Author's Note:

Hey everyone!

Phew! It's been a very busy month for me. My apologies that this chapter has taken so long to be posted. I hope it's worth the wait!

After this, I have one more chapter pre-written, and just awaiting final proofing. After that, My updates may slow down considerably. We'll have to wait and see how life shakes out. I'm hoping to have some extra time to write during Christmas. My work has given everyone some time off, so I should be able to get another chapter or two ready during that time (with any luck)!

Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter! You're encouragement, and knowing that you're enjoying this story, is what drives me to continue writing!

Now, on with the show!


Lance groaned as he heard the soft beeping of his communicator.

'That came way too soon.' he thought as he slowly and carefully extricated himself from Ilana's hold; careful not to wake her.

Getting out of bed, he quietly stripped out of his pajama bottoms, and got out his stealth ensemble. It consisted of a pair of black, loose-fitting cargo pants; black fingerless gloves; a grey, short-sleeved tee shirt similar to the blue one he wore on earth; a dark grey belt; a black leather jacket, and black combat boots.

Since their return, he and Octus had been updating the military's various uniforms, with the king's permission. It had been sorely needed for quite some time, so the king readily agreed when they had offered to take up the commission. After months of reviews, alterations, and final approvals, the military now had outfits for stealth missions, formal events, and regular combat gear.

Everyone had been happy about the changes.

Lance smirked at the memory of the uniforms' reveal. He could remember the sigh of relief from the men for not having to wear those ridiculously tight pants anymore. Likewise, the women had been so relieved to get rid of those restricting red jackets everyone was required to wear. The new uniforms were much more comfortable and functional, and Lance hadn't heard one complaint since then.

Chuckling softly, he started getting himself put together. Once dressed, he slowly made his way over to Ilana.

Crouching down in front of her, he reached out and gently moved a lock of her hair out of her face; reveling in the way her skin seemed to glow under the moonlight.

"I'll be back soon, babe. I promise." He whispered as a tender smile graced his face while he watched his whole world sleep soundly in her bed.

He bent over, and gave her a light kiss on the cheek before straightening back up, gathering up his clothes, and leaving the same way he'd come.

EF-F - EF-F - EF-F - EF-F - EF-F - EF-F - EF-F - EF-F - EF-F - EF-F - EF-F - EF-F

He arrived at the hanger fifteen minutes before their scheduled take-off.

As he threw his bag up into the Phantom, he saw Baron getting the remainder of their unit ready and organized.

Baron briefly glanced over, catching sight of Lance. With a smirk, he slowly made his way toward his younger counterpart. "Nice of you to finally join us, Major General."

Returning Baron's smirk with one of his own, Lance responded, "Just testing to see if things can actually get done in an orderly fashion without me, Colonel."

They both shared a knowing look before calling a silent truce and turning their attention to the rest of their unit.

After another fifteen minutes of getting everyone boarded and seated, they were ready to take off.

Lance gave Baron a brief rundown on how to operate the various facets of the ship, they started the engines, checked the internal diagnostics, and activated the cloaking device. With one final all clear, they lifted off, and toward Mutrad.

After about ten minutes into their two-hour journey, Baron broke the silence in their sealed-off cockpit area. "Is now a good time to talk?"

Lance gave a silent nod in confirmation, letting Baron continue at his own pace.

All was quiet for a few moments while Baron decided how he wanted to steer the conversation.

Lance could tell he wasn't entirely sure how to begin what they both knew would be a rather embarrassing, and very personally revealing, discussion. This was a big step, and they both could feel the gravity of it; the tension in the air almost palpable.

Finally, with a heavy sigh, Baron spoke. "I met Sarah about two years ago. We'd seen each other on the battlefield before, but never had any substantial conversation. It wasn't until the farewell ball for king Simon that I actually got to talk to her. I had heard she was training to be a sniper specialist. I wanted to learn more about the details of the process, so I started asking questions. Before I knew it, we'd been talking for hours. I asked her if she'd be willing to give me some shooting lessons, and she couldn't seem to say yes fast enough. It all took off from there."

Baron paused briefly to steal a quick look at his comrade. Lance had set his station to auto-pilot so he could give his older counterpart his undivided attention; he'd even turned his chair so they could speak face to face.

Lance gave a slight nod, signaling for him to continue.

