Officer Mindelan

STOP! did you read the chapter 8 that says revised! if not go back and read it! because it's better! then the old chapter 8 go go go!

I don't think you need the summary at this point do you? If you HAVEN"T checked out the Revised chapter 8 you should because it clears up things and I think it's better. So yeah here's chapter 9 enjoy!

Last time:

Her captor leaned down and hissed in her ear. "IT'S YOUR FAULT HE'S GONE YOU BITCH! IT'S YOUR FAULT! YOU KILLED HIM! IT WAS YOU!" Kel was dimly aware that it was Vince that was killing her. And as she slowly became oblivious and sank in to the soothing darkness she thought. 'It's not my fault. It's not' then Kel's world was black.

This time:

Kel woke to quiet voices.

"I want him in lock down until we return, no trial, no visitors. NO! I don't have the time to deal with it now! My Squire's unconscious and we have a Centaur mission to deal with as soon as possible! So do not give me lip about priorities." There was the sound of a phone being slammed onto the receiver.

"After all this time one would think that Republicans would understand that Immortals always come first." That was Raoul's voice- slightly angered but low.

"Don't you think she should have woken by now? Granted that, that was a nasty bump but, she's been out for quite a while." And that was Dom's, slightly worried.

"She always bounces back after she wakes, which is probably why it takes her so long to wake." the third voice was new but, also familiar.

"That makes sense but still-"

"Dom, clam down she's fine. Just lack of oxygen, a very sore throat and a bump on the head." Raoul's voice now had an amused tone to it.

"I'm not worried. All I said was that, that was a nasty bump." Now Dom's voice held an embarrassed tone to it.

"Uh huh, sure. Well, Neal and Alanna should be here soon. So she'll be good in no time."

"Ow." Kel's slight movement at the name of her hero had caused a ripple of pain to flow through her body and settle at her throat.

"What?" Raoul hadn't connected where the sound had come from.

"That wasn't me, that was..." Both Dom and Raoul looked down at Kel as she opened her eyes.

"Alright, just what exactly hit me? And who do I have thank for punching his lights out?" Kel tried to talk normally but the questions came out raspy and chocked. And set her into a fit of coughing.

"First, I would recommend to refrain from talking before someone sees to your injuries. I can't imagine it's an altogether enjoyable experience. Second, Vince attacked you, and you've Dom and... well... an old friend to thank for his newly blackened eyes." Raoul's eyes glimmered with concern and amusement.

Kel stared at him. "Old friend?" she mouthed.

Raoul simply gestured. And standing in the corner, with a grin on his face was a tall broad shouldered red head. Before Kel's famed mask appeared, Kel's eyes flashed to Dom's, then to Cleon Kennan's with something akin to panic. Cleon Kennan, Kel's former sweetheart and Dom in the same room. Kel hid her panic, but remained American enough to glare at her Knight-master. 'Old friend' indeed. By now, the entire armed forces knew of Kel and Cleon's former romance. And the reason for their parting. Cleon's parents had strongly disapproved of Kel; and since they payed for the tuition the matter was non- negation-able.

But Kel had been grateful for the separation. She had never been able to be up front to Cleon that she had fallen out of love with him. She had still valued and loved his friendship and didn't want to lose it. So she hadn't come up with a way to have them part gently and still remain friends. When his parents had all but shouted their disapproval. Making Cleon choose between Kel and his badge.

For Kel it had been a no-brain-er. She had made him choose his badge. And he had been transferred to L.A.

And now four years later she was left with the unfortunate task of dealing with an ex-boyfriend and a potential boyfriend working very closely together. Kel accepted the thought as soon as it came to her. She only hoped that Cleon no longer held feelings for her. And prayed to the Gods that neither man was to jealous.

Cleon smiled shyly, "Hi, Kel" his eyes were slightly worried, but she didn't sense any longing within his gaze.

She tried to respond but her aching throat prevented her from making any sound. So she waved in response her mask firmly in place. She then turned questioning eyes to Raoul.

Understanding the look, Raoul informed her, "Vince was waiting for you in my office. He blames you for Joren's death." when Kel's eyes flicked downward, Raoul paused "you know better Kel, that isn't the case." Kel nodded eyes still downcast. Raoul sighed but didn't press. "Well, as soon as Neal and Alanna get here and heal you up we'll set out for San Louis Obispo. The Centaurs have explained that half of their herd has rebelled and that is why they're stealing in the surrounding area." As Raoul finished Neal, followed by a very dark faced Lioness, burst in.

Neal went straight to Kel's side. His hand glowing green with his magical gift, long before he reached her. But before he could begin to heal her, Alanna snapped.

"Nealen! You don't know the full circumstances! Gather all the facts first, for you might not fully heal all her injuries!" Neal turned mouth open ready to argue. When Kel not able to talk, smacked him. When he turned to glare at her, she simply shook her head. And noting the look in her eye Neal sighed and gave up.

Both Cleon and Dom stood, mouths gaping, in amazement. Shutting Neal up, without words, was an amazing feat.

"Kel, when did you lean how to do that?" was Cleon's inquiry.

"And will you teach it to me?" was Dom's.

