A/N: Okay, here's the next oneshot! Happy New Year everyone!

Title: Midwinter Matchmaking

Mithros, save him!

Dom ducked out of the Main Hall, searching for anywhere to go. The banquet room was packed, but the surrounding hallways were deserted. Everybody was at the Midwinter feast that was in full swing. The banquet had already ended and the dancing and socializing had begun. That was why Dom was hurrying to get away- the matchmaking mothers were out in full force! And there were two in particular that he was trying to escape- Lady Eliza and, possibly worse, her daughter, Lady Celia- who wanted to marry into a family in the Book of Gold. And it just so happened, of course, that Dom was a perfect choice, for his family was indeed in the Book of Gold.

He groaned aloud as he hurried down the hall. Never in a million years would he marry a girl like Lady Celia who only cared about social standings!

Reaching the Palace library, Dom ducked inside. Lady Celia wouldn't even think of entering a place that's sole purpose was for gaining knowledge!

Dom breathed a sigh of relief when he was safely through the library's door. Refuge, at last! He peeked out the door just to make sure he wasn't being followed. He was in the clear.

"A little old to be playing hide-and-go-seek, aren't you, sergeant?"

Whirling around, Dom found six pairs of eyes staring at him. He shouldn't have been surprised. This group always retreated to the library during any kind of social function they were forced to go to. Raoul and the Lioness were known to hate these gatherings, and Buri, Raoul's wife, was no better. Baron George Cooper seemed as if he enjoyed them somewhat, but he was much more content at Lady Alanna's side. Their friends, Duke Gareth the Younger of Naxen and his wife Lady Cythera, had also joined them.

Dom scratched the back of his head and grinned, "I'm hoping not to be found, actually."

"Havin' trouble with the law, lad?" asked George Cooper, grinning.

"No, more like matchmaking mothers," he replied.

Raoul and Gary nodded their heads in immediate understanding. For years, Raoul had been dodging those same mothers. He was safe now that he had married Buri.

"You mean to say, cousin, that you can take on a few Scanrans, but not a couple of old biddies?"

Dom was unaware that there was anyone else in the room besides the six people in front of him. He was mistaken as he turned and saw Neal sitting at another table, with Yuki, of course, beside him. He was surrounded by his other year-mates- Kel was there, too. How had he not noticed that? She was looking right at him, her hazel eyes twinkling.

He smiled at her, and when the corner of her mouth quirked up in reply, his heart sped up. He would've laughed at himself if he could. Just the slightest acknowledgement from her and his heart leapt. She was still looking at him. For Mithros' sake, he reminded himself, they're all looking at you!

Jokingly, he told Neal, "I'd rather take on a hundred Scanran raiders than just one of these matchmaking mothers!"

They all laughed. Neal motioned for Dom to come and sit down at their table. He took a seat between the redhead, Merric, and his cousin, Faleron.

"And which mother, may I ask, do we need to thank for gracing us with your company?" Neal asked, clearly enjoying himself.

"Lady Eliza," Dom replied rolling his eyes, "or more precisely, her daughter."

"Lady Celia?" Neal asked. When Dom affirmed it, he shuddered, "She's pretty, for sure, but a real pain. Everybody knows she's just after a title."

"Aren't you a younger son?" Merric asked Dom.

"Yeah, but I think she's getting desperate. Younger son or not, she'd still be marrying into a family in the Book of Gold."

"Thank the Goddess I'm in Silver," Merric said with relief.

Dom laughed, "I wish I was, too."

"But you can't even marry in the Own," Kel pointed out, her brow slightly furrowed.

He shrugged, "Doesn't seem to be stopping her." Looking at Kel, he thought he saw a small frown form on her lips. Was it wishful thinking or did Lady Celia chasing after him bother her? Dom tried not to get his hopes up.

"Besides," continued Dom, erasing that spark of hope, "what am I supposed to do? I can't hide from her forever."

"Sure you can," Neal shrugged. "It's either that or you're going to be married to the dragon herself by spring."

