Hi All!
I haven't said this in a while but all relative disclaimers still apply. I don't own Voltron or the original characters, just the ones you don't recognize from the show.
Thank you for all your reviews!
Enjoy,
Failte
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Darcy stood in front of the full length mirror that hung on the back of her closet door. First she twirled to the left, and then the right, watching her full skirt swish around her legs. The dress was gorgeous. Allura had taken her into town and they visited three boutiques before Darcy found the perfect dress. It was a deep maroon color; the fabric shimmered when she moved. The top was a sleeveless tunic, long and fitted, showing off her figure. The full skirt started beneath the tunic and brushed the tops of her matching maroon pumps.
Her simple, floating diamond necklace, matching diamond earrings, and a gold bangle completed her outfit. One of Allura's maids had come in and helped her do her hair. It was curled and pulled back with combs, a few curling tendrils escaped and framed her face.
If only she didn't have the bruises and cuts that had come with all the rebuilding they had been working on the past couple of weeks. They were all working hard, pretty much from sunup to sundown. She had one nasty bruise on her upper left arm where she had accidentally been hit with a two by four and a cut on her right hand. Allura told her to wear her bumps and bruises with pride, they were proof of the hard work she was doing for Arus.
Darcy had never been to a black tie affair like this and her heart was racing. Her stomach quivered with nerves and her hands shook slightly. Allura had warned her that she would have to deal with the press. As a member of the Voltron Force, she was already famous. But when you add to that the fact that she had been seriously injured rescuing the Queen's pregnant cousin in the midst of a battle, Darcy was the biggest thing to hit Arus in a long time. She loved her work, but she hated having a lot of attention directed at her, especially when she saw it as unnecessary. She had just been doing her job.
She looked at herself in the mirror one last time before crossing to answer the knock on her door.
Lance felt the wind knocked out of him when he saw her. For the first time in his life, he was at a loss for words. He knew she was beautiful, but tonight she possessed an ethereal beauty that glowed from within.
Darcy smiled, noticing his dumbfounded state, "You look handsome."
He did. He wore a tuxedo, the one he had worn to Keith and Allura's wedding. It had been a topic of discussion over the past two weeks. Should they wear their dress uniforms or tuxes? Tuxes won out, just for the chance to wear something different. They weren't on duty, guards would be placed around and within the castle in case of any problems.
"Wow," Lance whispered. "You look amazing."
"Thank you. Come in, we still have a little while," Darcy stepped back and watched him enter the room.
He never took his eyes off her.
"If you're going to behave like this all night, you aren't going to be a lot of fun to hang out with," she teased him.
"Sorry. But you really do look amazing."
Darcy smiled at him, "What's that?" she indicated the small box in his hand.
"What? Oh, it's, uh, it's for you." He held it out to her.
"What is it? You didn't have to get me anything." Very carefully, so as to not wrinkle her dress, she sat on the edge of her desk chair.
Tugging at the pale blue ribbon, she untied it and opened the box. Nestled in a bed of cotton was a locket on a delicate gold chain. An intricate design of a lion surrounded by flowering vines was carved into the gold oval.
A lump formed in her throat as Darcy studied the exquisite piece of jewelry. Wordlessly, she looked up at Lance. He was looking back at her, a little nervous.
"I know you don't wear a lot of jewelry, but I saw it and thought of you." He mumbled.
Very slowly, she stood. With the heels she was wearing, Darcy stood nearly eye to eye with him, "I love it. Thank you, Lance." Handing him the box, she reached behind her and unhooked the necklace she was wearing. "Will you put it on me?"
Lance lifted the locket from the box and fumbled with the clasp, his fingers felt large and awkward. He lifted it over her head as she swept her hair to the side.
Darcy gasped quietly when his warm fingers brushed the back of her neck as he fastened the chain. She reached up and felt it, "I have to see how it looks." Turning to her closet, she studied her image in the mirror. "It's so beautiful."
He came up behind her, placing his hands on her hips, "Not nearly as beautiful as you," he whispered, kissing her neck.
She smiled, "I don't know how you can make such a cliché line sound good. Keep this up and we might not make it to the reception."
"That's fine with me."
"No, Lance, I have this gorgeous new dress and I want to show it off."
He lifted his head and met her gaze in the mirror, "Who are you trying to impress? I swear, the first guy I catch checking you out I'll kill."
Her smile faltered.
"What's wrong?" He asked, slipping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.
"I'm a little nervous."
"Why?"
"Well, I've never had to deal with the press before, I've never been interviewed. Allura said that between being a member of the Force and my part in getting Romelle off Pollux, I'll be bombarded with questions."
"And you'll do great. You are a smart, beautiful, interesting woman. Only answer the questions you feel comfortable answering, don't let them make you feel as though you have to do or say anything you don't want to. Feel free to say 'No Comment' and avoid Alona Kassenn like the plague."