Baron also switched his station to auto-pilot before turning his chair to face Lance's. With another sigh, he continued his story. "Before we knew it, we'd been seeing each other for about a year. We never classified it as dating, but I guess in hind sight, it kinda was. We hung out, talked, trained together, you name it. Somewhere along the way, I realized I'd fallen in love with her."

Baron stopped again, this time bringing his hand up to rub the back of his neck embarrassedly.

Lance cocked an eyebrow in amused curiosity, not accustomed to seeing this bashful side of his teammate.

Not meeting the younger man's eyes, Baron continued, "The night I told her my revelation was when things got...intimate." he said, his face turning a slight shade of red.

Lance just gave a gentle smile; nodding, and silently asking him to continue his story.

Baron reluctantly brought his eyes back up to meet Lance's, while he nervously played with his hands. "We've been so careful. I never thought anyone would find out. It was just my luck that the first person to discover us ended up being you."

At this point, Lance's gentle smile turned into an amused smirk, "Yeah, that kinda sucked for you, didn't it?"

Baron just nodded silently in confirmation, to which Lance gave a low, humorless chuckle in reply before prompting Baron to finish.

With a nod, Baron continued. "I appreciate your willingness to keep this quiet, and I'm grateful."

A slight pause hung in the air before Baron decided to finish his round of speaking. "You said something of interest to me yesterday. You said you could sympathize with our situation, if I really did love her. What did you mean by that? Are you stuck in the same fiasco I'm in?"

Lance studied his comrade's face for what seemed like hours, searching deep within dark pools for answers to unasked questions. It was the moment of reckoning for them. All the cards would be laid out on the table, for better or worse.

Finally, with a sigh and a sag in his shoulders as he exhaled, Lance replied. "Yeah, although my situation is way more dangerous than yours."

Baron could feel his eyes bulge, confusion and shock intermingled on his face. He hadn't actually expected Lance to answer in the affirmative.

A joyless smile appeared on Lance's face, before his expression became serious. Locking eyes with his old rival, Lance spoke in an almost disturbingly calm and somewhat threatening voice, "Baron, I need your absolute assurance that nothing we say leaves this cockpit. Despite all my instincts screaming at me not to, I'm going to choose to trust you with this knowledge. I need you to assure me it'll stay with you, and you alone. Can you promise me that?"

Baron was slightly taken aback by the tone of Lance's voice, and the deadly look on his face. 'This must be big. He almost looks scared, and Lance doesn't scare easily.' He thought as he extended his hand for Lance to shake. Lance hesitated for only a moment before reaching out and shaking the proffered hand, as Baron followed up with an "I promise."

With a nod, Lance withdrew his hand, and began sharing his portion. "I've been dating someone for two years. We've managed to keep it under the radar so far, but we both know that won't last forever. She's high-profile, Baron...and supposed to be strictly off-limits."

Baron raised a blond eyebrow quizzically. "Frankly, Lance, I can't see you in a romantic relationship with anyone. You're about as romantic and sentimental as a block of wood; at least, based on my history with you. I've never seen you act nice to anyone except the princess, the king, and your robotic friend."

Lance merely nodded, before Baron continued with his train of thought. "I mean, the only person I've really seen you have any chemistry with is the princess, and I know you wouldn't be stupid enough to –".

Baron stopped short at the look on Lance's face: Total resignation, complete with sad smile and vulnerable eyes. The truth suddenly hit Baron like a ton of bricks.

He almost fell out of his chair.

"Oh...Damn. You've been dating the princess for two freaking years?!"

This time, it was Lance's turn to drop his head in embarrassment. He focused on the tops of his boots as he nodded his head in confirmation.

Baron couldn't believe it; he'd never thought Lance capable of breaking every rule in the book for anyone, especially a woman; particularly given both the consequences, and his over-zealous devotion to the king and Galaluna.

Baron never saw Lance as a romantic or family man, just a hard man who found no joy in life. 'Man, how wrong can one person be' he thought, as he waited for Lance to continue.

When he didn't, Baron decided to continue the conversation for him. "So, you and the princess hooked up two years ago, and you've been managing to see each other in secret this long how?"

Lance chuckled, looking back up at his old rival's face, and offering a half smirk, half smile. "Did you ever wonder why I always disappeared on my lunch break?"

