Disclaimer: All characters and locations that are recognizable belong to Tamora Pierce.

Kel was running late.

After her talk with Raoul, she had gone to her room with half a bell to freshen up and meet Dom. As she was preparing to dress, Kel realized that she was still warm and felt the drying sweat on her body. Sighing to herself, she quickly walked over to her water basin and started to sponge herself.

Feeling more relaxed and less grimy, Kel returned to trying to figure out which of her now clean dresses she was going to wear. Before she could even grab one off the hanger, there was a knock on the door. Holding back her frustration, Kel quickly grabbed her shirt and breeches and pulled them on before answering her door.

"Lady Kel! I was wonderin' somethin'." Wolset started as soon as the door was opened.

Kel sighed once again in her head; she really had no time for this. "Yes Wolset, how can I help you?"

"Well, I t'was just wonderin' how Sergeant Dom has been treatin' ye. I know he told me he has been a gentleman, but I know me sergeant better than that. Last night, I saw him returnin' to ye room. T'was he makin' a late night tumble an' dance call?"

Kel felt herself flush. "No! He just came back to gather a few things. He has never done anything that would jeopardize our friendship or relationship." She sighed. "Wolset, this is different from any other relationship he has had. He is not trying to get me to have a quick tumble and then leave me like some of the others. If you want proof, then just go and look at that bouquet of flowers he bought me."

Wolset laughed, "My lady Keladry, do ye honestly think Sergeant Domitan has never bought a pretty flower for another gal?" But he quickly stopped laughing when Kel brought him both the note and the bouquet. He read the note quickly, and then looked at the flowers. He whistled before bowing to Kel. "I see that I have misjudged my sergeant. I promise that I will back down, ye be in better hands then I thought."

Kel accepted his apology and set the flowers back down on her table. When she turned back, she saw that Wolset had left, closing her door. Sighing and realizing that she only had ten minutes before meeting Dom, she cursed. Without spending any more time trying to pick the correct dress, Kel just grabbed a green dress and pulled it on. Before she could tie the laces, there was another knock on her door. She cursed.

Opening the door revealed a sheepish looking Buri. "Hi Kel." She noticed Kel's unlaced dress, "Going out?"

Kel sighed as she let the older woman in and closed the door so she could finish getting ready. "I am to meet Sergeant Domitan in less than five minutes."

Buri nodded but did not make a move to leave. Cursing in her head once more, Kel offered Buri a seat and a drink. She prayed that Dom would understand her being late. She looked at Buri, "So Buri is there something you wish to discuss with me?"

"Raoul told me that he is separating you from your sergeant." She laughed at Kel's shocked look. "Don't worry, my husband didn't tell me about you two, I saw you two leaving on a date the other night, then my dear husband told me. Besides, you wearing a dress to meet the sergeant would have been yet another clue." She looked at the flushed young woman in front of her, taking note of the new shinny antipregnancy charm.

She reached out to play with it, "I see you have a new sparkle." She smiled when Kel blushed. "My suggestion Lady Knight is to wear another necklace, covering the charm from the men." Here she pulled out a lovely emerald necklace, and put it on Kel. When both women looked down, the charm was hidden behind the pendent.

Buri smiled, "There, that's better." She stopped Kel from complaining. "My husband and I have not fully thanked you for your push. Besides, he can't be seen giving you jewelry, the lads might begin to complain."

Kel smiled, "True, then we would have a real problem on our hands." She gave Buri a hug. "Is that all you wished to talk to me about? Thanking me for setting you up?"

Buri shook her head, "Sorry Kel, but that's not the only reason I came. I want to ride with you and your men."

Kel looked surprised, "Why not ride with Raoul?"

Buri laughed, "I figured that he might be willing to swap out a spouse for a lover."

Kel laughed and then sighed. "Thanks, but no thanks. I know it might be hard to be away from Dom, but we are still figuring things out, it may prove to be a…hazard if we were to ride together right now."

