Happy Wednesday everyone! Thank you to all those who have been so supportive and to all those that continue to read/follow/review Madness...
Cubbie and Chris: Hmmm...you may just get your wish...much later ;-) I like a strong Allura...just doesn't seem logical for her not to be after all she's been through...I mean...just how much can you shelter someone in an all out war? Allie's about to get off her "girls just wanna have fun" train so...get ready...
imhooked: Thank you! Hope you enjoy!
KathDMD: LOL "Lance on crack"...so true! How could she not be? Geni will let her have it when necessary...believe me! Oh and...saw what you have up your sleeve and I..L O V E... it! :-*
WadeWells: Love the idea of antiquated artillery in a time of such advancement...leads to many complications *clears throat* The Drama is coming...just easing into it...once it arrives...it will be on overload! Hope you will approve! xoxoxo
JustLucky05: Allie still has a few more surprises up her sleeve...she will def be a force to be reckoned with. Keith is letting his friends in...but will he follow through when the time comes? We'll just have to see! Thank you for coming back week after week!
Disclaimer: I do not own or profit from Voltron or its characters. OCs are mine...
"Madness: Spring Break"
Chapter 7 When I Come Around
Allura couldn't sleep, her breathing was ragged and her body glistened with sweat as she tossed and turned thanks to the same recurring nightmare she'd been having for days. She tried in every possible way to clear her mind of all negative thoughts, even engaging in breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga; but, nothing seemed to work.
He's gonna go it alone…I just know it!
Her mind was riddled with worry as she knew him all too well. If Keith found Lotor- when he finds him- he would surly go after him on his own, searching for redemption over the guilt he still felt over her last abduction. The princess was more than aware that her commander believed he'd failed her; his sense of honor fractured and unable to heal, despite her assurances to the contrary.
Maybe if I just talk to him, ask him…maybe he'll listen.
Allura had not had a decent night's sleep in days and her thoughts were becoming a bit irrational. If he doesn't listen, I'll just pull rank…at least he'll be safe.
She needed to go to the source of her stress and try to make him see, otherwise she wouldn't be able to focus on her training. The sleepy monarch looked over at her nightstand and saw the time 0330. Arus was exactly twelve hours behind. Unable to make outgoing calls from her dorm room on base, she picked up her mobile phone and sent a text to Keith requesting that he call her. Placing the phone back on her nightstand, she fell back against her pillows, and waited.
xxxxx
The Voltron Force commander was exhausted. He entered the rec room threw himself on the couch, closing his eyes in hopes of engaging in a quick power nap. He was so beat that he didn't even notice Sven and Lance. The Scandinavian momentarily looked up from the book he was reading and raised a brow while Lance continued to softly strum his guitar. Keith's phone began to chirp which instantly snapped him up from his relaxed position, his brow furrowing upon realizing who it was from.
"It's Allura." He stated and noticed the suspicious glares coming from his friends to which he responded by rolling his eyes.
"It's almost four in the morning. What the hell is she still doing awake?" questioned Sven.
"Ah my fine Swede…the greater question is why is she thinking about Commander Awesome in the middle of the night." Lance grinned wickedly.
"You're both obnoxious…seriously." He snorted as he got up and walked over to the rec room vid-phone.
Keith quickly dialed the number Graham had given him. As it rang, he took a seat in front of the screen and waited for Allura to answer. He didn't have to wait long. The captain couldn't help but loose himself as her presence filled the screen. The princess slightly narrowed her eyes at him, her hair loose and flowing all around her as she sat in front of the vid-screen dressed in a simple black cami and pajama bottoms. Even half asleep she's beautiful he thought as he continued to stare at her. His reverie quickly shifted to concern, after feeling her anxiety.
"Keith, are you calling me from the rec room?" she asked, voice hoarse from lack of sleep.
Keith shook his head for a brief moment. "Uh, yeah...sorry."
"Are you alone or is someone in there with you?"
"No, Lance and Sven are in here…why…what's up? He responded and noticed the fleeting look of disappointment.
"I kind of wanted to talk to you alone."
Lance and Sven approached behind Keith "Hey Allura! If you wanted him alone then you should have just called him on his phone." Sven Chuckled.
