Voltron New Beginnings
Chapter 11
By: Cindra
Edited by: T-bryd
(Five years later)
Keith lay sound asleep with his arms wrapped around his sleeping wife and began to dream about the future of his family. It amazed him that a little over four years had past as if time had stood still. His babies were now five years old, Lance and Cassie were married and expecting their first child, Hunk and Sheena were off on their honeymoon, and Myria was almost a full grown woman, much to his displeasure and Pidge's delight. *Oh well* he thought to himself. *What else could go wrong* and thus the dream begins.
~~~
It is almost eleven years later; we come upon Andromeda, now 18, who's piloting her new dragon towards her father's Black Lion.
"I don't understand why Dad created a totally new type of Voltron for us?" Andy sulked as she landed her dragon at the foot of Black Lion's pedestal.
"The answer is simple Dromi, he still remembers the time when you tried to fly Black lion, at the age of 6 and a half." Ariel reminded her sister.
"Excuse me? Tried to take the lion? I was flying Black lion perfectly! It's not my fault that I couldn't find the brakes!" She shot back in her defense.
"Couldn't find the brakes! You deep-sixed Daddy's lion in the lake!" Alex snapped at her sister over the Com-link.
"And who had to fish you out?" Ariel grinned.
"Eric! That's who!" Alex finished the sentence before Andy could reply.
"Yeah, and how did Daddy reward him?" Ariel gloated at her sister.
"By giving him the green light to train to be the next leader of the Voltron force." Andy hissed as she jumped from her dragon and headed straight for Black Lion.
"Andy! Get back here! You know that your not suppose to go near that lion!" Alex shouted, but got a negative answer, when Andy took off her helmet and walked into the lift that would take her up into the lion.
~~~
(Meanwhile, Eric is in Black Lion preparing for first solo flight.)
*It feels good to be back home after nearly eleven years of Galaxy Alliance training.*
Eric thought to himself.Andy took in the sight of the handsome hunk that was sitting in her fathers' lion. She could tell that he was tall, six foot five or so and that he was strong. She could see his muscles clearly defined by his uniform, that he had hair the color of a lion's mane, and that she was dying to his face but couldn't because he wasn't facing her. *Why is my dream hunk sitting in my fathers lion!* She thought to herself. *There is only one way to find out.* She walked up to the pilot seat of the lion.
"Well…Well...Well.." She purred down at him and he turned around in surprise, "You sure don't look like my father." She had to think to remember what she had wanted to say, because he was the most handsome man that she had ever laid eyes on! He had perfectly chiseled features, a killer smile and the most unusual color eyes! Eyes that she had only seen once in her life.
*No! This can't be him! Please don't let the man of my dreams be Eric!*
It was the only thing that made since to her. He was in her father's lion, he was wearing the new uniform of the Voltron Force, he had the rank of Captain and he had the same lion gold colored eyes!Eric had to force himself from drooling at the sight of the young woman standing in the lion. He could tell that she had raven black hair from the long braid that fell past her tiny waist, she had a face that was breathtakingly beautiful, amber eyes, all the right curves and a perfect smile. She was also wearing the new uniform for Arus's new robot called Dragon and a diadem that across her forehead that signified that she was a crowned princess of Arus. *So you finally grew up did you?* The General hadn't been joking when he had told him that he wouldn't believe his own eyes when he saw Andromeda. *Well, I guess like the old saying goes…Let the game begin…*
"I don't believe that I have had the honor of being introduced to you yet." Eric smiled warmly at her trying to keep his voice calm and in control, as he continued to give her a more than through once over with his eyes.
"I'm sorry where are my manners!" Andy blushed as he continued to stare at her. "I am Crowned Princess Andromeda Marie Edwards and you are?" She asked praying that he couldn't hear her voice trembling. She was however getting tired of being stared at so she gave him a through once over of her own.
*Your future husband.*
Eric thought to himself. "I am Captain Eric Anthony Lawson your highness, or should I say Dromi." He winked at her and that is when Andy began to show her temper."I should have known!" She hissed glaring daggers at him.
"I'll say this much Andy. You really have grown up." Eric growled.
"So have you Eric, when exactly did you get back?" She asked her voice laced with ice.
"A few hours ago, Dromi." He grinned at her furious face.
"That's Andromeda to you Captain Lawson! Daddy didn't say that you were coming back home." She snarled, "I didn't even see or hear your ship arrive."
"No wonder Dromi, you were busy doing drills in your new dragon." He chuckled, "Besides your father wanted to surprise you."
*That is one that I owe my father!*
"Fine!! He surprised me! Now why are you in my father's lion!" She hissed."I am preparing to take my lion for a ride. Why are you in here?" Eric stood up to his full height and glared down at her.
"That is none of you business!" She took a step back when he began to step towards her.
"Andromeda it is my business when it happens to involve my lion! Now answer the question! Why are you in here!" He was now inches from her.
*I'm in trouble!*
"Back off Lawson!" She hissed placing her hands against his massive chest in order to keep him at a distance."Not until you tell me why you are in a restricted area." Golden eyes stared down into amber ones.
"No comment, Eric." She tried to stay calm and focused, but he was just to close for comfort.
