Hi all,

I am uploading and posting chapters as I have in the past, but I have noticed lately that the tabs have been pretty screwed up.  The paragraphs and sentences start out alright with the proper spacing, but you'll notice how that changes as you read further down.  I'm not sure how to fix that and I hope it isn't too distracting when you're reading.  If anyone has any tips on how I can fix this problem, please let me know.


Thank you,

Failte

********************************

Lance's eyes flew open.  He felt a sharp, stabbing pain, like someone had just plunged a knife into the small of his back.  The sting shot down through his legs.  Unable to catch his breath, he groped the bedside table for the button to alert the nurse on duty.  It was just out of reach and every time he leaned over, a new wave of pain washed over him.  His eyes watered and his breath was coming out in short bursts.   Laying back, he closed his eyes and mentally prepared himself for the pain that would come when he lunged for the button.

            Darcy opened the door, carrying her book and a bottle of juice.  If she was going to hold a bedside vigil, she would need some entertainment and sustenance.  What she saw when she opened the door sent a chill down her back and stopped her heart.

            "Lance!"  She ran to his bedside. 

            He was clutching the sheets in his hands, arching his back.  His eyes were squeezed shut and his pale skin had taken on a yellowish tint with dark circles under his eyes.  Sweat pored down his face.

            "What is it?  Are you in pain?"  She laid a hand over his clenched fist.

            "Yeah."  It came out in one rushed breath through gritted teeth.  "I can't…reach the…button."

            Darcy grabbed the button.  It was a small, handheld device attached to a cord that ran to the wall.  Somehow, it had been pushed just out of his reach.

            She pressed the button impatiently.  "They're coming, hold on Lance, they're coming." 

            She wrapped her hands around his fist, gently prying his fingers apart and taking his hand in hers.  As another wave of pain hit him, he grasped her hand.  For a brief moment, Darcy was afraid he would break every bone in her hand.

            A young nurse opened the door and hurried in, "What's wrong?"

            "He's in pain.  Go find Dr. Gorma."  Darcy snapped.

            The woman's eyes widened at the sight of Lance in such obvious pain, "Yes.  Right away."  And she ducked her head as she rushed from the room.

            "Lance?"

            He still clutched her hand, but had loosened his grip a little.  His eyes were closed and she watched as he gasped for breath.

            "Lance, are you alright?"

            "It comes in waves," he whispered. 

            "Dr. Gorma is on his way."

            He slowly opened his eyes and looked at her.  "I can feel the pain down through my legs."

            She smiled softly, "That's a good sign."

            "I think…" He gasped and grabbed her hand again as another wave of pain passed through him.  "I think Kadmus glossed over things when he said there would be a prickling feeling."

            The door opened and Dr. Gorma entered, carrying a syringe and a small bottle.  "This should help, it's the strongest pain killer we have."

            Darcy stepped back and watched as Dr. Gorma administered the drug.

            "Give it a few minutes, it should help.  Kadmus said it would be bad.  Are you feeling the pain in your legs?"

            "Yeah," Lance muttered.

            "Good.  That's a good sign.  Get some rest.  I'll be back to check on you."

            "Thank you, Dr. Gorma."  Darcy said.

            "Just let me know if you need anything."  Dr. Gorma excused himself.

            Darcy stood by the bed and watched as Lance caught his breath.  "Are you okay?"  She whispered.

            He nodded, "I'll be even better when this medicine takes effect."

            "Can I get you anything?"

            He shook his head.

            Darcy crossed to the cabinet beside the door and took out a clean hand towel.  "This is a good sign, at least you're feeling something in your legs."  She said as she returned to his bedside.  "It always gets worse before it gets better."

            He nodded, "Have you heard anything about Keith or Doom?"

            Using the towel, she began mopping the sweat from his brow, "Everything's quiet next door.  Dr. Gorma said he still has a pretty bad fever."

            "Any word from Doom?"

            Darcy shook her head, "No, but Hunk thinks they should have Red in working order in time for practice in the morning."

            Lance shifted his gaze to the clock on the bedside table, "It's almost one in the morning!"

            "Yeah."

            "You have practice in the morning and you're still up?"

            "I'm fine, Lance."

            "No, go get some rest.  You have no idea what this will be like.  Lotor is back.  You need to be rested and ready for battle at any time."

            "I know."

            "Then go, get some sleep."

            "I'm not tired."

