A/N: Here's the next chapter (and hopefully the end of most of the awkwardness as well). Though I didn't like writing about all the awkwardness between them, I felt it was appropriate (and necessary since I am going along with the books, meaning Kel can't just dump Cleon in a letter). But don't worry; most of the awkwardness will disappear soon! Enjoy!

Chapter Ten: "About the Kiss…"

"They came to Corus as the last leaves fell from the trees. The Great Progress was over at last."

-Tamora Pierce, Squire

Dom was walking through camp one morning, packing his horse for the next day on the Progress journey, when a messenger walked up to him and handed him a letter. As he opened it, he wondered whether it was another letter from his mother. She seemed to think that he had loads of time to write letters to tell her what was going on in the Realm since Third Company was stuck on Progress duty. For the most part she was right, he did have the time, but the only interesting thing that had happened in the past two weeks was that Wolset had set his bum on fire after getting to close to the campfire. Hardly anything his mother would find interesting.

Unfolding the letter, Dom smiled when he noticed the sprawled handwriting. It had been a while since he had received a letter from his stubborn cousin.

Dear Cousin,

Are there any laws in this kingdom against the torture of squires? If not, remind me to visit the court when the King and Queen arrive back in Corus for Midwinter. If you're wondering as to the cause of my torture, may I just write one word- Alanna. I think the woman has finally cracked her skull one too many times. She now has us running around all of Tortall, seeking out sick people to heal. Between traveling, fighting in the north, and healing the Realm's sick, I barely have time to think, let alone write letters.

I did receive a letter from Kel recently, saying that Third Company is still stuck on Progress duty. How are you holding up? I can hardly imagine you sitting around for so long. I hope you don't grow ill, either. I personally do not want to ride all the way to where you are to heal you. The only reason I would is because I know your mother would kill me otherwise (if mine didn't get to me first).

Anyway, so in one of Kel's previous letters, she informed me that you were drenched in water on a prank she helped pull with Lord Raoul. Impressive. I wish I could have been there, but the way in which she described your reaction was perfect. I have a very good imagination. And may I point out that you may have found a very good match in our friend Kel. One time she filled my dinner plate with only vegetables when I was being particularly stubborn about not eating them. She is a lot craftier than she lets on.

Well, I have to go; my knight-mistress is calling. She must have heard someone sniffle.

I'll meet you back in Corus when you finally get off Progress duty. You better bring a good amount of money. I have a feeling that I will be continuing my winning streak in our chess tournament.

Until then,

All-Purpose Healer Neal

P.S.- Can a squire change knight-masters if their current one is insane? Remind me to check up on that too.

Finishing the letter, Dom looked down at it and smiled. Same old Neal, always complaining about something. Looking up from the letter, he spotted Kel packing up Peachblossom. Watching her, he wished everything stayed the same…

That afternoon, as the Progress continued its travel nearer to Corus, Kel rode next to Raoul. He was in a better mood these days. The closer they got to Corus, the happier the Own's Knight Commander seemed to become.

"Ah, isn't it a glorious day, Kel?" he asked as they rode along.

Kel almost laughed as he breathed in the fresh air. "Yes, sir, it is."

"I usually don't enjoy colder weather, but if it stops this circus show we're on, I welcome it with open arms. Plus, soon we'll be roaming the kingdom again on our own terms, without King Busybody on our tails."

"I hardly think His Majesty would appreciate being called that sir," Kel laughed.

From behind, someone commented, "I don't think so either."

They both turned around in their saddles at the new voice. King Jon had come up right behind them. He was having a difficult time suppressing a grin.

"So I notice that you're taking advantage of the lovely riding weather too," said Raoul, smiling. Autumn had begun and the air was crisp and fresh, and slightly chilly. It was a relief from the past hot weather.

"Yes, it is, and let's try to take advantage of it Raoul, instead of discussing my busybody ways," said Jon, still holding back his laughter.

"Sure thing, I'll send another scouting party out to check ahead," said Raoul, bowing.

"Very well," said Jon, riding back to where Queen Thayet rode.

Straightening back up, Raoul looked at Kel and grinned, "Luckily he and I are good friends. Otherwise I might have been dangling at the end of a rope for Midwinter."

Kel laughed, "And then you would miss out on all the Midwinter parties. What a shame, sir."

Raoul laughed loudly, drawing curious glances from a few of the men following behind him.

Then turning back to Kel, he asked, "So are you up for it?"

"Up for what?"

"Scouting ahead."

"Sure," she replied.

"Okay, then, let's get you a partner," said Raoul, turning to look at the men behind them.

Seeming to find someone he found suitable, he said, "Aha, you two seem to get along."

"Who, milord?" she asked, curious about his choosing.

"Domitan!" shouted Raoul. Kel's eyes widened slightly as she turned to watch Dom ride out of the ranks and up to Lord Raoul.

"Yes, milord?"

"I have chosen you as a scouting partner for Kel. Don't lose her unless you want to be my next jousting partner," he informed him, chuckling.

"Then you can count on me, sir," Dom replied, grinning at his commander.

Kel and Dom never looked at each other as they Raoul told them what to do, but they were both thinking the same thing. What did they do to offend the Trickster god?

As they rode ahead together, their eyes still didn't meet, and a heavy silence hung between them.

Finally, when he could stand it no longer, Dom said desperately, "It sure is nice weather today."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kel jump a little, as if he had broken her out of a trance. Then she gave him a curious look. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"Oh, uh, I just said we have nice weather today," Dom repeated stupidly, rubbing the back of his neck. He felt like an idiot. Was he really bringing up the weather?

