Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Disclaimer: I do not own Voltron or any of its characters.

KAEX Challenge Topic: "Stuck" – can be as many chapters as needed to finish the story.

Rating/Setting: Rating is T for mild swearing and ballroom dancing. Setting is DotU about 5 months or so into the first season. For those of you that love to hate Nanny… this story is right up your alley…

Chapter 4

At dinner that night Lance watched his friend; Keith joked around with the guys, but seemed more reserved with the princess. Making sure to always use her title and never joking with her. It wasn't unusual for Keith to be more sober than the rest of them, but it was the fact that this behavior only seemed to be in relation to the princess made it unusual.

As they headed to the rec room after dinner, Lance spoke to Allura, "You're right, Princess. Something is up with our leader, but he doesn't want to share anything with me. He said he was going to apologize for his behavior at the dance practice. Did he?"

Sighing, Allura said, "He did. It was very formal and didn't do anything to make me think he enjoyed one minute of spending time with me."

Reaching out to take her hand, he said, "I think he did enjoy it, Princess. Something's just not letting him act like it."

"Thanks, Lance," she said, giving his hand a squeeze. Turning to look behind them, she only saw Pidge and Hunk. Calling back to them as she pulled Lance to a stop, she asked, "Hey guys! Where's Keith?"

Walking up to join them, Hunk said, "Nanny asked to speak with him as he was leaving." He gave a slight shudder. "Glad she didn't want to talk to me."

"Why?" Allura asked curiously.

"She didn't look happy with our commander. I just wouldn't want to be in his shoes."

Allura turned to look at Lance, a possibility for Keith's unusual behavior coming into her mind. "I think I'll go back to the dining hall and walk with Keith."

Shooting her an encouraging smile, Lance said, "Sounds like an excellent idea, Princess. We'll see both of you in just a bit."

With that, Allura headed back towards the dining area while the guys continued on to the rec room. Walking into the dining hall, the princess was surprised to see Nanny with her arms across her chest talking in what appeared to be a stern way to Keith. As she began to walk over to them, her nanny caught sight of her and her stern expression turned to a pleasant one as she spread her arms to take Allura into a hug.

"What can I do for you, sweet girl?" Nanny crooned.

Looking from Keith to Nanny, Allura said, "I just came back to get Keith. We're all looking forward to movie night and I didn't want him to miss it." She gave Keith an encouraging smile which seemed to have the opposite effect on him.

"I'm sorry, Princess, I won't be able to join you tonight… there's some paperwork I have to finish for the Garrison before tomorrow." He kept his tone neutral. Turning to Nanny, he said, "I'm glad things are meeting with your approval." Then nodding to both of them, he said, "Ma'am, your Highness," and left the room.

Nanny noticed the frown on Allura's face. "What's wrong, Princess?"

"It's Keith. He's acting so distant from me. It's not like him. I'm afraid I've done something wrong or offended him." Allura's eyes were on his back as he exited the room.

Scoffing at the statements, Nanny said, "He's an Alliance Commander, Princess. He must keep himself separate from those he serves. He would be stepping above his station to presume a friendship with a member of the royal household."

Allura's eyes narrowed as she stared at the exit to the hall. Things were falling into place. She just had to gather all the pieces, but first, she would prod a little. Turning to look at the older woman who was like a second mother to her, she asked, "What about you, Nanny?"

"Hmmm? What do you mean, Princess?"

"What I mean is, I think of you as a friend. I don't consider you going above your station."

Indignation in her tone, Nanny chastised, "I'm a member of the royal household and my place is that of protector. Of course our relationship is different."

"Well, I consider Keith to be a protector as well. I mean, he has already saved my life twice." She watched Nanny's face but it was obvious that she wasn't softening.

"He is an off-worlder, a soldier, and it is his duty to protect you with his life."

Nanny acted like the giving of his life was something he should be happy to do. Allura shook her head as she headed out to the rec room. Yes, it was obvious to her that Nanny had said something to Keith that had changed their relationship to one that was formal and she hated it. Now to plan on how to get her friendship back…