A.N.:Warning: This is a Joren/Kel fic.

I know a lot of people hate Joren (for obvious reasons) including myself. However, this idea came upon me when reading Protector of the Small: Squire. I'm sorry if it's not to your taste, all flames are welcome.

Prologue:

Joren and Kel have a conversation in the hallway after Vinson of Genlith's confession. Kel is accused of 'getting' one of the conservatives (namely Vinson) somehow. She retorts that Joren would make a great father because he is good at bedtime tales. They stare, or glare, at each other silently. At this point, Joren's feelings of hate turn to admiration and from there...

Bitch, she better watch her step. I'll be in the shadows. Just you wait and see. How can she look at me so innocently like she has done no wrong? Insolent wench. How dare she come into our lives pretending that she's as good as us males. She's a nothing but a girl, a female! Look at her glaring at me with those big green eyes. I admire her audacity, she's quite courageous. If you look past her ridiculous idea of knighthood, well, she's quite a girl...almost pretty if she gave up that page uniform. It doesn't look the least bit good on her. She's not all dumb and she's diligent...she'd make a good wife...for me? She said I'd make a good father... No! That bumbling girl? I'm entitled to much better! What am I thinking? She'd never do...That girl is blind as a bat, thinking she's better than men. Hmph!

He breaks away from her gaze and stalks off.

How could he even think of her that way? She's his sworn enemy. It's impossible! He hates her with all his heart!

But a little part of him spoke...but the line between hate and love is very thin...

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A.N.: So, what do you think? Should I continue?

Please Review!