Bonds of Love

By Lynne (aka KittyLynne)

Disclaimer: Voltron and its characters are the property of World Events Productions. I am not writing this story for profit. The original characters, prose and plots created for this fiction are my creative property and should not be reproduced in any form without my written permission.

Chapter ThreeEncounters of the Unexpected Kind

Allura stood in her chambers and smoothed down the skirt of the gown Nanny had chosen.

All of her excitement over wearing something new had been tempered by thoughts of the reasons for her behavior with Keith in the hallway. What had possessed her to provoke him? Why had she pushed so hard for a reaction when the barrier he had erected between them was firmly in place? Why was it so important to know that he saw her a woman?

So many questions…and all were answered when she thought of the scorching perusal that had made her knees tremble and her heart pound. In those few precious, unforgettable moments she had sensed the deep passion burning inside Keith, felt it hanging heavy in the air, seen it reflected in his coal dark eyes.

It had thrilled her to the core of her being, and she had responded instinctively, only to have the door to his thoughts slammed in her face. His wariness was a palpable thing, a tangible wall between them. She had felt like a silly little girl being reprimanded for overstepping her boundaries as she had scurried back to her room, a state of being created by his rejection.

Had he retreated because she had given her emerging feelings for him away? But what was wrong with that? Why couldn't she show it by inviting him to hold her like any other male would?

What was wrong with him that he couldn't?

In spite of her wondering, there was one thing that she knew for sure; the wall he'd erected between them was far from impenetrable, and the short time in which their minds had held communion had shown her the possibilities in their future.

The thought spurred her into action, and she moved across the room to her vanity. Seating herself on the cushioned stool, she picked up a comb and began to tidy her hair, focusing all her determination on making herself look her best.

She'd never held back before, and she didn't intend to start now.


Keith refused to abandon his post, even though he knew he'd been gently dismissed. Refused, even though Allura was barricaded behind a heavily enforced titanium door, which also blocked him from committing any of the many indiscretions Nanny was so fond of pointing out.

Yes, he was being overcautious, but caution wasn't unwarranted when considering how many times the enemy forces of Doom had infiltrated this castle in the past. Though the evil regime had been soundly defeated, one couldn't take anything for granted. Lotor's whereabouts were still unaccounted for, so an abundance of caution was in order. It was also the reason why he had requested and gotten access to the override codes for all the locking mechanisms in this sector.

Never had he thought he'd be this tempted to use them for personal gain.

It was a dangerous and intriguing thought that a few moments ago the Princess wouldn't have objected if he had invited himself into her domain. He was as sure of that as he was sure about her lack of hesitancy in bending the rules governing royal deportment. She'd always bucked conventional wisdom, whether it had been in simply hanging out with 'the guys', in stealing a lion and learning to fly it… or flying to Planet Balto to help her friends in defiance of the wishes of her custodians.

There was no denying that her compassion, her broad streak of independence, her rule-flouting ways and her absolute determination in doing what she thought was best for everyone attracted him as a man just as much as they exasperated him as her commanding officer.

Time and time again, she had chosen her humanity over her status as a Princess. The foundation for what had happened out in the corridor had been established when he'd sworn fealty to her upon their first meeting. Since then, their connection had deepened and strengthened. It had overcome time, distance, grief and space…and had brought him to the point where it made him want to throw caution to the wind and say 'to hell with the rules' himself.

But he hadn't. The perfect opportunity to make his feelings known had just presented itself…and yet he let it-and the Princess- walk away.

Why? Why was his damn sense of duty so much more important, and why did it have to exclude what he felt for the most remarkable woman he'd ever met?


Lance whistled a cheerful tune as he traversed the maze of castle corridors. From time to time, the whistling ceased as he broke into a mischievous grin.

Finding out from Hunk that Keith was standing guard duty for Allura had prompted him to waste no time in heading for the Royal quarters to check out the situation. There was a lot of ammunition to be found in any situation involving Keith, the Princess and a shower. This particular bombshell was just lying there, smoldering and rife with the possibility of someone finding it and being able to fire it off.

