**AN: I wrote Spring Break (GMN) a year and a half ago. It was originally the opening book to my series; however, half way through I had a strong case of writers block. I put SB aside and began writing its prequel..."Taken". well..."Taken" took my story in a whole other direction so I re-wrote SB and turned it into "Madness: Spring Break" I didn't want to let the original go as I found it to be a fun story so I decided to publish it as a stand-alone alternate version. I am posting the first 3 chapters in one shot due to the similarity in dialogue with"Madness"-Chapter 1, especially, has almost identical dialogue...however, things change -dialogue aside. This story will take a life of its own. It does not take the events of "Taken" into account nor will it fit in with the rest of the series...this one is all about being young and having fun. I recommend reading Chapter 1 even if you are following Madness...although the dialogue is similar...things take a different turn...

GMN:SB is being edited by the fabulous KathDMD...so expect lots of fashion and fabulous down the line :-) I hope you all have as much fun reading as I have had writing...stick around...it will be worth it!

Discaimer: I do not own/profit from Voltron or its characters...OCs are mine

Give Me Novocaine: Spring Break

Chapter 1

"Take away the sensation inside

Bittersweet migraine in my head

It's like a throbbing toothache of the mind

I can't take this feeling anymore

Drain the pressure from the swelling

This sensation's overwhelming

Give me a long kiss goodnight

And everything will be alright

Tell me that I won't feel a thing

Give me novacaine"

- Green Day, "Give Me Novacaine"

"I don't know…are you sure about this?"

"Yes, Lance, I'm sure. This is exactly what the Princess needs: a break."

"And how is training at the Academy considered a break, exactly?"

"Um, you do remember attending the Academy with us, don't you?"

Lance wrinkled his brow in thought for a moment, and then a sinister grin came over his face. "OK, point taken…on second thought, is that really what you want the Princess exposed, to Mr. Almighty Protector?"

"Oh, come on, Lance, the Princess doesn't have your sick mind." Keith sat back in his chair in the Control Room, lacing his hands behind his head.

"Keith's right - on both counts," Coran interjected, glaring at Lance as he entered Castle Control. "The Princess always talks about how much she wishes that she could have attended the Academy, as well as wanting to do all the things that a 'normal' young woman her age would do." He paused, stroking his mustache in silence. "After the last attack, our sources say that Lotor and Doom will be out of commission for a while, so this is the perfect opportunity for her to go. Granted, this is just the spring program; however, she will be able to socialize with women her own age while perfecting her military skills and strategy."

Lance crossed his arms over his chest. Leaning back against the console, he mumbled to Keith, "Yeah, socializing, that's what she'll be doing...just having high tea with the Academy girls."

Keith, in turn, shot him a dirty look. "Shut up, Lance," he hissed under his breath.

"Excuse me?" Coran asked pointedly, not having heard either one of them well enough, but knowing that the verbal exchange couldn't have been good.

Keith sat up straighter. "Nothing, Coran. Lance is just being...well, Lance He glanced over at his friend in warning, which only caused Lance to roll his eyes. "Anyway, all the paperwork seems to be in order. I have confirmed everything with Admiral Graham and, as long as the Princess is on board, all is a go for her departure the day after tomorrow."

"Sounds good, Commander. When will you inform her?"

"I'll go find her right now."

"Very well. I will see you boys at dinner. If you will excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."

As soon as Coran was out of sight, Lance turned to Keith. "So, Mon Capitan, where is she going to be staying? On base or off campus?"

Keith cleared his throat. "Actually, Lance, she's going to be rooming with Geni in an apartment I found them off campus." He quickly stood up and began his trek out of Castle Control, bracing himself for Lance's predictable reaction.

"Geni...Geni? You mean Geni? As in Genevieve McClain, my little sister, Geni?" Lance questioned as he followed Keith out the door.

Keith cringed. "Yes."

And so began the uncontrollable fits of laughter.

Once Lance had finally calmed himself, he looked up at Keith and remarked, "Yeah, high tea, I'm sure that's what she'll be doing with my sister. Nothing to worry about...I'm damn near positive they won't get into any trouble whatsoever...good clean fun for sure!"

"Lance!"

"Oh, come on, Keith! You grew up in my house! You know my sister - she's worse than me, and that's really saying something!"

