Chapter 2 - Fights

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, etc. It's all Tammy's

Kel walked into the mess hall, still a bit confused. What was Joren playing at? Collecting her lunch, she went to sit at her usual table next to Neal. Strangely, she didn't feel that quivery blend of happiness and pain she usually felt around him. Could she really be so fickle as to let one kiss, with Joren no less, make her forget her feelings for Neal? Even more confused, she ate silently, letting her friends' chatter wash over her. Kel didn't know why she had let him kiss her or why she kissed him back. Although she admitted she quite enjoyed the kiss, even if she called herself ten kinds of idiot afterwards. Looking up, she saw Joren enter the mess hall. Their eyes met and he winked at her. Kel ignored it, trusting him even less after the incident in the stables. She returned her attention to her food and ate silently. Luckily, nobody noticed her reticence at lunch, although she felt Joren's eyes watching her until she left the mess hall.

Joren watched the Lump leave the mess hall. He knew she was confused after all that had happened, even if she hid it beneath that expressionless mask. All he had to do now was to keep her that way. A few more kisses and she'd be a lot more receptive to him. A thought occurred to him. What if the Lump fell in love with him? He smiled to himself. That would surely be the most entertaining thing he'd ever see. But of course, the Lump was the Lump, and the Lump felt nothing, so it would never happen. But it would be fun to try and see.

The next evening, Joren waited in the hallway for Kel. Seeing her, he smiled softly to himself. Time to confuse his enemy again. He would surprise the Lump and show the world why women didn't become knights. Of course, the Lump didn't know that. She would just think he was interested in her and too late would figure out his plan. As she walked past him, he grabbed her arm. Kel spun and kicked his feet from underneath him. "Joren,." She she said as he rose, "I thought that you were an attackerdidn't mean to...." you may want to change that, and explain why she's saying it. Her voice trailed off as Joren growled and lunged at her, tackling her to the ground, then threw a punch at her, hitting her jaw. He struck at her again, but this time she blocked it and hit hisJoren's jaw. She shoved Joren off her and rose to her feet. With a wry smile, he struck out a leg and swept her feet from under her, smirking as she fell. Kel rose as he did and punched his stomach. Winded by her blow, Joren staggered against the stone wall before moving forward to kick her hip.

They continued to exchange blows, until finally Joren pinned Kel to the ground. "Girls can't fight." He sneered at her, their faces inches from each other.

"Girls can fight and I'll be a knight.," She she replied stubbornly.

"You will never pass the Ordeal.," He he stated confidently. What happened next he would never be able to explain. He kissed her. Again. But the gentleness of that the first kiss was not there. Fierce was a more apt description for the way he and Kel dueled with their tongues and provoked each other into feeding the flames that had risen so suddenly. Joren, coming to himself, pulled away from her and stood. Kel also rose and grabbed his wrist as he turned away. Joren turned back to her only to be punched in the jaw. Reeling, he shoved her hard against the wall and walked back to his room.

That did not go well, Joren thought to himself as he entered his room. He hadn't meant to fight her, much less remind her that he wasn't really her friend. Cursing to himself, he replayed the scene in his mind. If only the Lump hadn't gone and thought she was being attacked. Now it looked as if his plan was in tatters. And worse, she would know he was planning something. Groaning aloud, he considered what to do next. A knock sounded from the door. Opening it, Joren found Zahir waiting expectantly. "What do you want?" He he asked the Bazhir curtly.

"What happened? I thought you would be celebrating after your success with the Lump.," Zahir replied as he walked inside the room. Joren sighed, telling Zahir what had happened in the hallway and his current setbacks. "Well, Joren, you only have one option. Apologize to the Lump"

"Apologize?" Joren burst out. "You must be insane!"

"Just tell her that you're trying to change and you still want to be her friend. Be honest about how you started fighting with her though. The best lies have a semblance of truth in them."

"I have my pride, Zahir. I'm not apologizing to the Lump."

"Fine, Joren. Ruin your carefully laid plans to rid us of the Lump because you have too much pride to apologize to a worthless whore, who will doubtless forget anyway."

Put that way, his Joren's arguments seemed a little silly. "Fine, I'll go apologize to her."

"Glad to be of service. Good luck."

"Meet me at the stables tomorrow."

"I can't. His majesty wants me to attend some council tomorrow."

Joren opened the door. "Fine, but come back later so we can finish discussing this and what to do next."

"I'm trembling with anticipation," Zahir replied dryly, but his eyes sparkled as he exited the room. Joren followed the Bazhir and closed the door behind him before heading for the Lump's room.

A/N - Thanks to Treanz-Alyce, Shattered Amethyst and Lioness Fury for betaing this chapter for me. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, I tried to take note of points you made. Now please review everyone.