Scott's Fiction
Love's Journey
Part 8
Stormy Weather

 

Love's Journey is a Voltron Fan Fiction by Scott. This Fiction is rated R18+ due to extreme violence, adult concepts and the odd sexual encounter. The story focuses on the relationships between ALL the Voltron characters but especially on the relationship between Captain Keith and Princess Allura as they struggle with their feelings for one another. The story is VERY soppy in places so if that ISN'T your thing, turn away now.

I don't own Voltron or any of the characters depicted in this story save for the Original characters I introduce. Those characters are mine and please ask me first if you intend on using them at all. Voltron and all other characters are the property of W.E.P. This is an amateur fiction and no profit is being made in anyway from this venture.

I would like to thank SGB for his fantastic collection of Voltron and Golion images, without which many of the pictures in this fiction would not exist. Finally, thanks must go to Moira, who is responsible for not only the AWESOME pictures that feature throughout this book, but for encouraging me to post this fiction too! Thanks again Moira, thanks for all your support and encouragement!

NB. Some screenshots that may feature in the story I have had on HDD for some time and can't remember where I found them! If they are yours please, drop me a line and I will credit you for them! Any way, I hope you enjoy Love's Journey!

Love's Journey
Part 8
Stormy Weather

Lance, Hunk, Keith and Pidge arrived in the training room before dawn the next day, Keith having decided that it had been too long since their last training session and organising this one the night before. Allura was expressly forbidden to take part in these sessions and it annoyed her no end.

She had to sit there and watch! She thought it totally unfair and while he was being perhaps a little overprotective, Keith had been warned by Coran that Allura was NOT to join in! These particular sessions were nothing short of brutal and in nine cases out of ten all of those who participated ended up with nasty injuries as a result. Allura had asked Keith if she could this time, expecting him to support her as he always did, but to her dismay he had agreed with Coran and sidelined her.

"Ally no, I agree, these sorts of sessions are not for you! I don't mean to sound like you are in anyway incapable and in fact you would be more than able to handle yourself. The main reason is that the guys will go to easy if they are worried about hurting you, I need them to go flat out in there, I need to know just what they can and can't handle. I know this must be very frustrating and I KNOW you will think it completely unfair. I promise I will hold a private session with you afterwards and I'll let you go as hard as you like, thats the best I can offer my love, I'm sorry!" He had told her shortly before they began.

"This is so stupid! How can you evaluate the hand to hand capabilities of the Voltron Force if one member is alienated and forbidden to join in? Or am I no longer a part of the team?" She had asked.

"Allura.........Please don't think I am alienating you, you are a VALUABLE member of the team and you know it! I agree, it mustn't feel like it, sitting on the sidelines but please believe me when I say it is YOUR welfare I am thinking of! I have to make these decisions and even if you weren't my partner, I would STILL make this decision. I am sorry Ally, please don't be angry with me, I am doing what I believe is right, please understand....." Keith had answered with a reassuring hug.

She reluctantly agreed to sit it out, it hurt her inside though, she DID feel alienated and very left out!

As the session began, Lance paired up with Pidge and Keith with Hunk, "Okay, no rules!" Keith yelled.

Lance drew an electro-Rapier and charged towards little Pidge with a yell. A clever smile came to Pidge's face and he drew his favourite melee weapons, two Terran Gurkha knives. He blocked Lance's sword and in only a few seconds he had hit Lance with three kicks and a solid punch to the stomach, dropping him to one knee. Pidge was only small but he was easily the most agile member of the Voltron force and he could often throw four attack moves to their one or two.

Hunk caught Keith off guard and sent him flying backwards with a powerful thrust of his aluminum staff. Keith shook himself off and flipped back onto his feet, drawing his Bokken, (A solid wood version of his Katana). He attacked Hunk and the noise of timber on Alumunium rang out through the room.

Allura sat on the bench with her head resting on her hands watching the session. This IS unfair, I am a member of the Voltron Force and I get shunted out just because I am a girl! She thought.

"Good morning Ally!" Romelle called as she and Sven walked into the room.

"Oh Sven, Romelle, good morning". Allura replied.

Romelle was trying to figure out just why her cousin was sitting out of the training session. "Aren't you going to train too?"

"Oh well I WOULD if I was allowed!"

"Ally? Why aren't you allowed?"

"Oooh I might get hurt and the MEN won't fight properly if I am in there!" The frustrated Princess snapped.

"Oh what jibberish! Let's train, you and me! No holes barred, we'll show THEM how to fight!" Romelle replied defiantly.

"Romy, Keith told me I wasn't too and..............."

"Hey Ally, Don't worry about Keith, he is under pressure from Coran to keep you out of harms way, I heard them talking earlier!" Sven replied.

"Come on, let's belt them around the ring Ally!" Romelle grinned as she grabbed a white Judo outfit.

Sven stood in front of her, "Romelle what about........you know".

"Ohhhh! I........Will you take Ally in then?" She asked, realising she had forgotten all about her baby.

Sven nodded and grabbed his Gi. A grin formed on Allura's face and she grabbed her Dark Blue Kendo Gi out of her bag. "Give me a minute Sven".

The Men all stopped as the Princess and her escorts walked out into the ring. "Umm Keith??" Hunk gasped.

"Well okay, lets get it on!" Lance replied striding towards Sven and Allura.

"Lance, stay there!" Keith grumbled as he walked over to his Princess.

"Ally, What are you doing I though we discussed..............."

"Keith drop the macho rubbish! Ally is a member of the same team you are on and she KNOWS how to fight, you taught her! Now throw your best at her and don't expect her to go gently on you either!" Romelle growled as she interrupted him.

Keith was surprised at Romelle's response, "Macho rubbish? I am just trying to look after her Romelle! She could get badly hurt in here! Sven talk some sense into Romelle will ya!"

"Keith they have a point! I will team up with Ally!" Sven replied as Romelle left the ring.

"Oh I see, fine! Thanks a lot Sven! Ally is this what you want? Please tell me before we begin this, I won't go easy on you and you know it!"

"Keith, I want to train with the team at EVERY session, I don't care if I get hurt and I don't care how hard you lot are on me!" Allura answered as she held her Bokken in front of her.

"Lance, Pidge! Show Sven and Allura a ROUGH time will you!" Keith replied reluctantly.

"Oh this will be fun, Lance grinned as he and Pidge squared off against the Princess and the former Blue Lion Pilot.

Allura wasn't aware just how ROUGH the guys were going to be! Lance stepped around her attack and sank a cruel kick into her shoulder sending her flying across the floor. Sven completely underestimated Pidge's flexibility and the Green Lion Pilot used a clever attack reversal on his punch and twisted his arm behind his back before sweeping his feet out from under him and dropping him in a heap on the floor. "Sorry Sven, no hard feelings hey?" Pidge asked.

Lance didn't even offer Allura a hand up, he was actually enjoying himself in a cruel sort of way, relieving his frustrations with Nayla through fighting Allura". He grinned down at her, "Sorry Princess, no rules in here!"

Allura had tears in her eyes as she clutched her aching shoulder and stood back up, No rules means no rules! She thought as she attacked Lance again. She threw a dummy move and as he opened himself up she struck a painful blow, driving her knee deep into his groin buckling him over in two. She finished with an elbow to the stomach, an upper cut and a solid backhanded fist that knocked the cocky Red Lion pilot flat on his back. "Sorry Lance, no rules in here!" She replied flatly.

Sven's athletic Kung Fu moves tricked Pidge into transferring his weight at a critical moment and he she sent the little man flying. He walked over and knelt beside him, "Sorry Pidge, no hard feelings?"

"It’s training Sven, no hard feelings". Pidge groaned as she sat up on his knees holding his side.

Sven walked towards Hunk and Keith "Okay you two, who's first?"

"You take Hunk, Sven! I am going to teach my CAPTAIN a lesson!" Allura growled as she stood before Keith with her wooden blade at the ready.

"Give me the big tough one, thanks Ally!" Sven replied in a sarcastic voice.

"Sven I don't wanna hurt ya, I'll go gentle okay!" Hunk said in a cheeky voice.

"There has yet to be a day where YOU hurt me Hunk!" Sven answered as he used a perfectly executed roundhouse kick and knocked Hunk's staff from, his hands.

Hunk wasn't going to fall to Sven alone though, he simply blocked his next kick and seized him up, throwing him to the ground in a heap. "How did you like that!" Hunk answered.

"Sven looked up and saw Allura standing behind Hunk, "Oh its okay……… Because…… WHACK! THUMP!"

Allura's Bokken slammed into Hunk's back and using a regulation sweep Kick she sent him to the floor. "Sorry Hunk, but me and Sven work as a TEAM! Something you four could learn to do! I am part of the Voltron force too!" She replied as she helped Sven to his feet.