Kel just smiled and shook her head again.

"If we're done with theatrics?" Alanna's dry comment brought the attention back to her. "Raoul what exactly happened?" at Alanna's impatient demand Kel's heart went into overtime. The fact the her hero was about to heal her over her own mistakes was cause not only for shock but for embarrassment as well. Thankful for not having, or being able, to say anything Kel, had a minute behind her mask to compose herself.

"She was strangled and smacked around a bit." at Raoul's recounting Dom's fists clenched that went unnoticed by everyone save for the red head who stood near him. And speculative features followed the observation.

"Ah. Neal move." Alanna took Neal's place and set her cool hands to Kel's throbbing throat. "Just sit still and don't fight me or say anything till I'm done." Kel nodded and soon felt as if cool water was flowing around her throat. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the purple fire that was Alanna's gift. Soon the throbbing turned into an ache, then the ache into a small pain, until she felt completely fine. Alanna spent a few more minutes with her healing before she moved.

At Alanna's nod Kel quietly thanked her hero. Before a wave of tiredness befell her. She yawned before she could stop it. Neal took out a bag of trial mix. Kel's hunger overwhelmed her need for sleep.

"Well now that you're set, why don't we head out. We're a little behind as it is. Kel would you like to try out your new mare? You shouldn't need Peachblossom for this."

"Sure, it'd be nice to get acquainted." As she began to stand Neal reached over to assist her.

"Neal! Stop fussing. I've been healed and I'm fine. You'd think after eight years of playing big brother, you'd learn that as much as I appreciate it, it's not needed."

(A/N: so she was shot was 5 moved back to the US when she was 11 and is now nineteen. For those of you who remember that by adding the math she should be 20 I went back and changed it so she was shot 14 instead of 15 years ago so she is now 19. And in case I forget to mention it later, since Neal is still 5 years older then her and Yuki is around the same age, Yuki moved with her to the US as a care-giver/friend from Japan. Neal's parents had known Kel's so they took her and Yuki in when they moved back to the States. If that confuses anyone please let me know. I'll be happy to explain.)

"Well, excuse me. I was simply concerned for my own welfare. If Father or Yuki hear that I haven't taken proper care of you, they'd have my head!" Neal tried to hide his sarcasm and mostly succeeded, to everyone but Kel. She reached out to squeeze his hand. Then walked ahead passing Dom but not looking at him to join Cleon.

Unsure of how to start the conversation, Kel walked silently beside him. Knowing that sooner rather then later Cleon would start talking.

Sure enough not even a minute later. "Um... Kel...I ... um ...I've missed you!" he finally blurted out. He then turned a bright red, living the curse of a true red-head.

Kel smiled for her answer was completely true if not slightly different from what Cleon had in mind, "I've missed you too" she then glanced back at Dom, who was out of earshot and trying not to be caught in watching them so he glanced away. And immediately tripped. Neal, chocking back laughter, steadied him. "Um... Cleon there's something that I-"

But Cleon cut her off. "Kel. I... want you to know that I truly did miss you and that I value your friendship but I-I... no longer... feel... the same... as I did before. I don't want to hurt you but it seems only fair for you to know the truth. I swear to you that there's no one else. I guess in some cases, distance doesn't make the heart grow fonder. But I don't want you to feel as if I'm holding you back. And I believe that the Commander from the Own mi-" Kel finally got his rambling to cease by placing her hand over his mouth. And in her amusement she failed to notice Dom's glare at the gesture. But Neal didn't.

"Cleon. Stop. It's ok, truly. I'm so glad that you feel the same way. And I really do value your friendship as well." They smiled at each other when Kel's usual reaction to a healing kicked in. The force of the drowsy-ness caused her to sway into Cleon.

Without turning around at the gasp of the three men behind her Alanna said, "She'll need to be tied to her horse if we're going to get there relatively on time, Raoul."

Raoul, who had turned, and was looking at his Squire with concern replied, "Right. Kennan, would you so as to kind enough to carry her to the stable?"

"Uh, certainly, sir." As he shifted Kel into his arms she murmured a thanks that he had to lean down in order to hear.

The 'couple' was oblivious to the very jealous commander behind them, but a certain annoyingly observant cousin/best friend wasn't.

"You know, if you keep throwing daggers at him with your eyes you might miss and hit her. And honestly, I believe she's had enough healings for one day." Neal remarked in a thoughtful tone.

"Oh really? And if a certain cousin of mine doesn't learn when to shut it I will be forced to tell Kel and especially your fiancé, of all your embarrassing moments and bring out the bare bottom baby pictu- " Dom growled.

"You result to insults because you have nothing else to offer."

"You're pushing it Ne-"

"None the less I concede" Neal glanced ahead at Cleon and Kel. He knew that neither held the feelings that they once did but he didn't see any reason to tell his threatening trigger happy cousin that. Let him be the butt of the joke for once.

so there you go I'd like to thank those that did review they made me happy! feathersofbronze, Simplice, and Clouds of Sapphire you all get vitural high fives!

As for the rest of you! If you'd like a vritual high five push that go button come on! You know you want to.

. Laugh it's the only way to live

-spaz out!