"I can't believe he's doing this!" Keith angrily paced Allura's study. He went straight there after Lance left his office. His wife was sitting at her desk composing correspondence to neighboring planets, warning them of the impending threat from Doom.
"He's worried about Darcy," Allura told him. "Dr. Gorma told me she is on total bed rest now."
"But he is second-in-command, he is needed."
"Didn't you say he will still attend meetings and help with the planning? Caleb is a fine pilot, he can fly Red."
Keith stopped pacing and leaned over her desk, "Why are you taking his side in this?"
"Because we don't know what's going to happen to Darcy." She whispered.
"What?"
Allura sighed and pushed back from the desk, "Dr. Gorma is worried, he doesn't know what else he can do about the pain anymore and Kadmus has been having bad premonitions."
Keith fell back into one of the chairs opposite her desk. "It wouldn't be such a big deal if he hadn't done this on the same day as the first Doom attack in months."
"Well then, you are just going to have to defeat Doom and do away with Lotor."
He raised his head to look at her, "That's the plan."
"Honey, don't hold this against him. He isn't turning his back on us, he's just changing his priorities, much like you did when Cady was born."
Keith ran his hand over his face. He needed a shave. "I know."
Allura rose and walked around to lean against the desk in front of him. "If you try to force him he will only resent you and he will leave. Do you think he would hesitate to resign his post if you made him choose? Don't put him in that situation. I know you are in a tough spot, Keith, you're being pulled in two directions, his commander and his friend."
"I guess it wouldn't help us much if he's distracted up in the Lion."
Allura smiled softly and ran her hand through his hair and cupped his cheek, "We can do this, Keith. But right now Lance and Darcy need our support."
He took her hand in his and stood, "I know. His announcement just came as a shock. I have to go find Caleb and talk to him."
******************************************
Lance returned to his room to find Darcy still passed out on the bed, snoring softly.
"Is everything alright?" Becca asked.
He gave her a weak smile, "Yeah. Why don't you go settle in, I'm going to stay
here with her."
"Just let me know if you need me to do anything."
"Thanks, Bec, you have no idea how glad we are you're here."
She gave him a quick, awkward hug and left. Lance turned and looked down on his wife, his heart heavy. He felt better after talking to Keith, but he couldn't quite squash the guilt. He knew they needed him, but he could not be up in Red if Darcy went into labor or had to be rushed to the hospital. Caleb was a very capable pilot and could easily cover for him.
Lance crossed to the desk and pulled out a piece of paper and quickly scrawled a note on it.
Darcy,
I'm in the nursery if you need anything. Don't get up, just call for me.
He set it against the lamp on the bedside table so she would see it when she woke. In the nursery he unpacked the boxes Darcy's mother had sent. He shelved the books and laid out the little hand crocheted sweaters and bonnets on the dressing table to show them to Darcy when she woke and attached the mobile to the crib.
When he came to the little stuffed mouse, Lance stared at it. He wanted to throw it away, but knew that wouldn't change anything. He couldn't look at it though, it reminded him of what might be. At a loss for what to do, Lance placed it in the bottom drawer of the dresser.
*******************************************
Darcy woke slowly, feeling groggy and lightheaded. She blinked a few times and looked around the room. The sun was beginning to set and the room was very dimly lit. How long have I been asleep? She thought, rubbing her eyes. Her stomach rumbled and she pushed herself up a little. A small piece of paper caught her eye and she smiled.
"Lance?"
He was sitting in the rocking chair flipping through the book 'What To Expect When You're Expecting' that Allura had leant them. When he heard his name, he jumped to his feet and raced into their room.
"Well, well, looks like Sleeping Beauty finally woke," Lance smiled at her from the doorway.
"How long was I out?" She struggled to sit up.
"A couple of hours," he told her, helping her sit up and placing pillows behind her.
"What happened earlier? Was it Doom?"
Lance sat on the bed beside her. "Yeah it was a dozen fighter ships. We took care of them though."
"So they're back."
"It looks that way. But I don't want you to worry, I took a leave of absence so I can be with you."
Darcy's eyes widened in shock, "You can't do that! They need you."
"I don't care, you and the baby are what's important. I'm still going to attend meetings and help with the planning, but I'm not going to be flying, at least not until the baby's born."
She felt tears well up in her eyes. She knew what flying meant to him, how important the Force and protecting Arus was. "Lance…"
"Don't start, Darc, this isn't up for discussion," he brushed the tear from her cheek. "I don't want you upset or stressed out, I want to be here for you."
"Thank you," she whispered.
He grinned at her, "You don't have to thank me, I do it because I love you. How're you feeling?"
"I'm hungry," she sniffled.
"What are you hungry for?"
She thought a moment and tugged at the blanket. "Um, a bagel and cream cheese and a peanut butter and cheese sandwich."
Lance made a face, "Alright. I'll get it and be right back." He handed her the remote to the televiewer. "Just relax."
On his way to the kitchen, Lance's communicator beeped. "Yeah, Collier."
"Hey Lance, meeting in the conference room in fifteen minutes." Keith told him.
"Alright, I'll be there." Lance snapped his communicator shut and went to find Becca so she could help Darcy.
