Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in the story in anyway, since it was Tamora Pierce's genius who thought them up. However, even if the characters are hers, the plot line is mine. NO STEALING!!!

HiyA~ Since my friend is going to take a while to do her part of my other story, I've just started another fan fic, more appropriate and satisfying for diehard Kel/Neal fans. This is going to get a bit mushy and romantic, but if you ask anyone I know, they'll tell you I'm a total romance freak (at least when it comes to Tamora Pierce books…) PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

"As we go on

We remember

All the times we

Had together

And as our lives change

Come whatever

We will still be

Friends Forever"

            ~ Vitamin C || Graduation (Friends Forever)

[[ Chapter 1 - Looking Back ]]

Today was one of those days. Sir Nealan of Queenscove buried his head in his hands. What was wrong with him today? He wasn't one of those people who lusted after a different person everyday of the week! Or at least, not anymore. He'd left those days behind when he proclaimed his love for his fiancée, Yuki. Yet here he was, suddenly, today of all days, just a mere week away from his wedding, did he have to turn all soppy and think of all these old memories? Normally, that would all be OK, if he was reminiscing about past moments of romance he'd shared with Yuki. Too bad he wasn't/ So it had come down to this: Why, on earth, could he not think of anything else but memories of his sexless best friend Kel? They just kept replaying in his head. Kel forcing him to eat his vegetables, Kel taming her monstrosity of a horse, Kel kicking his ass in weapons training, Kel SAVING his ass against those stupid bandits, Kel kissing him…

Wait, when did THAT happen? Neal thought. He ran his hands through his chestnut brown hair. Ah, he remembered now. That sacred moment over a year ago, at the summer solstice ball. Kel had thought he was drunk, unable to think straight, or to remember his own name. But he hadn't been. He couldn't remember that occasion clearer than if it had happened yesterday. Smiling dreamily, he recalled that moment, remembering every detail, from Kel's stunning red velvet dress, to her intoxicating vanilla smelling fragrance, and even her soft tied-back brown hair, which she had left to grow since her defeat of the nothing man. Most of all, he vividly remembered how sweet-tasting her lips had seemed, sweeter than candy. Neal sighed. You gotta snap outta this, Queenscove, he told himself. That was in the past. This is now. You have a wedding in 7 days, to the love of your life, Yuki. Remember her? The one you proposed to? This is no time to get cold feet. He shook his head and stood up, dismissing his thoughts, including those regarding Keladry of Mindelan. It was Yuki he loved, not her. He would forget about Kel, he'd already decided that Yuki was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

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My head's full of thought

Thoughts of you

And I'm distracted so easy

Thinking what to do

So unsure, so unfamiliar

Am I wrong to think that something could happen

Will you fall for me

I need to know, the way I'd like you to

Baby, will you fall for me

The way I've fallen for you

            ~Delta Goodrem || Will you fall for me?

**********************************************************

At the moment, the very same girl that Neal was struggling to banish from his mind was wallowing. Yep, that's right, Keladry of Mindelan, the emotionless Yamani Lump, was wallowing. She sat at the desk in her room, pen in hand, Face crinkled in thought. Face it Mindelan, you lost your chance with Neal when you let him fall for Yuki, she told herself. She was attempting to figure out supplies for Merric who was back at Haven, but was failing miserably. No matter what she did, she could not get her best friend off her mind. Already she had tried practice jousting, some glaive pattern dances, a warm bath, and now, her work. None was even the slightest effective against her constant thoughts about Neal. A small voice inside her kept on whispering, you know, Neal's not married yet. You could still confront him about your feelings. He might even choose you over her. Kel's sensible side of her brain refused to hear any of it. She couldn't do that to Yuki. Besides, Neal doesn't even like me in that way anyway. I'm sexless, remember? No guy would ever like her. For the hundredth time since realizing she still liked Neal, she remembered how one of her sister-in-law's had once commented that she had the build of a cow. Secretly, she agreed. No guy like Neal would ever fall for her, and it was a fact. For once, just once, she wished that she could be as pretty as a court lady, dressed elaborately in silky material adorned with sparkling jewels. But she knew that it would never happen.

Kel frowned. She had to do something! She couldn't just sit here and so absolutely nothing, while watching her best friend get married to one of her other closest friends. But you've done nothing for the last 3 years, she thought. Kel shook her head determinedly. She wouldn't do nothing this time. She didn't want to hurt Yuki, but it was her aching heart at stake, and no longer would Keladry of Mindelan keep her silence. Getting out of her seat, she strode purposely from her room, plans formulating in her mind.