"Like that's going to happen," Dom laughed. "I'll move to Carthak first."

"Start packing your bags," Neal told him. "Lady Celia's not one to quit easily."

"There's got to be something I can do to turn her away…"

"Stop bathing?" suggested Neal. Dom looked at him like he was crazy. "Okay, or not…"

"How about you just act like Neal?" joked Merric.

Dom laughed as Neal shoved the red-headed knight. "Very funny," Neal muttered darkly.

Then suddenly, Kel spoke up very quietly, "Why don't you just tell her you already have a sweetheart?"

They stopped laughing and looked at her. She waited as they thought over her suggestion.

"It's brilliant!" exclaimed Neal suddenly. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"Because it's actually intelligent," grinned Merric.

Neal gave his friend another dark look, "And this coming from a person with rocks in their head."

Dom didn't hear Merric's reply; he was too busy thinking over Kel's suggestion. Neal was right, it was rather brilliant…

"But what if she doesn't believe me?" asked Dom, breaking up Neal and Merric's verbal fight. "What happens then?"

Everyone at the table fell silent.

"Well, there are millions of young court ladies here for Midwinter," thought Neal aloud. "Can't you ask one of them to act as your sweetheart?"

Dom thought back to the crowded room, and the young women he had seen. None of them stood out. They were all a blur of satin dresses and too much face paint. He couldn't think of one he would even ask to pretend to be his sweetheart…

A movement out of the corner of his eye caused Dom to look up. Kel shifted in her seat. She looked, well…uncomfortable. She watched absentmindedly as her fingers traced the grain of the wood on the table. As he watched her, he wondered what she was thinking. Dom didn't think Kel knew too many court ladies…

He laughed at himself, because the one woman he would want to have act as his sweetheart- and actually be his sweetheart as well- was the young woman he was currently watching.

Though Kel wasn't what one would call beautiful, there was something about her that drew Dom to her. He loved hearing her laugh, and sometimes she could be as sarcastic as Neal! But most of all, he loved her eyes. Whenever her face was Yamani smooth, her eyes were what he watched. Over the years together, he had become adept at figuring out her feelings by reading her eyes. He couldn't see them now, and he again wondered where her thoughts were.

If only Kel was mine. If only she was the one chasing after me instead of Lady Celia. Then this Midwinter would actually be exciting, he thought with a sigh. Then he smiled slightly, As if Kel would ever chase after a man… He laughed at the thought. He didn't think Kel was the chasing type. Chase after refugees, sure. A man, think again.

Little did she know that he had been chasing after her- and literally, in one case, when he and his men followed her into Scanra earlier that year- for almost a year now, ever since she had broken it off with that Kennan boy. Just the thought of him still made Dom jealous, even though he tried to ignore it. It had been practically unbearable during Kel's squire years with the Own.

Dom was still thinking dark thoughts about Kel's first and only sweetheart, when suddenly Neal exclaimed, "I got it! Merric don't you have a sister that's just come to court?"

Merric scratched his head, "Well, yeah, but…"

"But what?" Neal asked. "Does she have a third head or something?"

"No, of course not, but…"

"What then, does she look like you?" Neal asked with a grin.

That earned him a swift kick to the shins. "She's just sixteen," Merric ground out, "she's infatuated with every male that walks by right now. Unless your cousin wants to end up married to her instead, you better find someone else. An older brother's work is hard enough as it is…"

Dom laughed and clapped the red-headed knight on the shoulder, "Let's not cause Merric here any more trouble then. Besides, she's almost ten years younger than me…"

"Worried about robbing the cradle, Dom?" teased Neal. That got him another kick to the shins, this time from Dom. "Okay then," said Neal, moving on quickly for the sake of his shins, "let's think of someone else. Someone older and more mature."

"We could dress you up, Neal," laughed Faleron.

"Remember he said mature," Dom chuckled. He could think of a perfect person actually, right at their table…

Neal rolled his eyes, "I'm the most mature person here…"

"I think Kel and I beat you there, my dear," Yuki told him, eyes smiling.

