I make no claims to Voltron or any WEP characters.

Chapter One - Earth – One Year Later

It had been a year and still…nothing. Hardly any contact from Keith and way too much with Wade.

Lance groaned and rubbed his temples. He had just recently been promoted to Head Flight Instructor at the Academy, the youngest man in the Academy's history to ever be promoted to the post. But, that meant he had tons of people looking up to him and it, also, meant he had paperwork to do. Lots and lots of paperwork.

"I hate paperwork," he growled as he picked up a stack of files. The next year of flight academy students needed going through and assigned to instructors.

His intercom beeped. "Commander Lance?"came the voice of his personal assistant.

He sighed. "Yes, Melinda?" he asked.

"You have a visitor."

Lance's brow furrowed. Who on Earth would be visiting me here? he wondered. "Uh, okay. Send them in," he stated and stood up from his desk.

He about fell over.

Dressed in a stunning blue silk gown and smiling so brightly he could have turned the lights off in the office and still been able to read comfortably, Princess Allura stepped into his office and closed the door behind her.

He opened his mouth and closed it several times, but he couldn't speak. For the first time in his life, Lance McClain, one of the smoothest talkers in the galaxy, was struck speechless by a woman he'd known for years.

Allura cocked her head to one side. "What? No smart assed comment, Commander?" she teased.

"Allura," he finally choked out. "What are you doing here?" He paused and shook his head. "You look great!" He paused, thinking about what she had just said. "And while I don't mind the language, is that really how you should greet someone?" he teased. "Coran would have a fit."

Allura rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Lance, and thank you. I'm visiting for a week," she answered. "I sent you a message about it well over a week ago. There is a big summit at the end of the week that I felt I needed to attend."

Lance glanced down at his desk at the obvious pile of mail and paperwork and he felt his cheeks flame. "Um, yeah, I probably got it. Just forgot about it," he muttered lamely as he sheepishly looked back up at her.

Allura laughed and shook her head. "From the looks of your desk, Lance, I'd say you got it and never opened it," she stated. "I haven't seen a desk this messy since…well, you know."

He nodded. Always with the Keith… "That is a possibility, too," he agreed with a chuckle. "So, how was your trip?"

"Pleasant," she answered and carefully sat down in the chair across the desk from him.

Lance moved around and dropped into the other chair. "Hunk and Pidge will be thrilled to see you," he stated softly. "You are going to see them while you're here, too, right?"

Allura smiled and he finally noticed the unshed tears in her eyes. "Yes, I am. I've missed you boys," she confessed.

Lance nodded. "I know," he answered. "Look, I get off duty in an hour. How about I meet you at your hotel and we go out and have dinner. Talk," he murmured.

Allura nodded. "That sounds lovely. Formal attire or jeans and t-shirts?"

Lance gave her his most charming smile. "Which do you want?" he purred.

"Jeans and t-shirts," she answered with a laugh. "I'm in the mood for a good burger, some fries and a beer or two."

Lance nodded. "Then burgers and beer it will be," he stated. He got to his feet and pulled her up to hers and hugged her. "It's good to see you," he murmured into her sweet smelling blond hair. "Is that a new shampoo?" he asked as he released her.

Allura blushed and nodded. "Arusian Fire Lilies from around the volcano," she answered. "How are Hunk and Pidge doing, anyway?"

Lance grinned. "Well, Pidge is driving students in the higher computer classes absolutely insane," he stated as they walked to his office door. "Hunk is having a blast with the engineering students." He leaned closer and whispered in her ear. "I'll tell you more at dinner tonight. Not sure if my office is…you know."

Allura nodded, fully understanding what Lance was getting at. "All right. Well, I look forward to seeing you later. Why not bring them along?" she asked, stopping and looking up at him. "We can play a game of pool or darts."

Lance nodded back. "I'll see what I can do," he promised.

"Good," she stated with a smile. She went up on her tiptoes and gently kissed his cheek. "I'll see you later," she stated and walked out of his office.

Lance grinned as he leaned against the doorframe, watching her leave. Once she was out of his office, he turned and moved back to his desk. He quickly sent a message to Hunk and Pidge to meet at a local dive he knew of after they all got off duty, then got back to his own work.