"I can't Sven…no outgoing calls, remember." She huffed.
"You know Lura, you sound really sexy when you haven't slept." Lance added with a smirk as he waggled his brows, eliciting another eye-roll- only this time from the princess.
Keith turned and whacked his friends. "Do you guys mind?" he barked.
Sven and Lance took the hint and walked back over to the seating area, making sure to remain quiet so that they could hear everything.
Keith focused his attention back on Allura and gave her a crooked grin "Sorry about that. What's wrong Princess? You look exhausted. Did something happen?" he asked with concern.
Allura pressed her lips into a thin line and pinched her brow, suspecting that he intentionally called her from the rec room to avoid being alone with her, even if on the vid-phone.
Keith felt her aggravation. So I guess aside from a hang-over, lack of sleep prevents her from blocking me as well.
She raised a brow. What? she thought, but quickly dismissed it as she refocused on the reason she'd texted him. "Look, I'm just going to get to the point." she sighed. "I know about your suspicions Keith. I've had the same ones myself. I'm actually a little offended that you didn't just come to me from the beginning."
Keith slumped his shoulders, lightly wet his lips, then ran a hand through his hair. "And tell you what Princess? I had no proof. Besides, if I would have told you, you would have insisted on staying here." He explained.
She crossed her arms in front of her. "Really…is that so? Funny, here I thought I was actually on Earth." She clucked and looked at him. "Like I said, I've suspected from the beginning but left anyway so I guess you were incorrect in your assessment of how I would react." She chided.
Keith closed his eyes and rubbed the space between them. This'll be pleasant. "Well then, maybe I should be offended that you didn't come to me." He retorted and she narrowed her eyes at him. The commander let out his signature sigh. "I don't understand Princess. Why exactly did you want me to call you?"
"I'm concerned."
"Concerned? Concerned about what?" he snickered, waiving her off "I can assure you there is nothing to be concerned about."
"I'm concerned about you" she added.
"Princess, you know I have everything under control. I can't understand why you're concerned."
Allura huffed and crossed her arms again "Yeah…that's what concerns me"
It was Keith's turn to arch a brow "The fact that I have things under control concerns you?"
"I am all too familiar with your concept of 'under control' which is why I want to make sure that your 'under control' self isn't going to try a one man mission, Kogane!" she said as she raised her voice.
Keith glared at her while Sven and Lance tried to muffle their laughter in the back ground. "I already advised the team about my suspicions regarding Lotor and Haggar, Princess." He said in his signature monotone.
"I didn't ask if you advised the team, Keith. I had no doubt that you would…eventually. They would have known that something was up as I'm sure you've been locking yourself away going over piles and piles of intel since I left." She said with confidence.
Keith inhaled and intensified his gaze. "What do you want Princess?" he said abruptly, in a slightly raised tone.
"I want your word that you are not going to go after Lotor alone."
He briefly closed his eyes and breathed out a light chuckle before meeting her eyes "Sorry, I can't do that…"
"Keith!"
"No Allura! You're asking me to make promises that I'm not sure I'll be able to keep. I am not planning on going it alone…but if a situation arises in which I have no choice you better believe that I will…so no, I will not give you my word." He declared and placed his palms flat against the table.
"You have a com, Keith. There is never a legitimate reason for you not to have back-up unless you choose to do so…stop being so stubborn!" she demanded.
"I'm stubborn?" he snorted with an eye-roll. "Princess, as Commander of the Force, I have the right to make whatever judgment calls I deem necessary for the safety of my team. I understand your concern and appreciate the advice. I'll take it into consideration." He rebuked.
Allura narrowed her eyes at him once more. "You'll take into consideration now will you." She paused as she shrugged her shoulders "Hmm, I suppose you're right Captain, as a member of the force all I can really do is offer a suggestion…" she paused.
In the background, Lance leaned over to Sven and whispered "Get ready Thor, here it comes…" he winked.
"However…as reigning monarch of the planet that you have been charged to protect I have every authority to insist that you stand down." She affirmed.
Keith raised a brow at her and snorted a chuckle. "I'm sorry…are you actually threatening to pull rank on me?"