Normally, a high-ranking member of the military made sure to remain accessible to his subordinates 24/7, no matter the circumstances. The fact that no one could ever find Lance during his lunch breaks always did puzzle Baron. He didn't think Lance of all people would shirk that expectation, so he was very surprised the first time it happened...and the second...and the third, and so on. Eventually, though, he decided to just leave it be once the issue lost his interest. He had never once thought...

Realization dawned, and Baron couldn't help the laugh that escaped his lips. "I always assumed you were tackling the mountain of paperwork on that desk in your office. I never would have thought you were actually absconding with the princess for a lunch date."

By this point, both men were laughing heartily. Despite their shared past, both felt comfortable confiding in the other because of their mutual circumstances. They could relate to each other now on a level that that they couldn't back in their academy days; it was an odd dynamic.

Once the laughter subsided, Lance averted his eyes again to his boots as he continued. "I don't just see her at lunch, though."

Baron gave him a quizzical look. He couldn't think how Lance would have time during any other part of his day, except...

Both blond eyebrows disappeared into his hair line as he felt his eyes triple in size. "Lance..."

Lance glanced up briefly, and upon catching the look on Baron's face, immediately dropped his gaze again. He could feel heat creeping up his neck and over his face. Sometimes, Baron's instincts were eerily accurate.

Baron watched his counterpart's reaction in silence. Upon seeing the rising blush on Lance's face, Baron couldn't take it anymore. He had to ask the question. "Please don't tell me you've been sleeping with her?"

When the only reply he got was an even deeper shade of red coating his younger comrade's face, Baron officially lost his mind. "OH MY GOD, LANCE! WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?! DO YOU HAVE A DEATH WISH?! THE KING'S GONNA-"

Lance shot up and covered Baron's mouth with his hand as he harshly whispered for Baron to quiet down.

When the muffled screams from behind his hand ceased, Lance sat back down, withdrawing his appendage from Baron's face.

Sighing deeply, Lance slumped back and crossed his arms over his chest. "Yes, we're fully aware of what will happen if we're caught. That's why no one else can know about this. This room may be sealed off, but it's not entirely soundproof. Please keep that in mind."

Baron nodded and scratched the back of his head sheepishly, quietly apologizing before he let Lance continue.

Lance gave a slight nod, "I have her permission to tell you all this, so ask any questions you want."

Baron nodded before asking the question that had been nagging at him the longest. "When exactly did this start?"

Lance locked eyes with him, "The mutual attraction, or the friendship? Cause I already told you how long we've been dating."

Baron nodded, not hesitating in his reply. "Everything. I want to know everything, if that's all right.".

Lance gave a nod, before starting his and Ilana's story. "When we first arrived on Earth, I honestly thought she was gonna try to kill me. We didn't get along at all. We fought all the time, and actively avoided speaking to each other. It was a pretty rough period for us. We were complete strangers, and we were being forced to share a life together on earth. She only knew me by my reputation, which wasn't steller, as you know."

Baron nodded his head as a slight chuckle escaped him. Oh yes, he knew how Lance was viewed by both the royal family and their own superiors in the military at that time. Needless to say, he was sure the princess hadn't been too impressed.

Lance smirked as he continued. "I wasn't very fond of her, either. All I saw was a spoiled child who had never had to work for anything in her life. It wasn't a great start. Over time, though, we really got to know each other better. I think the friendship really started after we were attacked by a Mutradi monster that could induce nightmares. It was just a few months after we arrived on earth. We connected a lot more after that, and got a lot closer. The first time she opened up to me was several months later. She told me about her first meeting with Simon, and what happened after." At that point, Lance gave a sad smile.

Baron could see in his unfocused eyes that Lance was reminiscing. "I honestly felt bad for her. I never really realized how confined and stringent her life actually was. Granted, we didn't have the freest lives back then, either."

Baron chuckled at that, "Yeah, the military isn't known for its leniency."

Lance chuckled in return, before nodding and continuing his story. "It was that winter that I realized I felt more for her than friendship. You see, earthlings our age at the time, would have a ball of sorts every year. It was called Homecoming. It was a dance that the high schools put on for the third and fourth-year students. The committee in charge of planning the dance would choose a theme, and decorate the school gym. Ilana was on that committee the first year we were on earth."