X x x x x x

Hunk stretched his arms over his head as he stepped into the local dive bar that Lance had asked him and Pidge to meet him at. "Man, for a dive, this isn't too awfully bad," he muttered, looking around and dropping his arms back to his sides.

Pidge nodded and adjusted his green contoured glasses on his face. "Yeah," he agreed. "Sweet, it has a pool table and dart boards. Lance chose a good place this time. Wonder why."

Hunk shook his head as he made his way to the bar and dropped his massive frame onto a stool. "I don't know, but I do know this place has some good burgers. You hungry, little buddy?"

Pidge followed Hunk to the bar and sat down on another stool beside his larger friend. "Yeah, I'll take a burger," he answered. His eyes lit up as he saw the drinks list. "Hey, they got the new Baltan Ale!" he stated with a wide grin. "I think I want to try that, too."

Hunk nodded and placed an order with the bartender, who moved off to fill it. He turned and leaned back against the bar. "So, how long do you think it will be until Lance decides to show up?"

Pidge snorted. "Who knows," he answered with a shrug. He pulled a small tablet out of his pocket and began to fiddle with it.

Hunk watched him for a few moments in silence. "What is it, little buddy?" he asked.

"Allura said she would be coming in tonight," Pidge answered nonchalantly, his eyes on the little tablet as the bartender placed their drinks before them.

Hunk blinked in surprise, his beer halfway to his lips. "How do you know that?"

Pidge shot a wicked grin up at Hunk. "Lance never reads his mail," he answered with a chuckle.

"You know, if you get caught doing that, it is a galactic offense, right?" Hunk murmured, casting a nervous look at his friend.

Pidge shrugged. "They have to catch me doing it, first. I won't get caught."

Hunk shook his head and sighed as movement by the front door caught his attention. "Well, I'll be damned. On time for once," he stated as a smile broke over his face. "Lance!" he called, raising his hand.

Lance looked up and raised his hand in acknowledgement as he tugged the smaller blond woman behind him through the crowd. "Look who showed up in my office earlier today," Lance proclaimed as he pulled Allura to a stop beside him at the bar.

"Hey, Princess," Hunk said and pulled her into a hug. "Good to see you," he stated. He let her go and looked her over in her blue jeans and white t-shirt with a black jacket. "You look good."

Allura smiled up at him. "Thank you, Hunk. It's good to see you, too." She turned to Pidge. "Pidge!"

Pidge grinned, slid his tablet back into his pocket and stood. "Princess," he stated as she pulled him into a hug. "Glad to see you," he said as she let him go.

"Glad to see you, too, Pidge," she stated with a brilliant smile. She looked to Lance. "So, food and beer?"

Lance nodded and ordered. Once the bartender took his order and poured the beers, the four moved over to a table in the back corner. Lance pulled out the chair, spun it around and straddled it as he set his beer down on the table. "So, as thrilled as we are to see you," he stated. "We're not sure, exactly, of your reasons behind your visit."

Allura nodded and leaned forward. "I haven't heard much from the three of you or anything from Keith," she whispered. "I wanted an update. Figured I would get it in person since I was here."

Pidge pulled out his tablet and set it on the table after hitting several buttons. "Ok, we're clear to talk freely," he murmured with a nod to Lance.

Lance nodded back and turned his full attention to the princess beside him. "Pidge has been working on a computer system that is connected into Wade's system. He's, also, been working on some really killer encryption and codes to keep Keith and his mission secret and hidden. It hasn't been easy."

"Not even close to easy," Pidge agreed with a nod. "But, it is working. We've been able to keep in contact with Keith and Wade is none the wiser."

Allura sighed. "Good. I've been worried about him," she murmured. She took a sip of her beer.

"Food," Lance murmured as the waitress brought their food out to them.

"Can I get anyone a refill?" she asked once she'd set the final plate on the table.

Lance nodded. "Yeah, another round for all of us," he stated.

She smiled and sauntered back to the bar.

Lance watched her leave, a silly grin on his face.

Allura elbowed him in the ribs. "Knock it off," she murmured.

Lance winced and rubbed his side. "Ouch, you have one pointy elbow," he muttered as he glared at her. "Have you been sharpening that point, there, Allura?"

