Chapter four

Raoul dutifully followed Buri around the market. She had errands to run, he was just there to carry things.

"Come on, Raoul, look cheerful." Buri said, handing him yet another package to carry. "I'm not big on shopping either, but you don't seem me glowering."

"Yes, but..." He trailed off as they passed by an eating house. Had he just seen Kel and Dom? He craned his neck to look through the window. "I say," He said with renewed vigour. "How about some lunch?"

"I'm not going to help you spy on your girlfriend." Buri said dryly.

"Who, me?" Raoul asked as he climbed the stairs. "You know I love eating at the... er... Monkey's Bonnet."

Buri followed him, if only because he had all of her packages. The eatery was about half full, it was the tail end of the lunch time rush. Raoul got a booth near Kel and Dom's, but not so near that they'd be noticed.

"This is childish." Buri said, looking at the menu. A waitress came by to get their orders. "Whatever is most expensive." She said when asked what she wanted.

Raoul rolled his eyes. "Right, like you're not. So... what are they doing?"

"I believe they are in the process of making little Dom juniors." Buri said sarcastically. She did not look impressed when Raoul actually turned to check. "Will you relax? They're just talking. Oh- wait- I do believe Dom took her hand. That bastard. You'd better go kill him, Raoul, you don't want him seducing her."

"Will you keep it down? Someone might hear you."

Buri grinned wickedly. "And wouldn't that be a shame?" Seeing Raoul's expression her face turned serious. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. You, on the other hand, are going to have to eventually. You two can't keep this a secret forever."

"Who says it will be forever." It popped out before Raoul could stop it.

Buri raised her eyebrows. "Excuse me?"

"I mean, I don't think about it like that, but she might."

"I highly doubt that." Buri said. "I don't think she takes this sort of thing lightly."

"I know." Raoul sighed, no longer hungry. Come to think about it, he hadn't been hungry in the first place, he'd only come here so he could... not spy on his lover.

Lover. He liked that word. Especially when it was applied to Kel.

"Oh, hello Raoul, I didn't see you there." Dom said cheerfully. "Enjoying the scenery, are we?"

"Don't you have shoes to shine or something?" Raoul grumbled, avoiding looking at Dom.

"Nope," He said. "I'm just taking Kel out for a nice, romantic lunch..."

"Can it." Buri said sharply. "He's having enough trouble as it is."

Raoul dared a glance up. Dom was wearing his usual expression of good humour with just a touch of insolence, but he was sure there was also a hint of something slightly less positive. He probably thought Raoul was a cradle robber. Raoul wondered just what Kel had told him. He wanted to ask, but he didn't dare. Kel had already noticed his jealousy and he didn't want to give her any reason to notice it again. He had no right to be jealous; and if she decided she wanted someone her own age he would let her go.

He didn't want to, but he would because it's The Right Thing To Do.

Myles was right about honour. It sucked. Raoul speared a sausage and stuck it in his mouth. When he looked up Dom had gone. Turning slightly, in what he hoped looked like a casual stretch he also saw the Kel had left.

"Smile," Buri said. "You don't want anyone thinking you care."

"I know." He sighed. But I do.

That night when Kel visited Raoul he forced every thought of Dom from his mind and embraced her warmly. "Hi there."

"Hi." She said, drawing away. "I saw you at the Monkey's Bonnet today."

Damn. "Yeah, some coincidence."

"Were you following me?" She didn't look angry, only curious.

"No." Raoul said quickly. "I wasn't, I was there with Buri and I was hungry... I mean, I saw you in there, but I wasn't following you or anything. Sorry."

He heard Kel sigh, but he also felt her come closer. "You can't do that, you know- and not just because of gossips... I need freedom to be with my friends." She looked up at him.

"I know." He cupped her cheek. "I wouldn't dream of keeping you from them."

She continued to stare up at him with those big, doe eyes of hers. Raoul bent and kissed the tip of her nose. "I won't do it again, I promise." He was rewarded with a smile.

Gods, she tasted good, especially when she smiled. He needed to figure out a way that they could be together, publically, and get Dom out of the picture.

Ideas, however, were not forthcoming. Besides, when Kel was around all he could think about was her- how to please her, how to tease a smile from her lips. He nuzzled her neck, tickling her and she giggled. Raoul pulled back and looked down at her. So beautiful, though she looked distracted, pensive

"Is something wrong?" Raoul asked, stroking her cheek.

"I suppose you want to know what I said to Dom about this." Kel said, still eyeing Raoul with a touch of suspicion.

"Nope." Raoul said quickly. "I do not want to know, you don't have to tell me."

Kel rolled her eyes. "I bet. Well he didn't like it much, but he agreed to help me. I think he's still got a bit of a crush on me." Kel frowned. "This really isn't fair for him... I think I should call it off." She looked up to him, as if for approval.

"Do what you need to." Raoul said, the beginnings of a scheme stirring in his mind. "Wait, I have an idea."

He stared into space for a few seconds while Kel waited quietly. "What if..." Raoul said slowly. "What if you two make a show of being in love, then break up? Loudly, where people can hear you. Buri and I could do the same thing, then we could start spending more time together- misery loves company, right? Then if someone noticed what's actually going on they'll think we're just rebounding off each other."

Kel stared at him in surprise, but she slowly seemed to accept the idea. "That might actually work." She said, then looked down. "You want to be with me that badly?" her words were so quiet that for a moment Raoul wasn't sure if he'd heard her correctly.

"Of course I do." He tipped her head up, catching her eye. "Didn't you hear me when I said I loved you?"

"Yes," She flushed. "But I thought... some people will say anything to get a girl."

"You are not just 'a girl!'" Raoul insisted. "I don't think of you as a fling, or a passing amusement. I would never do that to you."

"I know." She said. "I just..." She shifted her weight from one foot to another. "I don't know, I'm sorry. I'm being stupid."

"No," Raoul murmured. "You're not stupid." It hurt him that she thought he was just another lad looking for a lay. He would have to find a way to prove to her that this wasn't the case at all. How could he do that? Maybe if he didn't drag her straight to bed every time he saw her. No wonder she thought their relationship was all about the sex.

Raoul drew Kel over to his couch. He didn't know what he could do to reassure her so just held her, hoping that would do the trick. Kel sighed, happily this time, and leaned against him, allowing herself to relax. When was the last time she had been completely off guard like this? Has she ever let herself be this vulnerable? In that moment Raoul realised that he could destroy her. It would only take a few cutting words. He also knew that she could do the same to him. Raoul wasn't entirely sure he liked that idea, but he trusted her, jealousy be damned.

Kel's breathing became deeper, more regular. He was sure that she had fallen asleep and began to ease away. She would be awfully stiff in the morning if she spent the night curled against his side. Before he got very far Kel's arm snaked out, holding him in place.

"Don't leave me," She mumbled, half asleep.

"I never will." Raoul promised, gathering her in his arms and slowly standing up- she was heavy- and brought her into his room. He tugged off her boots and belt, changed into a nightshirt and laid beside Kel, pulling the blankets over them.

He slept more peacefully than he had in months.