"Oh really Andromeda? I think that you will." Eric's mouth was just inches from her own.
"Never." She was not about to let him win.
"Suit yourself." He growled softly claiming her mouth with his own.
*Oh Boy! I am like so in over my head!*
She thought as she melted in his arms surrendering herself to the kiss. Surprised to find that he was her soul mate and that all it had taken for her to realize this was just this one kiss.*Who the hell does he think he is! That is my baby girl that he's kissing!*
Keith stood at the back of the lion gaping at the two of them. "When the two of you are finished, you can start explaining why Andy is not in her dragon, why you are not flying this lion, and why you are kissing my daughter!" Keith snarled from the back of the lion, but the two of them ignored him complete."Andromeda Marie Edwards I am speaking to you!" Keith stalked over and growled in her ear.
"Hi Daddy." She whispered softly, "Daddy!?" She cried out in surprise and tried to jump out of his arms, but Eric had a firm hold around he waist.
"Explain!" He ordered softly with his arms folded across his chest.
"Daddy I am 18 now and don't have to explain anything, except why I am in your lion." Andy couldn't believe that she had gotten caught practically making out in Black lion!
"Well?" He asked her impatiently.
"She came looking for me, your highness. No one told her that anyone was suppose to be in here, so she came to investigate." Eric tried to take some of the heat off his princess.
"Did I ask you to speak Captain!" Keith snarled at Eric. Who looked down at Andy and giving her a well I tried look.
"No Sir."
"Daddy, I just wanted to prove that I can fly this lion just as well as you, him or any other male persona!" She exclaimed in her defense and could have sworn that she heard Eric's voice in her head telling her that she was in for it now.
"You have Drago now. You don't need Voltron or this lion! So why do you insist on defying me!" Keith was at his last shred of patience with his daughter.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she glared at her father. "Daddy, I have wanted one thing for as long as I can remember and that is to fly this lion!" She broke free of Eric and ran out of the lion in tears.
"Andromeda! Get back here! I didn't say that you could leave!" Keith shouted after his daughter.
"I've never understood why you have never let her fly this lion. Is it just because of what happened eleven years ago?" Eric frowned at his commanding officer.
"No Eric, it is because I thought that she needed a chance on her own, out from under my shadow. I wasn't punishing her I was giving her freedom and a new challenge." Keith explained to him.
"Maybe she thought that you were trying to push her away." Eric was trying like mad to resist the urge to run after his princess.
"Are you saying that Andy wanted to be in my shadow?" Keith frowned at the young man.
"What I am saying sir, is that I can't believe how, that after eleven years, as close as the two of you are keep going around in circles." He was finished with this conversation and now wanted to go check on Dromi, so he said what he had to say and left.
"I don't need this." He groaned.
"You blew that one big time!" Black lion remarked in disapproval
"Tell me about it, pal. Let's you and I go for a little ride so that I can figure out some way to fix this mess." Keith growled and took the lion up for a ride.
~~~
"Andy?" Eric called her name softly as he entered her dragon.
"Go away Eric!" She sobbed.
"Sorry sweetheart, but I'm afraid that you're stuck with me now."
"Look Eric, I just want to be left alone right now." She began to cry even harder.
"You and your father are so completely alike that it's scary and it also blinds you to each others feelings." Eric snapped at her.
"What do you mean by that, Eric?" She sniffled looking up at him with her big amber eyes that were full of hurt and pain.
"I meant that all this time your dad has been giving you what you have said that you needed, your freedom. When all that you ever really wanted was to follow in your fathers footsteps." Eric told her softly pulling her up into his arms.
"Are you saying that he gave me Dragon so that I'd be out of his shadow and free to make something of my own?" She whimpered softly.
"Yes baby, all that he wants is for you to be happy with what you have accomplished on your own."
"I always thought that he gave me Dragon to keep me out of his hair, not to give me a challenge." She whimpered against his chest.
"Face it angel, you and your sisters needed an outlet and he made one for you."
"He did all of this to cut any pressure on me and not because he wanted me out of his hair?" She still couldn't believe what he was telling her.
"Yes, that is the only reason that he created the new robot for you. Speaking of a challenge I have a new one for you. Your Hydra against Black lion, father against daughter in a test of skill." He brushed the tears from her cheeks with his fingers.
"I'd say that you're on, the only problem is will my father go for a challenge like that?" She frowned at Eric as her father's face came onto the viewing screen.
"I'd say that I accept you challenge." Keith grinned at her.
"Hey! Just how much of our conversation did you over hear?" Eric frowned at Keith.
Actually I heard all of it. Next time I suggest that you take off your helmet." Keith grinned at him.
"Okay Daddy, when do you want to face my wrath?" Andy challenged.
"Right now little shadow and my this teach you a lesson. I may be an old hand at this, but I am still the best."
"We'll see Dad, they also have a saying that goes like father like daughter." She winked at him.
"Well sweetie, if you don't beat me you'll be grounded for a month and no chocolate!" He countered.
"No fair!" She wailed.
"Whoever said that life was fair, besides I'm the boss and what I say goes!" Keith chuckled.
"Who is going to judge our little contest?" Andy asked her father.
