AN: I have been working on this fic for a few days. The inspiration actually came when there was a fire close to my house on Saturday. I thought that it would be fun to send out Third Company to handle a fire close to home. I feel like I could continue this story, but I also feel as if, for the time being, I have hit a dead end with it without the story seeming forced.

As always, all characters and places belong to the wonderful Tamora Pierce!

A fire had struck the lands right outside of Corus, a league from the outer gates. It was up to Third Company, who were the closest group to the fire as all other companies and groups were out on other missions far from the palace, to help stop the fire from spreading. As of a few moments ago, the smoke had been billowing onto the palace grounds as the winds had shifted directions. From the exhausted rider, who came through the gates not more than twenty minutes earlier, the fire had been burning for over two hours, but the people residing in that immediate area thought that they could handle the small flames. Now, they had emitted defeat and called for help from the palace.

"Why can't the Gods just give us one day to rest and have some fun a 'for they send us yet another disaster?" Wolset complained. "We've been out on the field without any company for too long! I would at least like to get clean a 'for we head out again!"

The Third Company had been sent out well over two weeks ago to hunt down a group of bandits who had been attacking unsuspecting travelers on their way to or from Pirates Swoop. They had had a few difficulties with rounding up the large group, and had just as much difficulty in trying to take them to the nearest magistrate. The company had returned to Corus late at night the day before, and was just beginning to get settled for a night on the town when the summons to the fire had come.

"Wolset, have you ever thought that maybe it's your cheerful demeanor that they despise so much?" Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle teased. He was no happier than the rest of the men to be called out again so soon after arriving. "Just think of all the ladies who will be over you for saving them from the fire that is so close to their pretty rooms. After all, you shall return triumphant, soot covered and looking like such the hero of their dreams!" he laughed, causing the others to join in his good spirits.

"Aye Sergeant, but who would want the like of you once you get out of that fire which I'm now plannin' on pushin' ya in?" Wolset mumbled to himself.

Dom just laughed and clasped Wolset on the back as they headed down to the stables and their waiting mounts. The Company was to only take one horse each seeing as they would be so close to home. Once in the courtyard and assembled, the men took stock of who else had joined the rescue team.

"Meathead! I thought that you were still off on some noble quest or something with our dear Protector! What are you doing here, and why have you left her alone, you know she only finds trouble without someone nearby." Dom couldn't help calling out as he came nearer to his cousin.

Before he could even shake hands with Neal however, he felt a hard punch on his arm and a growl from behind him. "I thought that I told you I hate that name Sergeant! I don't care what you call your cousin, but if I hear that title from you again, I will challenge you on the practice courts! And who says I get into trouble when left alone? As I recall, I have save all of you men from time to time!"

Dom couldn't help but turn around and flash a cheeky smile, "Well, yes Lady Kel, I do recall your helpful hand from time to time, I meant no offence. I just thought that you had managed to sneak past the delightful Meathead!"

They both laughed at the scowl that crossed Neal's face. Before anyone could comment further, they were called to move out, so Dom returned to his squad and Kel rode to the front to speak to her former knight master, leaving Neal to sit rejected in his saddle with thoughts of his precious Yuki.

It did not take long for Third Company to ride to the fire and start to help the locals with putting the flames out, and stopping it from spreading. Neal was busy seeing to those who had been injured, while Kel was busy helping people with pouring water on the surrounding ground, and smaller patches of fire that broke out when embers landed in the surrounding brush. Dom and his squad were hard at work digging a barrier and clearing away brush before the hungry flames could begin to eat towards any towns or the capital.

The locals had done as good of a job as they could to keep the fire from their houses, but were unable to prevent it from spreading further away. Lord Raoul sighed, the people should have called earlier the fire had spread further than it should have, and now they were going to be hard pressed to put it out. He could only hope that his men were able to put it out sooner rather than later.

With everyone they brought with them, and the mages who decided to help, after a continued hour of them keeping the smoke from invading the palace, they finally offered their gifts from the safety of the palace. Third Company had finally put out the flames before the sun set.

It was as Third Company was about to prepare to leave that Raoul called Dom and Kel over. "I'm sure you two have dreams of luxury at the palace, I know you had just ridden in when you decided to help us Kel, and I'm sure you and your men were hoping to visit the city after baths, but I need a squad to keep watch over night, to insure that the fire doesn't start over again." Raoul looked both in the eyes, "I would stay myself, but his Majesty commanded my presence at a banquet tonight" he frowned. He thought he heard Kel sigh, but when he looked at her, he wasn't sure if he had just imagined it, as it was, young Dom had a frown and was mumbling something about "Wolset" and "pushing". But they both nodded. "Thanks, I really do wish we could switch places, but royal orders and such." With that he left the two standing there to break the bad news to the others who were to stay behind and make sure the fire didn't rekindle.

