Once again, thanks to my wonderful friends Mertz and Wade Wells for proofing!
I do not own Voltron or any of the WEP Characters.
Reviews are greatly welcomed and hope you enjoy the first chapter of Faith!
CMS
The distinguished royal advisor quickly walks down the castle corridors. He reaches his destination and stops. "Hopefully this will brighten her spirits." Coran then knocks on the door to the Queen of Arus' study.
"Come in." Allura says solemnly. Coran walks in with a bright smile on his face as he holds up a file.
"What do you seem so happy about Coran?"
"I have the official documents. The Voltron Force will be returning to Arus. Galaxy Garrison has reason to believe that Doom is back on the prowl to obtain Arus and Voltron."
Allura sighs and drops her head. "I knew it…why all of this at one time?" She asks to herself.
The disappointment on Coran's face from Allura's lack of excitement is evident. "I would have thought you to be a bit more excited Allura."
Coran places the file down on the desk and walks over to stand next to her. "Allura, I know a lot has happened over the last four years. I pretty much forced you to marry a man you didn't love…showed evidence that we no longer needed the boys here…."
Allura stands and places a hand on Coran's shoulder. "Wait right there Coran. You couldn't lie to Garrison and tell them that there was still a threat to Arus. They were going to have to leave eventually….no matter how much I would have wanted them to stay. As far as me marrying Nathan, I could have put my foot down, but I didn't."
"No…because perhaps you knew that I wouldn't allow you to. Allura, I know you love me and you don't want to let me down. I knew you were unhappy and I stood by and let it happen. I think I knew deep down that your heart already belonged to another and I ignored it. I also believe, that your heart still belongs to that person."
Allura releases her hand from Coran and strides over to the window to gaze out over the country side. "Coran please…I don't want to discuss this…I'm still married…"
Coran interrupts her words. "For now. Allura, the council is looking over the evidence for the right of divorce. Once they see all of it, there is no doubt that they will proceed with it."
"Coran…I'm just so tired of fighting. I want peace in every way possible. I suppose that is too much to ask for."
Coran joins her at the window and puts both hands on her shoulders. "No Allura, it is not too much to ask for. Please have faith. Everything will work out."
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A tall, handsome, very fit pilot jogs down the hallway of the officer's quarters. He knocks loudly and quickly on the attended door. The door opens forcefully and the face on the other side of the doorway is not too happy.
"What the hell…"
"Keith, I've got it!" Lance holds up a thick envelope.
Keith turns and begins to walk back into his room. "Lance, I'm not in the mood. I have a lot of work to do."
"You can ditch that work buddy! We have more important things to attend to."
Keith sits on his desk with his legs stretched out in front of him. With his arms folded across his chest, he asks, "And what would that be?"
Lance hands the envelope to him. As Keith begins to open it and read the contents, Lance spits out, "We're going back to Arus! Isn't that great?"
Keith looks up to meet Lance's eyes and then begins reading once more. "I don't get it. Why now?"
"Well, if you continue to read, Garrison has evidence that those Doom Goons are at it again. Evidently, they have been bullying the smaller planets in the Razar galaxy."
Keith reaches behind him and puts the file down on the desk. He sighs as he stands. Walking to the other side of his desk and sitting, he admits, "I don't know if I can go back."
Lance throws his eyes open wide. "What are talking about? For the four years we've been gone, all you have talked about are the days on Arus…not to mention the beautiful princess that rules over it."
"Lance, four years is a long time. Besides, Allura is married. She's the queen now."
"Yeah, I'm sure that makes Ole Stick in the Mud, Coran real happy…and I bet Nanny is throwing a party in the afterlife. Keith, I know you once loved Allura. As a matter of fact, I still think you do. That is why you haven't had a real relationship since we left."
Keith jumps up from his chair and says, "Lance, we are not going to talk about my love life."
"Fine Keith, but Arus needs us. We always told her that we would never turn our backs on her. We need to go back."
Keith lowers his head and then raises it. He nods and says, "I'll start packing."
Lance slaps a hand on Keith's back. "That's what I want to hear. I'm already packed and told Hunk and Pidge. We'll meet you in the hanger bay in thirty minutes."
Keith chuckles, "Boy, you're not in a hurry, are you?"
Lance waves his hand as he begins to exit the room. "Not as much as you are…I'm sure."
The door shuts and Keith walks to his closet. He pulls down his suitcase and begins to pack it, thinking the whole time about one specific person.
___________________________
"Hey Chief! Ready to go home?" Pidge, at the age of eighteen stands just as tall as his commander and the other members of the Voltron Force.
"I sure am Darrell." Keith agrees as he walks towards the transport ship.
"I've told you before Keith, call me Pidge. I may be eighteen now, but Pidge is the name I want to go by."
Keith drops his bags. "Ok…Pidge…sorry. How's things Hunk?"
"Not too bad Chief. Kelly will be meeting me on Arus in a few weeks. She has to make sure her transfer goes through."
Lance peaks his head out of the cock-pit door. "Hey, you guys ready or are you going to chat the whole time?"