"Why I am sweetheart, after all someone has to keep the two of you in line." Allura's face appeared next to Keith's on the screen.
"Mom? Who else knows about this?"
"The whole family knows. Just take a look at the castle lawn."
"This is so embarrassing! What ever happened to privacy?!" She glared at Eric who was enjoying watching her squirm.
"What and miss the downfall of the two most stubborn fools on the planet? Besides, it is Independence weekend and all the universal diplomats are already arriving for tonight's ball." Allura reminded her child.
"Daddy, can we please do this another time?" Andy asked her father with a hopeful look on her face.
"No Andy, it's now or never. You said that you could prove that you were as good as me, so prove it."
"You asked for it Daddy." She grinned at him then looked up at Eric," Eric I need to do this on my own."
"Good-luck Dromi, I'll be waiting for you." Eric gave her a kiss for good-luck, before he left her ship.
"Okay kiddo, let's see what you've got." Keith challenged his child.
"You're on Daddy." She answered his challenge and their audience on the lawn gave them a huge roar of applause.
~~~
(Two hours later)
Keith and Andy found themselves in an unbreakable tie, but the two of them were just too stubborn to admit that they were both equals in the air.
"Will you two PLEASE give this up! We have got a million details to finish before the ball tonight and I really don't have time for any more of this!" Allura exclaimed in frustration.
"Alright Ally we'll stop. This proves that you have absolutely nothing to prove to anyone and that maybe someday you will be able to share the duties of leading the Voltron force." He was extremely proud of his daughter and wanted everyone on Arus to know it.
"Joint duties! That's not fair! That lion is mine!" She wailed in protest.
"Andromeda Marie do not make me regret my words, besides I didn't see you protesting when Eric was kissing you." Keith growled back.
"Daddy! Do you have to tell the whole planet!"
"So, Andy what is this about you kissing Captain Lawson?" Allura teased her daughter.
"Mom, nothing happened! It was just one kiss!" She was blushing from her head to her toenails.
"Nothing happened? The two of you were all over each other!" Keith teased.
"Daddy please!" She shot away from her parents and went to find somewhere to hide.
~~~
"Cassandra and Lance, I would like to introduce you to my son Christophe." Merla introduced her son to her friends as soon as she disembarked from her ship.
Cassie eyed Merla's son noticing that Chris was tall, had Merla's complexion, violet eyes, elfin ears, and a long white mane of hair. "It's good to see you Merla." She gave her a welcoming smile.
Hazar walked over and greeted Lance, "Lance, how are you my friend. I see that you've met our son Christophe."
"Hello, its nice to meet one of the galaxy's greatest hero's." Chris smiled at Lance and Cassie.
"Lance, is it okay if Nate and I take the rest of the day off so that we can get ready for tonight's boring ball?" Eric ran over to where Lance was talking to the diplomats from Planet Dreul.
"Sure no problem Eric. I don't think that the planet will fall to pieces if the new Voltron force takes the day off. Why don't you take Chris along with you." Lance grinned at the new Captain of the Voltron Force. "We all know that you and Nate have to go all out to impress my nieces."
"Hi I'm Eric." Eric ignored that last comment and greeted who he hoped would turn out to be a new friend and Ally.
"Hello, I'm Prince Christophe of the planet Dreul. So, you are the new captain of the Voltron Force." Chris smiled at Eric.
"Yeah well that's what they tell me any way." Eric shrugged his shoulders as if it wasn't that big of a deal. "Didn't you go to the academy?"
"Yes I have just completed the last of my training and I am currently on leave visiting my parents. I hope to be assigned as one of the new members of your team." Chris nodded.
"Well then I think that you should meet Nate. He is going to be piloting Red lion." Eric grinned at him.
Chris turned to say good-bye to his parents," See you later Mom and Dad."
"Have fun." Merla smiled at her son.
"He is a very nice young man." Cassie smiled at Merla.
"Thank you Cassie, I knew that this was a celebration, but I had no idea that some sort of competition was scheduled?" Merla commented about Keith and Andy's two-hour duel.
"Actually their little confrontation has been brewing for over ten years now and it was bound to happen sooner or later." Lance explained.
"Oh so the two of them are still at odds with each other?" Hazar frowned.
"Yep and that is why they finally decided to do their little duel today, to see who was better than who." Lance grinned.
"And who ended up winning?" Hazar frowned
"Neither it was a stale mate. I guess the saying is true, she is exactly like her father." Lance smiled.
"Somehow that doesn't make me feel any better." Cassie frowned, "You both must be tried from you journey, come with us and we will show you where you will be staying in the castle.
::I'm perfectly fine Cassie, it is you who needs to go and rest.::
Merla eyed her friend who was very pregnant with her third child."That's what he keeps telling me, but it's hard to get any rest when the baby is constantly reminding me that he's around." Cassie patted her belly and the baby inside kicked her in response.
::You two can get caught up inside, while I see that Cassie gets off her feet.:: Merla ordered the two men.
"That's really not necessary Merla, I am perfectly fine."
"Let's go honey, I really don't think that I want to see Merla mad at me." Lance scooped up his wife and headed into the castle.
