Finally, winter break! A week and a half of time for me, me, me! I'm so happy I think I'll write another chapter. I asked for some story suggestions, and most people said I should start with Neal waking up. I think that's a pretty good idea. I'm also following NamirKitten's advice a bit, thanks!

Disclaimer: I disclaim everything. Unless Sir Leighmont shows up. Cuz he's mine.

The first thing Neal became aware of was a dull, throbbing pain in his head. Next came the soft bed and infirmary around him. He groaned and squinted his eyes against the bright light.

"Oh, Neal, you're finally awake!" Kel said, sitting up in the chair beside his bed where she had been dozing. "What happened?"

Neal frowned. The last thing he wanted to do was admit that he had been fighting over her. He pushed himself up so he was leaning back against the headboard. "Nothing," he said.

"Nothing, Neal? Cleon dragged you here despite the fact that he had three broken ribs, and you've been out cold for almost 8 hours, not to mention your face!"

"What's wrong with my face?" Neal asked indignantly.

"See for yourself," and Kel handed him a hand mirror from the bedside table.

Neal shrank back in horror. His whole upper face was a swollen mass of purple bruises. The nose in the center of his face was bent at a grotesque angle, giving him a lopsided look. "I'm… hideous!" he gasped.

Kel nodded grimly. We cleaned up the blood, but as your father is with Lord Wyldon helping with the bandits and he's the only healer we have that's strong enough, there's not much else we can do."

"I'll heal myself," Neal stated, and started to summon his gift, but it wouldn't come. He was too exhausted. "But you did say Cleon had three broken ribs, right?" He said, brightening. At least he had done some good- or harm, that is. "Where is he?"

Kel looked annoyed. "We put him on the other end of the hall. We thought it best that you two were separated. Why are you so happy he's hurt anyway? Neal, what is your problem?"

"He deserved it…"

"What?"

"He, he, you know what he did!"

"Neal, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"The idiot kissed you!"

Kel was shocked, then embarrassed. Neal had seen that? "So you try to kill him?!"

"Kel, it's complicated, you wouldn't understand."

"Try me."

"NO! Just drop it, okay?"

Angry and frustrated, Kel shoved herself back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. Why did Neal care if Cleon kissed her anyway? It really wasn't any of his business who she liked. But she didn't really like Cleon, not in that way at least. She was in love with impossible Neal. "Neal," she continued in a forced calm tone, "If I caught you being kissed by one of those silly court girls you're constantly writing poetry to, I wouldn't try to pull her hair out," I'd be jealous though, she added in her head.

Then the comprehension dawned over her like a veil being lifted. She looked over at him. He was looking away from her, shoulders hunched up defensively and his distorted face twisted into a scowl. "Neal… Are you jealous?" she asked softly and incredulously.

Neal colored and looked down. "Of course not! That's stupid. I… I was just worried about him, uh, using you or something…"

"I don't like Cleon that way, you know," she said, looking at him shyly. His face lit up and he tried to hide it.

"Kel-"

He was interrupted by a plump nurse who bustled over saying, "Page Keladry, I'm afraid you'll have to be leaving now, It's awful late and these boys need their rest."

"Of course ma'am," Kel replied. And with one last wistful glance at her friend, she left the infirmary.

Neal wanted to kick himself. How could he have been so stupid and obvious? Now she knows… I saw that look on her face. I just screwed everything up. I'll never be able to look her in the face again. And my face! My beautiful, beautiful face! It's ruined. He continued thinking negative thoughts to himself.

Out in the hallway, Kel was having a slightly better reaction to her discovery. He was jealous. Does that mean…? I can't believe this. Could Neal really love me? She grinned to herself, and practically started skipping back to her rooms. Until in her glee, she didn't look where she was going and ran, quite literally, into Joren.

"What the hell are you doing, you damned lump?" he snapped at her. "Running around like one diseased, no wonder they don't let worthless girls in here! You're mad." He shoved her.

Kel stepped back. For once, she really didn't want to fight. But he wasn't flanked by his stupid cronies this time. She might actually have a chance at winning this one. Without another thought, she shoved him back so hard he stumbled and almost fell. With a roar, he lunged at her and they toppled onto the floor, snarling and flailing at each other like wild animals.

"What is the meaning of this?" demanded a tired but stern voice. They both froze and looked up. Kel's gaze met a firm green one, not unlike Neal's own. Duke Baird looked unhappily down at the disheveled pair below him. "Keladry, Joren, will you please pick yourselves up and go to your rooms? I'll have to tell Lord Wyldon about this unsightly behavior."

Joren left with a disgusted glance at both of them.

Kel lingered, "Sir, I have to tell you, Neal's in the infirmary, he's got an awful broken nose, and Cleon's cracked a few ribs. We couldn't do much but clean them up, I'm afraid, because none of the nurses knew how to straighten a nose, and we were positive Neal wouldn't want to be healed with a crooked nose."

Neal's father gave Kel a troubled smile. "Thank you, I'll go see to him now."

As Kel walked away, she thought she heard him mutter, "I leave for just a couple days, and this?"

Aaah. So Kel has an inkling about Neal's motive for trying to crush Cleon. Of course we all want to crush Cleon though, he tried to steal Kel from Neal! Even I, a fellow redhead, cannot forgive him for that. But Neal's all embarrassed, poor sweet guy! Oooh, guess what time it is? REVIEW TIME! YAY!