Naturally, he intended to be that somebody.

He turned the corner and came to an abrupt halt as he saw his friend standing in front of the door to Allura's chambers. By all appearances, Keith was either hoping he could melt it with his stare, or contemplating kicking the thing down. The Captain remained inexplicably oblivious to his presence. Puzzled and a bit wary, Lance went into stealth mode, moving on silent feet until he was directly behind his target and leaned forward to speak quietly into his ear.

"Turn down the eye beams or you'll set off the smoke alarms."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the Red Lion pilot made a quiet lunge to one side, in anticipation of the swift kickboxing maneuver that usually felled him whenever Keith got really pissed off.

Nothing happened.

Lance frowned. Unbelievable to see that Keith was so clearly out of it, and this was a case where subtlety wasn't going to get a reaction. Drawing in a breath, the Red Lion pilot prepared to yell a greeting that would have woken the dead…only to expel it in a loud curse as he was slammed against the corridor wall.

Winded and shocked, he stared down at the steely forearm shoved against his collarbone and throat, the pressure of which wasn't enough to cut off his air supply, but plenty hard enough to make things uncomfortable.

"You're still too gullible, Hartwell. And you still haven't learned not to sneak up on me."

Lance managed a croaked affirmation, and then scrambled for balance as he was suddenly released. Shooting a malevolent look at his commander, he straightened his leather jacket and the collar of his turtleneck, while resisting the urge to rub his throat as he did so. A dozen blistering comments were dancing on the tip of his tongue, bit it was best not to verbalize them until he regained his composure.

Keith folded his arms. "Lulling the target into a false sense of security is a textbook feint, plus you left yourself wide open for retaliation. What gives?"

Lance glared at his friend, severely tempted to punctuate the glare with a raised middle finger. But the deep vein of respect he had for his friend as a commanding officer wouldn't allow the gesture, even though he knew he could probably get away with it as a friend when off duty. "Not to worry, Mon Capitan, I do learn from my mistakes. I guarantee next time you won't know it's coming."

"I'll believe it when it happens." Keith said with a smirk. "Everything going okay down in Ops?"

"They found the problem and they're working on it, that's all that I've heard-"

The sound of an opening door and the greeting of their Princess precluded the rest of the report. The two pilots unconsciously straightened their postures as they turned to the woman who stepped through the open portal, and their eyes widened at the sight of her.

She was adorned in a brand new gown of periwinkle blue that was striking in its utter simplicity. Long sleeved and snugly fitted to the toned curves of her torso, it was bound at her hips with a darker blue sash that had a gold lion's head embroidered on the front, and two full lions on the ends that formed a point at bottom of the dress. Her circlet of office rested on golden hair that had been braided into one thick rope draped over one shoulder and which dangled almost to her waist. A simple gold chain holding a cross inset with sapphires rested just below the hollow of her collarbone.

She's dazzling. Lance thought with reverence, feeling his body reacting in an all too familiar way. A long, low wolf whistle escaped his pursed lips, a heartfelt- if cheekily improper - tribute to his friend's ethereal beauty. He'd spent enough time coaching Allura about Earth customs to know she'd understand that he was telling her without words how much her appearance pleased him...but if she had forgotten that fact, the blatant admiration in his look would suffice.

Her smile said that she did understand, was happy with his reaction but was feeling a bit shy.

"So what do you think, Keith?" He prompted, turning to eye the man standing at his side. "Great dress, huh?"

The Captain's smile was fixed and polite as his gaze remained on Allura's face. "I agree. You look very nice, Princess. The color suits you."

She thanked him, her voice serene, but watching her color fade and her eyes losing their sparkle increased Lance's irritation with his friend. Anyone with a lick of sensitivity could see that the cool and banal response had hurt her.

'You look very nice'? Is he really that clueless? What the hell is his problem?

"Would you gentlemen please excuse me a moment? I need to go get the texts for my studies."

