Kel opened her eyes, everything was blurry and she had a slight headache, she thanked previous experiences that kept her away from extensive drinking She rubbed her eyes until things came into focus.

Looking over she saw Neal, drooling peacefully, fast asleep with his head on her shoulder; one hand also rested on her thigh with the other still wound around her waist. She wondered what had woken her before the knocking began again.

"Who is it?" Kel called, trying not to wake Neal.

"Dom. Are you alright?"

"Yea, I have a bit of a headache though, and Neal's drooling on me."

"He's what?" Dom opened the door and strode in. Finding Kel on the couch stuck in Neal's arms, he tried to force out a laugh, but wasn't able. 'No, Dom, that's silly. Neal is Kel's best friend! He doesn't have feelings for her. They're just good friends.'

She saw his odd look and explained, "I don't know what happened, I was out after 10:30 last night. He must've just sat down and fell asleep or something."

Dom smiled at this, 'And she doesn't have feelings for him.' "Well at least he didn't seduce you or something. Need any help untangling?"

He peeled Neal's arm off as she gently put his head back on the couch. He gave her a hand up and she was suddenly close to his face, he unconsciously sucked in a breath of air.

She smiled and Dom was suddenly lost, his head spinning, "Thanks, Dom. Give me a minute to change and I'll be back." She closed the door to her room with a last smile to him.

He stood there for a few seconds, fantasizing on how close she had been. Looking at Neal, who was still drooling, he shook his head, 'Lucky bastard. Asleep and Kel in your arms.'

When Kel had finished washing her face she came back out, Dom was prodding Neal and trying to wake him. She laughed and he looked up at the sound of her voice, "Let him sleep, he's probably still drunk."

She beckoned him towards the kitchen and poured herself a bowl of cereal. She looked for milk in the fridge, but the container was empty.

"I'll have to eat it dry," she sighed. They sat at the table and talked, they hadn't seen each other in a while and last night wasn't really catching up. "Do you want anything?" she asked before digging in.

He shook his head, "I already ate."

Dom was quiet while she ate, just watching her movements and thinking. When she had finished washing her dish he asked, "Do you want to go for a walk?"

She thought for a second then said, "Sure, I'll leave Neal a note." She grabbed her favorite sweatshirt, jotted a note, and followed Dom outside.

There was a park a few blocks away that they headed for and it was before noon, so not many people were there. They followed a small stream before finding a bench to sit on.

"Kel, how have you been? Really, I mean. Don't try to give me 'fine' or 'good,' they won't work. I want to know how you've been."

"Well, you're right. Living with Neal is no picnic. I have been doing pretty well, though, seriously." She added at Dom's sarcastic look, "He doesn't ask anything, he's messier than I am, and we've been friends for years."

He laughed, "Then you're the one with the easy life I've been looking for! Here I am in an apartment, all alone! It asks everything of me; cleaning, straightening, painting; so demanding! And whenever I come home, it's messy again!"

"Poor Dom, lonely in his apartment, detached and apart from the whole world," she was acting, putting the back of her arm over her eyes and grabbing his arm with the other. "Sounds horrid, you know. Perfectly wretched."

That was what Dom loved about her; she could always make him laugh. He longed to rub his arm where she had touched him; it was tingling with her warmth. He looked at her and studied her face. Her hazel eyes were alive with mirth, mouth smiling-her perfect lips surrounding her white teeth. 'She's the picture of perfect happiness.'

She smiled at him, giving this smile to him alone, as their eyes met. Her presence made everything better; the world had added color, added spice, a new depth. Dom finally made up his mind, resolution set. He was going to tell Kel; here and now, this afternoon. This afternoon would be his to remember as long as they were together, the perfect day.

That is, until Neal found them. "Hey Dom. Hi Kel." He slid down on the bench beside her and gave a quick kiss on the cheek. She blushed a little then smiled at him.

Dom was frozen at this, 'He kissed her and she smiled at him? What the hell is going on here?' he decided to voice his confusion, "Uh..." he cleared his throat, "did I miss something?" He prayed in his head, this couldn't be true.

"Well," Neal looked at Kel, "I don't know if we're labeled as a couple, but kissing her is fun." A devilish smile had formed on his face but was lost as Kel poked him, she was blushing furiously now. "Ow!" he cried, trying to protect himself.

"Gods, you're a wimp Neal."

Meanwhile Dom's throat was throbbing and his heart felt like it was somewhere in the pit of his stomach. He tried to smile, but just ended up feeling sick. He stood quickly. Muttering a hasty goodbye he turned and walked as fast as he could away from the bench.

Kel looked at Neal, "What was that about?"

Neal looked puzzled, then realization struck him like a brick, "I think he likes you, Kel. He left after I told him," he paused uncertainly, "about us."

Kel looked mortified, "Gods, what have I done?" she whispered, a hand covering her mouth. She straightened her shoulders, "Neal, stay here. I have to talk to him, to explain..." he nodded as she got up, "I'll be back-wait. How about I just meet you back at the apartment, ok?" Neal nodded again as they parted ways.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Dom! Wait up!" Kel jogged up next to him as he stopped. He turned and looked at her as she caught her breath.

She looked him in the eye, locking his eyes there in her gaze. "Dom, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing important," he broke the gaze and looked away.

"Dom," she grabbed his shoulders and moved her face close to his, "You're my friend, anything that happens or has happened to you is important to me."

He met her eyes once more, blush spreading across his cheeks, and he muttered something.

"What?"

"It's not fair, Kel. By the time I had gathered enough courage to tell you I like you, Neal came along and ruined my chance."

"Well then, tell me now."

"What? I just did..." now Dom was lost.

"Tell me now," she repeated, her eyes held all the encouragement he needed.

Dom gulped, "Kel, I like you a lot. I don't know when my feelings first started, but I look at you and you're just so perfect. Everything that you do makes me feel more alive."

What she did next caught him completely off balance.

Dom blinked to make sure this was reality; Kel had put her hands up to his face and was kissing him. It only took him a moment to respond instinctively by wrapping arms around her waist and pulling her closer to his body. This had been the fantasy his brain had wandered to for months now; constantly re-playing in his mind. Always wondering what it would feel like with her wrapped in his arms, being able to feel her pulse so close to his own.

When she finally stepped back from his embrace they were both a little breathless. He ran a hand down her cheek but she shook her head, "No, Dom, I'm not going to cheat on Neal." 'More than that,' she added in her head, "I love you though, you're one of my closest friends and I don't want to lose either of you. Just remember me, ok Dom? I'll always be here for you, just be there for me too." With that she turned and walked back towards the apartment.

Dom stood there for some time, a memory of his happiness playing before his eyes and the feel of her lips on his and her body close to his. "Don't worry, Kel," he whispered after her retreating back, "I'll remember..."