Buri nodded, "Fine, just let me know if you change your mind." She looked at Kel once more, "Just remember, be careful with letting these men see your new charm, especially if you don't want them to start asking questions you don't wish to answer. From what I have seen, these men are fairly protective of you."

Kel was saved from answering that the men never seemed to care before by a knock on the door. Hurrying over to answer it, Kel was relieved to find Dom on the other side.

He gave her a crooked grin as he cupped her face in one of his hands. "Hey there beautiful, I thought you were going to meet me half an hour ago." He leaned in to give her a light kiss. He frowned when she pulled away.

"Sorry Sergeant, it was my fault." Buri nearly laughed as Dom jumped away from Kel. "Stand down, I know about you two, it's kind of hard to miss the only lady knight in the area going out on a date. And don't worry; I'm pretty sure that Raoul and I were the only ones who saw you going out."

Dom smiled, "Actually, Kel and I nearly gave my squad a heart attack last night when we went to join them."

Buri smiled. "I'll just get out of your hair Kel, remember what I said, and don't forget to thank Raoul." She left, closing the door behind her.

"What did she tell you? And why do you have to thank Raoul?"

Kel went to gather a few more things so they could leave. "She just was giving me tips on the men and gave me a thank you gift from her and Raoul." Kel turned around stoking the new necklace.

Dom whistled as he ran his fingers along the chain and down onto the pendent, making Kel shiver as his hand grazed the tops of her breasts.

"Pretty." He whispered before leaning in and kissing Kel. Before getting too lost in the kiss, Dom whispered in her ear, "I love how it cleverly covers your charm." and then occupied himself with short nibbles down Kel's neck and kisses across the collarbones. As he started to nibble the other side of her neck, both of their stomachs growled in hunger, reminding them that it was now nearly a bell after noon and they hadn't eaten since breakfast.

Laughing to himself, Dom pulled away from Kel and straitened her necklace to cover the charm once more. Bowing, he opened Kel's door, "If milady will be willing to join this sergeant for lunch."

Leaving the room Kel was now more than happy with her new charm. It held the promise of more tonight if the last ten minutes with Dom was any indication. She smiled as she took Dom's arm and he led her outside and into town.

Fred and Riley had been leaving the mess when they had seen a distressed looking Dom walking towards the barracks, determination in his step. Riley elbowed Fred, "Do you think that maybe Lady Kel stood him up or something?"

Fred shook his head, "From all that I've heard of her, she is always punctual, if anything she was just held up. Wanna wait and see what they do?"

Riley nodded, "I don't exactly feel like going onto the practice courts just yet. Besides," he smiled at Fred, "we might be able to learn a thing or two to help with the ladies."

They didn't have long to wait before Kel and Dom had emerged from the barracks, a safe distance a part, the only indication that they may be more than they seemed was the dress that Kel was in. They hadn't seen her wear it during their ride south, but it was obviously hers, tightly fitted and in colors that suited her.

Riley sighed, "I wish I knew Lady Keladry was such a pretty lady, it's hard to tell with the way she always dresses like a man. I might have made a move sooner."

Fred laughed, "Sorry mate, but I think you still wouldn't have stood a chance. Sergeant Domitan seems to like her in dresses, dressed like a man, and I am pretty sure he really enjoys her with her clothes off." He winked at Riley.

Riley raised his eyebrows, "Do you really think the sergeant is using Lady Kel solely for that?"

Fred shrugged his shoulders, "Think about it, how long do you think it's been since the sergeant has shared his bed with a lady. We have been on the move since I joined during the war, never staying in place long enough for carnal relations. And he had been on the boarder long before the war started, so several years, from what I've heard of his reputation that would be like a stallion without his herd for months when they are ready to bear his young. And now, he has a lady to be with him in the company. What do you think?"

Riley walked in thought for a few moments before he shook his head. "From the hints dropped by the other men who have been with them since my lady's squire days, they have had an attraction for years, maybe since that first conversation. I don't think he is using her, besides, Raoul is mighty protective of Lady Kel, if he thought that, he would have found a way of ending it."