::See darling, I haven't lost my touch at all,::
Merla smiled at Hazar.::No one ever said you had love.::
He pulled her into his arms for a kiss, before following Lance into the Castle.~~~
"Pidge will you please watch your daughters while I try and finish getting ready for tonight's ball." Myria called from their bedroom, as she set Lexi and Beth down on the bed. She had Lexi dressed in a fairy costume and Beth was dressed as a princess.
"Sure honey and how are daddy's little princess's tonight?" Pidge smiled down at his four-year-old daughters.
"Look Daddy, I'm a fairy." Lexi smiled at her father.
"And who are you suppose to be Beth?" He asked his other child.
"Oh, daddy I'm already a princess so I don't need a costume." She explained in a very serious tone of voice.
"Sorry angel my mistake, now why don't the two of you go find Christa. She has some milk and cookies for you in the day room." Pidge sighed to his daughter, who was just too smart for her four-year-old body.
"Come along sibling." She ordered her twin.
"Boy is she bossy!" Lexi glared at her twin, but decided to follow her anyway.
"Were those two our kids?" Pidge chuckled in bewilderment.
"Afraid so, I just hope that this one will at least act normal." She sighed and patted her belly fondly.
"Look at the bright side Myria, at least we don't have to worry about our kids becoming little monsters." Pidge pointed out that both of Hunk and Sheena's sons were natural born warriors.
"Just because they trapped you and Lance in the castle pantry, does not make them little monsters." Myria laughed.
"It's not funny Myria! Those two are dangerous!" Pidge growled in his defense.
"They're babies! Pidge! Zach is six and Jason is four!" Myria reminded him.
"What they are is uncontrollable little monsters!" Pidge exclaimed as he finished shaving. Pidge had turned out to be quite a hunk.
~~~
"Zach! Jason! If you two don't get in here right now, then you won't be able to go to the ball with us!" Sheena shouted into her son's rooms.
"But Mommy, we don't wanna go !" Zach wailed in protest from his hiding place.
"That is tough mister, you are going to go whether you like it or not!" She ordered him. "Now move your little tush out of that hiding place now!"
"No go!" Jason wailed as he crawled out from under the bed.
"Come here little guy and momma will get you all ready." She picked up her youngest son. "Zach put on your tiger costume, while I put Jason's bear costume on him.
"But Mom!" He protested.
"Sorry partner, consider this punishment for trapping your uncles in the pantry the other day."
~~~
"Keith, why did you have to pick today to have a showdown with our daughter?" Allura sighed as she finished braiding their youngest daughters' hair. "There you go Lilly all finished, now go show your daddy how pretty you look."
"How's daddy's little princess?" Keith scooped her up into his arms.
"I love dada." She kissed him on the cheek.
"And Daddy loves you to precious, now what are you going to be at the ball tonight?" He winked at her.
"I's angel dada! Sees my 'alo!" She exclaimed and pointed to the circle of braids on the top of her golden blonde hair.
"Your daddy's little angel." Keith kissed her on the forehead, "Now why don't you go and show your sisters how pretty you are, while your Mommy and I finish getting ready." He set her down and she toddled out of their room in search of her older sisters.
"Isn't she darling!" Allura sighed, as Lilly's diaper clad figure toddled out of her sight.
"She's adorable." Keith pulled Allura to him for a kiss.
"Did you know that Hazar and Merla are here?" Allura smiled at him.
"We haven't seen them in years! How are they?" Keith had gone off to finish shaving.
"Fine, they brought Christophe and he's seventeen now." Allura answered him as she placed her crown on top of her head.
"Really? What does he look like?"
"He looks like Hazar except he inherited Merla's eyes and skin tone. Cassie says that he's quite handsome to."
"Wasn't it funny how she divorced Lotor right after you gave him that crew cut?" Keith grinned at her.
"I think that Hazar is perfect for her." Allura walked over and fixed Keith's tie.
"I'm just glad that she had Chris by Hazar and not by Lotor." Keith frowned.
"Why is that Keith?"
"Because the last thing that we need in this universe is another Lotor!" He exclaimed as he escorted his wife out of the room.
"Where are Drew and Tony?" Allura decided to change the subject.
"They are probably down at the ball getting into mischief with their cousin's." Keith grinned.
"Are the girls ready yet?"
"I don't know, but there is only one way to find out." He knocked on one of three bedroom doors.
"Coming." Ariel called softly and opened her door. Her fiery red hair fell in waves down her back; she wore an emerald green ball gown complete with matching emerald crown jewels. "Hi Daddy! You look great mother!"
"Remind me not to let you out of my sight tonight." Keith winked at her and then went to knock on the next door.
"Just a minute." Chimed the musical replica of Allura's voice and then her mirror image stood before them, as she opened the door. "Hello Mother and Father are we all ready to go downstairs yet?" She smiled at them.
Alex had kept her hair free of its usual braid and just let it cascade down her back. She was also wearing an identical gown, exactly like her sister only hers was pink in color and her crowned jewel's displayed sapphire instead of emeralds. "Mother! Ariel! You look smashing." She smiled at her mother and sister.
"We've only got two member's of the family to check on before we are ready to go down to the ball." Keith smiled at his oldest child. "May I say that you look absolutely radiant tonight." He complimented her.