Keith stopped to whip his head around and look at him. "No, Lance, I don't think that anyone could possibly be worse than you." He then turned and continued walking. "Besides, I think the Princess will be a good influence on her."

Lance snorted out a laugh. "Or Geni will be a bad influence on Allura." He paused in thought, then smiled wickedly. "Damn! Can I go too? This is gonna be too good to miss!"

Keith stopped again, and glared at him. "Shut up, Lance! Go on, get lost before I find something to help occupy your time. Something like latrine duty, only ten times worse."

"Oh, come on, don't be such a sore ass. You know you'd love to see it too," Lance retorted, wagging his eyebrows up and down.

"Now, Lance!"

"Fine, geesh…someone needs to get laid," the lieutenant muttered as he darted off.

"I heard that!" Keith shouted behind him.

He paused for a moment and took a deep breath, running his hand through his hair, trying to mentally prepare himself for the conversation to come. He knew very well that Allura was still upset with him over his decision to 'ignore their feelings,' as she put it. After her last kidnapping and subsequent rescue, things had considerably changed between them.

Once he realized just how close Lotor had gotten to having his way with her, Keith, completely overcome by the moment, admitted that he was in love with her; a sentiment which she eagerly reciprocated. Despite the intensity of the moment and the emotions that they expressed, the ever-present Commander Mode - as it was often referred to - kicked in shortly after their arrival on Arus. He'd then told Allura that they would have to hide their feelings and that they couldn't be together, at least not now. Having their love out in the open would only serve to make them even greater targets than they already were. This was not their time. They needed to remain 'friends' and not act on their emotions.

It was the hardest thing he'd ever had to do.

He was hoping that this surprise would ease some of the tension between them. As intelligent and mature as the princess was in matters of State, diplomacy, and intergalactic relations, that was how immature she was when it came to certain unfamiliar emotions, especially where the Commander was involved. After all, she had been alone for many years before the boys arrived, and rarely had any interaction with people her own age before that. It didn't help that her close friendship with Lance only served to enhance her stubborn side, as he often found amusement in fueling her already-roaring flames. To say that Allura was still quite angry with him would be an understatement, and she made a point to let Keith know it every chance she got.

Lately, when she dealt with 'her boys,' the propriety and tact associated with her station went out the window. She was sick and tired of having Lotor dictate their lives, and even sicker of Keith always trying to do the 'right thing.' How can he just turn his emotions off like a frickin' switch? Bullshit I say!

It was with that thought in her mind that Keith approached her on the observation deck.

"Good evening, Princess. Do you have a moment? There is something I would like to discuss with you," he began, his voice even and cordial.

Good. Evening. Princess.What? Is he for real with this formal crap? "Seriously, Keith? Formalities? Really?" she huffed.

"Princess, please, don't make this -"

"Whatever, Keith." She whipped around to face him, her eyes full of anger. "What? What is it you want to discuss, Commander?" Her voice was both sarcastic and bitter.

Keith grimaced slightly, and handed her the orders from the Space Academy of the Galaxy Alliance. "This."

She took the paper and began to study it. The anger left her eyes as they widened with excitement. She looked up to him, smiling brightly. "Is this for real?"

"Yes, yes it is - as long as you agree to it, of course," he replied, shooting her a sly grin.

Allura was ecstatic. She was screeching with joy as she jumped up and enthusiastically threw her arms around him. "This is incredible!" she yelped.

Her excitement was knocked down a few notches when she noticed Keith's discomfort at her embrace. Leave it to Keith to kill the moment...

She pushed herself away and took a good, long look at him. "I just don't get you, Keith. How can you shut yourself down and go on pretending that nothing happened?" she asked, her temper slowly starting to rise again.

Keith closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. "Princess, I've already explained this to you…my focus needs to be on your safety and the protection of Arus. I cannot afford to be distracted, as it could mean the difference between life and death, and -"

She interrupted, her anger continuing to build. " So what? Did you just flip a switch and stop being in love with me, or did you just lie when you told me that you were?"

Now it was Keith's turn to interrupt her tirade. "No! I wasn't lying, and you know it! Damn it, Allura! Why are you trying to make this more difficult than it already is?"

"Because I need to understand! I need to understand how you can just push aside what we feel for each other as if it doesn't matter!" He didn't miss the pleading tone in her voice.

