5pm CDT at Shiro's apartment...

"I loved him, more than anything. It killed me to leave him and Keith. I spent many nights crying. What kind of mother leaves her son? Now all of my efforts to save my husband's life were for naught." Krolia breathes deep to hold her composure. She willed herself not to cry in front of Shiro. "I never saw him again. I blame myself."

"Krolia, it's not your fault. You did all you could. You had no idea he would run into a burning building. If you were here, he would have made the same choice. Except the burning building he ran into, would have been started by Zarkon." Shiro touched Krolia's shoulder. "Your sacrifice is what saved Keith."

Krolia took a sip of scotch, pondering Shiro's words. "You saved Keith too, you know." She grabbed his hand with tears rimming her eyes.

"I am so proud of my son."

"You helped him be a great man, like you."

Shiro smiled as he took another drink.

"Thanks Krolia."

"You're welcome," she said wiping the threatening tears from her eyes.

"It would do your heart good if you talked it out, you know." She motioned to the picture of Adam.

"The scotch is good, but it's only a temporary fix."

Shiro sits quietly trying to get his thoughts together.

"He's in my every move, my every thought, my every breath. I keep replaying in my mind Adam, pleading with me not to leave. I know now if I didn't go to Kerberos, who knows what would have happened with the Blue Lion." Shiro runs his fingers through his hair. The stress was eating him alive.

"We wouldn't have become Voltron. I probably would've died here with Adam. But I can't help but think, would that be a bad thing?" He shook his head in disbelief.

"I loved him." His voice chokes up with those words. He places his head in his hands. His breath started to labor. He's crying.

Krolia heart broke for him. She knows all too well what that felt like. Krolia puts her arm around his shoulder and began to rock him back and forth. She cannot help but admire him. Shiro is strong and has been through so much. But yet, he trusts her enough to show his emotions to her. As much as he cares for her son, he keeps it together in front of him. He wants Keith to be a stellar leader.

Krolia respects Shiro as a warrior, a leader and a surrogate father to her son. He will always be family to her. She guesses he feels the same way, especially now.

She softens her voice. "I'm so sorry."

"It never goes away, but it does get easier…" Shiro is choked with grief. He can't respond.

"For what it is worth Shiro. You saved my son and the galaxy."

"But that is not all." He stopped to look at her. His eyes red.

"When you saved my son, you saved me. Losing my husband was tragic enough, but my son? I would have died. The grief would have killed me."

He sat up regaining his composure. Krolia handed him a tissue.

"I highly doubt that." Shiro said in a low voice patting her knee.

Krolia picked up her drink and raised it to him. She paused as a thought came to her. Her husband wanted the best for her and Keith. He would want her to move on.

"I guess it's time we start healing." She takes a sip.

"They wouldn't want us to despair."

Shiro picked up his glass and raised it back to her. He then takes the last sip in his glass, feeling a little better than before.

Shiro held up the bottle and looks at it. It's nearing the bottom.

"Another shot?"

Krolia polishes off her last drink.

"Why the hell not."

Meanwhile at Pearl South Padre Beachfront Resort Hotel

Keith and Allura are out of the shower. Allura's body aches for him more than ever before. They still have yet to have sex and every second that passes, Allura grows anxious. One part of her feels like, this went to far, too fast. The other part, wants Keith to ravage her.

Allura's core is aching after he pleasured her in the shower. She squeezed her legs together to calm herself. She grabs a towel and hands Keith one.

As he dries himself, he takes a glimpse at Allura who is wrapping a towel around herself. Oh no, not yet Princess.

Keith snatches her towel off when she least expects it.

"Keith!" She screamed loudly all the while laughing. He pulls her to him, "We're not done yet."

"I should hope not," she said breathlessly.

With that, their lips crash together. They make their way to the bed groping and grabbing each other the whole way. Allura's heel slips a little and she falls backward on the bed, taking Keith with her.

He looks at her eyes sparkling with desire. Keith can't believe that he, an orphaned juvenile delinquent and Galaxy Garrison dropout, is here with a Princess from another galaxy.