Hunk chuckled. "I think she wants you to actually behave for once, Lance," he teased.

Lance rolled his eyes. "The problem is I'm not sure I know how," he answered with a wicked grin. He lifted his beer to his lips. "Not sure I want to know how," he added.

Pidge looked over at Allura and rolled his eyes. "See what we have to work with? It's almost impossible to get anything done," he teased.

Allura giggled and Lance stuck his middle finger up at Pidge. "Squirt."

"All right. Enough," Allura murmured and the three men with her settled down. "So, what have we heard from Keith?"

Lance sighed and picked up a fry before he answered. "Not much," he confessed. "He knows Wade has Black at some secret base, but the location… Well, secret being what it is," he muttered and shook his head. "We knew it was going to take awhile before he found anything. He's got feelers out and he's following every lead he can get his hands on. He's going to find it, Princess. I know he will."

Allura nodded and took a swig of her beer. "All right. Is he doing all right? Does he need anything? Money? Things like that?"

Lance glanced around the bar before he turned his gaze back to her. "Anyone getting caught giving him assistance will be labeled a traitor to the Alliance and sanctions will be made," he murmured. "However, we're working on setting him up with funds and the like. Pidge is working like a madman on that."

Allura smiled at Pidge. "I know you're underappreciated at times, Pidge. But, you do good work. Thank you."

Pidge beamed. "No, thank you, Princess."

"Here's your beers," the waitress stated and set their next round on the table. "If y'all need anything else, I'm Sam. Feel free to holler," she stated and shot a wink at Hunk before she sauntered off.

Lance's jaw about hit the tabletop as he looked over at Hunk. "Tell me my eyes are deceiving me. She did not just wink at you…"

Hunk shrugged and shot Lance a wicked grin of his own. "I don't know, man. Maybe you need to work on your skills," he teased and popped a ranch coated fry into his mouth and winked at him. "Seems like you're getting' rusty, old man."

Lance shook his head and scowled at Hunk. "Man, I am not too much older than you are, big guy," he muttered, dragging his fry through some ketchup. "And I'm sure as hell not rusty, either."

"Back to the subject, please?" Allura murmured, rolling her eyes at the men's antics.

Color flared in the bigger man's cheeks. "Sorry, Princess," Hunk stated. He leaned forward. "Last we heard he was on the outskirts of the Milky Way, seeing what he could get from some former Alliance officer. Rumor had it this guy was real tight with Wade until he realized Wade's priorities were money driven. Once he found out, he threatened to turn Wade in. Soon after he was kicked out. Bad Conduct Discharge."

Allura shook her head and frowned. "So, that is what this is about. He wants to dismiss Voltron as unreliable technology and build an arsenal to sell to the masses?"

"That's what it looks like from what we're seeing," Pidge agreed.

"But, our biggest question is, why did he take Black?" Lance stated. He shook his head. "It doesn't make sense. If he wanted to mothball Voltron, why take Black?"

Allura bowed her head. "To try and copy the technology," she whispered. She looked up into Lance's brown eyes. "But, it's part magic, Lance. You just can't duplicate the magic with machinery…"

Lance, Hunk and Pidge nodded. "We know, Princess," Lance murmured. "But, if what he has heard is true, it won't stop Wade from trying."

Allura sighed heavily and looked down at her half eaten burger. "That is just disconcerting," she murmured and shook her head. "If he does manage to replicate Black…"

"Well, it's only been a year," Pidge stated, taking a swig of his Baltan Ale. "Even I couldn't learn everything about the Lions in a year. And you know how smart I am."

Allura nodded thoughtfully. "True," she agreed. "Damn it. Why did he have to be such a greedy bastard?" she snarled, slapping her hand down onto the table.

The men all shot surprised looks at each other at her outburst. "Hey, you know what? Let's talk more about this tomorrow. You just got in. How about we go back there and kick someone's ass at pool?" Lance offered, nodding towards the other corner where the pool tables were.

Allura nodded. "Sounds good to me," she stated, getting to her feet.

"Hunk and I will play some darts," Pidge stated, glancing over at Hunk, who nodded in agreement.

"All right," Lance stated and got to his feet. He followed Allura to the pool tables, his beer in his hand.