The Red Lion pilot inhaled swiftly and then exhaled in silent admiration as the Princess turned and reentered her room. The back of her was just as delectable looking as the front. Graceful, classy and elegant; the woman was a living work of art.

He looked askance at Keith, wondering for the hundredth time how his leader could maintain discipline when standing this close to the most incredible face and body in the galaxy, then raised his eyebrows in surprise.

With the Princess having turned her back to him, Mr. Impassive was anything but, totally checking out everything below her neck. The color in high cheekbones and the intensity in dark brown eyes spoke volumes. Such a glaring crack in his friend's calm façade was definitely not true to type, and warranted some serious pondering.

Shoving his hands into his pockets, Lance felt his right hand encounter a small rectangular object he had stowed there for safekeeping. A slow, wicked grin spread across his face as he pulled out the miniscule surveillance camera.

Without looking and with the ease of long use, he tapped the automatic setting button, then quickly raised the camera to his eye, centered the subject, and pushed the button.

A succession of pops and flashes commenced, leaving Keith stunned and blinking.

"Gotcha." Lance said.

Keith was now looking like he would like nothing better than to cuss him out, but with the Princess within earshot, he refrained. Lance smirked at him, then turned the camera on his next subject, who had located her notebooks and was now standing in the doorway, wondering aloud what the commotion was about.

The flash went off perfectly, and Allura was the one blinking now as Lance grinned.

"Sorry, but I couldn't waste a great opportunity," he told her warmly. "You really look fantastic, Princess!"

Her smile said that all was forgiven. "Thank you, Lance. I'm glad you think so." Her tone and pointed glance at Keith seemed to add, I'm glad that someone can appreciate my effort!

At seeing the look that Keith directed at him, Lance decided it was best to move things along. "So what are you going to do after her lessons today, Princess? " He darted another glance at his Captain, who had a distinctly dangerous look in his eyes. "You don't have any official engagements, right?

"That's right!" She responded, quickly brightening. "How about you two? Did you want to-"

She stopped, wincing as the loud screech of feedback from a nearby speaker drowned out her voice. After a few bursts of static, a cultured, well-modulated voice drifted from the panel situated on the wall just behind her. "This is Castle Control to Princess Allura! Allura, can you hear me? If so, please respond."

"It seems that the circuit boards are fixed." Keith stated dryly.

Looking rueful, Allura swept over to the panel to press a switch. "Yes, I'm here, Coran."

"Very good, I'll be awaiting your arrival in the main floor library for our study session. Over and out."

Allura wore a resigned expression as she turned back to her friends.

"Tough break, Princess." Lance offered.

Keith said nothing, but his eyes held regret.

"Well, at least I'll have some free time in late afternoon to look forward to," she said glumly.

This sucks. I wish the systems could have stayed down a while longer. Lance thought with a rush of sympathy. "Keep your chin up, Princess. Things have a way of working out." Turning to Keith, he added, "and I have to say it's good to see you getting out of command mode, Keith. Have fun on your trip. "

Allura's blue gaze was questioning as it turned to the Black Lion pilot, who looked uncomfortable. "Trip?"

"It's just for the afternoon." He said, by way of explanation. "I'm doing a favor for Coran."

"Lucky you. " Lance said blandly. "As for me, I'll be hanging out here. Princess, I'll be seeing you later."

With a wink, he sauntered away under the watchful glare of his commander.


"If you don't mind me asking, where is Coran sending you?" Allura asked, after Keith had taken her books and they started walking to her appointed destination.

"Out to the jungle settlement in Althene. They needed some special scientific equipment and some other supplies. It's quicker to fly them in, given the remoteness of the area."

"Oh, I'm so glad you're getting to go there!"

He looked at her, quirking an eyebrow. "Why is that, Princess?"

"Well it is the birthplace of our civilization for one thing- but it's also because it's beautiful there!" She enthused."By some miracle, it's remained unspoiled and unscarred by the all the evils Doom inflicted on this planet." Her voice grew softer as she added, "I can't think of a better place for a getaway, even if it's only for a day. In fact, Mother and Father used to do that quite often. Althene was a place that was very special to them..."