"It's not a threat Captain, it's a promise." She challenged.
"So I assume you're resigning your position as Blue Lion pilot because if you're going to pull the 'Princess' card on me, you being on the Force is a conflict of interest. I can't have you pulling rank while in battle now can I?" he pointed out. "I suggest you think wisely before you answer your Highness." He countered.
Sven and Lance were on edge. "Man…did I just hear right?" Lance whispered behind his hand to a shocked Sven.
"Åh, för Guds…detta är galet!" he whispered back.
"Would ya stop that!" Lance said as he slapped him on the shoulder.
"Sorry…force of habit when I'm stunned." He replied and then continued to stare intently toward the vid-phone.
Allura glared at Keith with the same unflinching resolve reflected back at her. The two were stubborn to a fault and both Lance and Sven could tell that the phone call would not end on a good note. The Red's pilot knew the princess too well. She never thinks before she speaks when she's stressed out.
"Am I supposed to be intimidated Captain, because I can assure you, I am not."
"I'm not trying to intimidate you Princess. You are the one that requested this little meeting of the minds for what…to second guess my command? Since when?" he said sharply.
"Since you decided to make it personal Commander! This is not an op…this is a vendetta and you know it!" she yelled.
Oh girl…you need to stop...talking…now! thought Lance as he jumped off the couch, but Sven held him back.
"Don't man…they need to hash this out on their own…stay out of it, at least for now." Sven advised while Lance huffed and reluctantly nodded in agreement.
Keith looked at her with fire in his eyes Of course it's personal! I saw what he did to her…she knows it! What the hell is she trying to pull? Damn this! He clenched his eyes shut as images of that day continued to flash in his mind, increasing his anger by the moment.
Allura could feel the resentment rising within him. She refocused, softened her expression, and tried to speak as gently as possible. "Keith, just as you wish to protect those you care about, I do as well. What I ask is not unreasonable. As Commander, you would expect that from any one of us, would you not?"
Keith continued to stare her down. Of course he would expect it from them. He'd be furious if any one of his team ventured out alone, but This is different.
"I am asking you once more, as a friend…please, promise me that you'll call for back-up once you find him." she pleaded.
"Fine, I'll call for back up." He said through clenched teeth.
"You're lying." She threw back.
His eyes flashed with anger. "I tell you what you want to here and you're calling me a liar? That's rich." He snarled.
"That's exactly right…you're only telling me what I want to hear!"
Keith threw his hands and his gaze up in the air "Well…that's all I got so…deal with it." he snapped.
Allura let out a deep sigh and looked down at her hands. She knew that what she was about to do would set him off, but she felt helpless. She believed she had to do something. Drastic? Maybe…but effective for sure. She looked at Keith as she mentally prepared herself for the blow she was about to deliver.
"So be it." she paused and slowly raised her eyes to meet his, only this time she wore the mask of her station. "Sven, Lance…I know you're both there." she paused as they approached and stood behind Keith.
"Lura-Lu…before you go on…why don't you get some sleep and we can continue this discussion after you've had some rest." Suggested Lance which earned him a snarl "Or…not." he added with a sigh.
"Call Coran and get him in here …now." She commanded.
Uh oh…this is so not good thought Sven.
Keith sighed and looked at her. "What are you doing Allura?" he whispered.
She looked upon him with an intensity that hid her inner struggle. "What I have to." She replied dryly as she waited for her surrogate father to arrive.
Hunk and Pidge had just finished their updates and entered the rec room. The two could instantly feel the tension. Hunk looked at Lance and mouthed 'What's going on?". Lance looked at the big man, closed his eyes, and shook his head. Yellow and Green's pilots grimaced, knowing all too well how arguments between the captain and princess played out.
"Any bets on who will resign this time?" snickered Pidge.
"No way little buddy. From the look on McClain's face, anything can happen...and I'm all outta cash." winked Hunk.
After a few moments, Coran arrived and joined in on the confusion. He knew he was in for a bomb-shell when he saw the look on his charge's face. Oh boy…
"Your Highness…what is the meaning of this?" asked Coran.