"How will I know who she is?"
Lance rolled his eyes and turned her to face him, "Oh, you'll know. She is a loud, pushy woman with big hair and bad fashion sense."
Darcy smiled up at him, "I love you, Lance."
Leaning in, he kissed her gently, careful of her hair and makeup, "I'll be with you if you need me. Maybe we can sneak out a little early."
She wrapped her arms around him and stopped when she felt something hard under his jacket. "Are you armed?"
He nodded, "Just because we're off duty doesn't mean we shouldn't be prepared."
"I don't have anywhere to strap a blaster to this outfit."
"Don't worry, I'll protect you."
She smiled, "My hero."
"Damn right. Do you have your communicator?"
Darcy nodded and flipped up the bottom edge of her tunic where she had had Nanny rig up a hidden pocket so she could carry the small device.
"I think we should head down, you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
Lance smiled at her, "You'll do great. I am so proud of you and all you've done."
Blushing, she shrugged, "I haven't done anything special, just my job."
He reached up and tugged gently on one of her loose curls, "I love you."
"Come on," she took his hands. "Let's get this show on the road."
They made their way to Castle Control where they would meet up with the other members of the team. The Force would enter the ballroom first to meet and greet a few people before Koran would officially announce Keith and Allura.
"Wow, Darcy, you look great." Hunk greeted her.
"Thanks, Hunk. So do you. You all do."
Caleb tugged at the collar of his shirt, "I've never even worn a suit before, let alone a tux."
"Nothing like a monkey suit to make you uncomfortable." Dante muttered.
"It's not about comfort, it's about style." Lance told him.
"Ohhh! You all look so wonderful!"
They turned to see Nanny standing in the doorway, clasping her hands. "Now, if only you can behave as well as you look, this will be a wonderful evening."
Lance crossed to her and bowed, "You look lovely this evening, Nanny."
Nanny looked down at her old, blue gown. It was out of date, but it was clean and flattering. "Why, thank you Lieutenant, you look dashing yourself."
"You may want to watch him," Hunk whispered to Darcy. "Looks like you have competition."
She shrugged, "I don't know how I could possibly compete with Nanny, I guess I'll have to throw in the towel and let her have him. Is Paton coming tonight?"
Hunk smiled, "Yup, she should be in the ballroom now. I wish they would just let us go in, I've always hated this 'big entrance' stuff they make us do."
"Come along," Nanny announced. "They're ready to announce you."
Lance stepped aside and allowed Hunk, Pidge, Dante, and Caleb to pass. "Are you ready?" He whispered to Darcy.
She smiled at him, "Yup, let's get this over with."
"Wanna get together later tonight?" His mouth was against her ear and she shivered when his breath caressed her check.
"We'll see."
"Come on, come on." Nanny stood outside the door to the ballroom and was waving them over.
They all stood quietly and listened to Koran's introduction through the closed doors.
"It is with great honor, and pleasure, that I welcome Lieutenant Lance Collier, Lieutenant Henry 'Hunk' Landers, Lieutenant Pidge Audric, Lieutenant Dante Addison, Sergeant Darcy Barlow, and Sergeant Caleb Marshall…the Voltron Force!"
The large, carved doors were swung open and they were met by thunderous applause. There was a wide, short staircase that led down to the ballroom floor. Tables were set up along the one end of the room, set with china and crystal painted with the royal crest of Arus. A stage on the opposite side of the room was set up with the same string quartet that had played at Paget and Rankin's wedding. A large section of the floor was left open, the press and other guests had all congregated there.
Lance squeezed Darcy's hand reassuringly, and they all entered the room.
It wasn't long before they were all separated. Lance was cornered by a small, thin man in a suit and cape who clasped a pad in one hand and a pen in the other. Hunk had found Paton and they were talking to an older gentleman in a suit and bowler hat, he was Adrik Karmel, a member of the Arus Cabinet.
"Darcy?"
She turned and saw Sven and Romelle.
"Hi guys! How are you? It's so great seeing you again." She and Romelle embraced.
"We're doing great, how're you?"
"Fine, I'm
great. Where's Erik?"
"We left him in the nursery
with his nanny, he might make an appearance later."
"How long are you staying?"
"Ve're leaving de day after tomorrow." Sven said.
"Wonderful! I can't wait to see him again. Are Paget and Rankin here?"
"Oh, they're here somewhere. I think I saw them taking to that Kassenn woman about what happened at their wedding." Romelle said.
A bell rang and silence fell over the room.
Koran stepped in front of the large doors and cleared his throat. "Please join me in welcoming Her Royal Highness, Queen Allura Aerwyn Whitaker of Arus and Captain Keith Whitaker." He stepped to the side as two guards took a hold of the large door handles and yanked them open.
Darcy gasped when they entered the room.