They stopped discussing the possibilities behind the couple in front of them and just observed them. As soon as they had left the base behind Dom had slung an arm around Kel's waist and pulled her in for a long kiss, hands staying mostly on her face or her waist while Kel's were against his chest. They watched in wonder as, while the kiss was hot and quickly progressing into something that had them blushing, Dom kept his hands away from anything they would have expected him to grab. They were just about to turn around and leave the happy couple to their business when the kiss was ended, both panting heavily.

To their utter relief, Dom and Kel had begun to move again, this time walking hand in hand. They walked from vender to vender picking up small food items, talking and laughing. Both men looked away when the couple would sneak off into alley ways. They couldn't help but feel that while they watched, things were progressing between Kel and Dom that should be left between the couple. They finally decided to leave the couple when they saw Dom stopping by a vender to buy a trinket for Kel and the happiness, not to mention small argument over him spending his money on her that seemed to radiate from them.

Walking back to the base, the two men said very little, while feeling that they had learned a little as to how to successfully woo a lady, they also began to feel as if they had more than evaded the privacy of two of the people who would lead them into skirmishes and lead them out alive. It was as they reached the gates that Fred stopped Riley, "I was out of line earlier. It is clear that Sergeant Domitan truly cares for the lady…I would really appreciate it if you would keep that between us."

Riley nodded, "But, you know it might still be best for you to talk to Sergeant Domitan. After all we do fight with him and it may be helpful for him to realize what the public opinion would be if they go public."

Fred frowned and then sighed. "I suppose you're right. Gods I hope he doesn't kill me!"

It was nearing dinner when Kel and Dom finally decided to return from the city. They had spent hours just wandering the city streets, buying small snacks from the venders, looking at all the goods Pearlmouth had to offer and their most favorite activity, stealing long passionate kisses in the alley ways. It was during one of their longest sessions, when Dom had once again started to nip gently at Kel's neck that Kel suggested they return.

Dom gave her a crooked smile. "Whatever my lady wants." Before giving her a few more kisses on the neck. Pulling away, he took her hand and began to lead her back. "So my dearest lady, your room or mine?" Dom winked at Kel and winced when he felt her elbow him in the ribs. He sighed, "Fine then, what are your plans for when we return? They obviously don't include me stealing you away and locking us in a room."

Kel blushed, "I'm not saying that's not part of the plan, but first I think it would be best to put in an appearance for the men. Besides, I need to finalize my plans with the squad leaders before tomorrow morning, so I figured that if I did that at dinner, then that should dramatically free up my time tonight, and tomorrow morning for other activities."

Dom had a boyish grin on his face, "As my lady wishes."

Before they entered back through the gates, Dom pulled Kel into the shadows and once again began to kiss her, but before she could fully respond, he pulled away, winked and then walked towards the mess hands in his pockets and whistling a jolly tune.

Kel stood frozen in place watching Dom walk away. Once her mind finally returned to functioning and Dom had already entered the mess she began to mutter under her breath about sergeants and their games. She had composed herself by the time she had entered the mess.

She smiled when she saw Dom already sitting with his squad, looking harassed. She could only think that they would be teasing him about his long disappearance that afternoon. As she grabbed her tray she noticed that all of the squad leaders under her command gathered at a table in the corner. When Qasim waved her over she smiled, the men knew that she wanted to talk over the meal.

"I must say Lady Kel; it is quite…different to see you in the mess wearing a dress, now that you no longer need to. You never even did that as a squire." Aiden stated.

Kel smiled, "Well, to be honest that little prank Dom's squad pulled made me get used to them. And I always used to wear dresses to dinner as a page; I might start doing that again once we reach Corus. Besides, I'll be sending all my dresses back with Lalasa, I'm no court lady to be carrying my dresses with us when we have a job to do."

