AN: As it turns out, writing this particular story in Dom's point of view is a challenge. It started out as a one-shot, but now I've got a full-fledged plot-bunny on my hands. It's rather encouraging. I hope to have a new chapter of "In Love and War" soon.

Thank you to all of my readers. Please remember that I'm always open to suggestions and ideas. You can even PM me if you'd just like to chat. I promise I'll reply as soon as my internet is working properly. It has it's moments. A special thanks to imakeladrygirl, Starzgirl, Darking Girl, zeurin, anythingatall, Grace of Masbolle, deathequalsoul, and x17SkmBdrchiczxx for taking the time to leave reviews. It is much appreciated. I think reviews are like air to a lot of writers around here. I've decided to make a point of leaving one for whatever I read, hoping that others will do the same for me. Anyways, enjoy the next chapter.

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IN PAIN AND PASSION
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The very first rays of sunrise peeked through the shutters. I gently rubbed Kel's back. She rolled over and smiled.

"Good morning," she whispered. I kissed her.

"Morning," I said casually.

Nearly two months had passed since Kel received the letter that bore the sad news of her parents' passing. She and I had become very close. Yes, I spent the night more frequently, but we als0 grew together emotionally. We loved each other's company. We thought alike on many occasions, even finishing one another's sentences; we were made for each other.

I found myself spending the night even when we weren't… misbehaving. After five weeks, Kel had given me my own drawer. As I lay there holding her in the predawn hours, I felt like the luckiest man in the world.

Kel stiffened in my arms. Quickly she got up, mumbling that she had glaive practice. As she headed into the privy, I got up as well, exchanging my nightshirt for a pair of breeches. I bumped into Kel's desk, scattering birdseed across the floor. I cursed, bending down to scoop up the sparrow's feed.

When I'd managed to clean up most of the seed I followed Kel into the privy. She gargled water and spit it into a dish. As she put away the things she used to clean her teeth, my arms went about her waist.

"I have an idea," I said playfully. "Why don't you stay here and exercise with me?"

"And disappoint the Queen?" Kel asked, brushing her hair as best as she could with my arms about her.

"She can find someone else to abuse with her pigsticker," I said, kissing a small circular pattern on her shoulder.

"Dom," Kel groaned. "I have to go."

"Alright," I resigned. "But you have to meet me for lunch." Kel turned her attention back to her hair.

"As long as you don't intend to have me for lunch."

"I didn't know that was an option," I teased. Kel didn't laugh. She seemed preoccupied. Soon she left for the practice courts, her glaive in tow. I didn't think much of her quietness. She'd had many similar moments since her parents were killed.

When she met me in the dining hall at midday, the palace was buzzing with excitement. Princess Shinkokami was in labor with her baby. The Queen had thrown a group of priests and nobles out of the birthing chamber to give the Princess more privacy. Many of the gossips were gnawing this bone. The kingdom's heir had been met with the same rituals for hundreds of years. Why change them now?

I couldn't have cared less.

Like earlier that morning, Kel still seemed preoccupied, though she smiled at me. We talked of general things, like whether we predicted a baby prince or princess, how many soldiers had been pulled from the northern border, and how the stew seemed a little dry. The whole time I wondered what was on her mind, knowing she wouldn't tell me.

After we ate, I took Kel's hand and pulled her away from the table. I led her all the way up to her room, shutting the door behind me.

"Kel, we need to talk," I said, squeezing her hand.

"Yes, we do," she said knowingly.

"Tell me what's on your mind," I urged. "You seem so distracted lately. Is it your parents?" Kel shook her head slowly.

"My news isn't so easy to tell," she whispered, glancing at the floor. After a moment she looked back up and met my eyes. "Dom, I'm pregnant."

I felt numb. She must have been speaking about someone else. Me? A father? Ha!

I voiced the first tangible question that came to my head.

"What?"

"I'm pregnant," Kel repeated. "With a baby." Thoughts were coming to me in simple spurts. A baby. A little tiny person. The baby, my baby, was already inside of Kel's body. She placed a hand on her stomach, and I let my fingers follow hers.

"Are you alright?" I asked when I felt I could safely speak again.

"Mmm-hmm," Kel said with a nod. "Shinkokami and I talked this morning. She is so happy, and I just have a feeling that I will be too.

"Are you in any pain, or do you feel funny?"

"I'm pregnant, not sick, Dom," she said gently. "Besides, today was the first time I had morning sickness."

"I didn't hear you throw up," I said, remembering the way she had rushed out of bed.

"You were chasing birdseed," she replied. Tears were forming in the corners of Kel's eyes. She clasped both of my hands "Oh Dom, what do you think? I want to know the truth." I kissed her once, twice.

"I think I'm going to be a Da," I said hugging her tightly. "The truth is it will be a big adjustment for all of us, but I think it'll turn out alright in the end. You'll see. Our baby will be very happy, and it'll make us very happy." Kel wept for a few moments, though she didn't cry for sadness. I carried her to an armchair and pulled her into my lap. When she was calm I kissed her again. Kel smiled, wiping her eyes.

"I'd hoped you'd feel that way," she said. "What do you think people will say? I couldn't bear to hear them call our child a bastard."

"Does it matter?" I asked, hating the idea passionately. "None of it will be true."

"But it's our baby. It's not anyone else's business."

"The court thrives of gossip. At one time or another everyone's been at the center of it. We'll survive until someone else causes a scandal."

Kel kissed me again.

"I love you," she whispered. I grinned.

"I know."