Hi all! This is my response to my own KAEX challenge, Dradin, Baby, Dradin. I actually call Las Vegas home, so I had a lot of fun creating an adventure for my favorite Voltron couple set in my town. This is completely stand-alone and independent from Changes and Lumos. I really love exploring the tension and build up as Allura and Keith deal with the unadmitted feelings they have for each other. This takes place in DOTU, after the defeat of Zarkon and Lotor. Everyone is in their early to mid-20s, except Pidge who is late teens. I hope you enjoy my little Dradin escape.

Disclaimer: Voltron and its characters and locations belong to WEP. I write what I love. The story belongs to me.

Rated M for cursing and innuendo.

Chapter 1

Out of the darkness appeared a menagerie of colors: reds, blue, greens, oranges, purples, pinks; every hue imaginable. Allura's sapphire eyes were transfixed as they took in the view below her. The Voltron Force had just entered Dradin's atmosphere. The resort corridor lay ahead, ablaze with lights. A nervous excitement washed over Allura as she followed just behind Lance in the Lion V-formation.

"Wow, would you take a look at that!" Pidge's voice broke through the comfortable silence as he and the rest of the team approached the Altairian. Standing 50 stories high, the Strip's newest resort was spectacular to see. It was almost an exact replica of the Castle of Lions, only smaller. The mirrored surface of the building seemed to glow from within as it reflected the millions of colored lights that bounced everywhere in and around the resort. Standing proudly in front of the hotel was a half-size replica of Voltron leaning against the hotel's sign. Spotlights danced in the night sky and the words Welcome Voltron Force flashed across the marquis.

"I don't know if we should be honored or insulted," Lance murmured under his breath.

"Just remember, this was your idea," Keith chuckled as the Lions began their final descent onto the landing strip situated behind the hotel. "We need to get checked in as soon as possible. The Grand Opening party starts at 9:00 pm sharp." The Force directed the Lions into the attached hangar bay.

Keith sighed as he replaced his comm on his belt, and he prepared to disembark from Black. He still felt uneasy about this whole trip. The defeat of Lotor and Doom was still too new, too fresh for him to truly relax. He would have elected to stay home had Space Marshall Graham not interfered and ordered him and the rest of the team to take the weekend leave. He couldn't deny that the team deserved a much needed vacation. For four long years, they were confined to Arus, always on high alert that Zarkon or Lotor would attack. With the death of Zarkon and the imprisonment of Lotor, Doom's forces were all but obliterated. The galaxy sat in an unsettled peace.

With that peace, Dradin had prospered. The Strip had become a Mecca for tourists, and people flocked to the mild planet as a vacation destination. The Altairian was one of many new resorts that had popped up. The Voltron Force had been invited to come to the resort and celebrate in its Grand Opening. With Graham's insistence, the team had accepted, and here they were.

Keith chuckled to himself as he took a look around at his garish surroundings. Dradin reminded him of Earth's Las Vegas. All of a sudden he was caught off guard by the scent of sweet pea. It invaded his nostrils and distracted him from his thoughts. He turned to his right to see that Allura had fallen into step beside him.

"Hey," she smiled softly at him. "What are you thinking?"

He returned her smile tentatively, trying to not get lost in her breathtaking smile and beautiful face. "About how I am going to keep Lance out of trouble while we're here," he replied, nodding toward the Red Lion pilot who was flirting with the beautiful hotel representative who was sent out to greet the Voltron Force.

Allura giggled, "Don't let his shenanigans stop you from having a great time." She looked at him earnestly before her face took on a serious expression. "I mean it, Keith. You deserve this vacation more than anyone. Promise me Captain Protocol will stay behind at the Lions. Only Keith Kogane is invited to come along. For the next 24 hours, I order you to have a great time."

It was Keith's turn to chuckle. "Ok, your Highness," he replied. "But just remember, your safety is still my top priority."

Allura's eyes gleamed as she gazed up at Keith, a seductive smile crossing her face. She leaned toward Keith and whispered, "How about my good time be your top priority instead?" She looked him right in the eye once more before she turned away and followed the rest of the Force into the hotel lobby.

Keith stopped short, shock coursing through his body. He shook his head to clear his mind. Did I just hear her right? he thought as he followed her through the revolving door.