Allura found a table and smiled at the two men who were playing. "My friend and I would like to play. Teams?" she offered.

The two men looked at each other, then back to her and Lance. One nodded. "Sure, why not. Especially for a pretty lady like you," he purred.

Allura smiled. "Thanks," she answered. She and Lance found a couple of cues and the other two men gathered the balls and racked them.

Lance leaned closer to her. "You sure about this?" he murmured. He looked at the two men they were about to play. "They seem really drunk."

Allura smiled up at him. "Then it should be an easy win," she answered. "And we'll get the table."

The two men finished racking the balls and turned to smile at Allura. "Ladies first," the one purred.

Allura blushed. "Thanks," she murmured.

"So, what are your names?" the other one asked. "I'm Josh and this is Larry."

"I'm Ally," Allura stated. She waved at Lance.

"Lance," he answered with a nod.

"Well, it's nice to meet you," Larry stated with a nod. "Shall we?" he asked and waved to the table.

Allura hefted her cue and lined up her shot. The balls broke all over the table with a resounding crack.

Lance frowned as he watched Larry lean against the wall behind Allura as she made her shot. He saw the hungry look in his eyes as he admired her behind. He blew out a long breath, but didn't say anything.

"Nice break," Josh stated as he moved to take his shot.

"Thank you," Allura answered and moved to stand next to Lance.

"Larry was eyeing your ass like it was a chocolate bar," Lance whispered, barely moving his lips.

Allura looked up at him and arched a perfect eyebrow in curiosity. "Really?"

Lance gave her a slight nod.

She shrugged. "Looking is one thing. If he touches, I'll break this cue over his skull," she assured him.

Lance chuckled and nodded again. "That's my girl," he stated and moved away from the wall as Josh failed to sink a ball. He sunk three balls before having to turn the table over to Larry.

"Nice job," Larry stated. He studied the table for a couple of moments before trying and failing to make his shot. "Damn."

Allura moved to the table and sank two more balls before Larry moved behind her and touched her backside. She gasped and stood up straight, spun and slapped him across the face.

Larry growled and raised his hand to strike her back when Lance grabbed his wrist. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," Lance growled softly.

Larry dropped his cue and balled up his fist, slamming it into Lance's nose.

"Ow! You son of a…" Lance cursed, slamming Larry into the wall.

Josh blinked in shock for a moment before he jumped over the table to help his friend.

Allura broke her cue over her knee, spun so her back was to Lance's and held up the broken cue in a defensive pose. She blocked several of Josh's punches that he threw. "Hunk! Pidge!" she called.

Hunk turned from pulling his darts out of the dart board when he heard his name called and the sounds of a fight started coming from behind him. "Shit," he muttered, dropping the darts onto a nearby table. "We're comin'," he called as he started towards the fight.

Pidge pulled several throwing stars out of a pocket and threw one at one of Lance and Allura's attackers, pinning Larry's arm to the concrete wall behind him.

"What the…" Larry cried out, turning to see the gleaming star in his shirtsleeve. His eyes narrowed as he saw Pidge and Hunk moving closer. He snarled and head butted Lance.

Lance saw red and slammed his fist into Larry's gut before he slammed Larry's head into the concrete wall, effectively knocking Larry out. He panted as he looked at his unconscious attacker. He turned in time to see Hunk toss Josh across the pool table and out the door. He grinned. "I love having you around, Hunk," he stated clapping the bigger man on the shoulder.

Hunk grinned. "Always happy to lend a hand," he stated. He nodded towards the door. "I think we should get out of here before the cops show up, though."

Pidge pulled his throwing star out of the wall and nodded. "Let's go," he stated.

Allura dropped the broken cue and followed the men out of the bar.

X x x x x x

Hunk and Pidge led the way into a hidden storage room deep under the Academy's Flight building.

"Welcome to The Den," Pidge declared as he flipped on the light switch. "It isn't as fancy as the Control Room, but it serves its purpose," he continued as he made his way to the massive computer terminal that dominated one side of the room.

Allura blinked in surprise. "Wow. You guys have been busy," she murmured.

"Yeah," Hunk agreed. "But, it's been worth it."

