Brighton, MI | Thursday Night

[guardian_god]

The time between guarding Victor and Robert while Rose and Sonya paved the way with Jill's family and wandering the ladies clothing department of a massive catch-all store with a cart overflowing with camping equipment and first aid supplies had passed in a blur

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[guardianborn]

Rose's knee was throbbing strongly enough that she couldn't quite ignore it as she leaned back in the seat. God, three hours ago, she'd been ecstatic. She'd pulled it off, they'd found the missing Dragomir, they'd convinced Jill - and her mom - to go to Court to support Lissa and then it'd all gone to crap.

It'd all gone to crap, and the guardians had shot at her and Dimitri as they'd escaped. Fighting to subdue the other guardians and not seriously injure them had been difficult enough especially with Rose's knee threatening to give out every time she put weight on it, but when they'd had to fight just to escape and not even bring Jill out with them...

She couldn't help being pissed off as she waited for Dimitri to get out of that huge store. Maybe he'd even grab some food for them.

[guardian_god]

Dimitri hadn't forgotten food so much as chosen to go the hot food route after grabbing a few things that would work for the morning. After filling the trunk with camping equipment, he opened the car door and piled the many bags on the seat and floor. "How's the knee?" he asked, climbing in the driver's side with a sigh and holding out an instant ice pack.

[guardianborn]

"Oh God, I love you," Rose said, taking the ice pack and breaking it to start the cooling action. "How much stuff did you get? We're just going to a hotel, right?"

[guardian_god]

Dimitri shook his head. "We'll be harder to find at a campground, especially since we can't get rid of the car yet." It was a pretty sweet ride, this sports car he'd snagged.

[guardianborn]

She turned to stare at him. "I hope you got blankets."

[guardian_god]

"No, I thought you'd enjoy freezing in the tent," Dimitri deadpanned, reaching out to giver her shoulder a squeeze like he needed to be reminded she was there and still okay, despite the knee.

[guardianborn]

"So that means you'll be keeping me warm?" Rose retorted, reaching up to close her hand over his. At least they'd gotten out of there. There was time to deal with everything else, and they'd catch up with Sonya and Jill tomorrow. They had to.

[guardian_god]

"And the sleeping bags," he added, not actually denying that he would love to be her blanket as he started up the car and headed out. "I thought we'd get some food first, though. Refuel before we rest."

[guardianborn]

Her idea was more fun. But Rose, being Rose, brightened up at the suggestion of food.

"Deal." She shifted a little, re-adjusting the bag on her knee then turned towards him again. "Then what?"

[guardian_god]

"Then we find Jill and Sonya on their way to Court," he said, sticking with the original plan. "Even if her mother isn't exactly on board, I don't think Jill will change her mind knowing what rests on that decision."

[guardianborn]

"She won't," Rose said definitively. Even if she still felt badly about dragging sweet little Jill into Court politics for the rest of her life.

[guardian_god]

Dimitri wondered if Jill's mother wouldn't continue to be a problem no matter the situation. Or if the guardians were looking for her and Sonya, but he didn't give voice to those concerns. "Then you should pick your poison. Greasy burgers or greasy pizza?" He pointed at the drive thru choices.

[guardianborn]

"Burgers." Rose didn't even have to think about it. She glanced over at Dimitri. "Duh."

[guardian_god]

So of course there were greasy burgers. And fries and coffee and donuts since the shop was some strange amalgam of fast food joints. Not that Rose seemed to be complaining.

It was only a few miles to the campgrounds where Dimitri left Rose and the food in the car while he erected the tent like a pro, setting up their supplies and making sure things were settled for the night.

[guardianborn]

It was amazing how fast Dimitri got that tent up. Must be those winter survival lessons he learned in Siberia. She waited until Dimitri and his flashlight had been in the tent for a while before getting bored and getting out of the car.

This was the second time in six months where she'd ended up in the wilderness with only her stake and a torn and dirty dress. How did this keep happening to her?

The situation was totally different now though, she reminded herself as she pushed herself (and the bag of food) into the tent. "Wow. This is impressive."

[guardian_god]

Dimitri looked up from where he was stacking the clothes he'd purchased on top of her sleeping bag. "It's the best I could do quickly." He would have preferred a hotel room, but it just wasn't a good choice considering the raid.