Allura slowly walked back to her bed chambers, cradling a sleeping Cady to her shoulder.  It was two in the morning and she was completely worn out.  She had to make arrangements for Renata and the five guards who had been killed.  Four other guards were seriously injured and needed to be tended to and all their families notified.  Castle Control needed to be cleaned and set right.   And during this time worry was constantly weaving its way through the back of her mind.  Keith, Pidge, Lance and Darcy.

Thankfully, Sven had told her he would contact Rankin.  The arrangements were made, Rankin and Rainger would arrive on Arus tomorrow to escort their sister's body to Pollux.  It was the closest thing to a home they had and she would be buried there.

Allura knew what was going on in her castle.  Lance, Hunk, Dante, and Sven had gone to Pidge's room where they shared Whiskey and Scotch that Lance and Dante had brought from Terra as well as some strong Arusian wine.  She knew they would watch out for Pidge.  He needed his friends and for some reason they found drinking helped.  When she had passed Sven a few minutes ago, he told her Pidge was passed out with Hunk sleeping on a fold-away cot in the room, just to make sure he didn't get up in the night and do anything stupid.

Romelle had taken Erik and Cady to the bedchambers she shared with Sven after the threat had passed.  Allura had gone to collect her daughter, finding her asleep in Erik's playpen.  Cady didn't stir when Allura laid her gently in her crib.  She left the door adjoining the two rooms open a crack, in case Cady woke, and crossed to the bed. 

Keith was sound asleep. Dante and Sven had stripped him of his shirt and pants, dressing him in pajama pants and a t-shirt.  The light on the table on her side of the bed was on, but he didn't notice.  Kadmus had warned her that he would be out cold for a while, but it was necessary.  He needed to recuperate.

Sighing softly, Allura changed into her nightgown and took her hair down from its bun.  While she brushed out her hair, she allowed herself the luxury of imagining what it would be like to wake in the morning to find Keith his old self, no longer under a spell.  Wondering if they would be able to take some time off together, just the three of them.  Not that she could really do that, being the ruling monarch of a planet was a 24 hour a day, seven day a week job.  Setting all of her affairs in order so she could make the trip to Terra had taken weeks.  It was too soon to try and do that again.  Maybe she could feign illness and the three of them could stay in all day.  Or maybe hand Cady over to Nanny and allow her and Keith a day to spend in bed.  Allura smiled softly at the thought.

But no.  She had the heartbreaking job of meeting Rankin and Rainger when they arrived early in the afternoon.  She would be meeting with the families of the fallen guards later in the afternoon.  It was a long, difficult day she had ahead of her.

Allura carefully pulled the cover back on the bed.  She stopped and held her breath when Keith stirred, but he didn't wake.  With the covers pulled up over her, Allura turned to shut off the light, but stopped.  Instead she rolled over and laid on her side, bending her arm at the elbow and propping her head up.  She stared down at Keith and smiled.

He was completely relaxed, his mouth slightly open.  She watched as his chest rose and fell steadily as he slept.  Almost unconsciously her hand reached out and brushed back the hair that fell across his forehead.  With a smile, Allura fell back against her pillow and gave in to the exhaustion that washed over her.

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

The kitchen slowly filled the next morning as everyone woke, feeling groggy and sluggish, searching for coffee. 

When Allura arrived, Hunk, Lance, Dante, and Caleb were already sitting around the table, each with a mug in hand. 

"How's Keith?"  Hunk asked.

Allura settled into the chair beside him, "He's still out like a light.  How's Pidge?"

"Same.  But I have a feeling he's going to have a hell of a hangover."

"Poor guy," she sighed.  "Rankin and Rainger are arriving this afternoon.  They're going to take Renata back to Pollux."

"I guess we should tell Pidge." 

"Yeah."

They fell silent, each hoping someone else would volunteer to tell him.  With a heavy sigh, Hunk pushed his chair back and stood, "I'll go see if he's up yet."

