Chapter Eleven, Kel

New Hope

January

A/N I wanna thank

everyone who reviewed

and ask that you keep reviewing!

Let me know how you

like this upcoming chapter.

I was taking my story in one direction

when it yanked the steering wheel

and shouted "TURN HERE!"
So, naturally, I did.

~Dawnfire

P.S Did anyone notice that I quoted a previous conversation almost word for word last chapter? Can anyone tell me what conversation? Hint: the conversation is in my story.

It was the next morning after Dom proposed when they finally could leave Headquarters. Kel got an earful from Fanche about forgetting to bring in the snow shovels. Raoul Wyden, Dom's squad and Aiden's squad set out to go back to their forts.

Kel was sad to see her betrothed go, but she was glad for the time she would have to get used to the idea of marriage. It was a big idea to wrap one's mind around, especially if that person had expected to never marry.

The next three weeks were rather uneventful. No more big snows; no more reports. In fact, New Hope was beginning to hope for a quiet winter from here on out. It was mid January when Kel's hopes (al least) for a quiet winter were shattered.

She was just getting out of bed to do her morning exercises when a wave of dizziness rolled over her. The room spun beneath Kel's feet and she barely had to time to make it to the chamber pot before she threw up her dinner from the night before.

I can't get sick now! Kel thought when she had expelled the contents of her stomach and was reduced to dry heaving. Kel rolled over and leaned her head up against the wall taking deep breaths. Kel stayed seated like that with her legs stretched out in front of her.

She was still there when Tobe came to get her because she hadn't shown up for staff practice. The eleven year old boy walked in during another heaving fit, took one look at his mistress and told her "I'll go get Neal."

Kel barely heard Tobe. She nodded weakly and sat back down, waiting for Neal to her one of his disgusting teas. Since Tobe had left the door open, Kel didn't notice Neal come in until he put a hand on her shoulder. A cool hand pressed against her forehead. "No fever." Neal remarked, almost to himself. "Come on, get up."

Neal helped her up and sat her down on the bed. Kel rested her head on her pillows with a grateful sigh. Neal was busying himself with something on Kel's bedside table. "Drink this." Neal commanded pressing a cup of tea to Kel's lips.

Kel gently pushed the cup away and sat up. "I'm feeling fine now, Neal. I don't need to drink… whatever you're trying to pass off for medicine."

"Alright; what reason do you have for your vomiting? Because in my professional opinion, as healer, you do need to drink this." Neal snapped.

Kel made a rude nose and accepted the cup. She drank the hot liquid as quickly as she could without burning her throat. While she drank, Neal put a hand on Kel's back, his finger's glowing as he used magic to pin point Kel's sudden illness. Neal frowned and took his hand away.

"Kel, I'm going to have to ask some very personal questions now." Neal was still frowning and he was speaking carefully as if afraid that Kel might bite his head off if he said the wrong thing.

"Ok." Kel agreed. What's this all about? She asked herself silently.

"When was the last time you had your monthlies?" Neal asked calmly, looking into Kel's face.

"That's a rather personal question." Kel pointed out, counting back in her head. "Late November… Neal are you implying what I think you are?"

"I can't be certain just yet, but I think you may be pregnant." Neal put a hand on Kel's shoulder watching the shocked expression on Kel's face.

"But… that's not possible. What about my charm?" Kel said her mind numb. This was not, could not, is not happening! Kel's mentally shouted.

"There are three reasons a pregnancy charm might not work. If the silver is impure it may fail. If the healer who made it isn't very strong it may fade. And most commonly, if you don't wear it, it won't work." Neal counted down his fingers as he spoke.

"I always wear my charm!" Kel protested.

"Then what's that under your bedside table?" Kel turned, looked, knelt down and pulled the charm against pregnancy she wore out from under the table. The chain was broken.

I'm going out of town this weekend. You can expect Chapter 12 to come on Monday. If push comes to shove I'll have it up on Tuesday.