Beautiful Stranger

by

rubi red

Hero

*

Would you dance if asked you to dance
Would you run and never look back
Would you cry if you saw me crying
Would you save my soul tonight

Ugh...that is just horrible poetry. If Kel ever saw this...I take the paper and slide it into the desk drawer. Hmmm...it's getting pretty full, that drawer is. I've got to stop writing poetry to Kel. I know she will never appreciate it, yet if I don't show her she won't think I care. Oh, Mithros...I love her so much. How could I be so silly? She loves me and I love her. We're going to be together for the rest of our lives. Why not just do it now? Even though we've only "been together" for two weeks...we've known each other for so long...

Would you tremble if I touched your lips
Would you laugh oh please tell me this
Now would you die for the one you love
Hold me in your arms tonight

Oh yes- I remember why, now. I'm Nealan of Queenscove. When it comes to battle and healing I am fearless. But when it comes to love, I lose my nerve. Wow, I never realized I had a sensitive side. But then again...this isn't love. It's beyond love, something I can never imagine, not even in my wildest dreams...

I can be your hero baby
I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
You can take my breath away

I open the drawer again, and force myself to look at it. That little-that little box is causing me the greatest migraine of my life. Silly me, I'm a healer! I can fix it...but no. The magic's not working. Why? It's one of the easiest spells. I try again. The efforts seem to drain me more. And then it hits me like Peachblossem's running over me (again). You can't stop pains with magic when they're caused by love. You have to fix your problem...Oh, why can't I do it! I love her so much, with all my heart. I'd die for Kel. Oh, I don't understand myself. My brain can't handle all of this at once... a tear drips onto the carpet, and for only the second time in my 24 years of life, I'm crying.

Would you swear that you'll always be mine
Would you lie would you remember
My angel be have I lost my mind
I don't care you're here tonight

There's a knock at the door...No, whoever it is, they can't see me like this. I tiptoe over to the privy and quietly lock the door. All of a sudden a musical voice rings through my chambers. Caught off-guard, I jump, knocking over my soap. "Neal? Neal, I know you're in there, I can hear you," Oh, Mithros. Not now. Anytime but now. It's Kel.

"Er...Just a minute, Kel," I call, my voice shaky.

Oh, no, she can tell. "Neal? What's wrong? You don't sound too good. Can I come in?"

"Sure Kel...I'll be right there." I head for the main chambers, drying my tears hastily on the sleeve of my shirt as I approach the door. I take a deep breath and open it. Kel, my love of years, is standing there looking worried, yet more beautiful than ever.

"Come in," I say, gesturing to the bed. She stepped over the threshold and I silently shut the door.

I can be your hero baby
I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
1 You can take my breath away
Ohhh I just wanna hold you, I just wanna hold you, oh yeah
My angel be have I lost my mind
I don't care your here tonight

Without thinking I sweep her up and into a passionate kiss. We part reluctantly, still holding each other. "Kel, I love you with all my heart," I say. And for once I can be sure I mean it.

I can be your hero baby
I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
You can take my breath away
I can be your hero
I can kiss away the pain
And I will stand by you forever
You can take my breath away
You can take my breath away
I can be your hero

"Kel, I need to ask you something..." Gathering up all of my courage, I walk over to the desk drawer while she stays behind me. I remove the box slowly and turn around. Kel pales and gasps...oh, Mithros, I hope this is a good idea. And with that, I open the box.