Disclaimer: Anything you recognize, I don't own. Anything you don't, is mine…which I think is only the plot…

DEDICATED TO NOLEE, BECAUSE WHORE'S ROX MY SOX! JK. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, MY GOOD FRIEND!

After dinner, Kel was busy practicing her glaive, when a knock on the door interrupted her. She frowned in confusion at who it would be, but then remembered that she had told Zahir to come by so they could talk. For some reason, the thought of Zahir made chills go down her spine. Stop it, she scolded herself. I need to be able to speak with him without stuttering like an idiot. She walked over to the door and opened it.

"Hello, Zahir," she said, letting him into her room. The handsome Bazhir brushed past her gently and into her room. She led him to her bed, where she sat down. He sat beside her.

"Kel, I-" he started.

"Zahir-" she began at the same time. They both stopped and looked at each other. Finally, Zahir continued.

"Keladry, I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I had no right. After all, you are one of Tortall's greatest knights," Kel blushed, but Zahir didn't seem to notice, even though his eyes were on her face the whole time. "I didn't mean for you to give up everything, its just that my tribe will expect you to dress and act like a 'proper' woman," he said. Kel spoke up before he could continue.

"Zahir, I apologize for the way I acted. I shouldn't have been so harsh. I was overly generous when I said that I didn't do womanly things. I wear a kimono every once in a while, and sometimes I even wear face paint. This, however, isn't very often, because of my line of work. Our line of work," she corrected herself. Zahir opened his mouth, but Kel cut him off. "I know that you're tribe will expect me to do things like wear a veal, but I won't do that Zahir. I can't. Plus, you and I both will be out, fighting. So you can see, I can't be the kind of wife that sits around, cooking, sewing, and so forth. Most of the time when we're home, I will do that, but I can't promise that I'll be good at it." At this comment, Zahir smiled.

"Okay," he said. "Truce." Kel grinned. Suddenly his smile faded, and he leaned towards her. Kel's eyes widened, but she unconsciously moved towards him also. Their lips met for a brief moment, but then Zahir pulled away. He searched her eyes for a second, before capturing her lips again. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and his went around her waist, pulling her closer. When Kel felt his tongue softly outline her lips, she opened her mouth. Zahir's tongue flew in, and she nipped at it playfully. Zahir responded by pulling her towards the bed. He put his mouth on her neck, and began to suck. Kel arched her neck for better access.

They were interrupted when Kel's door flew open, and there stood Dom. Kel looked like a deer caught in the headlights, whereas Zahir merely glared.

"Don't you ever knock?" he asked, a slight edge to his voice.

"Don't you ever breath?" Dom spat, glaring at both of them.

"I'm sorry, but I missed the part where you were allowed to open people's doors without knocking."

"Oh shut up, you son of a-"

"Stop it!" Kel screeched. "Go. Just…go," she said. Dom glared once more at Zahir, the promptly turned and left. Zahir glanced at Kel. "Yes, you too. Leave, please." Zahir searched her eyes for a second, then got up and left, softly closing the door. Kel put her head in her hands. What have I gotten myself into? She asked herself. There was a knock on the door. Please don't let it be them, she thought, before getting up and opening the door. Neal stood there, looking bored.

"Hello, sweetling," he joked, before going into Kel's room. He noticed the bed was rumpled. "What happened? Did you have a nightmare?" he asked. Kel decided that Neal didn't have to know the truth.

"Yeah, I did. Thanks for waking me up," she said, biting her tongue. She hated lying.

"No problemo," Neal said, ruffling her affectionately. "You want to talk about it? Sometimes when you talk about it, it makes you feel better. Or I could put a sleeping spell on you," he said. Kel shook her head.

"Its okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Positive?" Kel sighed.

"Yes, Neal, I'm positive."

"'Only fools are positive.'" Neal quoted.

"You're crazy," Kel said. Neal snorted.

"Crazy? I used to be crazy. They locked me up to die. Die? I don't wanna die. The mice might get me. Mice? I don't like mice. They drive me crazy. Crazy? I us-"

"That's ENOUGH," Kel said. Neal looked sheepish. "Why are you here, anyway?" Kel asked. Neal looked indignant.