"I think we should fall back on our old schedule for practice," Lance spoke up. "I'll get back in Red and Caleb you can take over in Yellow."

"But wouldn't Darcy like to continue flying?"  Caleb asked.

Lance shook his head, "Darcy is grounded."

"So, she really is…" Dante began, but broke off, not sure how to continue.

Lance tried to hide the grin that threatened to split his face, "Yeah."

"Congratulations, man."  Dante slapped him on the shoulder.

"Thanks."

"When she due?"

"February."

"And when are you tying the knot?"

"Well," Lance rubbed the back of his neck.  "Darcy wants to do it next week."

"What?"  Allura exclaimed.

"She's doesn't want the baby born out of wedlock or to waddle down the aisle."

"We can't plan a real wedding in a week."

"Nothing big, Allura, just a small gathering, just us.  We'll have a reception with our families in a few months."

Allura opened and closed her mouth, almost like she was going to say something but thought better of it.

Lance smiled, "Not everyone wants a big, royal affair."

"I know.  And considering what all has happened, that's probably a good idea."

"What's a good idea?"  Darcy asked, entering the kitchen with Sven right behind her.

Lance grinned at her.  She wore a pair of jeans and an old Academy t-shirt.  Her hair was pulled back and she looked well-rested.  He now fully understood what they meant about pregnant women glowing.  She was absolutely beautiful.

"Our low-key wedding," he told her.

"We going into town today to see the jeweler?"  She asked, digging in the freezer.

"Uh, yeah, what are you doing?"

"I'm hungry."

"Can I get you something?"

She straightened up, holding a bag of frozen French fries Nanny had made and stuck in the freezer.  "Do you know what poutine is?"

Sven snickered.

"I would hope he did by now," Dante snorted.

"Oh grow up," Darcy blushed.  "It's a French-Canadian thing.  French fries, cheese, and gravy."

Lance wrinkled his nose, "Darcy, uh, honey, it's 7:00 in the morning."

"I know, but I have been craving this since last night."

"I can't believe you were thinking about food last night," he muttered.

"I'm going to be sick," Caleb set his mug in the sink.  "I'll see you guys later."

"What is that heavenly scent?"  Hunk asked, entering the kitchen a few minutes later as Darcy pulled her breakfast out of the microwave.

Allura shook her head, "How's Pidge?"

"He wants to meet Rankin and Rainger when they come."

"Where is he now?"

"He's getting dressed.  What is that Darcy?"

"Poutine, try it."  She pushed the plate across the table toward him.

"Mm, where did you find this?"

"Come on, man, it's early.  How can you eat that heart attack on a plate?"  Lance asked.

"Me?  I think you know the answer to that.  What about Darcy?"  Hunk replied around a mouthful.

"Pregnancy does odd things to a woman."  She closed her eyes as she savored the flavor.

"Is it possible for a child to be born with clogged arteries?"  Lance wondered.

Darcy stuck her tongue out at him, "I saw baby pictures of you.  You were a little butterball."

"All babies are chubby."

"You weren't chubby, you were rotund."

"There's nothing wrong with that," Hunk interjected.

"Yeah and besides, I grew into one sexy son-of-a-bitch."

Sven and Dante burst out laughing.  Hunk rolled his eyes and Darcy shook her head.

Allura pushed her chair back and stood, "I think that's my cue to go."

On her way back to her bedchambers, Allura mentally went over what she was going to say to Rankin and Rainger.  Delivering this kind of news and having to face the families left behind was the most difficult part of her job, but one of the most necessary.

She was trying to figure out what to wear, something somber and respectful, while she pushed open the door.  A gasp escaped her lips when she noticed the messed up, empty bed.  Panic was quickly replaced by relief when she heard the shower running in the bathroom.