"Gorgeous couple, aren't they?" Romelle whispered into her ear.
They were like something out of a storybook. Keith stood at attention, tall and straight. He wore a tuxedo with tails and white gloves that covered the damage done to his right hand. His left arm was bent behind him and his right arm bent at the elbow with Allura's delicate hand in the crook of his elbow.
Allura was absolutely glowing. She wore a pale pink gown cut in a flattering style that hid the small bulge of her growing stomach. White gloves covered her hands and went up to her elbows. Her hair was pulled back in an elaborate French twist and the circlet that usually adorned her head had been replaced with an antiqued gold crown.
After a moment of stunned silence, applause broke out. Allura smiled as they entered the room. The buzz of conversation slowly began to return. Romelle and Sven left Darcy with a promise to meet up later. She looked around, but couldn't spot Lance; she couldn't see any of the gang for that matter. It was easy to see where Keith and Allura were, just follow the large crowd of press.
"Sergeant Barlow?"
Darcy turned to the voice beside her. A tall, curvy woman with jet black hair, teased very high, and large, round glasses stood beside her.
"I'm Alona Kassenn, journalist. Can I have a word with you?"
Lance had been right about her bad fashion sense. Alona wore a long, straight tan skirt and a color-block blazer in green, blue, brown, and pink with a teal blouse underneath.
"Yes, Ms. Kassenn." Darcy smiled.
"Please, call me Alona. So how are you finding your time on Arus?" She spoke dramatically, her voice falling and rising with forced emotion.
"It's been wonderful. Arus is a beautiful planet and the people are great."
"We've all heard the story of the terrible injury you sustained on Pollux, how are you doing now?"
"I'm fine. I was cleared from medical leave two weeks ago and I am back on full duty once again."
"Terrific! That's really good to hear. You get along well with the other members of the team?"
"Yes, we're like one big family."
"Is there anyone you get along with a little better than the others?" Alona asked sweetly.
"Excuse me?"
"Come now, Darcy, let's not be coy. You're an attractive woman working alongside five handsome and eligible men. Well, four eligible men, we all know that Lieutenant Landers and Chief Lacko have become close." The woman inclined her head towards Hunk and Paton who were talking to a couple of gentlemen.
"They are a wonderful group of guys and I love working with them."
"So you
aren't willing to comment on what is being said in town?"
"What do you mean?"
Alona smiled, "Well, dear, the story is that you and a certain Lieutenant have become close."
Darcy felt the heat rise to her face, but she kept her cool, "Oh? And what is being said?"
"You know, about you and Lt. Addison. You had a relationship back at the Academy and you were able to convince the Garrison to station you here together."
Darcy didn't know if she should laugh or not, "Dante?"
"Alona! How are you? Haven't seen you in a while." Lance appeared at Darcy's side.
"Lt. Collier, wonderful to see you again. I was hoping we could have a little talk later."
"Why don't we talk now?"
"I'm chatting with Sgt. Barlow at the moment, but I thank you for your consideration."
Lance looked at Darcy, "What're you talking about?"
"Well, it
appears that my relationship with Dante has been leaked to the press." She told him.
"Your relationship with
Dante? I'm going to have to have a word
with that boy?"
"Oh?" Alona raised an eyebrow.
Lance turned to her, "Yeah, he told me that I was the only one for him and now I find out he's cheating on me with someone, a woman no less!"
Alona sighed, annoyed, but she covered it quickly with a smile. "There are also stories of your love life floating around town."
"Oh?" Lance flashed his most charming smile, "Are
they rumors you started?"
"I don't start rumors."
"No, you just publish them."
"Would you care to comment on your relationship with a Miss Danya Ragna of Alforia?"
"There's no relationship to comment on."
"So you're saying there isn't a special lady in your life right now?"
"I didn't say that. There is a very special lady in my life right now, it's just not Danya."
"Will you elaborate on that?"
Lance smiled.
"Lieutenant, I think it is only fair to tell my readers if one of the most eligible bachelors on the planet is off the market."
"I think, Alona, that you can use your renowned investigative skills to find the answer to that question."
"Is she here tonight?"
"Maybe."
Alona sighed, "That's all I'm going to get out of you tonight, isn't it?"
"Most likely."
"Well, I thank you both for your time. Sgt. Barlow, I'm glad to hear you're doing well. Lt. Collier, a pleasure as always."
Lance took Alona's hand and bent to kiss it, "We'll have to talk again soon, Alona."
They watched her make her way toward Hunk and Paton.
"She's a moron," Lance muttered before turning to Darcy. "So, you're dating Dante?"
"It would appear so." She replied.
Lance nodded his head, slowly, "When were you going to tell me?"
"I figured I would tell you on our wedding day, you'll be invited of course."
"Can I be an usher?"