            Lance sighed and ran a hand over his face, "Darcy."

"Lance."

"Please, get some rest."

"Lance," she took his hand.  "Don't worry about me, I'm fine.  I take it the medicine has kicked in."

He yawned, "Yeah.  I can't feel anything below the waist again."

"Tell you what.  As soon as you're asleep, I'll go get some rest."

"Alright."

She placed the call button beside his pillow, "Be careful you don't hit it by accident."

"Yes Mom."

Ignoring his sarcastic response, she placed his communicator on the edge of the table, "And you have to promise that you will contact me if anything happens or if you need anything."

He rolled his eyes, "I will."

She took his hand, "I'm serious Lance, I worry about you."

Smiling slightly, he tugged on her hand until she leaned over him, "I love you."

She kissed him, "I know.  Get some sleep."

"Only if you will."
            "Don't start."

"Lover's quarrel?"
            Darcy turned quickly to see Sven standing in the doorway.

Lance grinned, "Sven, back me up here.  Tell her she needs to rest.  She has practice in the morning."

"Ja, Darcy, go get some sleep.  I need to talk to Lance, anyvay."  Sven said as he entered the room.

She held up her hands in defeat, "Alright, alright, I'll go."

"Goodnight, Darc," Lance said.

She leaned down and gave him a quick kiss, "Goodnight."  Before leaving, she stopped beside Sven.  "He was just given some strong pain medicine, so he might get tired."

"I promise not to keep him up too late," Sven smiled at her.  He looked so tired.

She placed a hand on his arm, "Is this about Keith?"

Sven nodded.

"Is he any better?"

"He's been sleeping.  Hopefully vhen he vakes up, he'll be better."

Darcy offered him a small smile, "Let me know if there is anything I can do."
            "I vill.  Goodnight."

"Goodnight Sven."

They waited until the door shut behind her.

"What's up?"  Lance asked.

"Keit's pretty sick."

"It's a fever, right?  Darcy said it was caused by the knife Landor used on him, it was cursed."

"Ja, and it's messing vith his mind.  He didn't recognize Allura."

"Damn," Lance swore under his breath.

"He seems to have reverted back.  He tinks he is seventeen and dis is some elaborate trick you and I are playing on him."

"What are we supposed to do?"

"Dr. Gorma vants us to give him some time, he's very confused.  Kadmus said Keit needs to vork through dis on his own."

"What about Allura?"

Sven sighed and sank into the chair beside the bed, "Dr. Gorma vants her to back off.  Keit is already confused and finding out he has a vife and child he doesn't know exist is a little too much."

"This has got to be killing Allura."

"If dere is no change in de next couple of days, Dr. Gorma is going to call Kadmus back.  Vhat about you?"

"Kadmus said it isn't permanent but it's going to be difficult.  After I regain feeling in my legs, I'm going to have to relearn how to walk."

"Relearn how to valk?"

"That's what he said," Lance said, feeling a little lightheaded.

"Lance?  Are you alright?"
            "I think…I think, uh, the medicine is kicking in."

Sven stood, "I'll let you rest." 

"Hey, Sven…keep me posted on…Keith."  Lance muttered.

"I vill."

******************************

            Allura stood in Castle Control and watched the Lions in formation.  She had had very little sleep the night before and decided to see how practice was going.

            "They look good," Koran commented.

            "Yes, but Red still seems to be having problems," she pointed to the screen.  "See how she pulls a little to the right."

            "But is it in fighting condition?"

            "Hunk wouldn't let her off the ground if she wasn't."

            Koran turned and looked at his young queen.  She stood, wearing her old flightsuit, with her arms crossed over her chest.  Chewing on her lower lip, she watched the Lions swoop in for target practice.

            "Your Highness?"

            Allura looked up at him, questioningly.

            "How are you holding up?"

            She gave him a small smile, "I'm fine, all things considered."
            "Have you seen the Captain yet today?"

            She shook her head, "Dr. Gorma is worried about us throwing too much at him too fast."

            The console beeped, announcing the arrival of an alien ship.  Allura crossed to the monitor and opened a line of communication.

            "You are entering Arusian airspace," she announced.  "State your business."

            The vision of a young Doom soldier filled the screen.  "I come in peace," he said.  "I wish to deliver a message from His Excellency, Landor."

            Allura scanned the radar and saw that he was alone.  "You may enter, but you will be escorted to the tarmac."

