A/N: Okay… HI! First, I'd like to apologise for the long wait. After I put up the third chapter, I wasn't really sure where to go. When I got an idea, I typed out the chapter but wasn't sure if I liked it or not. I decided to leave it and look at it again in the morning. So, I did. I hated it. It was REALLY bad. I deleted it and decided to start over. Finally I came up with a chapter that I was happy with. And here it is.

Second, I'd like to thank all the people who reviewed and/or read the second chapter. Replies are at the bottom of the page.

You've waited long enough for this so I'm gonna stop talking and get on with the story.

Disclaimer: Again, not mine; although, thanks this chapter, I now own two nameless Stormwings.

Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to PrincessPeach131. Thanks for all the help!

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My Greatest Fear

Chapter 3: Late Night Conversations

"Kel- I don't understand," I said, shocked.

She reached out and gently stroked my cheek with her scarred and calloused but still soft hands.

"Dom was right; you really are a Meathead. What's not to understand?"

"Kel…"

Kel's fingers trailed down my cheek and across to my lips where they stopped my voice. She stepped closer to me and I unconsciously put my arms around her waist. Kel looked up into my face with her eyes that were pools of desire.

She smiled. "I love you, Neal."

I grinned and lowered my face to finally kiss the woman of my dreams when suddenly she stiffened in my arms.

I raised my head, confused. Her eyes were wide and glassy. "Kel?"

Hearing a cruel laugh, I looked up. Standing at the other end of the paddock that Kel and I were standing in was a Scanran soldier with a long bow. How I knew he was Scanran I didn't know.

In my arms, Kel made an odd gurgling sound. I looked back at her and found an arrow protruding from her back. Blood welled in her mouth and trickled out as her legs gave way and she collapsed.

Lowering her to the ground and crying I looked up and saw a flock of Stormwings hovering. They were eyeing her body.

"You can't have her!" I yelled to them.

"Your lady-love has denied us many a meal," replied a Bazhir-looking male. "It seems only fair that she herself should make up for it."

Hefting a stone in one hand, I threw it at them. It glanced off the Stormwing's steel wing but he only laughed heartlessly.

"Your puny efforts are pointless. She is ours; we have claimed her."

The Stormwing said a word I didn't understand and Kel's body rose away from me towards the flock. They flew away with one female flipping her tail at me as they left.

"Kel!" I screamed.

Lowering my head to my hands, I found that they were covered in my best friend's blood.

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Sweat-drenched and breathing heavily, I sat up quickly in my bed. Throwing the covers away, I launched myself up and to my dressing room where I still had a basin of water from that afternoon.

Thrusting my hands under the water, I scrubbed hard at the blood that was non-existent but that I could still feel and smell.

Finally calming, I braced myself on the wash stand and looked up into my mirror. I was remarkably pale and shiny with sweat. My dark brown hair was in major disarray and my emerald green eyes still held a trace of fear.

"A dream, Neal," I said to my reflection. "Just a dream, a nightmare. That's all."

Giving a huge sigh, I thought, 'I need some air.'

I changed into breeches and a dark blue shirt then left my rooms to wander the lonely halls.

It wasn't one of my best ideas. Alone with my thoughts, I kept seeing Kel's lifeless form and my own blood-red hands.

These thoughts overwhelmed me to such an extent that I felt the sudden need to run; run away from Kel, the images of her and the Chamber that, even now, tormented me.

Feeling a fresh, playful breeze on my face, I looked around and found that I had run blindly to the outer wall of the palace.

'How did I get here?' I thought.

"Hello?"

A voice from somewhere ahead of me emerged from the darkness. I knew who it belonged to.

'Oh you're smart,' said the annoying little voice in my head. 'You run right into the person you were running away from.'

"Hello? Who's there?"

I saw her figure step away from the wall and look in my direction.

"It's just me," I reassured her. "Your loyal servant, Sir Meathead." I accorded her a playful bow.

"Oh, Neal!" She laughed and I sighed inwardly. "I thought you were someone else."