He waved her off, "What does that help? I'm not setting you up with my cous- Kel! Kel can be your sweetheart!"

"Mithros, Neal, do you have to yell?" asked Merric, covering his ears.

"She's perfect!" he exclaimed, ignoring his friend. "Who could be better? Don't you agree, Dom?"

Definitely, he thought silently, but he was too busy trying to gauge her reaction to his cousin's outburst that he didn't answer right away. She was looking at Neal like he was crazy- which he might be, but that could be argued later. This was much more interesting…

"Of course," he answered slowly, "but it's up to her if she wants to do it."

Dom didn't take her eyes off her as he spoke. As he did, her eyes switched to him. She looked even more dumbfounded than before. "You want me to act as your sweetheart?" He thought her jaw was going to hit the floor. Her Yamani Mask was non-existent at the moment.

Shrugging his shoulders and acting indifferent, he replied, "Why not?"

Why not? Why not, indeed, Kel? Her thoughts were jumbled. She was still in shock at the suggestion. Pretend to be Dom's sweetheart? Her? What was Neal thinking? Was this some kind of cruel joke? She'd dreamt of being his sweetheart for Mithros knows how long! Now they wanted her to pretend? The idea was absolutely absurd!

And absolutely tempting.

She groaned inwardly. Only the Goddess knew how much she had just been hoping that by some miracle she would be chosen! Now her idiotic wish had come true, and she was already regretting it. How could she pretend she liked him when she felt so much more? She couldn't do this. He would be pretending and she wouldn't. This was bound to end in embarrassment when she forgot it was all an act and began to think it was real, that Dom really did have feelings for her. That would be a disaster for her, and for him as well, when he had to remind her it was all a charade and he only liked her as a friend. She didn't want to ruin their friendship with awkwardness that was bound to occur.

"So?" asked Neal, waiting for her answer. She could feel Dom's eyes on her, but she dared not look at him.

"I don't know…" she replied obscurely. "I'm no court lady."

"That's why it's brilliant!" said Neal. "You won't get caught up in the whole thing like court ladies would! You're far more level-headed than they are!"

Would you tell that to my head? she thought dryly, It's already up in the clouds. Out loud, she repeated, "I don't know…isn't there someone else?"

"But you're perfect!"

She could tell Neal wasn't giving up. "I don't know one thing about pretending to be someone's sweetheart," she tried.

"What about Cleon?" asked Merric.

"I wouldn't consider…what we were...a good example. Unless you hadn't noticed, we tried to keep our relationship a secret. We didn't want to flaunt it like you're asking me to pretend to do now."

"It's not that involved," said Neal, exasperatedly. "It's not like we're asking you to kiss in front of everyone in the hall here, Kel."

She practically choked on the air she was breathing. Did they expect them to kiss? Did Dom expect her to kiss him? She could feel her face burn hot with the picture his words had painted in her mind.

No way. There was no possible way that she could go through with this without losing her head. She didn't trust her self-control.

"I- I don't think I want to do this." She hated how she stuttered, but she couldn't help it.

"Oh, come on, Kel-"

"Neal, if she doesn't want to do it, I'm not going to force her," interrupted Dom.

At first, Kel felt relieved. Then suddenly she realized that maybe Dom didn't want her to do it either…Mithros, it felt like her head was going to explode!

She felt him turn back to her. "Though I would be delighted to have the lady knight on my arm, even if for just one evening…"

Kel made the mistake of looking up at him. The corners of his mouth were turned up into a wide smile as his bright eyes locked with hers. Great Mother Goddess…

"Let's leave the two lovebirds alone," suggested Neal, standing up. "They can work out the details alone."

The four of them stood up and left, leaving Kel and Dom behind.

"Where should we start?" asked Dom, grin still in place.

"Dom, I- I still don't think-"

"Don't worry, Kel, I'm not going to make a big scene like Neal thinks," he chuckled. "No dramatic entrances or kisses in the middle of the dance floor. We'll keep it subtle."

