Don't own 'em. Never will…..

-

Keith squinted his eyes open. The bright sun shining in through the window made him shut them again. He waited a moment longer, then opened them once more. An intoxicating scent drifted his way. Looking around, he spied a cup of coffee sitting in a thermal warmer on his night table. Grabbing it, he gulped it down. Sighing, Keith sat back in contentment. He then noticed the note leaning against the warmer. Smiling, he picked it up and stated to read.

Keith,

I have to meet with the Council most of the day.

I would much rather be spending it with you! Wehave a lot of catching up to do.

Meet you for dinner? I love you.

Allura

P.S. Enjoy the coffee!

Keith smiled again, and carefully put the note in his table drawer. Groaning, he stretched his arms over his head, and got to his feet. Glancing at the clock, he noticed it was almost noon. Keith made his way to the shower. Stepping out a few minutes later, Keith quickly got dressed and headed to the Cafeteria. He had just sat down at a table, sipping his second cup of coffee when he heard the door open.

"Well, well, look who decided to come home!" Hunk Packard called out.

"About time you got here Keith!" Pidge Yvontil added.

Keith turned to face his friends. Everyone looked shocked for a minute at his new haircut. Keith braced himself for the inevitable.

"Why Captain! You clean up very nicely!" Lance Harrison quipped, running his fingers over Keith's head.

"You look like a shorn sheep!" Hunk laughed.

Keith rolled his eyes. "Guess you guys don't want the presents I brought for you."

"Presents! What presents!" Pidge exclaimed.

Keith took another sip of coffee. "That's OK, I'm sure I could give them to some one else."

Hunk and Lance looked at each other, then grabbed their Captain under the arms and hoisted Keith to his feet. "You were saying?" Hunk asked.

Keith laughed and shook his arms free. "Come on. I need help unpacking anyway." He led them down to the flight pad. Conrad was already there, taking boxes out of the ship.

"Morning Captain Montgomery. Want these anyplace special?" Conrad asked.

"My quarters will be fine Ensign. Thanks." They all grabbed a box or two and made their way to Keith and Allura's room.

Hunk looked around. "Hmmm….Pidge, Conrad, and I can get the rest in one more trip. You find our presents." He and the others left for more boxes.

Lance turned to Keith. "So, how did it go back home?"

Keith shook his head. "Not too bad I guess. They made me give a lecture at the Academy." He grimaced.

Lance laughed. "You? In front of an assembly! Wish I could have seen it!"

Keith glared at his friend. "Very funny." He sighed. "I managed to keep Arus in control of Voltron. It wasn't easy."

"Why? The Alliance doesn't own him. How can they hope to give Allura orders?" Lance asked.

"Arus is part of the Alliance now. They made us a formal member. They're hoping Allura will let Galaxy Garrison call the shots."

Lance snorted. "Fat chance there. She won't listen to you, what makes G.G. think she'll listen to them?"

"I agree there. Anyway, they backed down. For now."

"You think they'll try again?"

Keith nodded. "I know they will."

Lance sighed. "What about old grape-face?"

Keith scowled. "He got life in prison."

"WHAT! I thought they were pushing for the death penalty?" Lance said incredulously.

"I know." Keith shook his head. "The Alliance Tribunal decided that executing Lotor 'Might cause irreparable damage to our relationship with the Druhle Empire.' Hell Lance, I hadn't realized we had a relationship!"

Lance scowled and paced the room. "So where are they keeping him?"

"Mars Base. There is no way for any sympathizers to get to him."

"Sympathizers? Really?"

Keith nodded. "Tons of them. Picketing outside Headquarters." Keith sighed and sat down on one of the boxes. "I really wanted him dead Lance. And not just for Allura's sake."

Lance walked over and put his hand on Keith's shoulder. "I know. I did too."

"I told them it was a bad idea. Christ, the leader of the Druhle Empire gave us permission to do what we wanted!" Keith got up and walked over to the window. "I wasn't even allowed to testify. They told me I was too close to the situation, and that Hazar's control was slipping anyway. That we couldn't afford any incidents."

"You have got to be kidding me! What did Dad have to say?"

"He told them they were all a bunch of idiots and fools and walked out of the Tribunal. I left soon after him."

Lance was quiet for a moment. "Keith…this doesn't feel right. I've had a bad feeling for about a while now."

Damn. Keith looked at his friend. He hated Lance's 'feelings.' "Let's hope you're wrong Lance."

They both looked up as Hunk, Pidge, and Conrad came into the room, carrying the last of Keith's boxes. "Whew Skipper! What is all this stuff?" Hunk asked.

"Thanks guys." Said Keith, walking over and kneeling in front of one of the boxes. "Just some things I cleaned out of my old house back on Earth." He said quietly.

Lance exchanged looks with Hunk and Pidge. Conrad, sensing tension, waved and headed out the door. After he left, Lance turned to his friend. "Keith?"

Keith looked up and smiled. "It's OK Lance. Really." He picked up a smaller box. "Here Hunk, this is for you."

Hunk took the box and looked inside. "Skipper! This is a whole case of Earth chocolate bars!" He grinned.

"Yes it is Hunk. You're favorite kind. Enjoy!" He next handed a package to Pidge, who tore into it eagerly.

