OH. MY. GOD. I HAVE 100 REVIEWS! I LOVE all of you guys who helped that to happen. You have no idea how honored I am, and how grateful. You guys keep me happy when I'm sad, because I remember that somebody wants me around, if only for just one more chapter. So, thank you so so so much!

And without further ado, you guys deserve an extra special fluffy chappie.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The next morning brought an uncomfortable reality crashing down on Kel. As she brushed her hair she scanned the letter lying on the table.

Keladry

Your presence is required by Lord Raoul at 10. It is necessary that you attend.

Kel grimaced. She knew exactly why Raoul's note was so terse. It had to be spurned by a certain Scanran's continued presence. He was rather inconveniencing, a large problem. And she had no idea how to solve it.

Kel glanced outside, knowing that it was already late in the morning. She had slept uncommonly late due to her recent healing, and was now short of time. Cursing, she pulled her hair back and hurried out of the infirmary.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The scene in this room is actually kind of funny thought Kel, as she entered the conference room. Well, it would be funny if it weren't so… dangerous. She glanced from Raoul's murderous expression to a fidgeting Neal. She smiled slightly before a glaring Raoul caught her eye. She sobered quickly and sat down, nodding congenially.

"Lord Raoul."

His head barely budged as he replied shortly, "Keladry. I assume you know why we are here."

Kel opened her mouth to reply when Neal cut her off. "And in case you've forgotten Kel, it has to do with a general that you made me drag along with us on our wild flight." Neal was cross at Kel's lateness; he had spent 10 uncomfortable minutes under Raoul's thunderous stare.

Kel smiled thinly at Neal, hiding her irritation. "Wow Neal. Really, if you hadn't reminded me, I might have forgotten that man that tried to rape and kill me."

He raised his eyebrows at her. "Which of course, is why you wanted to bring him along. I wonder why I didn't think of that. I-"

Raoul cut in smoothly. "Much as I enjoy hearing the two of you at each others throats, we have a few more important issues to deal with. So we will have to ignore the anger and wrath going through everyone in this room and concentrate on other things. Things like that general. Does somebody want to explain?"

Neal looked at Kel. She nodded, knowing that this was her explanation.

"Well, I first met our dear general in a bar in Garat. He was very attracted to me and began to flirt. I tried to wring information from him, sir, but he didn't disclose anything, and he didn't introduce himself to me, so I didn't know his real identity and status. However, he did start to make some inappropriate advances, and Neal rescued me. He had found out Burgad's name from one of his lady friends." Kel sent Neal a hard look.

Raoul nodded. "So you met this man in Garat. That's wonderful. However, I'm failing to make the connection between your flirtation in Garat and his accompaniment on your flee from Casr."

"Oh, of course sir. There is more to the story," Kel explained. "Burgad and I converged once again at a ball in Casr. Of course, this time it was a planned meeting, organized by Neal and I. I was using him to create a diversion. Then somehow, we were interrupted by a guard who, for some reason," she looked at Neal, "knew about us. I took the general captive to save us. Neal roped him to the horse, as we couldn't leave him to order a revolt against us. I figured that we would come up with a plan here." She paused, and then realized that she also had a question. "Actually, Neal, how did that soldier know about us?" She stifled a laugh as Raoul's piercing eyes switched from her to Neal.

Neal swallowed. "Um, I, well. You see, I was forced to knock him out so that I could enter the jail and rescue Fal and Buri."

Raoul blinked. "That doesn't explain how he knew."

Neal twisted his hands and squirmed on his seat. "Well, I kind of told him what we were doing."

"Why?" The voice sounded so cool and collected that no one would have guessed the fury behind his brown eyes.

"I, I, I, wanted to."

The peace broke in one instant as Raoul roared. "You risked your mission just because you couldn't remember to keep your god dammed mouth shut?"

Neal bent as Raoul unleashed his fury. Finally Raoul's ranting ended, and he slumped down into his chair. Waving his hand, he dismissed them. "Go. Try to come up with a solution for this problem. Now get out of my sight before I kill you."

The knight and the squire hurried out silently, ignoring one another.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Neal grinned evilly, pondering the solution to the rusty weapons in his hands. Of course, he could polish them himself. He was perfectly able. But why waste the time he could spend reading when he had another person who could do the work for him. A certain… squire. And the fact that he was currently fighting with said squire just made him even more gleeful. He smirked and left his rooms, heading towards Kel's rooms.

Kel poked her head out irritably when she heard the knock on her door. Her eyes narrowed when they observed a happy and smiling Neal.

"What do you want?" She didn't really sound happy to see him.

He looked at her innocently. "You sound suspicious. Why would you ever be suspicious of such a sweet young gentleman as myself?"

Kel snorted. "So prove me wrong."

"Hey I came here with completely honorable intentions." Neal raised his nose. "I was simply going to impress upon you the awful condition of my weapons here." He pushed the items into her hands.

Kel looked at him, non-plussed. "Ok. So what does that have to do with me?"

"Well, you see, your duties as a squire require you do assist me in this matter. Well, actually, they require you to do the work for me." He grinned.

Kel digested this for a second, and then looked shocked.

"In your dreams!" She thrust the flaking weapons back at him. "Do your own work."

Neal tutted. "Is that anyway to talk to your knight master?" He took his hands and slowly pushed the weapons back toward her chest. It worked well, because although she was usually stronger then him, her injury had taken a toll on her muscle. His hands inched closer while forcing the weapons back at her.