"What is this? I can't come and visit my friend?" Kel made no move to respond to his foolishness. She just stared at him, until he grinned. "Ok, ok, there is something. Yuki is going to the Yamani Isles for a week because her grandfather died, so she'll miss your birthday. She didn't know him that well, but I can still tell she's sad. I can't go because I might be called for battle. Anyways, she doesn't want to miss your birthday, so she's gonna come later this night. Okay?" Neal took a breath. Kel raised an eyebrow. She had forgotten that her birthday was this week. In two days, to be exact.

Shit, she thought. Neal turned to go.

"Oh, and Kel. You got a bruise on your neck. I don't think I can heal it for…certain reasons. Anyway, you might want to cover it up with a scarf or something. Ta-ta." He waved as he left. Kel rushed to the bathroom, and looked in the mirror. On the side of her neck, was a very visible hickey. Her gasp could be heard through the halls.

A/N: YAY! I DID FLUFF! THAT'S A FUN WORD:FLUFF. FLUFF, FLUFF, FLUFF…THAT'S ENOUGH. OOOHHHH…CAPS LOCK. HE-HE. I'M TO LAZY TO TAKE IT OFF! HA HA. WOAH. I'M HYPER! OFF GOES DA CAPS LOCK! Much better….ok, time to thank my LOVELY reviewers!

Nolee: you're so weird. Do you know that in your review you bounce from subject to subject? Idiot. :::sighs::: y do you ALWAYS have to have your acknowledge thingy the biggest? Isn't it ENOUGH that I go and dedicate the chapter to you? huh? Obviously not. Harrumph. Whore. Bitch. Jk.

Vicky: I love your name. I'm going to call you vickster from now on. Eh? Of course you love me! Who doesn't? Don't answer that if you're reading this, Nolee!

Kaz: this IS the same Nolee that we're talking about, right? We BOTH know that she's weird. This shouldn't surprise you…

Sammy: NOT DA FORK! EEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVIIIIIIIIILLLLLLL! Well, I have a spoon, so NYAH!

Mystic Moon Empress: thanks lots. Hope you enjoy this chappie.

Pinky: BACK OFF! ZAHIR'S MINE!

Sora Icefreeze: plz DO write one! I want to start a new trend 'member?

Gwenny: No, I am NOT happy…jk.

Darkmoonlit: I can love him! :::sighs dreamily:::

Angel: you're weird…

Mepb: where did you go?

Allimba: okay, thanks.

Sexy Sephiroth Stalker: the fluff bunny shall take over da world! Mwahahahahaha….

christiangrl247 : I have fluffed…

dragon shadows: to be honest, I'm kinda disappointed in this chappie…

ossini: Zahir is MINE!

BST: okie dokie!

Kore Yan: I've updated!

FanFictionFantom: thanks. Broccoli is VERY good, and spinach is too!

Hidden Relevance: oh YEAH! I love hott, foreign men!

Moonlit Wanderer:as you can see, I chose the update! Lol.

Lynsi: No, the rating's not gonna get bumped up…if u want THAT go to my other fic, One Knight Stand.

PsychoLioness13: it doesn't matter! Just do it! Like nike!

Kiwi: o…k….riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight….:::backs away::: jk!

DestinyHunter:w/e! he's still HOTT!

BB: one word: FOOL.

Anya: hey! Only 4 more thank you's! :::ahem:::sorry. Oooooohhhh! 0o ßdos face. Lol. Thanks lots!

Parcheezie: yay!

Fen in the Sky with Diamonds: as I said before…who couldn't love me?

Jumpin jo- I shall, but I think next chappie!

YES! I AM DONE WITH MY THANK YOU'S! YAY! :::throws a party::: OMG! 78 REVIEWS?????!!!!!!! YOU GUYS ROCK! PLZ GET ME UP TO 100 THIS TIME! JK. THAT'S A LITTLE TOO MUCH TO ASK! R&R, PORFAVOR!