Our togetherness or the kisses? Already her head was spinning. She couldn't let this happen! Look what it was doing to her already with these crazy fantasies!

"I'm just not really comfortable with the whole thing, Dom. I want to help, but-"

He cut her off with a smile. "Kel, don't be silly. You don't have to do this. Of course it would make things easier, but I completely understand. It's my problem anyway, and I would never want to make you do something that makes you uncomfortable."

She couldn't believe the amount of understanding in his voice. He was so sweet. "Are you sure, Dom? Really, if it would help, I would-"

"I'm sure, Kel," he interjected again with a smile. Then he stood up. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go get rid of a particular court lady…"

Kel watched him walk out the door, her mind blank.

The Main Hall looked splendid with its Midwinter decorations. Every year, the workers outdid themselves. It looked particularly lovely tonight.

But a certain lady knight was blind to its beauty. Her attention was focused instead on a broad-shouldered, very handsome sergeant of the King's Own standing across the room. However, she wasn't the only one paying specific attention to him.

Lady Celia, a very pretty young lady, was practically crawling all over him. Why don't you just jump into his arms to give him a better hint? she thought darkly. She was surprised Lady Celia didn't feel her eyes burning into the back of her head.

Meanwhile, Kel could tell that whatever Dom was trying with her wasn't working in the least. In fact, it seemed to be getting worse. He was trying to be nice and it wasn't working. Kel could show her nice…

She sighed. What was she doing? She was the one that didn't want to get involved, and here she was, all her thoughts focused on the two across the room. Poor Dom was having no luck at all…

What was she doing? she asked herself again. Why was she sitting here, watching and not doing anything about it? She was selfish, that was it. Dom needed her help, and she was just watching from a distance.

Suddenly she made up her mind. She had to help him. Mithros save her, she was somehow going to keep her head and not lose herself in the act. She could do it- she had to for Dom's sake.

That's what friends do.

Not knowing what she was doing, she strode purposefully across the hall towards the two. They weren't aware of her approach until she was right beside them. "Dom, there you are, I've been looking all over for you," she told him with a smile. She didn't even look at Lady Celia.

Kel waited a moment for a response, but she didn't get any. Dom was frozen in place, staring at her in confusion. She turned to Lady Celia instead. "I'm sorry, I don't believe I know you. You are…?"

She looked just as confused as Dom. It was a moment before she answered warily, "Celia, Lady Celia of-"

Kel didn't allow her to finish as she took her hand politely. "Nice to meet you, Lady Celia. I'm Keladry of Mindelan."

Lady Celia looked Kel up and down with apparent disapproval. Kel was, after all, in breeches, even though they were her nicest ones reserved for special occasions like this. "You're a knight," she stated with distaste.

"Lady knight," Kel corrected. "But then again, we all know how to use weapons the same way, so there really is no distinction, I guess, is there?" She gave the court lady a warm smile.

"No, I suppose not," she replied coolly. Though she was acting smoothly, her eyes still flickered between Kel and Dom, confused.

Standing beside Dom, Kel smiled at the young woman, waiting for the question that must be on the tip of her tongue. Eventually it came. "How do you two know each other?"

Kel laughed lightly. Dom seemed just as interested in her reply as Lady Celia did. Softly she told Lady Celia, "Actually, we try to keep it real secret, but Dom and I…" she smiled up at Dom and then looked back at Celia, "I guess you can say we know each other very well."

As soon as he figured out what she was doing, Dom's eyes brightened and his face broke out into a wide grin.

Celia's jaw dropped. "You mean- you mean, you- you two are…?"

"Surprised, Lady Celia?" Kel asked delightedly.

"Well, n- you just don't- don't seem like his type."

The young court lady was cool before but now she was stuttering with disbelief- and Kel was reveling in it.