"Thank you Daddy, you look very handsome tonight as well. " She gave her father a kiss on the cheek.
Keith then stopped in front of Andy's bedroom door. "Andromeda, are you ready yet?" He looked down at his watch and frowned. "We're already late for the Peace Ball."
*I hate going to these stupid things, but if I must I guess I must,*
She thought to herself as she opened her door to greet her family. She was wearing a red velvet ball gown, but unlike her sister's dresses hers was strapless and she wore a velvet stole across her shoulders. Her hair was also done like her sisters and she wore her ruby crowned jewels. "What on Arus are you all staring at me for?" She frowned at them in annoyance."Wow! Dromi, you look gorgeous!" Ariel sighed with envy.
"Your actually wearing a gown and you look fabulous in it!" Alex exclaimed in shock.
"You look beautiful darling! I told you that your dress would look perfect on you for the ball." Allura was so pleased that Andy had actually chosen to dress like a proper princess that she was practically beaming with pride.
"You my darling daughter have been holding out on us." Keith knew that he was going to have his hands full trying to make sure that Nathan and Eric behaved around his two daughters.
"Can we just get this thing over with, so that I can go and put on my comfortable clothes again!" Andy frowned at them.
"Where's Lilly? Did she come and find you?" Keith looked around for his youngest child.
"Where do you think she is?" Andy sighed lifting up the skirt of her gown just enough to reveal her baby sister sitting underneath it.
"Lilly!" Allura, Ariel, Alex and Keith all exclaimed in unison as they laughed at the sight of the little girl hiding under her big sisters skirts.
"Romi, Ari, and Alex looks pretty!" Lilly chimed climbing out of her hiding place.
"Come here you!" Keith scooped her up into his arms and then they all went to go join their guests at the ball.
~~~
The masquerade ball was already in full swing, even though the royal family had still yet to arrive. Three handsome men waited patiently for the princess's to arrive, two were dressed not in costumes, but in full military dress uniforms. Prince Christophe wore his royal attire for the occasion.
"So Chris, how do you like Arus so far?" Nate asked his new friend.
"Arus is a very beautiful planet, but not near as busy as my own." Chris was watching his parents as they waltzed around the huge ballroom.
"Have you met any of the princess's yet?" Eric asked curiously, "That's who Nate and I are waiting for."
"Sure is and I can't wait to see Ariel." Nate grinned.
"Andy will probably show up wearing jeans just to spite her parents." Eric muttered under his breath, "Or refuse to show up at all."
"Aren't you forgetting about Alexandra? Who is waiting for her? Chris frowned.
"No one is waiting for Alex, because she has yet to find anyone worthy of her time." Nate's voice oozed with sarcasm.
"So Alex, is the typical spoiled rotten, stuck up princess." Chris surmised.
"No, actually she's a very nice, kind, and gentle young lady. It's just that men seem to bring out the worst in her." Eric tried to explain.
"Why would she act like that, unless her suitors all at like complete fools." Chris frowned.
"She looks like a carbon copy of her mother, Chris, and guys are bound to act like fools around her." Nate frowned.
"I have died and gone to heaven." Eric growled hoarsely as the royal family finally made their entrance.
The entire ball fell silent, as they stared in utter amazement at the sight of the three eldest daughters of the King and Queen. Especially since the youngest of the three had actually decided to attend this time and was even wearing a dress!
"Is that really Andy?" Nate's mouth hung open in shock.
"Back off Nathan Scott! Andromeda is mine!" Eric glared at him.
"So, I'm male sue me! Besides, I love her sister." Nate grinned sheepishly.
"Well, neither of us are going to get to dance with either of them if we don't go over and ask them to dance." Eric couldn't take his eyes off Andy, who was currently being asked to dance by someone.
Nate walked over to them and handed Ariel a yellow rose. "May I dance with the most beautiful girl in the room." Nate brought her had up to his lips and kissed it.
"I'd love to, Nathan." She let him lead her out to the dance floor.
"This rose does not compare with how beautiful you look tonight. May I have this dance?" Eric offered her a red rose, before he brought her trembling hand up to his lips and kissed it.
"That was very thoughtful of you Eric. How did you know that I love roses?" Andy was falling even deeper in love with him. "Yes, I would love to dance with you." She smiled up at him.
"Than by all means we shall." Eric swept her out onto the dance floor.
"Shall we beautiful?" Keith led Allura towards the dance floor.
"I would love to handsome." She smiled up at him.
That left Alex all by herself, but she really didn't mind.
"May I ask why a beautiful girl like you isn't out there dancing with the others?" Christophe asked Alex careful not to spook her.
"Who wants to know?" She snapped at him and didn't even bother to give him a second glance.
"I'm Prince Christophe, Queen Merla's son." He introduced himself to her. "And you are?"
"Princess Alexandra Danielle Edwards, my parents are the reining King and Queen of Arus." Alex replied coolly.
"Are you shy?' Chris smiled at her.
"No, why would you ask me such a silly question like that?" Alex was getting very irritated with him.
"Then why won't you look at me?"
"Look why don't you just leave me alone.." Alex finally looked to see who was annoying her and got lost in his gaze.
