I make no claims to Voltron or any WEP characters used within this story.

Enjoy Chapter 2


Two weeks later during practice, Keith is getting frustrated with Allura and is about to lose his temper, "Princess, where is your head?"

Allura looks over at the video comlink in her lion and sees Keith's irritated face. Keith glares at her, "Have you listened to a single order I've given you today or are you making stuff up as you go along?"

Allura looks away from the screen, "I'm doing the best I can Keith."

Keith snorts, "Return the lion to its lair, I'll speak with you when we are on the ground." and shuts off the connection between them.

Allura closes her eyes briefly, anxiety making her feel sick, and turns Blue towards the castle. As she exits the launch tube Keith is standing in front of her, arms crossed, glaring at her. Allura steps forward and attempts to walk past him before he grabs her arm, forcing her to turn and face him.

She looks at him briefly then looks past him to see Coran and the others watching the confrontation. She pulls her arm away from Keith and he starts, "In the last month you've continuously failed to follow orders and almost caused a head on crash with Pidge's lion today. You've been argumentative and impossible to deal with. What is going on with you?"

Allura looks at him briefly then turns to walk away again stopping only when she hears his voice again, "Princess Allura until further notice you are grounded."

Allura turns around, eyes wide, shocked and Keith continues, "You are putting everyone's lives in danger up there and I can't allow that."

Face pale, her eyes tearing up Allura pulls the lion key off her uniform and throws it at Keith's face, which he catches, before turning around and running out of castle control. Keith's face is impassive as he turns to Coran, "Please contact Sven Coran and ask him to come to Arus. We will need him to take the Princess' place for now."

Hunk and Pidge look at Lance as Keith walks out of the room. Pidge is the first to speak, "I can't believe he grounded her."

Lance shakes his head, "If it had been one of performing like that we would have been grounded a long time ago and he would be kicking our ass in the gym right now." He sighs as he wanders out of castle control.

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Lance wanders down the hall but instead of heading to his room he finds his way out into the garden, locating the person he is looking for. Allura is sitting on a bench crying as Lance approaches her and sits beside her.

Lance touches her shoulder and she pulls away from him. He sighs, "You used to talk to me…"

Allura looks back at him then turns away again, "You used to have time to talk to me."

Lance snorts in disgust, "Princess I always have time to talk to you. All you ever need to do is ask."

She sits up and wipes her face, "I take it you haven't noticed how your wife dislikes you spending time with me?"

Lance sits back further away from her, "Allura this isn't about me or Christine. Your behavior has changed a lot in the last month, why?"

Allura glares at him, gets up and leaves the garden. Lance watches her go then starts when he hears Keith behind him, "Did she tell you anything?"

Lance wheels around, "You really have to quit sneaking up on people like that…"

Keith looks at him briefly then back to the door Allura just went through, "Lance…something has been bothering her for some time…did she tell you anything?"

Lance sighs, "No, just some garbage about Christine not liking me spending time talking to her."

Keith shakes his head, "She has a point…"

Lance looks up at him, "What the hell do you mean by that comment?"

Keith sighs, "Just something I heard Beth and Christine talking about, something I wasn't supposed to hear…"

Lance grimaces, "I'm going to have to speak to Christine about it…"

Keith grabs his shoulder, "Leave it alone for now. Sven is bringing Romelle along. Hopefully she will be able to figure out what is going on with the princess."

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Two days later, Keith stands on the tarmac as the shuttle from Planet Pollux lands. Romelle and Sven exit the shuttle and Keith greets them as they approach, "Welcome."

Sven shakes Keith's hand and then pulls him into a hug. Romelle hugs Keith next then looks around, "Where is Allura?"

Keith grimaces as he looks away, "In her room to my knowledge. Since I grounded her we haven't seen her."

Sven's eyebrows go up as Romelle's expression turns worried, "She has hidden herself away?"

Keith runs his hand through his hair agitated, "Princess Romelle, Princess Allura's behavior has become more and more perplexing and disturbing the last couple of months. She won't tell any of us what is bothering her and believe me I've tried several times to get her to open up. I finally had to ground her when she almost caused a crash in the lions."

Keith sighs and stares at her intently, "I am hoping she will tell you what is going on with her because I am at my wits end."

Romelle nods to him and turns to Sven, "I'm going to go to her. I'll see you later." Sven nods at her, kisses her cheek then watches her walk away. Sven turns to Keith, "How long do you expect us to stay?"

Keith shakes his head, "I have no idea Sven. I am hoping Romelle can figure out what is wrong with Allura soon. But I can't trust her to fly the lions the way she is currently."

Sven nods at him, "Well let's go in so I can say hello to everyone else. I need to congratulate Lance on finally joining the ranks of the married."

