Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Voltron characters. Canalor is mine.

Beta: Dawn, thanks for helping me improve my writing!

Setting & Rating: DotU in nature, but AU in that none of this (or events leading up to this) ever occurred in the series. I think it's possible to read this one without reading the previous stories, but it will make more sense as past story events are referenced. Be warned that torture is a part of this arc but it is NOT a part of this chapter.

A/N: This is my original work. There are a number of stories out there that deal with torture, but any similarities are coincidental.

** The rest of the chapters will be fine to read.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Continuing Recuperation

It had been three weeks since Keith came home. Allura didn't take his presence for granted, and she had become slightly possessive of him. She was often seen walking closely beside him, sitting so that she touched him, and calling him on his com unit when they were apart for more than 30 minutes.

Lance chuckled as he watched Keith blush as he turned away from the fridge in the rec room right into Allura's chest. "Allura, no one's going to snatch Keith out of the rec room with all of us here." Watching as she blushed and twisted the hem of her tee shirt in her hands, he caught Keith's eye. She was stretching the fabric to the point it wouldn't return to its shape. Lance wasn't sure if his friend wanted him teasing Allura about her over protectiveness.

"Lance is right, Allura," Keith said kindly as he used a crutch to help him maneuver to the couch. Dr. Gorma was letting him use a crutch when he was in his room or somewhere he didn't have to walk around much. For long trips around the castle, he had to use the wheelchair since the doctor didn't want too much pressure on his shoulders yet.

As Keith lowered himself onto the couch, Dr. Canalor came in. His eyes quickly found Keith and Allura and he smiled as he walked over to them. It had taken the castle staff a few days to stop running and hitting alarm buttons when they turned a corner and came face to face with the tall blue doctor. Now the occurrence was rare, but it still happened.

Keith motioned to the open spot beside him. "So, are you and Dr. Gorma done picking each other's brains for the day?"

The deep laugh of the Drule doctor rang through the room. "Yes, my friend. The picking is over for today. I can't tell you how generous Gorma has been in sharing his knowledge with me."

"Dr. Gorma has also told us that you have provided him with a number of insights into human and Drule physiology," Allura pointed out.

"It's nothing, my Queen, compared to what Gorma has shared. But talking about my medical knowledge isn't why I came here this evening. I've been offered a position on Farnell. Prince Cardin has invited me to part of his royal medical staff. I have decided to accept." He raised his hand. "I know. I know that I am welcome here and I hope to visit on occasion. But having a Drule doctor on staff isn't the wisest thing for Arus right now. Your staff needs to sound the alarm when they see a Drule. There is too much at stake for both of you. The staff and soldiers do not have the luxury of confirming that it is the friendly doctor before sounding the alarm."

"As usual, Doctor, you are keeping my interest at heart." Keith's voice was filled with emotion. "I'm sorry to say it, but you're right. We need to be vigilant and can't take chances. We will miss you and will expect you to visit."

"When do you plan to leave, Doctor? I want to be sure to have a celebration in your honor before you depart Arus."

Laughing, Canalor said, "My Queen, you don't have to do that, but I know you will anyway. It is your nature to be generous. I will be leaving in three weeks."

Clapping her hands together, Allura filled her voice with excitement and pleasure. "Perfect. Nanny and I will begin planning immediately."

Hunk had a large smile on his face. "A celebration means lots of good food! After being on that bland diet for weeks, I'm ready for some food that will stick to my ribs."

"Hunk, you're always ready for food." Pidge teased his friend.

Hunk had bounced back quickly, and his friends couldn't tell that he had had a severe injury just a month ago. He was going to be cleared for Lion practice next week.

Keith envied his friend that. Dr. Gorma didn't want him to get his hopes up that he would be able to start back so soon.

The laughter subsided, and Canalor asked Keith about his psych eval. "The doctor finished with me yesterday and was submitting her report today. The Force is supposed to have a conference video call with Galaxay Garrison tomorrow to go over my physical and psych evaluations. She indicated that her report would be positive, but you never know until you read it yourself."

Nodding, Canalor looked at Keith. He was amazed at the young commander's recovery – both physical and mental. The man was made of strong stuff to go through that torture and come out as he had. He watched as the queen slid her hand into Keith's. But then, he knew what he was being tortured for and what his reward would be if he came back. Canalor stood and excused himself. He had a lot he wanted to do before he left for Farnell.

The team watched him exit the room.

"I'm sorry that he has to leave," Pidge said.

"Yeah. He's a really good guy. I didn't think I'd ever say that about a Drule, but I think of him more as one of us than as one of them." Lance's eyes were still on the door that the doctor had exited. "He's definitely one of the good guys."

Hunk drew them back to the other topic of conversation. "What time is that video conference? I don't want to be late. Also, will there be snacks?"

Shaking his head as he answered, Keith said, "The meeting is at 0900 tomorrow. No snacks."

The joking with Hunk continued as Keith leaned his head back against the couch. The moment of truth would come tomorrow on his psych eval. Hopefully, the doctor hadn't lied to him.