"Hey it is SUPPOSED to be one on one!" Keith yelled.

"Well I was told there were NO rules in here!" Allura grinned.

Keith shook his head and chuckled. Stubborn little………"Well this IS going to be difficult!"

"Allura stay back, this is the HARD one!" Sven whispered to her.

"Ally, I suggest I down grade to a Shinaii, This thing WILL cause serious damage if it hits you!" Keith replied as he walked over and swapped his Bokken for a bamboo Shinaii, (The bamboo training Katana).

"Lance gave a cough, and he, Hunk and Pidge sat back watching the battle unfold.

"We can take him Sven!" Allura said in a confident voice.

Sven raised an eyebrow and stared at her in disbelief, "Clearly you haven't tried before, THIS is going to hurt!"

"There are two of us and one of him Sven!"

"Princess there could be ten of us and one of him and it wouldn't matter!" Sven answered.

Coran and Nanny walked in with orange juice and muesli for them all, they gasped in horror as they saw Allura in the ring preparing to attack Keith. "I thought Keith agreed that Allura wasn't to take part in these horrible practice sessions!" Coran growled.

"What did I tell you, Allura doesn't listen to anybody anymore, so why bother trying to make her see sense!" Nanny replied with a scowl.

"Nanny, I am aware that you and Her Highness aren't seeing eye to eye at the moment but I won't have you speaking of her like that! Obviously she has pressured Keith into changing his decision and the three of us will have to discuss the situation after this is over!"

Sven and Allura attacked and Keith wasn't even trying as he deflected their attacks. Then he saw Nanny and Coran glaring at him, Shit! If I.......okay, Tis a far far better thing I do! He thought as he deliberately lowered his blade and opened himself up to attack. Allura saw it instantly and with a cruel kick she sent him stumbling backwards before bring her Bokken crashing across his ribs. Keith crashed to the floor in agony as the sting reverberated around his body.

He barely moved and held his palm up in defeat as he struggled to get his breath back. Keith? Yielding? I beat him this easily? What the heck? I BEAT him! Allura thought as a smile came to her lips. She had been trying to beat him at Kendo ever since he had started teaching her a year ago and now it was an accolade she had earned as far as she was concerned. "Gotcha!" She grinned as she offered Keith a hand up.

Keith ignored it and stood up himself, "Yeah you got me, well done". He answered in a cranky voice as he walked to the change rooms. Allura was so elated that she had finally beaten him! She gave Sven a high five as they walked towards Romelle, Nanny and Coran.

Lance fumed as he stopped Keith before he reached the change rooms, "Keith you threw that fight! I thought this was supposed to be no holes barred!"

"Yeah, well there are other factors to consider Lance!" Keith replied nodding at Nanny and Coran.

"Ooooh I see, trying to stay out of trouble are we?" Lance asked in a flippant voice.

"Lance, I am FAR from being in the mood for your nonsense, BACK OFF!" Keith replied angrily.

Hunk quickly intervened, "Hey Keith, settle down!"

"Lance he is trying to do the right thing by everybody, any fool could see he threw that match, just leave him be! That blow must have hurt, are you okay Captain?" Pidge asked his Commander.

"I'll be fine, I'll see you all later I have to go type out a report on this session!" Keith replied as he left them.

As the Captain undressed and stepped into the shower his eyes widened at the massive black bruise that was forming on his ribs. Allura's wooden Bokken had really done its job. Unlike Keith she had not downgraded to a Shinaii, figuring that she had no chance of hitting him anyway and when she finally had her chance she was so concerned with trying to win for once that she had forgotten all about hurting him.

Lance saw the bruise as Keith walked out in a towel and he gasped, "Keith, look at that! Shit!"

"Yeah, tell me about it!" Keith grumbled as he changed into his red jumpsuit.

Lance was furious and he clenched his fists in rage, "She needs to come down off her high horse! She is out there bragging it up with Coran about how she finally BEAT you! That is a serious injury Skip!"

"Really? Allura said that?" Keith asked.

"Oh yeah! I can tell you Hunk isn't amused about being hit from behind either! It is SUPPOSED to be one on one!"

"Lance, you were the one who said no rules! If a big guy like Hunk can't handle Allura and Sven then he needs to train harder!" Keith replied defensively.

"You just can't bring yourself to see that she had NO right to do that can you? You threw that fight for HER, all she had to do was sweep you or something, not hit you like that!"

"Okay, now hang on a second! When she messes up in Kendo I make her pay for it, I hit her and HARD! She is just returning the favour!"

"You hit her with a Bokken do you?" Lance asked with his hands on his hips.

"No but, Lance what are you trying to do here?"

"Nothing Keith, nothing at all!" Lance snapped as he walked to the showers.

"She had no right to hit me from behind, that isn't very fair, that wooden thing hurts like hell!" Hunk complained as he and Pidge walked in.

"Well we did say there were no rules didn't we?" The Green Lion Pilot replied as he rubbed some cream into the small of Hunk's back.

Hunk nodded, "Yeah, I guess we did little guy, maybe I am just overreacting, it really hurts!"

"I'd say she fights like a tiger!" Sven said of his partner in crime as he undressed beside them

"You two cheated, you broke the rules in the no rules match!" Pidge joked, bringing laughs from everybody except Lance.

As Keith walked out of the change rooms Coran approached him, "I had no idea her Highness was so proficient! That she managed to easily overcome a skilled warrior such as yourself so easily is a sign that she is quite able to handle herself, I think it is perhaps a good thing after all that she takes part in these sessions!"

Oh for...............Calm down Keith, calm down! The young Captain thought as he tried to remain calm. "Yeah she is very capable Coran, as I told you earlier, now if you will excuse me I have some reports to do!"

"Don't you want some breakfast first Keith?" He asked.

"No I have too much to do, I'll see you later!" Keith grumbled as he hurried to the infirmary. His ribs were killing him and he figured he should get them seen to.

Allura waited at the door of the Men’s change rooms for Keith to come out. Hunk and Pidge came out and then Lance a few minutes later. "Lance is Keith still in there?" She asked.

Lance was in a foul mood, "Oh how should I know! Why don't you go look Allura!"

"Lance? What's wrong?" She asked.

"Just back off and leave me the hell alone!" He snapped as he walked to the table.

"Okay, okay, fine!" Allura answered.

He ignored her and sat next to Hunk and Pidge at the table as Nanny poured his muesli for him. Coran walked over to Allura as Romelle joined her at the doorway. "Congratulations Your Highness, you fought well in there, far better than I would have expected against an opponent like Keith! Well done!" He said as he rubbed her shoulders.

The Princess was surprised by his reaction, "Uh thanks I didn't think I would win at all but Keith made a very uncharacteristic mistake and it gave me the edge. I was surprised he gave up so quickly! He usually comes back at me with guns blazing when I hit him!"

"Told you so Ally! Tell you that you have to sit it out, Hmmph!" Romelle replied as she patted her cousin on the shoulder.

"Well Keith was only trying to protect me................I finally beat him in Kendo!" Allura grinned proudly.

"Wow what a noble ambition!" Nanny growled as she walked out into the corridor and closed the door behind her.

Allura glared at Nanny and then turned back to Coran, "Well it seems not everybody is as happy as I am! Coran where IS Keith?"

"He didn't want any breakfast and he left to do some reports while you were having your shower Your Highness". Coran replied as he sat at the table.

"Oh alright then". She replied as she sat at the table. Only Hunk and Pidge talked to her and every time she tried to talk to Lance he shrugged her off with yes, no and mmmph answers, the air between them both could have been cut with a knife!

 

Allura met up with Keith later that morning and she wrapped her arms around his waist causing him to cringe in pain, "Keith are you okay?" Allura asked as she pulled away.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Ally I have something to tell you!"

"What is it Keith? Have I done something wrong?" Allura asked, still uncertain to the reason he had cringed when she put her arm around him.

"Ally two days from now!" He replied.

"Saturday? What about Saturday?"

Keith put his hand on her shoulder, "Well you had better free up Saturday, a wedding tends to take up a lot of time!"

"KEITH YOU MEAN! Saturday is..................Oh Keith!" She cried as she leapt into his arms and knocked him back onto the bed.

Yowch! Ohh heck that hurts! Keith thought as he gritted his teeth. "Ally I have to get up!"

"Oh no you don't!" She grinned thinking he was playing his usual game with her.

"Allura! I'm serious LET ME GO!" He repeated in a stern voice.

She realised he WASN'T playing and she rolled off him, "Okay there, what is wrong? What did I do?" She asked with a concerned frown.

"Nothing I just have to.............................."

