her. He again found himself wishing he could heal away scars, if he could take them away from her he would... it didn't matter if that meant he'd probably suffer a psychotic episode and have to lock himself in his room for a few days. He was getting used to that bit... He just hated that when she woke up she would see them and all that worry and sorrow and self bashing would come back to haunt her eyes.... and her aura.

He sat up on his bed and moved to her side... He was careful when he touched her shoulder, he didn't know the story behind those scars but he suspected she wouldn't take kindly to being startled awake. "Serena... Serena... it's morning, Little Dhampir. Wake up..."

Gunner was still holding his left arm closely to his side as he sat up. The bruise from Serena was prominent on his chin as were the rest of the bruises on his body. Everything kind of hummed in pain that he chose to ignore. He winced a little before he took her hand in his own and smiled at her, "Anna, I was only asking because I wanted to make sure that you weren't just delusional last night for some reason or another... I want this.... I just don't want to hurt you... But I'm not going to go all Sebastian on you either," He joked. He kissed her hand, "Although, you got to admit, the guy is smooth with the ladies."

He pulled her close and kissed her, "I am more than okay with this... Don't think otherwise. And Niya will be fine..." He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, "I'm sure she knows that you are with someone... Although, she might expect it to be Serena... rather than me.... I prefer me though," He said with a smirk, "Way better," He kissed her nose, "Besides, it was about time that I gave you the private tour," He teased.

He had noticed her glance toward the bathroom shortly before, "Do you want to take a shower or something? I have towels and such..." He looked at her apologetically, "I do not, however, have anything that is going to fit you... even remotely..."
~
Serena's eyes flickered open and her hand shot up to the one that rested on her shoulder. Her eyes were wide until she took a moment to look at who was attached to the hand on her shoulder. She took a deep breath, it was a good thing that her first instinct hadn't been to break something, "Morning," she said with a smile, hoping that it made Sebastian feel a little bit better with shocking her. She had most definitely preferred it this way to him accidentally making to much noise. She also preferred it to him leaving while she slept, she still didn't want to leave him alone.

She kept looking up at him, her hand on his before she released it, "Sorry."

She shook her head a little and started to sit up when she realized that her hair was no longer covering her neck and it hadn't been while she was lying down. Something about Sebastian knowing her secret had made her feel comfortable, however, him seeing it was a different story. She felt dirty and cheap under his eye but she knew that he wasn't looking at her that way. Sebastian had known all this time and he still called her pretty and beautiful and for the first time in a long time she actually felt it. She didn't in this moment. She felt a knot in her stomach and avoided meeting his eyes, not wanting to see whatever it was that they held, as she sat up and pulled her hair back over her shoulders. She bit her lip, "Are they..." She started, her voice was quiet, "Are you feeling better?" She asked, changing the subject, deciding it was best to avoid the conversation of her scars. For the both of them. She always found that those that did not partake in that world were often uncomfortable with the subject of blood whores.

Sebastian frowned as her aura went dark and she pulled her hair over her scars. He knew what she was feeling, he was a bit on the hypersensitive side today so he couldn't help it with her being so close... So long as their auras were touching he was going to feel what she felt even if he was blocking her thoughts into background noise so he wouldn't listen in. He knelt in front of her, being taller than her, this brought them pretty much face to face. Very, very gently he pushed her hair back from her shoulder and brushed the back of his knuckles against her scars. "They don't define you Serena..."

The whole time he was touching her skin he didn't look at the scars, he wanted her to see that the only thing he saw was HER.... "The only thing I feel when I see those marks on your skin is anger... Not at you, at the ones who put you through it."

He knew what she was feeling as if he was inside her skin, he couldn't help it... even if he'd wanted to. So, when the next bit sounded like he was reading her thought it was because he... sort of was. "You can think or say what you'd like, you weren't willing... I saw that... not when it started and you can't help how it ended. Addiction... addiction is a powerful thing. I've felt it in the feeders... on accident... feeling like that against your will and craving it when you know you shouldn't is torture... You survived that, you ended it yourself. You're stronger than you give yourself credit for... not many can break free."

