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…

A/N: Just one more chapter after this one!


Chapter 7

Now that he was in the princess' office, he was suddenly nervous – a state of being that usually only happened to him around women. She had smiled at him when he entered and sat in the informal conversation area. However, he was still standing and wiping his sweaty palms on his pants.

"Keith? Are you going to sit down?" Allura smiled up at him. Their afternoon ride had been so wonderful. Wonderful until Nanny appeared in the stable. She knew that Keith's aloofness was tied to the governess in some way, but she hadn't figured it out.

Sitting down quickly, he began, "I wanted to apologize for my behavior over the last couple of weeks. I never meant for you to feel like my behavior was a result of something you did. The reasons for my behavior are related to some conversations with Nanny." He saw her nod. It seems like the princess had figured some of it out herself. "I came here today to let you know that Nanny and Coran are going to request a replacement for me from the Garrison."

Allura's eyes widened in shock. "Are you serious, Keith? They want to… to replace you? Why? What have you done?"

Keith looked down at his hands and said, "I haven't done anything, but I'd rather them explain their reasons for requesting the reassignment. I just wanted to let you know that I don't want to be reassigned." His dark eyes looked up into hers as he emotionally said, "I feel like I'm meant to be here. I'm meant to protect Arus." and you… the words were spoken through his eyes and though he didn't say them aloud, she heard them loud and clear in her mind.

Her heart quickened at the fact that she heard his words in her mind. She wouldn't mention that now, but he was looking at her for a response. "I don't want you to be reassigned either. You are the Black Lion. We need you… I need you." Allura blushed slightly at her boldness, but he had to know how she felt. The fact that she heard him without him speaking confirmed that he should stay. She saw him nod and then she continued, "Coran and Nanny think that I'm still a child. I may be naïve about some things, but not everything. They want me to rule and make decisions, but then they do things like this that impact my life and my world and they don't think anything about it." Standing up she reached her hand out to Keith, who stood and took it. "Let me handle this, Keith. You've done nothing wrong and so many, many things right." Her eyes were shining as she looked up at his handsome face. She quickly looked away before she did something to embarrass him.

Keith had seen the look in her eyes. Nanny had been right about the princess. She had developed some feelings for him. Where would these feelings get them? He wasn't sure, but it seemed like Allura wanted to keep him around in spite of them… or maybe because of them.

Quietly, he said, "Thank you, Princess. I hope to be around for a long time." Dropping her hand, he added, "I think I had better stay low key until the ball. I'll see you tomorrow for breakfast perhaps."

She nodded and watched him go. Moving to the door, she set the locks and returned to her desk. Opening a secure channel to Galaxy Garrison, she said, "I'd like to speak to Admiral Graham please."

After a very satisfactory conversation with the Admiral, she called Nanny and Coran on the com and requested that they come to the royal office.

When both of them arrived, they moved to sit in the casual seating area. However, Allura motioned to the seats in front of her desk. Coran and Nanny looked at eat other uncertainly.

Once they were seated, she began. "I love you both dearly and I know you do everything that YOU feel is in my best interests. However, I believe that you have begun making decisions of great import to myself and Arus without consulting me." She immediately noticed the guilty look between the chief advisor and the governess. "Please tell me about your dealings with Commander Kogane over the last two weeks."

Suddenly confronted by the princess about her behavior, Nanny worked to portray her actions positively. However, the more she talked, the more that Allura inwardly cringed and seethed about how Keith had been treated.

Allura looked at Coran and said, "And what is your role in this lynching, Coran?"

Clearing his throat, he said, "Well, I hardly think it's that, Allura."

"Really, Coran? You don't think telling the commander that his action toward my person were inappropriate was in effect lynching his honor? To threaten him with behavior unbecoming an officer? Do the two of you know that such charges could derail his military career? And for what? Because he looks at me with affection or holds my hand for a few moments?" She was pleased to see Coran drop his head in shame. At least the chief advisor realized his error. She continued on with her eyes full fire and voice filled with emotion. "Keith has risked his life for mine. Do you really think that a replacement will do the same? I can't believe the two of you would try to remove him." She shook her head in disbelief. "Just so you know, I have already contacted the Garrison and spoken with Admiral Graham. He is to contact me directly if either of you contact him about any of the Force."

Coran spoke carefully, "Of course, Princess."

Allura folded her hands in front of her on the desk and continued, "Now, as for my romantic life, or lack thereof. I am well aware of my duty as princess. However, I will not be told who to marry, who to spend time with, or who I can love. Is that clear?"

Coran and Nanny both nodded.

"I am finished." Coran and Nanny stood to leave but Allura had them wait a moment as she said, "And by the way, I will be dancing with all the members of the Force tomorrow night. If the guests don't understand what those young men mean to Arus, then I really don't care about their opinions." Seeing that they weren't going to oppose her, she said, "Thank you both, you're dismissed."

When they left, a small satisfied smile crossed her face. Indeed she would dance will all the members of the Force, but she had a special dance for one member…