All of these characters are owned by the Goddess of a writer: Tamora Pierce.

And I do not own the Miss. Congeniality plot either!

Enjoy!!

Miss. Perceptive

Chapter one:

Welcome Party

˝Eyes that dance with the stars,

A smile that sets of fireworks,

A voice so soft, so calming,

It stops the raging sea,

Laughter filled with such joy-˝

Neal was cut off, as a small rock hit his head. He turned and glared at the innocent looking Lady Knight.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought I saw a bug," Kel said while suppressing a grin.

"Can no one appreciate my poetry about my beloved Yuki?" Neal said exasperated.

"NO!" chorused the small party around him, which included, Kel, Tobe and Merric. It had been a long ride to Steadfast, thanks to Neal and his poetry, if you can even call it that, Kel thought to herself.

Kel sighed inwardly and nudged Hoshi to a trot, Steadfast was only a mile away. They arrived at the gates, and the guard waved them in.

Kel dismounted, and Tobe took Hoshi's reins with Peachblossom's and led the horses to the stable.

"NEAL!"

A young plump woman came into view and was swept up in a tight hug from Neal. "My darling Yuki, my heart is whole once again! I've missed you so much!" He didn't give her a chance to reply, because he held her tight in a romantic kiss.

"Kel!" someone shouted.

Kel whirled around only to be enveloped in a bear hug, by Owen of Jesslaw.

"Kel, it's just jolly you're here! We've all missed you so much!! Isn't it jolly?"

Before Kel could answer she was swept into another bear hug, by her former knight master, Lord Raoul.

"Milord, it's good to see you!" said Kel once she was released.

"Mithros Kel! It's Raoul to you! And it's great to see you to! In one peace I might add," Raoul replied.

Kel laughed, as two more people walked her way.

"Finally you're here! Buri was afraid you weren't going to show up, just to get out of wearing a dress!" said Alanna, the Lioness.

"And miss the celebrations? Never! Besides I had to go, or Sir Meathead would have let his horse die of exhaustion trying to reach his betrothed," replied an amused Kel.

"That's meathead for you," commented a certain blue-eyed sergeant.

Kel turned around to face a grinning Dom. Mithros, is it possible he has gotten more handsome since I last saw him? Stop that, another part of her argued, you are friends, nothing else, he doesn't even like you that way, to him your just one of the guys.

Her thoughts were interrupted, because Dom had pulled her into a hug, "Glad your back Kel!"

Kel felt color creep into her cheeks; she quickly put her mask on, but not quick enough, "My dearest Keladry your mask seems to be slipping," taunted Dom.

"Sir Domitan, I'm afraid your ego has disrupted your vision," retorted Kel. The group of close friends chuckled, including Neal and Yuki who finally separated.

Kel made an excuse to go and get settled in. I need to learn how to control my emotions better around him, Kel told herself, after all he is just a guy, with the most handsome face and smile, and the most beautiful blue eyes- stop it, you are just friends with him, you'll never be lovers, the sensible part of her argued.

Meanwhile, the group departed just leaving Neal and Dom; Yuki went to go help Kel unpack. "Well cousin, have a date for Lord Raoul's wedding?"

"Even though it is none of your concern meathead, I thought since Kel is here, I will ask her, because knowing her she won't have a date," retorted an irritated Dom.

"She won't be single for long Dom; I'd tell her how you feel before it's too late."

"I don't know what you're talking about, and clearly you don't either meathead, so shut it. Anyways, she's not exactly my type." An irritated Dom said.

"Then what exactly is your type," questioned Neal.

"Well, not someone who can beat the shit out of me. She has to have long hair, a beautiful face, nice body, and she has to have a sense of humor, and has to have a good laugh," Dom said a dreamy look in his eye.

"Your perfect girl is under your very nose, and you still can't see her. You're a hopeless player," Neal said.

"If you are referring to Kel, she does not match my dream girl in any way shape or form. And second of all, we are just friends. And lastly we work together and make a good team when we are in battle, and I don't want to hear anymore of this nonsense meathead," Dom

"How can you not see it?" Neal yelled out in frustration, "She is perfect for you, she is funny, beautiful and-"

"Stop it Neal. She may be funny, but I do not think she is beautiful. We are not going to be together. Drop it." Dom stormed away leaving his cousin with a bewildered look on his face. (A/n, I know I'm making Dom seem like a real jerk, but don't worry he's just like this in the beginning!)

"Kel, later this afternoon, myself, Alanna and Buri are going to Lalasa's for a dress fitting, and you are required to come."

Kel sighed then replied, "It seems I have no other choice, but I refuse to wear any pink frilly, fluffy gown."

Yuki hid a smile, "I promise you won't." "While we are on the wedding subject, do you have a date to the wedding?"

"No, I plan on going solo."

Yuki raised her eyebrows at her, a trait she picked up from Neal.

"Well, last time I checked Yukimi, going to a wedding without a date, was not a crime," retorted Kel.

Kel heard Yuki talking, but tuned her out; she was staring into her mirror. I wish I was beautiful. Then maybe Dom would notice me. Well, this is as good as it gets, Kel thought.

"Kel, Kel!" Keladry was pulled out of her thoughts by an intrigued Yuki. "So tell me, were you thinking about a certain someone, oh I don't know, called Dom?" questioned Yuki.

"Yuki, No! Of course not! I was just thinking that we should leave now for Lalasa's, so we can be in and out of there!"

"Kel, I can see past your mask. You really like him don't you?"

"Even if I did, it doesn't matter, he's in the own and can't marry and wouldn't ever want to marry a woman like me. And I want to concentrate on my job as a knight, Lord Wyldon, is summoning me sometimes this week to give me my next assignment now that New Hope is established as a village and is running smoothly. I don't have time to think about things like that. Let's just go," She quickly walked out of the room.

Yuki sighed, but followed the lady knight out.

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I hope you guys like the first chapter! I know it was a little boring, but please review! I promise it gets better!!