Chapter 2: New Arrivals

Kel leaned against the walkway of New Hope, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon eagerly. Raoul had sent her a letter explaining that Dom's squad would be sent to New Hope as a source of extra protection. She had to wonder at this—since the Scanran War had come to an end, military action near New Hope had died down. All was fairly peaceful, and any more defence for the refugee camp seemed unnecessary. Work had commenced on building new homes for the refugees, and soon there would be no apparent use for New Hope.

Stifling a sigh, Kel rested against the firm stone edge. A small part of her hoped that her former knight-master had sent Dom because Raoul had sensed her affection for the sergeant. But that did not cohere. Why would Raoul choose to indulge in Kel's wistful dreaming when she was needed to command New Hope?

She was eager at the prospect of seeing Dom—not only did her terrible crush on him still exist, but if there was an attack on New Hope, his squad would be useful for defending the refugees. Kel sincerely hoped that Dom's presence would not distract her from her duty. Although she had not suffered from such preoccupations in the previous times he had been with her at New Hope, there was no knowing how she might react.

Knights do not daydream, Kel told herself sternly. And especially not about men!

The last thing she needed was a distraction such as a lover. Kel supposed that having a secret crush and sighing over the handsome sergeant could be accepted—as long as she kept the crush and sighing strictly under control. Her first duty was to her people, and she couldn't risk failing them again.

Kel sighed. Even with reassurances from Tobe, Neal, and dozens of the refugees, she still faulted herself for Blayce's attack on New Hope. So many had died, and if she had been there, perhaps she could have prevented some of the deaths.

She smiled as she remembered Neal's exasperated comment when she had been in one of her more miserable self-pitying moods. "You gods-cursed saved the children from the horrible torture of being turned into walking nightmares in the form of metal! What more do you want to accomplish? Can't you be content with that, for Mithros' sake?!"

And her attempt to calm Neal by telling him that it didn't matter hadn't helped.

"Doesn't matter?! Then why do you keep bringing it up? You're so , Kel. I don't think you're human. Tobe, do you know which species she is? Perhaps she's some kind of Immortal."

Kel shook her head and raised her spyglass, peering at the horizon. There, southwest. A group of tiny specks travelling steadily towards New Hope. The fading sunlight glinted off steel. The banner of the Third Company of the King's Own flapped in the wind.

She allowed herself a small smile. This would make things slightly more…interesting.

xxxxxx

Dom rode through the gates of New Hope, a wide grin spreading across his face as he saw Kel waiting to greet him. He trotted Starfire over to her and dismounted. "Lady knight! It's good to see you again."

She smiled. "You, too."

"How is everything here?" Dom asked.

Kel shrugged. "Everything's going well."

An awkward silence followed, during which Kel and Dom both were uncertain of what to say. They both began to speak at once.

"Thank you for—"

"Lord Raoul said—"

Kel blushed. "You go on."

Dom shook his head. "No, ladies first."

Clearing her throat, Kel said, "Thank you for coming."

"It's my pleasure," Dom assured her. After another brief silence, he spoke again. "Well…I'm going to settle in."

"Alright," Kel said, amused with her own shyness but still at a loss of words. "I'll see you." Dom nodded to her and led Starlight over to the stables.

Kel sighed. It seemed that every time she spoke with Dom recently, she made a fool of herself. The feeling was relatively new.

And she didn't like it.

xxxxxx

"…Kel?"

She glanced up abruptly. "Yes?"

Dom met her eyes. "I wondered if you'd like to take a walk with me."

Kel stood quickly and brushed her hands off. "That would be a nice break from grooming Peachblossom," she commented wryly.

As they began to walk, Dom looked up worriedly at the sky. "It looks like it will rain soon," he said, indicating the dark clouds hanging overhead.

Kel sighed. "I need to get the refugees' practice swords inside before they rust."

Dom hesitantly slid his hand into hers. "Relax. I'm sure Tobe will get the swords in."