Before Keith could finish Alarm sirens screamed out across the castle and the emergency communication systems crackled to life. "This Coran, all personnel to your battle stations, all personnel to your battle stations".

Allura and Keith ran down the hall bumping into Lance and Pidge along the way.

"What’s going on Captain, "Pidge asked running along behind them.

"I have no idea but we better move, we're still two floors away from control". He replied. They were frantically ducking and weaving as they made their way through the streams of personnel scrambling to their posts.

Keith had suddenly switched to Voltron Captain, he and Lance demonstrated their incredible pyhsical fitness and left the Princess and Pidge trailing behind as they flew up the stairs.

"Its not Fair I've only got little legs and your in a dress, " Pidge yelled to the princess as they both dodged the running Castle staff.

"Let them be heroes Pidge! They can't form Voltron till we get there anyway, so ultimately........(She was cut off as a crewman nearly bowled her over in his haste).......we're smarter!"

"Hunk was already in Control when Keith came running in, still changing into his flight suit. Lance was behind him strapping on his helmet.

"What’s going on Coran? What’s wrong?" Keith puffed as Sven and Romelle came sprinting in.

"It’s just an efficiency drill Keith, No problem, with the added threat from Lotor, I felt it was a good time to evaluate our procedures and response times".

"Oh you gotta be............I just ran up three flights of stairs and it’s a drill?" He gasped as he rested his hands on his knees and caught his breath back.

"I'm sorry Keith but testing response times of the Voltron force is important too." Coran answered.

"I was already here, I haven't even worked up a sweat..." Hunk chuckled.

Allura and Pidge came running in, in their flight suits, Allura was still tying up her hair as she stopped.

"What is it Coran......What's going on...........??" Pidge asked.

"It’s just a drill Pidge". Keith responded still puffing.

"What..... A drill? And I got all dressed up for nothing, I even brought my new experimental tracking system", He complained.

"New tracking system"? Hunk inquired.

"Yeah after our incident with the portal I thought it might be a good time to develop an improved tracking system. Oh well I 'm not going to get a chance to use it now."

"Oh I don't see why you can't Pidge. We're all dressed, the castle is on alert, Lion practice isn't such a bad idea."

"Oh come on Keith I've really got to talk with Nayla at two, It’s urgent!!" Lance whinged.

"Well you will have to rescehedule Lance, we haven't had Lion practice for over a week and since Black Lion is ready to be tested, now is as good a time as any! Come on team lets go!!" He yelled running to the elevators.

It would be a different story if it was you and Allura! Lance fumed to himself as he walked to the elevators.

Keith landed in his beloved Black Lion and it gave a shudder as its mighty turbines engaged and the familiar mechanical hum of the Dynotherms greeted Keith's ears. "Good to have you back Black!" He whispered patting the console. He launched it off its pedestal and headed towards the meadow with the others, Lance's voice crackled over the intercom in the other Lions.

"What the hell kind of Grease have those mechanics been using?? My lion smells like shit!"

Allura tried not to laugh, "Charming! That's just LOVELY Lance, just what I wanted to hear this morning! Though......(She sniffed the air in her cockpit) I will admit my lion is a bit on the nose too!"

"Are you sure it’s the Lion"? Hunk chuckled.

"Hmmph!!!!!" The Princess responded indignantly.

"Oh Sorry Princess that was directed at Lance I didn't mean to suggest........" He replied apologetically.

"Looks like you put your big foot in it again Hunk" Lance laughed.

"I'll put my big foot in your mouth when we get back to the castle if you keep that up!" Hunk growled glaring at his Comlink.

"Ahhmm guys where is Keith????" Pidge asked.

"Whaaa, yes where is he??" The Princess answered checking her radar.

Like you care anyway Allura Lance thought as he called into the Comlink, "Red lion To Black Lion, Come in over!"

"Lance to Keith Come in!"

"Maybe his Com. is playing up again?" Hunk responded as he flicked his radar to Long range setting.

"Lance to Coran do you know what happened to Black Lion, we've lost contact."

"No, it headed for the rendevous location and dissappeared from sight.

"Okay well Princess, you head straight from here to the Castle gate and see if you can see him".

"Hunk in case his thrusters are jammed or something silly like that, you make a fifteen mile radial patrol at full throttle. Centre your radius on the Castle gate."

"Pidge can that new tracking system help us find a wayward Lion??"

"I'm working on it give me a few minutes to patch into the uplink on the castle Lance!".

"Okay try to hurry Pidge…meanwhile I'll check the forest between here and Salern”.

"Alright team we've got a job to do let's get it done!" Lance barked into the Comlink.

Keith couldn't believe his rotten luck! His instruments had all flickered and then power failure warning lights and alarms flashed everywhere, Black lost altitude and crash landed in Salern, skidding along its side to within a few feet of the giant Voltron Statue out the front of 'The Blazing Sword' restaurant. He clambered out and stood on Black's back, using his handheld communicator he called the team.

"Keith to Blue Lion, Come in......."

"Keith to Blue..........."

"I read you Keith, where are you??" The Princess asked.

"Salern, at the 'The Blazing Sword'!" He replied.

"Keith I'm serious! Where are you!" She responded in a stern voice.

"SO AM I !!!" He snapped angrily.

"Okay Okay, I thought you were kidding we'll be right along hold tight! The Princess responded apologetically.

He pelted the communicator back into the cockpit with his gloves and helmet. "Yeah I'd just joke about it wouldn't I!" He yelled afterwards.

Keith wasn't in the happiest of moods, his Lion had managed to make it a few kilometres before crashing, his already sore ribs were now hurting him even more and he had injured his right shoulder now as well! Lance set down first and ran over to him, "What happened Skipper??"

Keith clutched his shoulder and grimaced, "I'm not sure, it just died midflight I think my power source is fried"

"What's wrong with your shoulder, gimme a look". (Lance had just completed his fourth term of battlefield first aid via correspondence to Earth).

"Well now you're shoulder matches your ribs perfectly! You've got a nasty black bruise on your shoulder blade and I don't like it, Jump into Red I'll get you to the infirmary".

As Keith followed Lance into Red Lions side cockpit door his second in command called the Castle OF Lions, "Lance to Coran, please send a recovery team to Salern, Black Lion has crashed, I repeat Black Lion has Crashed!"

The intercom crackled back, "This is Coran, a team has been sent is Keith alright?"

"He's got a badly bruised shoulder and I'm bringing him in now, have a medical team standing by at the Landing Platform...Lance out!"

"Lance to Lion team, Blue Lion, Green Lion and Yellow Lion, fly point over Black Lion until a recovery team arrives and then fly cover for the recovery team, I don't want Lotor seizing the opportunity to have a free shot at Black."

"Yellow Lion to Red Lion, order acknowledged."

"Green Lion to Red Lion, order acknowledged."

"Blue Lion to Red Lion, Lance, let me take him back!!"

"Princess, I'm already half way home, just fly point okay!"

"But Lance, I......."

Lance lost his cool, he'd had quite enough of Allura for one day, "PRINCESS I GOT IT, FOLLOW MY ORDERS AND FLY POINT!!!!"

"Y...yes Lance, Order acknowledged". She reluctantly replied.

"Hey Lance settle down, she's only worried about me" Keith replied.

"Keith, if I questioned your orders twice would you cut me any slack?"

"Well...no probably not, you were right to bring her to task on it!"

"Thank you, she has to learn her place up here, she has to learn to do as she's told!" Lance answered.

Keith was lucky, he only had muscular damage and it was quickly remedied with an exoskeletal gel-pack. The Doctor also applied some more gel to his ribs and they began feeling better also. As the Doctor finished with him he raced to the Repair Hangar. "Are they back yet?"

"No sir, the recovery team only just arrived in Salern". The Head Mechanic replied.

"Sir may I ask what happened?" He asked Keith.

Keith scratched his shoulder, "Well I was fine, then warning lights everywhere, there was a shudder and no power."

"Was the hyraulic fluid flow failure light on?" He asked.

"It came on after the shudder," Keith answered scratching his ribs and shoulder yet again, (the Gel-pack had fixed the muscle damage but his shoulder and ribs itched like mad).

"Sounds like your main turbine seized, That would explain the shudder and the power loss, Damn! The thing it was running for three days straight and never gave any indication of a problem. Don't worry sir I'll have it ready by tonight for you!!" The Mechanic replied.

"Put a call through to my quarters when you have, I want to get Black up and running as soon as possible"

"Yes sir, will do!"

 

Keith reported in to Coran and then spent three hours organising plans for the wedding with Queen Orla, Romelle and Sven. Nanny had walked in and apologised for her terrible behaviour, explaining that she wanted to help too, more than anything. Keith gave her a forgiving hug and explained that Allura would be very happy if she did!