"It was special?" Keith prodded gently as she subsided into reflective silence.

"Yes. It was a sanctuary, somewhere that allowed them to break out of the bubble of royalty. They could mingle with everyday people and be themselves, take care of themselves and each other." Allura replied. "When I was old enough to appreciate it they brought me there too, but Mother died soon after my first visit." The blue of her eyes deepened with emotion. "I always wanted to go back, but we were at war, and I had my duties as an heir. And then Father was killed…and I've never returned."

Her soft sigh was like a fist that squeezed his heart. The recollection of her standing in her parents' bedroom came vividly to his mind, the day they'd saved the tapestry and a few other sentimental keepsakes from being destroyed in a surprise attack by Doom. She'd been so happy they'd rescued those precious memories…

"Would you like me to find the retreat and bring back a memento for you, Princess?" He asked on impulse.

"Oh, would you?" She exclaimed, before her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh, what am I saying? I don't want to impose on you like that! It's your free time!"

"Which means I decide what I want to do with it." He agreed.

"But you told Lance-"

"It's not an imposition." He said, smoothly cutting off her protest. "I'd like to check out the place for you."

There was definite satisfaction in seeing her eyes go wide and a blush creep across her cheeks.

"I…I don't know what to say." She murmured, not quite returning his gaze.

"How about 'thank you'?" He suggested.

She smiled. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. I don't suppose you happen to remember the coordinates?"

She grimaced at the question. "I'm afraid I don't… but I'm certain any of the elders in the settlement can tell you where to find it."

He nodded. "I'll ask."

"A memento will be nice to have." She said. There was a few heartbeats' pause, and then she continued in a voice so soft he had to duck his head closer to hear her. "But all I really need…I mean, it would be enough just to know…if…if everything is still …intact."


Keith slowed to a stop, and Allura turned to him in surprise as he put a hand on her shoulder.

"It's still there." He said. "I'm sure they've been watching over it."

Silence fell as their gazes held.

It was a feeling unlike any other, thought Allura, to feel this connected with another human being.

Her father's spirit had shown her whenever Arus's need was greatest, that even death couldn't sever the bonds of love. Forming Voltron was a bond in itself, five people acting as one. The unity she felt with her people was just as strong and unbreakable, born of the fierce desire to protect, as a mother lion would protect her cubs.

Her connection with Coran and Nanny had given her a sense of strong family ties. It was a bond that endured even when she'd been most at odds with their attempts to guide her to the paths that they felt were the right ones for a Princess of Arus to take.

This connection she had with Keith was different than any others, more compelling than anything she'd ever felt. It had first manifested when they'd been in battle, but always disappeared when they were on the ground. He'd pulled back into his unreadable shell and she had retreated out of a sense of self-preservation. It'd taken so long to gain his trust after she'd taken over Blue Lion, and she didn't want to do anything that would blow that trust, like demanding access to his thoughts before he was willing.

But now, a newfound awareness had unfurled and was circling around them. When his eyes grew as dark as obsidian, she knew he felt it too. The air around them was laden with anticipation.

When his lips parted, she felt certain he was about to reveal something of life changing importance, but the moment was lost in the intrusion of an authoritative voice...

"Princess, Captain Keith- you've made excellent time!"

Coran had appeared at the door to the library without either of them noticing.

Allura could only blink at him dazedly, as if she'd been yanked from a trance.

Keith removed his hand from the Princess and calmly greeted the older man, who gave them both a sharply assessing look even as he smiled and beckoned them inside.


The library was a vaulted, spacious room filled with books and natural light. A large table flanked by two straight-back chairs stood at the ready, an array of study materials already sitting on its highly polished surface.

With the Princess trailing just behind him, Keith walked over and set the textbooks he carried next down next to a leather bound edition of a playwright that was shockingly familiar to him.