He's searching his mind trying to see what he did to deserve this, or her. Never in a million years did he anticipate that Allura loved him in the same way he loves her. He feels so inferior to her. At the same time, he's in awe of her. She is gorgeous. He never thought she would give him the time of day.

In that moment, Keith is hovering over Allura across the bed, both naked. He pauses to gaze at her. Allura's big blue eyes meet his with the same intensity. Her shallow breaths are driving him wild. Allura has him under her spell.

I can see why Lance was losing his shit last night. I would too if I saw her with anyone else.

At this moment, he loses his cool. Keith's inner dialogue spills out before he can catch himself.

"Marry me Allura."

Allura's eyes grew wide from shock.

"What?"

Oh shit! Did I say that?! Shit!

"What?"This is not how she imagined getting proposed to. Keith hovering over her naked, his manhood teasing her. What would she tell people if they asked how he proposed?

Oh, we were stark naked ready to have steamy sex and he asked me to marry him.

Fuck it. Keith thought. I said it because I mean it. No use back pedaling now. Even if it does look crazy.

"I love you. I don't care if it's a war, if the world is going to explode, I just don't care anymore Allura. I am tired of being scared."

He grabs her hand, still hovering over her.

"I'm sorry, I don't have a ring for you. I promise I will as soon as possible."

He paused summoning courage.

"I love you, and I want you to be my wife- if -if you will have me." He looks down taking a deep breath.

"Please."

War. That has been their lives lately. Allura lost so many to war, and she doesn't want to lose Keith to fear. Allura loves him. They've wasted so much time already.

This is it. She's going to say no.

"Yes, Keith."

"I would be honored to be your wife."

Keith's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, What?" His head spinning from Allura's acceptance.

"Really?"

Allura smiled. "Yes."

"I love you."

"I think I always did."

Allura knows that if she dies, he will die with her. He has proven himself to be more than a suitable match for her, Keith has proven he would be a suitable King. Her King. One that rivaled her father and any other king in Altean history. Keith would give his life for her.

Royals have been matched in Altean history for less. His commoner status means nothing to her and she knows it would mean nothing to her father, King Alfor. He would've loved Keith like she does. He is worthy of the red lion and now, the black one.

As untraditional as this is, she wouldn't have it any other way. Ceremony is special, but being with the one she loves and desires, priceless.

Keith responds with a kiss, gentler than the ones before. This one was sweeter. It was one of true love and adoration. It warmed her body to the core. He passed an energy to her that was spellbinding.

Allura gazes up at Keith whispering, "I love you so much Keith."

With that he enters her. She digs her nails in his back wrapping her long legs around his muscular torso. "Ohhhh!"

Keith not prepared for the sensation he received. Her walls hugged his penis snugly. Keith took several quick breaths to keep from coming right then. He grabs the sheets on each side of her head in desperate attempt to control himself as he slowly thrust inside her in a steady motion.

"Allurrrra…."

Meanwhile on the Galaxy Garrison grounds…

Hunk and Romelle finally complete with dinner, are cleaning up their mess. They called for everyone to get their food and all responded except for a few. They both know that Keith and Allura are not on the premises, but Krolia and Shiro did not show up. Lance asked for them to store his in the refrigerator for later.

Hunk does what he asks, but is concerned that someone will eat it if Lance does not pick it up fast enough.

Oh well, not my problem.

Krolia is another story. She freaks him out. She is super intense, like worse than Keith. He thinks it's better that he packs her food and Shiro's and walk over to his apartment. Shiro was not picking up, but that is not unusual for him on off hours. Unless it's an alarm, he doesn't come out.

I can't blame him truthfully. He hasn't been himself lately. I 'm positive he isn't handling Adam's death well. Poor guy.

"My God this is a long walk," Romelle fans herself.

"Hunk remind me why couldn't we leave their food in the fridge again?"

"Because someone will eat it." Hunk says wiping his brow.

"I don't know about you, but Krolia scares me."

"Oh she is not that bad, once you get to know her."

"She gives the best sex advice."

Hunk gagging slightly from that statement holds his hand up for her to stop.

"Nope, don't want to know."

Romelle shakes her head. "You earthlings are really uptight about sex."

"If more of us had sex, there would be no war."

