I had the idea to do an alphabet challenge/fanfic for Lance/Ilana so here it is. First chapter and first letter. Also my first Sym-Bionic Titan story so please be gentle. I hope you like it. Read & Review.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sym-Bionic Titan because if I did, the show would've had a proper ending and Lance and Ilana would've gotten together.

Ilana had come home from school and uncharacteristically locked herself in her room. Her demeanor had been strange the whole day. She was unusually quiet and her expression seemed to be set in a perpetual frown, nothing like her usual bubbly and outgoing self.

Lance was worried for the princess and told Octus about his concerns, but the robot said to leave Ilana alone and let her tell them her problem when she was ready. Lance didn't like that answer. He was a man of action, not patience. When he saw Ilana run up to her room and close the door, Lance decided to take matters into his own hands.

He walked up to her door and knocked slightly harder than he meant to.

"Ilana, what's wrong? You've been acting depressed all day," he said through the door.

"Go away Lance. I just wanna be alone," she said. Her voice sounded choked as if she was fighting back tears.

"You've been crying, haven't you? Open the door."

"I said leave me alone! You wouldn't understand anyway…"

She said the last part softly, hoping Lance wouldn't hear. He did.

"How do you know I wouldn't understand if you won't even tell me what's bothering you?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Well, I do. We can't have you like this or else we won't be effective when we form Titan."

Lance felt the atmosphere around him change as soon as the words left his lips and it wasn't a positive change.

"Go away Lance," Ilana said in a low voice.

"Ilana-"

"GO AWAY!"

Hearing the mixture of anger and hurt in her voice, Lance realized his mistake in mentioning Titan.

Maybe Ilana is right about me being too focused on the mission. She's obviously hurting right now. I should apologize.

"Look Ilana, I'm sorry about bringing up Titan. Will you please let me in? I don't like seeing you like this. I want the happy Ilana back."

He didn't hear anything for several seconds and he thought she was purposely ignoring him. He was about to leave, when he saw the doorknob turn and the door opened to reveal a red-faced and despondent Ilana.

Lance slowly walked into her room and followed her onto the bed.

"Why have you been so sad and distant all day?" Lance asked.

"Lance, do you know what day it is?" Ilana asked, looking at the floor.

"No. What day is it?"

"It's a year to the day that we came to this planet. A year since we left Galaluna."

"Why is that important?" Lance asked.

She didn't respond for a few seconds. "I asked Octus to update me on the situation on Galaluna. Things…aren't encouraging."

"Is your father okay?"

"He's alive, but the resistance has made hardly any progress. The Muttradi are just too numerous and the General too powerful."

"I know it must have been hard to hear."

"I feel like it's my fault for abandoning Galaluna."

Lance looked at her in surprise. "Ilana, you didn't abandon Galaluna. Your father wanted you to leave because he knew it had become too dangerous for you to stay."

She turned to him before speaking again.

"But all the people are fighting for me. I'm the only thing keeping them going and I'm not even there to help out or provide support."

"Ilana, you know there's nothing you could do to help. Your presence would actually hurt the resistance because they'd have to worry about your safety and that would outweigh any morale boost."

Ilana sighed and looked at the floor again.

"I know. I just feel bad for leaving knowing that I'm the only reason the people are still fighting. I feel like maybe if I had been there, more progress might have been made."

Lance turned Ilana's head toward his so she would look at him.

"Ilana, listen to me. It's better that you're away from Galaluna and safe than on Galaluna and constantly in danger of death. As long as you're alive, the people will find the will to keep fighting and one day, they'll stop the General and the Muttradi. You didn't abandon them and you didn't abandon your father. You gave them a reason to keep going by leaving."

Ilana looked at Lance and digested his words. A small smile appeared on her lips and Lance smiled back.

"I'd never thought about it like that, but in a way, you're right. Thanks Lance."

"No problem."

Lance got up and walked out of the room. Ilana watched him until he closed the door, smiling the whole time.