So this is my first attempt at writing a fan fiction about any topic, I have a few that faithfully follow, but I've been reading a lot of Protector of the small ones and really just not finding many, there are a few, that cover what I want them too and the length that I like. I have no idea how long this will be, but I would expect at least 20,000 words but probably more, or really where it will go. This will eventually be Kel/Dom. Please if anyone reading would like to see something happen or anything to say let me know. Also, I will very rarely be giving actual character descriptions, I figure if you enjoyed the books enough to be reading fan fiction, you know what everyone looks like. This fanfic will be rated T, if I get comfortable enough I may add M rated scenes to the story, I would just make 2 stories though and have one rated T and the other M with everything else the same, not sure about it yet though. And even though I have read the series more times then I care to disclose, I haven't read it in a while so I am slightly foggy with the ending of Lady Knight. So I'm just making up / slightly basing it off what I remember for the first chapter or so. So please don't expect it to perfectly follow the book.

Now the sad part, I do not own any of the protector of the small quartet

Chapter 1

Kel woke with a groan. 'Why am I so curst tired' she thought.

"Oh, yes, killing a mad man and traveling hundreds of miles with all the injured survivors, not to mention my injured self," Kel muttered indignantly.

"I hope you mean gravely injured self Kel!" screamed Neal. Kel slightly winced, but wouldn't allow him the full satisfaction.

"I have no idea what you're talking about Nealan. I was perfectly fine, it was just a scratch."

"A SCRATCH Kel! The thing went all the way through you, nearly to the bone, and was almost as long as my hand! And my hands aren't small either!" shouted Neal as he began pacing. "Not only was I scared to death once I actually saw what you had done to yourself, I was also chewed out by not only the Lioness, yes they called her here once we all went missing, but also my father, the STUMP, and Lord Raoul. Because they all came when you got your hair brained idea!"

Kel took a deep breath to respond, but was cut off before she could begin.

"Yes, I know you had to go, just as you know we had to follow you there."

Neal stopped pacing and talking, which usually wasn't a good sign. He stared at her for several seconds.

Kel was sitting, trying not to meet his eye. She truly felt guilty for them all following her. She didn't want them to come; they followed her on their own accord, it was their choice. However, deep down she knew that wasn't true, they had to follow her. She was theirs as much as they were hers. She would have done the same thing if the situation was reversed, however unlikely that would be. She is the only one pea-brained enough to get the idea to go across enemy lines on their own to rescue peasants that were taken by a force possibly hundreds if not more strong.

Finally after what seemed like hours, though in reality wasn't more than 15 second Neal spoke," Just, please Kel, please never do something so stupid again. You're my best friend Kel, if anything happened to you I would be lost. I know you can't promise me anything, because I know you. You would do it all again in a heartbeat if it meant saving your people, but try to at least stay alive," he spoke barely above a whisper.

"Besides," he finally chuckled, "Yuki would kill me herself if I let you go get yourself killed."

Kel finally appreciating the lighter tone responded with her own hollow chuckle.

"Now we wouldn't want that," she choked out.

They sat in silence for a few moments before the infirmary door opened. In walked Lord Raoul, normally she would be ecstatic to see her Lord, today though, not so much. She knew from the hard scowl he was wearing on her face she was about to be in trouble. And she knew that she honestly deserved it.

"Well," said Lord Raoul shortly, "I can see that Neal already beat me to the lectures." He paused for, what Kel was sure was, dramatic effect. Her Lord always had a flare for the dramatic if he would help it.

"So," he continued," I don't have to do it thank the goddess."

Now it was Kel's turn to be the dramatic one with a gasp, causing Lord Raoul to stop.

"But, my Lord, I deserted my post, disobeyed direct orders, crossed into enemy lines, which was strictly forbidden by His Majesty, had those buffoons follow me, I got people killed"

Raoul cut her off, "And you saved hundreds of innocent lives, most important of all the children's, killed Blayce and Stenmun, stopped the killing machines, and just turned this war in our favor. Kel, I have never been more proud of you. You are an amazing young woman, if I have ever seen one, and I know Alanna so that's saying a lot."

Kel just stared at him blankly. How, how could he possibly be saying this to her.? Wasn't he going to reprimand her, throw her in the dungeon, wait that would be Lord Wyldon. How can he compare me to the Lioness, she is 20 times the warrior I am.

"But, my Lord."

"I don't want to hear anything about this Kel," he spoke loudly," You have been through a lot, almost managing to get yourself killed because you wouldn't allow yourself to be healed properly."

"Neal couldn't do," she muttered. Looking down at her fingers as she spoke.

"Yes, Neal could," interjected Neal himself. "I tried to countless times, but you brushed me off. I knew I should have demanded you show me. This is all my fault. I know you, you put everyone before yourself, even if it means killing you in the process." He finished with a scowl.

"No, Neal, I did this not you. Please don't blame yourself, but all those children and the other injured needed you more."

"And I should have been the one to decide that after looking at your wound," he said adamantly.

"Well, Neal, I think we should allow our Lady Knight to get her rest. Lord Wyldon wants to see you, Keladry, first thing in the morning. I managed to get him to hold off the long so you could get some rest. Well," Lord Raoul chuckled, " That and Alanna threated to cut off his, well….Let's just say even Lord Wyldon wasn't willing to test the Lioness when she was in such a rage. Get some rest Kel, you're going to need it. You have a long couple of days ahead and some very anxious people to talk to. Not to mention a very lengthy note to write to your parents."

Kel was too tired to hold her Yamani mask in place and visibly shuddered. 'Why, why, why did they have to tell my parents? I hate worrying them. I just hope once I explain everything they will forgive me.'

Lord Raoul broke her thoughts, "Goodnight Kel. Come on Neal, lets allow our hero to get some rest, you can check on her in a few hours since I heard your father started your punishment by having the night time infirmary post for a few days."

"Thank you so much for reminding me Lord Raoul," groaned Neal. "Goodnight Kel, I'll check on you in 10 minutes and if you still haven't fallen asleep I'll bring you something. Your lovely shoulder wound started to get infected, so you really need to get all the rest you can. I managed to clean it all out, which I must say was one positive to you fainting, you couldn't move while I cleaned, but you need rest. Remember Kel, no more stupid, that's my job, and sometimes I may share the title with Dom. Get some sleep."

With that Neal turned and walked away following after Lord Raoul, probably to make sure he didn't wake up anymore wounded in his care. Kel could tell it was most likely dusk since it seemed to be getting darker as their conversation went on.

Kel knew she was going to be in trouble in the morning. You don't do what she did and not have consequences, that's not how it worked. She was already told she would still be a knight that's sadly as far as they got before she thoroughly embarrassed herself by fainting in front of everyone standing in the courtyard, but would she just be quietly tucked away in a corner now, or put into a highly dangerous post to speed up her death. With those thoughts she let out a groan and rolled over and fell asleep. With no need for Neal's horrible concoctions, even with all her thoughts to bother her.