"Wait so what are you trying to say? Alteans have lots of sex? I did not get the vibe from Coran and Allura."

Romelle chuckles. "That is because they are ancients, Hunk. Technically, they aren't supposed to be alive. Alteans are different now. We are not shy about sex."

"Wow Romelle, he said grinning.

"I guess you learn something new everyday."

I don't know how Lance passed up on Romelle. She's just as crazy as he is, but a lot more fun and interesting. She is a good match for him. Then again, so is Pidge. Maybe Romelle is too much like Lance… Like an Altean female Lance, just not as empty headed. Yeah, he should try to get with Pidge. Someone needs to balance out his blind spots.

"So are you sexually free?" Hunk couldn't resist the question.

"Romelle, yes with who I want to be free with," she says as they turn on Shiro's block. Hunk wonders if she ever slept with Lance, but refrains from asking.

If she did though, he would have bagged two Alteans. He chuckled at the thought. Then I would never doubt his skills again.

"I wouldn't mind time alone with Shiro." That statement snapped Hunk out of his thoughts.

"What?"

"OMG Romelle!" He covers his mouth with one hand. "That is SPACE DAD!"

"He isn't my space dad." She smirked. "He is more like space daddddyyyyyyy!"

Hunk almost dropped the food laughing. "Wait, wait! I need to get myself together!"

"What?" The hilarity of the moment is lost on Romelle. "That is one good looking man," she said with a dreamy look in her eyes.

"Don't you agree?"

"Yes, but I'm not interested in him."

"Plus he likes guys Romelle."

"Ohhh, that never stopped anyone I know, or knew rather." Her voice dampened a little at the memory of lost friends and family.

Hunk's face is red. He can barely believe his ears.

"Hold that thought Romelle."

"This is his place right here."

The Garrison apartments for higher ranking officers were similar to adjoined town homes. It was about a 6 minute walk from the main campus, which under normal circumstances would be ok. But today is a 85 degree day in Texas. Hunk being a little overweight was hot and tired.

Shiro's front yard is meticulous landscaped. It was beautiful. Reminiscent of his Japanese roots. Romelle takes notice of the Bamboo fence, waterfall over stones and trees.

"Wow this is beautiful!" Hunk smiles at her and then rings the doorbell.

No answer.

He rings again. "Right there," a slight slurred voice yells from behind the door.

"Is that Shiro?" She whispered with her eyes as wide as saucers. Hunk shrugs his shoulders.

Door door opens and it's Krolia.

"Hey guys!" She says too cheerily. Is that food?" Her voice slightly slurred looking at their bags. The aroma reaches her nose.

"Oh that is food!"

"Hey Shiro! Look, Hunk and ROOOmmellle brought us food!"

Shiro sitting on the couch slouched, "come on in!"

Hunk and Romelle can hardly believe their eyes. They are tipsy!

"Uh sure thing guys," he says nervously while setting the food down. This is so out of character for them both. He doesn't know whether to record this or be freaked out. Since he values his life, he decides freaked out was better.

"Did you guys speak to Keith?" Hunk asked.

"No, I haven't heard from him all day. He ponders. I guess, we can call him."

"Are you sure you want to call him right now, while you are…She looks at Shiro and Krolia with her eyebrow lifted, "like this?"

Shiro waves his arm. "I'm fine."

"Should we be worried?" Hunk asked.

"Wellllllllll…" Everyone looked at Romelle to hear her next words.

"Lance stopped by earlier looking for Allura."

Krolia exchanged a glance with Shiro. Shiro cracked a little smile. "I am sure they are ok."

"I will look into it to make sure."

"Hunk shrugs. "Okay."

"Well Shiro, let me know if we need to get out a search party."

"I'll be on my comm if you need me." With that, he and Romelle left the apartment.

Hunk is in stunned silence as they walk back to the Garrison.

"That was soooooo weird," Romelle says to Hunk on the way back.

"I don't know how you do it Romelle, but you have a knack for saying exactly what I am thinking! It's like you reach in my head and just speak my words! You sure you don't have any super Altean powers?"

Romelle laughs at the thought.

"I doubt it. That is the Princess's power." She looks at Hunk puzzled.