Qasim nodded, "And will you be sending back those little trinkets you're wearing?" He pointed to the necklace Raoul and Buri had given her and the new bracelet Dom bought her that afternoon. "I've never known you to be one for shiny metal, except for your armor and weapons of course."

Kel smiled, "I have never found them to be very practical, well with obvious exceptions. I am wearing these today to at least show Lord Raoul and Buri that I appreciate their gift."

Osbern looked at the necklace and whistled, "My lord gave you that?" He then looked across the short gap between their table and the one next to it, which held Raoul and the squad leaders under his command, Dom having joined after a heated discussion with his men that had left him with a dark face. "Sir, why is it that you gift the lady knight with such pretty objects were as we boys get nothing but bruises and punishment work?"

Raoul chuckled, "That is because none of you lads helped to set me and my wife up."

Kel smile at Raoul and then leaned over and gave her former knight master a quick hug and kiss on the cheek, "Thank you sir."

Raoul ruffled her hair, "No problem Kel, I do view you as a daughter. And as such, I noticed you no longer wear your charm. Before you ride out tomorrow, I expect you to have one and to be wearing it."

"But Raoul…" Kel was cut off from continuing by a huge hand put over her mouth.

"No arguing my dear girl. Tomorrow you ride out to face an unknown group of raiders. Who knows what they may try if you're captured, so no arguing."

Kel sighed, blushing slightly, "Fine sir, but couldn't you have told me in private?" Upon seeing the evil twinkle in Raoul's eyes Kel returned to her food muttering "You are a bad man my lord." At her statement all of the men around them laughed. But she could tell from the look in Dom's eyes as he laughed that he too knew that Raoul had done this just to help erase suspicions at the sudden appearance of her new charm.

Pushing her tray aside, Kel waited for Raoul to start the meeting she and the other men knew would be coming after dinner. He didn't disappoint.

"We have gotten the report from the attack today." He pulled out a map as the men moved the empty trays to the side so it could be unrolled. "The attack was made here," he pointed to the location on the map. "Keladry, tomorrow after lunch I expect your men to move out, I still have not received the list of Regular army who will be joining you, but they will meet you then. You are to travel to the northern most midpoint for the next attack, here," he pointed to a new spot. "In three days' time, I need you to split your eight squads into two groups; one will be in position here, and the other here." He pointed to two new points. "I will be taking my men here, and then splitting them up to be placed here and here." He pointed to the spots on the maps.

Kel studied the area of the map where she was to be stationed, "Sir, do you have a more detailed map of this section?" She pointed to the area in question.

Raoul shuffled through a few maps before placing the one she wanted to see on the table. "I will have a set of maps ready for you before you leave tomorrow, along with a mirror you can use to contact me with."

Kel nodded absently as she poured over the map. "Sir, I will need to split my men into four groups, I know two to one and at worst two to three odds are not the best to put them in, but there are too many potential spots for the next attack to take place in." She pointed to four spots that were heavily populated within her patrol area. "If my men were divided into two, there would be too big of a gap, three leagues is more distance than one would think if it came down to a heavy fight. But, if I had them spaced less than a league away, backup could quickly join."

Kel looked up when she heard Dom laugh. "Keladry, you led us men, well my men, into enemy territory where there were one to one hundred odds of us coming back. I think my lord would be happy to have the odds more in your favor, even if there was a reduction from four to three at worst to two to three."

She gave him a sheepish smile. "I guess when you put it that way, two to three odds is much better than one to one hundred."

Raoul laughed, "Do it Kel, I would rather know we could capture these raiders then know we let them slip away. And the sergeant does have a point, you have been known for accomplishing the unaccomplishable. How are you going to split your men?"

The meeting was quickly over, all having been planned out as to placement of the men, and where all of the next potential attacks could be. They had even talked about what they were to do with those captured, seeing as they would be unable to take the prisoners with them.

Calling an end to the meeting, Raoul stood, "Night men, don't stay up too late, and Kel, you might want to go out tonight to find that charm. I would hate for you to run out of time tomorrow."

