Warning: Some adult content in this chapter, though it's glossed over a bit. I was in no mood for writing details as I've been just trying to finish this fic so I have to concentrate on my other two (Love's Promise & Paper Faces). You've been warned!

Chapter Three

Kel stared at her packed items, mentally checking over all the things she had to take with her. She wasn't sure where she was going – yet – but she would figure it out as she went. She knew that delaying her departure from New Hope would only worsen it, and that it really was better to just go and get it over with. She also knew that Dom and his squad would be returning to Corus in the near future and that she could meet up with him there. It seemed silly to think about such things now, but as it was, she had no where left to go other than Dom. He had given her some options, and though she wasn't sure which of them she would take in the end, at least she had some direction.

Dom. She sighed. The mere thought of him made her heart beat a little faster and the air push from her lungs in little bursts. She tucked the items the children had made her into her pack as she once again surveyed her room. It looked empty and devoid of so many personal touches. Kel hadn't realized that she'd put so much of herself into this place over time. She ran a hand through her hair as she crossed her arms. She wasn't used to taking her time to pack. She was used to traveling lightly, taking only what she needed, and doing it in a hurry. Such things as a luxury pack eluded her. What would she need, what would she not?

While simple questions in essence, she had so many other little things she wanted to take with her.

She was still fretting over such decisions when Neal swept through her room to pull her away. She would leave in the morning with Tobe. The boy, who was turning into quite the young man, was still silently keeping an eye on her. Everything that they'd been through had made words seem sometimes silly when they already knew what needed to be done just from a look. So while he was off teaching others and checking up, he always somehow managed to keep an eye on her. A silent shadow – at least until she screwed up or overlooked something.

Neal and the others had thrown together a going away party of sorts. Kel flushed as some of the men gleefully sung her the only songs they knew – raunchy bar songs. One of them, notorious for his charm and wit, elbowed her as he passed her a tankard of the weak ale they'd managed to barter off a passing caravan. "Too bad that pretty man of yours ain't here – I'm shure he'd keep yer bed warm an' cozy."

Kel blushed again, but soon the ale she sipped at cooled her nerves. She made the wise decision to turn down seconds, and instead floated in a lovely in-between state with a slight buzz in her ears.

Luckily they hadn't all decided to randomly get drunk. The sentries were still on duty, switching out with some of those who had managed to stay sober. The thought that her fledglings had learned so much from her warmed Kel to her core.

The days to Dom's return grated on Kel's nerves. She wanted nothing more than to just leave and get it over with. Her bags lay packed in the corner – a silent reminder that when the Third company came again, she would be leaving with them. She bit her lip as she lay in bed, finally falling into a restless sleep.

She could barely hide her excitement as Dom's squad approached. They looked worn, their eyes tired as they all went their separate ways with Dom's permission. Dom stopped short of Kel, seeming to take her in from a distance before he finally moved to hug her. His whole body sagged against her as he exhaled deeply.

"Rough time?" Kel was worried; she couldn't help it, really. Rarely had Dom ever returned in such a state. By now he was usually in the mess hall, telling stories to those who craved news of the outside world.

"Bed." Kel frowned at his request, something that she'd been doing a lot. It was very improper Yamani behavior, but she couldn't help it. Lately there had been a lot of important decisions for her to make, and well… frowning went along with decision making.

When they got to her barren quarters, Dom secured the door before pushing her onto the bed. The frown disappeared as Kel was kissed harshly by Dom, his hands tugging at her clothes. Rough and calloused, they ran up her sides, pulling her shirt over her head, attacking her breast band next. His lips met her skin, first her neck, then moving further down, the urgency and demand still in his movements. Kel let him, closing her eyes as she squirmed on the bed under him, a small gasp escaping her lips as he bit her inner thigh lightly. When he finally stopped, his breath labored, she was almost naked. He wasn't far behind her in that regard, as he sat over her.

Kel parted her eyes slowly, his face coming into focus. "Dom?" She licked her lips, her mouth feeling parched from the rush.

"I…" He looked helpless, suddenly. Exposed as his blue eyes tried to convey to her what his mouth couldn't.