"Books! The Sci-Fi series I like! I didn't know these had been published yet Keith!" Pidge told him excitedly.

"They haven't Pidge. Being a Voltron Captain has its advantages sometimes." Keith said winking.

Pidge hugged Keith tightly. "Thanks Keith! This is great!" He sat down on Keith and Allura's couch, and started into a book. Hunk tore open one of his candy bars, and closed his eyes in ecstasy.

Lance grinned at Keith. "Well, Cap, got anything for me?" Lance asked him mischievously.

"Hmmmm...Let's see...I might have some dirty laundry around here somewhere." Keith ducked as Lance threw an empty box at him. Keith pulled an envelope out of his briefcase and handed it to Lance. "Here you go."

Lance looked confused. "What is this? They get books and chocolate and I get a lousy envelope? Keith, I thought we were friends." He teased.

"Just open it wise ass." Keith told him.

Lance opened it and read the letter inside. He had to read it twice before it sank in. "Keith…This-this is a month's leave."

Keith grinned. "I know."

"But-but…" Lance stammered.

Keith walked over and faced his friend. "It's not everyday that your little sister graduates with top honors from the Academy."

Lance's eyes filled with unshed tears. He held out his hand. Keith grasped it, then pulled Lance into a hug. "Keith, I don't know how to thank-you." He whispered.

"None needed Brother." Keith released his friend. "Besides, when is the last time you took any time for yourself? People will start comparing you to me."

Lance grinned. "Now that's a fate worse than death!" Lance made himself comfortable on the couch next to Pidge. "So Cap, tell us about the hair."

Keith blushed. "I just figured it was time for a change."

Lance winked at Hunk. "A certain Princess had nothing to do with it of course."

Keith glared at Lance. Everyone laughed. Keith shook his head. "So what have you three been up to while I was gone?"

Pidge looked up from him book. "I've been working on the Lions. I put a remote control frequency in them." He reached into his pocket and pulled out Keith's key to Black Lion. "Here. Take a look." Pidge tossed the key to Keith.

Keith looked at it closely. A new button had been added to the center. "How does it work?"

"You just push the button, and your Lion will activate and come to where ever you are. I haven't perfected it yet. The range is still only less than five kilometers." Pidge told him.

"Five kilometers! Pidge, that's great!" Keith said. Pidge beamed. "What else is new?" Hunk glanced at Lance, who looked away. Pidge quickly dropped his eyes back to his book. "What?" Keith demanded.

Lance sighed. "The Alliance pulled the Space Force off Arus."

"They did WHAT!"

Hunk nodded. "The Princess was pretty angry. Seems that the Council had been talking to the brass behind her back, and together they made the decision to send them home. She wasn't happy."

"How did they get away with it?" Keith demanded.

"Keith, Arus is no longer at war. The monarch's power is not absolute any more. Allura has to get a two-thirds majority now." Lance said wearily.

Keith scowled. "Damn politics. Why didn't she tell me? Why didn't any of you?"

"Keith, what could you have done? You were on Earth. Allura figured you had enough going on than to bother you with all this. What's done is done." Lance told him.

"They're trying to get her to postpone the wedding too." Pidge added.

Keith whirled. "What did you say?" He asked in a deadly voice.

Pidge gulped, his hazel eyes wide. Hunk spoke up. "The Council thinks the Princess shouldn't rush into a wedding. They're trying to get her to accept a few more suitors."

Keith's eyes went dark with anger. "Does everyone feel that way?"

Lance shook his head. "Hell no Cap. The people of Arus love the two of you. Their Princess and their savior. It's the damn Council that's giving her all the trouble."

"Not to worry. The Princess had her mind made up. She loves you Keith." Pidge told him. "Besides, when Coran found out about all this, he made a speech of his own."

Keith relaxed a little. "What kind of speech?" He asked.

"Not sure of the exact wording, but something along the lines of it's the Princess's right to choose her consort, and Arus would be lucky to find any Prince nobler than you. After all, take a look at the last Prince who wanted her hand?" Lance said.

"Yeah, Lotor wanted alot more than her hand." Hunk added.

"Besides, she threatened to step down from the throne. They really started to panic then. Guess she really loves you Keith." Pidge said grinning.

Keith sighed, the last of his anger melting away. "Thanks guys."

Lance grinned up at him. "What are friends for?"

Keith rolled his eyes. "All right, get out of here and let me unpack. I shudder to think of what Nanny will do to me if she comes in here and finds this mess."

Everyone laughed and headed for the door. "Besides, get some rest. Lion Practice at 5:00 AM tomorrow." He finished.

They all groaned. "Aww Keith…." Pidge wailed.

"I knew it was too good to last." Hunk sighed. Together they left the room.

Lance looked at Keith. "You're serious aren't you?" Keith nodded. Lance sighed and turned to leave. "Hey, do Mom and Dad know about my leave?" He asked.

Keith shook his head. "Nope. I haven't see Uncle Alex since he stormed out of the hearing. I've spent the last three weeks at the house, sorting stuff."

Lance grinned. "I think I'll wait until they get here. Sort of surprise them." Lance headed for the door. "See ya Cap. Thanks again." Lance left. Keith smiled to himself and turned to his unpacking.