Dom spoke up to the other men as Raoul left, "Do you lot want to go to The Drunken Monk Tavern? I have heard they have the best ale, and the prettiest barmaids for the lonely fella." He winked at the men who heartedly agreed. Looking at Kel he gave her a boyish smile, "You can join us too Kel, after all you need to buy something, and your men may need mothering."

Kel blushed, "You know I'm not much for drinking Dom, and I think I should run my errand alone."

Qasim took up the persuasion, "But Lady Kel, you can still join us after your errand, and you don't need to drink the ale." The other men called out their agreement.

Scowling Kel finally gave in. "Fine!"

The men all followed Kel out of the mess hall, Dom having to run after her. He quickly pulled her around to look at him, "Kel, are you mad?"

Kel glared at Dom, "I'm being forced to go to a tavern with several men who are going to be trying to get between the legs of any barmaid who so much as lingers a hand on their shoulders, which was suggested by a certain sergeant who always has two barmaids hanging off each arm. And you just happened to invite me to 'buy' an object that any lady would rather buy in secret even if all know it will be present, with a group of men."

Dom flinched, for although Kel had kept her voice down to keep their conversation from the passing men, he could feel the anger rolling off the lady knight in front of him. He nervously ran his hands through his hair, "Kel sweets, I'm sorry. I…I am just not thinking straight." He gently touched her face, happy that the men had already walked out of the gate. "I'm sure you noticed my dark look once I joined the table?"

He felt Kel nod her head once. He sighed before continuing. "Fred," he couldn't help the anger that leaked into his voice, "came up to apologize to me, stupid ass of a man confessed that he thought I was just using you for sex and then would throw you to the next man once I got tired of you. I've had to deal with hearing people talk of you like that, but not from any of my men for years." He looked up at Kel, "I wanted to punch him, but I knew you wouldn't want that, so I just got up and walked away. Sorry bastard however said that loud enough for several of the other men to hear, so he might be appearing tomorrow morning a little roughed up, and in all truth, I'm not going to discipline my men Kel. I just wanted to get out so I wouldn't be tempted to join them."

Kel looked into Dom's over bright eyes and sighed. "But did you have to drag me along?"

Dom smiled before he gave her a gentle kiss. "I'm sorry love, but I want to spend more time with you, you do leave tomorrow afternoon and who knows when we will see each other again?" He kissed Kel again and was surprised when she began to deepen the kiss.

"We could have spent more time together," here Kel kissed Dom before pulling back and continuing, "alone, in my chamber."

Dom was moving Kel towards the walls when a sharp whistle made him stop and jump away from her. "Sergeant Domitan, Lady Keladry are you guys coming or what? I'm sure any shops still open are closing soon my lady." Qasim called.

"Sorry Qasim, it's more difficult to move around in this blasted skirt at night when I can't see a cursed thing. The sergeant has been helping me make my way safely across the courtyard." Kel smiled at Qasim as he gave her a knowing look.

"Go ahead, I'll just walk Kel to a shop and then we will join you men at the tavern." Dom pitched in, quickly putting on the charade for the others who were in earshot. He gave them all a crooked smile, "We can't let our dear Protector twist an ankle the night before she leads the troops out."

All the men started to laugh at the scowl on Kel's face and then had to stuff their fists in their mouths as they watched Dom quickly grab her by the arms to prevent her from falling as she stumbled. "Keladry, please don't hurt yourself, Raoul doesn't have a replacement for you." He looked at the men, "I'll handle her," he smiled once again, "She hasn't even had a drink and already she is tripping on her own feet."

Kel stuck her tongue out at Dom before sighing and taking the arm he offered her. The men began to head down the street still chuckling, following the directions Dom had given them.

"Nice save by pretending to trip Kel." Dom whispered in her ear. He saw her blush and laughed, "You actually did trip?" He continued to laugh as Kel remained silent but stopped when Kel pulled him into an alley way and kissed him.