"What happened out there, Dom?" Her voice held a quiet urgency. It had been… wonderful… to feel him let go. To have him stop treating her like a doll, like she was his and he was hers and like they didn't care what anyone else thought.

Dom lay on her, his arms wrapping around her tightly. Kel pulled him as close as she could, her body still covered in a sheen of sweat. She could feel him swallow, could feel him shaking – exertion or fear? She couldn't tell. She kissed his neck softly, tracing her short nails up and down his back soothingly. His skin felt nice against hers, she noted silently, wishing that she was able to experience it more often.

After a moment of silence, his voice finally sounded, vibrating against her collarbone as he exhaled the words frightfully slow. "We… were too late. A village. So many refugees were caught, and… it was terrible Kel. To see the slaughter of those who couldn't defend themselves..." He gripped her tighter and she returned the favor. "I couldn't believe what they did to the women Kel. I… I just couldn't." He lifted his head to gaze at her, his blue eyes intent and serious. "It sorta just hit me. That it could happen to you. That… I couldn't save you." Kel pushed his thick hair back from his face as she leaned up to kiss him.

It was sweet, in a weird way. "We're all mortal, dear. You know that."

Dom kissed her back, biting her lip for a second before letting his kisses trail down her neck, his tongue swiping over a nipple for a second as Kel arched under him. "What would you say if I told you I would leave the Own and marry you?"

Kel closed her eyes as she inhaled sharply. How'd they get from killing and dying to marriage? She opened her eyes and pulled him up for a kiss, shaking her head, "I'd say don't."

Dom's brow creased as he rolled off her, lying on his side as he pulled her up against him, his hand playing at her skin as he thought. "I want to do right by you, Kel." He had the decency to blush a little as Kel squirmed against him.

"Are you sleeping with other women?" Kel pushed him over so she could sit over him.

"No."

She kissed him.

"Do you want me?"

"Yes."

She kissed him again, her tongue brushing his lips lightly.

"Do you need me?"

"Yes."

Her hand slipped lower, tickling at the sparse hair on his stomach.

"Do you love me?"

"Yes."

There was no hesitation – no thought or process, just Dom's hips arching up against Kel, a small whimper of pleasure escaping from his lips.

"Then you're doing plenty right by me, Dom."

As Kel's last dinner in the mess hall, there was plenty of rowdiness involved. Dom's squad was to be sent out to patrol the area around the destroyed village for the next week or so, just to make sure that none of the others by it were attacked. No one was sure if it was random, but all were hoping. They all also knew that when people took chances, other people died.

Tobe ate with the children who he'd been teaching, and Neal sat with Dom and Kel. If he noticed anything different about the two of them, he managed to keep his mouth shut – at least until Dom got up to go find a privy.

"Why is he so clingy tonight?" Neal picked at his vegetables, finding a carrot that didn't look too overcooked before stuffing it in his mouth.

"Rough rounds," Kel commented absently, picking at her own food. Part of her was still wondering if she'd made the right choice by telling Dom to stay in the Own. He was right, about a lot of things. One of them could easily die out on duty, and the other would have no say in it. That thought kept her somber feelings playing about, though there was a glow flittering on her face during dinner.

Girls just loved it when men confessed to loving them.

Her attention snapped from the thoughts of Dom and love when Neal waved his hand in front of her face. "Did you hear me?" Kel shook her head, glancing back to her food as Neal went on, ever dramatic: "I was telling you that I was coming along with you and the Own tomorrow, at least for a while. Father dearest said that I should get out and do some experiencing before the wedding." He viciously stabbed a vegetable that had probably 'looked at him wrong' as he continued on with a scowl, "He doesn't seem to understand just how much Yuki dislikes me being out on patrols. Especially when I'm unable to specify where I'll be."

Kel permitted herself a small smile. Yuki: a tiger hiding behind a flower, she knew. She had the funny feeling that Neal had discovered the tiger at some rather unsuspecting moments.

"Well, that's great. We can find some more small ones in need of protection, then." Her words were absent as she pushed her food around. Neal simply glared at her with a suspicious gleam in his eyes until Dom returned. The rest of the evening was rather uneventful – unless you count Neal tossing his vegetables across the room eventful. Other than that, though…

They left early the next morning. Sergeant Domitan led the squad proudly on his dun mare. She pranced prettily in the lead as they started out. Kel let herself go with the flow – she spent some time with Neal, and lounged in the company throughout the day. The ride was easy in itself – the village was a slow day's ride away, and none of the men were eager to return.