He gave her his dress uniform in to be dry cleaned before heading to Control and practicing the 'King's Walk' with Coran. 'The King's Walk' being the slow walk he would have to make side by side with Allura from the chapel altar to the coach out the front. He practiced it with Coran for an hour and he couldn't quite manage to get it right. He would always falter mid step. Finally, Coran advised to him to practice with Allura when she got home that evening as she was the one who's steps he had to match.

Keith returned to Orla, Nanny, Sven and Romelle and continued organising things until finally they had most of the major arrangements sorted out. He wearilly made his way through the castle to his bedroom to wait for Allura to get home. He didn't get much sleep the night before and he'd just had a terrible morning. This was supposed to be a GOOD morning, I haven't even been able tell the guys about the wedding yet! He thought as he rubbed his aching head and walked into the bathroom for a shower. Nanny brought him some Asprin and Kasseile changed the sheets in his bed for him. Feeling a lot better after his shower he decided that Allura would wake him when she got home, so he put on his pajama's, cranked his enviromental controls down to sixteen degrees centergrade, and snuggled up in his bed. When Kasseile came in to check on him five minutes later he was out like a light.

The Voltron team arrived back in the change rooms at around six o'clock that evening. Lance stopped the Princess as she was headed towards the female change area.

"Okay Allura, let's talk! When I give you a direct order, you answer that you have received it and you follow it to the letter is that understood!!" He barked.

"Yes Ok, look I'm sorry I was just worried about.............."

He cut her off, "No! No excuse! You got that! Don't you ever question my orders again! You have been walking around like your God's gift to everybody since Keith THREW that fight for you this morning! You weren't too worried about him then!"

She glared at him, "I beg your pardon Lance? How would you know how I worry about Keith? And I have been walking around like I am God's Gift have I? When have I done that? WHEN?"

"When Haven't you! Ooooh I beat him, I beat him! Allura I am going to be blunt here! If Keith wanted to beat you he could have taken the both of you out, there and then! I find it surprising that you haven't figured it out yet! He THREW the fight!" Lance snapped.

"Keith doesn't THROW fights Lance!"

Lance slammed his hand against the door, "Oh come on Princess! Look at the facts, since when does Keith expose his body to such an obvious attack? Since WHEN does he give up that easily? He gave you an easy and free opportunity to end the fight! You could have just swept him but nooooo, you had to go one better than that! You had to flog him with a solid lump of timber as well! At least HE was considerate enough to grab a Shinai! I guess that’s the difference in you both hey! He isn't selfish! He actually gives half a damn about people other than himself! You really hurt him this morning! Of course you wouldn't CARE about that! Gee, why would THAT be important? As long as you beat him hey!"

"I care more for him than anybody else! Who the HELL do you think you are Lance! What the hell would you KNOW! If he DID throw the fight then I won't be very impressed! But that doesn't mean I..............."

"Oh I see, now you are ANGRY with him too? Ough! Typical! If you aren't the most ungrateful little.............! He threw the fight for YOU Allura! To Keep YOU out of trouble! Coran told him you weren't to take part in the full contact training sessions and when you left him with no choice and came out anyway....Well! Nanny and Coran just happened to walk in just in time to see you fighting! Keith had to..........Aww........What’s the use in trying to explain it to you! You aren't going to listen! Just forget I even said anything! WOMEN!" Lance yelled as he stormed off slamming his locker door closed as he headed for the showers.

"I was listening I............Oughhh!" Allura was terribly upset herself and she threw her helmet against the wall in frustration as she walked off in tears towards the female change rooms, nearly hitting poor Pidge as he came in.

The ducking Green Lion Pilot took his hands off the top of his head and stood back up, "That was CLOSE! What the heck was that all about?" He asked his big friend.

"Another Lance/Allura moment I think little Guy, Hunk answered as he walked in behind him.

"Aww Gee, not again!". Pidge muttered as he stripped off and headed for the shower.

Allura sat in the change rooms with her head in her hands, she was confused, upset and hurting. I HURT him? Why didn't he just........That's why he wanted me to let him go! I HAVE hurt him! I didn't mean to! Oh I hope he's all right! She thought as she wiped away a tear. After she showered and dried herself off she dejectedly walked up to the Control Room. She asked Coran if he knew where Keith was? "He's alright Princess, he went to his quarters for a shower and a rest hours ago I haven't seen him since.

I thought he would have been organising our wedding at least? She thought as she asked about Black Lion.

"The mechanics have just finished installing the new turbine, it should be ready to go again within two or three hours."

"That's good news, I'll see you later then," She replied wearily.

"Princess are you alright? You don't look well?" Coran asked.

"I'm just a little tired I think, I'll go get some rest."

"Wait! Come here first......" He called to her as he stood up from his chair.

He gave her a big hug, "I hear Saturday is going to be the big day! Congratulations, Your Father would be so proud!!"

"Thank you Coran." Allura replied as she pulled away and walked towards the stairs. Along her way various people offered her their congratulations and the more people that congratulated her the more frustrated she became. My wedding? As if its, going to be ready in time!. It's not going to happen, I haven't even got a gown yet and Keith has done nothing! Well nothing except sleep and worry about BLACK LION, its more important to him than our wedding is!! She muttered to herself.

Lance, Hunk and Pidge were playing pool in the Rec. room and Pidge asked Lance, "What happened in the locker room today?"

"I had to tell her Pidge, I can't have people questioning me every time I give an order! Lately she's been doing that whenever I am left in command and it is starting to annoy me, not to mention it’s breaking orders! If she were a man she'd have been Courtmarshalled!"

"Woah settle down, since when do they courtmarshall someone for QUESTIONING an order, she didn't break any! She was just worried about Keith that’s all!" Pidge responded.

"I am sure she apologised for it didn't she?" Hunk asked.

"What's an apology to a woman? They saaaay they're sorry, but they don't mean it! I wanted to make SURE she understood!" He replied.

"That is the single, most stupid, brain dead and bitter thing I have ever heard you say Lance, Women say sorry but they don't mean it? Bullshit! Since when has Allura done that?" Hunk asked.

"Ohhh, I don't know look let's just play,.......". He replied.

"No, I want to know what you meant by that, were you really mad at Allura? or Nayla?" Hunk snapped .

"Nayla? What buisness...........Why I oughta! What do you know? What the hell WOULD you know? You have been single as long as I have known you!" Lance yelled, throwing his pool cue down and storming off.

Pidge looked across at Hunk, "Hmmph, Girl troubles huh??"

"Yeah, girl troubles and KEITH troubles too if he finds out Lance has been unfairly taking it out on Allura!"

"Oh well lets forget it and play some pool, I've had enough excitement for one day". Pidge replied with a frown.

Allura lay next to Keith in their room, he was sound asleep and she didn't want to wake him. She was thinking about all the things Lance had said to her, she was still upset about it and then there was the issue of her wedding on top of that and suddenly everything got on top of her. Her wedding wasn't going to be ready in time, nobody had done anything except worry about drills and Lions. They hadn't even told many people that it was on! Keith stirred, realising she was there and rolled over to face her. "Hi Ally". He murmured in a sleepy voice. Then he realised she was crying and sat up instantly, "What's wrong?? He asked putting an arm around her.

"Oh everything! We're never going to get married, it’s never going to happen.........." She cried.

Keith was confused, "Ally, what do you mean? Why isn't it going to happen?"

"Because NOBODY cares about it, all any one thinks about is practice drills, following orders and That DAMN LION!" She snapped angrily.

"Ally, that isn't true! Look you're just upset that's all, what's happened?"

"Really, it’s not true? So you are ready to perform the King's Walk then? You know how, the timing, when to bow, when to kneel? Or are you to busy throwing fights to make me think I have improved?"

"Throwing fights I........I....Well not all of it but I......."

"But what Keith? Huh? It's only one of the most important parts of the whole ceremony and you haven't once asked me to help you practice it, in fact we haven't even discussed it! No of course not! I forgot! You're more concerned with how everybody performs in training and in their Lions than you are with anything else! Do you think you're just going to sleep for five hours and wake up full of know how?...........You always think you know everything........ At least while I was out you could have done something instead of sleeping all day!"

"Ally you're wrong, you're not being fair.....just listen to me!"

"I'M not being fair? Oh I'm just upset am I, Mr. I know it ALL! Well I'll have you know I am FINE! Thank you very much for asking! Why set a date if you never actually planned on doing anything about it! Wedding's don't plan themselves Keith!!!

"Ally CUT IT OUT! You can at least listen to me surely to........................."

"Now YOU yell at me too?"

"Look I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell at you I just................"

