You're Still You
Characters belong to Tamora Pierce
Song Belongs to Josh Groban
Through the darkness
I can see your light
"I feel like I know you. Call me Dom."
Dom had thought he did know her pretty well. Little did he realize there was more to her than anything even Meathead could describe.
And you will always shine
And I can feel your heart in mine
He knew the moment she touched him that memorable night. A connection was made and would stay with him until his dieing breath.
Your face I've memorized
I idolize just you
Dom looked up into the fire, and all he could see was her face, resting in the crisp flames. He'd courted many other ladies, even made some fall in love with him, and now his toying with their hearts had come back to haunt him: the only one he wanted could never be his.
I look up to Everything you are
In my eyes you do no wrong
Something caught Dom's eye. As he looked up he saw the face he had seen in the fire and he looked once more upon the head that he had long ago memorized line for line and look for look. He frowned to himself, cursing Cleon for his getting to her before he had thought to. If I had realized sooner he thought, angry with himself. He jammed a fist down on the log and was startled to hear Kel speak.
"Alright, I guess I won't be sitting there, considering someone has a temper." She said quickly and started laughing. "I wasn't angry, I was just wishing I could have been the one to bring down Maggot, so come on over here, there's room enough for a girl and her strange bird." Dom continued, "Why are they looking so funny?" "I have no idea. Nari, is anything wrong?" When the bird just cocked its head towards the woods and made the sign for 'friend', Kel decided that it just saw a scout and reported that to Dom, who nodded.
I've loved You for so long
And after all is said and done
You're still you
After all
You're still you
Kel and Dom talked for about half an hour, remembering when she was a squire and finding out what they would do when they got back to Corus, which was only a few more days south.
"You know Raoul got the King to lift the ban on marriage in the Own-at least for the higher commanders for now, soon probably it will be lifted completely." "How'd he get that to happen?" Kel asked, trying not to look ecstatic. "I think he enlisted the queen to 'persuade' him." He replied with a wicked gleam in his eye.
"So have you chosen your bride yet?" Kel asked, trying to keep her tone light. "In fact I have," he replied, "I think I'll try for a Lady Knight." "Ummm, Dom I might be wrong but I think the Lioness might be taken." Kel stated, keeping her head down. She was surprised when he took her hands in his. "You know the one I mean Kel."
You walk past me
I can feel your pain
"I can't-" Kel whispered. "It's Cleon isn't it? I knew I shouldn't have said anything." Dom replied sadly. "No! No! We were over before I was at Haven." She replied hastily, "I just don't know if I-if I-oh I just don't know anything anymore!"
"I can-and will wait then." Dom whispered.
Time changes everything One truth always stays the same You're still you After all You're still you
"Dom I do want to have a relationship-I think. Just let me get things sorted out in my brain." Kel articulated slowly.
I look up to Everything you are
In my eyes you do no wrong
Kel looked up to see if he got the message. The instant their eyes met, time froze. Kel could see all that Dom was feeling and she knew he could see every fault, lie, or anything she had ever done. The gaze held for seconds until they snapped back into reality. The second they were back they looked down and burst out laughing at their own folly.
"Would either of you care to tell me what's going on here, or should I just get one of the entire third company hiding in the bushes back there to explain?"
And I believe in you although you never asked me to
Kel's jaw dropped, but was quickly shut and replaced by her Yamani mask at the news her former knight-master brought to her attention. Dom looked equally shocked; they heard chuckles. "Well," Raoul asked, unabashed.
"We were just talking about Meathead's wedding." Dom said overenthusiastically. "Yeah. Right," proclaimed a bush. More snickers followed.
I will remember you
And what life put you through
"Well, I'm tired and I give up on finding out from you. Come on boys," Raoul said, and one by one, each member of the third company walked to their tents, winking and jeering at the two as they walked by. Lerant had a wicked smile on his face and the two knew they'd be tormented for a long time for the recent fireside chat.
"That was the most embarrassing thing I have ever been through in my entire life!" Kel whispered as she realized she and Dom had been holding hands the whole time, "We'll talk about this later-in private!"
"Can I walk you to you're tent?" Dom asked and Kel nodded.
And in this cruel and lonely world
I found one love
As they approached the tent, conveniently located in the center of camp Dom thought wearily, he stopped Kel. "I know you aren't ready, but please, just think about us." He whispered and then pulled her to him and kissed her square on the mouth. She was surprised at first, but started kissing back after she realized what was happening.
You're still you
After all
They broke apart to the cheering from every tent in camp. Dom whispered so only Kel could hear, "Think about us." and walked away. He was sure he heard "I love you, Dom." as he was heading towards his tent, and he started grinning. As he walked to his own tent, he got friendly slaps on the legs from his comrades in tents, but he didn't notice. He was too happy about the night.
You're still you