Thanks again to those of you that reviewed! I love reading your thoughts.
I do not own Voltron or the WEP characters.
Enjoy!
CMS
Lotor paces the bridge of his ship. "Get me planet Arus NOW!"
The guard turns to his controls almost immediately connecting to Arus. Coran's face appears on the view screen. "Lotor! Where is Queen Allura?"
"Your Voltron Force came and stole her away from me!" Lotor replies.
Coran sighs with relief. "Don't look too thrilled old man. She will be coming back to me soon…after all, you should never keep a wife away from her husband." Lotor smirks at him.
"What do you mean…wife?"
"That's right, Allura married me this afternoon. We were just starting our honeymoon when we were...interrupted."
"I don't believe you."
"Believe it! Just ask Allura when she returns. Prepare her for my arrival. She and I have some unfinished business."
Lotor severs the comm. link, laughing.
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With a few minutes to go before reaching Arus, Lance looks over to watch Allura begin to stir awake. "Well, nice to see you awake sleepy head."
Allura smiles shyly at him. "Guess I didn't realize how tired I was."
"Well, with all that has been going on, I'm surprised you stayed awake as long as you did."
Allura rubs the back of her neck. "Lance…how did Keith escape from Nathan? He was so weak the last time I saw him."
"I was a bad boy again." Allura raises an eyebrow as Lance continues. "I hid in the shuttle you took to Lotor's ship. After you left, one of Lotor's goons came on board. I knocked him out cold and took his uniform. My plan was to get Keith and you, but when I saw Nathan's men…I had to make a choice."
"I see." Allura whispers.
Lance turns to Allura, "Allura, Keith was in bad shape…I didn't know how much he could take after what Lotor did to him. You know what Nathan is capable of more than any of us."
Allura holds her hands up to silence Lance. "Lance, please. I am not saying that you were wrong in what you did. I am relieved that you helped Keith. If you hadn't, I really don't think he would be here now." Allura smiles at him, "Thank you for being a 'bad boy'."
Lance smiles back at her then turns to his controls. "Good news…there is our beautiful planet."
Allura stands behind Lance. Holding on to the back of the chair, tears begin to form. I never thought I would see Arus again.
Lance tilts his head back to look at Allura. "Are you feeling a bit stronger?"
"Much…thank you."
"Good, now let's land Big Red here and get you to Dr. Gorma." Lance demands.
"Lance, I don't need to see…."
"Don't start with me….you and Keith both have an appointment with our good old doctor. You both are so damned stubborn."
Allura doesn't say another word as she watches Lance land his lion.
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Aggravated by the short conversation he had moments earlier with Lotor, Coran paces near the door, waiting for the group to arrive. Married…to that monster? It can't be true. I can't just confront her with it right now. But it will have to be soon. He is on his way here now.
Coran is pulled out of his reverie as the doors to the control room open. Keith has an arm draped over each of Hunk and Pidge's shoulders. "Keith! Are you ok? I knew you shouldn't have taken the trip."
Keith pulls his arms from the two men and stands with a hand on his ribs. "I'm fine Coran. There was no way in hell I was staying behind. Has Lance and Allura come up yet?"
Coran shakes his head. "No, not yet."
Keith turns and eyes the door. Something's wrong. I know it.
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Before going up to the control room, Lance notices Allura lagging behind him. He stops and turns around to her. "Hey….what's up?"
Allura lowers her head and begins to cry. "I…I'm so ashamed."
Lance quickly takes her in his arms and holds her tight as she sobs out. "I couldn't fight him. His hands…all over me…it's sickening…"
Lance squeezes a little tighter. With a low voice, he says, "Allura…you have nothing to be ashamed about. He is a sick bastard and he will get what's coming to him. I promise you that."
Lance holds her a few moments longer and waits for her crying to diminish. When it does, he asks, "Ready to go up?"
Allura nods and they enter the elevator to the control room.
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Lance and Allura enter the control room to find the other members of the force and Coran waiting for them. Lance exits first with Allura not far behind. Keith spies her and sees that her demeanor is quite different from the last time he saw her.
He walks up to her and embraces her. She wraps her arms around him and sighs. "I'm so sorry Allura."
She breaks the embrace to look into his eyes. "You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm just happy you're ok."
Coran clears his throat to capture the couple's attention. Keith and Allura look over to him and he says, "I think the both of you need to get checked over."
The anger from what Lotor did to Allura builds inside of Lance and he storms out of the room. Keith looks at Allura and asks, "Is he ok?"
Allura nods her head. "He must be tired….we all are."
Not really believing her, Keith nods and begins to walk to Med Tech with Allura in hand.