As Dom, and most likely Raoul, had known, his men were not happy at having to stay outside of the city and watch the land. Luckily, they had the company of their Lady Knight. All of the men, well, with the exception of the two new men, had watched Kel grow up and amaze the kingdom with her abilities. They had not seen their Lady Knight in quite a few months, and wished to find out more about what she had been doing, and tell her of the pranks they had pulled in her absence.

"It wasn't until Neal and I were on our way back into Corus that anybody even told him that I had been slipping ink into his tea for a full week!" They all laughed at the expense of her antics, "I really wish I no longer have to take another mission with him without others to help dilute his poetry." Kel sighed, and then smiled. "So what have you boys been doing? I'm sure my ink tea is nothing compared to what you have caused."

Wolset spoke up first, an evil grin on his face as he peeked over at Dom, who had grown uncharacteristically quiet and stony. "Well my Lady, there was one we pulled with yonder sergeant not one week back." Wolset almost stopped at the murderous glare Dom sent his way, but he still hadn't forgotten the comments he had made earlier that morning. "You see my Lady we had been off chasin' some bandits attackin' folks from Corus to the Swoop. T'was lonely work for us poor lads, so we decided, after a raid mind you that we should pull a little prank on the other men, so while we was in town, we borrowed some of the women's dresses and face paint. We, your humble squad, dressed ourselves up, put on wigs and face paint, and prance on through camp! Well, unknown to our poor Sergeant, the former owner t'was a mage she was, and cursed all o' her dresses so that anyone who put them on 'sides her, would be forced to wear them for a while."

Here, the whole squad, including Kel, laughed so hard while Dom continued to scowl. Once Wolset regained some control, he continued. "That's not the worst of it for our Sergeant! He makes such a pretty woman, what with his blue eyes an' that blonde wig; he had many o' the men followin' him, tryin' to steal a kiss!" Wolset was unable to continue, and Dom had looked away, blushing.

"I was only able to get that blasted dress off two days ago. And I actually have to say that I now appreciate how hard it must have been for you Kel, when you had to help defend the fort after the weddings. It sure wasn't as easy as you made it look." Dom looked up at Kel at this, a look of wonder and respect reflecting out of his eyes.

Kel blushed. "I was…lucky that Lalasa had made my dress for the wedding, otherwise, I most likely would not have been able to fight the way I did. I would have had to stay behind the fort walls like a court lady; maybe I would have been able to be an archer if they had not attacked in the late afternoon like that." She sighed.

Wolset broke the silence that fell, "Well my Lady, you really did look graceful during that fight, well, much more graceful than our Sergeant Blue Eyes, as we've been callin' him, over there!" With that last remark, the men went to settle down for the night, leaving the two leaders to sit and think before going to bed.

Dom's squad was fortunate, the fire never rekindled overnight, and they were able to return to the palace by breakfast. Entering the mess still soot covered, the men got their food and found a table while the others cheered their stay out all night while they got to stay in their warm beds. Shortly after they had begun to dig in, Lord Raoul entered the mess with Lady Kel in tow. Quickly spotting Dom's squad, they made their way over to the table.

"Good work men, Kel was just filling me in on how the night went I'm glad to hear that there was no trouble." All the men just glared. Ignoring their looks, Raoul continued, "I was also talking to Kel about her next assignment, the King just issued them last night after the banquet. She is to be riding with us for a while it seems!" The men broke out into evil smiles, making Kel feel weary of this new assignment. She had always been off limits to their pranks, what with being their Lord's squire, but now, she had no protection

Noticing her look, Dom flashed Kel a quick smile and told her "Don't worry my lady, I can assure you that we humble men are harmless." With that he winked and got up to place his tray by the wash tubs, the rest of his men followed him just too casually for Kel's comfort, they were up to something.

Neal burst into Kel's room just as she was finishing up packing. "Kel, wonderful news! Yuki is pregnant! I'm to be a father! Imagine, a little baby of Queenscove!" Kel just smiled at her best friend as he continued, "I asked father and the king to stay here at the palace until Yuki has given birth, I want to be here for her. I'm sorry Kel, but this means that we won't be able to…" Neal finally paused as he took in his friend packing away her belongings, a frown on his face. "Kel, you're packing! Are you being sent away on a mission? I could ask the king and father to go with you for a while, I mean, Yuki's not very far along, and…" Neal stopped when Kel shook her head.

"No Neal, its fine. I'm so happy to hear about Yuki being pregnant! I wouldn't dream of pulling you away from her! I'm just going to be moving my belongings closer to the Kings Own stable; I'm not being sent out yet."