"So Hunk, you think they have a thing?"

"Who?"

"Space Dad and Space Mom." They look so cozy in there."

"Nope, not thinking about it," Hunk shakes his head. "I saw nothing," he said in denial.

There is so much hooking up at the Garrison but the thought of Shiro and Krolia makes him gag. That is like the thought of his own parents getting it on.

Yikes, no thanks.

"Anyway Hunk," Romelle says interrupting his thoughts.

"Do you still want to hang out? You mentioned it earlier."

Hunk smiled at the idea. Wow she is so cool.

"Of course!"

"I know an arcade that has the coolest bar food and drink."

"They make the best margaritas ever."

"Margaritas? What is that?"

"Only the best drink ever."

Romelle linked her arm in Hunk's smiling brightly.

"Well what are we waiting for?"

Back in Shiro's Apartment…

"I have to know if they are together, Shiro." Krolia calls Allura's comm.

No Answer. Krolia looks at Shiro and he's smirking.

"What do you know that I don't?"

Shiro laughs. I didn't want to say in front of Hunk and Romelle. But we have trackers on their comms. As a high level officer, I can see where they are."

"Yes, but don't they know that?"

"They do. I didn't want to reveal I'm using that feature in Hunk and Romelle's presence. If Keith and Allura are together, I would rather find out with only you here. Not in front of them."

"Agreed."

He reopens his comm and turns on the tracker. The screen pops open with both Allura and Keith's location. "Pearl South Padre Beach Resort," Shiro smiles knowingly.

"Beach resort huh?" Krolia could barely contain her excitement.

He hacks into the hotel cameras and see Keith and Allura with their hands all over each other.

"Well I'll be damned." Krolia exclaimed. "That book must have worked!"

"What book?"

"Kama Sutra."

"I gave it to Allura and suggested that she pass on what she learns to Keith."

Shiro almost chocked on his scotch. The drink burned his throat unexpectedly and he started coughing. Then a laugh escaped his lips. It was the first laugh he had in a long time.

"You gave her WHAT?" He face turned red and tears of laughter now threatens his eyes.

"Oh my GOD!"

"Here I was thinking my talk with Keith worked."

"What talk?"

"I told him to confess to her how he feels. I told him life was too short and he should admit he loves her."

"Well hot damn!" Krolia exclaimed. "I guess we make one hell of a matchmaking team!"

She high fives him.

Shiro laughs at her use of the english language, he is pretty sure the scotch is why she is talking like that. Looks like her husband rubbed off on her. In a good way.

Krolia takes a bite of the pork bun and some meat dripped on her top. "Ugh!" She wiped off her shirt. Realizing it was getting late she decides to get going.

"I guess I should go." Krolia feels woozy but sober enough to make it home.

"Hey if you want, I have a shirt you can change into."

"No I should be going." Krolia notices a flash of disappointment across Shiro face. He truly enjoys her company. She made him feel better than he has in a long time.

"I guess I can stay a little while longer…"

Back at Veronica's…

"Lance!" Startled by the intrusion Veronica almost fell of of Matt's lap. She regained her balance and stood up. She was still wearing shorts to accompany her bra. Matt fixed his belt to his pants. Both seemed embarrassed but Veronica more so.

"What are you doing, barging in my apartment?" She picked up her tee shirt off the floor and put it on.

"That code was in case of an emergency!"

"Well if you have picked up your phone, I wouldn't have freaked out!"

"I didn't know if you were having one of your episodes!"

Matt stood up and picked up his bag. "I'll text you later tonight, V." He smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

Veronica whispered in his ear, "I'll make it worth your while if you do." Matt responds to her comment with a passionate kiss.

"Are you both kidding me right now?" Lance exclaimed irritated at the scene.

"I am right here!"

"Lance, chill out," Matt said unaffected by Lance.

"Bye V."

"Bye love," she blew him a kiss.

"GET OUT!" Lance waves him off.

"Lance you are so rude. First your burst into my quarters and now you are rude my man."

"I have a good mind to tell you to leave!"

"Okay, I am sorry."

"It's just so weird."

"My sister and Matt making out," he grimaces.

Veronica rolls her eyes. "Shut up, Idiot."

