Hello everyone! Since there will be no GMN this weekend...I will post an additional chapter of 'Whatsername' tomorrow (Sunday) evening. Thank you to everyone for their continued support...all who keep on reading/following/reviewing/PMing...Thanks so much! Just got home from yet another double shift at work but, I promised! Please forgive any overlooked grammar errors *grins*
Achangel Wolf: Yes...he most certainly will have the shock of his life...it will be soon!
WarzonePrez: Sushi date has arrived..yay! But things don't go exactly as planed... :-)
Cubbie and Chris: Yes, Keith is even more determined than Allura...wanting to win her over...still doesn't know he's fighting himself *head slap* ;-)
JustLucky05: There will be a lot of teasing going on as each have a plan of their own...but soon...it will all come together...
KathDMD: Welcome back Bella! LOL...I can't use barrette...it was a single barrette and he has it (sorry cara *sniffles*)...HOWEVER... there is another piece of jewelry that will come into play in the most inopportune moment *wink* missed you! xoxoxoxoxo
Disclaimer: I do not own or profit from Voltron or its characters. All OCs belong to me...
"Whatsername"
Chapter 10
Romelle sat on the luxurious chair in Allura's sitting room, pouring them each a cup of coffee while Allura finished getting dressed.
"So, are you sure you'll be alright if Sven and I go back to Pollux tomorrow morning?" she asked, loud enough for Allura to hear her in the next room.
"Yes, Romelle…I'll be fine."
"I don't know…I'm just worried about you, Al. I mean…you've been through hell…I saw the sadness and despair in your eyes…you poor thing…seriously…how are you…uh…" The Polluxian princess froze mid-sentence when a glowing Allura bounced out of her room wearing a pair of khaki green capris and black strappy cotton top with matching wedge sandals- she'd even managed to straighten her hair.
Sporting a refreshed smile she took a seat across her cousin and indulged in a long sip of her coffee. "Mmm…that's good. So…you were saying?" Looking up, she noticed Romelle's dropped jaw. "Melle? What's the matter?"
"What happened to you?"
"Ummm…what?"
"You! You're so….my God…you look amazing!"
"Uh, Thank you?"
"Seriously Al, what gives? You were miserable yesterday and today you look elated."
"I'm just trying to take things in stride, Melle. The rest of the team doesn't have to suffer because of what happened. I just want to keep myself busy…do new things…"
"Uh huh…right…I don't buy it." she responded, crossing her arms in front of her.
Allura rolled her eyes. "Romelle, I don't want you to worry about me, please. I'll be fine…really. I'm not saying this is easy…it's not…but I have my boys." she winked.
The Polluxian wasn't convinced, but knew that she had no chance of winning this particular argument so she decided to change the subject. "That's quite the outfit you have on…a little much for sparring, don't you think?"
The princess grinned. "No practice today…I'm heading into Altea."
"A little casual for a meeting…"
"I'm not going to a meeting."
Romelle arched a brow "Oh?"
"No. I'm checking out a new sushi restaurant that opened up this past fall. Heard it was amazing."
"You? Sushi? Since when? Ugh! Never mind…so, when is Lance taking you?"
Allura cleared her throat. "Lance isn't taking me…Keith is…"
Romelle turned to the side and spit out her coffee. "Well now…that explains it."
"Explains what?"
"This sexy look you're sporting." She replied with a fancy wave of her finger. The Arusian simply looked at her cousin and took yet another sip of her coffee. "Wow…and you're not denying it." she smiled. Focusing on Allura, Romelle furrowed her brow. "Al, you're hurting right now…don't use Keith to move on…the man is crazy about you and it's not fair."
Allura straightened her shoulders and looked directly into her cousin's eyes. "I assure you, Melle, I am not using Keith. If anything, what happened made me realize just how strong my feelings are for him."
"Marrying someone else helped you realize that you have feelings for Keith?"
"Oh stop it, Romelle…you know very well that I already had feelings for him before this mess. I learned a lot about myself over the last couple of months, and learned enough about relationships to know that I would like to be in one with Keith…that's all."
"Then get the annulment."
"I'm not ready"
"Then you should let Keith know that…"
"I already have…"
Romelle arched a brow "And he's ok with it?"
"Why wouldn't he be? It's not like anything is actually going on between us…" said Allura with a wave of her hand
"But you…"
"But what?"
Romelle crossed her arms once more and huffed "He's taking you out on a date."
"No, we are just two friends going out for sushi…that's all. I'm in a good mood, Romelle…don't spoil it…drop the subject, please."
Raising her hands in defeat she responded. "Alright, you know yourself best…you won't hear another word from me unless you bring it up, deal?"
"Deal."
