A new chapter, a new beginning… not really, but for just ONCE I would like to sound profound. Is that too much to ask? I'm super psyched now, because in only a couple short hours, I'm going to go see Phantom of the Opera! Yes!!!

For Christmas, I was the ecstatic recipient of a new set of "The Protector of the Small" series. I've been diligently reading them to get another idea of the characters. My new favorite Neal line of all time is directed at Owen of Jesslaw: "You are a bloody-minded savage. I hope you are kidnapped by centaurs." Aww, you just gotta love Neal. Hearts float over my head

Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story except Sir Leighmont, who, when I think of it, sort of reminds me of Sir Myles. Which means I might not even own him…

A few days after Neal and Cleon's little brawl, they were both fully healed. Neal came to Kel's rooms one morning before breakfast to show her his new straightly healed nose.

"It's beautiful Neal," Kel stated admiringly, "it's just such a pity that the rest of you doesn't match," she teased. She was going to try to pretend their last conversation hadn't happened.

"I rather thought so too- HEY!" Neal cuffed Kel's shoulder lightly with a grin. "You're just jealous."

"Of what?"

"Of my sublime beauty Keladry dear." He stuck his nose in the air. If she was going to put it behind them, he would too. "Now if you're ready, I would like to go to breakfast. I'm simply famished!" he finished with as much dignity as he could muster while his best friend doubled over in laughter.

In the mess hall, things were a little more awkward. Neal deliberately ignored Cleon, no matter how sorry the poor redhead seemed to be. (A/N: even I have to feel sorry for him!) Kel was also silent. Roald noticed and tried to fill in the conversation.

"So, Midwinter's coming up soon," he offered, "is anyone else nervous for the banquets?"

Merric nodded. "I just know I'll drop something," he mourned.

"At least you're not serving!" Faleron exclaimed, "Master Oakbridge is terrible about these things, he's threatened to make us spend all the next Sunday afternoon practicing bows if we mess anything up!"

All of them looked over at the silent trio. They continued to look at their food, except for Cleon who kept glancing up at Kel and Neal wistfully. Roald sighed. This was ridiculous, he had to do something.

"Hey Neal? Can I talk to you in the hall for a minute?" he asked.

Neal looked up, startled. "Huh? Oh, sure." He took one last bite of his biscuit, leaving the vegetables to get cold before he followed the prince into the hall.

"Neal, what exactly is going on? Something has happened between you, Kel and Cleon, and you're not going to get over it if you're too busy making things awkward for the rest of us to talk it over."

Neal let out an exasperated sigh. "Talk it over? What is it with everyone and their stupid 'talking things over'? What if we don't want to 'talk it over'? I like it just fine the way it is, thank you very much."

"Just stop your tirade and tell me what your problem is Neal!" Roald snapped, clearly exasperated at this point.

The other simply stared for a moment. He'd never seen his friend lose his temper before. He must be pretty serious for him yell like that.

"Well, the other day…" he started, then muttered something quietly that Roald couldn't understand.

"What? Speak up," he prompted.

Again, Neal spoke something incomprehensible.

"Neal, just say it!"

"He kissed her, okay? I came out after lunch to look for Kel and I saw Cleon kissing her!"

"Oh. Well, why does it matter so much? It didn't do any harm," Roald shrugged. Then he looked at Neal's red face and understood why it bothered him. "Oh," he stated simply and emphatically.

"Yeah."

"Neal, why don't you just tell Kel? I'm sure she'll understand."

"Well the thing is, I think she already figured it out, and I don't think she understands. She's just too young too understand this kind of thing," Neal cried miserably.

The prince just gave his friend an odd smile. "Kel's older than she is. I think you may be surprised by what she may or may not understand," he said softly, and turned back into the mess hall.

Neal shook his head. Kel wouldn't understand, he knew she wouldn't. But he would try to talk over again, if it would make things better. He followed Roald back inside.

Their friends gave them odd looks as they sat back down, but nobody said anything.

The rest of the day flew by, and between fighting and classwork not finished, Kel was thoroughly exhausted by evening. She was about to go to Neal's room to study after dinner when there was a knock on her door. She opened it to see Neal standing there.

"Kel, can we talk for a minute?" he asked, not looking at her.

"Of course!" she answered, putting a hand on his shoulder as she guided him to a chair. Her hand tingled where she had touched him. "What's up?"

"You know that conversation we had the other day, after Cleon broke my nose…"

Kel frowned disapprovingly.

"I think I should tell you what really happened. I saw Cleon kiss you, and later I went and picked a fight with him, and that's why he hit me," Neal explained.

Kel was slightly confused. "Why did you pick a fight with Cleon?" she asked, knowing exactly why.

"Because Kel… I wished it was me." Neal looked up and saw a strange look on her face that he couldn't read. He took her callused hand in his bony one and tried again. "Kel, I love you."

He didn't have to guess what Kel thought of that, because she flew to her feet, pulling him with her and kissed him. Neal was shocked for a moment, but quickly kissed her in return, wrapping lanky arms around her back. She wrapped hers around his neck. Then Neal broke off.

"So I guess that means you love me too?" he grinned.

Kel laughed. "Of course, you fool!" and promptly started kissing him again. The thoughts flew through her head like lightning. I can't believe I'm kissing Neal! Was that really me that kissed him? What if someone sees?

Her last thought came true as they heard a series of wolf whistles and whoops coming from the doorway. She and Neal jerked apart, faces bright red. Kel quickly shooed a grinning Neal into the mass of cheering boys in the hallway and shut the door. After her friends had retreated to Neal's room to study, she leaned against her door, breathing hard, with her hands against her lips. It seemed impossible, too good to be true. 'Neal loves me!'ran through her head again and again. She let the giddiness inside her take over as she collapsed in a fit of helpless giggles, pinching herself to make sure it wasn't a dream. After Kel had calmed down sufficiently, she brushed her hair, adjusted her clothes, made sure her face wasn't too red, and started off for Neal's room to join the study group.

Gods only know what'll happen once I get there! She smiled to herself and quickened her stride.

After the rest of the boys had crowded into Neal's room to study, Roald stopped Neal outside the door. "So from the looks of things I guess you 'talked it over' with Kel?" he grinned.

Neal's eyes were bright as he laughingly punched his friend in the shoulder and they joined the others in the room.

Yay! Finally, they're together! I'm quite a bit jealous of Kel. So how'd you like that one? Review! Review!