I can't, he thought. Keith took yet another deep breath to calm himself as he grabbed Allura's shoulders to turn her to face him. "Allura, please, try and understand. It's one thing to know that we love each other, and another thing to deepen that bond by beginning a relationship. I cannot do that right now. I cannot be there for you in that capacity right now. I need to remain focused and keep my mind clear, and I will not be able to do that if we take the next step."

She looked at him scornfully, obviously not the least bit convinced.

He sighed once more. "You know what Lotor is capable of, Allura. Please think. You know I'm right. You know what would happen if he realized just how much we love each other." He shrugged. "My God, all he does is suspect that we have a weakness for each other now, and you see how he uses it against us; can you imagine what would happen if he knew how deep it really went?"

She looked away from him, trying to hide the tears that were beginning to form in her eyes.

"Allie, please, look at me."

Allie…I love it when he calls me Allie, damn him! She raised her eyes to meet his.

"I love you, Allie, with all my heart. That will never change. But for now, we have to put our feelings aside, and put your safety and the safety of Arus first," he whispered. "You know I'm right."

She sighed. "No, actually, I'm sure you're not right," she replied, causing Keith to close his eyes and bow his head in frustration.

Seeing this, Allura reached up her hand and caressed his cheek, forcing him to look at her. "I understand what you're saying and where you're coming from - but that doesn't mean I have to agree with it."

He smiled and pulled her into his arms, holding onto her with every fiber of his being. "Soon, Allie, our time will come. I promise." He placed a kiss on top of her head. "In the meantime, I want you to go to Earth - Terra, whatever you want to call it - and have fun. Just watch out for Geni. She's just as bad as Lance. Maybe worse."

Allura giggled as she pulled away. She looked up to him and smiled. "Oh, I'm sure I can handle her. I've handled Lance for the last two and a half years, haven't I?"

"This is true. And God knows he is exhausting!" he grinned. "So, are we good?"

With a sigh, she replied, "Yes, we're good." She then raised an eyebrow and added, "For now, anyway," as she walked passed him and out the door.

Keith took a breath, rolled his eyes, and followed her out.

XXXXXXXXXX

Allura spent the next day with Coran and Keith briefing her on what to expect while she attended the Space Academy program.

She would be there for almost three months, during which she would be engaging in combat flight training, hand-to-hand martial arts, and military strategy. Although she would have plenty of time to socialize and have fun, she needed to take this training seriously, as she would be awarded a Garrison ranking based on her performance and test scores in the final competition at the end of the session.

This opportunity meant the world to Allura. Not only would she be able to live a "normal" life for the next few months, but it was also her chance to prove, once and for all, that she was just as good, if not better, than some of her teammates. She longed to be taken seriously and this was her chance to see that happen.

She couldn't wait to finally meet Lance's sister face-to-face. The boys did not realize just how close Geni and Allura had become. Lance had put the Princess in touch with his sister so that she could have a female her own age to communicate with. Over the last two years, they had talked and e-mailed at least two to three times a week, but this would be the first time they would meet in person. If anyone could help the Princess fit in, it would definitely be Genevieve McClain.

She was even more excited to find out that the Explorer had docked for routine maintenance and that Jeff, Cliff, Lisa, and Ginger, as well as the rest of the Vehicle Team members, would be in town as well. She hadn't seen them since their last battle, and it would be nice to spend time with them under better circumstances. Yes, this trip would be good for her, she was sure of it.

The next morning, the Princess headed into the control room eager to start her new adventure. Her ship was ready and waiting.

"Alright, now, you will have two free days when you get there before you have to check in with Admiral Graham. I'm sure that Geni has plans for the two of you already," Keith informed her in his usual assuring tone

"Yeah, I bet she does..." Lance began before Keith elbowed him in the ribs.

After throwing his Commander a dirty look, he continued, "You'll have a blast, Allura. Geni knows how to have a good time, and unlike her excruciatingly handsome big brother - that would be me, of course - she knows when it's time to get serious. She'll help you fit right in." Lance shot her his signature smirk.

"Lance, your sister and I have spoken many times over the last few years, and I am sure that we will be fine. I have complete faith in her, and besides, there is only so much a Princess can get away with. You know, protocol and all." She rolled her eyes. "It's not like people don't know who I am. I will never be able to just act 'normal,' no matter where I go."