"What do you want anyway?"

"I need to talk to you about something." He walks over to her one of her bar chairs and sits.

"Why are you sitting over there?" She asked while sitting on her own sofa.

"Because, God only knows what you and Matt were doing on there!"

"Not more then what you do, I am sure." She winks.

Lance thinks about what he and Allura did in the past in his quarters. He gags when he thinks of his sister doing the same thing with Matt. "Oh God no."

"When did you start dating anyway?"

Veronica smiles at the memory. "We met while you all were in the hospital recovering."

"What?" Lance is surprised that he didn't know this sooner. "Why didn't I know this?"

"Does Pidge know?"

"Yes and she doesn't care. What does it matter to you anyway?"

"It matters, because you're my sister." He claps his hands at every word for effect.

"Well, if you weren't so far up Allura's ass, you would know."

Lance groans at the mention of her name. That comment stung. He rubbed his temples trying to keep a headache from forming.

"So did come here to tell me why you lost your shit last night Lance?"

"I heard about it, you know."

Lance looked up to meet her eyes and sighed. "Yes, that is why I am here sis."

"Well?" She crossed her legs impatiently waiting his side of the story.

"It's simple. I couldn't sleep so I went to the training deck." Next thing I know, Axca shows up. It was weird because she is a blade now, and rarely stays here at the Garrison."

"I am guessing because Kolivan is here, and that is why she is."

"I didn't know she was a blade!"

"That is strange with her past."

"Yes, but since Lotor double crossed her and she saved us, they trust her."

"Okay…" Veronica says while waiting on the rest of the story. Lance is taking too long and she knows this is juicy.

"Anyway, we sparred a bit and it was fun. She is cool to hang out with. She suggested she and I take a walk around the Garrison. I assumed she wanted to do a perimeter check. We passed the Castle site and saw the lights on. Axca suggested we should investigate. When we got there, Keith and Allura were all over each other. Like making out hard." Lance heart sinks on the recollection.

"Axca ran off and I lost it sis."

"Wow."

"Well I don't see a scratch on you, so I guess you and Keith didn't fight."

"No, because when I approached him and grabbed his shoulder. He responded by pulling out his blade."

"WHAT?" Veronica jumps off the sofa yelling. "ARE YOU SERIOUS?"

"HE COULD HAVE KILLED YOU, YOU KNOW HE'S CRAZY, RIGHT?"

"Yeah, but I wasn't concerned about that."

"I am so hurt by Allura more than anything." He struggles to keep himself together. It hurts him so bad.

"And.. he would't have killed me. I have only seen Keith kill in defense of others, not himself. Truth is, I shouldn't be mad at him."

Veronica settles down in disbelief over what she heard. "Did you report this? Is Shiro going to?"

"I asked Shiro not to report it. We need Keith as a leader and I shouldn't have touched him."

"That's what started it."

Veronica ponders what Lance just said. It pisses her off that her brother was threatened by Keith, but he did start it. She sighs.

"So what now?"

Lance places his head in his hands. "I need to talk to Allura, but she is nowhere to be found."

"All I learned is she went to take a break."

"Well, all you can do is wait then." Veronica shrugs. "But what will you even say? From what you told me, you guys were not official.

"Seems like y'all were f—k buddies."

"Veronica!"

"Oh come on Lance, everybody knew. What I did not understand is why didn't you make it official? Like, what was stopping you from saying, "I want you to be my lady?"

"Or did you?"

"I didn't want to pressure after Lotor and then it just became this pattern. Like after a stressful day, we would hook up."

Veronica couldn't believe her brother is this naïve. He had to know he was a rebound. Maybe he was in denial.

"So you mean to tell me you both never went out, held hands in public or anything? What made you think it was more than that?"

"I don't know, she seemed to care for me and I told her how I felt. I just thought she would come around."

"Oh good Lord Lance. You are too good to be true." Veronica looks at Lance who is truly troubled. He's slouched in his seat. The joy drained out of him. She got up and hugged him.

"Lance, I've been around Allura and she does seem to care about you a great deal. But, I think you aren't the guy she has in mind."

Lance looks at her with sadness in his eyes. She might as well have punched him.