"I did not mean to offend you fair princess, but I was wondering if you would honor me with this next dance." He smiled at her.
"Dance?" She whispered softly.
"Yes, I was wondering if you would like to dance." He was slowly leading her out to the dance floor.
"Dance with me?" She was still entranced by this handsome prince and didn't even know that she was already dancing with him.
"Yes and you dance beautifully to." He spoke softly into her ear pulling her closer to him.
"I do." She sighed blushing prettily at his compliment.
"It's like we're dancing on air." He smiled down at her.
~~~
"Who is that dancing with Alex?" Keith growled into his wife's ear.
"That's Merla and Hazar's son and he seems to be entranced by our daughter." Allura smiled at the two in question as they waltzed by them.
"Son?" Keith kept glaring at the young man dancing with his little girl.
"Yes, darling son, we went to his christening and I definitely remember telling you that Hazar and Merla were here and that they had brought their son with them." Allura tried to be patient with her husband.
"How old is he?"
"Who? Their son?"
"Yes, Allura, how old is their son?"
"He's ten month's younger than the girls." Allura frowned at him.
"How long did Merla and Lotor stay married?"
"Not very long, because she met Hazar a month after Merla and I fought each other. Why are you asking me all these questions?" She hissed into his ear.
"Chris isn't Hazar's son." Keith frowned.
"What makes you say that?"
"He's ten months younger than our girls that would mean that she was carrying him when she was still married to the wimp." Keith hissed back.
"Keith you are being paranoid! He is nothing like Lotor! So, quit making him into something that he's not!" Allura snapped at him.
"He's Lotor's son! Look at him, all that he needs is Haz's complexion and an evil disposition!" Keith was not about to drop the subject.
"Let's say that you are right and he is Lotor's son. The only parent's that he has ever known are Merla and Hazar and Hazar is nothing like Lotor! So please stop worrying over nothing!" She ordered him.
~~~
::I think that Keith has just figured out who Chris's father actually is.::
Merla told Hazar using her mind."You knew the risk when we decided to bring him along with us." Hazar reminded her.
::He is taking this rather well, don't you think::
Merla mused watching Keith from a distance."He's in shock Merla, but we do have two things going in our favor. Keith's daughter is entranced with our son and Chris absolutely hates his biological father." Hazar pulled her to him for a kiss.
"I just wish that he was totally yours." She sighed.
"He is in every way that matters my son and heir." Hazar stated proudly.
~~~
"Christophe I would like you to meet my father, the king." Alex introduced her new beau to her father.
"It is an honor to meet you sir, you have a very beautiful daughter." Chris replied as he shook Keith's hand.
"You have grown into a very distinguished young man. Lance tells me that you have just graduated from the academy." Keith smiled warmly at him.
"You went to the Galaxy Alliance academy?" Alex frowned at him in surprise.
"Yes, I trained to be one of the new members of the new Voltron force." He was very proud of the fact that he had graduated top of his class at the academy.
"Then you must have kept at the head of your class, because only the best are trained to fly any of the robots that form Voltron." Keith was impressed to find out that the kid seemed to be one of the good guys.
"I bet that you could fly circles around Eric and Nathan." Alex smiled up at him.
"I am an excellent pilot, but no one in the academy has even come close to breaking any of the records that Eric set when he was attending the academy." Chris corrected her then turned his attention back to Keith. "I think that you and my father share a common foe."
"Oh and who might that be?" Keith arched a brow at him.
"My father's cousin Prince Lotor, who is a constant pain in both yours and my father's sides." Chris growled.
"Yes he is definitely a pain in my side, but I know how to kick his tail back to where he belongs." Keith chuckled amused that this young man seemed to dislike Lotor as much as he did. " But enough about Lotor, you kids go on and enjoy the ball." Keith sent them on their way.
"See you later Daddy and don't forget that you promised to dance with me." Alex reminded before letting Chris lead her away and back to the dance floor.
"This is great! I think that he hates Lotor more than I do." Keith spoke what he was thinking out loud.
"Who hates Lotor more than you do?" Allura had hoped that he had finally decided to drop the subject of who Chris's father really was.
"Merla's son his own flesh and blood." Keith grinned at her.
"Haven't we been over this before." Allura sighed in frustration. " Merla and Hazar raised him so it would make perfect since that he doesn't like Lotor."
Keith spotted Hazar talking to Jeff and motioned for him to join them.
"Excuse me Jeff, but I think that Keith wants to talk to me about something." Hazar really didn't want to talk about what was on Keith's mind.
"Does this have anything to do with your son dancing with my goddaughter?" Jeff frowned.
"It may have something to do with that." Hazar sighed.
"You never told Keith the truth!" Jeff gaped at Hazar as if he were nuts.
"No because Chris is my son and that is all there is to it." Hazar snarled.
"Hey Haz, I know that Chris is a good kid because, I've known him most of his life, but didn't you think that this was going to come up when he was training for a place on Arus's new Voltron Force?" Jeff stared at his friend. "Keith is not blind and he can do the math. Hell it doesn't take a genius to figure out who his biological father was."
"Well it's to late for me to start worrying about that now." Hazar shot back as Keith walked when he hadn't come over to join him.
