All relative disclaimers apply. 

I want to thank all of you who have reviewed my story, I really appreciate it.  There are some interesting, exciting chapters coming up.

Enjoy!

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            Since the transport ships were expected to arrive just after the lunch hour, Allura had decided they would have a meal set up for them.  Nanny and her cooks and maids spent days preparing and cooking enough food for nearly 700 people. 

            Pidge, Darcy, Dante, and Hunk were busy helping to lay out the food with Nanny supervising.  Since so many people were expected, tables had been set out back in the meadow and it was going to a big picnic. 

            Lance had just gotten out of a meeting with Keith where he had been lectured about proper behavior.

            "Lance, I want you to behave yourself while Lt. McCormick is here."  Keith had said as he sat behind his desk.

            ""What do you mean?"

            "I'm not stupid, I know what is going on between you and Darcy.  I also know that you and Jesse have a history of bad blood between you."

            "One fight back at the Academy doesn't necessarily mean there is bad blood.  I have nothing against Lt. McCormick."

            Keith sat back and raised an eyebrow.

            "Alright," Lance held up his hands in defense.  "I promise to behave myself as long as he doesn't give me reason to kick his ass."

            Keith sighed, "I guess that's the best I can ask for."

            "Anything else, Captain?"

            "Just a reminder that you are the second-in-command of the Voltron Force and I expect you to behave as such."
            Lance rolled his eyes, "Geez, Keith, I'm a trained Garrison officer, have a little faith."

            "Alright, I'm going to have one last look at the barracks, would you please go check the tarmac and make sure everything is ready for the landing."

            Lance saluted, "No problem."

            After doing a double check to make sure everything was clear and ready for the landing, Lance found his way to the kitchen.  Darcy was standing over the table with one of the maids, arranging fruit on a platter.

            He walked up behind her, "Wanna play hooky?"  

            She turned to him, "I'm a little busy here."

            "I'm sure Britta will cover for you."  Lance winked at the blushing maid.           

            "Here," Darcy handed him the large tray.  "Take this out and help the others finish setting up."

            "Darcy girl, would you please take these out and set them on the first table?"  Nanny came up to her with a basket filled with napkins.

            "Of course, Nanny."  Darcy left the kitchen and found the boys standing around Keith.

            "Darcy, I'm glad you're here."  Keith waved her over.

            After setting the basket on the table she crossed to him.

            Keith stood, wearing his dress uniform and waited for her to join them.  What they were going to wear had been a topic of conversation for two days.  It had been decided that Keith, as the Prince Consort, would wear his dress uniform and Allura, as Arus' Queen would wear a formal gown.  The others all wore their normal clothing since they would be helping to unload the ships and get everyone settled.

            "The ships have entered Arusian airspace and will be landing in ten minutes."  Keith explained.  "I want you all on the stage set up at the end of the tarmac.  After everyone is off their ships, Allura will say a few words.  They will then have the chance to go to the barracks first and then come out here to eat.  You will all be expected to meet with the leaders of the slave rebellion and the Garrison officers who came to help.  Any questions?"

            Everyone shook their heads.

            "All right, team, to the tarmac."  Keith turned and headed toward the landing area.

            Lance stayed back and held onto Darcy's hand, "How're you holding up?"

            "I'm fine, Lance, really." She smiled at him.

            "Just let me know if he bothers you."

            "Don't go Neanderthal on me now, I can handle him."

            "I know, but I like feeling that you need me."

            Darcy laughed, "Does it make you feel all manly and strong?"

            "I know I'm all manly and strong, I just like proving it to you.  Neither of us are on duty tonight, want to get together?"
            "It's going to be a little hard to get away, isn't it?"

            He shrugged, "We don't have to entertain them.  Come to my room, we can watch a movie."

            "Alright, if I can get away."

            Allura stood beside a microphone that had been set up for her to address the new arrivals.  Darcy's eyes widened when she saw the young Queen.  Allura was dressed in an elaborate, floor length pink gown.  The simple circlet she usually wore was replaced by a tiara, bigger than her circlet, but smaller than the crown she wore for formal occasions.  Her hair was pulled back into a bun and she held herself with such an air of authority that she looked years beyond her age.

            Darcy and Lance took their places in line.  Keith and Allura stood in the front of the stage, behind them were Lance, Hunk, Pidge, Dante, Darcy, Caleb and Paget, all standing at attention.

            Keith turned to his team, taking on the air of the Commander.  "Just a reminder guys, I know we tend to let protocol fall to the wayside, but as long as the Garrison officials are here, please try to remember your Academy training."  He looked straight at Lance.

            "For Pete's sake, Keith, I know how to behave."  Lance said.

            Hunk snorted.

            Lance elbowed Hunk, hard, in the ribs, causing him to lose his balance and fall into Dante.  It was like a bad game of dominos and they all went down with Lance standing over them.

            Allura put her hand over her mouth, trying to stifle a giggle.  Keith reached down and helped Caleb, Darcy, and Paget up while Lance helped the others.

            "I'm going to lose my commission."  Keith muttered.

            There were four huge Garrison transport ships beginning their slow descent.  The Force watched as the ships landed and, with military precision, all the freed slaves marched to the end of the tarmac and stood in place before the stage. 

            Lance whistled softly under his breath.

            The former slaves were all thin and rather weak looking.  There were men and woman of all ages.  Children ranging in age from toddler to teenager.  There were even a few women clutching a baby to their chest.  They held themselves tall and with pride, but they made for a poor army.

            When everyone was assembled, Allura approached the microphone.  "On behalf of Arus, I want to welcome you all and extend an invitation to all of you to stay as long as you like.  We know and understand all that you have been through and as long as Lotor is a threat, we will continue to stand strong and fight until he is defeated.  If you will follow the castle guards standing to the right, they will escort you to the housing we assembled for you in some former military barracks, stay there as long as you like.  Once you are settled in for the day, we invite you back to the castle for a picnic."