"Look fine, you know what…… Forget the wedding, its off! Go back to Earth and yell at people there! See if I care!" The Princess yelled as she stormed out of the room.

"Ally wait!!" Keith sprang out to go after her but slipped over on a report and landed flat on his back. "Yeeooowww!!! Jeez!"

By the time he had gotten up and chased after her she was long gone. What was that all about? What did I do? What the heck did I say? He asked himself in confusion as he looked for her. He realised that she could be anywhere and she obviously didn't want to see HIM anyway! Its okay Keith, she didn't mean it, you just need a friend.....the guys, I'll go see the guys! He thought as he tried to convince himself that everything was okay. No one was there so he checked their quarters, nobody was there either! He went to the Dining room and there was his Father, reading a paper with his coffee.

Allura meanwhile slumped against the wall in a corridor she had stopped in, burying her face in her hands as she cried. She had just fought with the one person she had been wanting to be near all day. She didn't understand why and didn't even remember what had happened to provoke it. She was confused, frightened and very upset, all she wanted was for Keith to hold her in his arms but now she had ruined any chance of that happening! Her mind was throwing thoughts of regret at her every second, What did I just do? Oh why did I just do that! Romelle, I need to see Romelle! She thought as she ran off towards her cousin's room.

 

Romelle had just showered after she and Sven had consumated their relationship for the third time that day and was just starting to clean up their quarters. The pair of them had made quite a mess of it that morning, underwear and clothing were strewn everywhere. As he finished his shower Sven walked up behind her and pressed against her.

"Sven, I am trying to clean up. She giggled

"Well Let me help" He grinned as he unfastened her robe and threw it on the bed, "There we go, much better....!"

"Oh you are a pain when you're in a mood like this......" Romelle complained.

He looked at her with sad eyes and in a deep and mournful voice he replied, "And only you can help me.... We haven't had made love for days!!!! I'm so lonely".

"REALLY?" Romelle answered pretending to be surprised.

He flashed her an evil look.

Sven, noooo! Sven..........oooh your a pain.......!" She giggled as he threw her on the bed.

"You love it!" He laughed.

"I admit it...Yes, I love it and I love YOU........But.......you are STILL a pain...!"

Sven looked across at Romelle and she shook her head, "Oh...........allright! But ONLY if you go and annoy the guys afterwards."

"I could stay and help you!!" He declared.

"No! Your a PAIN! I never get a thing done when you're in one of these moods!"

"You really want me to go........" He whimpered with big sad puppy dog eyes and a forlorn voice.

"Sven.......Don't............"

He pouted at her.

"Don't........."

He pouted at her again.

"Sven!..............OOOOOOOOOH! If you aren’t the most annoying........!"

They were just starting to enjoy themselves, when was a knock at the door....."Gooo awaaaaay!" Sven muttered quietly.

"Sven it could be important, UMMMM..............WAIT A SECOND...................JUST HANG ON...........!"

"Ven, quick! Pick up all the clothes!" She panicked as she put her robe back on.

Opening the door she saw Allura, "My God Ally! What's wrong? Come in, come in! SVEN, IT'S ALLY!" Romelle called as she continued inside. Poor Sven was three quarts erect and stark naked to boot. He knew he had about three seconds to cover up, he dropped the clothes he'd been picking up and took a running leap towards the bed, pulling the sheets up over himself.

He grinned at Romelle, but the grin quickly faded to a frown as he saw Allura. "Ally, what is wrong?"

Allura didn't answer she just hugged Romelle and cried. Sven looked to Romelle, nodded to the bed and made an awkward face.

"Ahh! Ally, we're just going to face this way for a few seconds....." Romelle grinned as she turned around.

Sven was up and into the next room, like lightning. Phew that was close! He chuckled to himself.

"Ally, tell me what's happened? You should be so happy! You're finally getting married and Saturday is the big...............Okay..... Romelle is behind by a few hours what’s happened?"

"Nothing's done Romelle, Keith's been asleep all day, and I've spent all day recovering that STUPID, OVERGROWN, BLACK..................It's off Romelle I called it off!"

"Oh Ally, what ever for? You've had a rough day that’s all! Thing's aren't half as bad as they seem....! Keith organised most of what we were going to need today, he ran around everywhere trying to find the RIGHT coach for you to ride in! It was sooo funny he's such a twit when he panicks. He tripped over ME twice and Nanny three times. He even fell down the stairs, all with his sore shoulder! Well I mean itchy shoulder. He got it fixed up but he kept scratching it and his ribs too until I put some Feryut juice on them for him. He left us when we had most of it done and headed up to Coran for you know (she raised her eyes to the sky) Men, the King's walk all that stuff".

"He did? But Coran said he went to bed!......I thought........she stopped crying and began to wipe her eyes.

"Yes but ONLY after he had organised the WEDDING! He was so worried that we wouldn't be ready in time but Nanny, Orla and I saw to……………”

"NANNY HELPED?" Allura gasped.

"Yes, she organised catering, guest seating and that sort of thing, she's such a pro......! Well if it’s off, I better go tell her before she prepares any MORE food! We've got so much even Hunk couldn't finish it all!"

"No No, I don't ne............Oh NO!! Romelle!"

"Ally? What is it?" Romelle asked.

"Keith........poor Keith!" Allura cried with her head in her hands.

"What Ally, what about Keith? Wait....Let me guess, you were kind of rough on him?"

"Romelle I yelled at him, I told him he hadn't done anything. I even told him to go back to Earth!"

Romelle gasped "Umm Allura! That's horrible! Why?.....Why would you say that?"

"I was angry and confused and I....I don't even know why I said it! I didn't want to, I was angry and.........Romelle I don't want him to go..........I didn't mean it!" She cried into her Cousin's shoulder.

Sven came out from the bathroom and sat on the other side of Allura putting his arm on her shoulder.

"Ally, you just had a fight that’s all, it happens, its just part of being a couple".

"I was so horrible and nasty to him Sven..."

"Come on Ally, its not so bad! Keith is a very understanding man! I think you SHOULD go and talk to him though! After hearing that he won't be feeling to good! I think you should come with me and we'll go find him. Don't worry he'll understand! He can't stay angry with YOU very long!" Sven replied supportively.

"He won't want to marry me now but I can at least apologise! Poor Keith, I had no right to treat him like that, I don't deserve him at all!"

"Oh Ally, that’s rubbish! You just got a bit upset, its just stress with the wedding and all, its NORMAL! He'll understand!" Romelle answered, rubbing her cousin's shoulder reassuringly.

"Sven hugged her and wiped her eyes with a wet cloth. There you go...!" He grinned.

"You guys are so good to me, I'm such a nuisance!" Allura replied looking at the floor.

"You are not! Just remember I've got to get married yet, I'll expect a spare shoulder at your room when I do something silly and get all upset!" Romelle replied softly.

"Come on!" Sven took her hand and lead her out into the corridor!" He grabbed his comlink, "Sven to Lance are you there??"

"BURRRRRRRRRRRRP ?? Whatsup Sven?"

"Keith and Ally have had a fight, I've got Ally with me but we need to find Keith, I'll check their quarters and the upstairs areas, can you look down stairs?"

Lance's heart sank and he felt very small. He had been looking for Allura himself to apologise to her for his horrible behaviour in the change rooms but had been unable to find her. Now she had gone and had a fight with Keith! "You sound serious, are they okay Sven?"

The Princess, grabbed the Comlink, "I'm okay, Lance! Its Keith, we HAVE to find him, I.....".

"Princess, calm down he won't be far, he's probably propped up against a wall, with a mug of Ale, that's where I'd be...or.....have been I should say!"

"Lance what if he's at the 'Blazing Sword"? Or in Salern somewhere? She asked.

"Nah, I don't think he'd go there, Princess, He had a really bad day at Salern today, its the LAST place he'd be! We all got frustrated and did stupid things today, myself in particular! Princess, I know it doesn't help things now but for what it's worth, I'm sorry for the way I treated you this afternoon!"

"Forget it Lance, it's in the past! What's important is that I find Keith! I told him to go back to Earth! What if he........"

"Yeeeow! Okay..........that'll hurt! Hmmm I wouldn't get too concerned! Keith wouldn't go to Earth even if he WAS gonna leave, he hates the place! Nah Princess he won't leave, not without seeing you first! It will take a LOT more than that to make Keith run! Anyway, we'll go find him for you!"

Allura handed the portable communicator back to Sven. "Ally can't we just track his Wristcom?" Sven asked.

"Normally yes, but his Wristcom is still wrecked, they haven't fixed it yet!" Allura frowned.

 

Meanwhile Keith was telling the General about his wedding nightmare! "She hates me Dad! It’s off now I don't know what to do...Ahhh! (He punched the table). I need advice from someone who understands women!"