Allura regally raised her hand to silence him. "Coran, I called you into the room so that there would be no question as to the validity of the statement I am about to make. I officially resign my position as Blue Lion pilot until otherwise noted." She said calmly. Keith turned his head to the side and snorted while Hunk and Pidge stood near the door with a knowing smirk.
"Damn! I would've won!" Hunk whispered as he slammed his fist into his palm. Lance and Sven exchanged frustrated glances.
"Princess, do you hear what you are saying?" Coran stated.
"Yes, I do." She paused and looked at Keith. "Captain, as your sovereign, I order you to advise your team, including myself, should you receive any information as to the location of Prince Lotor and Haggar. You are not to proceed without proper back-up under any circumstance. Is that understood?" she asserted.
"I understand Your Highness." He said with bitterness
"You will not, under any circumstances, engage Lotor on your own."
Keith narrowed his eyes. "I most certainly will if I have to."
"Are you saying that you are willing to disobey a direct order form your Princess?" she rebutted. The tension in the room increased as those who had recently arrived were in a state of confusion and shock while Sven and Lance were trying to figure out how to fix the situation. They all looked at Keith.
"Yes" He answered with a tone as solid as a rock.
Allura let out a deep breath. "Then, I'm sorry, but, you leave me no choice." She said as she shook her head. "Captain Kogane, since you are unwilling to obey the direct order given, I am temporarily suspending you from your Command of the Voltron Force. Lieutenant McClain will cover your command during your suspension" She paused as everyone gasped in shock.
"OK…well…that's new" whispered Hunk to the Green Lion pilot, who grimaced in response.
"In addition, I am placing you under house arrest meaning that you are not permitted to leave castle grounds without an escort until my return." She declared.
"Oh…snap!" Pidge sighed to Hunk as he whacked him in the arm.
Lance's eyes bulged at Allura's statement before slapping his palm over his face. Seriously…these two really need to get laid before we're all out of a job.
That was it. Keith shot up from his chair and slammed his fists on the table in front of the vid-screen. "Have you lost your mind?" he yelled.
Lance leaned in and whispered. "Watch it man…don't piss her off any more…she's on a roll." Keith darted him a nasty look over his shoulder.
"No Captain. I have not lost my mind, I am merely looking out for the wellbeing of the Force. You are being irresponsible! You are Black lion's pilot; yet, you just want to throw it all away for what? Ego? I won't let you ruin your life! Since you are not willing to listen, drastic measures have to be put into place." She looked up at Coran "Coran, I expect you to follow through with the orders I have issued."
Coran nodded reluctantly. "Yes Your Highness." He replied as he looked at the captain sympathetically.
Keith spun around to face Coran and his team. "All of you, get out!" he yelled. "I'd like to have a word with the princess alone." He commanded.
The five of them nodded and quickly exited the room, completely ignoring the princess. Once they were gone Keith threw his gaze back to Allura.
"What have you done? You know that no one is more capable of going after Lotor than I am." He barked.
"I will not let you go on a suicide mission Keith! Enough! I don't need a hero…especially not a dead one! I need you!" she paused as her emotions started to take control. He looked at her in silence as she continued. "I will not lose one more person I care about to this war, understand? Keith?" she said his name with a slight whisper. When Keith looked at her on the screen he could see the concern in her eyes, but it didn't matter. He squeezed his own eyes shut as he ran a hand through his hair and clenched his jaw. The princess went on. "I cannot lose you…I will not be able to overcome it." She sighed.
Keith refused to respond. His heart raced as his jaw twitched in anger. She had completely blindsided him. She should have insisted that they discuss this in private, but now it had escalated to unreasonable proportions. He harshly broke the silence. "You're a hypocrite you know that?" he began.
"What?" she breathed.
"You accuse me of making this personal. Well what do you call this little show huh? You know damn well that I have never let Arus or my team, especially you, down. Now I'm confined to the castle…you've rendered me useless because you're afraid that something might happen to me? This is a war Allura! You know that better than anyone! Anytime I go up in Black it could be my last. You are preventing me from doing my job, what I do best…and it is completely personal and extremely childish!" he assured, voice raised. Allura stared at him blankly. "This sucks Allura! I did not deserve to be blindsided like this." The captain rubbed his face in the palms of his hands. "Why can't you just focus on what you went out there to do and let me handle things here…and then you wonder…damn it!" he yelled, his voice full of rage as he threw the chair across the room causing Allura to flinch.
