Author's note: I am so incredibly sorry! I know I promised "many" updates, but well it didn't quite work out that way did it? I even wrote this apology on the plane; I feel that bad about it. I did start another fanfic though :D, so you can read that too. It's called "You Only Live Twice". I'm also sorry about the lack of formatting in my chapters, but I work on what would generously be called a computer if the person claiming it were blind and wearing earplugs. I'll see if I can outsmart it and fix all the chapters crosses fingers (as in the hoping way, not lying way). As always, thanks/ comments at end.

General Disclaimer: Probably all the characters of any importance in this fic are property of Tamora Pierce (a truly excellent author). The plot is mine. I keep very good track of what I've read and where, but in the unlikely event that you feel I've copied your work, please let me know, so I can either remove the offending material or offer explanations.

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Recap:

She could feel his eyes on her, calmly sweeping up and down her body. She flushed. No one had studied her quite so thoroughly since Cleon. Even knowing Dom was judging her health, not her physical beauty, didn't alleviate any of her embarrassment. This was Dom after all. It was just too weird to have him staring at her so minutely. It was making her nervous, seriously nervous.

Why doesn't he say something? Is he angry? I don't even remember what I said to him... oh Goddess this is not good!

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So it looked like he wouldn't have to kill Neal after all. His lady had survived the 2 hour period Neal had warned him about when he first carried her into the infirmary. Neal's ashen look as he diagnosed Kel had been one of the scariest things the sergeant had ever experienced.

"Dom, I'm not sure how much I can do for her. This is so much worse than I thought. If she doesn't... if her fever goes down in the next 2 hours, she'll be fine, but..." Neal trailed off. But if it doesn't we lose her.

And they hadn't. Thank the Goddess they hadn't lost Kel. But Mithros 2 hours had never seemed so long...

Now after having spent 2 torturous hours praying for a miracle for the Lady Knight, she sat there rubbing her temples and looking at him as if expecting him to lecture her. And if the tilt of her chin was any indication, she was braced against his anger.

An almost inaudible growl of frustration escaped him. It was tempting, very tempting; to just release the temper that held him silent. A couple of well chosen words would have broken through the invisible barrier she was creating between them and caused her some of the angst he'd gone through for her. But even as he thought about it Dom scoffed at himself, not likely, Dom, you couldn't hurt her if you wanted to.

"If you're going to yell at me please get it over with. Neal already has."

Still leaning against the doorway Dom raised a dark brow. As if I want to see you beg for quiet again, Kel. You who never beg for anything. What you must think of me... he thought grimly.

"Meathead does have a point you know, Kel. You scared the crap out of him! He wasn't sure he could save you. You were burning up from the inside, and he couldn't figure out why."

Dom slowly walked towards her, his voice quiet and eyes cold and direct. She nearly shivered in response as he continued. "Do you have any idea how scary that is? Any idea?"

Kel lowered her eyes from his disturbing gaze. "When do we leave?" she asked quietly.

He sighed. "Tomorrow morning. My orders remain the same: get you to Mastiff as soon as possible in the best condition." Best condition? Raoul is going to kill me. "Although the last part is proving more difficult than previously thought," he finished wryly.

The tone surprised Kel. Does this mean he's not mad at me? She thought tiredly, looking up. To her shock, there was a small smile on his handsome face as if he were laughing at himself.

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They arrived at Fort Mastiff shortly before sunset of the next day.

The ride over had been pretty tame and uneventful. Dom's squad had entertained the Lady Knight's attentions with renditions of their most recent pranks on Raoul, their commander, and Dom. The sergeant had a tendency to scowl at the latter, which made them all laugh harder. Thankfully, the only fight Dom had to put up with was a short argument about whether the Lady was going to double up with him or not, but as she had nearly fallen off Hoshi while arguing the point; it was pretty much settled. She'd fallen asleep shortly after in his arms anyway.

And his squad had teased him about it mercilessly, as did the gate sentries. I'm not in love with her, you demonic minions who insist on plaguing me, Dom thought. They were so annoying.

Sir Raoul of Goldenlake and Buri met him at the gates. The burly knight jumped at Dom when he saw his former squire unconscious in the sergeant's arms.

"Kel! What happened to her?" Raoul said angrily.

"She's just asleep, Milord," Dom answered mildly while dismounting as gently as possible; then turned and pulled Kel off his mount as well. "Milady had a bit of an incident back at New Hope."

"In-ci-dent?" The Knight Commander repeated in a slow dangerous voice. "I think you'd better be explaining that."

Dom just sighed. It was going to be a long day.

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Wyldon scrutinised Domitian of Masbolle very closely. There were faint black smudges beneath the man's eyes; eyes that flashed anger every time someone brought up the subject of Kel's illness. Wyldon knew that the Third Company had spent four years touring with Kel during her years as Raoul's squire, and that the young knight had many friends within the Own. But it hadn't dawned on him until the previous year that the Lady might have strong connections to Raoul's favourite squad. A squad led by none other than Sir Nealan's cousin.

Masbolle's squad was known for pulling off amazing almost suicidal missions, and, Wyldon remembered with a smile, pulling pranks on their commander. Still he'd been surprised when Dom's entire squad had volunteered to go find Kel last year in Scanra.

Leaning back in his chair, fingertips pressed together, Wyldon wondered just how much Dom had done to keep Kel alive on last year's mission. He would have bet quite a bit that this soldier was a big supporter of Kel's.

"Wyldon!" Raoul said for the fourth time, snapping his fingers in the man's face. Wyldon shook his head. Giving up a prayer for patience Raoul repeated what he'd been saying for the past couple minutes about Neal's report on Kel's health. One more minute of blank silence from Wyldon would have pulled at his temper, but he wouldn't have strangled the knight for another two at least; however, he wasn't sure how much longer he'd be able to restrain Dom. The sergeant was showing an uncharacteristicly short temper.

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Megster: lol I can be implying whatever I like, but as a KD fan I hope you appreciate the blatant insinuations of this chap ;)

Keladry of Masbolle: as I am not entirely sure what a potc fan is I'll have to say I haven't a clue – hold on unfreeze my brain... ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN? Lol that answer your question?

Basest-8: lol some refer to love as magic, but then I would have put this in the Romance category wouldn't I... :p

Wildmage: I'm trying to do that more regularly...

CTHKSI: Gotta love the drama-queen in Neal. Hope you like this chap too. Feel free to make more predictions.

Kelly Masbolle: lol you're going to love what I'm going to throw at you in the next two chapters.

Oceanspike: Glad you love reading it. I love writing it! Not a huge fan of this chapter though...

Rubber Duck: such a helpful reviewer! Thanks for telling me about the anonymous author thing. I'll fix the other when I figure out how... cursing crap computer. I may just see you at that site... you go by the same name there?

Wake-Robin: I was computer deprived for the past 3.5 weeks, and here I sit updating. Lol what your excuse? I'm kidding, take your time...

Crystaltambaia: lol thank you for uplifting the moral! Very flattering Lol

Alianne Cooper: Sorry about another month long delay, but going to China for three weeks does that to ya lol