Keith laughs and Sven turns his gaze back to him, "Speaking of joining the ranks, I hear you have a girlfriend these days as well. Thinking of joining the club?"

Keith smiles at him, "I've given it some thought yes…but haven't made a decision yet."

Sven arches a brow at him, "Typical Keith…needs to analyze every aspect of it before making a decision."

Keith laughs, "Enough old friend, let's go inside." Sven smiles at him and they walk into the castle together.

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Romelle approaches Allura's bedroom door and knocks. When she doesn't hear anything she knocks again, "Allura, it's me Romelle. May I come in?"

Still silence, perplexed Romelle presses the button for the door and walks in when it opens. Romelle looks around the room a bit shocked to see Allura lying in her bed. Romelle approaches the bed, "Allura?"

She steps around the bed and looks at Allura. She is under the covers, still in her nightgown, "Allura are you alright?"

Allura slowly opens her eyes and Romelle is shocked by how red and despondent they are. Tears form once more and escape them as Allura closes her eyes again and pushes her face into her pillow. Romelle sits down on the bed beside her and touches her cheek, "Allura! What's wrong?"

A sob escapes from Allura as Romelle lies down on the bed and wraps she arms around Allura as she continues to cry. Once Allura quiets down Romelle strokes her hair, "Sweetheart, please talk to me. What's wrong?"

Allura pulls back from Romelle, "They don't want me anymore."

Romelle looks at her confused, "Who doesn't want you?"

Allura sniffles and sits up away from Romelle, "They threw me off the force."

Romelle sits up and touches her cheek, "Allura it isn't because they don't want you. Keith is very concerned about you." Romelle studies her face closely, "What else is wrong Allura? You are very pale, are you feeling alright?"

Allura shakes her head and lies back on the pillows, "I've felt sick the last two days."

Romelle's eyebrows draw together in concern, "Have you seen Dr. Gorma?"

Allura shakes her head again, "I don't want to see Dr. Gorma."

Romelle sighs, then studies her face once more, "Alright, it's probably just the stress. But Allura, something else is wrong. Keith and the others have all noticed something is bothering you and it's affecting everything Allura."

Allura closes her eyes, "Nothing is wrong. I just don't feel well right now." She turns away from Romelle and becomes quiet. Romelle strokes hair back once more, "Alright Allura, I'll let you rest. I'll see you later."

Romelle gets up from the bed and leaves the room. She walks down to Keith's office and knocks on the door. Upon hearing, "Enter" she opens the door to find Sven, Lance and Keith sitting around Keith's desk.

The men stand as she enters the room and Romelle walks over to Sven who wraps an arm around her waist and kisses her forehead. Romelle sighs and rests her head on Sven's shoulder for a moment then turns back to the others in the room. She smiles, "Hi Lance." then steps forward and hugs him. She steps back still smiling, "Congratulations on the marriage."

Lance smiles his thanks then loses the smile, "Did she tell you anything?"

Romelle nods her head, "Well…the reason you haven't seen her for two days is it seems she has some type of flu bug. But she is upset thinking you don't want her on the force anymore."

Keith stays silent as Lance snorts and rolls his eyes, "She should know better than that."

Romelle shrugs then studies both of them, "Have you told her that?"

Keith looks a bit uncomfortable, "We haven't exactly had a chance to talk to her Romelle…"

Lance snorts again, "And when we have tried to talk to her she has bit our heads off."

Romelle sighs, "Well, when she is feeling better I'll try talking to her again."

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Two days later, Allura finally leaves her room and walks toward the dining room for breakfast. As she enters the room Romelle smiles at her and crosses the room to hug her, "I'm glad you are up and about. Are you feeling better?"

Allura nods and turns as Sven walks up to her and gives her a hug, "Good morning…sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well."

Allura smiles tentatively at him, "Thanks Sven…" then turns away. Sven continues to study her as she walks with Romelle across the room and takes her seat. Keith walks over to Sven and whispers, "She still looks pretty ill."

Sven nods as Keith walks away and sits down across from Allura. He manages to catch her eyes and smiles at her, "Good morning Princess."

Allura studies him for a moment then speaks quietly, "Good morning Keith." before looking back down at her plate. Keith sighs and tries again, "Feeling better?"

Allura raises her eyes to him again, "I'm fine." Keith holds her gaze, "I'm glad." and smiles at her once more. Allura nods at him then turns away.

After breakfast Keith says Allura's name as she is about to walk out with Romelle. She turns to face him, "Stay for a moment Princess. I want a word."

Romelle smiles encouragingly at her and takes Sven's elbow exiting the room. Keith waits till everyone else has left and then sits back down at the table and gestures to Allura to join him. Allura slowly sits back down at the table then looks at Keith apprehensively.

