About half an hour later Dom walked to Keladry's door. 'Gods' he prayed to any listening, 'please don't let me screw this up.' He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Kel opened it enough to admit him, keep her body behind the door. He turned to look at her and when he did, "Goddess," he breathed, his blue eyes wide as he examined her from head to toe, "Kel you look incredible."

Kel blushed slightly, "Thanks, Dom. Yuki took long enough." She made a face and continued, "I've been in this room since mid-afternoon basically tied to a chair while she did all this."

"Well then," he said getting up and offering an arm, "by all means, oh fair damsel, let me get you out of this room and we shall attend the ball." Kel laughed at his carefree attitude, took his arm, and they set off down the hall together.

~~~~~~~~~

Kel was amazed as they entered the ballroom. The room was brightly lit, decorations hung from any cranny available. There was a bright crystal chandelier filled with candles gleaming in the middle of the dance floor. The large room was filled with couples dancing, talking, joking, and laughing amongst themselves. Dom smiled at Kel's astonished face and led her over to sit with Neal and Yuki.

Neal jumped up when they got to the table. "Kel, you look great!" he said as Dom spun her to model the dress. He put on a face that looked completely puzzled, "But remind me again why you're with such bad company?" Dom nearly grinned, he was so happy, not even Neal's humor could change his mood.

"Credit, where credit is due, Neal." she waved a finger in the air, "Yuki's the one who fixed me up. She even bought the dress." Kel told him, pointing at Yuki. the Yamani's only reaction was to crinkle her eyes and pull out her shukusen to cover her face.

Dom turned his attention back to Kel. 'Gods, she looks good.' he thought to himself. Out loud he asked, "Care to dance with a lowly sergeant, fair lady?"

"I'm not a lady, by any standards, Domitan," she smiled when he shuddered at the use of his full name, "just Kel. But, sure, I guess. I'd love to dance." She smiled as he walked her to the floor. She placed her arms on his shoulders as the band started a tune.

More than one person noticed the couple on the floor, and many a lady whispered in her lord's ear that "didn't that couple look perfect together?"

'My,' Dom thought pulling her a little closer, 'this feels nice... The way she fits into my arms, how she's smiling at me.' He smiled at his folly but managed to keep step while lost in his own fantasies.

They applauded along with the other couples when the song ended and were about to make their way back to Neal and Yuki when Merric approached and asked for a dance from the Lady Knight. Dom grudgingly gave her up and went to sit next to his cousin. Every time Kel tried to make her way back to Dom a friend would come over and asked her to dance. They were all shocked to see Kel in a dress and wanted to take full advantage of the situation. Finally Lord Raoul came over and took a chair next to Dom.

"What's wrong?" he asked his glum faced sergeant, "Are you in a fight with Kel?" he asked seeing the direction of Dom's glare.

Dom sighed, "No, I'm her date tonight, but every time she comes to sit down again one of her friends comes to ask her for a dance. I never knew that being so nice could get you too many friends." He crossed his arms over his chest when Raoul laughed, "What's so funny?" he asked, letting his bad mood get the better of him.

"You, Dom, you're jealous!" Raoul said as he burst out laughing again. Suddenly the realization of this statement hit him, he turned and asked Dom seriously, "You like Kel, sergeant? Beyond friends?"

Dom shifted in his seat "Well," he began, but Dom was saved from having to answer Raoul when Kel finally made it back. Dom offered his chair, "That's been five dances, Lady Knight. I'll get you a drink, you must be parched." He smiled at her.

"Thanks, Dom, I am" she replied. Dom bowed to them both and was off to find refreshments. She turned and grinned at Lord Raoul, they talked about her years as a squire until Dom returned.

Raoul stood up, making the excuse that he had to find Buri. "Also," he said before leaving, "I have to make an appearance so Jon doesn't think I'm hiding away in my rooms."

"Care to take a walk in the gardens, milady?" Dom asked when they finished their drinks.

"Dom-" she began.

"Oh fairest rose?"

"Dom," her tone was a warning, "I would love to take a walk with you, when you listen to me and stop calling me a lady." She folded her hands and looked at him.

"Fine," he breathed he defeat out heavily, "Keladry of Mindelan, would you like to go on a walk with me on this fine night?"

"Why, yes I would, Dom. Thank you for asking." She smiled once more and took his arm.