"The Kings Own? Why would you move your stuff there?" Neal looked confused.

Kel sighed, "Neal, could you at least help me move my stuff as we talk?"

Neal just nodded and picked up some bags as they headed out the door. "So what is it Kel, why are you moving?" Then his face lit up, "you've been assigned to them! This is wonderful Kel; I won't have to worry about you not having a baby setter!"

Kel scowled as they continued to walk in silence as Kel pointed out her new chambers to Neal. He walked in first, and then SPLAT! A bucket had fallen over his head, and when he removed it, he was covered in smelly garbage and his hair was green and his skin a bright orange! Kel couldn't help but laugh at the back fired prank.

Upon Neal's glare, she stopped and told him, "I'm sorry Neal, but I knew your cousin was up to something, I had been waiting for somebody to come to help me so I wouldn't get caught in it! Knowing them, they found a way to make the dye and smell stick to you for a week!"

She gave Neal a sympathetic smile as he just glared. "You used me Lady Knight! And here I was sharing my good news, and this is all the thanks I get!"

With that, Neal stomped away, leaving Kel behind to laugh and unpack all of her belongings, after all, she had only planned on moving a few items she would need to begin with.

When the lunch bell rang, Kel entered the mess hall looking refreshed and NOT orange and green like a carrot. She couldn't help but laugh at the looks of dismay that passed over Dom's squad when they saw her, and only laughed harder when an angry Neal stormed in to ask them how to get that blasted stuff off.

Kel did stop laughing however, when Yuki walked in and upon asking her husband why he looked like a carrot, was told to go talk to the Lady Knight.

Once Yuki sat down however, she started to laugh with Kel. "Oh thank the Gods! Now he will hopefully be preoccupied enough to stop bothering me!"

Kel smiled and hugged Yuki "Congratulations! Are you sure Neal is ready to be a father?"

Dom, who had been passing stopped and turned to look at them with a look of horror. "Meathead is going to be a father? May all the Gods help us!" He quickly sat down, and looked at Kel, "Lady Keladry, please tell me this is your way of getting back at the prank we were to pull on you, and that Nealan is not reproducing small Meatheads!"

At Dom's hopeful look Kel laughed as Yuki took out her fan and hit him over the head. "I am ashamed of you Domitan of Masbolle! A child is a miracle, and congratulations should be given to the mother, not condolences like somebody has died!" And the small Yamani stormed out of the mess to find her husband, and soon to be father of the babe inside her.

Kel only offered Dom a small smile as he still looked baffled. "A baby for Meathead! It seems that it has begun." He mumbled to himself. When Kel shot him an inquiring glance Dom just smiled shyly, and replied "You see Kel, with Meathead expecting, my mother is going to be coming after me asking me why is it that my younger cousin is settling down to have a family, why can't I be doing the same!"

Kel patted his shoulder, "Don't worry Dom, once you finally do decide to settle down and take a wife, it's not like you won't have the pick of all the court ladies." Kel sighed wistfully, she knew that her chances of marriage were most likely slim, every man liked her for her fighting, but very few seemed to realize that she was in fact a woman as well as a warrior.

Dom pulled Kel out of her thoughts by putting a finger under her chin and forcing her to look up at him. Her heart skipped a beat when she looked into his warm sapphire eyes.

"Kel, you are worth more than any court lady. If I were to marry, I would rather have a warrior lady like you than a pretty wallflower. I would like a wife who I could talk tactics to and fight besides, somebody who has actually seen war and devastation, who has lived it." Dom quickly stopped talking and looked away, blushing. He started to laugh, "Actually, seeing as we are on the topic Kel, would you possibly like to go to dinner with me? I mean, just the two of us, somewhere away from the palace, were we could breath and have some privacy?"

Dom looked so hopeful that Kel nodded in agreement and watch as Dom whistled his way out of the door. Her long time crush had just asked her to go to dinner! She knew that she should be weary; after all, the men could use this as an opportunity to prank her. She hoped that wasn't the case, but quickly pushed such thoughts aside, after all, Dom seemed nervous when he asked her, not something he would do if it were a prank.

With her worries pushed aside, Kel focused on what she was going to wear, did she want to wear something that made her a lady, or did she want to wear her "men's" clothing. That matter was quickly settled when she remembered the new gowns Lalasa had given her earlier in the day. Kel left the mess with a smile on her face.

AN: My dad wished to read this story, and long story short, our printer ran out of ink so I was forced to retype this lovely story with our old typewriter. And while I was reading what I had written, I noticed a few errors, so here are the corrections I made as I was retyping this on my original printer!