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Last Time:

Dom smiled shaking his head and left. Now he had to find something else to do. Kel was with Yuki, and Neal was off limits in this mood. If only Raoul was here, then he could force his company on him, or maybe play a few tricks. Speaking of which maybe he could get some of the Own together and begin planning some surprises for Raoul for when he arrived at the fort.

The Dangers of Shopping With Dom

Kel was talking with Yuki. As usual they were talking about plans for the wedding. It seemed to be all Yuki to talk or think about ever since the idea of New Hope had been suggested.

"You go back to New Hope soon don't you Kel?"

"Yeah, we've only got two more days here. I can't wait to go back. I mean I'm sure they're alright but I can't forget Haven. I wonder how everyone is, I know Merric will be fine, and everyone knows what to do if they are attacked-"

"Kel! They were taught by you to take care of themselves. You've done well, now you just have to trust that they can survive without their Mother." She paused and a small smile graced her face. "I've invited someone else to the wedding." She tried to sidetrack Kel's worried mind by intriguing her with a new subject, of course relating to her wedding.

"Oh really? Who is it?"

"I'm not telling. You'll find out when my family arrives."

"Do I know them?"

"Yes, very well. It's a friend of ours from the islands from before you left for Tortall." Kel wracked her brain for the identity of the person. By the end of her stay in the isles she'd made many Yamani friends, any of whom could have been invited.

"So you won't tell me who?"

"No, you'll find out."

"Fine then. So where do you want to actually hold the wedding?"

They talked details for another hour before going to lunch. There they met Dom and Neal who had been talking again that morning. Yuki of course chose a seat next to Neal and Kel was left with a chair next to Dom. As she sat down she could feel his presence at her side, warm and open. The thought made her blush. Well almost, she brought up her mask just in time to cover it, forcing herself to remain calm and serene. A voice broke into her thoughts.

"Kel, KEL, Kel, Kel? Hello," Neal was waving a hand up and down in front of her face.

"What?"

"One problem about having the wedding at New Hope – where are we going to house all the guests? There's barely enough room for the villagers as it is, let alone adding a hundred guests!"

"Ah yes. I hadn't really thought about that. Well we have a while until the wedding; maybe we could build another barracks. We'll need another anyway at the rate the camp is expanding. The problem is how are we going to get enough people to build it? We still need people to till the fields, do the washing, the cooking, the cleaning, taking care of the animals and all the other tasks. Not to mention patrols!"

At this point Dom spoke up. "I think I might be able to help out there. I'll be coming to the wedding anyway. I'll ask Raoul if I can take the Third Company to New Hope with you when you leave. We're used to building, and we're all better at carpentry than Kel," He dodged a swipe from Kel's hand, "And you could always use more protection too couldn't you?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure how safe the people will feel with the childish Own trying to 'protect' them!"

"Oh dear lady, how you wound a poor man's heart to speak so! Please take back your unkind words." He pressed the back of his hand to his head the other to his chest, and Kel couldn't help but laugh at the look on his face. Dom had pushed his bottom lip out and was making puppy eyes at her.

"I'll say it again; you're just like Neal when you do that."

Neal, who had been watching their exchange in what could only be called delight, looked shocked and offended at this.

"Lady! Not only do you wound this man but me as well. You are cruel and-"

He was cut off with a yelp as Yuki gave him a tap on the head with her shukusen.

"Stop behaving like such a child," she said laughter colouring her voice, "I need you to come and help me write out invitations to our wedding. We still need to decide who you want to invite and make sure we don't forget anyone." She stood up and bowed slightly to Kel and Dom then dragging Neal behind her she left the mess hall.

"So Kel," said Dom, resting his elbow on the table and his head on his hand and looking at her, "What are you doing today?"

Feeling self conscious because of his fierce attention she didn't look back at him as she spoke. "Well I was going to do some more practice, and maybe go shopping for midwinter gifts. I won't have any other chance at New Hope."

"I'll come with you then."

"Don't you have any work to do with the Own?"

"Not that can't be done later."

Kel sighed. It seemed he'd always have an excuse to get out of work. Not that she minded of course, it was always a pleasure spending time with Dom. He could always cheer her up and he would keep her mind off New Hope.

"Okay, you can come." Dom gave her a bright smile that nearly caused another blush and told her he'd meet her outside the mess hall in half an hour. They stood and parted to get ready for their trip to the markets.

Fort Steadfast had been around for a long time and was the centre of military command in the area. That was why even though it was a fort it had a large market district inside the walls. Young soldiers on leave came to the fort to buy treats, new clothes, relax and send presents to sweethearts back home, therefore the fort was never empty and the markets had good trade.

It was to these markets that Kel and Dom went. The walk there was short and they spoke very little. Once they arrived at the market Kel started to search for her midwinter presents while Dom tagged along behind offering 'helpful' advice.

