Kel awoke to the smell of lunch. Dom was standing next to her with a tray
of food in his hands.
"Hungry?"
"I'm starved," said Kel, her mouth practically drooling. Healings left her hungry and a big one like this left her v-e-r-y hungry.
"I am under the strictest orders from Neal, Merric, Owen and Tobe to make sure that you eat all your vegetables, even if you are sick. "I'm also to ask you if payback sucks?" joked Dom.
"They act like I don't like most of my vegetables," said Kel.
A bowl of potato soup, bread and a plate of mixed greens sat on the tray. Before Kel could even ask, Dom handed her a glass of water.
"You read my mind," she said before draining it down. Sleeping and healing made her thirsty. While Dom refilled her water Kel dug into her lunch. When she got to the mixed greens she realized what her friends had meant by payback. It was one of the nastiest dishes she had ever tasted.
"Dom, what is this?" she sputtered.
"Neal mixed in some herbs to help you heal. What's the matter, don't you like it?" he teased.
"Kel shuddered and forced herself to take another bite. When she had finished, Dom moved the tray and sat down on the edge of her bed.
"How are you feeling," he asked.
"Fine, just sleepy," she said. Looking into his bright blue eyes made her stomach do flip-flops. "And confused."
"About us?" said the Sergeant as he raised his eyebrow.
Kel nodded and Dom let out a big sigh of relief.
"I am too, he said. "I just didn't want to bring it up until you were feeling better.......... I care about you Kel. I was worried last night."
"I care about you too Dom. And I was worried myself."
A million thoughts went through Kel's head....he'd never expect her to stop being a knight, even if he was worried. That was something nice about Dom. Whatever they might feel for each other she would also be a warrior. But then they would both be on the road so much, how could they be together? Did he really want to be together? Or was she one of his party flings....but then they were friends, and although Dom was a tremendous flirt, he'd never hurt anyone...... ...her thoughts were interrupted with a kiss. It felt so good to be kissed. She leaned in to it and felt herself relax. She had never been able to relax with Cleon because circumstances had forced them to try to hide the relationship. After the reception, everyone would have figured out that something was going on between the two of them, so there was no point in trying to hide this...
One thing still nagged at her though.
"Dom, what are we? What is this?"
"This is... happy," he said as he touched her cheek. "Kel, I've had feelings for you for a while now. I just never did anything because I didn't want it to complicate things. Turns out it's more complicated to try to ignore your feelings than it is to express them. You start hitting people at parties and getting into sword fights at random hours of the night...."
Kel couldn't help it, she blushed. Until last night she had never been in a "damsel in distress" type situation. She used to think she'd hate being so helpless, but considering she had held her own with her dagger it didn't really bother her that Dom taken the part of the protective rescuer.
"What will we do when we are on the road?" she asked. "Between the Own and a knight's duties were not going to be able to see its other all the time."
"Buri and Raoul did it," he said. The fact that he had named two people she respected, as well as a couple that had succeeded relaxed her fears a little. Still it had been hard to be away from Cleon. It would be harder to be away from Dom.
"So we're "happy" then," she said.
"Happy Kel."
Dom lay down next to her and she laid her head on his shoulder. One arm was around her waist and the other behind her neck. She listened to his heart beat for a few seconds and drifted off into another deep sleep brought on by her healing.
----------------------------------
When she woke up it was still light outside. Barely. She was still laying in Dom's arms only somehow he'd managed to get the blanket over them with out her waking up. Kel turned her head to look at his face. He was so peaceful when he slept. Gods he was handsome... Ironically, just as she was thinking that he began to snore. Kel couldn't help it, she let out a giggle.
After years on the Road with the Own, she had thought Dom to be able to sleep through anything. Apparently she was wrong because he opened his eyes and wrapped his arms around her. He was so warm! Until today Kel had never really "cuddled" in anyone's arms before. It was nice to lay down and be held. Dom leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. If she hadn't been melting before, she was melting now. Kel leaned in and kissed him back. They lay in that embrace for almost half an hour, softly kissing before they pulled apart.
Kel's lips were trembling. She had never felt like this in her life. She couldn't have even imagined that she could feel like this. The way he held her when he kissed her was so gentle. She liked it. And he looked into her eyes when he spoke to her. Cleon had never been able to. Kel had never been so close or as susceptible to someone in her life as she was now. Almost instinctively she began to put on her Yamani face. Just as she was about to take a deep breathe she caught herself. She didn't need her Yamani face with Dom. What was she doing? Dom must have noticed her change from Yamani back to relaxed because he raised his eyebrows.
"Kel?"
"I know I started to put on my blank face," she said. They both sat up in the bed- Kel a little more stiffly than Dom. "I'm so used to it that I don't even think about it. But I don't want to wear it around you. I feel safe with you." She had never made herself to vulnerable to someone.