"You're wrong there, Lady Celia," Dom said quietly. It was the first time he had talked since Kel had shown up. Kel met his gaze as he continued, "Kel is exactly my type…"

He smiled broadly and took Kel's hands in his two large ones. Kel didn't think her heart could pound any faster. The way he had said it had been so convincing…

Keep your head, Kel! she told herself. Remember this is all just an act! She didn't say anything, for fear of stuttering just as much as Lady Celia was.

"If you'll excuse us, Lady Celia," said Dom, not taking his eyes off Kel. He didn't wait for an answer as he led Kel to doors leading to the outside terrace.

As soon as they were alone outside, Dom leaned down slightly to whisper a thank you in her ear.

Chills ran down Kel's skin, and it wasn't from the freezing outside air- it was Midwinter, after all.

"So, how did I do?" Kel tried to ask casually. Meanwhile she was trying to gain control over her emotions.

"It was perfect," Dom smiled.

"Good, then I can go back to the library and be myself-"

She didn't make it far before he grabbed her hand to stop her. She had been hoping to get away quickly to spare her any future embarrassment.

"Hold on, you can't just leave." Seeing her confused expression, Dom nodded to the Hall doors behind her, "What would it look like to Lady Celia if you just left me now?" He smiled. "We have to sell our story."

Kel looked at him confusedly. "What do you mean?"

"We have to make her believe we really are a couple, otherwise we'll be right back where we started from."

"How do we do that?" she asked warily.

He grinned, "I think I can think of a few things." Then, tugging gently on the hand he held, Dom pulled her close.

"Is this really necessary?" asked Kel, feeling nervous.

"You want to help me, don't you?"

"Well I guess I've come this far…" she answered dryly. He laughed softly. After a moment, she asked him, "So what are we supposed to do?"

Dom laughed again at her business-like attitude. "First, you can actually act like you like me."

She looked at him with confusion. If only you knew, she thought. He pulled her body slightly closer to him and asked, "Would you like to dance?"

"Might as well," she replied casually.

He grinned and gently took her one hand in his. The other hand he placed on the small of her back. His hands were warm but still sent shivers down her back. They danced silently for a long while.

Finally, Kel asked quietly, "Is she still watching?"

"What?" It sounded as if she had just broken him out of his thoughts.

"Lady Celia," she clarified, "is she still watching?"

He took a fleeting glance at the doors. "Still there." Then his hand tightened around hers, "Maybe we're not being convincing enough."

She frowned slightly but was unable to ask any questions as he pulled her even closer to him. She could no longer see his face anymore, they were so close, but she could smell his wonderful scent. Kel closed her eyes as they danced, enjoying the moment.

Hating herself, she again asked Dom if Lady Celia was still watching. The only answer she got was mumbled yes in her ear. It didn't feel like he had even checked this time. She was just about to ask him how he was sure when he didn't even look, when suddenly she was aware that they had stopped moving.

Confused, Kel turned her face toward him to ask what was happening. His head had pulled back slightly as well, though his arms still held her close. She stopped breathing when his face was suddenly inches away from hers…then centimeters as he leaned slowly toward her.

Kel gasped when his lips met hers gently. They were warm and wonderfully soft. For a moment, she was frozen in place. Part of her knew this was all just part of an act, but another part, a far more dominant part, didn't care at the moment. All that mattered was that Dom was kissing her!

The more rational part of Kel's mind was quickly forgotten as Dom's lips started to move with more pressure against her own. Kel quickly gave up her defenses and started to kiss him back. His one arm immediately tightened around her waist, his mouth quickly responding to her lips.

Their kiss could have gone on forever, if someone didn't run out onto the patio, saying, "Dom! Kel! What are you doing?" The two practically jumped apart. They looked over to find Neal hurrying toward them. "No reason to keep up the charade," he told them, "Lady Celia hasn't been watching since you came out here!"

Dom felt Kel's eyes immediately turn back to him. Her eyes were wide with confusion. Dom smiled back sheepishly.

"There's no reason to pretend anymore," Neal told them delightedly. Then he nudged Kel and grinned, "I never knew you were such a great actress, Kel."