"I think that the three of us need to go have a private chat in my office, there is something that we really need to discuss." Keith frowned at them. "I really don't feel like having this conversation in front of the all knowing, all seeing, and always annoying media."
~~~
Chris and Alex had decided to go out into the garden for some fresh air, but little do they know that none other than Lotor himself has been watching them all evening. He is very pleased that his son has entranced the daughter of Keith and Allura.
"Chris? Do you feel like someone is watching us?" Alex shivered.
Chris had felt like they were being watched for quite some time, but he had yet to find out who was watching them. "Don't worry about it angel, it's probably some jealous suitor who is mad because your spending all your time dancing with me."
"Your probably right Chris, I guess that I am just being silly." Alex let him put his tuxedo jacket around her shoulders.
"Why don't we go for a walk in the garden maze? Then maybe the guy will take the hint and go find someone else to stare at for awhile." Chris led her into the maze not realizing that their watcher had decided to follow them.
~~~
"How long do you think that Lotor is going to wait before he finally tried to claim what's his?" Keith frowned at him.
"He's already tried to a few times, but I have always been there to stop him." Hazar frowned.
"You aren't always going to be there to protect him and I am willing to bet that you still haven't even told him the truth yet." Keith glared at him.
"I have never had any reason to tell him about Lotor." Hazar growled.
"Let me tell you a little story about your cousin Lotor. He has always thought of my wife as the ultimate prize and now his son seems to be enchanted with my eldest daughter, who is an exact replica of her mother. Do I need to go on." Keith was beginning to get a bad filling in his gut about this entire situation.
"You think that Lotor has just been waiting for Chris to grow up?" Jeff was now pacing Keith's office.
"If he couldn't have Allura then his son would carry on the family tradition by finally claiming her daughter." Hazar was also beginning to get a bad feeling about the current situation. "He could be somewhere at this ball and we wouldn't even know because everyone, but the royal family were required to wear masks!"
"This is not good." Jeff growled.
~~~
Andy had a funny feeling that something bad was about to happen and that her sister was about to be in great danger. " Eric, do you know where Alex and the guy that she was dancing with went?" Andy searched the room for his sister.
"The guy is Hazar and Merla's son Christophe and to answer your question no I haven't really been paying attention to anyone but you." He knew that something was bothering her, he just didn't know what. "What's wrong?" He frowned at the worried expression on her face.
Andy headed outside and into the garden. "I don't know Eric, but something is scaring Alex."
"What makes you say that? Chris is with her so she should be perfectly safe." Eric frowned at her.
"Wasn't Merla married to Lotor at one time?" Andy tried to figure out why the alarm bells were sounding in her head.
"What does that have to do with Chris and your sister?" Eric looked at her as if she was losing it completely.
"Just let me think this through!" She hissed at him. "
"Fine Andromeda but I think that you're jumping to conclusions over nothing." Eric growled.
"There is a plus to having a photographic memory Lawson, I don't forget any of the gossip that my mom and Aunt's talk about over their afternoon tea. Now what does Lotor have to do with Chris?" Andy knew that she was onto something, but didn't know what it was.
"What does that have to do with Chris and Alex and this funny feeling that you say that you're having?" Eric just knew that she was about to get them both into major trouble.
"Did Chris say how old he was?"
"He's about ten months younger than you are, but what does that have to do with you wanting to know if Lotor and Merla were married or not?"
"That has to be it!" Andy exclaimed and took off running into the maze.
"What has to be it? Get back here Dromi!" Eric ran after his princess.
"Don't you see that the two of them are in great danger?" She glared at him he easily caught up to her and then pulled her into his arms. "I have to find Alex!"
"Not until you tell me what is going on!" He growled in frustration.
"Hazar isn't Chris's biological father!" She hissed at him.
"Huh? Where did you come up with that!" Eric stared at her as if she were crazy.
"They did teach you how to add at the academy didn't they? If he is 10 months younger than I am and Merla and Lotor were still married when she was carrying him, then that would make him Lotor's son." She hissed impatiently up at him.
"So you think that Lotor is here and that Chris and Alex are in danger." Eric still wasn't convinced.
"Look Captain! I am a triplet and I share a very close bond with my sisters!" Andy was real close to decking him, "And right now Alex is very scared about something or someone watching her and Chris!"
"Fine Dromi, you win we will go and check on Chris and you sister, but I still think that you are worrying over nothing." Eric reluctantly let her drag him deeper into the maze.
"If I am right about this you have to let me go flying with you in Black lion." She grinned at him.
"You have got yourself a deal babe, but if I'm right you have to promise to stay away from the lion until Keith or I say otherwise. " Eric grinned.
"That's fine by me because, I know that I am right." She shot back and took off running past him.
"Get back here Andromeda! " Eric chased after her.
~~~
Keith noticed that two of his daughters were missing from the ballroom. "Allura where did Andy, Alex and their escorts disappear to?"
"I think that they went out into the garden for some fresh air. Why? Is something wrong?" Allura frowned at him in concern.
"No not that I'm aware of, but I do want to know exactly where they are." Keith headed outside.
"Maybe they want to be left alone for a while and don't need their father chaperoning them." Allura tried to convince him that they were fine.