"Gee thanks sis."

"I'm not trying to hurt you, I want you to put things in perspective. I like Allura…" She pauses, wondering if she should be more candid.

"Do you want to hear my real opinion?"

"Sure," Lance said frowning. "I don't think it can get any worse."

"I think that you and she have nothing in common. She is Altean royalty. Her purpose is to lead her people. Right now, her people are out there being manipulated by her ex psycho boyfriend and the witch. You are a man with a large family here on earth. Do you think that if she got her people back that you could leave earth again to be with her? Do you think that she would stay here on earth and play housewife for you?"

Lance looks up at his sister like for the first time life made sense. "No, I don't think she could."

"Exactly," Veronica added. "And you can't ask her to."

Lance digests this information. He finally understands why he and Allura aren't a perfect fit…And why she is so drawn to Keith… Keith has no one but Krolia. His only family he had on earth is dead. He has no attachment here. He's a leader and cared enough about her and her people to try to save them. He's a warrior like she is… They're perfect for each other. The thought sickens him.

He sighs heavily. It's painful, but he knows he must move on.

"Lance, I want the best for you. There are plenty of nice girls here on earth that would love to be with a Latin lover like yourself."

Veronica grins while punching him lightly on his arm. Lance smiles gratefully. It was hard to hear that he and Allura may not be the best match, but somehow he is starting to feel better.

"Thanks sis."

"Sure thing."

"You know, there may even be a nice girl with a nice family who knows how to make garlic knots," she winks.

Lance looks at Veronica immediately catching her meaning. "I know Pidge likes me V."

"She told me."

"So you aren't going to move on that?"

"She a pretty girl."

"She and Matt look just alike and he's hot, so-"

Lance not willing to hear that rest of that gross statement, "VERONICA!"

"What, thankfully I am not into girls, but you are. You should see where it goes."

"I considered it strongly when she told me. It never crossed my mind before that really. I mean what would a smart girl like Katie want with me?"

Did he just call her Katie? I wonder if he likes her more than he lets on.

"Shit, what does Allura want with you? What does Romelle want with you? Do you hear yourself?" She grabs Lance's shoulders and shakes him.

"Lance get it together! You're hot, dummy!" He chuckles a little. Veronica knows how to make him feel a lot better.

"Well, I know what Allura likes-"

Veronica burst out laughing at his attempt at crude humor. "Ugh Lance!" He laughs at this sister's response. But he doesn't want to abandon the topic at hand, Pidge.

"In all seriousness though, I'm afraid I will hurt Katie."

Veronica pats his hand. "Fear and love Lance, should never be in the same sentence. If you care for her, take it slow. I am not saying jump in the sack, but I'm saying take your time with it. That girl may not be on the level as Allura as far as looks, but who the hell is?"

"Allura is the standard that none of us women meet here. But Pidge under those baggy clothes and glasses is a diamond in the rough. She has a little figure and a gorgeous face. I envy her flawless skin."

Lance thinks back on Pidge's appearance. He didn't realize it until the other day how pretty she is.

"One day, you are going to look up and she will be a bombshell, you watch. And you then you will be kicking yourself that you didn't get on the ground floor."

"You're right V. Once I clear things up with Allura and Keith, I will ask Katie out for real."

"Good, now get out."

"Matt texted me and I need to relieve some tension."

Lance almost gagged at that comment.

"Jesus V, I DON'T WANT TO KNOW!"

On the way back to his quarters….

Lance is feeling better than before. Yes, he is still hurting about Allura but he now realizes, she may not be the best one for him. Pidge is sweet and there's nothing wrong with her. They get along well and she isn't hard on the eyes.

As he enters the hallway leading to his quarters he sees Kinkade with this beautiful girl. He is all over her. She has tight jeans, a white tank top and a brown bob with red highlights. She sports dark sunglasses. She looks like a model. If she wasn't so short, she would be. She has a black widow, rock star thing going on with her. Wow, she must be his girlfriend. I never saw her around her before, but she is gorgeous. I wonder if she has a sister.

Lance keeps looking to see if he can get a better view of her. Finally, she turns around.

"Lance!" She waves wildly.

"Pidge?"