Allura busied herself by straightening up and making the bed.  While digging through her closet, she heard the bathroom door open.  Turning with a plain, dark green dress in her hand, Allura saw Keith standing in the doorway, a towel slung low over his hips.

"Uh, Keith, you're up.  How're you feeling?"  She asked, nervously.

He flashed her a half-hearted smile, "I'm alright.  I feel like I've slept a week.  How're you?"

Allura nodded and crossed to set the dress over the back of her vanity chair.  "I'm fine."

"Where's Cady?"

"Nanny has her.  I needed to get ready and I didn't know how long you'd be sleeping."

He nodded, "Allura, you want to talk about it?"

"I just want to know how you're feeling.  What do you remember?"  She asked hurriedly.

"Really, I feel fine," he took a step closer.  "I remember everything."

"Everything?"

"Well, sort of.  Everything over the past couple of weeks is kind of hazy, like a dream.  But I know what all has happened.  My head is kind of fuzzy and I still feel kind of weak, but I do remember."

Allura looked up at him, he looked worn and a little older.  His eyes were sad and regretful.  "What is it?"  She asked.

"I am so sorry for everything you went through."

"I know, honey, but it wasn't your fault."

Keith crossed to stand in front of her.  He was so close she could feel the moist heat rising off his body.  "You shouldn't have had to go through this alone."

"I didn't.  I had the Force and Hunk showed us all what a great leader he can be."

Keith placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned his forehead against hers, "You amaze me."

"It was noth…"

"Don't say it was nothing," he interrupted.  "You are an amazing person and an incredible leader.  I love you, Allura."

She opened her mouth to say something, but was stopped when Keith captured her lips in his.  Sliding her arms around him, she pressed against his warm body, feeling a drop of water drip off one of his still damp locks of hair and hit her cheek, running along her jaw.  Allura gasped quietly when she felt the towel slide from him.

"Keith," she murmured.

"Hm?"  He moved his mouth to her jaw, her ear, down her neck.  All the while he untied her robe and pushed it from her shoulders.

"I don't think this is…"

"I've missed you," he whispered against her ear, unbuttoning her nightgown.

"Oh, God, I've missed you too," she whispered back.

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

"When are we expecting Rankin?"  Keith asked.

He was lying in their bed, Allura sprawled across his chest.  He had one arm bent behind his head and his other hand stroked her hair.  She had both arms wrapped tightly around his waist almost like she was afraid he would try and leave.

"Around two."

He glanced at the clock, it was ten.  "I guess that gives me some time to see Cady before we meet them."

Allura crossed her arms over his chest and rested her chin on her entwined arms.   "I'm worried about Pidge."

"He really liked her?"

"I think he was in love with her.  They were going to ask Rankin if she could stay, train with Dr. Gorma to become a nurse."

Keith closed his eyes and fisted his hand in her hair, "I'll talk to him."

"I am so glad you're going to meet them with me.  I didn't want to do this alone."

He opened his eyes and smiled softly, "I'm glad I'll be there too.  And I'll meet with the guards' families."

"No, it's my job."

"As leader of the Force and the Arusian military, I think it's my job."  He lowered his voice.  "I know you don't want to."

"No, Keith, I don't want to.  But I have to.  This is the most difficult news anyone has to hear, but I feel I should tell them in person, let them know I really am sorry.  These people died saving and protecting Arusian lives, we owe them, and the ones they left behind, more than we can ever express."

Keith ran his hands up and down her back, "I'll go with you."

She nodded, "And as much as I don't want to leave this bed right now, I have to go get ready."

"Alright," he watched her stand and throw her robe over her shoulders.  "I'm going to get dressed and go find our little girl."

Smiling, Allura bent to kiss him, "I am so glad you're back."

"Me too."

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

The entire Force stood with Allura as they watched the Polluxian ship begin it's descent to Arus.  Keith stood beside her, his hand resting gently on the small of her back.  Pidge stood beside him, his face pale and his eyes glassy.  A heavy silence surrounded them.