Pretend. Acting. She closed her eyes to gain control. It was all an act. But then why did Dom tell her she was watching when she wasn't?

It was all too overwhelming. "I-I got to go," she said softly. "You're right. It was all just an act…"

"Kel, wait!" called Dom, but she had already turned and hurried down the terrace steps into the Palace gardens. He turned quickly on Neal, "Thanks a lot, Meathead."

"What did I do? What's going on?" he asked, completely puzzled. "I was just telling you that you didn't have to pretend anymore!"

"Thanks for the news flash, Neal, but in case you hadn't noticed, I don't think either one of us was pretending anymore."

"What?"

"Mithros, Neal, can't you see that I love her?"

Neal stared after his cousin as he turned and ran down the stairs after his best friend. After a moment of stunned silence, he muttered, "Mithros, I've really made a mess out of this one…"

Kel heard Dom calling out her name from behind her, but she didn't want to stop. She didn't know what to do.

"Kel!" Dom called again. He could see her now, but she still had a lead on him. He called her name again, and suddenly she stopped. Catching up to her, he paused to take a breath.

"What is it, Dom?" she asked, her back still turned to him.

"Why are you running?"

She was silent. Instead of answering, she asked instead, "Why, Dom? Why did you tell me she was watching when you knew she wasn't? Why keep up the act? I know you were only pretending, and I know you would never want to hurt me, but only an idiot wouldn't realize how much I'm in love with you!"

Silence spread between them. Dom was stunned, to say the least. Kel loved him? All this time, he had loved her and she had been feeling the same, and they had done nothing about it? He almost could have laughed!

Taking a step toward her, Dom stood closely behind her. Then he placed his hands gently on her arms and turned her around to face him. Her face was Yamani stone, but her eyes were guarded. Quietly, Dom told her, "Then you're looking at the biggest idiot of them all."

Her eyes suddenly changed. "What?" she asked him almost inaudibly.

He smiled softly. "I had no idea you loved me, Kel. I didn't even know you liked me as anything more than a friend! And you can blame it on that Yamani Mask of yours!" he chuckled. "Believe me, I would've acted a long time ago if I knew you had felt the same."

"The same?" she echoed.

Dom smiled widely and pulled her to him. "I love you, too, Kel."

"But- but back on the terrace- you mean you weren't-"

He laughed, "No, I wasn't acting. I thought you were mad at me because I had lied about Lady Celia being there- which of course I knew she wasn't. Can you blame me for wanting to get closer to you? Little did I know it would all blow up in my face with Meathead's untimely arrival…"

Kel was in as much shock as Dom had been earlier. He could tell her thoughts were elsewhere. "What are you thinking?" he asked her.

"I'm thinking about how much pain Neal is going to be in when I get a hold of him," she replied.

Laughing out loud, Dom wrapped his arm around her waist. "How about we save that for later?" he asked softly, the tip of his nose running along her cheek.

"Okay," she replied, feeling completely powerless.

His mouth hovered over hers. "Why don't we pick up where we left off?"

Kel's only response was to pull his lips to hers. Dom kissed her before chuckling and pulling back slightly.

"I've now found something that I love even more than your eyes," he laughed. He illustrated his point by placing a quick kiss on her lips.

"This is the craziest Midwinter ever," Kel smiled. "I never would have thought this would happen even in my wildest dreams."

"Well you know what they say about Midwinter," Dom grinned. "Anything can happen."

She laughed, "I guess they're right, then."

"Now, can I wish you Midwinter luck, or are you going to run out on me again?" he teased.

"Wish away," she smiled, "I'm not going anywhere."

"Good," he grinned. Then he tilted his head and kissed her fully. Midwinter luck truly was on their side…

A/N: The end! :D I'm planning on posting one more oneshot for the season; a wintery one involving snowball fights of course! Also, I'll be updating Unwritten Love soon as well! Hope you enjoyed this oneshot! :D