            He nodded, "Yes, Your Highness."

            She closed the connection and opened a line to the Lions.

            "Did you guys hear that?" 

            "We sure did."  Hunk told her.

            "Hunk, I want you and Caleb to escort the ship to the tarmac.  Pidge, Darcy, and Dante, I want you three to circle in the air and make sure there are no other Doom ships."  Allura instructed.

            "Yes, Ma'am," Hunk said.  "You heard her guys."

            She watched as Black and Red flew up a little higher and waited for the small transport ship.  As they flanked the Doom ship, Green, Yellow, and Blue flew around the castle, keeping an eye on things.

            Taking two armed guards with her, Allura left Castle Control and stood by the tarmac, watching the landings.  Hunk and Caleb jumped from their Lions and stood, weapons in hand, beside the Doom ship.

            A uniformed Doom soldier walked smartly down the gangplank and up to Allura.  He saluted and offered her a sealed envelope.

            Allura accepted the message and opened it:

Queen Allura,

I know the predicament you are in.  Your husband, and Commander of the Voltron Force, is incapacitated, as well as the Second in Command.  As a favor to my brother, I am going to give you the opportunity to surrender peacefully.  If you choose to ignore this opportunity, we will be forced to attack.  I suggest you give it careful consideration.

                                    Yours Respectfully,

                                                Landor

Allura skimmed over the letter a second time and felt the anger surge within her.  She looked up at the soldier standing stoically before her.

"Get back on your ship," she said calmly.  "Fly back to Doom and you tell Landor that he can take his opportunity and shove it.  We have defeated them before and we will do it again."

Hunk winked at her and puffed out his chest with pride.

The soldier nodded curtly, turned on his heel, and returned to his ship.

"Go with him, make sure he leaves Arusian airspace.  And then I want all five of you in Castle Control."  Allura told Hunk.

He and Caleb saluted and returned to their Lions.

Allura walked quickly back to Castle Control.  "Koran, could you please see if you can locate Sven?"

"Of course, your highness.  What is it?"

"Doom has just declared war."

Ten minutes later the five pilots joined Allura, Koran, and Sven in Castle Control.

"Landor has requested we surrender to Doom," Allura announced.  "I told him where he can stick his request."

"Your highness!"  Koran said sharply.

She ignored his shock, "It's just us for now.  Keith and Lance are both on medical leave until further notice.  We are on high alert, be prepared to go into battle at anytime.  Hunk, I want you to go over Red again, she appeared to be pulling a bit to the right."

"I noticed that too," Hunk said.  "I believe the thruster needs to be recalibrated.  We can have that done in twenty minutes."

"Good.  Do it.  I want you all in good shape.  Eat, sleep.  Be prepared for battle at any moment."

She was greeted with a round of "Yes Ma'ams" from everyone in the room.

"Alright, Hunk, take care of Red.  Pidge, Caleb, I want you to go over and test the shields, make sure everything is in working order.  Darcy and Dante, I want you to check the turret guns, make sure they're ready to go."  Allura directed.

They all saluted and went their separate ways.  After they left, Sven turned to Allura.

"Vhat do you vant me to do?"  He asked.

"Do you think we should talk to Keith?"

"Has he vakened yet?"

"I haven't been to check on him."

"Let's go see if he's up.  If de fever broke and he's alright, he'll be able to help us plan."

She nodded and turned to Koran, "If anything at all seems out of the ordinary sound the alarms immediately."

"Yes, your highness."

"I think we should move Nanny and the children to a safer place."  Allura said as they walked to the hospital wing

"Vhere?" 

"Well, the entire castle is safe, but I would feel better if they were not up in the towers as they are now.  There is a room just off of Castle Control, it's small, but it has no windows and I would feel better having them in there."

"Isn't it a storage closet?"

"That's what we've been using it for.  We could fit a couple of cribs in there, we'll throw a carpet down, bring in some toys and a rocking chair."  Allura sighed.  "What do you think?"

"I tink dat sounds fine."  Sven assured her.

Allura stopped outside Keith's door, "Maybe you should go in first."

"Come vith me," Sven took her hand.  "You'll go crazy vaiting out here."

She nodded.

Sven knocked.

"Yeah?"  Came the slightly muffled response.

Sven pushed open the door.  "Hey, Keit, how're you feeling?"