Rankin stepped down from the ship with quick, sure steps.  His jaw was clenched and his eyes tired.  Rainger followed a few steps behind him, walking more slowly and looking indescribably sad.

"Allura," Rankin bowed slightly as he greeted her.

Throwing aside all protocol, Allura stood on her toes and wrapped her arms around him.  She was more than a little surprised when he hugged her back, tightly.

"I wish we were meeting under better circumstances," Allura told him.

"So do I."

"Oh, Rankin, I am so sorry.  We loved her so much."  Her voice shook slightly.

He nodded, "I know.  Thank you for your kindness."  Rankin's eyes flitted down the line and rested on Pidge.  "But if she hadn't felt the need to stay here she would still be alive."

Pidge flinched, but stayed silent.

"I know this is hard for you," Keith spoke up. "We all feel her loss, but staying here was her choice."

"And she was happy."  Hunk added.

Rankin nodded.

Allura squeezed Rainger's hand.

"Thank you," he whispered.  "For everything."

"We will have her funeral in two days, you are all welcome to come."  Rankin announced, stiffly.

They all filed into the castle.

"Now dat Keit and Lance are back on deir feet, Romelle and I vill be returning home soon."  Sven told Rankin.

He nodded, "Things have been clear."

"Vhy don't you take some time off, Rankin," Sven suggested.  "Take Paget and go avay for a few days."

Rankin nodded again, but didn't respond.

It was a short awkward visit.  Rankin wanted to return home as soon as possible.  Renata had been cleaned up and placed in a plain casket.  Rainger took one look at the closed casket and quickly turned and left the room.  Romelle followed, hoping to help.  Rankin looked down at the casket and placed a hand upon it.  His jaw twitched as he clenched his teeth and his eyes glittered with unshed tears.

Allura beckoned for the others to follow her out of the room, to give him some time alone.

"This wasn't your fault," Lance whispered to Pidge.

"If she hadn't stayed here, she would still be alive."  It was the first time he had spoken all day and his voice was raw and hoarse.

"She wanted to stay."

"We knew it wasn't safe, I should have made her go home with her brothers."

"Stop that, she was happy with you."

Pidge shrugged.

"I know how hard this is…"

"No, you don't."  Pidge stopped in his tracks and looked up at Lance with hollow eyes.  "You have no idea how hard this is for me.  You have Darcy.   I have…no one."

"You have us, Buddy."  Hunk said.

"Yeah…"  Pidge trailed off.  "I, uh, I'll see you guys later."  He turned toward his room.

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

"I'm worried about Pidge."  Darcy told Lance as they walked into town.

"We all are."

"What are we going to do?"

Lance shrugged, "Let him be.  When he wants to talk, we'll be there for him."

"I feel kind of , I don't know, do you think it's crass of us to be planning our wedding now?"

"Do you want to put it off?"

"No."

Lance took her hand, "I don't think it's crass.  Pidge is our friend, he wants us to be happy."

Darcy nodded, still feeling a little guilty.  How can she happily plan her wedding when her teammate, her friend, was in such pain?

"Laura."

Darcy smiled half-heartedly, "Robert."

"Diane."

"Christian."

"Emma."

"Aiden."

Lance wrinkled his nose.  "Leia."

"No Star Wars names.  Francis."

"No sissy names."

"Francis was my uncle's name."

"Did they call him Francis?"

"No, everyone called him Frank."

"See, Frank is a cool name, but Francis, no.  Brenna."

Darcy thought on that one, "That's nice.  Denis."

"Natalie."

"Gilbert."

"What?"

"Gilbert."

Lance shook his head, "Why would we call our child Gilbert?"

"After the male lead in the Anne of Green Gables books."

"No obscure literary references."

"That is not an obscure literary reference.  They are eight of the best books ever written."

"Padme."

"If you're going to even suggest Star Wars names you could at least have the decency to not pick names from the prequels.  Jacob."

