Okay, okay. I will TRY to get Kel more…What's the word…IC? I decided to blame her former OOCness on the Frosted Flakes (note in the chapter two Neal mentioned his dear friend got hyper on sugar) I promise, she will be a bit more Kel from now on.

You know what my new favorite name for a boy is? Dante. Isn't that cool? I love, absolutely adore the name Dante. It's so…exotic.

Anyways, I hope you like this chapter (you better, because it has JOREN in it!!)

::twitch twitch:: Which reminds me…oceanspike, Joren is MINE!! MINEMINEMINEMINEMINE!! I married him first!! I screwed him first!! I - okay, enough of that. .;;

Now, for the chappie you've all been waiting for…

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A man stalked down the whitewashed hallways. His fists were clenched tightly at his sides; his ice-cold eyes spit dangerous and malicious sparks. For all his apparent fury he still managed to appear collected and elegant, a quality inherited from his mother's side.

Bursting - gracefully, nonetheless - through the double doors, Joren Stone-Mountain paused and shrewdly scanned the large lobby for whom he was looking for. Raoul Goldenpeak leaned casually against the desk, flirting shamelessly with the secretary, who, by all appearances, was at least twice his senior. The exceedingly large man captured the blue-eyed glare and straightened, grinning handsomely as he made his way toward the younger man and leaving a flustered blue-haired elder in his wake.

"Joren, my boy," Raoul greeted, slapping the pale man on his back. "It's good to see you again. Where've you been keeping yourself?"

"Away," Joren said curtly. "What's the nature of this summons?"

Raoul raised his eyebrows. "My assistant gave you no details?"

"He outlined it," the man replied coolly. "Simply saying that my service was needed for a stalked woman."

"I know I trained him better than that," his superior said dryly. "Damn Lerant, I need to get him over that." He sighed despairingly. "Were you given any names?"

"No."

Raoul threw his hands up in the air, rolling his dark eyes. "The woman's name is Keladry Mindelan. Apparently her roommate - one Nealan Queenscove - received a letter meant for her. In it was enclosed rather disturbing words, stating that she was being watched. I'm figuring either she or her roommate got nervous. So - they hired you."

"Me specifically?"

"They requested one of the top bodyguards in the agency."

"And you pulled me out of retirement for it," Joren finished coldly.

The older man shifted uncomfortably, although his expression remained cordial and pleasant. "Correction. You were never retired, however hard your big head tries to tell you otherwise. You just rose so far up in the ranks, you were only used for the most important matters. There are others better suited for a job like this. I just figured it was time to polish you up some."

"And if I refuse?"

Those black eyes turned cold. "You will be fired from the agency without payment."

Joren blinked. "You can't do that."

"Like hell I can't," Raoul said graciously. "You refused an assignment, given to you by your superior and chief officer? That's a cause for punishment."

Joren remained silent, though his pale blue eyes told a story of hate. "Fine."

"I knew you'd see it my way," Raoul said sweetly. "I have called Miss Keladry, and she will be here with Mister Nealan soon as possible. I have some regulations to set."

Just then, the doors to the lobby leading outside slammed open, and a couple stepped inside, bickering all the while.

The woman appeared to be a cool-headed chick, for all she had a barely noticeable nose ring, and her shoulder-length brown hair was disheveled shamefully. A curtain of ridiculously long, curling lashes hid her eye color. She was not fat, but her built was muscular, and she was tall - just an inch shy of Joren himself. The slim, lanky man was as tall as him, his light brown hair long and waving, his emerald-colored eyes clear without a touch of hazel.

Closer, Joren noticed that the woman's nose was small and delicate, freckles splattered lightly across it, her mouth delightfully full. The man's nose was thin and long, his mouth long and bow-shaped. He was handsome, a real looker that no doubt drew the eye of many a woman…the chick was not another Daine Sarrasri, but she was not a hag.

"I take it you are - " Raoul began.

"- I'm telling you, Conte is the president!"

"He can't be! Conte died in the Immortals War!"

"That was his GRANDFATHER, you stupid dolt!"

"I am not stupid," the woman, presumably Keladry Mindelan, argued. "You're stupider!"

"I am not!" Nealan yelled.

"You are too, you piece of swamp fungus!"

"There's no such thing as that!"

"There is too!"

"Is - "

"Shut up!"

They both quieted, and Joren sighed, grateful for the blessed silence. Before they started to argue again, he continued on. "I take it you are Keladry Mindelan and Nealan Queenscove?"

"Yes," Keladry replied. "And you're Joren Stone-Mountain, right?"

"Yes. I'm your bodyguard."

Raoul cut in. "I called for you today so you can learn the rules. Mister Nealan - "

"Neal."

"Neal," Raoul agreed. "I wanted you to come so you can help us act it all out. You see, I think it best if the stalker did not know Stone-Mountain was a bodyguard. So…we need to give him a disguise. He will act as your boyfriend in public, but will be alert the whole time."

Joren was too stunned to protest, but once the shock wore off he seethed behind a mask that said he knew all about it. He glanced at the Mindelan woman, surprised to find her face carefully blank and tranquil. Neal, however, snorted gleefully and nudged her.

"Look at that, Kel!" he cried sweetly. "You finally have a boyfriend."

Her calm façade dropped as she glared over at him. "I've had boyfriends before."

"Well, that Kennan lawyer. But that ended quick. He sued you. You liked Dom for a while, he liked you, and then you guys just totally drifted away - "

"Neal, shut up, before I post those pictures of you at Josiane's party all over Corus."

"Yes, Mother," he agreed meekly.

"Now," Raoul continued to Keladry, "Stone-Mountain is to make clear that you two are together. Occasionally flirt with someone else, lure the stalker out. Nothing will upset him more than to see his love be used."

Keladry winced.

"But be as devoted as possible. Act like you love her. And Keladry - you have to appear as devoted and loving. Neal can casually mention his roommate has a boyfriend to a couple people, make it known."

The three of them nodded their agreement.

Raoul waved his hand. "You are dismissed."