"Oh," said Kel, noticing the gesture, "Yeah, it is."

If the fate of the Realm relied on their new conversation skills, Dom thought, the Black God would soon be very busy.

Hearing him sigh audibly, Kel looked over at him for the first real time since they had ridden off together. She could tell he wanted to say something but didn't know how to say it.

"Kel?"

"Yeah?" she asked. She noticed he rubbed the back of his neck again. Whatever he wanted to say was making him uneasy.

"Um, about the kiss." He had Kel's full attention. "I shouldn't have done it. I know you and Cleon are together, and I wouldn't want to come between you, but I also don't want it to come between our friendship. I consider you one of my good friends, but after that kiss, it's like we barely speak to each other anymore, and it's driving me crazy. Can we just go back to the way it used to be before?"

It all came out so fast, that Kel had to take a second to filter it all through her head. He respected the fact that she and Cleon were a couple and he wasn't going to come between them. She admired that. He also wanted their friendship back to the way it used to be before the kiss. He hated the awkwardness between them as much as she did.

Kel smiled, a slight amount of awkwardness still there. "Of course we can still be friends," she replied. "Good friends."

She could visibly see the relief wash over Dom's face. "I can't believe we almost let one kiss come between us like that," he said, smiling and chuckling nervously, while one hand scratched the back of his head self-consciously.

"Yeah," said Kel, chuckling too loudly, "How ridiculous is that? I mean, it's just one kiss, right?"

"Right," replied Dom, too quickly. "We just got caught up in the moment. It could happen to anyone on this gods-awful Progress."

"Of course," affirmed Kel hastily. "But let's just hope it doesn't happen between any men in the Own. Now that could get awkward."

For the first time in weeks, Kel heard Dom emit a genuine laugh. It thrilled her to know she had caused it.

"Speaking of the Own, did you see Wolset light his own bum on fire last week?" Dom asked, still grinning.

"No, but I heard a rumor that he did, what happened?" she asked interestedly.

Dom grinned at her eagerness to know. "Well, you see he was making some snide remark about something-"

"As usual," said Kel, smiling.

"-And he kept getting closer and closer to the campfire. Of course, we tried to warn him, but he got on one of his tirades like Neal, so he just ignored us until…" Dom raised his hands up to represent the flames, "whoosh, his bum was on fire."

Unable to control it, Kel laughed loudly. Dom smiled broadly as he watched her.

"Is he okay?" she asked between laughs.

Dom shrugged, grinning, "Yeah, he's alright. Although I still think he's walking next to his horse instead of riding…"

This caused Kel to go into another bout of laughter. It felt so good to be near her again, making her laugh.

As they continued riding, they talked about this and that, the awkwardness slipping away with each word. However, they both knew what they had said earlier about the kiss was not true. It hadn't been just a kiss. It was so much more than that, and it meant even more to both of them than either one knew…

When the Progress finally arrived back in Corus, everyone was exhausted and happy to be home, although no one was quite as happy as the Knight Commander of the King's Own. When they crested the bluff that hid Corus from view, Raoul halted the riding party so they could look out at the capital of Tortall.

Then, with a big grin, he turned around and told those within hearing distance, "Well, lads, I hope you're not too heartbroken that this cursed Progress is finally over. If you are, then go off and marry your women and raise your fat babies since you have obviously learned nothing from me. I will find real, court-loathing warriors to take your place."

"Start lookin', milord!" shouted one of the men from the rear, "Lofren seems t' find court quite enthrallin'!"

"Or the pretty skirts anyway!" joked another, raising a laugh from the men.

Kel smiled as she saw Lofren blush. He had caught many a young lady's eye at the Progress festivals. Almost, Kel noticed, as much as Dom had.

Raoul laughed loudly, "I hope I won't be losing you to wedded bliss soon, my lad. There are plenty more years of freedom and chasing skirts in your future!"

"What about you, milord? Are there plenty more years of that for you too?" asked another.

"Of course, you thick-headed soldier! I plan to live out my days as a single man," he replied. "Free from the bonds of marriage and no one can change my mind!"

"That is until Commander Buri decides to change it for him," drawled Dom boldly.

The men roared with laughter and Raoul joined in with them.

Chuckling, Dom leaned over to Kel who was beside him on her horse, "I think this is the best mood he's been in for months. A couple of weeks ago he would've bitten my head off for that remark. Maybe I should suggest a coming home gathering while he's still in a good mood."

Kel laughed, "Are you just looking for ways to make him mad?"

"If I was then I would be petitioning for a longer Progress."

"I have a feeling that you would no longer be living if you did that," joked Kel.

"And would you come to my burial if that happened?" asked Dom in jest.

Kel pretended to think about it as Raoul ordered them to proceed into Corus. "It would depend," she replied vaguely, shrugging her shoulders.

"Depend on what?" Dom asked, smiling interestedly.

"It would depend on whether I had any sewing to catch up on or not…" she said, giving him a playful grin. Then she nudged her horse forward to follow Raoul's order, Dom grinning as he soon followed her lead. Dom was glad that things had become more comfortable between them once again.

They were joking, talking, and riding together once more, and they were both enjoying every minute of it. However, not only was there friendship between them, but there was also something more. Something that both of them felt and did their best to disregard.

Some things, however, are too powerful to ignore.

A/N: Well, their friendship is restored. Yay! The awkwardness was bothering me too. :D Now will they be able to stay only friends, or will other emotions come into play? I'll update soon!