Disclaimer: WARNING, the following fanfiction does not claim to make sense, fit within the book, or to be anything other than the creation of a quirky mind. All characters belong to Tamora Pierce's Protector of the Small series.
Author's Note from Erkith: Last week's reviews were great! I laughed so hard at all the symbols you guys came up with for the butter and jam! Lol Next week is the finale so please don't forget to read it!
LOL apparently the correct adjective for last week's chapter is "eldritch" a scottish word meaning unearthly/weird - courtesy of Mistywabbit and her thesaurus.
Enjoy!
Erkith
Objective Achieved!
Dom's heart sank and landed at his feet with a thud that was almost audible. Kel was in mortal danger and she called out for his cousin. The stories said that in moments of extreme terror that we realise where our heart truly lies. He'd never have guessed that's where hers would take her.
Neal.
A strange numbness began seeping into his body, willing him to simply give up and die.
Anyone else and he might have fought for her. Anyone else but Neal. Under any other circumstance.
Neal.
Mithros he was cold. Maybe his cousin would come running for Kel, but not in time to save her. Dom forced his frozen body into motion; forced his blurring, depressed mind into action. Kel's life was at stake here.
He had no weapon. Neal would have thought to bring one, Dom thought morosely. Well Neal isn't here and I am.
His life before hers. That's the way it was supposed to be. With renewed determination, Dom grabbed a torch off the wall, and rushed in.
The room was empty but for Kel, who hung limply, exhausted and freezing.
He untied her and scooped her into his arms. She murmured his cousin's name, not fully conscious. "Kel, don't talk."
At the sound of his voice, her eyes snapped open. Dom. He'd actually come for her. Her heart soared in her dead-tired body. Oh, Dom.
"Set up."
"Probably, we'll find the bastard that did this to you, Kel. You have my word. We'll make him suffer as you have."
"Neal." Kel said hoarsely. "Neal."
Dom's heart, already trailing on the floor behind him, wrenched. "No, Kel. I'm Dom."
She looked at him, frowned. "I know..." Her teeth chattered while she tried to figure out just what he was missing. "Neal... he's..."
"Not here, damn it!" Dom shouted. He was holding her – could feel her body shaking with cold as much as his own, and all she could talk about was bloody Neal?
"Gods, Kel! I was so worried! I thought I'd never get here in time!"
Kel shook her head; pressed a bloody finger to his lip... the blood parted his lips and rested on his tongue. It tasted like... it tasted like... Expecting the salt and metal of blood, Dom nearly dropped Kel when he tasted the jam.
"What the...? Who the...? Why the hell...?" Dom stuttered. He placed her on her feet very gently, but Kel was unsure whether it was to protect her exhausted body or him from another jolt.
"Neal." Kel said simply.
"Neal?"
"Uh huh. Seems he tried to play matchmaker a whole new way."
"Why that... that... GRRRRR!"
"It is rather hard to put into words, isn't it." Kel smiled up at her sergeant/rescuer bemusedly.
Dom thought about it for a moment, and eyed the tools of torture still on the tray. "Do you think he knows he's gonna die?"
Kel smiled shakily. "I should hope so."
Her hazel eyes danced with laughter. Her skin and hair, and what was left of her clothes were smeared with butter, jam, and what looked suspiciously like feathers. Her lips her blue with cold. She was a mess. They both were. He couldn't resist any longer.
He pressed his lips to hers, softly at first, but with increasing passion. He pulled away, sharply. Suddenly aware of what he'd done. "I... ahhh...Kel..."
Her lips twitched. "I love you, Sergeant Domitian."
He blinked at her. It could work. He'd resign from the Own if he had to, but Raoul... But... he was going to have to convince her. Kel'd never agree to marry him. Kel was his friend, not his lover... she wouldn't understand... He did a double take. WAIT! DID SHE JUST SAY SHE LOVED ME!
Kel cocked her head to one side so she could stare up into his confused face. "Do you love me, Dom?"
Dom blinked again. Yes. Yes, he did. "Yeah..." Dom grinned, not quite daring to believe it. "Yeah, I guess I do."
Her laugh, her tears, her hopes and her fears Dom knew Kel more thoroughly than he knew himself. And damned if this didn't prove it.
He leaned in for another kiss and then...
Neal leaned out a window, several landings up, and catcalled them. "Mission: True Love Never Ran So Cold, OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED! Kel and Dom sittin' in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"
All romantic thoughts were banished as the two faced their next victim of vengeance.
"NEAL! WE'RE GOING TO KILL YOU!"
A/N: Slightly predictable, I know. Still, I hope you all enjoyed it and return to enjoy the final chapter to be posted next week!
Thank you to all who read and doubly to those who reviewed!
I haven't yet seen the rule written out anywhere, so I'm going to respond to my reviews. If a moderator (or whatever the runners of are called) has an issue with this, I hope he or she will let me know (confirm...or preferably deny the rumours) before trying to delete my account.
THANK YOU TO MY REVIEWERS!
Wildace Keladry2005: lol was it THAT obvious? Oh well, glad you're enjoying it. Next weeks chapter I find inexplicably hilarious!
Atlanta Enchanted: Still convinced Neal wouldn't do something like this? lol sounds very Neal to me! And I was totally disappointed when Cleon took Kel from Neal, right up until Dom stole Kel from Cleon: D By the way, glad you're not dead and still reading!
Feifiefofum: lol ok so it was a bit sappy, but how could I possibly resist? As for the jam/butter etc... I used them because they're harmless edibles that can be mistaken from far away for blood and sweat... what was I supposed to use? Lol I do apologize for the bad thoughts!
Zerrin of the Wind: lol I think this story is a bit crazy too! Lol not sure it's just you : p And I too find it hilarious when Dom is completely out of the loop!
Tortall Princess: lol you're worried about Dom hurting Neal: O If I were Neal I'd be much more worried about KEL! Lol and all that comes next chapter :D
Anaroriel: Apparently, the word for this fic is "eldritch" according to Mistywabbit who found it in a thesaurus. Definition: unearthly/weird ... lol doesn't it suit?
Padfoot's Sidekick: lol the torture idea occurred to me completely randomly one day... glad you like it!
Bambolieblue: lol way to anticipate my plot! Lol thanks for reviewing! Hope his moment of indecision didn't worry you too much... heeheehee
Mistywabbit: LOL I can't believe you looked up an adjective to describe my fic! Lol I'm so honored! "Eldritch" is the perfect word! THANK YOU! LOL
The Hobbit Lass: lol please don't have a heart attack! Then I wouldn't get to smile at your wonderful reviews! ...and you'd miss next week's chapter! Lol hope you enjoyed it!
FanFictionFantom: lol it was that obvious? You guessed on what...? the second chapter! Congrats to you!
Dancer4eva: love the name! Hope you get a laugh out of the next one!
RunnerNDA: You and Feifiefofum... what do you to read/watch! Lol I never intended for it to be disturbing, just that from the windows it would look like blood! And the revenge scene is next!
Lutefa: lol I think the last few lines of this chappie pretty much answer your q's so I'll just say good luck with Lily, Oprah and your brother!
Callie: lol you would pick that up:D lol I know it's cliché but I just couldn't help it!
Syl Rose: lol thank you! This fic is nothing if not weird! Hope this chapter helped clear things up! Stick around to read next week's finale... lol all I can say is revenge.
Goddess Of The Moon: LOL "Kel's toast" that's hilarious! I never thought of it that way! Everyone has these symbolisms for jam and butter that I never would have thought of! This week's reviews are great!
