Disclaimer: Tamora Pierce owns the characters.

OK...so I'm realllllly really sorry about how long its been since I put up the first chapter. Honestly, I never expected to take so long, but with school and stuff...anyway I had hoped to finish it when summer started but I had amazingly horrible writer's block. The mood to write struck me last night though (well..early this morning, more like) so I finished the 2nd chapter. I also started writing a Miri/Evin oneshot if you're interested, so keep an eye out :)

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Chapter 2

Dom looked at the cards he held in his hands. He and Neal were in Neal's study, playing a card game they used to play when they were younger. He took the 7 of diamonds confidently from his hand and laid it down on the table. However, Neal, who was seated across from him, had already decided the results of the card game and proceeded to put down all of his cards to win the game (AN: I don't know what game they were playing. let's just say frustration. I don't really care if it doesn't make sense, because let's face it, I'm the author, and I can write what I want. :D) Dom's jaw dropped.

"I'm not so much of a Meathead, now, am I?" Neal asked his cousin smugly.

"But...but I used to win every game of cards we played. I was undefeated! How in Mithros' name did you get so good?"

"He memorizes the cards that are dealt. Hasn't anyone ever told you?"

Dom whipped around quickly, dropping all of his cards and nearly knocking over his chair in the process. Standing in the doorway was Kel, the person that, as of late, occupied every inch of Dom's mind.

He hadn't spoken to her since the day that he had experienced very new feelings around her. He had done a lot of thinking since then, and had decided that he just had a temporary infatuation. A sort of crush. It was probably just happening because Dom had asked Kel to pretend to be his consort. His feelings would go away and she could return to being his friend Kel, the knight, instead of Kel, the woman of his dreams, the person who kept him up all night, thinking.

"Dom, are you alright?" Kel gave him a funny look.

He cleared his throat. "Um, yes, well...why wouldn't I be?" He shotr a glare at Neal, who was trying not to laugh, looking back and forth between Dom and Kel.

Dom frowned. He hoped that this infatuation wouldn't last too long. He was a commander. He was always in control and he liked it. He didn't like how his heart hammered when he saw Kel. He didn't like that every night, he couldn't fall asleep because he was thinking about what it would be like to hold her in his arms, like he had that day, maybe even kiss her. And he especially didn't like the foolish and clumsy things that seemed inevitable for him to do when she caught him off-guard.

As he tried to slow his heartbeat to a reasonable pace, Dom asked Kel, in his best offhand voice, "Were you looking for me?"

Kel laughed. "I hate to burst your ego, Commander, but I came to ask Neal over there if he would like to come to the tilting yards. It's been ages since I've jousted against an opponent."

Dom sat down, his cheeks burning with embarrassment that he had automatically assumed that Kel had come to see him. He tried to ignore the sensation at the pit of his stomach that felt oddly like jealousy and unclenched his hands.

Neal sighed dramatically. There was a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Kel, you know my feelings about tilting with you. I'd like to keep my body intact, thank you very much."

Kel shook her head. "They're going to take away your shield if you keep avoiding the practice courts like the plague," she said with an exasperated tone.

Neal waved his hand nonchalantly. "In any case, my father wants me to help with the healers today."

Kel nodded. "Alright, suit yourself. When you have a lance through you, don't say I didn't offer to practise with you."

At this comment, Dom laughed. Both Kel and Neal turned to give him a questioning look. He said, "Well, if the Meathead had a lance through him, it would only be because you ran him through by accident when he wasn't paying attention during a practice run." Dom looked at Kel.

She laughed, and the sound sent chills up and down Dom's back. Mithros, he loved it when he made her laugh.

Neal raised his eyes to the ceiling and shook his head, muttering to himself.

"What are you doing?" Kel asked him, bewildered.

"Oh, nothing," he said dismissively. "Say, here's an idea!" Neal clapped his hands once enthusiastically.

"Uh oh," Kel and Dom said together. She grinned at him and his stomach turned over. Neal ignored them both and continued.

"Why doesn't Dom joust with you Kel? You've tilted before, right, Dom?"

Dom looked at Neal, suspicious. Did the Meathead know anything about his crush? From the suggestive tone he used, the smirk on his face and his raised eyebrows, Dom had a hunch that he had indeed guessed what had been going on in his head the last few days. He had better not say anything to her...

Kel cleared her throat, looking hopeful. Dom sighed. "I suppose I could allow you to send me flying into the air a few times. Since you're doing me a favor. I might as well," he said, trying to make it seem like he was indifferent to the idea of spending an afternoon with Kel.

"Excellent. He'll meet you on the practice courts, Kel. I just need a word with him." Dom shot Neal a curious look and then waved to Kel. As soon as the door snapped shut behind her, he turned to Neal questioningly.

Neal had a smug look on his face. "You can thank me anytime, oh cousin of mine." He smirked again.

Annoyed, Dom looked at the ceiling. "I don't know what you're talking about, Meathead."

"Oh please. It was plain as day that you were jealous that Kel wanted me to joust with her. So, I just did the natural thing."

"I wasn't jealous! I was just...I was.." Dom struggled to come up with an excuse.

"You can give up on the sharade anytime, Dom. I know you have a thing for her."

Dom reddened. "Look, I don't know how you know. I just realised it myself. But it's only temporary."

Neal raised an eyebrow. "You've decided this already, have you?" Dom looked him in the eye defiantly and was greatly irritated when Neal began to laugh. "You can't control feelings like this, Dom, honestly."

"But I just want things to be back to normal with Kel."

Neal suddenly grew very serious. "I don't think things are going to ever be normal again. I think you're falling for her," he said in a low tone, dropping the sarcastic voice he usually used. He left his cousin with much to think about, as he exited his quarters to go to the healing wing, saying nothing more.

Could I really be falling for her? Could this be the real thing? Dom didn't know if this was good or not.

Well, he thought, there's no use dwelling on it. I'll just see where it goes.

And so, Dom set off to the tilting yards, hoping he wouldn't make a fool of himself and, above all, praying that he would survive the afternoon.

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Aaaaaaand done. Next chapter will be tilting/discussion of details for the reunion. And then hopefully the reunion itself. Now I know that many of you are probably irritated with me at how long I took to get this up (again, SO SORRY) but do you think you could find it in your hearts to review anyway? Please? or at least read and review the Miri/Evin fic I'll be posting soon. :)

PEACE,

S.