Hello!! I have writers block on my other story, and I thought up this one! ENJOY!!!

Disclaimer: Do I really have to tell you? This all belongs to Tamora Pierce, except for the characters you might not recognize.

Ch.1

"I love you," Dom whispered into Kel's ear. I was a lovely night. The full moon reflected onto the river. New Hope was calm and peaceful for a change. They sat on the walls, trying to ignore the glances of all the soldiers, wondering what was going on between their Commander and the sergeant.

Kel just smiled and was about to answer, "I—"

"Commander, we have company." A watchman said, breathlessly. He must have run all the way from the gate, thought Kel.

"Any idea who it is?" Kel asked, she didn't expect a raid with the war over.

"Yes milady, it looks to be a Rider group. Should we let them in?" The soldier was being overly formal, Kel couldn't help but thinking.

"Soldier, do you know what Rider group? That might be some helpful information. I know a lot of the Riders and I can tell you it that is them." Dom inquired, he was a bit snappy since his time with Kel was cut short. –Can't anyone do anything without her approval?- Dom thought bitterly.

"Um… Yes milord, actually they say that they are the 17th, but commander Buri isn't with them." The soldier seemed taken aback at the sergeant's sharp attitude.

"Well, Buri got married and retired from the Riders, so that accounts for her not being there, tell me- never mind, let's go see who it is." Dom then started walking ahead of the others. If it really was the 17th, he was wondering who Buri would put into command. Evin Larse, the commander of the Riders, rode with the 7th. He had a lot of friends in the 17th rider group, since they had rode with the King's Own a lot.

"Well, Sergeant Domitan, I was wondering if my group could come in or do we have to wait out here all night?" As soon as that familiar female voice reached his ears, Dom froze. –this is not good- he thought that over and over again. If that is who I think it is, I am so screwed.

Dom looked at Kel and half heartedly said, "That is the 17th alright, and they have a new, unexpected commander."

Kel gave the order for the gate to be opened and followed Dom down the stairs to the ground. She was puzzled by his sudden change of mood. It seemed to be caused by the leader of the Rider group, although she didn't know why, the girl didn't seem familiar at all to her.

The commander was dismounting from her midnight black, shaggy pony, when Kel and Dom reached her. She handed her reigns to a waiting stable hand and let a soldier lead away her group. Then she smiled flirtatiously, while Dom looked slightly uncomfortable.

"So, Dom, since you seem to already be acquainted, why don't you introduce us." Kel's voice was as calm and pleasant as always, but Dom could tell that she was annoyed at the smile. Dom did have a reputation as a flirt.

Dom winced, but followed orders. "Lady Knight Keledry of Mindelin, may I present Lady Melody of Emerald Valley, now I guess, commander of the 17th Rider group." The two young women bowed to each other politely.

"What in Mithros' name are you doing here!?" Neal's voice reached the group before he actually did. When he did finally arrive, he scooped Melody, called Melly up into a bear hug and picked her up off of her feet.

Melly laughed and said "Nice to see you too, Neal, but I must say I never quite imagined such a welcome..." She finally burst out into giggles while Neal blushed. "By the way Neal, since it has been such a long time, I don't believe that I have congratulated you on your marriage. I am so happy for you!" Melly's smile was kind and Dom couldn't help but think of how pretty she was. No, she was pretty when they… knew each other, but now she was gorgeous. Her curly chestnut hair had fallen out of her hair tie and fell just below her shoulders. He big golden brown eyes were smiling. He saw, even with her uniform the slender waist and well curved body. Wow, she had grown since the last time they saw each other, but she still had the same dimpled, round face she had always had. At 5'4", she looked up at nearly everyone around her, but her air of dignity made her seem a foot taller.

"So, Dom, not even a hello for an old friend?" She teased.

"I was just trying to figure out who was under the mask, When did you have the capacity to be nice?" He retorted after a moment of hesitation.

"When I found out that Meathead was getting married. It made me realize that the impossible can always happen." Melly said, suddenly taking the focus off of her and Dom, she wasn't sure how many of his men that Dom had told about them. Everyone was caught off guard and then laughed belatedly.

"Hey! How did I get drawn into this? I always thought that the war was between you two! Dom, I am going to kill you if you tell anyone else that name!" Neal looked scared at the thought of being in the middle of those two, who could fight all night and day without stopping. No wonder it didn't work out, he thought dryly.

"Anyway, I am sure that the Lady Knight would like to know why I am here." Melly changed the subject again.

"Actually, that is exactly what I was wondering." Kel spoke for the first time since the Riders' arrival.

"Lady Knight, I bring letters and reports among other things to you from Steadfast and Mastiff. I would like to ask for one night's lodging for me and my group, and then tomorrow we will be on our way. We are heading for Corus." Dom nearly laughed at the professional, serious voice that Melly had used to address Kel.

"Of course you can stay! We just got the guest quarters up, and no one to try them out with." Kel smiled at the girl.

"Wonderful, thank you ever so much."

With that, everyone walked away to get a bath and/or a meal.

Dom couldn't help but think of Melly and their brief "relationship." He couldn't believe how stupid he had been just three years ago. She was 16, still a little girl, and he was 23. Now, when he looked back at it, it was only lust without a hint of love. In fact, they had more hate for each other than anything. Of course, there was also the fact that Melly was the favorite niece to none other than Lord Raoul. Talk about in a fix. If Lord Raoul ever found out, Dom hated to think of what would happen to him. He and Melly agreed not to tell anyone, but he was sure that the entire 3rd Company and all the Riders saw the shameless flirting. He smiled and thought, 'Well, I guess I should be thankful that we both have reputations as flirts, so no one noticed anything out of the ordinary.' Finally, He ignored these grim thoughts and fell asleep.