A/N: Thanks to all my readers and to all of you who reviewed I hope you like this new chapter!
Disclaimer: You know the drill anything recognizable I don't own.

Two squads from the Third Company rode through the main gate of New Hope. Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle sighed as he walked his mount through the gate; it was good to be surrounded by solid walls again, especially since the Scanran War was still going strong. Glancing around he saw a man that looked like a clerk come to greet him and his men.

"Greetings! The Lady Knight had informed me that you were to be expected. Which one of you is Sergeant Domitan?" Dom raised his hand. "Allow me to show you and your men to where you will be staying while you are with us. " The clerk bowed and turned, not waiting to see if the men followed. Dom was curious as to why he had not seen Kel yet. Usually, she was the first one to greet newcomers in New Hope.

"Where is our fearless leader? Surely she wouldn't miss greeting some old friends." Dom inquired.

"The Lady Knight took an arrow to her side yesterday during an attack on the camp. She is recovering in her rooms." The clerk replied calmly. Dom, however, was anything but calm. He was rather distressed by the news, but tried not to show it. "Here are the rooms for you and your men. Please have everyone come to myself or one of the other clerks after you are settled to sign up for chores." With that the clerk left the men of the King's Own in peace.

Dom claimed a room for himself and quickly unpacked a few of his belongings. He then strode out of the room to find news of Kel. He was nearly frantic with worry when he spotted his cousin's wife, Yuki. "I heard Kel was injured. Will she be alright?" Dom demanded. His concern for Kel frightened him. Dom was terrified that she had gotten herself a severe injury.

"Don't worry," Yuki replied calmly. "Everything will just fine. She's sleeping now so don't go barging into her room and interrupting her much needed rest."

"Thank the gods!" Dom sighed with relief. He relaxed knowing Kel was fine, but his thoughts still troubled him. Why do you let yourself care so much? It's not like she even thinks about you that way. Dom had been thinking about Kel in that way ever since their foray into Scanran territory. At least, that was when he began to acknowledge that he felt something for her other than friendship. The more he thought about it the more sure he became that he had felt something more than friendship towards Kel for a few years.

Dom's dear old cousin walked up soon after his brief exchange with Yuki. They bantered with each other, Dom trying to appear nonchalant about Kel's recent injury and taking his mind off of it by challenging his cousin to a practice bout. As he walked away from his cousin his smile faded and he began brooding again over Kel's injury.

Wolset appeared in front of him suddenly. "Brooding isn't good for the health." He remarked solemnly. "What's up, Sarge? Our Lady Knight isn't gravely injured is she?" His concern was evident.

"No, don't worry, I was assured by my cousin and his wife that Kel will be just fine. I was just mulling things over in my mind."

"Whatever you say, Sarge." With that Wolset left Dom to his thoughts. Dom tried to clear his head of Kel, but it wasn't working. No matter how he tried he couldn't get the thought of Kel in her injured state out of his mind. Dom climbed up the staircase leading to the top of the wall enveloped in thought. Hours passed as Dom stared of into the distance trying to sort out his feelings.

"Um, Sergeant Domitan?" Dom turned to see Kel's boy Tobe speaking to him. "Neal wanted me to tell you to come to the mess hall if you want supper."

Dom sighed, "Let my cousin know that I will be there soon." After Tobe left Dom walked down the staircase and started toward the mess hall. Peaking in he noticed Neal's wife was in sitting with her husband. Impulsively, Dom decided to turn around and head straight to headquarters. When he stepped into the building he walked quietly, trying not to disturb Kel, or alert anyone else of his presence. Dom was determined, he just had to see Kel himself before he would be convince that she was alright. Dom opened her door slowly. He slipped into her room and closed the door behind him.

Looking around Dom spotted Kel's sleeping form lying on her bed. Her hair was tousled from sleep. She looked much more peaceful than she ever did when she was awake. Dom slowly approached her sleeping form, not wanting to disturb her. He kneeled next to her bed and touched her cheek gently.

"You know it wasn't nice of you to great me this way," Dom whispered, attempting to scold Kel. "I would have much rather seen you up and about instead of having to sneak in here to see you. Although I can't say I mind too much, you aren't so guarded in your sleep. It helps me understand you." Dom smiled tenderly, it was good to tell Kel this, even if she was asleep and would have no recollection of it in the morning. Kel sighed and leaned her face into Dom's hand. As he gently removed his hand from her cheek, Dom stood up, then snuck out of her room, leaving Kel to sleep in peace.

XXXXXXXX

Neal saw his cousin enter the mess hall later than most everyone else. When Dom sat next to him after he had gotten his food, Neal surveyed him suspiciously. Something was up with his cousin and Neal was determined to get to the bottom of it.

"So, cousin, did you do anything interesting these past few hours? From what I hear all you did was stand up on the wall." Needled Neal, intending to provoke something out of his cousin with his wit or lack there of. "Planning on taking on all the Scanrans who dare come near our peaceful home? I do hope you intended on leaving some for Kel, you know how good she is at protecting us all."

Dom grinned, "I wouldn't dare, she would most likely thump me on the head and tell me what an idiot I'd been, taking on the Scanrans alone. You know Mother."

"I wouldn't expect anything less of dear old Mother, good to know you still have your senses about you." Neal responded teasingly. Unfortunately for Neal, he wasn't getting anything in the way of information about his cousin's dour mood. "So, no special reason for you to be up on the wall for hours?" He asked all too innocently.

Dom laughed, "Maybe I was just admiring the view, it's not bad. Especially since it makes it harder for the Scanrans to sneak up on you."

"That it does, cousin." Neal said effectively ending the conversation. He was frustrated, his cousin was evading his every attempt to wrest information from him. "Well, I'll see you later Dom, some of us need our beauty sleep if we are to be up and ready for another day in the life of a healer."

"G'night," replied Dom, pausing for a second. "By the by, I don't believe beauty sleep will do you much good, Meathead. There is only so much rest can do to help."

"Well then, it must run in the family, I hadn't planned on telling you, but you do like you are much in the need of some beauty rest yourself." With that remark Neal marched off, not giving his cousin time to come up with a decent comeback.

That's it, I'm going to figure out what has Dom so on edge if it is the last thing I do, he promised to himself. Neal walked into the rooms in a sour mood, much like a little boy who didn't get a sweet. He remembered that Yuki would be staying with Kel tonight and his mood blackened even more. Ever since they had been married, both had disliked staying apart. He despised it even more so now because they had recently found out that Yuki was pregnant.

Neal sighed to himself as he did his usual nighttime routine. All he really needed now was some rest and relaxation. Maybe then he would figure out what Dom was keeping from him.

A/N: What do you think of that little bit of information, huh? Also, what do you think about Dom and his little creeperness? See y'all next time! TouchofGrayce