Thanks for the review. I have over a hundred reviews. So thank you guys so much. I did mean to update sooner, but I had volleyball and the season was good. Plus my aunt came to visit. It was hectic. Anyway hope you like the chapter. Sorry it's so late.

Previously:

Alanna snorted. "Anyway, as I was asked who exactly do we want to win? Dom or Luc?"

Everybody said simultaneously, "Dom, of course."

"I guess."

"But you do mean for Dom not to win," questioned Quaism.

"I haven't decided. You all may go." Everybody filed out slowly, thinking of what Alanna was up to.

Chapter 11 Part 1

It was a little after dawn, when Neal was rudely awoken by a message from Alanna. It said 'Get here now." The cruelties of life with Alanna in your life. Neal got out of his room. He was almost out the door when the boy who delivered the message cleared his throat.

Neal turned, "Yes?"

"Umm, sir usually people don't go out without clothes."

Neal looked down at himself and discovered that his only have his loincloth on. He blushed beet red. "Thank you." He went to his drawer and found a pair of pants and tunic. Neal turned around to see that the boy held out his hand expectantly. Neal ruffled through his wooden desk to find something suitable to give the boy.

Neal looked through five drawers of unorganized papers til he found some candies for the boy. The boy looked at the candies in his hand and stomped out with his nose held high like an aristocrat. Neal muttered, "Mithros, that boy should have been born a noble with that kind of attitude."

Neal was about to go back to bed, when he remembered Alanna's note. He ran off towards Alanna's room. He arrived breathing heavily. Alanna opened the door and dragged him inside. She slammed the door after him. "Why were you late?"

"It was the boy."

Alanna smacked him on the head. "Don't lie."

"I didn't. Anyway what did you want?"

"I want you to visit Dom."

"Sure. When?"

"Now."

"But he's probably not up yet."

"I know he's up. Now go check on him."

"How do you know that he's up?" Neal mentally slapped himself, while Alanna did it physically. Alanna mocked him. "How do you know he's up? Mithros."

"I'm sorry. It's morning time."

"Well I don't like the morning either, but I'm awake and nice. Aren't I?" Neal rolled his eyes. "Don't roll your eyes at me. Just go to see Dom, before you get hurt."

Neal left without a word surprisingly. Alanna down and contemplated he next move. By the time that she finished, she had every little detail down. And Kel didn't stand a chance. Not that she ever did.

Neal wondered along Steadfast's stone walls towards to Own's area. Nobody was awake, and the only sounds that could be heard were the loud snores of the officers.

Dom had not slept the whole night. He was restless and couldn't wait to begin the next challenge. So he started writing, only to find he could put what he wanted into words. What I'm I going to write? What if it is horrible? What if Kel doesn't like it? What if she doesn't like me? What if she laughs at me? How can I write something I don't know how to explain? Mithros, what am I going to do? I am a mess.

Dom sat down at his desk and grabbed some parchment. He took a quill and dipped it in to the ink. He tried to write but ended up blotting the whole piece of parchment. Eventually he started to write words, but crossed them out. This continued for the whole entire night.

Dom labored this way without stopping the entire night without break. Not coming out of his room for anything. The result was crumpled parchment everywhere the eye could see. It was on his bed half way across the room, some had landed on the dresser, and a lot had landed near the trash can. But Dom finished writing his poem. He named it 'For a Split Second'.

I can't help but turn my eyes on you

Hoping for that time when you'd look back, too

Even for a split second have you felt the same

Or is friends the only thing we became

When I touch your arm and try to make a joke

I'm only hiding the words I always choke

Because if I tell you I'm afraid you'll say

That you just don't love me in that way

So many questions that I want to know

Each time I stand there and watch you go

Even for a split second am I on your mind

Or do you just walk away and never look behind

Sometimes the thing I want the most

Is to lie with you in my arms and hold you close

For a split second have you wanted that, too

Or is it a fantasy that will never come true

Even for a split second did you ever feel

Something between us that seemed surreal

Is there a chance that I'd be more than a bud

Could I someday be the one you love

Now if he could get the guts to say it to Kel. He did not know what he would do if Kel didn't like it. That's if she will ever read it. Dom was interrupted by a knock on his door.