He turned to look at her. "The plays of William Shakespeare?"

She nodded shyly. "I enjoy Terran classical literature. Have you read any Shakespeare, Keith?"

"I read Romeo and Juliet when I was a first year cadet at the academy."

She beamed. "That's wonderful! I've just finished Romeo and Juliet!"

"It was required reading, so I wasn't all that enthused about it at the time." He admitted. "But I actually ended up liking it…once the instructor gave us a cheat sheet that explained the more obscure references."

Allura nodded solemnly. "Old English is very interesting and entertaining to read once you understand the meanings of certain things."

Her tone was that of a scholar, but her eyes held the shine of laughter. Keith's lips twitched. Evidently, the Princess was very much aware of the bawdier aspects of Shakespearean dialogue.

"So, from what you've read so far, which character do you think stands out?" He asked, hoping to divert her from a politically incorrect topic.

She pondered a moment. "I'd have to say Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet."

The choice surprised him. "A supporting character?"

"But he makes such a strong impression! And he has some of the most memorable lines, including that wonderful Queen Mab soliloquy! He doesn't suffer fools gladly, he's funny and witty." She paused in ticking off the points, and then added, " and in temperament, he reminds me a lot of Lance."

At that, Keith broke into a grin. "Yeah, I have to agree. And Juliet's nurse is-" He stopped, uncertain of his boundaries.

"Of course! The Nurse is Nanny!" Allura declared, laughing at his guilty look.

From somewhere behind them, Coran cleared his throat.

"I thank you once again for escorting Allura to her lessons, Captain." He said, as they turned to him. "Shall we begin, Your Highness?"

Realizing that he'd been politely but firmly dismissed, Keith bent his dark head in acknowledgement and bowed, first to the Princess, and then to her advisor, with courtly, faultless technique. With formalities having been observed, he turned and strode away without looking back at Allura.

He had come so close to spilling his guts to her about everything, but Coran's presence reminded him that he was not in a position to confide in her.

A sweet voice calling, "See you later Keith! Fly safe," brought him to an abrupt halt. He turned quickly, but not in time to answer. The library doors were already closing behind his golden-haired muse, shutting her away from the promise of a summer's day.


Allura sighed and closed the embossed cover of her textbook with a muffled 'whump'.

The library she usually considered a haven and place of unfettered interest with shelves upon shelves of books had taken on the aspect of a literary cage. Lifting her weary gaze to the skylight windows that had been opened for the benefit of extra light during her studies, she stared longingly out at the lone fluffy cloud that teasingly lingered, drifting along in a calm sea of blue.

How she wished she were free to fly in her Lion, chasing after that rascally puff of vapor. The day outside looked to be filled with the warmth, scents and sounds of summer, things that she could only imagine as the reinforced windows let in naught but the sunlight.

Arusian history was the subject of the moment; she suspected Coran had tried to help her focus by selecting a subject of immense interest for her, but it was little compensation for being locked away when everyone else was allowed to play.

There were many stories involving the Lion Warriors, a legendary race of people thought to have given their very souls to the five Lion Spirits in order to help them live an eternal life protecting Arus. The mystical and proud culture had seemed to vanish without a trace after King Alfor's death, much as the lions of Voltron once had. Nevertheless, it had always been an accepted fact that when the Lion brethren were needed most, they would be reborn and rise once again to defend Arus.

Normally she would have been enthralled about learning as much as she could about such an honorable and romantic part of her heritage, but the vision of soulful brown eyes kept rising before her instead, disrupting her desire to keep reading and learn more.

Giving in to a wandering whim, she dreamily pictured their dark haired owner as a noble Lion Warrior, battling for his people and his one true love...


The Royal Advisor frowned as he watched his pupil. Allura was a very disciplined, most attentive child, full of intellectual curiosity. Seeing her becoming lost in a daydream was not a state of affairs to which he was accustomed.

If one could judge by the way she'd been looking at Captain Powell, that young man was the cause of this breakdown of discipline, and most likely, the restlessness and discontent he'd been sensing from Allura.