Keith studies her pales face then sighs, "Princess the suspension isn't permanent. I want you to get well and figure out what is bothering you."

Allura looks away from him, "Nothing is bothering me."

Keith finally gets angry, "Bullshit Allura." Allura's eyes are shocked as she looks back up at Keith, he never swears at her. He reaches forward and grabs her shoulders, the look in his eyes furious, "Allura something has been bothering you for the last couple of months and it's affecting your ability to do your job. That is why I suspended you."

Allura's eyes fill with tears as she looks away from him. Keith sighs again, releases her and sits back in his chair again, "I'm your friend Princess and all I want is for you to be well again. But you of all people know how dangerous flying those lions is and you need your mind on flying while you are flying."

He leans forward once more and pulls her chin toward him so she faces him, "I still want you on the force Allura, but you need to prove to me that you can fly without putting everyone in danger. When you can do that you can have Blue back. Alright?"

Allura nods then gets up and leaves the room. Keith watches her go then looks out the windows of the dining room lost in thought.

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Over the next two weeks, Romelle tries off and on to get Allura to talk to her. But every time she brings up the subject Allura becomes quiet or walks away from Romelle. Romelle lies in Sven's arms one night and growls out her frustration, "Keith is right Sven, something is bothering Allura, but I'll be damned if I can get her to talk to me about it."

Sven arches a brow at her language, "Ok…since you are swearing I take it you are frustrated…" then grunts when Romelle slaps his chest, "Ok, very frustrated." Romelle sits up and looks into his face, "Unless you have some wise idea to get Allura to talk I don't need smart aleck comments Sven."

Sven sighs and then leans up and kisses her lips. He moves his hand from her back and pushes his fingers in to her hair massaging her scalp. Romelle closes her eyes and sighs then lies back down on Sven's chest. She listens to the sound of Sven's heartbeat as he kisses the top of her head. He moves his hand from her hair down along her back again, "Maybe you just need to be patient with her Romelle. Allura will talk to you when she is ready."

Romelle kisses his chest and sighs again, "It's just I know how much she wants to fly again Sven."

Sven sighs as Romelle's hands move along his body, "I'll talk to Keith and see if we can get her up into Blue for a day as a Christmas gift. It might help encourage her a bit."

Romelle pushes herself back up and straddles Sven, smiling down into his face as his hands move along her sides, "It would lift her spirits a bit that's for sure. You are such a sweet man for thinking of it." She teases him as she moves her hips against him while lowering herself to kiss him.

Sven groans and flips them over so he is lying on top of her, "Now for you to lift my spirits my love…" Romelle laughs as Sven finds her lips and takes them to heaven.

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As Christmas nears, Keith is full of anticipation. Although the holiday is not one normally celebrated on Arus, Princess Allura has always had the rec room decorated with a tree for the force so they may follow their tradition. Keith looks at the small box in his hand and smiles. He enters the rec room and places it under the tree then looks up at the clock. Beth is supposed to arrive shortly for Christmas dinner and then the group will open gifts.

Dinner is a very festive affair, everyone is in high spirits. Nanny had outdone herself on the meal leaving everyone full and half asleep by the end of dessert. The group leaves the dining room for the rec room and Lance pulls his wife under the mistletoe kissing her soundly to the laughter of the group.

Allura sits on the couch beside Romelle and Sven smiling at Lance's antics. He has really become a different person since marrying Christine… Her gaze shifts to Keith who is whispering in Beth's ear and the smile leaves Allura's face as a becoming blush crosses Beth's cheeks. Allura looks away and tries to smile as Pidge approaches her with a gift from him and Hunk.

Allura watches as Pidge continues to take gifts from under the tree passing them around to the different people in the room. Romelle interrupts her thoughts as she holds out a beautiful bracelet that Sven has given her. Allura smiles at her cousin and compliments Sven on the gift then turns to the loud exclamation coming from across the room.

Keith is smiling into Beth's face as she looks at the ring that was his gift to her. He takes it from her and bends down on one knee in front of her, "Marry me?"

Beth jumps into Keith's arms kissing him, "Yes, yes, yes!"

Everyone stands up and surrounds the couple, Lance exclaiming, "It's about time!" as congratulations continue to flow to the newly engaged couple. Allura turns her back on the group and slowly tries to make her way to the door through the blur of the tears in her eyes. She pauses by a table as she becomes dizzy and the world goes dark as she falls to the floor.

"ALLURA!" Romelle's shout turns every head in the room as she kneels on the floor beside her unconscious cousin. Sven walks quickly beside her, bends down picking up Allura and racing out of the room with her, taking her to MedTech.