Allura turned to look at Lance and winced. "Is there a first aid kit somewhere, Hunk?" she asked, looking back to him.

Hunk nodded. "Was going after it," he stated as he pulled open a metal locker. He grabbed the kit and moved over to the table where Lance was leaning, his head tipped back. "Nice bloody nose, Lance."

Lance groaned. "It isn't broken," he assured them. "Just bleeding like mad."

"Yeah," Hunk agreed. "And you're probably going to have one hell of a black eye. If not two," he stated as he pulled out some gauze.

Lance took the gauze and pressed it to his nose. "I don't care about the black eyes unless they're swollen shut. If I can't see to fly, then there is a problem," he stated. "Ugh. Why did they have to grab your ass, Allura? That is the quickest way to get someone's ass kicked."

Allura giggled softly. "I can tell you're feeling better," she stated. She reached over and picked up a packet of aspirin and opened it. "Here," she stated, dropping the pills into his hand. "They won't knock you out, but they will help."

Lance grimaced and turned his brown eyes to her. "You know I hate pills."

Allura nodded. "I know. Take them. Please?"

Lance groaned, but did as she asked.

She gently kissed his cheek. "Good boy," she whispered.

He shot her a dirty look. "Hey!"

"We've got an incoming message," Pidge stated, his fingers flying over his keyboard.

"Stalker calling The Den," came Keith's voice over the static ridden channel.

"This is The Den. Go ahead, Stalker," Pidge answered. He kept his eyes glued on a particular screen that was flashing green.

"Good to hear your voice, Brainiac," Keith stated.

Pidge grinned and nodded. "Same here, Stalker. What news?"

"Small pot of gold at the end of the rainbow," Keith answered.

Allura shot a puzzled look to Lance.

He leaned closer. "Means the lead panned out. He got some information out of it."

Allura nodded.

"I will be following the breadcrumbs to see where it leads," Keith added. "How about you?"

"Still nothing here," Pidge answered. "We think we know where the four are. Hiding in plain sight. Will be waiting for the opportune moment to retrieve them."

"Good idea, wouldn't want to tip your hand just yet," Keith agreed. "How is Fairy Tale?"

Pidge glanced back towards Allura and Lance. "Fairy Tale is fine," he answered, turning his gaze back to the monitor before him. "Sends regards."

Allura blinked, shooting a puzzled look at Lance. "What?"

"You," Lance answered. "We all have code names. I'm Hot Head. Hunk is The Big Guy."

Allura blushed. "I see," she murmured. She turned her attention back to his nose. "Has it stopped bleeding yet?"

"Not quite," he answered.

"All right, Stalker. Den out," Pidge stated as the connection was terminated.

"That wasn't very long," Allura observed.

"We have to keep transmissions short," Pidge answered, his fingers still flying over the keyboard before him. "Just because we're flying under Wade's radar for the moment, doesn't mean he won't eventually find out about us."

Allura nodded. "Can you set an alternate terminal up on Arus for when you three come to visit?" she asked.

Pidge blinked, turned and looked at her. "I could, yes," he stated. "And it might not be such a bad idea, either. It would help keep you informed." He nodded, turned and started typing furiously. "I'll need to requisition more parts and stuff, but that is an excellent idea."

Lance chuckled and shook his head. "As if Pidge didn't already have enough on his plate," he muttered.

"I'm overly bored with the cadets in my classes," Pidge answered. "The only one even close to being worth anything in the class is still carrying a B minus."

Lance grinned. "Pidge doesn't give a grading curve like other instructors. You either get it, or you don't."

"Computers aren't that forgiving, why should we be?" Pidge asked as he typed in a few more commands. He spun in his seat and gave a wicked grin. "Parts should start arriving on Arus within the week, Princess. Just store them until my next visit."

"Where would you like them stored? Your room?" she asked.

Pidge nodded. "It would keep suspicions down should any Alliance personnel happen to visit," he agreed.

"Very well," Allura stated. "Well, it is getting late and I should head back to my hotel." She looked to Lance and grimaced. "Escort me back?"

Lance nodded and dropped the gauze into a trash bin. "Yeah. Nose has stopped bleeding. Good timing."

He led her out of the Academy building and out to the streets. Once off the base, he offered her his arm, which she accepted.