"You're the one who called me from the rec room." She snorted.
Keith snickered in annoyance as he looked to the side momentarily before locking his eyes on hers. "I called you right away because I was worried about you Allura, especially considering what time it is on Earth. I thought something was wrong…but you obviously had pre-meditated an agenda." He looked at her, his deep brown eyes a reflection of the betrayal he felt. "You know what? Forget it…I'm done with this." He said as he moved toward the vid-screen. "Get some sleep Princess…you obviously need it because you're not thinking straight. When you wake up in the morning and realize what you've done and you feel the need to 'talk'…call Lance!" He snarled and terminated the call.
xxxxx
Allura sat on her bed in a daze as she slapped her hand against her forehead. What the hell have I done? Geni, who had been lurking in the doorway, approached her bewildered friend. Looking at her watch, she realized that there was no way either of them were going to have time to get more sleep. She gently guided Allura up off the bed and walked her to the dining room. The princess sat on the chair and buried her face in the palms of her hands.
"What the hell was I thinking?" she mumbled. Geni stood in the kitchenette making coffee for the both of them.
"Um, you obviously weren't Lulu…I mean, seriously! What ever happened to thinking things through and then opening your mouth?" said Geni, trying to be gentle.
"I was worried Gen! I haven't slept in days! I keep having these horrible nightmares…I thought that he'd listen…"
"Lulu, sweetie, it's not like you asked nicely…or even explained the real reasons why you feel the way you feel.."
"I couldn't! Everyone was there."
"Which is why you should have asked him to call you back when he was alone and just drop it, not give him ultimatums and get all 'Queenie' on him" Geni lectured while Allura glared at her. She finished pouring the coffees and took a seat next to her friend.
"Allura, Keith is the best the Academy has ever seen. You need to trust his instincts. He knows what he's doing." She advised.
"Geni, I would never second guess Keith and I trust him implicitly, but…this is different"
"No, it's not…and don't give me the 'it's personal' crap. He's right, you made it personal. He's just trying to do whatever it takes to protect you and your people. Sure, he may have additional motivation to want to kick the shit out of that bastard, but the bottom line is that it's his job to take care of the situation…that's why he's the commander of the VF and not you" she expressed. Allura looked at her with a raised brow.
"Don't look at me that way Allura. Lance has explained some things to me about the Lions. I don't claim to understand it all, but bottom line is Keith was picked to lead, right?"
The princess lowered her gaze and looked at her hands as she quietly replied. "Yes, Black chose him, although it was obvious that he was born to lead the Force" she said as she looked away and let out a deep sigh. "What do I do now? He's right…I completely blindsided him…in front of everyone. I don't even know how to begin to fix this." She cringed as she fell over onto the table, nearly knocking over her coffee in the process. "Ugh!" she yelped with frustration. The Arusian heir slowly raised her head and looked at Geni. "You do realize that he's probably never going to speak to me again, don't you?" she said as she bit her thumbnail.
Geni rolled her eyes and snorted. "Oh gimmie a break Allura, please!" she began. "You will need some major damage control though." she tapped her chin in thought. "I would definitely call the dogs off…contact Coran and tell him that you had a temporary moment of insanity or something. Then, I would definitely talk to Lance. You're gonna really need to eat crow on this one Lulu…apologize to the team for your behavior…tell them that you were way out of line…yada, yada, yada…"
"I wasn't way out of line…" interjected Allura and Geni threw her a nasty look. "Fine!" she huffed as she looked at the time and grimaced. "It'll have to wait though. We have to be at target practice in 30."
"Later then"
"Later we're moving back to our place…"
"You're not getting out of this Allura! You ran off at the mouth now suck it up!"
Allura glared at Geni and snarled something at her as she got up from the table and headed to the shower. Geni shook her head. Ah yes, this is the same woman that negotiates peace treaties and can out debate any esteemed galactic diplomat…my girl has so much to learn she thought as she got up to prepare for the long day ahead.
*Åh, för Guds…detta är galet: For the love of God... this is crazy
