A/N - I'm not really sure if this is one of my better chapters or not....Just read...I guess...

Kel quietly entered her room, Yuki on her heels. As soon as the door was shut, Kel whirled on Yuki. "What the goddess is going on?" Kel hissed, her eyes wide.

Yuki was surprised. She was only trying to help Kel. "Kel I'm trying to help you!"

"How?! By making me an object of entertainment? I saw you and Dom in the hallway. What were you talking about? Me? Why?!" Kel exploded. In a single moment, all of her Yamani training had seemed to fly out the window.

Yuki was surprised. Kel had always been so calm. She hoped she wouldn't become one of the Tortallans like Kel. Shows of emotion like that could be so humiliating. "Kel, I was just talking to Dom. Apparently he feels the same way about you that you feel about him!"

Kel didn't know whether to collapse into a fit of giggles - Dom liked her! - or to strangle Yuki. She took deep breaths, letting her Yamani training flow back, and in a minute she was as composed as ever. "So... You were saying about dinner?"

~*~

Kel walked into the garden that night, feeling, well, pretty. Yuki had helped her decide what to wear, and Kel was dressed in a deep peach dress. It was nothing too dressy, just enough. Kel didn't understand why Yuki had insisted on Kel wearing a dress. Dom rarely saw her in a dress. Something for which Kel was grateful, she was much more comfortable in breeches. 'Oh well,' she thought to herself, and headed towards the table, set for four.

Kel and Yuki sat down opposite of each other. Kel carefully kept her Yamani mask in place. She was still annoyed with Yuki for interfering with her affairs, but Yuki was the expert on these kinds of things.

Or so Kel hoped.

Neal and Dom walked in a few moments later. Kel rolled her eyes. Weren't girls supposed to be the species that took forever to get ready? Not that Kel minded. Dom looked, to tell the truth, hot. Yuki rose gracefully, Kel (trying) to follow suit. Yuki curtseyed as Neal took her arm and led her back to the table. Kel flushed. Did she really have to try to curtsey? In front of Dom? Luckily Dom saved her that inconvenience. He gently took her arm and led her to the table, where their dinner was already being served.

The four ate in a comfortable silence, each concentrating on their meals. When Yuki had first come to Corus, she had tried to get Neal to talk while they ate – but was so appalled by the outcome (food spattered across the front of her gown) that she decided it would be safest to save the talking for after the meal. Dom and Neal finished eating first, and instead of waiting for the ladies to finish, started a conversation on fashion and gossip, in high falsettos, while batting their eyelashes.

"So, Domitan, dearest, have you seen the price of the red silk coming in from Carthak? Positively outrageous!" Neal stated, with a completely blank face.

"Tsk. I was so looking forward to having my next gown made in the red too. I guess we will have to settle for the scarlet this year." Dom added ruefully.

Yuki sat in shock for a few moments, unsure of how to react. She was married to the man sitting on her left…right? Kel on the other hand had seen their antics numerous times. They loved making fun of the superficiality of the court ladies.

"Stop it you two!" Kel hissed, covering her grin with a hand not quite big enough to hide it. The men then looked at Yuki, her face a mask of confusion, and what could be horror. Dom and Neal didn't even try to hide their amusement. Both burst out laughing simultaneously.

"It's okay, my love," Neal assured Yuki hurriedly. "Dom and I ate formal dinners paired with many court ladies. All they wanted to talk about was clothing it seemed, so Dom and I decided to follow suit. Often they didn't realize that we were mocking them. Those were the best times." Neal chuckled.

Yuki still looked unsure, so Kel decided to change the topic to something safer, like killer centaurs or war. Luckily, Neal could take a hint, and started a conversation, careful to keep Yuki placated.

"Yeah right, Neal, come on! Taking on twenty giants with only your sword? I always knew that you were a true meathead!" Kel laughed at Neal's antics of trying to impress Yuki. Everyone laughed, and settled back, sipping wine, and watching the stars come out.

Kel shivered; the night was getting chilly, and this dress wasn't made to keep its wearer warm. Suddenly, Kel felt a warm hand grasp hers. She looked up at Dom, and squeezed his hand. She wasn't sure if she was more grateful for its warmth, or the love she felt coming from him. Glancing at the couple across from them, Kel smiled. She was so happy for Neal and Yuki, they were perfect for eachother. Yuki would keep Neal sane.

Dom looked at Kel with a question on his face. She nodded, and got up. "If you two will excuse me, I'm going to head to my rooms…"

"Me too!" Dom chimed in, his face coloring slightly. "I mean, it was a long ride, with good food… So I guess I'll be off, and I'll escort Lady Kel to her rooms." Neal snickered, but caught a look from Yuki before he could say anything. Dom joined Kel as they strolled back to the manor. He took her arm, and she gratefully snuggled closer to him. She breathed in and got the heady scent of Dom's soap and Dom himself. When they arrived at Kel's door, Dom stooped and kissed Kel. When their lips touched, Kel's knees felt weak. Cleon was a good kisser, but this…this was passion. As he pulled away, Kel asked, somewhat breathlessly, "Do you want to come in for a bit?"

Dom's face broke into a grin. "Is that an invitation?"

"Yes," Kel stated decisively. "Would you like to?"

"Of course. Could I say 'no' to a lady as pretty as you?"

Kel giggled. She liked being flirted with, much to her surprise. She turned to unlock the door. As she fumbled with the lock, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist. Unfortunately, that didn't help the whole unlocking situation. Kel could feel his breath stirring the hair on the back of her neck, and the warmth permeating from him into her. She shivered delightedly, and finally managed to open the door, and she stumbled in, Dom behind her.

Dom kicked the door shut behind them, making sure to slide the latch across the door. He turned and found Kel unpinning her hair, from the bun it had been in. Loose wisps of hair swirled down to her shoulders, catching the light of the fireplace. Dom was amazed. He had always had feelings for Kel, and not because she was eye-catchingly beautiful either. But now, she reminded him of a goddess. The way her dress was swirling, and her hair falling, made her pretty, but the glow of the fire behind her, it made her look positively godly.

He walked over to her, noting the unsurety in her eyes. She shouldn't have to worry. He wrapped his arms around her, and she responded by pressing herself to him. He kissed her, passionately this time. They ended up on top of the bed, still kissing. Dom paused, and looked at her. She was slightly flushed, as he assumed he must be. Her hair was mussed, and he had never seen anyone more beautiful. Dom had seen all the court ladies there were to see, but Kel surpassed them all. Maybe it wasn't just that she was pretty. She had an inner light that shone through her eyes.

Kel slid her hands over the skin exposed at the top of his shirt, and he shivered, feeling the tingle from that light touch all down his body. She slowly pulled his shirt out from his pants, and slid it over his head. He looked at her questioningly, and saw complete affirmation in her gaze. He slowly unlaced the back of her dress and lightly trailed his fingers along her back, sending shivers down it. She helped him slip her dress over her head, and unlaced his breeches. Just then the fire went out, leaving nothing but the glowing coals.

"Dammit," Kel cursed. "Should I go restart it? It could get cold."

"Nah, we'll have each other to keep warm." Dom decided, and the pair merged as one in the now-darkness.

~*~

A/N - So...did you like it? I decided that I had to get back to this fic....I've been lazy! narf. ah well. Please R/R!