The sad smile on Lance's face slowly faded, and was replaced by a soft, affectionate one.

Baron had never seen that look on his face before, and for a reason he couldn't name, it warmed his heart a little to know that Lance was capable of feeling something like that. He knew Lance hadn't had an easy life by any means, in no small part thanks to him, and he always felt guilty for being a part of what drove that kind and innocent kid who arrived at the academy on that rainy day all those years ago into the cynical teenager with a hardened heart to anything resembling affection.

It relieved Baron to know Lance had found someone to care about; someone who loved him for who he was, and was able to break through the hard exterior the young man always kept around himself like a shield.

He watched as his younger counterpart's eyes re-focused, and rose to meet those of their senior.

Locking eyes with Baron, Lance spoke once more. "Her theme was the harvest festival, Baron. She put so much work into it, only to miss her own dance due to a mega-beast showing up that we had to deal with. We went to the gym after the dance was over, and I watched her walk around the dancefloor looking heartbroken. I couldn't stand seeing her like that. So, I put on a big hat like her father always wears every year, turned off the main light, turned on the backlighting, and danced with her. I wanted her to have her dance with her dad. What I didn't plan on was falling in love with her that night. I still can't figure out why that, of all things, made me realize it, but it did. We danced, talked, laughed...nothing new or out of the ordinary, but it changed everything for me...and her too."

Baron gave a silent nod as Lance continued. "I was pretty good at hiding it after my epiphany, but I think we both knew the mutual attraction was there. It was very subtle, but it was definitely there. We played a game of cat and mouse for the rest of our time on earth, and the first two years of being back here. We kept denying the inevitable for as long as we could. It wasn't until Simon's farewell ball that things changed."

At that point, Baron perked up slightly. He'd told Lance of how his own world had changed during Simon's ball, and he was very curious to hear about his junior's life-changing experience during said event.

Lance saw the curiosity rise in Baron's eyes, and smirked at his older counterpart before continuing. "I walked in on Simon proposing to Ilana."

Two blond eyebrows raised in surprise as Baron took in the expression on Lance's face: triumph.

He almost snorted with laughter, but managed to catch himself. "I'm assuming that didn't go over very well; for Simon, I mean."

Lance laughed, shaking his head in affirmation. "No, not well at all. Before I could blow my top, Ilana turned him down."

A long silence fell after that. Baron knew Lance was reminiscing again from the look on his face; it was affectionate, vulnerable.

Baron waited patiently for Lance to continue.

At length, Lance did once again open his mouth. "She told him she'd fallen in love with someone. She shot me a minute look, and I knew. Once Simon left, I searched her face for the final confirmation I needed, and I found it. The rest is history."

Baron nodded slowly as he took in the new information, and sorted through it. He was embarrassed to ask the next question, but he had said he wanted the full story. With a deep breath, and not meeting Lance's eyes, he opened his mouth. "And, when did things...progress?"

Lance knew what he meant, and flushed slightly at the question. Reluctantly, he answered. "A year ago, on her 22nd birthday."

Baron raised one eyebrow quizzically. "Really? Only a year? That surprises me, considering how long you two have been into each other."

Lance gave a slight nod before explaining. "When we started this, I told her I'd never do anything she didn't want or ask for. I love her, Baron, and I respect her more than anyone else in the world. We agreed that she'd call the shots in our relationship because of her situation as princess. She knows her father much better than I do, and I didn't want to risk doing anything that might tip him off. So, it stayed simple for a year. I thought it'd last longer, actually, but she surprised me. On her birthday, I asked her what she wanted. She knows I'm pretty hopeless when it comes to jewelry or clothes, and I doubted she'd want something I actually know about; like training equipment or combat lessons."

Baron laughed. "You can't be good at everything, Lance."

Lance chuckled in return, nodding in the affirmative and mumbling 'True.'

The older of the two men locked eyes with his junior once again. "So, what did she want from you?"

Lance felt a little heat rise to his cheeks before he continued with his explanation, dropping his gaze to his boots. "She wanted me to stay. At first, I didn't know what she meant, so I asked her. She didn't answer me, obviously, because she wouldn't be Ilana if she made things easy."