Xxxxxxx
Seeing as though Keith and Allura had ventured into Altea for lunch, the rest of the team had the morning off. Lance decided to spend the time in their makeshift garage, working on updating the new car-slash-hovercraft he'd purchased. The vehicle was a hybrid of a classic Camero equip with hovering capability- in red, of course.
Red's pilot wasn't much of a mechanic, however, he did know a lot about sound systems and wanted to make sure that his new hybrid had the best. As he worked on the speakers, he pondered his best friend's expression upon seeing the princess when she'd arrived for their excursion. Lance laughed at the recollection. None of them had ever seen her look so casual- and it most certainly looked good on her. It was more than obvious that the Voltron commander thought so as well. God I hope their having a good time… After mounting the new speakers, Lance proceeded to install the new sound component when Coran burst into the garage like a bat out of hell.
Lance sprung to his feet "Geez Coran! What gives?"
"Brace yourself, lieutenant" he huffed, bending over to grab his knees while trying to catch his breath "Princess and Commander are back…and she is not happy…"
Lance's eyes bulged "They're back already? But they just left less than an hour ago!"
"I know…I.." The minister was interrupted by the sound of Allura slamming the car door shut and storming through the garage, Keith was not far behind- running his hand through his hair…as usual.
As Allura flew passed Coran and Lance, she mumbled and groaned under her breath- blasting through the side door into the main castle lobby. The two men turned to look at Keith.
"What the hell happened?" squealed Lance.
The captain held a far of look as he stared in the direction Allura went, looking as though a million things were running through his mind.
"Dude! I'm talking to you!" Red yelled.
Keith shook his head and turned toward Lance. "I'm sorry…what did you say?"
"I asked what the fuck happened!"
Black's pilot rubbed his neck and shoulder while releasing a strong sigh "Well, first the media happened…bombarding her with questions about whether or not she was married. I have to say, she handled that pretty well…but then, she went off about my…uh…" pausing to clear his throat "fan club…" he grimaced.
Coran stifled a chuckle while Lance sported a wicked grin "I'm sorry…did you just say…fan club?"
If it were possible, Keith cringed even more…"You know…I really don't want to talk about it. Look, she's really upset. Lance, can you check on her? I have something I need to do…I'll be back in about twenty minutes."
His best friend arched a brow "Where are you going?" Keith narrowed his eyes at him "Alright fine, geesh! I'll go calm her down until you get back."
"Thank you. Coran…you may get a little backlash from the media after what happened…just a heads up…"
"By the Lions…I'm getting too old for this." The man rubbed the bridge of his nose then turned toward Keith. "When all this is said and done…I'm handing her over to you, Commander…unless you all want to put me in an early grave." Coran shook his head and walked off.
Keith turned to Lance. "I'll be back man…just twenty minutes…ok?"
"Just go…will ya?"
Keith jumped back in the car and took off while Lance made his way back into the Castle to find the disgruntled princess. He didn't have to look far. The Red Lion pilot found her pacing back and forth in the rec room, mumbling to herself once again.
"Talking to yourself now, sushi girl?"
Allura whipped around to glare at him "Kiss off, Lance!"
"Hey..woah! Listen little miss Blondie McBitchy…I came by to hear you out…let you vent…I really don't need this new attitude of yours…not that I don't like it…but- give it to someone else!"
The princess slumped her shoulders. "Ugh, I'm sorry Lance. I'm just frustrated. I just wanted this lunch thing to be fun…nothing went as I had hoped it would…"
Lance slowly approached Allura and rubbed her arms. "Talk to me girl…what happened?"
The frustrated monarch grunted and threw her head to the side as she began to pace. "That man and his minions…they're everywhere!"
Lance arched a brow "I'm sorry…did you say…minions?"
Allura spun to look at him, crossing her arms in front of her "Did you know he's got a whole little fan club of girls after him?" Lance chuckled "I'm serious, Lance! After the whole media fiasco, they found out and wouldn't leave us in peace! They were all 'Oh Captain…your so cute…oh Captain, can you hold my hand?...marry me Commander…Blech! I wanted to slap them!"
Lance laughed wildly "Seriously? I mean…I knew chicks liked him…but did that really happen?"
"Lance! It was crazy! I was, like...'Hello…HRH over here! Get lost!' I mean…these women had no shame! When they finally backed off, they just wouldn't stop staring!"
"Well…my best friend is a hottie" he winked and continued to laugh at the princess' tirade. Wow, she is really bothered by this…good! The thought initiated his sinister smirk which slowly faded when he noticed her demeanor went from angry to defeated.
"I just wanted us to have a nice lunch, Lance…at a place that he actually would have enjoyed…you know, let loose and just relax. I was so looking forward to it. Instead, he had to be full on Commander again because of all the insanity." Allura plopped down on the couch and began to fiddle with her hands.
