Of course. What else?

I tried to make this chapter memorable...So here's something a little different…the dots separate two different takes on Neal as a husband and as a friend.

P.S. Sorry for any mistakes you might find. I just wanted to be done with this thing so I posted it without sending it to Janni.

N is for Neal

…

Part I

I had to hand it to Neal and Yuki. This was going to go down in history as one of the most memorable wedding receptions of all time. I was sure of it. Between the frenzied dancing, wild music, various contests, exotic foods, and the highly alcoholic rice wine that was being passed around, it was hard to keep track of everything. There seemed to be several different parties going on at once, and people were having the time of their lives.

After what seemed like hours, I finally managed to pull myself away from the growing crowd of men that were eager to test their strength in an arm wrestling match against the Lady Knight. I waved away the dismayed protests, assuring them that there were plenty of other opportunities for them to prove their masculinity. I got several raunchy jokes in response, but they didn't bother me. It was all in good fun.

I made my way towards an empty table and sat with a contented smile, watching the dancers. As far as parties go, this was by far the best I had ever been to. As the song changed, I watched Dom drag a flushed Yuki out on to the dance floor and Neal pluck a pretty blond out of a giggling pile of girls who looked suspiciously like party crashers.

I laughed at her surprised expression, clapping my hands in time with the music as I watched the couples whirl around the dance floor. The dance ended with a flourish and I watched Neal bow to his partner before turning with a grin to find another unsuspecting girl. I snickered at the dreamy smile that had plastered itself on her face and motioned to my table when she turned around to look for a place to sit.

"Who was that handsome fellow with the green eyes?" the pretty blond asked me as she sank into the chair next to me. I grinned before answering.

"That would be Nealan of Queenscove," I replied. Oh yes, she was most definitely a party crasher.

"Oh, I see," the blond said, a peculiar expression gracing her features as she realized she had been dancing with the groom. "Does he always flirt so…mercilessly?"

"Mercilessly?" I asked, confused. In all the years I have known Neal, I have never known him to be merciless. He's a Healer! How can a Healer be merciless?

"Yes," she said with a sigh, "he get's a girls hopes up, dancing with her and being perfectly charming, and then leaves her before she finds out he's been married for two hours, completely smashing her hopes to pieces."

"Yep," I said, laughing again. "That's Neal for you."

We sat for a little while longer, enjoying glasses of punch and chatting about other men with a flirtatious nature. Before long, our attention was drawn to the middle of the dance floor where Neal and Yuki were finishing a dance to a sickeningly romantic song. As they completed the last swooping twirl, the crowd burst into applause that quickly turned into cheers and whoops as Neal gave Yuki a very thorough kiss before scooping her up in his arms and carrying her out of the ballroom.

I watched them go, grinning from ear to ear. They were perfect together. Absolutely perfect.

•••

Part II

Somehow I always knew Neal would be the one to finally push me over the edge.

"No," he said flatly, squaring his shoulders and stepping directly into my path.

"Why not?" I asked, incredulous.

"Because I said so!"

"What are you my mother now?" I snapped, letting my customary mask slip. I didn't have time for this.

"I might as well be! You need someone to keep you from doing stupid things!" He yelled at me, waving his hands in the air. "And this is one of those things!"

"You have absolutely no right to stop me," I said quietly, a rare anger coursing through my veins.

"I have every right! I am your best friend! And without me, you would probably be dead by now!"

"Oh really?" I yelled back, my mask in pieces on the floor, "and what about you? How many times have I saved your sorry skin?"

He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off.

"Neal, you are my best friend. But if you do not get out of my way, I will have to hurt you." I said, quiet again. He didn't move.

"Kel, this is foolish and pointless. I can't let you go through with it." He said firmly, crossing his arms over his chest.

"You don't know that."

"There's nothing you can do," he said, looking at me with poorly disguised pity. A rage I didn't know existed possessed me. I was angrier than I had ever remembered. Angrier than the time Blyce had stolen my refugees and set killing machines on my friends and family. Angrier than the time Joren kidnapped Lalasa and hid her on the Needle. I didn't think. I couldn't think.

I hit him.

I watched in a detached sort of way as my fist made contact with his face and as he stumbled from the force of the blow. I watched as he straightened up, his hand going to his face, a look of surprise, hurt, and disbelief in his eyes. He didn't say anything, he just moved back into the doorway and braced himself.

For the first time in a long time I felt the beginnings of tears prick the corners of my eyes. I turned away and we stood in silence for a few minutes. I knew he was right. Deep down, I knew. He was always right. I heard him move away from the door and stand next to me. He put a hand on my shoulder and turned me to face him.

"There's nothing you can do," he repeated, putting his other hand on my cheek.

"I know," I told him, with a weak smile, "where would I be without you, right?"

I can hear your thoughts: "After four months...this is what she comes up with?!"...Heh. Oh and just so you know, the second part takes place several years in the future...as to the reason behind the second part...I'll leave that up to you.

Thanks for reading!