Allura sighed and looked up at the few stars she could see with all the city lighting. "Do you really think he'll find Black any time soon?"

Lance grimaced. "I'm really not sure, Allura," he confessed. "He's gotten so few leads and the few that do pan out go cold after awhile. If he doesn't find Black soon, we may never find him."

Allura's gaze dropped to the sidewalk and she held her other hand up to her face, over her mouth and nose.

Lance cringed. "I'm sorry, that wasn't meant to upset you. It's just… Hell, it's the truth of the matter and I figured you wouldn't want me to sugar coat it for you."

"No, no, Lance. I appreciate your honesty. I just…wasn't quite expecting it to hurt that much," she murmured. She lowered her free hand and laid it on her other hand that poked out of the crook of his arm.

"You know he will find Black, Allura. He'll find it or he'll die trying," Lance assured her.

"I hope it doesn't come to that, Lance," she murmured.

"I don't either, I'm just stating another fact," he stated as they walked into her hotel. He looked down at her. "So, should I leave you here or…"

"No, please, come up. I would like to talk some more," she stated. She led him over to the elevators and pressed the button.

The ride up to the penthouse suite was quick, but the two were silent the whole way up.

When the doors slid open, Lance's jaw dropped open. The first thing he saw was the wide expanse of windows on the far side of the room. The room was up high enough over the city to where most of the stars were visible. "Wow, nice view," he murmured.

Allura nodded. "I like looking at the stars, finding where Arus would be in the sky," she stated. She moved to the bar and poured two fingers of whiskey into a pair of tumblers. She picked them up and took one to Lance. "It's a different version of Jack Daniels," she stated. "I find it is smoother."

Lance sniffed it before he took a sip. "Oh, that is nice," he murmured. "It's their honey brand."

Allura smiled. "Yes," she agreed. She moved to the couch that faced the windows and sat down.

Lance followed, but didn't sit on the couch. He stood at the glass looking outside. "Well, you heard from the man himself," he stated. "He's all right. He's got a decent lead and is acting on it. Maybe this one will pan out and we can get it back where it belongs."

Allura sighed and leaned back on the couch. "Yeah. Or it could just be another dead end. What will he do then?'

Lance grinned and turned to face her. "What he's been doing. Going to seedy bars and listening. He's got a great ear for the truth."

Allura nodded and took a big sip of the bourbon. "I just…I wish he was here, Lance. And Black… And the keys…" She set her glass down and held her head in her hands.

Lance frowned before he moved to the couch and sat beside her. "Hey, don't cry. It isn't your fault or anyone else's that Black and the keys are gone. Well, except for Wade. Totally his fault," Lance stated.

Allura turned to him, laying her head on his shoulder. "I don't care. I just want what belongs to Arus back. If I had proof that he took them, I'd confront him and demand it back. The loss of Arus as an ally in the Denubian would be a great threat to the stability of the Alliance in that sector…" She balled up her fist and gently hit Lance in the shoulder as she said the last few words.

"Hey, hey," Lance soothed. "Let's not be too rash here, Allura." He gently rubbed her back. "We'll find Black and all the evidence we need to bring Wade down in good time. You just have to have patience and act like everything is hunkey dorey."

Allura raised her head and stared at him, a disbelieving look in her emerald eyes.

Lance gave her a cocky grin. "It sounded good to me," he stated, shrugging one shoulder.

Allura sat up and reached for her glass. She downed the rest of it in one swallow. She looked at him. "More?"

He downed the rest of his glass. "Sure. Might as well bring the bottle over here, though," he stated. "From the looks of your face, we'll need the rest of the bottle."

She nodded, stood and moved to the bar, bringing the bottle back over with her.

X x x x x x

Lance downed the rest of the amber liquid in his glass and looked at the blond woman sleeping on his shoulder beside him. He set the glass down and laid his head on the back of the couch to stare up at the ceiling. She'd gone on and on about how much she missed Keith, how much she hated him for leaving like he had, how she admired him for going out to do what he was doing. It was a confusing jumble of emotions.

"Keith, remind me to punch you at least once for making me sit though all these female emotions that you put her through," he slurred to the ceiling. Then he closed his eyes and fell asleep.