Thank you once again to everyone who reviewd me. You are what makes this whole thing worth it! I have tried to make this chapter longer and I hope that I've made Kel's (somewhat confused) feelings a bit clearer.

Enjoy!

"What did you say to her?" said Neal as the desert course was served. "She's barely spoken all meal. She didn't even tell me to eat my vegetables." He looked down the table at a grim faced Kel who was picking at her steaming bowl of crumble.

"It is a good thing that I made you eat them then," replied Yuki with a smile.

"Come on, Yuki. I've never seen Kel like this before."

"Perhaps it is a good thing that you remember that even your 'Yamani lump' has feelings," replied Yuki a hint of bitterness in her voice.

"Of course, she has feelings," retorted Neal. "What I want to know is what they are."

"Then you must ask Kel herself. I cannot tell you."

Neal thought for a moment. "Is it something to do with Dom?" he asked.

"Maybe," answered Yuki, raising her eyebrows.

"I wish those two would just make up. It's starting to get my nerves."

"Not everything is that simple, Neal."

"What have those two got to be complicated over? They're just good friends." Yuki rolled her eyes at him. "What?" he asked. Then the penny dropped. "You mean…?" Yuki nodded. "That's ridiculous."

"Is it?" she asked mildly.

Neal stared at his fiancée. "Are you serious?"

"An Yamani never jokes about matters of the heart."

"Kel and Dom? Well that's a turn up for the books," mused Neal.

Yuki watched her fiancé. "Do not even think about it," she said firmly.

"What?"

"I know you, my daffodil. No teasing them, or even talking to them about it."

"Not even a little bit," pleaded Neal, his eyes twinkling.

Yuki smiled. "Not a word. They have to work it out in their own time."

Neal pouted. Yuki laughed.

Kel paced across the floor of her room. She had thought that all her years of training at the palace had been hard. She had thought fighting Blayce was tough. But right now, it seemed that this was the worst thing she had ever faced. It would all be so easy if her stomach didn't want to leap out of her body every time she saw him. She had long since realised that she wasn't really jealous of Dom, she was… What was she? Scared? Frustrated? In love? Kel smiled at how ridiculous the phrase sounded. Perhaps, if she told him how she felt…

Kel shook herself. I can't tell him how I feel she reasoned. That's ridiculous. It would ruin everything, especially as heobviously doesn't feel the same way.

But I have to make up with him, she argued back. I don't have to tell him how I feel, just apologise for running out on him. Tell him I was jealous. It would be worse to loose such a good friend over this.

If he wasn't a friend, that would solve all your problems…

Incensed at her own thoughts, Kel marched out of her room and down the corridor in protest. She stopped at Dom's door and knocked.

"Just a minute!" he called. Kel wanted to turn and run, but she didn't.

When Dom opened the door, he was dressed only in a loose shirt and some breeches he had evidently pulled on quickly. Kel tried to ignore the tingle that she felt in her stomach.

"Kel?" he said, surprised.

"I'm sorry, I've disturbed you. I can come back another time." She turned to go.

"It's no problem. The bath will wait. Come in."

Kel followed Dom into the room and sat down.

"So what did you want?" asked Dom after a long pause.

"I came to apologise," Kel said abruptly.

"What for?"

"For rushing out on you. I was rude."

"You don't need to apologise for that. You were shocked. So was I."

"I wasn't just shocked. I was angry."

"At me?"

"Not really, it was more at the King. I was jealous."

"Mithros, I never even thought of that. Haven, right?"

Kel nodded.

"It's ok. You have every right to be upset." He paused. "I'll turn it down if you want."

"No! You can't do that." Kel exclaimed.

"Why not? I don't have any need for lands and a title," said Dom. "It will be a lot of hard work managing them while I'm in the Own."

"I'm sure you can do it. Raoul did it for years."

"I can't marry like Raoul could though. At some point, I'd have to leave the King's Own to do that. A noble's duty and all."

Kel felt her insides start to churn again. "But you'll have to leave the Own eventually anyway and title gives you a secure future. There's always the regular army if you did want to marry soon." Kel bit her lip, realising what she'd just said.

Dom didn't notice. "I suppose you're right." He paused and looked at her. "Are you sure you don't mind?"

"No, not really. If it was anyone else…" Kel smiled weakly.

"Yes. I suppose I'll accept then. Thank you, Kel."

"No problem." Kel stood up. "I'd better be going, leave you to bathe in peace."

Dom came over to her. "No hard feelings?"

"None at all," Kel said, offering her hand. Instead of taking it, Dom put his arms around her and gave a hug. Kel's skin tingled as she felt Dom's toned body pressed against hers. She stiffened.

"Kel?" asked Dom, releasing her.

Kel shook her head. "I really have to go."

She was about to walk out of the door when she heard Dom say softly, "Kel, what did you mean yesterday, when you said 'yes, I do', before you rushed out?"

Kel spun around, fighting to keep her emotions under control. She met Dom's eyes. In them she saw the one thing that she had both longed for and dreaded. Love.

Unable to speak, she hurried out of the room and closed the door behind her. Leaning back on the heavy wood to catch her breath, she heard Dom swear.

Will our heros have a chance to declaretheir love?

If you want to find out you know the drill - review me!