When they finally reached the village, Dom shouted orders from the front. Kel volunteered to help dig the latrines, deciding that the mindless heavy work would help ease the tension she felt.

She still hadn't told Dom how she felt about him. But part of herself was worried about that, too. What if she didn't really love him? What if she was just being a clingy female falling for those beautiful blue eyes of his? Her worries were postponed as she heard Neal make a noise of disgust. "Why did you choose latrine duty? We are knights, you know. We could've picked something… funner." Kel grinned at his expression as he uttered his last word, a word that she knew he thoroughly disgusted. Most likely because it wasn't really a word.

As evening descended, groups were formed and times picked for each party to do rounds. Neal ended up doing the first watch, smug about getting a solid night of sleep, while Kel offered to do the middle watch. It was the most unpleasant, but somehow Kel doubted she'd be getting any sleep anyhow.

Dom had set up their tent while she'd helped find suitable places for the latrines, and done other small things about the camp. When she finally retired, Dom was busy talking to his top's of the squad, checking over a map as they talked quietly. Kel let them be, smiling weakly at them as she bid them a good night. She could hear the men teasing Dom as she flopped into the bedroll, a light half-sleep overcoming her.

She was woken by Dom later. He wasn't the quietest man when it came to getting into bed, and he did stumble over a number of things (which he had earlier placed there, mind you). When he finally crawled in, she shied from him. "You're cold," she mumbled, wrapping the blanket around herself tighter.

"Wimp. You're supposed to help me get warm, not hog the blanket." He scooted over to her closer, ignoring her faint protest at his cold hands and nose.

The fuzziness of her doze finally wearing off, she nudged her nose against his chest. "I'm worried."

Dom sighed happily as feeling returned to his hands as he rubbed them up and down Kel's back. "Why?" He was tired; exhausted, really. He was trying to stay awake, but it was hard to do so when everything about him was so comforting – the warmth and Kel's softness and her smell…

"What if I'm not really in love with you?"

Well, that woke Dom up.

"What do you mean?" He looked down at her, a confused frown on his face.

Kel shrugged closer to him as she fumbled with her words. "I mean… is this love? Is this what it's all about?"

Dom continued to frown as he licked his lips, propping himself up on one elbow. "Uh, I think so. We've got the whole caring and attraction and feelings thing down, pretty good, I think."

Kel stuck her tongue out at him. "That's not what I mean."

"How is it not? Love is love, Kel. It's a warm fuzzy feeling when you're with me, and a dull cold ache when you're gone. How is that not love?" His frown deepened. "You don't feel that way."

It was a statement, his worst fear. Had he been reading her all wrong? What if all along, she'd been the one keeping him from having sex, not the other way around. Was she keeping the barriers up? He'd thought it'd been him, thinking he'd do the right thing, take this slow…

"That's not true." She slapped her hand against his chest as she glared at him. "I'm just… I'm just not sure, is all."

Dom drew her closer, squeezing her. "I'm sure… so don't ever scare me like that again, girlie." He kissed the top of her head gently.

"I do care about you… and want you." She kissed his lips lightly. "This whole love thing is just… scary."

Dom grinned at that, cuddling closer to her. "Next time, just say you're scared. Don't dangle the whole not loving thing around. Who knows, you might just break my wee little heart."

Kel barely managed to cover a giggle at that, her heart feeling lighter at the thought. "I love you, Dom."

"Mmm, and I love you too Kel. And now that we've gotten that straightened out, get some sleep. You've got duty in a few hours." With that, he kissed her softly, tightening his grip around her as he drifted off to sleep, wrapped cozily in such lovely feelings.

A/N: So there will be an epilogue, and that will be the end of this Kel's story. Hope you all enjoy, and thank goodness the holidays are over! I got hardly no writing done at all, as this chapter was written last night after having gotten back from my vacation... time to check up on fics and people and sites. Whooo, me. Hope this is a sorta-appeasing faux-ending chapter. XD Enjoy Epilogue will be written tonight because I want to feel I accomplished something today.