Author's Note: Since this is a lovely long weekend, I decided to get my posterior in gear and write. This chapter, for some reason was hard to write. It seemed as if my hands didn't want to type in the right keys, as if my mind was secretly telling them that it wasn't right, it should never happen… but here's the result. Enjoy. Chapter 5

~ False Cheer ~

A pleasant week or so had passed since the proper mistress and commander of New Hope had returned from her short stay away. Keladry was, as always, was enjoying her duties, but like every commander, had to put up with the consequences that came with it. Yet, she made herself enjoy the company that Dom gave, for she knew, that soon enough a courier would come, asking for Dom and his squad's return to the Own.

She was sure that he had the Gift without realizing it, for even a barest of smiles could make her stomach feel as if it had come alive. Tobe must have noticed a difference in his mistress because a couple of days after their arrival at New Hope, he came up to her before breakfast and whispered very clearly in her ear; "I like him fair enough, my lady." Kel smiled at the memory of Tobe's little voice in her ear, whispering his approval.

Neal had arrived the day before, and Kel was concentrating to her up-most intelligence to ignore him. One wrong remark and she knew that the separation from Yuki would set him over the edge. Knowing his sensitiveness, she made sure Dom stayed away from him as well. The thought of such fireworks would have sent the most hardened soldier to despair.

It was sunny and warm, unusually, for the leaves were starting to turn into an array of colours. Reaching up, Kel plucked a reddish gold leaf, admiring the colour. She tucked it into her belt carefully; for the children of New Hope were planning to make wreaths out of the bright blooms.

She was making her rounds around the walls, when mid-stair; a meowing brought her attention to her feet. Looking down an orange tabby kitten sat at the foot of the stair, eyeing her. It looked at Kel with distain, as if to say: you don't look that special, and began to clean itself. Rubbing the side of its' face with a white toed paw, it looked at her, as if a human might.

Kel walked down to it, holding out her palm. As far as her knowledge went, she didn't think that any of the families had a new litter of kittens. The kitten paused in the midst of its' cleaning, and nudged Kel's palm with it's face. Sighing Kel picked it up and held it to her chest. Lifting its chin with a forefinger, she looked at its little face. Bright blue eyes looked up at her, framed by a young face. It seemed gentle enough, so at least this strange visitor wasn't as lethal as the griffin she'd helped before.

Bringing it with her up to the platforms, the kitten curled up into a ball and began to purr. The troops on the walls greeted her and her newly made friend. Part of Dom's squad, who knew her when she cared for the griffin joked with her, knowing that a griffin was sure to be easier then a tiny kitten.

"Well, it can bite and scratch, but at least it can't fly." Corporal Wolset said.

"Yes, you do try to look on the bright side don't you." Kel grinned. "I just have to make sure she doesn't belong to anybody else first."

"I doubt she does my lady, rarely do kittens wander on their own."

Kel smiled, "And how would you know that?"

"I was a young boy once." Wolset said with a grin, and Kel laughed.

"True." Kel said her goodbyes and moved on along the walls. She walked up behind Neal and Dom, hoping that Dom wasn't just testing the flames, knowing how Neal reacted; she knew he could get burned.

"Like the little fellow I found?" Kel said, making the two males turn towards her. She turned the kitten to show it to them.

"You found?" Dom's eyebrows rose. He walked to Kel, reaching out a large hand to pet the little kitten curled up in Kel's arms. "What a lucky little thing." He smiled softly, moving back to allow Neal to see the cat. Neal moved forward, looking at the cat's belly he commented;

"I doubt it's a fellow, Kel. It seems you've found a little lady." His eyes twinkled with mirth, a slight second of the happy Neal had returned.

"Well, then look at the little lady I've found." She held up the kitty to Dom's face, studying it. The pairs of eyes looking back at her were the same colour, the same twinkling center. "Dom, it seems my new friend has the same eyes as you."