Lance furrowed his brow and sat down next to her. Turning to face him, she continued "This sucks, Lance. Two days ago, I was the happiest woman in the world, and now…"
"Hey, Lura-lu…I have no clue what the hell went on in that portal…but I have no doubt that you'll find happiness again…you'll see. Come on, what happened today can't be that much of a surprise to you. The two of you are a hot commodity in the press…you always have been. Shit, I bet this is the first time that it's even been just the two of you…period. No wonder it was a media circus!"
"Ugh, you're right…I should have known. I guess, I just got so use to moving around so freely over the last two months…it never dawned on me…" she was interrupted when Lance's com beeped.
"Sorry Lu…it's Captain Awesome." He winked as he pulled out his com "McClain"
"Lance, is Allura still with you?"
"Yup, right here."
"Could you have her meet me out back by the garden…I'll be there in five."
"She copies that…"
"Great, Thanks"
Allura arched a brow. "What's that about?"
Lance shrugged. "Hell if I know…Come on…I'll walk you down…"
Xxxxx
As they approached her mother's garden, Lance and Allura saw Keith leaning against the entrance with a handled paper bag hooked in his hand.
"What's in the bag, Commander?" asked Allura with an arched brow.
Using his index finger, he raised the bag by its handles and wiggled it at her "Lunch, of course."
Allura quickly walked up to him and grabbed the bag to look at the logo then flashed him an elated smile "You went back?"
"Well…you did issue a Royal Declaration that I was to take you for sushi, and you know that I do not disobey orders." He grinned at the princess then shifted his gaze to Lance, who immediately got the hint and made himself disappear.
Allura followed his gaze and looked over her shoulder, catching a final glimpse of the Red Lion pilot as he vanished down the hall.
Looking back at Keith she smirked "Nice."
The captain laughed then took her arm and guided her out into the garden. "Look, let's be honest. There's no way in hell that you and I would ever be able to enjoy anything in peace out in Altea, or any other town for that matter. We'd always be gawked at or fawned over, and you know it."
"I suppose…but those women…they were insufferable! I mean…seriously!"
"Right, because all the princes and nobles that use to parade around here were a real peach."
"It's not the same…"
"Of course it is!"
"Nooo…the princes weren't drooling over me, they were drooling over my title and all that comes with it."
"Oh come on, Allura…it wasn't like that…"
The princess stopped walking "Yes…yes it was…it was obvious what those bimbos had on their mind…and I'm sure it involved you in position rather than your position…" she mumbled.
"Allura! Seriously!" Keith actually flushed at her insinuation causing her to giggle.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to get you all flustered, Commander…it's not my fault that your little minions have a one-track mind."
Keith froze, rendered speechless by the statement as obscure memories flashed through his mind.
**"Um…what exactly are you looking for?"
"Your little minions…thought for sure they followed you wherever you went."
"My minions?"
"Yeah…your minions…you know…the little Kogane fan club of academy chicks that follows you around all giggly and giddy…minions.**
"Keith? Hello!" Allura said waving her hand in front of his eyes.
Keith shook his head and looked at her. "Uh…sorry…I don't know…I…never mind…look, can we just forget about what happened in Altea?"
Allura arched a brow. "Yes, of course…I'd be happy to forget about it."
"Good, it's settled. Now, unlike you, Milady, I haven't had sushi in years…"
"What did you call me?" she said, arching a brow.
The commander flinched "Oh…sorry…I don't know…it just came out…I-"
Allura squeezed his arm and smiled "It's ok, Keith…I like it."
The two walked over to a small picnic table located in the depths of the garden. Keith looked at her as though he were searching for something. Shaking his head once more, he put the bag down on the picnic table; however, the look of contemplation had not left his brow.
Allura bit her lip and grinned. He remembers something, I know it! "Keith, what's wrong? You seem as though you just went somewhere else…"
Black's pilot took a seat across from her and began unpacking their sushi lunch. "No, it's fine, really…it's just…I feel like we've had this conversation before…weird." He handed her a pair of chopsticks as well as a plate then began to ready the sushi selections and dipping sauces.
"Hmmm." She began as she opened her chopsticks. Placing a few rolls on her plate, she continued "kind of like deja vu?"
Swallowing his bite, he snapped his chopsticks at her "Exactly like Deja vu."
"Interesting…maybe…this is something you use to do with Whatsername" she added, taking a bite of her spicy white tuna roll.
The commander looked at her but chose not to answer, opting for casual conversation instead. The princess had to admit, he was much more laid back than before she'd disappeared. Their conversation was easy and enjoyable and she sensed that he was relaxed for a change. For that reason, Allura decided it was time to begin her inquisition once more.
Keith furrowed his brow "Princess, I mean no disrespect, but I really see no reason to talk about my past and I'm not sure why you've become so curious about it."
"I told you why. You and I have been close…friends…for two years now and I know nothing about you- yet, you know almost everything about me."