Neal strolled in without waiting for a reply. He looked around the room and whistled. "What happened here? It looks worst than my room." Neal lived in constant mess.

"Don't ask."

"Too late already did."

Dom replied grouchily. "Well aren't you a happy camper." Neal really looked at Dom for the first time that he came in the room. Dom looked good normally, but not now. You could see the huge bags under his eyes. And they were bloodshot. His hair was sticking up in all direction. He looked like a mess. Neal asked concerned. "Are you alright? You look like s."

"Thanks. I feel like it, too."

"So what have you been doing that kept you up all night?"

Dom muttered under his breath. Neal strained to hear. "What was that? Didn't quite catch that?"

Dom grunted. "Poem."

"Are you finished with it?"

"Yes."

"May I see it?"

"No, you may not." Dom was slowly waking up a bit. "What are you doing up this early? Especially here."

Neal looked around, as if some magically answer would appear. "Umm…I couldn't…sleep! So I decided to see if you were awake."

"Hmmm." Dom thought about this for a second. Neal quickly said. "So how's your poem?"

"As I said it done. But I don't think it's that great. I don't know if anyone let only Kel would like it."

"Is this coming from the same Dom who is a notorious heartbreaker. Who has never been turned down."

"Yes."

"But why? I bet you've done this kind of thing a million times."

"Because this is Kel. Not some court lady I don't care that much for."

Neal smiled, but hid it from Dom. Neal was glad that he was nervous. It meant that Dom was sincere. "Good."

"Why? Neal, have I been that bad to you that you wish me to be tortured by the devil (aka Alanna)?"

"No, I'm just glad this is not like the others. That means you have deeper feelings for Kel. Anyway Alanna's bad, but she means well. Most of the time, anyway."

"Thank you, Dr. Phil (a/n: I know. I'm sorry. But I had, too.) For telling me my own feelings." Dom replied sarcastically.

"No problem." Neal was oblivious. He started to pick up crumpled pieces of parchment off the floor. And read them.

Dom nearly shouted, but remembered that the rest of the Own would wake up and hear him. "Stop. What are you doing? Don't read that. Give it here."

"Well I just want to know what you wrote. Why don't you show me so I don't have to read through all of this? Think of

it this way, I can tell you if it's good or if it's stinks."

"Lovely. When you put it that way how can I resist? Thanks for your concern. But I rather not be mocked."

"Who, me?" Neal said, trying to appear angelic.

"Yes." Dom said deadpanned.

Neal crooned. "Come on. I promise that I'll be good."

"Promise that. You won't laugh. Tell anybody about it. Or mock me."

"Promise." Neal crossed his fingers. He would try to do those things, but he would have to tell Alanna or risk fighting with her. He shivered. Dom handed him the poem. Neal sat down on the bed and started to read.

Dom stared at Neal, trying to read the play of emotions that crossed Neal's face. He prompted Neal once he finished. "Well?"

Neal responded honestly. "It was great. It was from the heart. And that's what matters."

"Do you think Kel, will like it?"

"Well, that's up to her. But if I was a girl-"

"Don't finish that sentence. I've had enough horrors. And you are a girl. I mean you screm like one. You could pass for a really ugly one."

"Ha Ha. I'm busting a gut."

Sorry, I had to stop here, but I'm tired. And maybe this will make me update sooner. Thanks for all the reviews. I'll try to update soon. Oh yeah. The poem that Dom wrote is actually a poem written by Momei Qui. I got it from a web site. And when I saw it was perfect. Anyway thanks again to the people who reviewed. Really helpful. Review, so I get inspired.

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