Summary: Dom's brother, who comes for the Neal/Yuki and Raoul/Buri double wedding, takes an interest in Kel—much to Dom's annoyance. Can Dom just sit back and let his lady—but wait, she wasn't his lady. What was he thinking!

Chapter One: Denial

Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle, on his break from guard duty, hurried out of his room when he heard the horn announce the arrival of friends. It must be the party from New Hope! He couldn't help grinning. He'd missed Kel. And Neal, of course.

By the time he reached the Fort Steadfast gate, Neal had already swept his betrothed up into his arms and was kissing her as if they'd been apart for years. Shaking his head at them, Dom looked around for Kel.

"She already went to see Lord Wyldon," a voice said behind him. He turned to see Tobe, holding Hoshi's reigns.

"Hey there, Tobe. Err, who's with Wyldon?" he asked, not entirely sure why he was feigning ignorance.

Tobe shook his head, smiling as though he knew something. "As if you don't know, Sergeant. Lady Kel, of course. She went to give her reports to Lord Wyldon."

"Ah, poor ickle Domikins," he jumped. "You miss your special friend…"

"Meathead!" he exclaimed and embraced his cousin. "What tore you away from your Yamani Blossom?"

"She went to find Kel. She won't be with Wyldon for long, after all. I'm kind of surprised you're not doing the same."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Neal shook his head, much as Tobe had before, smiling in the same fashion. "Never mind, now how about you show me to my room?" he walked off in no specific direction.

"Neal! Neal get back here! What do you mean by that!" Dom chased after him.

"Are you going to show me to my room or not?" Neal demanded. With a sigh, Dom took the lead.

When they reached the room, Dom readdressed the issue. "Now what did you mean by that?" he asked again, glaring at Neal.

"Oh, as if you don't know," Neal said, rolling his eyes.

"I don't!" Dom said honestly.

"You really think I'm blind, don't you? Haven't you realized yet that everyone has figured it out already? Well, except Kel of course."

"Figured what out?" Dom demanded, beginning to get very annoyed.

"How you're head over heals for her, of course!"

Dom starred at his cousin. "Head over—for…Kel? No! I'm not—we're just friends! That's all!"

"Of course you're just friends," Neal said nonchalantly, sitting down in the chair. "That doesn't mean you don't want it differently."

"I—don't!" he insisted. This had never even crossed his mind before!

Neal clapped. "Very nice! I almost believed you. You've practiced this speech?"

"I'm telling you you're wrong!" Dom repeated, blushing crimson by now. He stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut behind him. Neal was wrong, of course. He was…wrong, wasn't he? Of course he was! There was no way…absolutely no way! Dom laughed aloud, albeit a little nervously. Him? In love with Kel? That was ridiculous!

He had missed her though, as her friend. He reinforced the word in his mind. So he headed towards her room to say hello. He was fairly sure she'd be there by now.

He knocked on the door gently, forcing his face into a friendly greeting.

"Come in," a familiar voice called. Obediently he opened the door and entered. "Dom!"

His stomach did flip-flops. I'm just happy to see her, he told himself firmly. He smiled widely at Kel. "Hey Kel! It feels like it's been ages." They clasped hands warmly. With a slight squeeze, he let her go. His hand had started tingling.

"It has been ages," she informed him with a grin.

"Unpacking?" then he shook his head, laughing slightly. "Sorry, stupid question." Her bags were piled on her bed, some opened and empty.

She laughed too. "Yes. We're going to be here for a while, so might as well get comfortable."

"All right, I'll let you get back to it then. Just thought I'd say hello. Meet you for dinner?"

"Of course," she answered, smiling. She touched his shoulder as he passed towards the door again.

"I'll see you later then." He resisted the urge to rub his shoulder as he left.

Neal just put ideas in my head, he thought. It'll pass, it means nothing.

A/N: I hope you like this! Yes, there's more coming. R&R and I will love you forever and ever! Hinthinthint.