"Well, now let me see, no good asking a male, it’s like asking an apple about a pumpkin! It's no good asking a female either they don't understand it themselves. No you're out of luck there too I am afraid".

"Its my own fault shouldn't have held Lion practice today, then none of this would have happened....." Keith Muttered gloomilly

"Now listen here Keith that's bollocks. Sit down and I'll give you a bit of advice."

Keith sat next to his Father and looked at the table. The General cleared his throat and then looked across at his Son. "For a start, don't go blaming work, work hasn't got anything to do with it. Work has to be done, be nice if it did itself but it won't! Did you get everything done today that you wanted to?"

"Well all except practicing the King's Walk with Ally and talking with her about the wedding!"

"Isn't it Arusian custom for the Groom to find out what the bride wants for her wedding and then to organise it for her?" The General asked.

"Yeah but.......!"

"Yeah BUT? No doubt you found out what Allura wanted already right?"

"Yeah I did but I still......" Keith replied.

"No now look, you did everything you COULD do..... you missed one or two things, that's not bad, not bad at all. The King's walk, hmmph, its just an overrated slow march without the music that's all, you'll pick it up pretty quick! You've got all day tommorrow for things like that. Now, you see, whether you had Lion practice or not, you still would've got it mostly all done and this STILL would have happened. So its not work, its something else, Do you want to know what....?"

"Yeah, even though we're wasting our time! She called it off! Since were talking though, tell me where I fowled up! Keith replied.

"Fowled up, no no, you didn't foul up. It's something else, its just good old stress! Happens to us all! Small minescule things become mountains and we snarl at each other. "Princess Allura has had a lot on her mind today what with, Weddings, Battle drills, crashing Lions, a Nanny who refuses to let her grow up and an injured fiance. Not that I'm saying you haven't had a lot to deal with yourself but things probably just got on top of her that's all! I'll bet that right now the poor girl is upset, confused and no doubt telling herself how she's ruined ANY chance of you both getting married. Which kind of puts her in a similar situation to you don’t you think?"

"Dad I don't think so, she was serious, more serious than I've ever seen her! There was so much anger in her eyes, she called the wedding OFF! I doubt she's upset with any one but me! She even told me to go back to Earth!" Keith sighed.

"Ouch.....I'll bet that one hurt, she was having a bad one! I'll tell you in the time that I have come to know her, Allura doesn't have a mean bone in her body. I'd say if she said that she just said it in anger! She'd sooner hurt herself than someone else. The anger you saw in her eyes was nothing more than stress and tension".

"Dad....I know stress and I have seen how Ally handles stress! She just takes it in her stride!"

"Keith most of us DO! But sometimes it all bottles up inside us like jellognite, you move the wrong way, one slight little mistake and BANG!!! it blows up in your face. When we get like that, its always the one's we love who feel the brunt of the explosion, even the best of us sometimes let fly! We don't mean to say the thing's we do and hell we don't even want to say em, but, invariably we get angry and we will anyway! Ohh you want to hear some of the fights me and your mother had over the years before she died. It got to the stage that when it happened we'd see it coming and stop before it could. We'd end up shaking our heads and laughing about it! You get used to it over time, its part of being a couple, getting to know each other."

"Keith, you're going to have a LOT more yet. Wait until the first pregnancy, oh boy what a nightmare that is!" Now then, don't be angry at poor Allura, put that RIGHT out of your mind! Punch the hell out of a training dummy or a pillow afterwards but don't be angry with her. TRUST me Keith, I've come to know that girl pretty well, she thinks the world of you and you mean EVERYTHING to her. Why you should have seen her before the engagement ceremony, all she wanted to hear about was you! You are in essence, all she cares about! When I gave her those chocolates and that note you should have seen her pretty face light up! Now then, was it the first time?"

"Dad? I....I don't understand was what the first time?"

The General scratched his forehead, "Was it the first time she's called it off??"

"Yes but....."

Keith's Father chuckled, "Only once? Son you've got a few more up you're sleeve yet! Your Mother called our wedding off three times in under six hours. Give the Princess time, let her be for a while, she'll come around and I'll bet two rounds of Arusian black Ale, that she's standing by your side, Saturday morning!"

"You're on Dad!." Keith Grinned.

"Alright Now I better get to bed or I may not get up in time for my briefing tomorrow morning!" The General replied as he stood up and placed his hand on Keith's shoulder. "You'll do fine Keith, take care!"

Allura was beginning to panic! She couldn't find Keith anywhere! "Oh Sven what have I done? Where IS he!!" She complained as she collapsed in a heap against the wall.

"Ally, listen, pardon the pun but since when have you EVER known Keith to run from a fight! He'll be here! Getting all upset won't help find him, come on! We have to keep looking." Sven replied as he lifted her up and gave her a gentle hug. "It isn't anywhere near as bad as you think! We ALL fight with our loved ones occasionally! Romelle and I have our turns too and we all say things we don't mean when we're hurting. Now come on, We'll find him!"

Meanwhile in the Dining Room a maid startled Keith, "Can I get you anything Captain..........?"

"Umm, yeah..Sure....A coffee, very strong! No milk and no sugar thanks!"

As the maid walked away, Keith looked at the paper his Father left behind, a newspaper from Earth, how fascinating! I'm glad Arus doesn't have media! I can see the headlines now, Captain Keith and Princess Allura call wedding off! Princess Heartbroken as Stupid Voltron Captain messes up! A spokesman for the couple reported that the palace is in crisis and still reeling from the news that Captain Keith Taylor, of Voltron Fame, messed up bad today and through no fault of her own, a devastated Princess Allura has been forced to call of their upcoming wedding! Hah! Damn media! He mused to himself.

The maid grinned at Keith as she put the coffee in front of him. "Here you go Your Highness, one strong coffee, no milk and no sugar".

He tasted his coffee as she walked away, squinting in disgust as he sipped it, "Ergahhhh! Oh well it'll keep me awake at the very least!"

"Ally these are the guest's quarters! He wouldn't be here!" Sven called out to his desperate companion as they came down the stairs from Control, continuing their search.

The General was opening the door to his quarters when the Princess spotted him "General! General Brad!" She called out.

"Yes Your Royal Highness?" He replied, bowing respectfully. "What brings you to this neck of the woods?"

"General do you know where Keith is? I have to find him!" She asked, her voice almost pleading with him to say yes.

"Yes I've seen him. We just finished speaking not five minutes ago. He was a little upset and confused but I'm confident he's thinking straight now!"

"Where is he? General? Please tell me!" She asked as the tears welled in her eyes.

Keith's Father took Allura into his arms and hugged her, "Don't panic he is okay!"

"General I need to see him! I have to tell him that I didn't mean what I said I..........I"

"He knows Princess! He KNOWS! I think he needs some time to think however, give him a little while and he'll find you when he is ready!"

"Oh General Please....! Please tell me where he is! I don't want to make him suffer anymore! I want to see him now! Please!" Allura pleaded.

"Alright, alright! Come on then". The General smiled.

"Will you take me to him?"

"Yes Princess, I know where he was going next! I think we can intercept him before he gets there!"

The General lead Allura through a corridor towards the stables, Keith had revealed earlier that he was going to go riding for a few hours to clear his head and the General was hoping to catch him before he left.

The Stables for the castle were located down a long stone staircase in the basement and as a result it took the General longer than anticipated to reach them. Keith had been a little quicker than his Father had expected too and was already in the stables when they found him.

He had been unaware of their arrival and Allura slowly walked over as he was reaching for his saddle. She tapped him on the shoulder and he turned to face her with a surprised look on his face. There was a brief pause and though he WAS angry with her, the minute he saw those tears running down her cheeks and the look on her face he forgot about that.

He hated seeing Allura upset and he swallowed his pride as he gently wrapped her in his arms. "I'm sorry Ally" He whispered. She nestled her head into his shoulder and did her best to apologise but she choked on her words and burst into tears. She couldn't speak and found it hard to breathe she was crying so much.

Keith supported her in his arms and kissed her forehead, "Shhhh, It’s alright, Ally, Shhhhh!" He sat down on a hay bale with her on his lap and cuddled her, "Ally please, stop crying".

"Keith you have nothing to apologise FOR! I'm the one who should be apologising!" Her muffled voice cried from his chest.

"Ally it's alright, come on, settle down!"

"Its not alright...........I should never have said those things, never! I don't want you to go........................!"

"Oh Ally I wasn't going to LEAVE! I knew you were just upset! It’s not..., you've had a tough........., come on Shhhhh!!" He squeezed her tight in his arms and tried his best to calm her down. Her arms hung loosely around his neck and for the most part she was almost limp in his arms, shaking all over and crying her heart out. She was heartbroken at the way she had treated him, she couldn't ever remember feeling so terrible!