"Aw, of course you will, Princess, you'll see! Besides, Jeff and the others will always treat you like you're part of the team, you know that," Pidge offered, trying to reassure her. "And you've always got my brother Chip to fall back on, too!"

Allura smiled at the sentiment. Pidge was like the little brother she never had, and he always tried to make her smile. "I know that, Pidge. Believe me, I am very excited about this. It's been a long time coming." Noticing her advisor enter the room, she moved towards him. "Speaking of which, I believe that it's time I head out. Coran, anything else?"

"No, Princess. I believe that we have covered everything. Just take advantage of this opportunity, as we never know when you will have this chance again - and for the love of the gods, please be careful and contact us on schedule." Coran was terribly nervous, though he tried not to show it, and he hugged the young woman who had become his surrogate daughter.

"I will, Coran." She returned his hug. "Please don't worry. You know I can take care of myself - and thank you so much for allowing me to do this. It truly means the universe to me."

"Dearest, I only want your happiness. Enjoy yourself and show those fly-boys what the Princess of Arus is made of," he told her with a smile and a wink.

Allura giggled. "You can count on it. I have every intention of putting quite a dent into the long standing Academy rankings." She turned to her teammates, sporting a wicked grin on her face.

Lance attempted to respond, but was interrupted when Nanny threw her arms around the Princess. "Oh, please be careful, my Princess!" she sobbed. "Those Alliance boys are not to be trusted! You know they only have one thing on…"

"Nanny!" Allura yelled. "Relax. I can assure you that I can handle the Alliance boys just fine. Now, I will be back before you know it. Please try and remain calm while I am gone, for me if nothing else."

Nanny looked at her charge nervously, frustration and skepticism dancing in her eyes. She breathed in and, finally, sighed - loudly - "I…well…I...ugh, fine."

She reached up and lovingly cupped Allura's face between her hands. "I trust you, my child. Go on, have fun." She dropped her hands from the Princess' face. "Just don't come back looking like one of those harlots!"

"Nanny!" Allura shot her a look.

"Don't worry, Nanny. If the Princess gets any tattoos, I'm sure they will be in places that you would never dream of looking," Lance managed to say before being backhanded upside the head by both Keith and Hunk.

Nanny threw him a dirty look, gave the Princess a final hug, and stomped out of the room. One would swear that steam was actually coming out of her ears.

Coran glanced over at Lance. "Was that really necessary, Lieutenant Commander?"

"Aw, come on, it was funny," Lance replied, leaning toward the Princess and whispering in her ear. "I can let you know a few good places if you're interested. Just say the word." His wink caused Allura to blush.

With that, he laughed and gave her a big hug and kiss on the cheek. "Bye, Lura-Lu...I'll miss you, girl." He released her and shot her a devilish look. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Allura laughed whole-heartedly, then proceeded to exchange good-byes with Hunk and Pidge before finally stopping at Keith.

"Princess, if you need anything, just ask the Admiral. He is like a father to me, and will do anything to help you - within reason, of course," he told her with a crooked smirk.

"I will, Keith, thank you."

He put his hands on her shoulders and looked at her once more. "I want you to have fun, Allura. This is probably as close as you are ever going to get to normalcy. Lance and I will come and get you when the training is over."

Her face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Really?"

"Of course! We want to be there when they announce your Garrison rank and to support you during the ceremony. We wouldn't miss it!"

With that, she wrapped her arms around him, and he returned the gesture, embracing her as tightly as he could, part of him afraid to let her go. This would be the first time in two and a half years that Keith would not be near her for such an extended period of time, ready to protect her if need be. He wanted this for her; however, the thought of not being there for her terrified him just as much.

Of course, he would never admit that to anyone.

They stood there in each other's arms for a few moments until Keith finally broke the hold. "You'd better get going. They're waiting for you." He placed a light kiss on her forehead.

Allura looked up into his warm chocolate eyes. "Keith, thank you for everything."

"Don't mention it, Princess. Now go, and make us proud!" He flashed her that devastatingly handsome smile of his.

"You can count on it, Captain," she winked.

With that, she turned and made her way up the ramp to the ship, turning back to wave to her boys one last time before disappearing into the passenger bay. After she stowed her carry-on luggage, she found her seat and strapped herself in for take-off. As the pilots went through their pre-flight check, Allura thought about the conversation she'd had last night with Geni and a devilish grin crossed her face.

Well, here we go…