He realized he was still touching her and pulled his hand away feeling suddenly awkward. He smiled at her a bit sadly, "You're beautiful, the scars are part of that... You wouldn't be who you are if you hadn't gone through what you did... and who you are is... pretty amazing." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, "As to your question... Not really. Today will be miserable... I'm going to warn you so that it's fair... I can't really stay in my own head today. I'm already pushing boundaries now... Sorry about that... and my temper... It could be better. Just thinking about anyone hurting you had me ready to tear someone's..." He avoided that example, "head off. Keep me from getting violent if you can... but don't get hurt in the process... I don't know what I might do when I lose it."

~*~

Anna smiled, "Well... I guess that means I have to grab clothes from Niya." She flipped open her cell phone, which she'd had tucked where most girls tucked things when they wore a dress. It had ended up in her clothes pile last night. She texted Niya, begging her for some clothes and telling her where she was... explaining it away with too much to drink and Gunner had babysat her... She wasn't sure how many people Gunner wanted to know about them just yet. Once she got a response she bounced up from the bed, "Can you grab the clothes from her when she comes? I'm gonna go ahead and hop in the shower..."

She kissed his cheek, "Be right back Pretty boy." With that she hopped into the shower and washed away the memories of the day before... except the good ones. She caught sight of her wrist as she bathed and stared at it, feeling dirty... and shaking with something she refused to name. She scrubbed and scrubbed at the now healed, bruised area till it was red and raw before she forced herself to stop and climbed out. She wrapped herself with a towel and momentarily stood, staring at the scar and the bruises again. She'd seriously scrubbed her skin raw to the point of having a welt... She grimaced, she didn't want to explain to Gunner that she was having withdraws that made her want to go running to Jace or crawl out of her skin... or both. The guilt was enough on it's own without worrying Gunner too.

"Hey Marks, my clothes here yet?"

Serena flinched a little when she saw Sebastian's hand pushing her hair off her shoulder and felt his fingers against his skin. Very slowly, she met his eyes, he had lowered to his knees and was looking at her, not her scarring, her. She listened to him but only slightly. She was a little dazed by the way he was looking at her, what he was saying. For so long, she'd been calling herself weak and Sebastian.... was saying she was strong.

She felt weird when he pulled his hand away. She wanted it back, she liked it... him holding her. Which was very strange... The last person to touch her neck she had judo thrown to the ground and ran off. Sebastian just made her comfortable, even when he was voicing that he might become very violent and hurt her or that he was basically incapable of not reading her thoughts. It had been a very long while since she felt this comfortable around a person, especially a Moroi. She looked at him and gave him a very small smile, "I do not think you would stand a chance, Sebas..."

Her fingers played a little with a small silver charm on the bracelet that Sebastian had given her. She realized she hadn't taken it off last night. She also realized what she was doing. She was leaning into Sebastian, who knelt in front of her. She rested her head on his shoulder and nuzzled her face into his neck, hiding away. It was just like the other day when she had hugged him, more or less. She stayed like that for a moment, just enjoying sitting there as they were before she pulled back, "Scusami..."

She climbed out of her bed, feeling a little silly and wishing she had pajama pants. She rifled through her drawer and pulled out some clothes, "I... will be right back."

She stepped into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She came back out in a sweater and jeans, her hair off of both of her shoulder, not showing of but not hiding either. She grabbed a scarf and stared at it in her hands, wrapping it around her fingers. It was a thicker scarf, warmer than the small silk ones she had been wearing in September. She turned and looked at Sebastian, "I did not expect it to get so cold here... And it is only going to get colder," She shivered a little at the thought before she wrapped the scarf around her neck. She looked at Sebastian, "We... can go to the forest... Get away from people... If that makes... this better... I do not mind if you... see my past... There is not much left to hide from you...."

She began fiddling with the bracelet again and looked at him, smirking slightly, "No alcohol though... okay?"
~
Gunner got changed as Anna stole his shower. He just put on a pair of jeans and a button up that he decided that Anna was going to have to do up. As easy as it had been to pull on, far easier than a t-shirt, buttons weren't something he really wanted to get frustrated about doing, the one button on his jeans had been enough. He walked over to the door when Niya knocked and thanked her for dropping off the clothes before the girl excused herself to go be with Jordan. He tossed the clothes on his bed and waited. He grabbed the clothes that Niya had dropped off for Anna when he heard her call and ask if they'd come, "Ya," He jumped to his feet and walked over to the door. He hesitated a moment before opening it, his eyes closed tightly, "Nice floral underwear," He held them out to her before pulling them away, "Am I going to get something for this? You know that most babysitters get paid."