"Gina."

"Elliott."

"Hannah."

"James."

"Guinevere."

"Guinevere Collier?  Mm, no."

Lance stopped in front of the small jewelry store.  "You ready?"

She smiled up at him, "Yup.  You?"

"I think so."  He pulled open the door and stepped aside to let her in. "Beru."

"No Star Wars names!" She hissed.

"Welcome!"  A nervous looking man with slicked back, blonde hair and slightly pointed ears greeted them.  "What can I do for you?"

Lance rested his hand on the small of her back and gently led Darcy to the counter.  "We need a pair of wedding bands."

The man clasped his hands together, "Wonderful!  Congratulations!"  Everything he said came out in exclamations.   "Now, then, what are you looking for?"

"Simple."  Darcy said.

"But elegant."  Lance added.

"Come with me, I can show you what we have."  He walked over to a table counter beside the door and pulled out a wooden box with a glass lid.  It was full of plain rings in varying widths and colors.  Yellow gold, white gold, platinum, silver.

They spent an hour examining and trying on rings.  By the time they left the store, Darcy had pushed aside all her worries and was feeling downright giddy.

"I can't believe we're getting married," she clasped her hands together and danced ahead of him.

Lance grinned after her, "Hey, hey, come here, we need to talk."

She danced back to him and threw her arms around his neck.  "What?"

"Allura wants to know if we've given any thought as to where we're going to live."

"We haven't, have we?"  She wrapped both arms around his left arm and laid her head on his shoulder as they walked back toward the castle.

"She wanted to know if we would stay at the castle until the threat of Lotor has passed."

"We can do that."

"Allura suggested moving Hunk to your room after you move into mine, turning his room into a nursery and we can put in an adjoining door."

"When did you guys plan all this?"

"We were just talking the other night."

Darcy nodded, "I think that sounds good for now."

"For now."

"When the threat passes we can get a house of our own."

"And a dog."

"And a little garden."

"You want to stay on Arus?"  He asked.

"Don't you?"

"Yes."

"Then you can open up your flying school."  She told him.

"And you can…Darcy, what is it?"  He stopped when she wrapped an arm around her stomach and sucked in a sharp breath.

A sharp band of pain wrapped around her stomach.  When it passed, she looked up and flashed him a smile, "It's nothing, Lance.  It's just been a long, stressful day."

He eyed her uncertainly.

"Really, I'm fine.  I was just upset about everything that happened earlier and I'm tired.  I should have taken you up on the ride into town."  This wasn't the first time she had felt this pain, it had happened that morning when she woke up and she had every intention of going to Dr. Gorma, but she didn't want Lance to worry unnecessarily.

"Okay, here, sit down."  He led her to a boulder on the side of the roadway.  "I'm going to call up to the castle and have them send us a ride."

"Lance, it's not that far.  When I'm unable to walk two miles I am going to completely give up.  I'll sit in front of the televiewer and let you bring me bon-bons all day.  Of course, that wouldn't be too bad of a setup…"

"Darcy, you're babbling."  Lance pulled out his communicator.  She babbled when she was trying to overcompensate.  She was trying to put him at ease, there was something wrong and she didn't want him to worry.  Her behavior was only making him more nervous.

"Lance…"

"Sit down, Darcy."  He turned to talk to the guard on duty.  It would be about five minutes before their ride arrived.  Lance turned back to see Darcy sitting on the ground, both arms wrapped around her middle, shaking.  He knelt beside her, "Darc?  Honey?"

"It hurts, Lance, it hurts real badly."  She whimpered.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, "We'll get you to Dr. Gorma, okay?  Hold on tight." 

Unable to wait, Lance stood and pulled Darcy to her feet.  In one swift movement, he swept her up into his arms.  Carrying her up the road, he met the car about a hundred yards up the street.  By then, Darcy had passed out, her head on his shoulder, her cheeks wet.