"What're you doing?" Neal slung his bow over his shoulder as he asked Kel. He had been planning on working on his aim after Alanna's verbal berating this morning, but after seeing Kel he doubted that would happen.

"Go away, Nealan," she said, not noticing or even remembering that every time she called him Nealan he scowled.

And then she ignored him, shooting another arrow with numb fingers.

How can you see into my eyes like open doors

Leading you down into my core

Where I've become so numb without a soul

My spirit sleeping somewhere cold

Until you find it there and lead it back home

"C'mon, Kel. You're going to get so cold your fingers fall off, and my father's the only one who can reattatch them. And he's back home with my mother, remember?"

Kel still didn't reply. Her eyes were still locked on the target as she mechanically strung her bow and shot.

"Kel, what's the matter?"

She turned to him. "It doesn't matter." Her voice was colder than the air around them. Her tone clearly told him to go away and leave her alone.

Wake me up inside

Wake me up inside

Call my name and save me from the dark

Bid my blood to run

Before I come undone

Save me from the nothing I've become

Finally he gave up on staring and grabbed her arm, dragging her inside with him. He literally pushed her into the mess hall and poured the cider down her throat.

Kel still looked distant, her eyes avoiding Neal's.

With a sigh, he grabbed her chin. "I normally wouldn't do this, but…"

He kissed her. It wasn't a romantic kiss, not the kind that couriers give and court ladies swoon over. If she felt guilty, he had to help her realize that it wasn't her fault. And the first step was to get her away from wallowing in her own guilt—thinking about something you couldn't change always made it feel worse. He kissed Kel simply to wake her up.

And wake her up it did. She sat up with a jolt, pulling away after realizing she had been leaning half over the mess table.

"More awake now?" He grinned cheekily.

"Awake enough to slap you."

Neal's scream echoed through the palace.

A/N: Not too great. The song is Bring Me To Life by Evanescence, by the way. I was listening to it and rereading this scene and then something told me I had to write it. I know it's kind of short. I don't plan on continuing, but if you really want me to and someone gives me a good idea, I might. Tell me in your reviews (wink wink).

By the way, I don't think Neal's father is at home. I just needed him to be. Creative license! (flashes license at men in uniforms who have come to drag her away.