            A tall man stood before the ragtag army, flanked by Garrison officials.  He turned to the people before him and announced "Dismissed!"  In a surprisingly loud voice.

            As they filed out, the man and the officials were escorted to the stage by two castle guards.

            Keith stepped forward and bowed, "Welcome to Arus, Rankin."

            Rankin was a good three inches taller than Keith with pale green skin and hair as black as coal.  His face was hardened by battle, but his eyes were kind.  He bowed to Keith and Allura.  "It is an honor to meet you in person, Your Highness, Commander Whitaker.  I don't know how we will ever repay you for your kindness."

            Allura curtsied, "We are so happy to be able to help."

            "Captain Whitaker." 

            Keith turned to a middle aged man in uniform.  He quickly brought his hand up in salute, "Colonel Webster, it's an honor to see you again."

            "And you my boy, at ease.  Allow me to introduce Captain Epperly, Captain Hyde, and Lieutenant McCormick."

            "This is my second-in-command, Lieutenant Lance Collier."  Lance stepped forward to stand beside Keith as he was introduced.

            Keith then went down the line, introducing his team to Rankin and the four Garrison officers.  When Rankin came to Paget, they saluted and smiled to each other.

            "Sergeant Barlow, so nice to see you again."  Lt. McCormick had stopped in front of Darcy.

            She raised her hand to salute, but kept silent.

            Out of the corner of his eye, Lance watched the exchange between Jesse and Darcy.  He was standing with Keith as he spoke to Col. Webster and Rankin.

            "I take it you are enjoying your time with the Voltron Force."  Jesse asked.

            "Very much, sir."

            "I still can't believe you're a member of the Force."

            Darcy felt her temper building, but she kept it in check, "I'm a good pilot."

            "She's a great pilot."  Pidge said.

            Jesse turned his gaze to the young pilot of the green lion, "I don't believe I was addressing you."

            "Alright team," Keith turned to his men.  "You're dismissed to attend the picnic."

            "May I escort you to the picnic?"  Jesse held his arm out to Darcy.

            "She already has an escort."  Lance was standing at her elbow.

            "Collier."  Jesse looked him up and down.

            "McCormick."

            "It's been a long time Lance."

            "Can't say I'm upset about that."  Lance crossed his arms over his chest.

            The possessive stance Lance had taken was not lost on Jesse.  He looked from Lance to Darcy and then back again.  With a smirk he said, "It was nice seeing you again, Darcy, Lance.  I'll talk to you later."

            "Not if I can help it."  Lance muttered as he watched Jesse cross the stage.

            Darcy looked at him, her dander up, "I am not a damsel in distress, Lance, I can handle Jesse McCormick."

            "I know you can, I just wanted to be the one to escort you.  It'll do wonders for my reputation to be seen with a beautiful woman on my arm."

            She couldn't help but smile, "I don't know how you do it."

            "Do what?"

            "Manage to charm me into forgetting why you annoy me."

            "It's 'cause you like me."  He grinned at her.

            Darcy shifted her gaze over his shoulder where she saw Jesse standing with Col. Webster, watching her.

            "Is he still looking?"

            She looked back at Lance and nodded.

            Without warning, Lance put his arms around her, pulled her hard against him and kissed her, hard.  It was a good thing he was supporting her as she felt her knees go weak.  When Lance pulled back, Darcy realized she was clutching the front of his shirt. 

            She uncurled her fists and tried to smooth the wrinkles out of his shirt, "Um, what was that for?"

            He gave her a lopsided smile, "Just marking my territory."

            "What?"  Her eyes widened.

            "Just letting Spanky over there," he inclined his head toward Jesse, "know that you're spoken for and if he tries anything he has to go through me."

            Darcy looked at him, incredulously, not knowing if she should laugh, smack him upside the head, or kiss him back.  "Well, as long as you don't try to lift your leg on me."

            Lance raised his eyebrows, "I didn't know you were in to that kinky stuff."

            She decided to laugh and she saw Keith watching them, looking none to happy.  "Um, I think Keith wants to talk to you."

            "I'll go as long as you agree to meet me at my place at nine tonight."

            "I said I'll try."

            "And you're in charge of snacks."

            "Alright, alright.  Go, see what Keith needs you to do."  She gave him a gentle shove towards Keith.

            "I hope that was worth it."

            Darcy looked at Allura who had appeared at her elbow.  "What do you mean?"
            Allura indicated the side of the stage where Keith was talking to Lance, angrily.  "I'm thinking that Keith is lecturing Lance on the importance of behaving properly in front of superior officers."

            Darcy realized what she was saying and blushed bright red.

            "Yeah, see, making out with your girlfriend in front of a visiting Colonel isn't really proper."  Allura grinned at her.

            "He said he was marking his territory."  Darcy whispered to her.

            "He said what?"  Allura asked with a laugh.

            "He said he was marking his territory so Lt. McCormick wouldn't mess with me."

            "You know, for Lance that's rather sweet."

            The two women made their way across the tarmac and in the direction of the picnic.

            "I haven't seen you since this morning," Darcy said.  "How are you feeling?"
            "I'm fine."  Allura assured her.  "I was really disappointed, but Keith and I talked about it.  I guess I have you to thank for sending him after me."
            "I thought he might be able to help."

            Allura smiled, "We decided not to wait."

            "Really?"  Darcy asked, smiling.

            "Yeah, we actually started today."  Allura said, slyly.

            Darcy laughed, "If you two aren't careful, you're going to end up with a dozen kids."