"Two days, Neal, I'm getting worried."

            "Cousin, you've been worried.  Of course, I do think your level of anxiety has gone up since you didn't just call me Meathead."

            Kel wanted the talking to stop.  Her head was pounding and her side was aching.  She tried to open her eyes but stopped when her head started to hurt even more.

            "Anyhow, Dom, that lunatic missed her kidney by half an inch.  The Gift used to keep her alive and help her heal also makes her sleep so she can slowly regain her energy."

            Had they said two days?  Kel sat straight up.  Or at least, she attempted to.  That hurt.  She groaned in pain.

            "Kel?"  She grunted in response to what sounded like Dom.

            "Don't try and get up," Neal admonished.  Kel tried her best to express her frustration and growled.  Neal laughed.  "Stop, you're giving Dom ideas!"

            Kel forced her eyes open, and despite the pain, glared at Neal.  He seemed to have gotten the gist of the glare as he held her shoulders.  Kel felt a little more energy flow into her.  She tried speaking.

            "What in the name of the Goddess is going on?" she asked in a gravelly voice.

            "You were stabbed, Kel," Dom answered, reaching for her hand.  He started stroking it gently.  Despite her discomfort, Kel felt shivers go up and down her spine.

            "By who?" she asked, struggling to control her voice. 

            "It doesn't matter," Neal answered.  Kel could tell that he was trying to avoid telling her.  She was too unenergetic to press the issue.  "What matters is that he got what he deserved.  He is in worse shape than you are."

            "What really matters is that you're awake," Dom said softly.  Kel stared at him, and he returned her deep gaze.  Once again, I find myself transfixed by the "Blayce Effect".   Is it just my imagination, or are we getting closer?  Kel felt Dom's warm breath on her face.  It was more vitalizing than a dose of Neal's gift.  She felt her heart begin to pound.

            "Ahem."  Kel felt her cheeks flush.  Damn you, Nealan.

            "Yes?" she asked icily, tearing herself away from Dom, putting on her Yamani mask.

            "Should I leave you two alone?"

            "No, that's alright, I was just leaving," Dom stated.  Kel noticed that he was blushing as well.  He avoided eye contact with her, and walked out of the small tent they were all in.

            "You two have some issues," Neal stated.

            "Shut up.  Oh, Neal, I didn't ruin the wedding, did I?"

            "Well, you didn't.  On the other hand, that accursed moron did."

            "Oh, you're not serious?"  Kel felt awful.  She knew it wasn't her fault.

            "Don't worry, Kel.  Everyone, except Sir Raoul and Buri, has been on high alert for the past two days.  Alanna thinks that he got past all the posts because he was traveling by himself.  There was no other way.  But, Sir Raoul and Buri are slowly becoming the center of attention again, as no one can figure out where they've been hiding."

            Kel chuckled.  "Did he attack anyone else?"

            "No, Dom got to him before he could.  He's in another tent, and he's alive, but barely.  Dom stabbed him in the front, but missed any vital organs.  Both of you were really lucky.  And I must say, that was smart of Dom to grab your sword."

            "He's a commander, Neal.  He's trained to think fast!"

            "I know.  But I can't resist making fun of him sometimes."  Neal grinned.  Then, he turned serious.  "Kel, what's going on with you and him?  I know I'm making fun of you two all the time, but I'm honestly at a loss as to the real story."

            Kel remember the few times she had seen Neal serious.  Obviously, no matter how much the two annoyed each other, it was apparent there was a deep bond between the two.  She sighed.  "Neal, I can't get involved with anyone.  Look what happened with Cleon."

            "Kel, it's no one's fault he was promised to someone else."

            Kel took a deep breath.  She could tell Neal this.  He was her best friend after all.  "I was actually really lucky he had to marry that heiress," she started.  "When I looked at him after he had been away all those months, I didn't, well, feel it any more."  She looked at Neal.  "And that makes me feel awful.  I can't do that again to someone else."

            Neal shook his head.  "Kel, how many girls did I pine away for did I have before I finally settled down?  You don't have to feel awful at all.  Feelings change.  But how long do you think you've been attracted to Dom?"

            Kel smiled faintly.  "Since the first time I met him."

            "And you still feel attracted to him.  I'll just tell you this.  I've never seen Dom so frantic before.  You said it yourself, he's a commander.  That means he's seen people get stabbed before.  But he was going crazy about you.  Mithros, he was making me crazy too.  So, I think it's there.  Everyone deserves to be loved, and that includes you."  Kel looked at Neal.  Rarely had she seen him like this.

            "Thank you, Neal.  I appreciate it."

            Neal grinned.  "Put that Yamani mask back on.  This show of affection is scaring me!"  Kel laughed and put one arm around Neal in an attempt to hug him.

            "Now go find Yuki," she said.

            "Yes, Mother."  Kel rolled her eyes and watched Neal stroll out of the tent.

            I don't completely agree with Neal.  The attraction is there now, but what happens when the two of us are separated, and I no longer have feelings for him?  After the war is over, who knows where the two of us will be?  I don't think I want to hurt Dom that way at all  No, things are better off the way they are.  Even if the thought of being with him feels right now.  Kel sighed.  She dismissed the jumble of ideas from her mind, too exhausted to continue confusing herself.  She put her head back down and fell asleep within seconds.

A/N:  I updated!  Hurray!  Thanks to all of you who reviewed, you definitely inspired me.  I promise I'll thank you all individually next time.  Anyhow, I foresee three or four more chapters.  My spring break is coming up soon, so hopefully I can get two out then!  Thanks so much for sticking with me!