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"Are you sure you don't need any help Kel?"

"With what?" Kel asked perplexed. Dom thought of what he had just asked and let out a weak laugh, glad that it was too dark for Kel to see him blushing. Of course she didn't need his help! She just had to get changed into her nightclothes and get into bed. And he didn't think she'd want him to help her with either of those things. It seemed to Dom that Kel had thought of this as well as she let out a chuckle too.

"Goodnight Dom."

"G'Night Kel"

Raoul, Buri and the Stables

Progress on the new barracks was fast. The men of the Own were used to rebuilding villages and had become good at carpentry, something that Kel could never add to a list of her accomplishments. Dom as director of the project had banned her from helping or even coming near the work. But she watched from a distance as the building took shape.

It was a week since she had returned to New Hope and that morning she had received the message that Raoul and Buri would be arriving in a couple of days for a visit. Raoul was taking some time off with Buri before his wedding and the couple had decided to spend some of that time in New Hope with Kel. They'd leave before Neal's wedding though.

Kel was looking forward to the visit. Although Dom, Neal, Yuki and Merric, not to mention the refugees were there with her, they were always busy. Dom with the barracks, Neal and Yuki with wedding plans, Merric with patrols and the people with all the tasks needed to keep New Hope running. The main social interaction Kel received was during meal times, and even then everyone was in a hurry to get work done. Sometimes in the evenings she would sit and talk with Dom, but they didn't really get enough time alone, they were invariably interrupted by one of the villagers asking Kel for some advice, or they were both too tired to have any decent conversation.

Kel of course kept up her training with the children. They were progressing well with their staff work and she felt a sense of pride to see them swinging and swaying in unison on the lawns at the front of the camp. But still life did get a little mundane when you were stuck writing reports and signing order forms, and marriage certificates and birth certificates and the occasional death certificate. That's why when Raoul and Buri arrived they were greeted by a very warm welcome.

Kel was waiting as they rode through the gates and she was with them as soon as they dismounted.

"Sir! It's so good to see you. And Buri you look so well."

"You do too Kel." replied Buri. Raoul was more affectionate wrapping her in a suffocating bear hug. Kel's face was beginning to turn red when Buri tapped Raoul on the shoulder.

"Kel does need to breathe Raoul, don't forget that."

"Of course! It's just I'm so happy to see you again Kel. You look good. New Hope not tiring you too much? I heard that one of my squads was here, I hope they're not giving you too much grief."

"We certainly are not!" said Dom who had just arrived. He snapped his heels together and saluted Raoul, managing to hold the pose for a few seconds before bursting into laughter.

"Well they haven't been too bad I guess." Said Kel after the laughter had subsided.

"Yes, well after the welcome I got at Steadfast I was thinking that you might have killed them all by now. Do you know what they did to me?"

"No," said Kel, "but I think I can guess." Her last comment was directed at Dom who smiled and winked. Kel rolled her eyes and asked Raoul and Buri if they wanted a tour of New Hope.

"Yes, you know Kel I haven't seen the new barracks yet, it would be nice to see what its like."

Raoul and Buri were impressed with the progress of the camp and the organization of the people. After the tour they headed to the mess hall for a meal. Buri had gone to get her food leaving Raoul and Kel alone.

"So Kel, how have you been?"

"Alright I guess. I'm glad to be back. I was a nervous wreck at Steadfast. I couldn't stop thinking that I might come back to find another Haven."

"Yes, Buri told me how distraught you were."

"You should have seen her sir." A new voice entered the conversation. It was Dom. Kel sighed; he always seemed to be popping up around her. "She didn't eat much at all in the last few days she was there, and I can bet she hardly slept either. And you could see the worry in her face."

"Kel-"

"I know sir, I've got to take care of myself and yes the refugees know how to take care of themselves and defend New Hope, and I need to eat because what would they do if I was too weak to help them and-"

"Kel calm down. I'm not here to lecture you. As long as you're better now?"

"Yessir!"

"Kel how many times do I have to tell you-"

"It's Raoul." Said Kel and Dom in unison. Kel looked at Dom and blushed a little before smiling. Raoul could hardly contain his chuckling and Dom was practically rolling on the floor laughing. Just then Buri came back.

"What happened here?"

"Nothing sweet." Replied Raoul who was recovering from his fit.