Feeling something within her quiver, Kel tried to subdue the blush she felt rising in her face. Could Dom possibly mean for them to be more than friends? Or was he merely displaying platonic friendship all of her friends before now had neglected to show?

The silence between them grew, and Kel frantically tried to think of something intelligent to say. "Er…how is Lord Raoul?"

Dom chuckled. "He's alright. Still fussing over Buri. The way he acts around her, you'd think she was fatally ill instead of just pregnant."

Kel couldn't suppress a smile. "Poor Raoul."

"Poor Buri," Dom muttered, earning a laugh and a swat to the head from Kel.

They walked on for a while longer, until Kel realised that it was growing late, and she had duties to complete. She stopped and turned to Dom.

"I should go," she told him.

Dom sighed. "I don't suppose you have a lot of spare time, being in charge here," he said regretfully, waving his hand to indicate New Hope.

Kel grinned wryly. "Not really."

"That's too bad." Dom impulsively took her hands in his. "But this was…nice, Kel. Perhaps we could do it again, sometime."

Kel's heart skipped a beat. He wanted to do it again! "Of course," she heard herself say.

Slowly, deliberately, Dom leaned closer. Kel's heart thudded forcefully against her chest with the effect of their intimacy. Their lips were almost touching… tantalisingly, temptingly close…if he was any nearer, they'd be…

Just as he came in closer, Kel turned her head slightly. Dom's lips grazed her cheeks ever so softly, and he pulled back, obviously disappointed that she had withdrawn from his kiss.

"I'll see you around," he murmured before darting a glance up at the swiftly darkening sky and heading for cover.

The ominous clouds above began to release cold droplets of rain that pattered softly on her surroundings and, unfortunately, on her. She stood there, tilting her face up to the sky and closing her eyes. Raindrops fell against her skin, wet and cool, and spotted her clothes.

Eventually, Kel let a sigh escape her and turned, making her way over to a shelter from the rain. She noticed with displeasure that the practice swords were still lying out, getting wet. Smiling ruefully, Kel collected them and lugged them inside.

xxxxxx

Neal stared at his cousin in open-mouthed disbelief. "You what?!"

Dom tapped his foot impatiently. "I don't see what you find this so particularly astounding about the matter."

Crossing his arms, Neal raised an eyebrow. "Really, Dom. You flirted with my best friend and tried to kiss her, and you think I shouldn't be interested? Mithros, I knew you were stupid, but this…"

"Alright, alright," Dom snapped. "I think I understand where this is going."

"Do you?" Neal scoffed. "What's there to understand?"

Dom was silent for a moment, his eyes clouded with confusion. "What? I thought we were talking about my stupidity."

"Which just proves my point," Neal muttered. When Dom looked at him questioningly, he sighed. "Why'd you do it, Dom?"

"Do what?"

Neal gave his cousin a Look.

"Oh. That." Dom coughed. "Well…I think I'm rather fond of her, Neal."

"As…more than a friend?"

"Yes." Dom's cheeks flushed.

"Ah." Neal leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin. An awkward silence ensued, during which Neal looked thoughtful and Dom looked as if he'd rather be anywhere but there.

Dom coughed. "Ahem. Well, I should be going," he informed Neal, standing.

"Ohh, no, you don't," Neal said quickly, gripping Dom's shoulder and forcing him back into his seat. "We're not done yet." Dom opened his mouth to object, but Neal cut him off. "What are you going to do next?"

"Well…I…I'm not certain," Dom admitted.

"Don't toy with her, Dom," Neal said quietly. "She's not like the others."

Neal had hit on it. Kel was not like the others, indeed.

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A/N: Thanks, everyone, for your reviews, and especially for your patience. My computer crashed, but I should be able to upload and publish Chapter 3 of this and Chapter 2 of Yesterday's Love very, very soon. I promise you, it won't be a very long wait until my next update. Now, please, leave me a review and I'll be happy.