The guys laugh, pick up their bags and begin to load the ship.
____________________________
The four teammates sit in a small shuttle ship. Keith and Lance sit in the pilots chair while Pidge and Hunk sit behind them along the wall checking navigation stats. Pidge can't stand the silence and blurts out, "I wonder what the King of Arus is like. Allura deserves someone special. Hope she got it. Hope he isn't a jerk like most of the princes that came to meet her while we were there…."
Hunk kicks at Pidge's leg. "Ouch!" Pidge yells out.
Keith turns quickly to see what the commotion is about. When he turns back to the console, Pidge whispers to Hunk, "What'd ya do that for?"
Hunk just jerks his head toward Keith. Recognition dawns on Pidge and he whispers, "Oh…gotch ya."
The rest of the trip is spent in silence.
___________________________
"Well, looks like another beautiful day on Arus. The skies are blue, not a cloud in the sky…I just may have to take a dip in the lake…only if Allura wears her bikini, that is." Lance smiles deep as his fingers play with the controls.
Keith shakes his head as he begins to land the transport ship. Pidge looks out of the view screen at the beautiful planet in front of him. "I seriously doubt the King will let her out in any kind of swim suit Lance. I've heard things about him."
"Well, he has a rude awakening coming when the Voltron Force steps back on Arus!" Lance beams, holding his fist in the air.
The air craft lands and as the smoke clears; one figure is seen standing on the landing pad.
Lance looks to his teammates, "Nice welcoming committee. I thought they would have been a little more excited to see us."
Pidge stands and admits, "Well, maybe the King doesn't want us here."
Keith grabs his bags from the over-head compartment. "Will you knock it off about the King? We're here, whether he likes it or not…for Arus."
The three men look at one another, noting the aggravation in Keith's voice. They grab their bags and descend the landing platform.
Coran meets them half way and the four younger men drop their bags. Coran extends his hand in greeting to each one of them. "It is very good to see you gentlemen."
Keith shakes Coran's hand and agrees. "It is good to see you as well Coran."
Coran can't help but notice Keith's eyes are looking everywhere but at him. "Allura doesn't know you are here. You are a bit early."
Keith runs a hand through his hair and is about to speak when Lance beats him to it. "Well, our Commander here was flying like a bat out of hell. He was in a hurry I guess."
Keith turns and glares at Lance. Lance grabs his bags and smiles at Keith. "Ok Coran, show us the way!"
Coran smiles and says, "Happy to see that Lance hasn't changed much. Right this way."
As they walk down the hall, Hunk has to ask, "So, how come you didn't tell Allura we were in Arus' airspace? The King and her too busy?"
Coran doesn't meet any one's gazes; he just continues to walk as he says. "Allura is in a private meeting with the council. The King…well…the King is away."
The council? It must be something very important. Why would her husband not be in there supporting his wife? Keith thinks to himself.
Coran stops at the entrance to another hall. "Well, gentlemen, I am sure this hall looks familiar to you? Your quarters are the same. Lunch is whenever you are ready for it."
While Hunk walks briskly to his room, he yells, "Let me put my stuff down, and I'll be right there!"
The men laugh and follow his lead.
___________________
Lunch is just what the Force needed. They sit at the table and reminisce about old times in the castle. "Only one person missing from this conversation." Lance states.
"Allura." They all say in unison.
"Why do you think she is speaking with the council Keith? I've never seen her speak with the council…even when the war was going on. It must be something really important." Pidge adds.
"Yeah Pidge… I don't know what it could be about. As a matter of fact, I don't get why King Nathan isn't here. You would think with the threat of Doom back on the rise, he would be here to protect his wife and people."
The group stands and begins to exit the room. Lance begins to speak. "Yeah…you know…it doesn't make sense."
They continue down the hall and spot a gorgeous, blond, slender woman walking in front of them. Her back is to them and her long, wavy hair is flowing along her back. Lance notices that she is not paying any attention to her surroundings as she is looking over documents in her hands.
Lance turns to the group and holds one finger to his mouth. He begins to tip-toe in her direction and the other men stop to watch his advances. As Lance reaches her, he wraps his arms around her torso and the documents fall to the floor.
The beautiful woman stomps hard on his foot with her high heel and causes him to release her. She grabs one of his arms and flips him to the ground as her foot comes mere inches from his face. She stands over him and just stares in her dominant position.
"LANCE!!" Allura yells. "What the hell are you doing?"
Lance moans as Allura helps him to his feet. "It's good to see you didn't forget any of the defensive moves we taught you."
"I'm sorry! I didn't think you guys would be here until tonight."
The rest of the guys laugh at Lance's botched attempt and walk up to the couple.
Pidge is first to hug her, then Hunk. Allura looks to Keith and a bright smile shows on her face. He too cannot hide his happiness. "Hi Allura."
"Hi Keith." She hugs him only to have Lance wrap his arms around the both of them. "Group hug!" Lance shouts and the rest of the team joins in.
