A/N: For those of you who haven't read my story titled "Redeeming Raoul," this story is a spin-off of it. In chapter four Dom and Kel were married. The wedding was at the same time as Lord Raoul's. Two years later, Kel was visiting him at Fort Steadfast, and Dom was killed in a skirmish with Scanrans. If you want to read more about it, please see "Redeeming Raoul."
-Note to those who did read it: In this story, Neal does marry Yuki.

Disclaimer: By now we all know what I don't own (any character, setting, or plot that Tamora Pierce created). Why don't we see what I do have, shall we? I have shiny green pipe-cleaner bent in the shape of Kermit the Frog, a DVD copy of Merlin, and 4 angelfish that I affectionately call the "Angel-Pigs." So go ahead and sue. All you'd get is The Pigs, and you'd go broke feeding them.

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Hope Comes From Within
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Chapter One: The Test
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April 17
462
New Hope
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Twenty one days.

Twenty one long days had passed since the horrible night that Dom had died. Neal sighed, and gazed out the window of the infirmary. Although he was related to the deceased, Neal had not been given any time to grieve. Kel, however, had returned to New Hope only three days ago. Neal could see her across the compound, sitting on a bench that was placed right outside the headquarters.

Her back and head were resting against the wall behind her and her eyes were closed. Neal guessed that it had been about twenty nights since she'd slept properly. She wasn't getting the chance now, either.

Tobe went over to Kel to ask her something. The twelve-year-old boy was ecstatic to have Kel back. Though he was officially her servant, he stayed at New Hope to let Kel grieve. He hadn't liked serving her replacement, Quinden of Marti's Hill. The knight hadn't changed his opinion of commoners, and he was sure that by the time he left the refugee camp he would be robbed blind.

If Neal hadn't healed it, Tobe's right eye would be purple and blue. He grown weary of Quinden talking down at him and told him that if he took his head out of his behind long enough to look around him that he would see that the refugees were people too. They deserved to be taken care of. Quinden blackened the boy's eye.

The next morning, Quinden woke up in the stables, tucked behind Peachblossom, who was also left behind and ornery, courtesy of Neal and Merric. He was held hostage by the big gelding for nearly two days before Tobe persuaded him to let the knight go.

Tobe had no more trouble from Marti's Hill.

Chuckling as he remembered Quinden whimpering, Neal put aside his paperwork and went outside, pulling on his coat. Though April was nearly half gone, they were so far north that the winter snow was just beginning to melt. It seemed as though the chill would be in the air perpetually. Neal headed for Kel's bench. He wanted to talk to her. But halfway there he saw Fanche Weir sit down beside Kel.

Neal took a detour into the mess hall and retrieved two cups of warm cider. When he emerged again, Kel was once more alone. He closed the distance between him and her bench and pressed one of the cups into her hands.

"You look cold," he said. His breath made clouds before his mouth. He seated himself and took a drink of his own cider. It burned his tongue. "How are you doing?"

"I'm tired, but I'm alright," Kel said. "I'm glad to be back. I felt so idle at Mindelan. How is everyone? Did things run terribly while I was gone?"

"Quinden is the same oozing puss-sore as always, but Merric and I gave him a hand. We didn't want him to get robbed too badly."

"That's good," Kel said, leaning her head back again. "There's so much to fix. You know, the war is coming to a close. King Maggot is dead and our peace treaties have been successful so far."

"Yes they have," Neal agreed, wondering where this was going. Kel slowly took a sip of her cider.

"Just a month Neal, and we could have gone home together. I miss him so much."

"Kel, are you sure you're feeling alright? You know that Lord Raoul said you could stay at Steadfast for awhile."

"Steadfast is the last place I want to be," Kel snapped. Silence ensued. Neal could hear the bray of a jackass from the livery pen. It was a fitting sound, for Neal certainly felt like a donkey.

"I'm sorry, Kel. I should have known better."

"You were just trying to help. And I shouldn't have snapped like that. I have been feeling rotten lately and Fanche told me I should ask you about it. Neal.. . am I with child?" Neal, who had just taken a big gulp of his cider, finishing it off, choked, and he had to gag and cough to swallow.

"What?" he asked when he recovered.

"Neal," Kel groaned. "I just don't feel good. I want to go lay down. Can you please answer me?"

"I'm sorry, Kel. You surprised me with that." The mage stood and too Kel's hand helping her to her feet.

"Come on," he said.

"Where are we going?" Kel demanded.

"Do you think that I'm going to administer a pregnancy test right her in the middle of camp?"

Kel followed without further protest. Neal led her to a small room in the infirmary and had her shed her coat and take a seat on the exam table. Neal removed his own coat and replaced it with a long white, wool robe.

"Sometime today, Neal," Kel said at last.

"Yes, Your Majesty," he drawled, coming over. "Lie down." Kel obeyed. She pulled her shirt out from where it was tucked into her pants, exposing her tummy.

Neal pressed glowing fingers to her bare skin and Kel pulled away briefly. Neal gave her a questioning look.

"Your hands are like ice," she said, offering a tiny smile, her first in weeks. She relaxed and let Neal continue with the magic test.

Neal closed his eyes. With his mind and Gift he was searching Kel's body for a specific hormone. One that would lead him to a secret place, Kel's womb. There he found a tiny baby. This child was too small to see with normal eyes, but Neal's Gift assured him that it was nonetheless there.

He let go of the magic and opened his eyes. Kel gazed at him anxiously.

"Congratulate me, Kel," Neal said with a warm smile. "I'm going to be a first-cousin."