"I see. Anyway you two kids should get out and have some fun while you have time. Dom I hear you've been working hard all day everyday and Kel so have you. I've arranged for Wolset to take over the construction and Raoul and I can deal with all your work Kel. I don't care what you say, you two need a break."

Kel looked at Dom, who was looking at Raoul, who had a strange expression on his face. She was shocked. She couldn't thank Buri enough for giving her the opportunity to not only have a rest but spend time with Dom. As Dom dragged her out of the hall she could have sworn she saw Raoul wink at Dom, who blushed.

"What was all that about?" she asked him. They were in the stables. Dom had suggested taking a quiet ride.

Once again he flushed. "Oh nothing, just Raoul being Raoul and Buri being Buri."

Kel could sense that she would get no more out of him. She began to saddle Hoshi and Dom did the same with March. They rode out of the camp and into the surrounding forest. It was fairly safe, the patrols would sound warnings if anything went wrong and they stayed relatively close to New Hope.

The first part of the ride was spent in silence. Kel had no need to speak and the silences that she shared with Dom were never uncomfortable. They were the kinds of silences that occurred when you are comfortable enough with the person you're with that you don't feel the need to talk.

They had been riding for nearly an hour when they came to a small stream. Kel stopped and Dom did too.

"How about we take a break from riding?"

"Sounds good to me." He replied. They dismounted and Hoshi and March found their way to the stream for a drink.

Dom settled down on his back under the shade of a tree, his arms crossed under his head. Kel sat under the same tree but rested upright with her back against the trunk. She picked up a long stem of grass and twirled it round in her fingers. Dom seemed content to stare up at the branches above him. Kel took it as a chance to study his face. His skin was dark from hours in the harsh sun. His hair was dark too and flopped in his face giving her the urge to brush it back. His jaw and cheekbones were well defined and his nose was straight and strong. His eyes were that brilliant blue that some days reminded her of the sea, others the sky and mostly of sapphires. She had seen those eyes darken with worry until they were almost black, and seen them turn light and bright when he laughed.

It was a while before she noticed that those eyes were studying her too. She hurriedly looked away and focused on the grass in her hand.

"So what do you plan on doing when the war is over?" He asked her.

Kel had considered this before. She didn't know what she'd do. Would she be able to stay at New Hope? Or did the King have other plans for her? Would New Hope even need her if there was no war?

"I'm not sure, how about you? Got any plans?"

"No not really. I guess I'll stay with the Own; there should still be some work for us to do. Even if there isn't Raoul will find ways to keep us busy. He doesn't like it when we have nothing to do; he always seems to get pranked more when we're idle." Dom chuckled and Kel joined in. Yes, she thought, there would always be work for the Own, but what about knights? She couldn't just return to Mindelan and wait for another war to break out so she could fight, but what else was there to do? She'd never been a knight in peace time.

Kel and Dom sat and talked for a while longer after that, mainly about the wedding and wondering when Raoul and Buri would finally set a date for theirs. Soon though they decided they should head back. Kel found Hoshi and Dom found March and they rode slowly back to New Hope relishing the free time they had had together. Both of them were thinking how enjoyable the day had been, wishing that it could happen more often.

As they rode through the gates they both sighed. Kel looked at Dom who looked back at her and she read the same emotions in his eyes that she was sure he could read in hers.

She looked away sharply and steered Hoshi to the stables. Somehow Dom got there before her and as she was dismounting she felt his hands on her waist helping her. He gently set her feet on the ground and spun her to face him.

She could feel heat radiating from the places he touched her and she knew her face was red, so was his. She looked down before he could catch her eyes and see the emotions that they held.

"Kel…" His voice pleaded with her to look up and she nearly did before a voice interrupted them.

"Kel? Is that you that just rode in?" it was Yuki. Kel spun out of Dom's grip and began to unsaddle Hoshi her face a beet red. She avoided looking Dom in the eye and he set about working on March. "Kel?" Yuki was standing in the entrance to the stables. "Ah there you are. I've been looking for you all day! I need to talk to you about dresses." Yuki's interruption had released the tension Kel had felt between her and Dom. She smiled at him as she excused herself to leave with Yuki. He gave her a bright grin back although his eyes were full of confusion.

please review, i like getting them and seeing how you feel about it! so yeah love it? hate it? i don't care but please review! luv ya all

kate xoxo