Usual disclaimer. Have a nice day.

-

Dorma looked carefully at Allura's bruises. "There does not seem to be any serious injury." She told the Princess. "I could heal them for you if you wish."

Allura shook her head. "No, I'd much rather you'd save your strength. I have a feeling that we might need you later."

Dorma smiled. "I thought it was only Lance who had the power to sense the future."

Allura paced the room. "I still can't believe you all came here to rescue me."

"There is more than that Highness. My brother has long wanted to free the slaves here on Trasana. And something else. Something he has not confided in me about."

Before Allura could reply, the door chime rang. Dorma got up and checked the screen. "It's Lotor! Into the bedroom, quickly!" Dorma waited until Allura was out of sight, then opened the door. "Lotor, what an unpleasant surprise." She said coldly.

Lotor pushed by her. "Where is she?" He demanded.

"Do come in." Dorma closed the door. "By 'she', I imagine you mean my brother's newest slave? She is in the other room freshening up. Hazar is very particular about his concubines." Dorma sat down on the couch. "Why does it matter to you?"

Lotor turned and snarled. "She belongs to me."

"Why is she so important to you Lotor? A slave is a slave." Dorma said.

Lotor growled and advanced towards her. "This one is MINE!"

"She claims to be the Princess of Arus. I thought you told my brother that was a ruse put on by the Alliance and Galaxy Garrison." She met Lotor's gaze unflinchingly. "Just whom are we to believe Lotor?" She said coldly.

Lotor growled and stalked around the suite. "I saw her first. I want her back."

Dorma laughed. "Well well, the mighty Prince Lotor, jealous over a slave girl!"

Lotor advanced on her menacingly. "Do not mock me Dorma."

"But Lotor, you make it so easy." Dorma stood to face him. "Now, I order you to leave at once. You are not welcome here." She walked towards the door.

Lotor shook his head. "Not without the girl."

Dorma opened the door. "You'll have to take that up with my brother. Get out."

Lotor snarled again and started towards the door. "You'll pay for this Dorma, mark my words." He went out the door and looked around. Spying two guards, he motioned them over. "You! A threat has been made on the Commander's life. Stay here in the suite and keep a watch over his sister. Do not allow anyone in, save myself." The guard nodded and stepped inside.

"How dare you!" Dorma's violet eyes flashed fire.

Lotor smiled evilly. "Two can play at this game Dorma. Enjoy your stay." He closed the door marched past the other guard. "Follow me. We need to find the Commander."

Lotor was so intent on his own thoughts, he failed to notice the calculating smile on the guard's face. "Yes, sir."

Allura came out of the bedroom as soon as she heard Lotor leave. Dorma turned and faced the guard. "You pathetic excuse for a rust heap," she said to the guard, "You can turn right around and leave. We do not need you."

"And just when I thought you were starting to like me." The guard replied, pulling off his helmet.

Allura gasped. "Lance!' She rushed into his arms. Lance held her tightly as she shook with sobs.

Dorma felt a twinge of jealousy, but quickly brushed it aside when she saw the hope and joy in Allura's eyes.

Lance glanced up at Dorma, his green eyes twinkling brightly. "What about you? Aren't you glad to see me?" He teased.

Dorma shook her head and laughed, then took Allura's place in his arms. She pulled his head down and kissed him with enough passion to make even Lance blush. "Does that answer your question?"

"Completely." He gazed down into her eyes, smiling gently.

Allura observed them both shrewdly. Lance was never this at ease with a woman. Especially a Druhle. She would keep a close eye on this new development. "Lance, where's Keith?"

Lance tore his gaze away form Dorma and looked up at Allura. Taking in her shortened hair, bruises and gaunt appearance, he was at her side in a heartbeat. "Allura, what did he do to you?" Lance growled.

Allura smiled hesitantly, self consciously touching her shorn head. "Nothing Lance. Really."

"He didn't…touch you?"

Allura shook her head. "Not for lack of trying, but no, I'm fine. Where's Keith?" She asked again.

Lance glanced back at the door. "He's planting explosives. Lotor saw me heading this way, and cornered me into guarding you. Keith's out of his mind, worrying about you." Lance told her, not meeting her eyes.

Allura looked at him sharply. "You're lying. Where is he?"

Lance sighed. "I never could hide anything from you." Before he could finish, his Com-band beeped. "Harrison."

"Lance. What's going on, we haven't heard from you?" Admiral Harrison asked.

"I found Allura and Dorma, Dad. We were just about to get out of here and head back to the ship. Most of the explosives have been planted."

"Good. Have you seen Commander Hazar? We haven't heard from him either."

"No Sir. I expect Keith will round him up shortly."