"I'm just going to make sure that they are okay and you have my word that I won't tear the two boys in half, as long as they are behaving themselves around my girls." Keith growled.
"There is no harm in them kissing boys and you know it." Allura hissed at him.
"Kissing is fine, but anything else is not permitted." Keith snarled under his breath.
~~~
Alex and Chris were kissing inside the shelter of the gazebo and didn't even notice that Lotor was standing just outside of it, but Andy and Eric were within two feet of where Lotor was standing and were about to confront him.
"What are you doing on my planet you creep." Andy glared at her father's old enemy.
"You must be Princess Andromeda, and the fly-boy with you must be the new pilot of Black Lion." Lotor gave Eric an evil grin. "You are as beautiful as your mother, but I think that you take more after your father."
"She asked you a question Lotor! What are you doing here on Arus!" Eric snarled.
"What is going on out here?" Chris and Alex emerged from the gazebo. "Lotor!" Chris glared at the black sheep of his family.
"Hello Christophe, I see that we share the same taste when it comes to women." He growled at his son.
"You leave Alexandra out of this, Lotor!" Chris snarled.
"You make one move towards my sister and I will make you sing soprano for life!" Andy shouted at him.
"So you do take after your mother after all." Lotor smiled evilly over at Andy.
"I take after both of my parents, not that it's any business of yours." Andy hissed. "I know why you are here and your little scheme isn't going to work!"
"I am here because it is time that Christophe learned who his real father is." Lotor snarled.
"What are you talking about Hazar is my father!" Chris shouted at him.
"You are my son and Hazar is not your father I am." Lotor glared at him
"You're lying!" Chris shouted at him.
"Ask your mother if she was pregnant with you when she married my cousin and you will find that I am telling you the truth." Lotor took a step towards him.
"Take one more step towards him and I will have to give you a permanent limp!" Keith roared at his old enemy.
"This is not your concern Keith, so stay out of it!" Lotor snarled back.
"He isn't yours so get off my planet or I will start really hurting you!" Andy shouted at him.
"Chris was raised by Hazar and it doesn't matter if you're his father, because he isn't anything like you and never will be!" Allura shouted at him.
"I can't handle this right now." Chris took off running back into the maze.
"Chris!" Alex ran after him.
"You Jerks never can seem to leave anyone alone can you!" Andy shouted at him in fury."
"I only want what should have been rightfully mine! " Lotor snarled at her.
"That does it!" Andy stalked over and to Lotor's surprise decked him right there on the spot and then continued to pound on him until Eric and Keith pulled her off of him. "No one mess's with my sisters life but me!" She snarled down at the unconscious man lying on the ground.
Eric had to keep a firm hold on her to keep her, because she wanted to pound on him some more. "Easy there tigress I think that he got the message." Eric growled into her ear.
"He made me break a nail!" She snarled.
"See honey she is a normal young lady." Keith grinned at his wife as he motioned for his men to take Lotor out of his sight.
"Not really Keith, just look at what she did to her gown!" Allura eyed her child's torn dress with exasperation. "She can't go back inside looking like she has been in a war! The media will have a field day!"
"That's fine with me, because Eric promised to take me flying in Black Lion if I was right about Lotor and I intend to take him up on that promise right now." Andy winked up at him.
"I guess I did promise her, sir. So, we'll see you later." Eric and Andy made an attempt to escape, but they were stopped by Keith's loud command for them to stop where they were.
"Not so fast you two, she still needs my permission to even step foot in that lion remember." Keith grinned at them.
"Come on Daddy! I did good this time and I deserve some kind of a reward!" Andy pouted.
"She does have a point darling." Allura took her daughters' side.
"I haven't finished what I was trying to say." Keith growled, "I will allow you to go flying with Eric only if you start your training in Blue lion from now on instead of your dragon."
Andy raced over and gave her father a big hug; "Does that mean that I get to be on the new team!"
"That's the plan sweetheart, but you are going to have follow Eric's orders from now on. He is still going to be the leader of the new team." Keith made sure that she understood the rules, before she agreed to anything.
"That's okay Keith, because I love your daughter and plan on dating and then marrying her." Eric dropped his bombshell on all three of them. Keith and Eric immediately began to argue and Allura had to fan the face of her daughter who had fainted after hearing him say that he loved her. . . . . .
~~~
Keith woke up in a cold sweat. One of the girls had come into the room because she had a bad dream and needed her Daddy to chase the monsters away.
"Daddy I'm scared." Andy stood next to the bed, her stuffed lion clutched in her tiny hand.
"Its okay angel Daddy's here and won't let anything hurt you." Keith reached down to pick her up and then settled her in between him and Allura.
"Was Daddy scared too?" Andy noticed that her father looked like he had been having a bad dream too.
"Daddy just had a strange dream and it startled him." Keith tried to explain as he tucked her in beside him.
"I love you daddy." Andy yawned sleepily.
"I love you too angel." Keith drifted into a deep dreamless sleep.
~~~ On to chapter 12 ~~~
Cindra
^_^
I in no way own any of the original characters in this story and Voltron is the property of World Events Productions,ltd. (So nobody sue me okay ^^;;) The new characters on the other hand are mine and under no circumstances are they to be used without my permission.