As Dom pulled away to speak, Kel put her hand over his mouth, "Shhhh, no talking." He didn't need telling twice.

It was about ten minutes later that Kel and Dom entered the tavern. It wasn't difficult to find the others as they had a huge group of barmaids surrounding them.

Once seated, Dom quickly ordered a special local ale and while he smiled at the barmaid who served him, he did nothing to invite her into his lap.

After much persuasion and a hand resting on Kel's leg drawing circles making her more and more flustered, Kel finally took a sip of the ale Dom offered her. He laughed, along with a few of the men, as she made a face at the taste. Politely refusing another taste, Kel laughed at some of the antics the men were getting up to.

She was overly aware of Dom next to her, that she looked at him sharply when he waved down a barmaid, an excited glint in his eyes. Once he had placed his order, he leaned to whisper in Kel's ear, "I think you are going to love this next one." He had even managed to plant a kiss on Kel's ear before the next drink came. At which Dom took a sip before sighing, "I miss Masbolle!" and offering the drink to Kel.

Kel hesitated, looking into Dom's eyes. Still watching his face, she took the cup and sipped. Her eyes opened wider in surprise and Dom chuckled. "I thought you would like that one. It's from Masbolle, made of berries, it's a little stronger than your common ale and wine."

Kel pulled the cup out of Dom's reach as he tried to grab it back, she giggled. "Sorry Sergeant, but this one is mine." She took another drink from the cup causing Dom to pout and her to giggle more. He reached for the cup again, this time he managed to grab her wrist. He brought the cup up to his lips, keeping his eyes on Kel. She giggled when he frowned.

"Kel!" She giggled. "You finished the cup!"

Qasim laughed, "I think that is what you deserve sergeant, we all know that Lady Keladry never drinks." He smiled at the still giggling Kel. "Now, seeing as you finally found something she likes, I suggest you take her back to the base." He winked at Dom.

Dom gave a quick crooked smile before sighing dramatically for the other men. "Come on Keladry, time to take you back to your room." He managed to get the giggling lady knight to stand and escorted her outside.

To his utter surprise, Kel stopped giggling and began to walk a little straighter. She smiled up at him, "I wanted to leave and spend the rest of the night with you." At his raised eyebrow she blushed, "I might not like to drink, but I do occasionally like a glass of that, I just never knew it came from Masbolle."

Dom laughed, "Well then, I guess I should no longer feel like I would be taking advantage of you."

Kel shivered at the evil look in his eyes, and picked up the pace.

As soon as they reached her room and had the door closed Dom began to kiss her neck, his hands untying the laces of her dress. Kel's hands found the bottom of his tunic and started to pull it off. As Dom had to pause in his exploration of Kel's neck, she took the opportunity to capture his mouth, her hands exploring his chest under his shirt.

Kel shivered as Dom pulled the dress over her shoulders, gasping as she felt his hands brushing down her arms and waist, letting the fabric fall to the floor. She managed to pull off his shirt before he restarted to explore her neck, gently nibbling and licking the space where her neck and shoulders met. "Dom…" she closed her eyes savoring the feelings coursing through her.

She found herself working on the ties to his breeches as Dom began to back her towards her bed. Cupping her face and looking into her eyes he asked "Are you sure?" Before he could ask any more questions, Kel captured his lips and pulled his breeches down. Taking that as the only answer he would be getting Dom made quick work of the remaining clothes and gently pushed Kel onto the bed.

AN: Sorry that it has taken me nearly a month to update this story, I have been distracted by writing one other story, Two Years Ago Today, which is complete and school, that seems to throw all the midterms at me at once, or spread over 2-3 weeks. I have already started on the next chapter, but with another wave of exams coming up, I have no idea when I will be able to finish it. So I hope you except my apology with this new and longest chapter yet! Next Chapter will have a little more Kel/Dom and that I hope to have the full duration of their mission included, so it will most likely skip around a lot (it will span about a month and a half of the events)