"You have every right to HATE me!" She sobbed loudly.

"Oh Ally that's nonsense...........I could NEVER hate you!"

Romelle and Queen Orla came running down the stairs, Sven had contacted Romelle and told her where they were and she and the Queen had come down as quickly as they could, they were both very concerned. "Where Sven?" Queen Orla asked.

He nodded over at the broken young Princess crying in Keith's arms and replied "Over there".

"Oh Ally!!" Orla replied as she walked over and knelt down next to them both.

Lance, Hunk and Pidge came running through the corridor and stopped next to Sven and Romelle.

"We must have walked right past him! I looked here!!" Pidge remarked in a shocked voice.

"Oh brother, what a mess! This is all my fault!" Lance grumbled as he hung his head in shame.

"Hmm what was that you said earlier Lance? Tell me, do you still think Allura isn't sincere? Still think she says sorry but doesn't really mean it? Idiot!" Hunk growled at him.

Lance stared at the ground, disgusted with himself for his particularly stupid statement.

"Well, there is nothing more we can do here, lets get out of here before you say something else completely absurd Lance!" Pidge snapped at him as he and Hunk turned their backs on him and walked up the stairs.

Lance trailed along behind feeling absolutely awful, even a strong course of Bourbon wasn't going to eleviate this sort of guilt. "Guys come on, I was upset, I apologised!" He called out to his friends.

"That's big of you Lance, I am sure that Keith and Allura appreciate it!" Hunk remarked in an angry voice.

Meanwhile Allura's Aunt tried to calm her down, "Ally, its okay, shhhh" She replied as she gently stroked her Niece's hair. "Baby girl! Shhhhh, come on let me see your face....."

Allura refused to lift her head out of Keith's chest and dug her fingernails hard into his shoulders, to emphasize it.

"Ally, come on, look up!" Keith whispered.

She slowly looked up at her Captain with tears still running down her face. He wiped her tears and stray locks of hair away from her face before tenderly kissing her, running his hands gently through her hair and down her shoulders. Allura felt absolutely awful but when Keith kissed her, it was like a magic antidote for sadness.

As they came up for breath she rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

Queen Orla patted her niece's back, "Take her home Keith".

He nodded and carried the Princess past Romelle and Sven, her face once again buried in his very wet chest. He carried her slowly all the way up the stairs and through the corridors to his bed where still holding her in his arms he spread his blankets and sheets open and lay her down. He pulled off her boots for her and then gently tucked her feet in under the sheets.

She held out her arms and pulled him down on top of her. "Keith, I'm so very sorry! I don't know why I said those things, I didn't mean them, I didn't mean to hurt you this morning either, when Lance told me what I had done I......................"

"What! Allura…What did he say? What did LANCE say?" Keith asked raising an eyebrow.

"Oh nothing much, just that I had hurt you". Allura replied not wanting to cause any more trouble.

"I think he said a little more than that Ally, the truth, WHAT DID LANCE SAY!" Keith replied in a stern voice.

Allura gave up trying to protect him and she sobbed into his arms, "He said you threw the fight because of Nanny and Coran. He said I was so busy trying to beat you that I didn't even notice! He said I didn't care about you, that I was selfish and that I should have just used a sweep kick rather than flogging you with a Bokken and..... Keith I didn't mean to hit you so hard, I didn't! Honestly! It's just that it's what you TAUGHT me to do! I didn't know I had hurt you that badly, I didn't want to hurt you at all! I will never do Kendo again!" Allura sobbed.

"Hey, you BETTER do Kendo again! I'm not teaching you for nothing! Now you know WHY I don't want you training with us in THOSE sessions! It’s because it IS brutal! You did well to best Lance and while your solution to Hunk was how shall we say, unique! It worked for you and it has given Hunk something to think about. You did EXACTLY what I taught you to do, you saw a weakness and you struck hard! Now stay here and I will be back soon!" Keith replied as he stood up.

"Keith where are you going?" She asked.

"I have to visit somebody I will be back soon!" He replied as he walked to the door.

"Keith please, don't! You're going to see Lance aren't you?"

"Ally he had no right to say those things and I am not about to let him get away with it! This is HIS fault too!"

"Keith, please, just stay with me.......I.......I need you!" The Princess pleaded as she held her arms out to him.

"Ally! I..........You haven't gotten off Lance!" Keith muttered as she walked over to her and lay beside her.

"Ally I'll stay if you promise to smile!"

"I don't feel like smiling Keith, I spent the last hour absolutely terrified that you would be going back to Earth!" She sniffed as he wrapped her in his arms and pulled her on top of him.

"I love you Allura Adrianna! You're kidding yourself if you think a few silly little words is going to scare me off. It was a mistake, you just got a little stressed out and with what LANCE said to you, gee no wonder!"

"Come on I want to see a smile, please? For me?"

She did her best to smile but it was completely fake and he KNEW it. "I practiced the King's walk today, I kept tripping over!" He grinned as he came up with a new strategy.

She cuddled into him, holding him tightly for a few moments before she finally spoke, "Oh it’s EASY, there's a trick to it, I'll show you, look............." Keith's strategy worked and that's how Romelle and Sven saw them as they stood in the open doorway, Keith and Allura, hand in hand marking out paces on the floor.

Allura beckoned them in, "Oh thank you so much, I put you two to so much trouble tonight!" She said apologetically as she closed the door behind them, her arm still firmly around Keith's waist.

"It was no trouble Ally, we were glad we could help! There are two people outside though who REALLY want to see you both" Sven answered.

Romelle opened the door and Lance slowly walked in, being met halfway across the room by Keith, "Ah Just the man I wanted to see, step into my office Lance!"

Nanny came in next as Keith and Lance walked off into the next room. She walked over and sat next to Romelle who had her arm around Allura. "May I?" She asked.

Romelle stood up and Nanny sat next to the Princess. "I am sorry Allura, I am sorry for my very UNFAIR behaviour and I want you to know that............"

Allura didn't let her finish, she just threw her arms around her and hugged her tight. "Me too Nanny".

Nanny sat her on her lap and held her the way she had always done when she was upset. Aside from Keith's arms, Nanny's were the next best place to be as far as Allura was concerned. She had always felt comforted in Nanny's arms when things had gone badly. "So you had a fight with Keith? It was bound to happen, you have been under so much stress lately and I haven't helped the situation any! I'm sorry child! Oh I’ve got to stop calling you that…… You’re not a child anymore!"

In Keith's office Lance sat down as Keith poured a drink for them both. "Okay Lance, would you mind telling me just where you get off telling Allura all that crap you went on with today?"

"I don't know I just flipped and then exploded, it wasn't all her fault, well the disobeying orders part was, she has been doing that far too much lately but the rest was my fault". Lance replied in a solemn voice.

"When did she disobey orders?" Keith asked.

"Today! I had to tell her three times that I had the situation under control! She didn't give the correct radio calls and I felt I should pull her up about it, you would have done the same if it were one of us! What followed after that was absolutely out of line and I admit it. I took my personal problems out on her and I suggest you re-evaluate the command structure of the Voltron Force. That is not the sort of behaviour that the team expect from their leader, a team leader is supposed to encourage his team members, not demoralise and insult them. I have to apologise to Allura properly yet, when you will allow it". He answered looking at the floor.

"Lance, I can't say I am happy about the manner in which you conducted yourself today and I swear, if you ever interfere in my relationship like that again I will beat the daylights out of you! However, I think the command structure for the team is fine as it stands, you know your mistakes and that's part of learning to be a leader. We all learn by our mistakes! You and I have been friends for a long time and I am not about throw that aside on account of a silly mistake, neither will Allura. You two have always been good friends and I think after a hug she is likely to forget it ever happened. Ally likes to know that her friends are happy with her and if you can smile at her and give her a hug, that will be enough for her I am sure! I still haven't thanked enough you for sending us away together and now is my chance! Thank you so very much! It was like heaven, we had so much fun together and we got to know each other for who we really are."

"I am glad I could help and sorry for my actions earlier today! I think I need some time off Skip. I have to sort myself out! What if this happens again? I can't control it, I just get all riled up and bang, there I go. I don't get it! She's just another love lost, why does it bother so much this time?"

"I think you actually committed to Nayla, Lance, unlike the others. You two looked good together and it has me beat why she wanted to break it off! What did she say exactly?"

"Oh, something about needing some space and a harvest coming up! I don't remember but she broke it off and I have to move on!" Lance answered as he looked at the ceiling.

"Well maybe you ought to try talking to her about it?" Keith suggested.

"I have, I must have sent a million messages and the only time she responded was to say she would be home at two o'clock today, that's why I wanted to......................."