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In Med Tech, Keith and Allura sit in separate rooms. Allura asked Dr. Gorma to check out Keith first.
After his examination, Keith begins to put his shirt back on. A knock is heard on the exam room door. "Enter," Keith says.
Lance walks in, "Just wanted to check in on you."
"I'm fine Lance. Few bruised ribs, couple of stitches in my head…other than that, I'll be fine. Nothing a nice hot shower won't cure."
"You need one. You smell terrible and you have blood caked all over you. That will definitely not get the attention of the women."
"There's only one I want the attention of." Keith mumbles.
"Yeah…well…I've got get going. See ya in a bit." Lance says as he begins to leave.
"Where are you going?"
"I have some business to take care of." Lance says, avoiding Keith's stare.
"What kind of business Lance?"
Lance turns and looks at Keith. "Keith, I think you need to go be with Allura."
"Tell me what's going on Lance. What happened with Allura and Lotor?" Keith hesitates with the last question. "Were we too late?"
Lance runs an agitated hand through his hair. "Keith…I….you need to go talk to Allura…."
Keith puts both hands on Lance's shoulders. "Lance please! Just tell me!"
Lance pushes Keith's hands off of his shoulders. "Fine! Yes…as far as I'm concerned, we were too damn late! I mean...he didn't rape her, but the things he did…God Keith!"
Keith's eyes go wide and he whispers, "No."
"That is where I am going. To take care of that bastard, once and for all."
Keith is silent for a few moments. "Lance, how is Allura handling this?"
"How do you think Keith? She was a total wreck when she was with me in Red." Lance lowers his head then raises it. He walks up to Keith and admits, "There was nothing wrong with my communicator Keith."
Keith looks at him confused as Lance continues. "Allura is ashamed of what happened with Lotor. She knew you were badly hurt and she didn't want you to sense her pain. Allura couldn't talk to you then Keith."
"I thought I was the one she could always talk to. Instead, she turned to you." Keith says softly; aware that maybe he shouldn't mention it.
Lance raises an eyebrow, "Keith, don't do this. I was the one that was there at that time. We've been friends for a long time. She needed to let it out…"
"Yeah…I know and once again, I wasn't there for her. Just like I wasn't there when Nathan took advantage of her…I wasn't there when Lotor did!" Keith runs an agitated hand through his hair and makes for the door.
Lance places a hand on Keith's arm. "Keith, don't beat yourself up over this. Allura needs you."
Lance releases Keith's arm and Keith makes his way to the exam room Allura is in.
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Dr. Gorma meets Coran in the hall as he is about to enter Allura's exam room. As they enter, Dr. Gorma asks, "Your Majesty, do you mind if Coran joins us?"
Allura sighs, "No…that's fine." Do I have a choice? She asks herself.
Dr. Gorma speaks, "Well, I just ran the blood test. It seems that whatever Lotor gave you is out of your system."
"Poison?" Coran asks.
Dr. Gorma turns toward Coran. "No, not poison. From what her Majesty says, it was some kind of potion. I don't think Lotor would give her something that would harm her. Obviously, he had something on his mind."
Allura pushes herself off of the exam table. "Please don't speak about me as if I am not here."
"My apologies, your Majesty. I have done a thorough exam, and I think you are healthy. If there is nothing else, or you begin to feel something is not quite right, please come see me immediately."
Allura nods her head and Dr. Gorma exits the room.
Coran stands there watching her. "What?" Allura asks.
"Before you arrived, I was contacted by a certain Prince." Coran states.
Allura raises an eyebrow. "Wonderful…and?"
Coran sighs, "Please tell me that it isn't true."
"What?"
"Did you marry him?"
Allura pauses a few minutes before she speaks. "I'm not sure Coran. Lotor gave me something. I imagine it was in the food and wine the slaves brought me. I guess I fell asleep, and the next thing I knew, I was in this gown. I remember being somewhere with Lotor in front of a very tall man. He was asking questions…." Allura stops her sentence, not wanting to let Coran know what had transpired between Lotor and her afterwards.
"Allura?"
Allura waves her hand at Coran. "Please Coran, I'm tired and I really don't want to discuss this with you right now."
Coran strokes his mustache as he says, "Well, you're going to have to discuss it sooner or later. Lotor is on his way here now…says he is coming for his wife."
Allura straightens her posture and begins to rush towards the door. "Why didn't you say that before?"
She rushes out of the room with Coran close on her heels.
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Keith makes his way down the hall to Allura's room. He sees Coran and Dr. Gorma enter the exam room. Maybe I should give them some time. Now's a good time to take a shower then maybe Allura will be free to talk to. Keith thinks.