Like Juliet, she's no longer a child to the ways of the world.

"Allura."

She gave a guilty start. "Y-yes, Coran?"

"I must point out that you've been woolgathering for quite a while." He said with mild reproach. "You have three more chapters to read after that one."

"Yes, I know. I'm sorry."

With a loud sigh, the Princess reopened her book to the page she had been staring at for the last twenty minutes, wearing a look of frowning concentration that didn't fool Coran for a minute. Her mind obviously wasn't going to stay on her studies today.

Most likely, it would be preoccupied with a certain Black Lion pilot.

Coran gently closed the book he'd been perusing and studied his charge more closely.

He had been the Princess' tutor since she could speak in sentences, and an advisor, guardian and protector for nigh onto eight years. The unique brand of closeness forged between him and the young Royal orphan had enabled him to start thinking of Allura as a surrogate daughter. Over the years, even the word 'Princess' had become more of a fatherly pet name than a title.

As such, she had given him more than a few gray hairs. But those were merely stray moments amongst the numerous times he'd been filled with paternalistic pride.

Allura would make a wonderful Queen. She was admired and loved by her people, whom she had defended with the Blue Lion at great risk to herself. Death, destruction and hard decisions had fallen on her young shoulders and she had handled it all with grace, unshakeable persistence and a stoic resolution that went far beyond her years. She was an inspired leader of unlimited potential, one with an intuition and a purity of spirit that served her well.

Until now, one thing had been missing from her life. Or should that be...a someone?

Stroking his full mustache, Coran smiled. He'd forgotten what it was to be young. A budding romance had been residing right under his nose and he had utterly failed to notice its passionate scent.

It would be a terrible thing to crush that bud before it becomes a flower, he thought, coming to an abrupt decision.

"Princess, a word please?"

She raised her head. "Yes?"

"It was not my intention to punish you with these lessons today. I thought it was a good chance to catch up, as you have had an extraordinarily large break in the last few weeks what with the Alliance meetings and treaty gatherings."

"It's all right. I understand." Allura murmured.

She began to go back to her book, but looked up again as her guardian continued speaking.

"I have always expected your best effort in the performance of your duties, and you've never failed to give me just that. I'm exceedingly proud of you. You've done well."

She graced him with her lovely smile, the first genuine one he'd seen since Keith had left the library. "Thank you, Coran, that makes me happy. But the reason I've done well is because I've had such an excellent teacher."

Unsettled and touched by the unexpected compliment, he cleared his throat and tried not to look too pleased. ""I...well...thank you, Allura. Be that as it may, I have also come to realize that constantly putting forth the kind of effort can be a drain on one's psyche. I have sensed…that you may be in need a bit of a break."

She shook her head. "No, I'll be fine. I've got to make up for what I've missed."

"That isn't as much as you think; I made sure we were ahead of lesson plans when we broke for the conference." Coran admitted. "One more day will make little impact on your studies, and might serve to refresh your mind. Simply finish reading the chapter assignment on the Lion Warriors, then you may go and spend the rest of the day as you see fit."

She was staring at him as if he had gone mad. His mustache twitched with his effort to repress a chuckle.

"I suggest that you apply yourself to your task, Allura. Time is wasting."

"But…but… Nanny? What will she say?"

"Nanny shall be my concern, not yours."

It was the little things that seemed to mean the most, Coran thought a few minutes later, while watching his beaming royal charge eagerly gathering up her study materials. Seeing her girlish excitement and the roses blooming in her cheeks lightened the burdens placed on his heart.

He had been right to do this. For Allura, a day off from official duties was a rare and very precious gift, one that he highly suspected that she would use in seeking out the good Captain's companionship. Although whether the young man would allow it was quite another matter. Keith had always been careful to maintain every appearance of propriety in every situation involving the Princess, no matter how official or informal the setting.