He stepped forward his eyes still closed and stopped in front of Anna. He placed her clothes on the sink counter and wrapped his good arm around her waist and pulled her into a kiss before releasing her, "I'll leave you to get changed," He said with a smirk before turning and leaving the small room and closing the door behind him. When he opened his eyes again, he was pretty amazed with himself, his sense of surrounding was getting much better even if it was a small room, he had managed to kiss Anna's lips with his eyes closed, that was cause for celebration. He sat back down on his bed and called to Anna, "Hurry up in there though, I'd like to go to the infirmary this week, Ross.... And I need you to do up my shirt!"

Anna blinked when the door came open and blushed before kissing him back, feeling her body heat up when he held her close to him like that. He'd kept his eyes closed and she laughed at his comment about floral underwear. "Hey, don't knock it. At least they aren't granny panties," she laughed. "Besides, I wasn't counting on anyone seeing my underwear and boyshorts are much more comfortable than those things all made of string. I'll never understand that..." She watched him edge back out with a smile... She was pulling a brush through her hair when he called through the door.

She stepped out with a laugh, "Leave it to Niya to pick my clothes..." The Russian girl had chosen the only top that would show skin. It was a light blue V-neck t-shirt that knotted at the side to show off a thin line of her belly before the low pants line of the faded and distressed hip-huggers kicked in. She wore her normal pair of sneakers and had yanked up her hair into it's usual pony-tail which meant that the V-neck showed off more cleavage than she usually risked... paired with the necklace and earrings that Anya had gotten her... well she looked more female than usual and still managed to look like she could kick your ass. "I think I like it..."

She walked up to Gunner and kissed him again as she started to do up his shirt to keep herself from feeling sheepish while she did it... and to keep from staring too much at his chest. She was aware of another blush and once she finished buttoning all but the last three buttons at the neck of the shirt she mussed his hair. "There, all ready for your adoring fans Pretty boy," she teased him. She hesitated and then kissed along his neck as her hands grasped his collar, she pulled away with a sly smile. "Payback for teasing me about my underwear and as far as being my babysitter goes... What do you think all those kisses are for." With that, she gave him a playful wink and flipped her hair over her shoulder and headed for the door. "Come on Marks, let's get you to the infirmary."

~*~

Sebastian held his breath as Serena leaned into him, his hands automatically coming up. One rested on her back, tracing fingers there soothingly while the other rested idly on her hip because he didn't know where else to put it. When she nuzzled against his neck he had to close his eyes for a moment, it had been a long time since he'd let anyone touch him this way... Since Anya actually... He had quit running around really, all of that seemed hollow but it was different with Serena. She made him feel... alive again and to be honest he'd felt like he was sleep walking through things since Anya had disappeared. When she pulled back he opened his eyes, her aura had those gold tinges in it that he recognized and he felt both flattered and... nervous. He didn't want to fail her like he had Anya.

He smiled, "You're find... no excuse necessary." He brushed her hair from her face and then watched her get up to change which reminded him that he needed to do the same. When she came back out he smiled again, "That sounds like a good idea... if you're sure you don't mind me wandering around your thoughts. The less I'm around someone who might set off my temper the better this day might turn out.... I've just got to grab a shower and change first... and... stop by the feeders. I'm sorry... I wish I didn't have to."

Gunner looked at Anna when she walked out of her room and his eyes widened a little. That was unexpected. He kept staring at her as she walked over to him and kissed him. His hand rested on her back and she was faintly aware of the fact that her fingers were fiddling with his shirt, even if it was just to close it up, he was is heaven. He smirked when she messed up his hair, "Only one fan I care about."

Then she was kissing his neck and Gunner didn't really know what to do but enjoy it.... and he really enjoyed it. When she pulled away, he met her gaze as she smiled at him slyly. He chuckled a little bit, "Remind me to mock you about your underwear choice more often."

He stood up when she walked to the door and followed her out. He smiled at her, "Can I babysit you more often? Or maybe, you can nurse me back to health," He teased as he wrapped his good arm around his shoulders. He was black and blue and burnt and even a little bloody, but he was happy. Sure, he looked and felt like he got run over by a flaming truck but nothing beat the fact that he could make out with Anna to his heart's content. He kissed her cheek, "You know... I really should have tried out this whole have a girlfriend thing a lot earlier... It isn't half bad."

He released her when he reached the infirmary. The nurse behind the desk eyes opened wide when she saw him, "What on earth happened?"