Baron laughed at that, and Lance smirked as he continued. "Instead, she asked me a question. She asked if I was committed to her; to us. If I wanted to stay with her forever, as her partner in life. I said yes without hesitation. After that, she gave me a look I hadn't seen before. It was a shy and nervous vulnerability I never thought I'd see from her. She took my hand, and led me upstairs. When she stopped at her bedroom door, I finally put two and two together. I asked her if she was sure this was what she wanted. The only reply I got was her telling me she wanted me to stay...so I did."

After he finished, Lance picked his head back up. With face flushed from embarrassment and dark eyes steeled, he locked gazes with his older counterpart. "We belong to each other, Baron. Completely. That's what she wanted, and there's nothing in the world I wouldn't give her; myself included. We're more than a team; we're one being. We're not gonna let that be taken away...by anyone. No matter what we may have to do."

Baron could only nod, feeling his facial features softening. While he heard the unspoken threat behind Lance's words, it didn't bother him. He understood where his junior was coming from; understood it completely. He wasn't going to rat Lance out; a decision which would have surprised his younger self. His whole academy career had been spent trying to make this boy's life as miserable as possible. Now, they shared a strange bond through mutual understanding of what really matters in life: Not your career status; not the things you manage to accumulate during your life. It's who you have in your life to share those experiences with you that matters.

Baron couldn't help the smile that formed on his face as he reached out and ruffled Lance's hair. "That's the same way Sarah and I feel. I understand where you guys are coming from."

The hair ruffling caught Lance off guard, and his serious expression softened; giving way to an appreciative smile. "I'm glad. Not many people would."

Baron shook his head. "No, not many people would at all."

Both men remained quiet for a while, letting the weight of their conversation sink in.

Finally, Baron chose to break the silence. "Thanks for telling me all this, Lance. I know I already said this, but I promise to keep your confidence."

Lance nodded in reply. "Thank you." was all he said.

Suddenly, Baron smirked playfully at him. "Well, now I know the stoic, hard-ass Major General has a soft side to him. I'm curious to see what other surprises about the famous General await me."

Lance smirked in return. "I could say the same of you, Colonel."

A long silence fell between the two former rivals; each merely staring at the other. There seemed to be a feeling of anticipation hanging in the air.

After minutes ticked by, Lance broke the silence. "Does this mean we're friends now?"

Baron studied his junior, considering the question. It was a serious question that required careful thought.

They had so much baggage between them that Baron wondered if it could ever be sorted through and discarded. He wanted to be friends with Lance and let the past die, but he wasn't sure it could ever be.

He wasn't sure Lance would ever really trust him, and with good reason. He'd put Lance through hell back then.

He knew a lot of the issues Lance had to work through in his life were brought about by his own treatment of the boy back at the academy. He felt responsible and guilty for making Lance suffer all those years.

He wasn't sure he deserved this man's forgiveness.

After a minute of silent contemplation, Baron spoke, "If you're willing. Our history runs deep, Lance. I admit that I was in the wrong for a large majority of it. I caused you a lot of unnecessary grief and pain, and I freely acknowledge that I did try to kill you back at the academy. It's not something I'm proud of, but it did happen. Is that something that you can forgive? I can tell you that you can trust me as much as I want, but it's meaningless if you don't believe it. So, can you?"

Lance was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected Baron to bring any of this up. If he was being honest with himself, he was touched. He didn't think Baron would take this so seriously.

He gave a slight smile to his older counterpart before he spoke. "I wouldn't have told you any of this if I didn't think I could trust you, Baron. I wanna put the past behind us. No more of this nonsense. We've been at each other's throats for long enough. So, what do you say? Friends?" Lance extended his hand, leaving it open for either acceptance or refusal.

Baron looked from the proffered hand to Lance's face, and then back again. A genuinely warm smile graced his own face as he extended his hand.

"Friends", he said. They shook, and suddenly both of them released a breath they didn't know they were holding.

The moment of reverie passed quickly, however, as both men soon broke out into fits of laughter. Neither could believe they had just bonded over talks about their criminal behavior. They were soldiers, for crying out loud! The entire situation was highly entertaining, to say the least.

Once they had calmed down, they both turned back to their respective stations, de-activated auto-pilot, and resumed flying the aircraft to their target location; the feeling of a weight having been lifted off both their shoulders.