"And probably even more intelligence." Neal added in. Dom kicked him lightly in the shin. "And violence is the last resort of those who can't think of anything better to say."

Dom laughed, letting his cousin's anger roll of him. He nodded to Kel, a sad look in his eyes. "A courier came in today."

Kel felt her face fall, and despite her Yamani upbringing. "What was the message?" She asked, even though she knew the answer.

"My squad and I have to leave, Lord Raoul needs us with the rest of the company." He smiled halfheartedly.

"Oh." Kel was quiet for a moment. "When do you have to leave?"

"Tomorrow at the latest." He sighed. "I'm sorry Kel, I know how much you need me here… I mean, how much New Hope could use my squad's extra hands."

Kel smiled faintly. "I understand. I mean, you've been ten days already, I knew you and your squad would have to leave sooner or later." Kel petted the top of the tabby's head for a moment, happy for that small comfort. Before she could stop herself, she asked; "Is there a reason for why you have to leave?"

Dom sighed. "Some raiders are messing up villages down by the Tyra border, the king wants us to check it out and bring some supplies to those who lost things to the raiders." He raised a hand to her, and then as if he noticed they weren't alone, he dropped it to scratch the kitten's ears. "I am sorry."

"I know." Kel wondered about his changing signals towards her and gave a mental shrug. Kel raised the corner of her mouth, looking at Neal. "It just shows that Meathead will have to get out of his slump and do some work around here."

Dom laughed, thankful for the passing moment of tension. "Make sure you keep after him."

Neal sighed, looking at the two. "Why do both of you talk as if I'm not here?"

Dom grinned mischievously. "Because it's more fun that way, look Kel, you can see his eye twitch."

Neal sighed, "Why did I have to be related to such a annoying person?" He asked, raising his face to the sky.

"Because you're lucky." Dom put in.

~*~

Kel opened the door to her rooms, the orange tabby still in her arms. Jump was lying on her bed, his tail wagging. He perked up an ear, when he saw what she had in her arms. Kel smiled, reaching down, she placed the kitten on her bed next to Jump.

"This is our new friend." She said softly, the kitten walked over to Jump cautiously, sniffing him. She nudged his head with hers, giving him a timid lick on the nose. Jump, eager by this new creature gave the kitten a big lick back, making a streak of wet fur down it's back. "See, were all friends."

Jump's tail began to pat down against the blanket in a rhythm, as if to say, of course we are, who doesn't like me? Kel smiled, lying down on her bed, leaving room for her old friend, and the newly made one. She picked up the kitten and placed it on her stomach, looking up at it.

"What should we name you?" The cat arched it's back as Kel ran a hand down it's soft fur. The colour of its fur was remarkably close to the leaf she had found that afternoon. "How about I name you Autumn? Would you like that?"

Jump gave a little bark, showing his approval. "You like it?" Kel asked him, moving a hand over to scratch his ears.

"Then it's settled. Welcome to New Hope little Autumn."

~*~

Kel woke up the next day miserable. It was just before dawn, the lightness of the horizon only showing the time. Kel sighed, rolling over and facing the window completely. The little kitten was curled up by her feet, in the opening between Jump's paws. The sparrows were perched around her, quiet since the sun had yet to rise.

Thoughts rushed through Kel's mind, none of them staying long enough to be called musings, the thought of Dom leaving that very morning left an ache in her stomach, a bad taste in her mouth, and an overall bad feeling. She would miss him, that much was obvious. She knew that there was nothing even between them except for some harmless flirting, and that wasn't even enough to base this horrible ache on.

Sighing, because there was no way that she'd be able to sleep with these thoughts, she got up and put on some breeches and a tunic. Rinsing the sleep from her eyes with water from her washbasin, Kel quietly opened the door to the hall. Walking out to the grounds of New Hope, Kel was amazed by the amount of people already up. She knew that they were always up at this time, but the fact of actually seeing it amazed her. Smells of porridge and bacon wafted from the mess hall, and Kel savoured the smell.

