AN/ Sadly I don't own anything, you know, I always get depressed when I have to say this.
Again thank you all for the reviews I grow so much from them. Now, on with the next chapter, hang on and we'll see what happens.

"New Hope's Happenings "

"A Step Closer"


"We'll make camp here for the night." Dismounting from his horse Raoul led his mount under a tree away from the rain. "If this rain let's up we should be there by late morning, I would rather continue on but I won't chance being caught by some wandering enemy in the dark."

Dom glanced at his commander, "Sir I'll post sentries around the camp."

"Right, meanwhile the rest of us will fix a cold meal and pitch tents." The sergeant moved off to pick his sentries when he was pulled called back by Raoul, "Dom, I'm sorry. I know you wanted to make it today."

"It's alright sir, I know your just as worried as the rest of us." With a sad smile the man moved away to do his task.

"He's more distraught than any of us sir, that is except maybe you sir." Connac had come up behind Raoul to help with the camp preparations.

"He really does love her."

"Yes I know Connac, and she would be treasured by him, otherwise I wouldn't approve of this. Dom may have been a player before, but with Kel I don't have to worry." Smiling one of his first real smiles since hearing the news of Maugger, Connac patted his commander on the shoulder,

"Your right sir, she would get to him way before we could do anything." Both men laughed, a pleasure that was in scarce supply right now.

"Your right, Kel can defiantly take care of herself. Now lets get these tents put up shall we."

Later that night Dom fell into his bedroll, ready for the next day to arrive so he could be with Kel and make sure that she was safe, 'And the only safe place is in my arms. Even if she doesn't feel the same way I will stay by her side, and keep her safe any way I can.'


"Has she woken yet?" Rain was the only thing heard in the dimly lit room, the fire flicked across the room's occupents,

"No, not yet." Fanche moved from the doorway and came to rest at the foot of Kel's sleeping form. Silence consumed the room, both willing the bandaged figure on the bed to wake.

"She's so still, I was so scared when Merric brought her in."


Flashback

Horses frothed at the mouths, pushed so far past their limits, eyes white with fear. No verterin soldier would have done this to their horse except to save the life of the young women lying in Merric's arms.

"Merric! Hand her to me." Bloodied and bruised, Merric passed the prone figure of Kel down to his year mate, "Please Neal, help her!" But his words were lost to the healer, dodging residents of New Hope Neal manuvered his way into headquarters and Kel's bed.

Setting her down on to her bed, Neal turns to the healers from the refugees that had followed him, "Get that fire going, and bring me water, bandages and my bag." Turing back to her, "Kel stay awake, listen to me..." His words were cut short when struggling was heard outside the door,

"Sir Nealan, Tobe refuses to leave and is trying to fight his way inside the room."

"Let me go! I have to get to mylady! Lady Kel, Lady!!" Getting up from the bed, Neal opened the door and grabbed the boy by his shirt front,

"Listen to me Tobe!" the boy stopped struggling surprised by Neal's yelling. "Your lady is in danger right now. She has got a big healing ahead of her and I need you to stop this nonsense." All the people in the hall stopped moving not able to take their eyes off the two in front of them. Both boy and man stared at each other, both thinking of the women on the bed in the other room.

"I'm sorry. I'm... just." Tobe looked down to the floor and whispered, "She's the only mother I got." Looking at the young scrap of humanity in his arms Neal saw the same fear that he himself was keeping hidden,

"I know Tobe, but you have to keep calm and let me do what I can, I promise you that I will do everything I can to save her." Turning from the boy Neal headed back to the room, "I am going to need Fanche to come and hold her down. That arrow isn't going to come out easy. Get her Tobe, and knock on the door when you return."

"Neal, the refugees where are..."

"Their fine Kel, they were all able to reach Merric and the soldiers in time, now listen to what I say, we have to remove that arrow. It's going to hurt, but you have to stay awake." Looking at Kel he could see this was going to be difficult business. She looked about ready to faint from blood loss already.

"I'm going to have Yuki move your shirt aside so I can get to the wound, we'll keep you covered as much as possible, Kel stay with me." With a nod to his wife Neal moved to stock the fire. A knock was heard, "Come in." Tobe followed by Fanche. Pulling them aside he whispered, "Now listen, she's in lots of pain and will be in more as soon as we start on that arrow. You all have to hold here still as much as possible. Keep her from moving while I heal her." Both men nod, and move toward the bed, "Tobe, I want you to wait in the hall. Don't you argue with me, now go."

Turing back to the bed Neal saw that they had Kel ready, Coming back to the bed Neal saw Kel was sweating horribly, sitting down he saw that the wound was much deeper than he first anticipated, 'Shit, this is going to be rough.' "Kel, we're going to remove that arrow, try to stay as still as possible." Nodding to the two women he looked down into Kel's face, "All right everyone ready? On three, one... two... three.

End of flashback


"How long until she wakes?" Shaking his head to expel the memories of Kel's blood on his hands, he moved his gaze to the formidable women.

"If we keep her fever down she should wake in a few days."

"A few days! But I thought you healed her!"

"She's lost so much blood it's a miracle that she isn't with the Black God now, I'm so tapped out that I couldn't even heal a splinter. If New Hope is attacked again soon, I wont be able to help anyone."

"Yes Neal, I'm personally surprised to see you on your feet." Looking to the doorframe, Merric's form took up most of the portal, Neal couldn't help but notice that he too looked worn and ragged.

"Here to bully me off to bed I see." Neal said.

"If I must, but I'm hoping you'll have better sinse than that. Merric said moving over to Kel on the bed."Are we going to lose her Neal?

"If we can just keep her fever down, you had better set up a cot for me to sleep on." Sighing, Merric moved toward the door,

"What do you want me to tell them?" Thinking of the people that would follow Kel into battle, the people that would protect her at all cost, Neal sighed and moved up from his seat, looking at Fanche he knew they needed to keep everyone as calm possible.

"Tell them that she is healing and we must now wait it out."


AN: Hey again everyone, sorry for being MIA for so long, stuff happens. I know that most of you wanted Dom to reach New Hope in this chapter but that didn't happen, but it will, in the next chapter...i promise. Lots of exciting things will be happening soon, to many characters not just Kel and Dom.Thank you all again for the comments and all the support and patience, it means alot.OK see ya next chapter all.