They all release each other and Allura bends down to retrieve her documents. "Here, let me help." Keith says.
"Oh, that's ok…I've got it." Allura gathers the papers and stands. "Did you guys eat?"
"Yup! It was quite good too." Hunk says as he rubs his stomach.
They all laugh. "Let me put these files away and we can meet with Coran and go over anything you need to know." Allura suggests.
____________________
The team waits in the conference room for Allura and Coran to join them. Lance elbows Keith in the side and says, "Man…Allura sure does look great. I didn't think she could look any more gorgeous, but somehow, she has managed to do it." He rubs the back of his head and says, "And let me tell you, she's definitely been working out."
"Knock it off Lance. It's time to get serious." Keith reminds him.
Lance mumbles to Keith, "Maybe you should have gotten serious four years ago and we wouldn't be waiting to get back into the groove of things now."
Keith glares at Lance as Allura and Coran enter.
"Sorry we're late boys…I had a call I had to take." Allura admits.
"It wouldn't have been your missing husband would it?" Lance smiles.
Allura lifts one side of her mouth in a bit of a smirk and says, "Well, yes it was as a matter of fact."
Keith lowers his head, trying to hide his heartache at the mention of the word "husband".
"Now, let us get down to the matter at hand. The whole reason you four are back is because Doom has made an appearance in our galaxy." Coran says as he passes each member a file.
Keith looks up from his file and looks towards Coran. "Has there been any threat to Arus or Allura…and…the King too of course?"
Allura answers for Coran, "No Keith…just the thought of them being back has Garrison on edge. Of course, we didn't hesitate when they asked us if we wanted you guys back."
Lance puts a hand on his heart and says. "That's right; you know a good thing when you see one. Living with good ole Lance for four years…after that…you can never go back."
Allura chuckles. "Oh…shut up Lance."
Everyone in the room looks wide-eyed at Allura because of her remark. "What?" She asks.
They all look back to their files and Coran continues the conference.
__________________
When the conference ends, the four male members of the Voltron Force head off to get reacquainted with their lions. They fly one right behind the other, each lost in their own thoughts.
"Oh man! I can't believe how much I've missed this beast." Lance beams.
"Yeah, me too Lance." Keith says with a bright smile.
Pidge states to the group, "I am never leaving this baby again."
"Me either little buddy. This is home…most definitely." Hunk agrees.
The lions begin to move apart and the pilots begin to fly their own path when a loud rumbling comes up behind them. "What…?" Keith begins to say when Allura's voice is heard over their comm. link.
"Try to keep up boys…you look a bit rusty!" She laughs.
They all laugh and begin to follow her, trying to match her movements. "Wow! She has definitely not only been working out in the gym, but in the lions as well." Lance compliments.
Each pilot returns their lion to their dens and enters castle control. As they walk in, Coran stands at the control desk. "Allura, Nathan is waiting to speak to you on the video prompter."
Allura rolls her eyes and nods to Coran. "I'll take it in my study Coran. I'll see you boys at dinner."
Keith can't help but notice the disgusted look on her face. I wonder what that was all about.
"How'd it go gentlemen?" Coran asks.
"It went fantastic Coran! But could you please tell us how in the hell Allura got so good?" Lance blurts out.
Coran smiles a wide smile. "Well, she has been practicing a lot…I guess. She has been quite busy." Coran begins to drift off in thought and then suddenly realizes that all eyes are on him. "Shall we go have dinner?"
"Of course!" Hunk responds.
_________________________
Allura enters her study and flips the video screen on and Nathan's face appears on the screen. He is a handsome man with dark blond hair that passes just over his ears. His face is strong in features and his body is very well maintained.
Shit…I didn't want the view screen on too! Allura thinks.
"Ahhh, my wife…how are you?"
"We both know that I won't be your wife much longer Nathan. What do you want?"
"I see you have been flying those damn lions again….wearing your flight suit my dear." Nathan frowns.
Allura looks down upon herself and notices that she indeed is still wearing her flight suit. "I like flying…you know that."
"It is below your station!"
"What is my station? The way you have treated me for two and a half years is below your station Nathan! Or need I remind you?"
"If you would have been a better wife to me and pleased me the way a queen should, then maybe I wouldn't have had to lose my temper with you. It is your fault our marriage has turned out the way it has!"
"Your words no longer affect me Nathan. I am ending this conversation now." Allura's emotionless voice tears into Nathan's core.
"Wait! I heard the Voltron Force is on Arus. I am sure the Commander is happy to be back…with you."
"Nathan, I am tired of talking about Keith to you. He has nothing to do with you or me."
"No? You are the one who always cried out for him in your sleep." Allura sighs and crosses her arms in front of her. "You may want to tell your precious Voltron Force to go home. Voltron will be coming to my planet."
Allura moves to turn the video screen off, but before she does, she says, "The Voltron Force is home Nathan…and Voltron isn't going anywhere." With that, Allura presses the button and the screen goes blank. She walks to her desk and picks up a book from it. Anger begins to fill her body and she can't help but to hurl the book across the room.
