A beautiful sky greeted Kel as she walked out of the barracks. The sun had risen halfway, and its rays were playing out over the walls of Fort Steadfast, weaving through the small holes in the chinking of the log palisade, coloring the ground inside a myriad of browns and yellows.

Kel began to meander in the direction of the mess hall, always pausing to talk with the soldiers between her and her destination. Smiles, quick nods, and handshakes were exchanged as well as a few kind words.

Finally reaching the mess, Kel opened the door. As she stepped through it, she was greeted by a rousing and loud round of cheers, intermixed with a couple hoots and shouts.

"Kel!" With a violent thud, Kel's heart told her exactly who it was shouting her name. Turning toward the voice, Kel's sight affirmed that knowledge. A smiling, waving Dom was seated amide a group of Kel's other friends from the Own.

The smile on his face seemed a bit to warm for mere friends, but Kel was the only one who noticed it. For a brief moment, she felt utterly encompassed by a warmth she couldn't place, but would remember for the rest of her life.

Walking over to the table, Kel slid into a seat between Dom and Lerant. Before even looking at the former Kel said, "Hey Lerant, how's life with the Own going?"

The Eldorne man gave Kel an appraising look. After a moment the hard glare softened, and he replied, "Fine. It's going fine Mindelan."

Kel shot him a sticky-sweet smile. "That's good to know. I'm glad you're okay." After watching her for a moment, Lerant, now completely baffled by Kel, got up and took his tray to the servers.

Kel, happy her idea to move Lerant had worked, now turned to Dom. Neal's cousin once again turned on that smile of his, the one that seemed to be for Kel alone. Ever so slowly, as to be almost invisible, Dom dropped his hand until it was resting very near Kel's.

Her fingers tingling, Kel stared at that hand, so tantalizingly close to hers. Only a few inches separated their flesh, a few inches that would be so easy to span, yet at the same time seemed like such a momentous gap.

Conflicting thoughts ran through Kel's head. She wanted so badly to place her hand in Dom's, wanted to with her entire being, but she feared what would happen if she did. Uncertainty ruled her mind, but longing had begun to overrule it.

After an interminable amount of time, Kel finally looked away from his hand and into Dom's eyes. She saw a measure of uncertainty there too, but she also saw a bright, shining glow that called to something deep within her.

A grunt finally snapped Kel's attention towards the rest of her tablemates, whom she had completely forgotten about. Every single eye within view was fixed on the soldier and young knight, yet not another sound could be heard.

Although Kel's Yamani mask had been inexistent and forgotten only moments before, it now had complete control of her face. Slowly, she rose, and with a slight bow of her head to the assembled men, went to get her tray.

A few watched Kel as she moved, but most of the glances were fixed on Dom. He slowly colored under the stares, but he kept his vision firmly planted on his food. After a few more moments and furtive glances, the others slowly resumed their meals and discussions.

Gathering her tray from the servers, Kel caught a few knowing glances from them. Even though it felt rude to her, Kel could not meet their gazes, she just gathered her food and left.

Knowing her old seat would not be the place to sit now, Kel looked around for another one. As she looked, her eyes fell upon one of the people she desperately didn't want here. Looking at him, her Yamani mask almost fell.

Neal was sitting in the far corner, almost hidden by the edge of the serving table. His location gave him a fantastic view of the room though, and Kel could tell by the look on his face that he had seen it all.

He gestured with one hand, a signal for her to join him. After she sat, he leaned in and whispered, "I told you we still had to talk, and this proves more than anything that I'm right."

"Neal, I -" Kel began, but he cut her off in mid sentence with a serious, no-nonsense look. Standing, he called out, "Domitian, could you please spare a few moments away from your companions? I wish to talk with you."

Kel stiffened with visible shock, her anger toward Neal beginning to mount. What in the name of Mithros did he think he was doing? As she tried to stand, tried to do something, Kel found Neal beside her, with both hands firmly pressed against her shoulders.

Finding herself at an odd angle, unable to break Neal's hold without injuring him, Kel was forced to sit still, and watch as Dom excused himself, then made his way to the table.

Neal, his face livid, pointed to the seat across from Kel, silently ordering Dom down. The older man, with nary a look at his cousin, sat next to Kel instead. Without missing a beat, Neal grabbed another chair and wedged himself between the two already seated.

Dom calmly looked to Neal, then stood. Walking around the healer, he reached down and grabbed Kel's hand, then towed her out of the building without so much as a backwards glance.

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Ack… I'd apologize to you right now, but I was told not to…

Well, I'll ask you to R&R please, and try to get chapter eight written sooner, and make it longer. I really will.

Sull