"You'll have to talk to Dante about that. But if he says no, you can always be my maid of honor, no wait, I have to let Becca be my maid of honor, would you be insulted if I made you a bridesmaid?"
Lance stepped closer to her, a gleam in his eyes, "You think you're so funny, don't you?"
She smiled up at him, "Yup."
A bell rang, signaling to everyone that the meal was about to be served.
Lance offered Darcy his arm, "May I escort you to your seat?"
"Of course."
The team was seated at the head table with Keith and Allura. Lance scanned the place cards and quickly swapped two of them so that Dante was sitting on the other side of Darcy.
"What are you doing?" Dante asked him.
Lance grinned at him, "Messing with Alona. The rumor around town is that you and Darcy are dating."
Dante looked at Lance and then Darcy and then back again. "Are you going to kick my ass?"
Darcy laughed.
"No," Lance assured him. "I'm just having some fun at Alona's expense."
When everyone was seated, Allura stood and waited for the chatter to die down.
"I want to thank you all for coming," she began. "This is a very exciting time for my husband and me. As you probably already know, we are expecting our first child in about six months." She paused when the applause drowned her out. "Thank you, very much. This is an exciting time, not only for us, but for Arus as well. It has been reported that Lotor has died and that threat has passed." Once again she was interrupted by applause. "But we will not let our guard down until we know for sure it is true. For the time being we will continue to rebuild and hopefully have Alforia completed within a year. The university will be up and running again at full capacity. I can speak for Keith as well when I say we are so excited about bringing our baby into this new, safe world. And I know that my father and mother are smiling down on us all. Please, enjoy this wonderful meal. All questions and interviews can wait until after the meal is cleared. Thank you." As she lowered herself back into her chair, the guests all rose and gave her a standing ovation.
The meal was an ornate affair consisting of five courses. Friendly chatter mixed with the low sounds of the musicians, creating an open, welcoming atmosphere.
As everyone finished eating, the plates were cleared and maids walked from table to table pouring coffee and tea. Allura and Keith made their rounds, welcoming their guests, impromptu and casual interviews were being conducted. The editor of Arus' women's magazine asked Darcy if she would be willing to be interviewed for a cover story and a professor asked her to come and speak in her class.
"Sgt. Barlow?"
She turned to see the same short, thin man who had been speaking to Lance earlier. "Yes?"
"Good evening, I am Laine Finast, reporter with Alforia Times."
"Yes, Mr. Finast, what can I do for you?"
"I was hoping I could ask you a few questions. I heard you were officially removed from medical leave. How're you feeling?"
"Much better, Mr. Finast, thank you. Dr. Gorma has give me a clean bill of health."
"That is wonderful to hear. You and Sgt. Marshall have been hailed heroes since your rescue of Princess Romelle, how do you feel about that?"
Darcy smiled, "I was just doing my job. Not only was I going to help a person in need, but also a friend…"
Suddenly they were plunged into darkness.
The music stopped. At first there was silence and then the panicked sounds of a crowd in confusion.
Darcy reached under her tunic for her communicator when she heard a loud, high pitched whistle and everyone fell silent. It was Keith.
"Calm down, everyone please. This is just a simple electrical problem, please remain calm and we will have it corrected momentarily." He announced in his loudest commander voice.
Darcy stiffened when she felt an arm around her waist.
"It's me," Lance said in a low voice.
"What's going on?"
"I don't know, I guess we were using too much electricity." He said.
"Has this ever happened before?"
"No."
Darcy gasped as she felt an ice cold hand grab her arm. "Who's there?"
No one answered, but the hand let go of her arm.
She shivered, her arm burned where the hand had been.
"What?" Lance asked her.
"Someone grabbed my arm."
Flashlight beams began to cut through the darkness as guards entered the room. Keith walked over and spoke to Koran before turning back toward the room, "It will only be a few more moments, everyone. We have men looking into the problem and the generator should kick in at any second."
As if on cue, the lights flooded the room. Everyone looked around, confused.
"You okay?" Lance asked her.
Darcy nodded and rubbed her arm.
"Is everyone alright?" Keith asked from his perch atop the steps at the entrance to the room.
Looking around, everyone nodded.
"Something burned my arm." A woman called out.
Looking down, Darcy saw a mark below her elbow where the cold hand had grabbed her. It was bright red and shaped like a hand wrapped around her arm.
"What happened to your arm?" Lance asked her.
"I don't know."
"Any injuries, come up here and we will get you to the doctor." Keith called out.
"Go, see Dr. Gorma," Lance said.
"It's not bad, I can wait." She assured him.
"Why don't you take the women to the hospital wing and then have your arm looked at."
The burning sensation was growing worse, "Alright, I'll go see if I can help."
"Allura?"
They both looked up and saw Keith scanning the crowd from his vantage point.
"Allura!" His voice rose as silence filled the room. "Has anyone seen Allura?"