"I'm surprised that Lance hasn't told you…he is your bestie after all."
Allura narrowed her eyes at him "He's my bestie because he doesn't go out of his way to shut me out and- no…Lance would never betray your trust in such a manner nor would I ever go behind your back to pump him for information when I would so much rather hear it from you."
He put down his chopsticks and ran an agitated hand through his hair Fuck it "Allura, I'm not trying to keep secrets from you. Truth is, I don't remember much…just fleeting thoughts here and there…faint memories of things we may or may not have done together. Hell, I can even remember exactly what she looked like. Do you have any idea what that's like…what it did to me? The blast took away many things, but it couldn't erase how much I loved her…it was all I had to hold on to." He paused and looked at the princess, who seemed to be hanging on his every word.
"And, you're sure that she's…uh…she didn't survive?"
After rubbing the bridge of his nose, he answered. "Uh…I couldn't identify her in person, because I was confined to the Med-wing, but they brought me an item she was wearing for confirmation. As soon as I saw it, I knew it belonged to her- so, yeah…I'm sure."
"I know you call her Whatsername, but do you really not know?"
He gave a light chuckle "Crazy as it sounds, her name is actually the only thing I do remember…"
"What was it?"
Gently clearing his throat, he continued. "So…tell me about this Casanova you married"
Always deflecting…it's alright…it's more than he'd ever admitted to before… "Hmmm…what do you want to know?"
"Where did you meet him?"
Allura smiled. "Believe it or not, I met him the same day I was sucked through the portal. He and his friend were playing at the place that hired me."
"Playing? Playing what?"
"Guitar…"
"Guitar? How cliché…"
Allura arched a brow "Do you play guitar?"
"As a matter of fact, I do…well…did…whatever…so, Casanova plays guitar…"
"Sings to…I swear, it was like he was singing directly to me…" she mused.
Keith rolled his eyes. "You fell for a musician? Really?"
"Of course not, silly! He was military…he and his friends would play at open mic night just for fun."
Throwing his gaze up, he huffed "Pfft, a guitar toting singing soldier…sounds like a real winner."
Keep mocking yourself, Captain! Allura smirked "Actually, he was top of his class…all the way around. He was considered the best pilot in his division…a real hot commodity."
The captain winced. "Wait a minute…you're serious. You married a pilot?"
"Not just a pilot, Captain…the best of the best. My fly-boy could probably give you a run for your money."
Keith narrowed his eyes "Where the hell were you, Allura?" The princess looked off to the side and he reached over the table to grab her hand. "Allura, I already figured out that you were in the States…tell me…where…"
Allura met his gaze and cleared her throat oh boy…here we go… "San Francisco…"
"He's an Alliance officer?"
"An officer? No…not an officer…"
"Wait…he was just a cadet?"
"A cadet destined for greatness, yeah!"
Keith slapped a hand over his face. "God, Allura…what were you thinking?"
"What are you, my father? Seriously! Why does it matter that he was just a cadet?" she snarled back.
"He was using you…"
"Really" she snorted "Using me for what? I was broke, Keith! He had no clue who I was, remember? As a matter of fact…he's the one who helped me out. Spoiled me rotten…treated me…well…like a princess."
I would treat you better! "I'm sure he wanted something in return…" Keith mumbled.
"For the last time, Kogane…he was a complete gentleman and treated me with the utmost respect…even though I gave him the green light from day one!"
God…why the hell did I start this conversation…this is so NOT what I want to hear… The princess got up and walked around the table, settling next to the Voltron commander. She leaned back against the table so that they would be face to face.
Keith closed his eyes and sighed before meeting her gaze. "Allura…I…"
"Can you imagine the control it took to say no to me, Commander?" she breathed, leaning in closer to him.
Black's pilot couldn't help but stare at her pouty lips"I think I may have an idea…" he replied, a slight smirk fighting to cross his face. Question is, can you say no to me?
"Interesting…" Oh yes, this is definitely the old Keith coming through although, I must admit- his smolder has become much sexier…God I love you! Allura looked up at him and smiled. Keith lowered his head, bringing his lips closer to her own Kiss me…yes…kiss me damn it!
"I don't know about you, Milady…but I think I'm done…" his voice husky as he looked at her through hooded eyes.
"uh huh"
Keith grinned mischievously and stood up from the table, leaving her hanging. He so did not just do that to me! Allura's jaw dropped and the commander chuckled, holding his hand out to her.
"Come on, Princess. Help me clean this up. We've been out here for a while and I wouldn't want anyone to get the wrong idea…"
She took his hand and stood up, narrowing her eyes "Wouldn't want that- I am a married woman, after all…" she snapped and turned to clear up the empty containers. Keith grinned, biting his lip and watched her. Yeah…not for long…