"My head hurts and I'm feeling all around crappy."

"Vell, you did have de shit beat out of you."  Sven crossed to the bedside, Allura behind him.

Keith noticed Allura. He cleared his throat and blushed slightly.  "Princess."

"You know who I am?"  She asked quietly.

His eyes widened, "Of course I do."

She let out a shuttering breath and stepped closer to the bed, "I am so glad to hear that, honey.  We need…" She stopped when she saw how red his face was.  He had called her Princess.  He still wasn't thinking clearly.  She had just called him honey and he probably didn't even know they were married.

"Keit," Sven spoke up.  "Do you know how you ended up in de hospital?"

"We were attacked by Doom.  How's everyone else doing?"

"They're all fine," Allura assure him.

"How long have ve been on Arus?"  Sven asked.

"About a month, you know that.  How much longer do I have to stay here?"

"Do you remember de talk ve had last night?"

Keith furrowed his brow, "No, I don't remember anything about last night.  I just remember getting hit.  The next thing I knew I woke up in here."

Allura closed her eyes, trying to keep calm.  If she ever needed Keith, it was now.  She felt Sven place a hand on her arm.

"Sven, why don't you go check on Lance."  She whispered.

"I don't tink…"

"Just go."  She said insistently.

Sven looked from her to Keith and back again, "Alright.  But just know dat I don't tink dis is a good idea."

"Duly noted," she said.

He sighed and walked from the room.

When they were alone, she turned back to the bed and looked down at Keith.  He was staring back at her curiously.

"Alright Keith, I need you.  I know you're sick, but we need your help more than ever."

"I'll do whatever I can, Princess."  He vowed.

She took his face in her hands, feeling the skin burn beneath her palms.  Before he could say anything, she leaned down and kissed him, gently at first and then more passionately as he responded.

"Do you remember that?"  She whispered when she pulled back.

"Uh, no.  But I'll never forget it now."

"Dammit Keith!"  She exploded.  "You've been on Arus for years now!  We've been married for over a year and we have a daughter!  You have to remember, I need you to remember!"

"I'm sorry, Princess, I wish it were true, but you're mistaken."

She whirled on her heel and brought a hand to her mouth.  She knew it wasn't the best way to handle this, but she was desperate. An idea struck.

She turned back to him, "I'll be right back."

Throwing open his door, she started down the hall.

"Allura?"

Sven stood in Lance's doorway.

"I'll be right back Sven."

Lance was lying on his bed, feeling utterly useless and helpless.

"What can I do?"  He asked Sven.

"I'm sure ve could use your help with the planning."

"Maybe I could get a wheelchair and hang out in Castle Control."

"But Darcy said you've been in pain."

"The medicine Dr. Gorma gave me stopped it."

"But didn't dat make you lightheaded and tired."

"I want to help, Sven."

Sven nodded, "I'll talk to Dr. Gorma, see vhat he says."

The hurried footsteps told him that Allura was returning.  He heard Keith's door open and shut again.

"What about this?"  Allura held up the large framed photo that sat on the mantel in their bedroom.  It was the two of them on their wedding day.  "Does this bring anything to mind?"

He studied the picture as she held it in front of him.  His eyes grew wide.

"And this?"  Allura held up a second framed picture.  It was him sitting in the rocking chair in the nursery, cradling Cady, she had been a month old.

"I…I don't remember any of this.  I'm sorry.  I don't understand."

Carefully, she set the two pictures on his bedside table.  "Keith do you know who Lotor and Landor are?"

"Lotor is Zarkon's son."

"Doom has just declared war  Lotor is their leader…"
            "What happened to Zarkon?"

"He was killed Keith, years ago, when Voltron attacked.  Landor is Lotor's half-brother, Zarkon's son.  Keith, they're going to attack and we need to plan.  I am doing the best I can, but you and Lance are both out.  We need your help."

"Lance is out?"

"He was hit in the back by a spell my Haggar, Lotor's witch.  He can't walk."  She explained.

"He's paralyzed?"

"We don't know if it's permanent."  She sighed, "Keith, I need you to think and remember.  Your fever, your illness, it's all magic, caused by Haggar.  You're stronger than this.  Fight it.  Try and remember.  We need you."

He studied her.  She obviously believed what she was saying and the pictures, where had they come from?  What if she was telling the truth?

"I will try."

She gave him a weak smile, "That's all I can ask for."