DISCLAIMER: Hey you can sue if you want but its not like I have any money.Kel and Joren and Raoul and Buchard in fact all characters in this belong to Tamora Pierce. (Damn it...not mine ::sad puppy dog face::) The plot...well it's not entirely original, nothing ever is but I'm going to take credit for it. (for now any way if it's crap I'll blame it on my good twin) Also the characters may be slightly OOC...I'm not sure. They could be...it *is* a K/J fic. Also this is set before/during Squire (the trial was during Squire right?) may not seem like it but trust me it is. (or at least *meant* to be)

Tormentor of the Small: Determination and Proof

Joren waited at the practice could, testing the staffs in the racks. He should have known she would choose the staff being the closest weapon to her yamani glaive. He held the wooden stick in his hand, it was the right weight and height for him, but he knew it wasn't his best weapon.

He knew that she wouldn't believe that he loved her. Sometimes he wasn't even sure. At first he thought it was pure attraction, even that baffled him. It took him a long time to admit it to himself. Now he knew he couldn't deny it anymore. He did love her, everything. Even that she had risked repeated her page years to find her maid. He also knew that he didn't deserve her, and that she would never feel the same way.

He looked up from the staff rack. She had arrived; her brown hair was clipped back somehow, so it wouldn't get in her dreamy hazel eyes. Her jaw was set in a grim line of determination.

"Let's get this over with."

He grabbed his chosen staff, and faced her in the starting stance. Joren made the first move, trying to disarm her. Narrowly missing her wrist while she tried a sweep. He blocked, their staffs locked together. He tried to back her against the wall. She tried for a trap. Joren blocked and tried to disarm her again but failed. Circling, they watched each other. She was guarded, sweat beads started to form on her forehead.

"I love you," he whispered as he tried for a trap and was blocked. Kel followed her block with a quick and fast attack. Her staff hit his wrist; he struggled to keep concentration as pain flooded his brain. No, he was not going to let her win. He had to prove to her the he truly did love her.

He feinted towards her wrist and followed but with a sweep. His staff slamming against her ankle. She let out an involuntary gasp of pain. Next he tried for disarmament, succeeding mildly as her grip loosened and fell from her upper arm.

Quickly he darted in as she fumbled to get her hold back.

He held his staff against her next as he pushed her against the wall. Her staff had fallen from her hands and had made a clattering sound as it hit the ground of the practice courts.

She tried to push him away with her now free hand but he dropped his staff grabbing her hand and pinning them against the wall about her head. Joren breathed in her scent; it smelled like sweat and lavender. He kissed her lips, and felt her shocked lips splutter against his. It wasn't the most romantic kiss in the world, but he knew it was the only kiss he would ever get from her.

He drew back to look at her expression, he imagined seeing disgust mixed with horror.

Instead he saw wonder, and was shocked when she relaxed against him. He let go of her arms. They circled around his neck. Not to choke him, but to embrace him.

Gently she moved her head forward towards him, and kissed him tentatively. Lengthening and deepening the kiss and his arms wrapped around her waist and brought her closer to him. He felt her soft warm body against him. Kel didn't cringe or break away instead she stayed in his arms, her head resting against his warm shoulder.

Joren couldn't resist, it felt so right. Her being in his arms, he would admit to anyone that they had hated each other for their entire relationship, but it was true.

"I love you Keladry," he whispered softly in her ear.

Suddenly she when stiff against him, it was like he was holding a statue. She pulled away wordlessly and left.

*

I realise that they (being Keladry and Joren) are out of character but please forgive me I've read this over and over and I haven't had any other inspiration. Also forgive typos, grammar and spelling.

Thanks go to Psycho Lioness13, Rowana Silvakisma, Shadowcat15, Fugitive, Pietersite, White Phoenix Erialis, RoseGodess9, An anonymous geek, Evilstrawberry and Armiel for the reviews. I really appreciate them and they boost my ever-expanding ego...