Prologue:

Dom rolled his eyes as he watched his cousin pace back and forth across the floor.

"Damn it, Neal, your going to have to ask her sooner or later. Just do it now and get it over with, for gods sake!"

"I know, I know. I just don't know what she'll say." The younger man's voice was low and full of some odd emotion that Dom couldn't place.

"Sit down, Neal." Dom suggested. "You need to just relax and think this through rationally."

"Think it through rationally?!" He yelled. "You've obviously never been in love!"

Dom shook his head, and his eyes filled with sadness.

Neal, buried in his own problem as he was, somehow noticed. "What is it?" He asked worriedly.

"Nothing, Meathead." His cousin answered, annoyed. He didn't need people asking questions about his love life!

Neal ignored the insult. "Oh, yes there is something. You love someone!" He was grinning like an idiot, finally thinking he was close to figuring it out. He knew something like this was going on with him.

"So what if I do?" Dom growled, face rather red. With anger or embarrassment, Neal wasn't sure.

"Who's the poor girl? Some court lady? Maybe one of the riders?"

Dom shook his head, a sigh escaping his throat. "No, Neal."

"So, who is she? You have to tell me! I'm your cousin! We are supposed to share things!" Neal asked, hurt that he wouldn't tell him.

Dom was tired of his hounding, and even more tired of keeping it a secret. Maybe he could tell just one person? He sighed again. "You've got to swear you won't tell anyone. If you do, I'll kill you." Neal nodded his head impatiently. "It's Kel." He sat, eyes closed, waiting for his cousin's outburst. Waiting for the 'You're to old for her! You'll just hurt her! You can't even get married!' The lady knight was, after all, his cousin's best friend.

It didn't come.

Cautiously, the sergeant opened one eye. His cousin was just watching him. He opened another.

They sat in silence for several more moments. Neal finally demanded, "Are you sure you love her? She isn't just another court lady you want to have an affair with?"

Dom knew he was being tested. Voice low, he answered, "No, Neal. I really do love her."

In one motion, the young knight, now resembling an ecstatic four-year old, jumped from the chair and gave his cousin a hug.

"Oh, this is wonderful! You two are going to get married, and-"

Dom, who was being suffocated by the younger man, gasped, "Not so fast, NEALAN!"

He was, somewhat reluctantly, released. "Huh?"

"Thank you." Dom straightened himself. "I mean, don't have us married and with kids yet. She doesn't even know!"

"Well then, you'd better tell her, don't you think?" Neal said sternly, shaking a finger.

Dom just sighed. This was what the problem was. Neal wouldn't leave him alone about it! "Sooner or later, I guess." He shrugged his shoulders and grabbed an apple from the table in front of him.

Neal took the fruit away. "No, you are going to tell her now, or I will!"

"You swore you wouldn't tell anyone, and you'd better not, Meathead!" He threatened, anger flashing across his face.

"Oh." His shoulders slumped in defeat. "Well, if you don't tell her, I will write her a letter explaining the matter!" He said, grinning over his victory.

Dom banged his head against his hand. Why, oh why had he had to share? Gods, he wished he could take the whole conversation back!

"Fine, Neal. I will tell her. But at least let me do it when I feel the time is right!"

"Oh, okay. I guess that's all right." He sighed.

"Good. Now, get out and go talk to Yuki."

He shoved his cousin out of the room and collapsed against the door, glad for the quiet. Silently, he thought of how he would tell her. He would have to soon, for if he didn't, Neal surely would. And he certainly didn't want that happening!

'Ello, everybody. I think I'm getting back into my Kel/Dom mood! Yay! I'm so proud of myself. Hmm...I can't wait to see how this turns out. Sorry it was so short.

Just so you know, this takes place sometime after the Lady Knight. The thing they are discussing at the beginning is that Neal thinks Yuki is with child. I wanted to do this as my beginning, and that was the only way to do it! Sorry! Now, you can review. smiles