Dom looked into Kel's eyes and smiled. "I'm not going to hurt you Kel. I'm your partner in the field and off. There's no guarantee on anything we do when we go out there. You're my guarantee. No matter what we have to go out there and face, were going to have each other. What's the use of this life if you can't have some kind of happiness?
"I love you Dom." She couldn't help it; she had just blurted it out before she even realized what she was saying. Calling her self ten kinds of idiot she started to explain. Dom interrupted her before she could get a single word out.
"I love you too Kel."
That night Kel slept in Dom's arms, enjoying for the first time the feeling of being in love. And for the first time since the Yamani Islands she left feelings unguarded.
----------------------------------------------
Lalasa found the two curled up together the next morning. Despite the fact that both were wearing clothes she let out a little yelp. As if on reflex the couple sat up and reached for weapons that were not on them. This was a mistake for Kel, as the first thing she did was reach for her side and grab a handful of stitches. Her eyes began to water and she nearly choked in pain. Dom moved to help her lay down as he smiled nervously at Kel's former maid. "We, uh fell asleep," he stammered.
Lalasa just smiled back. "Your mother is bringing a Kimono robe for you to wear today. She thinks that it won't rub your wound so much as a normal dress would. Sir Nealan wants to check your wounds again, but he says that if you are still you will be able to go to the luncheon today for new couple."
Kel had completely forgotten that Roald and Shinko had planned a private lunch with their friends that Monday. The wedding was going to be so huge that the couple had wanted a special day to celebrate with only their closest friends, and no diplomats or elbow rubbing nobles.
Dom was rubbing his eyes and yawning. "I guess I had better go check in with the real world and see if Raoul has something for me to do."
"Raoul's going to be at the lunch. When Roald and Yuki first met they were really nervous around each other. He helped them relax by sharing battle stories," explained Kel.
"Well then I guess I will be catching up on paper work."
"Come with me Dom," she said. "No one is going to care. Besides, I don't want to be away from you right now. "Kel grabbed his hand and squeezed.
Lalasa faked a cough to remind them that she was still in the room.
"If I'm going with you then I'll need to change and shave," he said. "I'll be back in an hour?" he asked.
Kel nodded.
"And you're sure no one will mind me coming?"
Kel nodded again. With a lingering kiss and a touch on the cheek he was out the door.
"So," said Lalasa. She had a teasing smile on her face. "Care to tell me a story milady?".......
Well, 80 hours of work on this paycheck ruined my idea of having the story finished by the end of June. I tried to write some tonight and I'm afraid I couldn't get much out. I'll update again soon. Meanwhile I have to get up and coach in 5 hours....
"Hungry?"
"I'm starved," said Kel, her mouth practically drooling. Healings left her hungry and a big one like this left her v-e-r-y hungry.
"I am under the strictest orders from Neal, Merric, Owen and Tobe to make sure that you eat all your vegetables, even if you are sick. "I'm also to ask you if payback sucks?" joked Dom.
"They act like I don't like most of my vegetables," said Kel.
A bowl of potato soup, bread and a plate of mixed greens sat on the tray. Before Kel could even ask, Dom handed her a glass of water.
"You read my mind," she said before draining it down. Sleeping and healing made her thirsty. While Dom refilled her water Kel dug into her lunch. When she got to the mixed greens she realized what her friends had meant by payback. It was one of the nastiest dishes she had ever tasted.
"Dom, what is this?" she sputtered.
"Neal mixed in some herbs to help you heal. What's the matter, don't you like it?" he teased.
"Kel shuddered and forced herself to take another bite. When she had finished, Dom moved the tray and sat down on the edge of her bed.
"How are you feeling," he asked.
"Fine, just sleepy," she said. Looking into his bright blue eyes made her stomach do flip-flops. "And confused."
"About us?" said the Sergeant as he raised his eyebrow.
Kel nodded and Dom let out a big sigh of relief.
"I am too, he said. "I just didn't want to bring it up until you were feeling better.......... I care about you Kel. I was worried last night."
"I care about you too Dom. And I was worried myself."
A million thoughts went through Kel's head....he'd never expect her to stop being a knight, even if he was worried. That was something nice about Dom. Whatever they might feel for each other she would also be a warrior. But then they would both be on the road so much, how could they be together? Did he really want to be together? Or was she one of his party flings....but then they were friends, and although Dom was a tremendous flirt, he'd never hurt anyone...... ...her thoughts were interrupted with a kiss. It felt so good to be kissed. She leaned in to it and felt herself relax. She had never been able to relax with Cleon because circumstances had forced them to try to hide the relationship. After the reception, everyone would have figured out that something was going on between the two of them, so there was no point in trying to hide this...
One thing still nagged at her though.
"Dom, what are we? What is this?"
"This is... happy," he said as he touched her cheek. "Kel, I've had feelings for you for a while now. I just never did anything because I didn't want it to complicate things. Turns out it's more complicated to try to ignore your feelings than it is to express them. You start hitting people at parties and getting into sword fights at random hours of the night...."
