Hey everyone. Heres the next chapter, believe me its not as bad as it was... Thanks to TheGirlScholarfor reviewing, it meant heaps to me.

"Kel, would you stop moping around?" snapped Merric. "Honestly, since you came back from Steadfast you been such a…a…well, I don't what exactly you've been but it annoys me a lot."

Kel looked up at Merric. It was true; she had been a bit depressed and withdrawn of late. It wasn't really fair on her people and especially not Merric. She had a responsibility to run New Hope but sometimes, you just can't help getting down.

"Kel, what happened to make you like this?" Merric asked. "New Hope is going great. The people are well trained in their weapons of choice; we haven't had a raid in weeks, what's your problem?"

She sighed. She knew she owed him an explanation and she really needed to talk about Dom to someone but this was Merric. Her year mate, yes, but he wasn't that great a friend. He didn't love their people as much as she did. He saw them as just commoners. But he seemed to be waiting for her to say something.

"You know Dom, right?" she asked.

"Of course I know him, Kel!" Merric snapped. "And I know you like him."

"What? How do you know?" She straightened in her chair, glaring at him.

"It's a bit obvious, Kel, plus Tobe told me, you sleep-talked." He grinned.

Kel made a mental note to deal with Tobe later.

"Well, anyway, I went to Steadfast and he sort of fell for one of Yuki's very pretty friends who came over for the wedding. Naraki," she said, muttering in distress. "Now I have absolutely no chance of ever being with him. He just seems to fall for the pretty girls."

Merric looked at Kel. Did she really think that she wasn't pretty? He thought Kel was beautiful. What guy wouldn't be attracted to her? She wasn't all dainty and prissy and not a wife you would have to leave for great amounts of time. She was someone who could come with you.

Merric almost slapped himself. He couldn't think about Kel like this. It was so wrong. Yet he felt he needed to reassure her some how.

"Kel, you've always been beautiful to me," he said, patting her on the arm. "You'll find someone, don't worry." He quickly strode out of the room.

She stared after him. What was that all about?

OoO

For the next week she stayed away from Merric as much as possible. She didn't understand his sudden show of affection and didn't know if she really wanted to. Kel moaned. Now she had something else to worry about.

"Lady, will you take us for practice now?" Tobe, Loesia and their friends had come up behind her with their staffs.

"Yes, of course." Kel led them away, glad of the distraction.

OoO

Merric sighed for what felt like the hundredth time today. Kel was avoiding him, he knew. And he, her. Merric had made sure he was out on as many patrols as he could, and when he wasn't doing that, he was training the people in archery or on the wall as look out. He made sure every minute that wasn't spent eating or sleeping was taken up.

He didn't mean to make her feel uncomfortable and he certainly didn't mean say anything like that. His feelings for Kel had to be kept to himself and even then he denied it. Merric couldn't let himself fall for someone that had feelings for someone else. It would only make him depressed as well, and one of them needed to remain somewhat normal, or the whole of New Hope would get down, and that would be bad if Scanra decided to throw one last attack at them. What was he to do, though? A relationship with Kel would be perfect; they saw each other every day.

OoO

Kel decided she would eat in her quarters that night. She didn't know if she could handle everyone asking for her advice and complimenting her or badgering her on the way things were going. She needed peace. Suddenly the door opened and Merric came in.

"Kel, I need to talk to you." He sat down.

She had been half expecting this.

"Sure, what's up?"

"Look, I know you like Dom," he started, "But I just want you to know that I know what it's like. To like someone who doesn't have the same feelings for you."

Merric took her hand.

"Merric," she whispered.

"Kel, I'm falling for you so badly." He stared into her eyes, seemingly waiting for something. Kel didn't do anything so he leaned over and gently kissed her lips. He pulled back looking into her shocked eyes, then leaned forward and kissed her again.

Kel couldn't help but kiss him back. It felt so good. It was a long time since she had been kissed.

She pulled back, eyes wide. What was she doing? She stood up and ran from the room.

Merric sighed and watched her go. "I'm so stupid," he thought tiredly.

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