There was a pause. "Keith's not with you?"

"No sir, he went to place the last explosive and find Hazar." Lance hedged.

The Admiral was silent a moment. "Don't lie to me Lance Edward."

Lance gulped. "You know where he is Dad."

"Damn…I had hoped…" The Admiral grew silent.

"So had I." Lance tried to change the subject. "Has the rest of the Montgomery clan shown up there yet? Uncle Eddie has Keith's Com-ban, and Dirk and Garrett have gone off to stage a diversion. Have Hunk and the others ready to take off. It shouldn't be long now." He ignored Allura's questioning glance.

"Not yet. I'll try to raise Edward. If he finds out you've been calling him Eddie, he'll pound you son." The Admiral told him.

"So he said. Look Dad, we've got to get this show on the road. I'll find Keith and check in soon. Get the others launched."

"Will do. Harrison out." The Admiral cut the connection.

Allura and Dorma both looked puzzled. "What did you mean by the Montgomery Clan?" Allura asked.

Dorma stepped forward and clutched Lance's hand. "He found them." Her eyes lit up with joy.

"Found who? Lance, what is going on?" Allura said, exasperated.

Lance looked up at her. "Keith's family has been imprisoned here for years. We found them when we infiltrated the mines."

Allura's eyes filled with tears. "They're alive? After all this time…"

"Not only are they alive, he's got a little brother. And there's more, we also found Lisa's dad, and Coran's son." Lance told her.

"Garrett! Garrett's here!" Allura said incredulously.

Lance nodded. "Now, if we're going to join them, we'd best get moving."

Allura shook her head. "Not until you tell me where my husband is." She stood, unmoving, in front of Lance.

Lance sighed. "He's with Lotor."

"What!" Both Dorma and Allura cried.

"Old grape face saw us both in these uniforms, and ordered me in here and Keith to follow him. Lotor has no idea it's Keith in there. They're off to find Hazar."

Allura closed her eyes and said a little prayer to herself. Please! Keep him safe.

"We have to go find him Lance. Lotor will kill him."

Lance shook his head. "No way Princess. I'm not letting that bastard get his hands on you again. Keith can take care of himself."

"Like he did a year ago?" She shot back.

"Low blow Princess." Lance's eyes flashed dangerously.

Dorma stepped between the two. "Keith will not do anything foolish. He has too much to lose, finding you and his family alive is more than he ever dreamed could happen. Now I suggest we get out of here, while we can."

Lance walked over to the window. "It's not far to the ground. Take cover." Allura and Dorma ducked behind one of the couches. Lance took out his gun and fired into the window. Glass shattered and flew about the room. When they all looked up, the window was gone. Lance brushed stray glass off the sill, and peered down into the gardens. When no alarms sounded, he turned back to the others. "Good, no one heard that. I'll go first." He vaulted off the edge, easily landing on the soft ground below. Glancing around, he called up to the women. "All right, it's clear."

Allura was next. She cautiously sat down on the ledge, her legs hanging over it. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and jumped. She landed harder than Lance, but years of training with the Team taught her to cushion her fall with the soles of her feet and roll. Lance helped her up. "You all right?"

Allura nodded. "Yes. Help Dorma."

But Lance had already turned to catch the Druhle woman. Dorma landed easily next to Lance, steadying herself on his arm. He winked at her, then they all ran off through the garden. "Try and keep down. I think this place is deserted, but you never know." They crept up to the edge of the hedges bordering the garden. They could see Hazar's battle cruiser sitting in the distance. "All right, Princess, keep your head down, look subdued. Dorma, just act your normal haughty self, leading her. I'll take our rear."

Dorma bristled a bit at the 'haughty' remark, but nodded. They stepped out onto the tamarack. Halfway across, they looked up as Yellow, Blue, and Green Lions flew over them. The Lions circled them once, then flew towards the castle.

"It's starting! MOVE!" Lance shoved the women forward, all of them breaking into a run. Behind them, the sky lit up with explosions and the ground started to shake. When they were a few meters from the ship, Lance stopped. "You should have no problem from here. I'm going back for Keith."

Allura squeezed his hand. "Be careful. And thank-you"

Lance winked at her. "No problem Princess. Some one has to look after you two."

"I—" Dorma didn't finish her sentence, but instead, kissed Lance hard on the mouth, clutching at his collar.

Lance held her tightly for a moment, then turned and sprinted back towards the castle, without a backward glance. Dorma watched him go, her violet eyes filling with unshed tears. Allura took her hand. "You love him." She stated softly. Dorma looked at her, startled. Allura smiled. "And he loves you. Come, let's go home." Together, they stepped inside the ship.