Kel couldn't help it, she blushed. Until last night she had never been in a "damsel in distress" type situation. She used to think she'd hate being so helpless, but considering she had held her own with her dagger it didn't really bother her that Dom taken the part of the protective rescuer.
"What will we do when we are on the road?" she asked. "Between the Own and a knight's duties were not going to be able to see its other all the time."
"Buri and Raoul did it," he said. The fact that he had named two people she respected, as well as a couple that had succeeded relaxed her fears a little. Still it had been hard to be away from Cleon. It would be harder to be away from Dom.
"So we're "happy" then," she said.
"Happy Kel."
Dom lay down next to her and she laid her head on his shoulder. One arm was around her waist and the other behind her neck. She listened to his heart beat for a few seconds and drifted off into another deep sleep brought on by her healing.
----------------------------------
When she woke up it was still light outside. Barely. She was still laying in Dom's arms only somehow he'd managed to get the blanket over them with out her waking up. Kel turned her head to look at his face. He was so peaceful when he slept. Gods he was handsome... Ironically, just as she was thinking that he began to snore. Kel couldn't help it, she let out a giggle.
After years on the Road with the Own, she had thought Dom to be able to sleep through anything. Apparently she was wrong because he opened his eyes and wrapped his arms around her. He was so warm! Until today Kel had never really "cuddled" in anyone's arms before. It was nice to lay down and be held. Dom leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. If she hadn't been melting before, she was melting now. Kel leaned in and kissed him back. They lay in that embrace for almost half an hour, softly kissing before they pulled apart.
Kel's lips were trembling. She had never felt like this in her life. She couldn't have even imagined that she could feel like this. The way he held her when he kissed her was so gentle. She liked it. And he looked into her eyes when he spoke to her. Cleon had never been able to. Kel had never been so close or as susceptible to someone in her life as she was now. Almost instinctively she began to put on her Yamani face. Just as she was about to take a deep breathe she caught herself. She didn't need her Yamani face with Dom. What was she doing? Dom must have noticed her change from Yamani back to relaxed because he raised his eyebrows.
"Kel?"
"I know I started to put on my blank face," she said. They both sat up in the bed- Kel a little more stiffly than Dom. "I'm so used to it that I don't even think about it. But I don't want to wear it around you. I feel safe with you." She had never made herself to vulnerable to someone.
Dom looked into Kel's eyes and smiled. "I'm not going to hurt you Kel. I'm your partner in the field and off. There's no guarantee on anything we do when we go out there. You're my guarantee. No matter what we have to go out there and face, were going to have each other. What's the use of this life if you can't have some kind of happiness?
"I love you Dom." She couldn't help it; she had just blurted it out before she even realized what she was saying. Calling her self ten kinds of idiot she started to explain. Dom interrupted her before she could get a single word out.
"I love you too Kel."
That night Kel slept in Dom's arms, enjoying for the first time the feeling of being in love. And for the first time since the Yamani Islands she left feelings unguarded.
----------------------------------------------
Lalasa found the two curled up together the next morning. Despite the fact that both were wearing clothes she let out a little yelp. As if on reflex the couple sat up and reached for weapons that were not on them. This was a mistake for Kel, as the first thing she did was reach for her side and grab a handful of stitches. Her eyes began to water and she nearly choked in pain. Dom moved to help her lay down as he smiled nervously at Kel's former maid. "We, uh fell asleep," he stammered.
Lalasa just smiled back. "Your mother is bringing a Kimono robe for you to wear today. She thinks that it won't rub your wound so much as a normal dress would. Sir Nealan wants to check your wounds again, but he says that if you are still you will be able to go to the luncheon today for new couple."
Kel had completely forgotten that Roald and Shinko had planned a private lunch with their friends that Monday. The wedding was going to be so huge that the couple had wanted a special day to celebrate with only their closest friends, and no diplomats or elbow rubbing nobles.
Dom was rubbing his eyes and yawning. "I guess I had better go check in with the real world and see if Raoul has something for me to do."
"Raoul's going to be at the lunch. When Roald and Yuki first met they were really nervous around each other. He helped them relax by sharing battle stories," explained Kel.
"Well then I guess I will be catching up on paper work."
"Come with me Dom," she said. "No one is going to care. Besides, I don't want to be away from you right now. "Kel grabbed his hand and squeezed.
Lalasa faked a cough to remind them that she was still in the room.
"If I'm going with you then I'll need to change and shave," he said. "I'll be back in an hour?" he asked.
Kel nodded.
"And you're sure no one will mind me coming?"
Kel nodded again. With a lingering kiss and a touch on the cheek he was out the door.
"So," said Lalasa. She had a teasing smile on her face. "Care to tell me a story milady?".......
Well, 80 hours of work on this paycheck ruined my idea of having the story finished by the end of June. I tried to write some tonight and I'm afraid I couldn't get much out. I'll update again soon. Meanwhile I have to get up and coach in 5 hours....