"I think Meathead needs a brain, do you think they sell those here? Maybe you could get him a book, oh wait he can't read! Let's see; don't get him anything sharp, he might hurt himself. Oh and I think he wants a-"

"Dom! Try and be just a little helpful. Please?" Kel could only just stop herself from bursting into laughter at Dom's antics. Especially when he grabbed a scarf and held it round his head in one of the various court fashions and proclaimed in a high pitched voice "'Oh Sergeant Domitan, you are so helpful, and what big strong muscles you have!' " Kel couldn't hold the laughter in and bent over in a fit of shaking. Dom dropped the scarf back onto the stall he had plucked it from to the scowl of the owner and joined Kel in the chuckle.

"Okay then," said Kel slightly breathless, "Don't be helpful. By the way is there anything special you'll be wanting for Midwinter?"

"What Kel? You are going to ask me to choose my own present! I don't know, surprise me."

"I will then." They continued through the stalls, each containing different wares of varying quality. Kel lead the way, and Dom followed close behind. A little too close for comfort sometimes. Once, when Kel was leaning over a stall to look more closely at a brooch she thought Yuki might like, she felt warmth on her neck. She thought that maybe the wind had picked up a little and ignored it. That was until Dom's voice whispered in her ear.

"I think she'd like it." Kel jumped high into the air and spun around ready to fight. Dom was knocked off his feet before she realized it was him.

She looked down on him without pity. "That should teach you not to do that again." And she turned away to buy the jewel. Dom, who was surprised by the feeling in his stomach as he had leaned over Kel, didn't move. Instead he lay back on the ground, pretending to be unconscious. Kel ignored him at first, knowing he was joking and not seriously injured. But as she kept moving through the market and he still hadn't moved she became worried and glanced at him frequently. Finally she could stand it no more and went back to kneel down beside him.

"Dom." She said shaking his shoulder. "Dom, I know you're joking." When he still didn't move she leant in closer till she was inches away from his face. Then she stopped. Saying his name again she poked his cheek. That was when he decided that the game had gone on long enough.

"HI KEL!" he shouted jumping up and nearly knocking Kel over in the process.

"I knew it!" she cried and proceeded to hit him multiple times on the arms and head. "You little…grrrr…I can't believe I was actually worried for you! Just you wait Domitan I'll get you for that."

"Awww Kel, you wouldn't want to hurt me would you? Not your own Dom? How could you stand the Meathead without me?"

"First I do want to hurt you, second you're not mine and third I spent years dealing with Neal all by myself!"

"That's right I forgot you had to live with the Meathead. Okay Kel, sorry I scared you, but-"

"You didn't scare me; I was just shocked that's all."

"Then everything's okay isn't it? Let's go get some food, I'm hungry." Kel scowled at him as he smiled at the small crowd that had gathered round the pair. But soon that was forgotten as Dom put his arm around her shoulders and led her away. His arm was heavy but it was a comforting weight and it sent warmth throughout her body. When he took it away to buy them some snacks she shivered and felt like she had lost something.

"Here you are Kel." He said passing her the food then biting into his own. She didn't return the smile he gave her. Instead she gave an exaggerated pout and crossed her arms.

"That was a mean trick Dom."

"Come on Kel, no harm done. I am sorry though to have caused you worry. I promise it won't happen again."

This made her smile. "You are lying through your teeth. Now that you've found something that got such a good reaction from me you won't be able to stop doing it. Like what you do to Raoul. I remember after you found out that he detested eels! Suddenly he kept finding them everywhere, in his bedroll, his food, and his boots. You're like a dog picking at a bone! And the same goes to all the Own."

"Thanks Kel."

She looked puzzled. "What for?"

"I'd forgotten that Raoul had a particular…disliking…for eels. The boys and I can have some real fun with this. Maybe I can make it part of our opening trick when he comes to the fort. Oops I wasn't supposed to tell you that!"

"Dom what have you planned?"

"Nope, I'm not saying anymore. I'll have to swear you to secrecy about what you already know."

"Please Dom?"

"No, now repeat after me…I swear that I shall not tell anyone about the trick being played on Lord Raoul when he comes to Fort Steadfast…" Kel said her part in a monotone before Dom continued, "And I do solemnly swear that Sergeant Domitan is the most handsome and strongest man I have ever-" Kel cuffed him on the back of the head. "What? Did I say something wrong?" Dom smiled at her as she sighed at him.

"What am I going to do with you?" Dom grinned and Kel saw something strange in his eyes but before he could do anything or reply she hastily added, "Why don't we go back now? I've got as many gifts as I can. I'll try getting the rest another time."

Dom still grinning at her infuriatingly bowed at her and offered his arm with an eyebrow wiggle and taking her bags of shopping. She took it suspiciously and they returned to the main fort, chatting all the way.

Thanks to all the people who have reviewed this story and thank you ME who pointed out a few mistakes! And Opalshine one of Yuki's sisters will be the Maid of Honour coz I mean even though she and Kel are best friends and stuff I think she'd probably have her sister.

So yeah, review please! It's nice to hear what people think of my story!

Kate xoxo