Kel frowned at him, meaning to reply with a sharp remark. "I-"

She stopped abruptly. His hands had finally pushed the weapons back all the way, and now resided in an interesting place. Kel glanced down at her bosom, where each of Neal's palms rested. I know that he didn't mean this, but I can't believe that he's touching me there! And I can't believe that I'm enjoying it. She panicked, quickly taking a step backwards, away from him. She observed his wide eyes, and his obvious discomfort.

"Um, I'll return the weapons to you in a few hours."

Before Neal could say a word, she slammed the door in his face.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Kel grumbled as she made her way to Neal's room in the gathering darkness. She was frustrated at his power over her, and a little uncomfortable about her new feelings toward him. Her epiphany had come at an awkward time, and she wasn't quite sure what she should do. And it didn't help that unusual incidents had started happening between them. She was confused. So she shifted the newly shiny weapons to her other hand and banged on his door.

To her surprise, instead of a normal firmly closed door and yelling Neal, the door swung open. Kel peered into the foyer of his chambers, observing the lack of any living being. She smiled. This is exactly the payback that Neal deserves. She crept into the bedchambers and found Neal asleep, tangled in the sheets. His shirt was off, and he was lying on his back, his arms flung carelessly to either side. She looked at his sleeping form for a few minutes, formulating a plan, before sneaking into his bathroom.

There she found a bottle of shampoo, and grabbed it, smiling. Once she had gotten back into his bedroom, she opened the bottle and gently poured the contents all over Neal's chest and stomach. He groaned, and shifted in his sleep, but his eyes stayed firmly closed. She picked up a pillow and slit it open with her belt knife and took aim.

Laughing, she slammed him with the pillow, sending feathers everywhere, with the majority sticking to his torso. He sat bolt upright.

"What the hell?" He raised unbelieving hands to his chest and flinched when they reached a sticky, feathery mess. He looked wildly around, finally resting his eyes on Kel. "Kel? What the hell did you do?"

She smiled at him. "Just think of it as a little payback, my dear knight master. Or a warning against leaving your door unlocked."

He blinked at her, the tackled her. She backed away from the mess that he was and shook her fingers at him. "Ah ah ah. Fair is fair Neal. Now we're even." She gently took his shoulders and turned him around. "May I suggest a shower?"

Neal glared at her, and then followed her lead into the bathroom. There he closed (and locked!) the door, and showers were heard running a few minutes later. Kel lazed on his bed, waiting for him to come back out.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Kel was almost dozing off when Neal came out, de-stickified, and un-feathered. He had casually pulled on a pair of breeches and had a towel slung around his neck. She smiled at her and stretched out her hand.

"Even?"

He took it, the warmth of his hand and the recent shower engulfing hers. "Even. And friends."

"Really." She smiled mischievously. "Well in that case I think that I'm supposed to tell you that you missed a spot." She placed her hand on his abdominals, meaning to wipe off the last bit of shampoo. She moved her palm upward, unintentionally caressing the grooves of his hard muscle. His breath caught, and their eyes met, each displaying a bit of their pent up emotions.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Ooooooh you all love me now for all of the very mushy, fluffy, sappy moments! I love you too! And to prove it, here are responses.

KittyofPiratesSwoop: Thank you, I love them too!

Siriusforeva: Thanks!

E.V.P: Neal is my favorite character too! I would totally marry him. You know, if he were real and all. I'm glad I entertain you!

QueenKel: Burgad will be explained, I promise!

Soccerchick-08: Thank you and here's your answer.

Justcallmebubba: Join the club!

FanFictionFantom: happiness!

Cowgirl: Well… not four days. Sorry! Explanation below! And you act like insanity is a bad thing…

Arcadia: Thank you! I really appreciate the compliments and humor of your reviews, and also your steadfastness. Three cheers for you!

Irish Violinist: Thank you!

Keladry612: Update here and ready to be read!

Pussin Boots: You know, you're really only one of the ones that ever tells me what I can improve, which is greatly appreciated. Rock on!

Lady Knight 1512: I reviewed! And a very long one too! Again, thanks for the advice, support, and compliments. And you really are an amazing writer. I don't lie about things like that.

Wolfdemongirl: Neal is cute all of the time.

Problem cows of the world: Yay for fluff!

Dreamerdoll: EMAIL ME! And I'm glad you found it funny.

Guacamole13: Thanks, humor rules the world.

Stormy Winter: This enough fluff?

Moony's Luver: Oh well, I can't help the OOC-ness.

Phew, there we go, no more replies. So, real quick, I'm so sorry that it took so long; I had concerts and graduations and parties and vacations, and whatever else. Also, I might not be updating again in the next 2 weeks because finals really do need my attention. Ahhh they suck! But yeah, I figured I'd try to get at least one nice chapter in before then.

Ok, so I can't really decide whether or not I like this chapter, but I'm exhausted so whatever. Review and let me know what you thing of it. PLEASE? Also, if you can start answering one question for me? See, eventually, this story will either have to end, or go into some M rated fluff, bordering on fluffy lemonade, in the fanfic world (how gross would that literally be though?). What do you think I should do?

So, I shall bid you farewell for now, with one last resounding THANK YOU and another resounding REVIEW.

Love!

PrincessPeach