She walked towards the mess hall, a bowl of hot porridge on her mind. Scooping herself a bowlful out of a big pot, she grabbed an apple and headed to a table. She drizzled honey on it and began to eat. She must have had a look of self-pity on her face, because a voice from beside her commented;

"Care to talk about it?"

Kel, recognizing the voice at once, turned. Dom stood there, a sort of sad smile decorating his handsome face. "It seems as if you need more cheering up then I do." She said.

He sat down next to her, placing his own bowl in front of him. He smiled; it seemed as real as any other until she looked into his eyes. They were not smiling, as they should. "It's called false cheer. You should try it."

"I'm not in need of cheering up, I just have a lack of sleep." Kel commented, scooping a spoon of porridge to her mouth.

"Uh huh. I believe you, I truly do." His voice portrayed that he believed exactly the opposite.

"I'll just miss the way you can silence Neal with just one word." Kel said jokingly.

"Ah, don't embarrass me, I can do it in two words not one." He smiled thoughtfully at her, a look of intrigue passed over his face. "Kel, you know I wish I could stay longer."

Kel sighed. "I know. It just gets somewhat lonely here."

"Well," He paused, "Remember that you can ride with the Own again once all's well here."

"That could be months." Kel wiped her mouth with her napkin, finishing off the little bit of porridge that was left.

"It's better then not." Dom finished his porridge, picking up his bowl. Kel followed him, and they both put their bowls in the kitchen for the people who were on dishwashing duty that day.

They walked out to the grounds in silence, Dom's squad was already gathering, the horses loaded, everyone was making final checks on the bags and straps of the saddles. Dom's own gelding was ready to go, waiting for him. Dom paused next to Kel, shifting his weight from one foot to another.

"I guess this is goodbye for now." He stated, turning towards her.

Kel smiled, even though her stomach was refusing the meal she had just eaten. Shakily she said, "If you die out there, I'll never talk to you again."

"That helps. Tell Meathead I'm being nice by not waking him up. Though he should be up to say goodbye to his elder, more dignified cousin." He smiled down at her, his blue eyes twinkling in the early morning light.

"I will. Tell Lord Raoul that I'll send a message to him once I'm able to join him with the Own." She said, biting on her lower lip.

What happened next could be defined as a dream, as it was so brief. Dom looked towards his squad, and then turned to Kel. Lifting her chin with his forefinger, he brushed his lips against hers. Kel, too shocked by what was happening, stood there and let him. A flow of emotions ran up and down her spine, creating a tingling sensation in her stomach and heart. He pulled back, caressed her chin softly and said; "You better send me a message as well, I miss you already."

He turned and walked to his horse, mounting up, he turned his horse to her. "Be careful Kel, I want you in one piece next time I see you." Kel nodded numbly, unable to move her lips. He smiled at her, and then with a quick flick of his hand, his squad followed him out the gate.

Kel stood there for quite some time after he disappeared from view. One coherent thought flooded through Kel's mind.

That was worth wondering about.

To be continued…

Valencia22: Dom is great. I'm glad I put you in a good mood, now; tell me what you think of this…

Aurora Yuy: Thanks for the feedback…here's another update for you.

Numair's_magelet: Thanks.. I didn't want them to rush into a relationship.. I still don't. In the books, Kel never rushed into anything. Even the relationship with Cleon she had to analyze how she felt about the situation. I tried to keep it how I think it would be in the books.

Lady of the Lilacs: Sorry about the misunderstanding. Anyways, I'm glad you like it. And thanks for reviewing.

WildMage789: Okay… there is the plot in this chapter… but it's not bluntly said, as a hint, think about where Dom's headed.. that's all I can say at the moment.

Snow*flake: Every decent person forgets to review once and a while, and besides, I'm not holding it against you. Thanks for the compliment.