A/N: Hey! It's me! Yep, I am still alive! I had mighty computer problems and then fanfiction was down and then I was on holiday in France with absolutely NO! internet access ( I nearly died) but anyway, Im back now and I have about 4 chapters begging to be put up! You want them, you review! Please?

Anyways, thanks to all of you that reviewed… 'slightly psychotic'- I sent u an email answering u questions (well, sort of! Hehe!)

Thanx especially to 'kel' who said I wrote like tammy herself! The best compliment ever, in my opinion.

'Fanny Queen'- nope I didn't go through the same thing as Kel- unfortunately, I am very inexperienced in the boy field. L

I think that's all for now… no dedication this time…ok, all u lovely reviewers can have it!!!

Chapter 10- Wishing You Were Here Because The Memory's Not Enough

Dom walked down the corridor, his footsteps echoing off the walls. It was just before dawn and he was the only one walking down the guest's corridor in Pirate's Swoop. He stopped outside her door letting a little sigh escape. He glanced down at the letter in his hand. He had known he would never have been able to face her. Not after last night. Not after her words. He read over the contents of his letter one last time…

Kel,

I thought it would be easier to say goodbye like this. I'm leaving and taking my squad with me. I hope you are well and do not suffer too greatly from last night. I hope to see you soon on my return,

Love always,

                     Dom.

Sighing again, he bent down and slipped the note under her door. Straightening, he hesitated for just a second before turning and walking away.

~*~

The sun was warm on the back of Dom's neck. Sighing, he put his hand up and rubbed the afflicted area, trying to loosen the muscles. His horse trotted steadily along the path, his men behind him. They were joking with each other, not letting the heat or the journey get to them. Dom however, was quiet, letting his horse have control, not paying attention to his surroundings. He was wallowing in his sadness, his self pity. He knew it was not good for him but try as he might, he could not return to his normal state.

Kel didn't love him. Kel just wanted to be his friend. Kel had hurt him in a way no one else could. Kel-- He stopped. He couldn't go on like this. Not when all that filled his mind was Kel, Kel, Kel. It would him no good. It would not change what had happened. He was even grateful that Raoul had called him back from Pirate's Swoop on Alianne's birthday- at least he didn't feel too guilty about leaving her- he knew he had a proper reason. He felt a slight twinge of regret at not telling Kel why he left but pushed it away with the pain she had caused him.

If only she had given him some hope. He had known she was scared. Scared to have a relationship, scared to love. And all because of that bastard Cleon! He had got himself twisted up with her and then got himself killed, Okay, maybe that was a bit mean. If Cleon had loved Kel as Dom did, he would never have wanted to leave her side.

And because of her recent pain, because of her fear, he had gone so carefully. So carefully until that night. And then he had let his guard down for a few minutes, no- less than a few minutes and WHAM!  That Alianne girl was on top of him. Dom's eyes narrowed as he thought of the Shang. How would he ever speak to her civilly?- she had been the cause of Kel's jealousy and then the end of their relationship before it ahd barely got of the ground. Hopefully, he would never have to talk to Alianne again.

Everything he had said to Kel, every little last word of it had been true. Completely. Completely, utterly, truthfully true. The toasted toad's truth. But it didn't seem like she believed him. He couldn't imagine a life without her, especially not how he had been so close... so close, yet so far, far away. He wished she was there now. There, with him. He needed to see her face again- he would never survive on his memories alone.

If Kel had been harmed in any way he would have to seek vengeance. Vengeance from the one who had torn away any chances their relationship had. Alianne.

But the only way Kel had been hurt was mentally. Mentally and emotionally. She had received no physical damage (unless she had fallen on her run back to her rooms). So he could not even plan any way to get his own back, to feel justified. And there was nothing for him to take his anger out on. He was just left to wallow, to drown...

Oh, if only she had given him some slim hope. Some minute chance that someday; maybe, somewhere, somehow, she would come to return his feelings. But no- she had as good as said she had never loved him, had never desired his love. Hang on, 'as good as'... that's what he had told himself ... over and over again... he couldn't believe it had taken so long to click into place...

She had never said she didn't love him.

A small flame of hope fired up in him. Kel hadn't said she didn't love him, she just hadn't said she did. So there was hope yet. A small smile turned up the corners of his mouth yet he remained oblivious to the world. But the world wasn't quite as painful anymore, now he was sure he still had a chance with Kel.

And then it hit him.

Dom let out a strangled surprised cry as some of his men called out a too-late warning. His horse reared; Dom only just got him under control again before he would have been thrown off. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he quickly scanned the area around him before turning to the arrow sticking out of his left shoulder. He just hoped it wasn't poisoned. If it was, he was in deep trouble. Dom drew his sword and prepared for a fight as a large group of tough-looking men cascaded from their hideouts. There were no obvious clues as to who there men were and Dom prayed to all the Gods he knew that this was a sign of their poor battle skills.

His prayers went unanswered. Quickly, they attacked but they were not mounted so were at a disadvantage there. A number of the men fell; none of the Tortallians did. But there were nearly twice as many strangers as King's Own- a squad only contains ten to twenty men and Dom soon found he was separated from the others with a near-useless left arm.

Dom resolved to keep his calm. He had to. He had got into this mess by not paying attention because of emotional panic at Kel's words; now he knew his only chance was to calmly assess his situation and find an escape.

But having five or so men attack and you trying to hold them off and stay on your horse with only one fully functional arm, did not leave much time for calm assessments.

Now, Dom being Dom could probably have gotten out of this fix soon enough or held on long enough for his squad to help him, if he had been able to stay mounted. But the men shot his horse who reared and then bolted.

Dom fell to the ground with a sickening crunch, letting out a groan as the bump jolted his already painful shoulder. Somewhere between sitting on his horse and sitting on the ground, he had lost his sword. Big problem. The men were upon him and in his state, there was no way he could escape. However, Dom would never give up without a fight and thrashed and kicked until one of his attackers hit him over the head, knocking the commander unconscious.

Dom's last thoughts as he was slipped off the road into the thickness of the trees was that he was glad Kel wasn't there- he never wanted her to get hurt.

~*~

Well, there we go- another wonderful chapter. Please review!

Oh and 5 Brownie Points to anyone who noticed the Sword Of Truth quote!(i just couldn't resist!)