Disclaimer - See a previous chapter...or here's the summed up disclaimer : Nothing that you recognize belongs to me, unless you read my story before, in which case Rosine and the bartender in chapter 15 are mine...more may come.
A/N I'm trying to teach myself to keep writing, cause if I stop, the chapters start to be bad, short, and stupid, and I don't want to say that I've written it, nor have you have to read it, well not that you would HAVE to, but, well, ok, enough a/n, enjoy Chapter 17.
~*~
The next morning, Kel woke up with the first scattered rays of sun, with a smile on her face, how unusual, she thought for a split second, and then remembered where she was. Looking to her right, she saw Dom, fast asleep, emitting soft snores, each time making his hair ruffle. Kel had trouble stifling her laugh, but only barely succeeded.

As quietly as possible, Kel climbed off of the couch, amazed she hadn't fallen off last night, 'Although,' she pondered, 'It would have been hard unless Dom was coming down with me.' She laughed at herself, and went to wash and relieve herself in the adjoining bathroom. Just as she was pulling her tunic over her head, she heard Dom call, "Kel, Where are you?"

Kel walked out of the dressing room while still arranging her tunic. Dom broke into a smile. "Sleep well?"

"Of course....even though, you know, you do snore."

"What?!" Dom looked insulted. "I do not!!! Cleon on the other hand...."

Trying to keep a straight face, Kel said, "No he doesn't, I would know."

Dom's face was worth quite a few gold nobles at that moment, a small part anger, but mostly surprise. His eyes were bigger than goose eggs and his mouth had formed a round 'o'. "You mean, you and Cleon, you...." Dom trailed off.

Rolling her eyes, Kel lightly elbowed him in the ribs. "Why? Do you care?"

"Of course I care, Kel. Did you and Cleon, well, you know?"

"Of course not Dom! Do you think I would do that, and then be able to let him go this easily?"

"I know, Kel, what I want to ask you is...."

"What?" Kel asked.

"Will you.....will you.....will you escort me to breakfast?"

"Sure." Kel wondered why Dom looked so flustered. "Is something wrong, Dom?"

"Huh, oh, I mean, no, everything's fine...I'll just go and change now. I'll meet you at breakfast, alright?" Dom said as he made a beeline for the door.

Puzzled, Kel watched him leave, then shrugged. She was no expert on men, maybe she'd ask Yuki, at breakfast.

~*~

As Kel arrived at breakfast, she was shocked when she realized how hungry she waas. She quickly got a plate, and had scarfed down half of her meal before she remembered that she was supposed to have been waiting for Dom. Guiltily, she moved her food around to cover her plate, to make it look as though she hadn't eaten it all yet. She looked up, hoping that no one had noticed her little mistake, and caught Neal giving her a knowing grin as he headed towards her.

"Hungry, Mindelan?" Neal asked facesiously.

"Very funny, Neal. I was supposed to be waiting for Dom, but I kind of, um, forgot." Kel blushed, but couldn't help smiling. It was hard to feel foolish around Neal.

"I don't think he'll mind...or notice. Besides, here he comes now." Neal pointed. Dom rushed in, his hair slightly damp, but adorable all the same. He quickly grabbed food and slid in next to Kel. Before even saying good morning or asking what was new, he dug in. It took Dom almost a full minute to notice that the entire rest of the table was watching him. Then he looked up sheepishly. "What??? I was hungry!"

Kel tried to hold back her giggle but it was no use. Neal explained why it was so funny. Dom still didn't quite get it, but he laughed along anyway. Soon only Kel, Yuki, and Dom were left at the table. Kel quietly got up with Yuki, pretending to get more juice, leaving Dom at the table.

Kel shyly explained the events of the night before, and put up with Yuki's good natured banters for a few moments before she asked for advice. "Yuki, what do you think I should do?? I mean, I think I love him, but I don't want to sleep with him before we are married...."

Yuki smiled, "I don't think you'll have to wait much longer, Kel."

Kel gaped. "You mean, you think he was going to, I mean, that he wants to...."

"I might be wrong, Kel, but you know, women's intuition and all." Kel's eyebrows seemed to permanently affixed to her bangs. When they went to sit back down, Yuki went on to her rooms, leaving Kel and Dom together. They talked for a few minutes, then left also. As they were walking out, Dom said, "Kel, I have something to ask you, will you, um....meet me in the stables in a few minutes to go over last minute plans??" Dom finished in a rush, blushing to the roots of his hair. Kel looked slightly dissapointed but agreed and left for his rooms.

Once outside, Dom started chastising himself silently. 'Why don't you open up to her?! What's the worst that could happen? You know that she loves you, so why don't you just ask?!' Dom was disgusted with himself. He'd beaten down enemy troops, taken command, and had arrows go straight through his shoulder. Why couldn't he get up the nerve to ask a woman to marry him?