Gunner shrugged, "Was practicing some defense with a few Moroi," The nurse jumped out of her seat and escorted them both into a small room and instructed that Gunner lie down and remove his shirt. He laughed a little when the nurse left and looked at Anna, "And after all the work."
~
Serena shrugged, "I do not... You do not mean to..."

She fingers ran over one of the charms and she nodded as Sebastian mentioned the feeders, "No, it is okay... You have to... I... I will come..... It is good to be around it... makes me remember that who I was... who I do not want to be..." She smiled at him weakly, "But thank you... for worrying...."

She stood there awkwardly for a moment, not knowing what to do, "Should... I... um.... come to your room.... You said you room with Rae.... And you do not seem to like him... It might be best to have someone make sure that you do not go all Gunner on him."

"Hahaha, funny Marks, funny. Don't make me kick an injured guys ass in class tomorrow," she teased him. As they walked to the infirmary together Anna smiled, "Yeah well, you wouldn't be the pretty boy I love if you weren't a little bullheaded. I honestly wasn't sure you'd say yes to the whole... relationship thing. I'm glad you did though..." She squeezed his hand as they walked and when they entered Anna smiled a little at his explanation, it... wasn't quite lying. Leave it to Gunner to find a loop-hole around telling an actual lie. She laughed at him as he lay down on the uncomfortable exam table/bed thing.

"Work work work..." She stepped over to him and began undoing his shirt, trying to keep her eyes on her fingers instead of his chest or his face. If she looked up and caught him watching her undress him she wasn't sure that she'd be able to stop herself from going about thirty shades of red... or kissing him silly... or... any number of things... and she wasn't sure when the nurse would be back.

~*~

As Serena tried to reassure him he smiled somewhat and nodded, "Alright... if you're sure and I don't know if he might have someone there... or if they'll be dressed... or if there will be blood. He grimaced, "Knowing Rae, nothing is really out of bounds so long as his clothes don't get dirty..." He rubbed the back of his neck, "But you're right... if I'm left alone with him too long and he's a dick I might end up doing something nasty so... you should probably come."

He gave her a half smile and then looked at the scarf around her neck, Rae was the last person he'd want knowing about Serena's scars. The guy would spread it around school in two seconds flat and then Seb wasn't exactly sure what he might do to anyone who approached Serena... go off the deep end possibly. "Well, let's go."

He headed to the feeders first, if he'd fed he might be in a better mood to deal with Rae. Once he was done he stepped out and grabbed a tissue, hurriedly wiping his mouth to keep Serena from seeing the blood on his lips. He didn't want to freak her out... He couldn't help that he was Moroi, but he was going to try to keep her from feeling uncomfortable or threatened around him.

"Alright... let's go see if Rae is still in the room."

Gunner didn't look at her as she undid his shirt, he really did not need those thoughts in his head... not at that moment. Instead, he stared at the wall until she managed to undo the last button. He pulled his shirt off and laid back with a bit of a grunt of discomfort. He sighed when he was on his back, "Injured or not, I'd still kick your ass, Ross."

The doctor came in shortly after and looked at Gunner. She smiled and shook her head, "I was starting to wonder when I'd see the two of you."

Gunner laughed a little, "Well, injury is kind of part job."

She chuckled, "Well, let's check you out."

She looked him over but other than the shoulder, there weren't anything too serious. She gave him some salve for the burns and covered them up to prevent any infection, a sling to keep him from using his injured arm and finally some meds for the pain before releasing him and Anna. Gunner sat back up, feeling a lot better with all the medication coursing through him. He pulled his shirt then the sling and stood. He grinned at Anna, "You know, I'm going to need a lot of help with... all of this."
~
Serena followed Sebastian to the feeders but hung outside, since it wasn't required for Novices to be with their wards. When he came back out she gave him a weak smile and nodded, following Sebastian to his dorm room.

She saw Rae lying on his bed in just his boxers and an arm draped over his face. He cocked an eyebrow when he saw Serena, "You spent the night with him?"

Serena, not really wanting to deal with him, just looked at him, "Si," she looked at Sebastian and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Be quick..."

She then walked to his bed and sat down on it. When Sebastian hopped in the shower, Rae looked at Serena, "Really?"

She looked up at him, "What?"

"Him?"

Serena shook her head and playing with her charm bracelet, deciding it was best to ignore him.