It was hard to fathom how the young man did it, Coran mused, considering the highly charged manifestation of his aura whenever he and Allura were together. He had incredible discipline and control, considering the magnitude of his feelings for Allura. Whatever the cost to himself, Keith would always do what he felt was right for the Princess of Arus.

It was an admirable but misguided point of view that he recognized all too well.

No one knew better than he that refusal and denial could cost one the most precious of gifts.

With that thought, Coran stared down at the pages of his book until memories of his beloved wife and child blurred the words of Robert Frost.


Back in his personal quarters, Keith felt he was almost set to go. Although still wearing his red flight suit he was taking a change of clothes for the jungle, and a rather thick tome on the legends of Arus that he'd borrowed from the castle library.

He had already decided that the first thing he would do after dropping the supplies off would be to investigate the whereabouts of King Alfor's compound. He had tried to tell himself that that mission was fueled solely by compassion for the Princess and curiosity about the place where she and her parents had spent their happier days, but he couldn't maintain the fallacy any longer.

Whatever the connection between them was, it sure as heck wasn't rooted in pity, or passive by nature.

It was strong, primal and elemental.

Passionate...

...and very, very sexual.

With renewed resolve, he began a second inventory to verify he had everything he needed along for the journey. The sooner he got away from the castle, the sooner he could get control over those types of thoughts.

He stood up, but his plan to make a quick exit were disrupted as the door to his room slid open and Pidge announced his presence. "Hey Chief! We fixed 'em!"

Keith had despaired of ever having any privacy long ago. Between his teammates popping in and claxons going off in the middle of the night, it had been hopeless. There was only one spot he had found where he could be completely alone and that was on top of the Black Lion Monument, and even those solitary moments were rare, he thought wryly. I wonder if Allura feels this way? I have four people barging in on me, but she's got a whole planet!

"Hey, did ya hear me? The castle communications systems are fixed!" Pidge sharpened his tone. Keith woolgathering? This was an odd occurrence.

"Good job." His leader replied absently, not really listening, and not really seeing the flight plan for Black Lion that he held in his hand.

"Thanks for the testimonial." Pidge grumbled, but then brightened as he noticed his Captain's gear. "Looks like you're off to do some hiking! Where're you headed?"

Keith answered with reluctance. He had hoped to avoid mention of his mission in case the nature-loving youth would ask to go with him. The Green Lion pilot was good company, but he'd wanted the quiet time and exploration that would help in driving troublesome thoughts from his head. And he rather liked it that he and Allura shared a secret that the other guys didn't know about.

"I got talked into flying equipment and supplies to some settlement out in the sticks." He said, feigning the air of one who would rather stay home. "Humid, mud, mosquitoes and the like. I don't suppose you'd-"

"No thanks!" Pidge retorted with a smirk. "You have fun with that, I'm going to help Hunk fix up those old hover crafts. He says they're gonna fly and look as good as new when we're done."

"Go work your magic then, I'll take care of the supply run."

"Thanks Cap."

Smiling and relieved to have dodged one bullet, Keith picked up his bag and turned to leave, only to find his escape route blocked by the pilot of Red Lion, who had just strolled into the room. Honestly, was the guy tailing him, or what?

"Wow, you haven't left yet?"

Keith rolled his eyes. "Obviously not, or you'd be talking to yourself."

"Afraid to leave if I'm not there to cover your rear?"

"I'll be out of here just as soon as you quit flapping your jaws."

Lance eyed him for a moment, and then threw down the gauntlet. "Well, have a good time, and don't worry about the Princess being alone."

"She won't be. She's got lessons with Coran."

"They've been canceled!" Lance informed him in the tone of one who knew everything that transpired inside the Castle. "The bird has flown the coop! Seems Coran has a heart after all, because he gave her the day off."

Keith gaped at him. The Royal Advisor was not known to ever have taken a day off, let alone to have given the Princess one. "Are you kidding me?"

"I ran into Allura coming out of the library, and she told me herself. She can't wait to get some fresh air."

Keith frowned. "I hope she realizes she needs an escort if she's planning an outing."