"Were you expecting someone?"

"No."

"Then may I join you?"

"Of course. You're always welcome, Neal, you know that."

I walked over and joined her at the wall, facing out to the dark city below us. It suddenly occurred to me where we were.

"Kel, we're on the wall."

"I know."

"But you're scared of heights."

She chuckled. "Yes Neal, I know."

"Then why are you standing here? Aren't you terrified?"

"No."

I was becoming exasperated and I knew that she could tell. Thankfully, she decided to put me out of my misery.

"I can't see the city or the ground below us. It's too dark."

"But you still know they're there."

"That doesn't mean I can see them. It just seems like you and I are floating on a cloud in the night sky."

I thought for a moment then said, "That doesn't sound much better. Clouds aren't very stable, you know."

Kel laughed. "True."

"Well, what can you see?"

She turned to face me. "I can see your face. That's all that matters."

My heart began to race. 'Oh Mithros,' I thought. 'Of all the things for her to say.'

"By the way, Neal," Kel continued, now looking concerned. "You don't look to good. Are you feeling alright?"

"Oh yes, I'm alright. It's just…"

"Just what?"

"A nightmare. That's all."

"Oh. Do you want to talk about it?"

I sighed. "As much as I'd like to, I can't."

Kel frowned. "Why not?"

"It has to do with my ordeal."

Kel's shoulders slumped and she bit her lip. "I wish I could help you, Neal. I'm sorry."

I sling an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to me. "That's alright. You can't help the whole world, even if you do want to."

"Neal," Kel began, almost timidly.

Startled, I looked down at her. "What's wrong?"

Kel swallowed. "About yesterday…"

"What about yesterday?"

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone that I… ah… well, you know."

I was confused for a moment, then, "That you cried."

Kel nodded silently.

"What's wrong with crying?"

"I'm supposed to be the strong and confident one, Neal. What would people think?"

I smiled. "That you're human."

"But…"

"There are no 'buts' involved," I hugged her tight. "Kel, if anyone has a right to cry, it's you. You've been through a lot more than the rest of us. And, personally, I found it flattering. I didn't know you cared."

Kel looked up into my eyes and I couldn't help but notice the similarities between this moment and my dream. I wanted to kiss her, so desperately.

She smiled her beautiful smile and said, "Of course I care about you Meathead, of course I care. How could I not?"

Kel laid her head on my shoulder and I stroked her hair. We stayed that way for hours and together we watched the sun rise.

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Ok, this version of chapter 3 is much better than the original.

Now, replies!

Irish Violinist: That's happened to me. Hope you liked the update!

PrincessPeach131: I loved that line to. No one else mentioned it. Now that I think about it, I think you're right. Yuki probably wouldn't call him Nealan. I don't know why she did. Also, I don't plan on Kel finding out to soon. I've got an idea of where this is going. Anyway, thanks for the input. Because of it, this chappie is dedicated to you! Hope you liked it!

Sirynta: I hate cliffies to. But I was feeling mean.

Jewelled Rose: I hope was even better than the last. Thanks again for the email. I appreciated it. Sorry for the wait though. It's all explained in the first A/N.

loserbat: First of all, interesting name. Second, thank you for the compliment. They boost my confidence. I wish they'd gotten together to. Third, I forgot about Cleon. I'll have to think about that. But he wasn't there for her ordeal anyway; he was on the border or something. Maybe I'll fit him in somewhere. I'm not sure if he's with Kel in this fic 'cause I forgot him but I'll let you know.

The Midnight Line: That's what I thought… and I wrote it!

seabiscuit0810: Itry to make all my fics different. Is your name like Seabiscuit the horse? He was cool.

Anjanka: Ewwwww! I HATE Dom, although I don't know why. Well, it definitely won't be Kel/Dom!

Thanks also go to K, doublelily, Cerri, Pussin Boots and everyone else who read but didn't review.

Well, that's all for now. I'll update quicker next time, promise.

Reviews please! I'll give you cookies!