"What's up, Meathead? What happened?" Dom was clearly annoyed at losing more time than necessary arguing with his cousin and away from Kel.
"Oh, with me? Nothing really I'm bored," Neal was just begging for attention, "Are you busy? Good, I was hoping you weren't." He pushed past Dom without waiting for a reply and saw Kel occupying one of the chairs in his living quarters. "Oh, sorry, I didn't think."
"You rarely do, Meathead, that's why you were always in trouble with the Stump." Kel was unruffled by his appearance.
There was a calculating look on his face, "Wait a minute, is there something going on between you two?" Neal was flabbergasted as he looked, opened mouthed, from his cousin to his best friend.
They both smiled, "Yes, Meathead, weren't you listening with Dom told you he loved me, or when you told me he loved me, or when I told you I loved him?" Kel counted off the occasions of her fingers as Dom put am arm around her shoulder.
"Well, yes, but you're both so shy that I thought you'd never get the nerve to say it to each other."
"Thanks for the confidence, Meathead, good support for your cousin there." Dom chucked a pillow at Neal's head with his spare arm.
They sat talking for an hour before Kel decided that she wanted to go wash up and change before dinner. Neal waved and Dom kissed her again before shutting the door behind her retreating figure.
"You really love her, don't you?" Neal was smiling, complacent and smug in his obtained knowledge.
"Of course, Meathead, you know I'd even quit the Own for her. Or at least I would if I knew she'd take me anyways." Dom sighed, losing himself in daydreams and fantasies of his hopeful future with Kel.
"What? Are you, Domitan of Masbolle, saying you want to propose to Kel? But you only declared your love for one another hours ago!"
"Yes, I know, but we've loved each other for longer, years at least."
"That's a good point," Neal nodded, "Well, if I have to see her go to anyone, at least it's you. As long as she's in the family I can keep an eye on her." Neal reached over and, in an unusual display of affection, hugged Dom, "Good luck with her, and if you need my help you can bet I'll give it! You know where to find me." He got up and walked out the door calling, "I'll see you at dinner!"
Dom waved him off, still thinking. A few seconds later, a thought struck him, he ran into the hall, "Meathead! Hold on, come back!"
Neal turned around and jogged back to Dom's door, "What is it now?"
"I have an idea of how you can help." Dom smiled mischievously before pulling Neal back through the door way and shutting the door.
While Neal made his was to Kel's rooms, Dom headed for the Knight Commander's. He hesitated, almost wanting to run, but turned to knock on Raoul's door. It was opened seconds later and a very large man bent to hug him.
"Gods, we thought you'd left us!" Raoul was relieved to see Dom in good condition, "What took you so long to find your way here?"
"Well, to tell the truth, I may be leaving you again." Dom folded his hands behind his back to keep Raoul from seeing how much he did not want to do this.
"Please elaborate," Raoul said and pointed to an armchair.
Dom gratefully sat and explained, "You see, sir, I will have to retire from the Own if things go smoothly for the next few days."
Raoul looked puzzled and raised a brow, "You're still about as clear as mud, sergeant."
He took a breath, "I'm proposing to Kel."
Raoul surprised him with a laugh, "It's about time!" he hugged Dom again and reminded him, "I want you to know I love you like a son, but if you hurt her in any way, I swear by the power of all the gods, that you will not be able to hide from me, and you'll be digging your own grave."
Dom smiled back and the large commander, "I know sir. Trust me, I know."
Neal followed the familiar path to Kel's door, once there he yelled her name until she opened to admit him.
"What do you want, Meathead? I want to take a nap before dinner." Her voice was laced with exasperation, but she managed a smile and sat to remove her boots.
He smiled back and took a chair, "I was wondering if I could make a bet with you. See, I've been going around making bets all day. Dom's was going to be kissing you, but he didn't need the encouragement."
Kel laughed, "Fine, anything to get you out of my hair and to sleep faster, within reason of course. I won't agree to anything physically or emotionally life-scarring." Just because he was her best friend didn't mean she trusted him.
"It's not. Ok, Kel, your bet is that you have to agree with everything you're asked. But if anyone asks you to do anything wrong, or law breaking, you can say no."
"That's it?" Kel was suspicious, "Just go along with whatever anyone says?" Neal nodded, "Sounds easy enough. I might kill you if someone asks something embarrassing, but this bet of yours just seems too easy."
Neal walked out of Kel's room, 'I am brilliant!' he thought to himself before finding his way to his rooms.