A/N: Ff.net was being stupid. Sorry for the delay! And for this chapter, I'm falling in love with Lerant as I write it! So, naturally, I had to make him look good. I wish I could draw, I want a picture of him!

Disclaimer: As usual, anyone you don't recognize is Tammy's. Based off TKM, go read it!

"So I bring my arm down like this, 'Lasa?"

"Yes, Brianne, that's very good," Lalasa replied, watching the young girl take down her partner. "Now switch." She continued walking around the room, surveying all her young students. I remember when I only had one or two girls to teach. I suppose word has spread about my classes. I think I'm going to need some of the older girls to be my assistants. I definitely need help, she thought.

"'Lasa!" a voice shouted.

Lalasa whipped around. "Is someone hurt?" she asked?

"No, but there's someone knocking on the door."

"I'll be right there." Lalasa turned around to face her girls. "Girls, continue working on this technique, I'll be right back." She walked toward the door of her shop, curious as to her visitor might be. Her shop was closed for the evening. She grasped the handle of the door and opened it. A familiar face grinned at her. It was a face she'd be wrong to admit that she hadn't thought of in the past few months.

"Hello, Lalasa! It's a pleasure to see you again!"

"L-lerant?"

Lerant's brown eyes twinkled. "Yes, milady."

"Is the Own back in town then?"

"Yes, only for a little bit. Then we'll be joining the Progress." His brown eyes were throwing her off guard, and she couldn't understand why a normal man was throwing her off-balance like this.

Love at first sight? a voice in her head asked.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your class." His voice brought her back to her senses, and she became Take-Charge Lalasa again.

"It's all right. Would you like to wait? We're almost finished."

A faint pink tinge appeared on Lerant's cheeks, and Lalasa felt her stomach twist. "Actually, I just came to say hello. But if you want me to, I'd be glad to stay and help. It looks like your arms are full tonight." A lock of hair fell across his face as he made his earnest statement.

I will not brush his hair away, Lalasa firmly thought. Why was she acting like a silly lady from court? "It would be wonderful if you stayed," she said, threading her fingers together. "Maybe you could teach the girls something new."

"Erm…I've never taught before, but I would be a willing 'bad man,'" Lerant answered, smiling again.

Lalasa giggled and almost hit herself for doing so. "That's fine. I just wanted to show them one more technique and then let them go." She turned to the girls and clapped her hands to get their attention. "Pay attention up here. This is Lerant," she said, gesturing to him. He grinned disarmingly at the rest of the class. Kel never told me he had a nice smile! In fact, he's nothing like what Kel described. She shook her head to clear it and looked at all her girls, a serious look taking over her features. What men could do to women was nothing to joke about. Suddenly, she remembered the technique that she was going teach. Keeping a serious visage was going to be very hard.

"Lerant is going to grab me with both hands, right here," Lalasa began, gesturing to the upper-front of her dress. She was sure she was blushing, and she didn't dare look at Lerant. She waited until he did as she instructed and carried on. "From here, what we do is very simple. Just step on his foot, spit in his eye, or strike to his groin and then grab each of his hands, thumbs on back, and peel outwards." She demonstrated what she was saying. "And then, just bend his wrists in." Lerant dropped down on his knees and Lalasa smiled. "Take your partners and try it. It really works well."

"I'll swear to the Goddess that it does," Lerant said. He took Lalasa's proffered hand and stood up. Lalasa noticed that he was blushing too, and it really suited him. "Erm, I'm sorry, if I, well, grabbed you too hard."

Lalasa almost fainted on the spot. "No, it's all right." There was an awkward silence.

"Well, I should be getting back to the palace," Lerant said.

Lalasa tried not to be disappointed. "Have fun on the progress," she answered, walking with him to the door.

"I'll be sure to come visit the next time we're in town," Lerant said, smiling. Lalasa noticed for the first time that he was wearing the clothes she had made for him. His broad shoulders fit them so perfectly that she was at a loss for words.

"That would be nice. It was wonderful seeing you again, and thanks for helping," she forced out. She held out her hand.

Lerant looked at it. "No problem." He took Lalasa's hand and brushed his lips across it. Then, he turned and walked out of the door. Lalasa's mind was spinning. After everything I've told myself about men, I'm letting myself fall for one.

"'Lasa?" It was Brianne. "Could you help me? I can't get the peel right." Lalasa sighed, and turned her attentions back to the matters at hand.

Has anyone else fallen in love with Lerant? J ~Su