Heading towards his bathroom, Keith removes all his clothes and walks to the shower. He stands under the warm water with his hands pressed up against the shower wall, tilting his head down to allow the water to massage the back of his neck. He flinches slightly as the droplets of water hit his bruises.
Allura...what are we going to do? How can I help you through this when I am the one who got you into it? Keith shuts off the water and pulls a towel from the rack. He dries himself off and walks into his bedroom.
Suddenly, the alarms go off and Keith quickly gets dressed. Rushing out of his room, he pulls his shirt on as he makes his way to the control room.
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Lotor's cocky expression beams on the video screen. Lance stands with fists clenched at his side as Allura and Coran quickly walk into the control room.
Lotor notices her walk in and says, "Ahh…there is my wife. I've come to take you home love."
"SHE'S NOT YOUR FUCKING WIFE ASSHOLE! I suggest you hall your ass back to Doom." Lance's anger-filled voice fills the room and carries out into the hall.
Keith picks up his pace as he hears Lance's voice. He walks into the room and stands beside Allura. Looking over at her, he notices her pale expression. "It's going to be alright Allura," he whispers to her.
She slowly turns her head toward him, keeping her eyes on Lotor for just a few seconds more. She finally turns her gaze to Keith and sees the love in his eyes. She smiles slightly and nods her head.
"Commander Keith!" Lotor's voice is heard once more. "Wish I could say that it is nice to see you…alive…but then, I would be lying. It doesn't surprise me that Nathan couldn't take care of things. I'm sure he even had trouble keeping you pleased my dear." Lotor says, moving his gaze now to Allura.
Allura lowers her head and he continues. "Don't act so shy Allura. After all, we were just getting started on our wedding night." Lotor smirks.
"THAT'S IT!" Lance heads for his chute to lead him to his lion. Allura calls out to stop him. "Wait Lance…he is trying to get all of you upset. Don't let him. Hunk and Pidge are already out there if he tries something."
Lance looks into her eyes and sees the pleading in them. Keith is desperately trying to suppress his anger that seems to be boiling within him. He steps up to the video screen. "Why are you here Lotor?" As if I don't already know.
"Why do you think? I am here to take my wife home!"
Allura speaks up, "I AM NOT YOUR WIFE!"
"No? Then why do you still wear the wedding dress I gave you?" Lotor asks.
Allura looks down upon herself and notices that indeed she is still wearing it. She snaps her head back up quickly looking at Lotor with disgust, "Don't worry, you can have it back."
"Oh yes…I plan on getting it back. I will take my time undressing you just as soon as I get you home love."
"You so much as lay a hand on her…I'll personally do to you what you did to me…only worse." Keith says through clenched teeth.
Lotor snarls at Keith with hatred in his eyes. Coran steps up and says, "Lotor, you drugged Queen Allura, therefore, the marriage is not legal."
Lotor turns his gaze to Coran and glowers at him. "Is there any evidence that she was drugged?"
Remembering that Dr. Gorma said that there was no drug found in her blood, Coran simply states, "No."
"No proof, no drug. Allura, be ready for me in twenty minutes."
Lance speaks up once more. "Wait Asshole…Allura was drugged. When I found her, she couldn't even dress herself. Hunk had to carry her to my lion because she couldn't even walk. What do you think she was so weak from?"
Lotor smirks, "We had a wonderful time in my bed Lieutenant. What do you think?"
Lance turns red. Allura's heart drops to the pit of her stomach, but she manages to place a hand on Lance's shoulder to calm him. She looks over to Keith and sees the clenched fists and gritted teeth. I have to do something…I'm losing my boys. She thinks.
"I need longer than twenty minutes Lotor."
Keith, Lance, and Coran both turn to Allura in shock. "What?" They say in unison.
"You will come to me if I give you longer? How much time do you need?" Lotor asks.
"At least a few hours. I need to get things together and delegate responsibilities to people."
Lotor contemplates what she has just said for a few minutes. "Fine…I will wait for you just outside the Arusian atmosphere."
Allura nods and the connection goes black.
Lance turns to Allura in anger. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"
Allura knits her eyebrows together. "DON'T YOU DARE YELL AT ME!"
Keith comes up to stand close to Allura. "Allura, can we go somewhere to talk?"
Allura turns her aggravated gaze from Lance to Keith. Her expression softens as she looks into the compassionate eyes of her love. Allura nods her head and Keith leads her from the room.
Lance turns to Coran and says, "I sure hope she knows what she is doing."
Coran watches her retreating back and says, "I can't say for sure, but I think she may have a plan."