"Skip Lion Practice! Yeah, I'm sorry about that, that was kinda heartless of me. I just wanted the team to be ready for Lotor's next visit and that WAS the perfect time. We can't let our personal lives get in the way of our commitment to the defence of this planet! I am glad we found out about Black Lion now rather than next battle! Listen I can't give you any time off yet, Give me some time and I promise I will organise it after the wedding".

"The wedding? You have chosen a date?"

"Umm yeah, Saturday that is if Ally still wants too!" Keith answered.

"Oh man, no wonder she was so upset, congratulations Keith! Can I see her?"

"Yeah I don't see why not" Keith replied as he opened the door and walked back into the bedroom.

Allura was sitting on the bed laughing with Nanny, Sven and Romelle. Lance walked over and crouched before her, "Ally I'm terribly sorry for what I said earlier, it was all bullshit!"

"Lance don't worry about it! It was just stress!" Allura replied as she offered him her hand.

Lance accepted and just as he was about to kiss it Allura pulled him up and the two friends gave each other a hug. "I'm sorry for what I did to you this afternoon, I'm very sorry Ally!"

"Hey, it happens to the best of us! Let's just pretend it never happened!" Allura replied as she patted his back.

"Well I hear congratulations are in order, Saturday night hey?" He grinned.

"Well that depends on Keith, he may not want to anymore" She replied softly.

"Oh Yeah right!" Lance laughed.

Allura looked at across to Keith, "Do you still want to marry me? Even after the horrible things I said to you today?"

"There has never been a time when I didn't Ally!" He grinned.

"Then Saturday?"

"As planned Ally!" Keith grinned.

She walked over and hugged him. "I love you sooo much!"

"I love you more" He grinned.

"No you don't, remember!"

"Well we have to go Ally, I promised Sven something earlier and I better go and get it for him if you know what I mean!" Romelle grinned with an evil look in her eye.

"Oh Your two are terrible!" Allura laughed as they left the room.

"I have to get some things done too, I'll see you both later" Lance added.

"Lance?" Allura called out.

He turned and she hugged him, "Nayla doesn't know what she is missing out on, silly girl! She'll realise sooner or later! Now, no more bourbon okay!"

"I'll see!" He grinned.

Finally only Nanny, Keith and Allura remained and Nanny left soon afterwards. "Sleep well you two" She whispered as she closed their door.

Keith had other plans…he wasn’t ready for bed just yet………
He took Allura’s hand and led her out into the middle of the living room. What is he up to now? She thought as she followed him.

He activated some slow classical Arusian music and Allura soon understood what he was doing. She smiled as she gently wrapped her arms around his shoulders and slow danced with him. Not a word was spoken, the couple just stood in each other’s arms, moving slowly to the music.

The Princess rested her head on the Captain’s shoulder, nestling her body into his before closing her eyes, what a day.

"Love you Ally". He whispered as he stroked her hair past her ear.

"I love you too Keith!" Came the whispered reply.

 

Early the following morning the Captain and the Princess walked out into the training ring for their private Kendo practice. Allura decided that she was in the mood for some fun and she came up with a NEW idea for training. Keith began his usual attack and as she parried his Shinai she leaned against him and gave a blatantly seductive look that totally stopped him DEAD in his tracks………

 

Poor Keith found concentrating very difficult and Allura played on it. She kept her eyes locked to his and slowly approached him.

What the heck is she………? Her behaviour astonished Keith and he had no idea where TRAINING was going to lead THAT morning!

He gave a cough and made a slow, clumsy and unsure looking attack but she effortlessly blocked it. She then grinned and slipped under his blade and wrapping her arms around him. "Ally! What the......Why are you........Oh!" Keith replied as the drawstring on his Gi fell loosely to the floor exposing his bare chest.

She took his Shinai and dropped it over her shoulder before moving his hand to her own drawstring, "You have to get this off if you want “Training” to continue" She cooed into his ear.

The pair of them roughly tugged at each others clothes, their lips never parting for a second as they disrobed.

Not long afterwards, Romelle and Sven arrived for their gym session and as they opened the door both stopped dead in their tracks.........."Ahm okay that's..........I mean it's............errr....let's just close the door and walk the other way!" Sven gasped.

"So THAT'S what Kendo is! Could you show ME Sven?" Romelle giggled as they walked back up to their quarters.

"Actually I do know a bit of kendo!" Sven answered as he placed his hand gently on the backside.

"If that's Kendo then you're a Kendo MASTER Ven!" She whispered as she flashed him a wicked grin.

On their way up the stairs they saw Hunk and Lance walking towards them with their gym towels, "Umm you aren't going to the gym by any chance are you boys?" Romelle asked.

"Yeah that's where we were going, why do you ask?" Hunk replied.

"Umm because it’s occupied, now isn't the best time!" She answered.

"What do you mean it’s occupied, it’s a gym! There's plenty of room!" Lance protested.

Romelle shook her head in frustration, "Sven, can you explain!"

Sven nodded and he looked to the confused Lion Pilots in front of him, "Okay it’s like this, the gym is being used by the Captain and the Princess for purposes OTHER than those it was originally intended for!"

"OHHHHH" Hunk and Lance gasped.

"Well I guess we should forget gym for today Lance!" Hunk added.

"Looks like it, yeah, thanks for the warning Romelle!" Lance chuckled as he and Hunk turned around and walked back up towards their quarters.

As Keith walked out of the change rooms Allura was waiting, having already changed and showered. She leapt into his arms and kissed him, "That was the best Kendo lesson EVER!"

"I’ll say!" Keith grinned as he carried her out into the corridor.

She let herself down from his arms and the two walked hand in hand towards the dining room, Allura humming a little tune and swinging their hands back and forth as they went. They walked into the dining room for morning tea, the loud conversation in the room died out and Lance, Pidge, Hunk, Sven and Romelle all looked across to the couple in the door way. Allura noticed their stares and felt very self conscious, "What? Why is everybody looking at us like that for?"

Lance cleared his throat, he and Pidge had cooked up an elaborate scheme and they were about to see how much they could WORRY Keith and Allura. "Well we were just going over the new security camera Pidge installed in the gym last night. As we tested it, we found that it displayed some rather interesting imagery!"

Keith gave a cough and Allura nearly choked, "Uhhh what imagery would that be?" She asked.

A sly grin came to Pidge's face, "Ohh well I am sure for reasons you and Keith are BOTH no doubt aware of, we couldn't discuss them here! I mean we have this tape and we can......."

"You have it on TAPE! Oh my God..........Keith.............!" Allura gasped in panic.

The Captain and the Princess both went bright shades of red before Hunk stood behind them with a hand on each of their shoulders, "Relax guys it’s just an old security tape from upstairs, there is NO camera in the gym!"

"There isn't................LANCE! Ooooooh you are a dead man!" Allura yelled as she chased after him.

"Yahhhh! Pidge run!" Lance laughed as Allura tackled him into the couch.

Pidge had managed about five steps when Keith caught him by the back of his shirt, "Uh uh! Where do you think YOU are going?"

Keith lifted him up and sat him next to Lance while Allura stood with her arms folded in front of them both, "Well well! Do you repent your evil deed?"

"Nope, we'd do it all over again, the look on your face was priceless!" Lance laughed hysterically.

"Well I hope it’s still so amusing on the weekend when you are on guard duty ALL NIGHT LONG!" Keith replied.

"Keith you can't be serious! It was just a joke..............Keith...............Skip??" Lance asked as the Captain walked over to the table.

"You heard me! That goes for you too Pidge!" Keith answered.

Romelle and Sven turned themselves in, "We were in on it too Keith! You see we came down for our gym session and................Well I think you know what we saw!"

Allura went bright pink and Keith looked to the heavens, "Oh brother!"

The blushing Princess rested her head on Keith's shoulder, "It seems our secret is out my love!" She whispered.

Keith shook his head and he and everybody else in the room broke out into fits of laughter. "So does this mean no guard duty on the weekend Keith?" Lance asked tentatively.

"Ally should we let em off?" Keith asked with a smile.

"I think so, they were just having a little fun, and besides, revenge IS a dish best served COLD!" She answered squinting her eyes at Lance.

Keith leaned back and whispered in Allura's ear. "They weren’t having half as much fun as I did this morning!"

Allura turned the brightest shade of red ever seen, burying herself into her Captain.

End Of Part Eight.

On to the next part
Send Scott your feedback!

Warning: This site contains content and materials of a mature nature, which are inappropriate for children and may be offensive to some adults. By viewing this site, you are affirming that you have no problem with a site that contains adult material.

Disclaimer: I can't take credit for the Voltron characters or the original inspiration paintings. This is for entertainment use only. No profit is made from their use.