"That's not a problem if I'm available," Lance assured him. "I was thinking a horseback ride in the countryside, a little lunch, a swim in the lake, then a nice romantic walk to take in the sunset." He smiled and casually inspected the nails on one hand. "It'll be nice to see that bikini again."

Pidge jumped, startled by the sound of a flight bag hitting the floor. It was easy to see in Keith's darkening face that storm clouds were brewing. "Um, Lance, I think it's supposed to rain this afternoon. Maybe you should hang out in the lounge?" He asked tentatively.

"That won't be necessary either." Keith stated tersely. "It's your day off, Lance. You're relieved of Princess-sitting duty."

Lance turned his back to hide his smile of satisfaction as his Commander took the offered bait- hook, line, and sinker.

"I honestly don't mind, Keith." He protested smoothly. "Duty has no place in this offer. Sure, I'd make sure to take good care of her, but it's definitely a pleasure to be-"

Pidge interrupted. "Nice going, Motor Mouth, now you're actually talking to yourself."

Lance whipped around. Sure enough, team leader Keith and his flight bag had disappeared.

"Well, how do you like that? Not even so much as 'by your leave'!" He said, with a chuckle. "He wasn't in that much of a hurry before I mentioned the Princess."

The Green Lion pilot crossed his arms and looked disgusted. "Why do you goad him like that? You know how seriously he takes his job of protector! Now he'll give up his own free time to baby-sit Allura when he could be relaxing."

Lance's smile was complacent. "There's no need for fretting, young grasshopper."

"Why shouldn't I? I'm going to be up to my elbows in hover craft parts while you get to hang with the Princess!"

"Pidge, my boy, green really is your color in more than one way. You have so much to learn about-"

Breaking off, Lance lunged to one side, adroitly avoiding the Green Lion pilot's attempt to tackle him. Pinning the youth's head in the crook of his bent arm, he rubbed the top of Pidge's head with his knuckles.

"Yow!" Pidge flailed, his head now being squeezed like an orange in a juicer. "Ow, ow, ow, alright! I give, dammit!"

"Wise decision." Lance said mildly, releasing his captive. "And watch your language."

Pidge glared, rubbed his mistreated cranium, and pushed his glasses back up his nose. " I thought you were going out with the Princess?" He tried hard to sound nonchalant. Even though he was excited about his previous plans, he wouldn't mind if the Princess asked him to spend the day with her.

"I was, but I think our Fearless Leader might have other plans for her." Lance replied cryptically. "And right now, I've got to develop some very important pictures instead. Wanna help?"

For the first time, Pidge saw that Lance was holding a small digital photo computer chip.

"What kind of important pictures?" He asked suspiciously.

"Personal surveillance shoots I've been doing for the past couple weeks. If they turn out, they should prove to be very enlightening,"

"In what way?"

Lance shrugged. "Too hard to explain. You'd have to see them to understand."

"What's the subject matter?"

"The Princess, mostly. Got a couple of Keith too."

Pidge frowned. "Sounds like trouble to me. And anyway, I'd rather work on the hovercrafts."

"Fine, it's your loss. And I gotta get going."

With a cheery salute, Lance left the room. Pidge stared after him in vexation, torn between intense curiosity and keeping an alibi. There had been some very strange vibes going on between Lance and Keith that he couldn't comprehend, high IQ notwithstanding. And the Princess was involved too, either as a focus of an investigation or possibly, as a partner in crime.

Which meant Nanny would get wind of what was going on.

The thought made Pidge cringe.

Discretion was definitely the better part of valor, he decided, and headed straight to the mechanics room.

To be continued!

Author's note:

It took a long time to get this chapter posted, because I had to work out a few things. I hope that it's enjoyable, and an improvement over my original 1998 draft. ^^( If anyone has read the original version, they might notice that I've combined chapters four and five into this revised chapter.)

My Fushigi Yuugi muses have reclaimed me...but I plan to keep going with Bonds Revisited as long as people are interested in reading it. ^__^*