****************************************
The next couple of days were hectic ones in the Castle of Lions. Every morning Lance watched practice from Castle Control. The team looked good. The Intel reports claimed that Doom had built up an army, not nearly as big as they had once been, but still strong. Both Arus and Pollux were on high alert.
Darcy was bored and restless, but she stayed in bed, too scared of what might happen to the baby if she didn't. Dr. Gorma checked on her every morning and evening. She was still drinking her tea regularly and Kadmus would come and see her when he could.
On the afternoon of January 22nd, Lance took Keith aside to talk.
"I, uh, I don't know how to explain this to you, Keith, so I'm just going to come right out and say it. Unless we're under attack tomorrow, I am going to spend the entire day with Darcy."
Keith furrowed his brow, trying to think of what might be significant about the next day. "Uh, okay. Do you want to talk about it?"
Lance ran his hand through his hair and rubbed the back of his neck, "I can't really explain it, I just have this feeling…I need…I…need to be with her tomorrow."
"Alright, but if there's an attack…"
"No problem." Lance said, quickly. "I'll be in Castle Control."
Keith nodded and muttered, "Alright."
"Thanks man. It's just a couple more weeks."
"I know. How're you holding up?"
Lance smiled, "I can't wait for this baby to be born and Darcy is so impatient, I think she's ready to go to Dr. Gorma and tell him to induce labor."
"Yeah, Allura was going out of her mind the last couple of weeks of her pregnancy. How's she feeling?"
"She's weak, but more than anything else, she's bored."
Keith laughed, "I guess it's a good thing her sister came out to entertain her."
Lance rolled his eyes, "You'd think that, but she has been spending more time with Pidge than Darcy."
"Geez, it seems like just yesterday that Pidge was more interested in video games than girls." Keith unclipped his communicator as it beeped. "Whitaker."
"Captain, a report has come in I think you might like to see," Koran said.
"I'll be right there," he snapped it shut and looked up at Lance. "I'll see you around, man, let me know if you guys need anything."
"Yeah, thanks, Keith." Lance turned to head back to his room.
Allura and Cady were sitting on the bed with Darcy, keeping her company. When Lance walked in, Cady was lying her head on Darcy's stomach, gently patting it while Darcy rubbed her back.
"Having some kind of a party?" He asked.
"Yeah, a 'Keep Darcy From Going Out Of Her Mind With Boredom' party," Darcy tilted her face up to accept his kiss.
"Lan'!" Cady squealed, pursing her lips for a kiss.
"Hi there, Cady Bear," Lance kissed her softly.
Cady had grown into a happy, spirited fourteen month old. Always giving kisses and flirting with the boys on the Force. But then that was to be expected when a little girl was showered with affection and spoiled rotten by a large group of guys.
"The baby's feeling rather hyper," Darcy grabbed his hand and laid it on her stomach.
Lance felt the baby move and kick, grinning like a madman. "Looks like she's just about ready to come out."
"The nursery's ready, we're ready, now it's just up to her," Darcy said, she had long ago taken to referring to the baby as a girl even though they hadn't let Dr. Gorma tell them the sex of the baby.
Lance sat down beside her, still holding his hand to her stomach, reveling in the feel of their baby. "How're things going, Allura?"
"Good, good. I think we're ready for any attack that might come."
"Yeah, we just have to pry our Green pilot off my sister-in-law," Lance muttered.
"Oh stop it, Lance," Darcy swatted at his arm. "Becca told me they're taking it slowly."
"What happens when she returns to Terra?" Allura asked.
"I don't think they're even thinking that far ahead." Darcy yawned and leaned her head on Lance's shoulder.
"Okay, okay, we can take a hint," Allura stood. "Say bye-bye, Cady."
"Bye-bye." Cady kissed Darcy, then Lance.
"Bye, Cady," Darcy waved as Allura picked her up.
"Bye-bye Cady Bear," Lance blew a kiss which Cady returned.
When the door slid shut behind them, Lance turned and dropped a kiss on Darcy's head. "Tomorrow you and I are going to spend the entire day together."
"What's the occasion?"
"No reason, I just want to be with you and the little one," he rubbed his hand over her stomach.
"That sounds nice. We can tuck in for the day, it's supposed to snow any way, it'll be cozy. I always loved being snowed in."
Lance nuzzled her neck, "We can watch some movies, make out, listen to a little music."
Darcy giggled as his breath tickled her skin, "You have a one track mind."
"I can't help it, you're so beautiful."
"Ugh, I am not! I have no make-up on, my hair looks terrible, I'm as big as a house…"
Lance took her face in his hands and forced her to look at him. "You have no idea how beautiful you are, do you?"
Darcy blushed and averted her gaze.
Lance leaned in and whispered into her ear, "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
Before she could respond, the castle alarms sounded.
"Shit," Lance swore under his breath and jumped to his feet. "Stay here, call me on the communicator if you need anything. I'll find Becca to come and sit with you."
Darcy nodded, rubbing her stomach nervously.
Lance put his hands on her shoulders, "Calm down, Darc, it'll be okay. Nothing will happen to you or the baby. I'll send a couple of guards up as well, okay? Stay calm."
"I will," she whispered.
"I love you." He told her, kissing her hard.
"I love you too," she said as he turned to leave.
Moments later, Becca arrived. "How you feelin', Darc?"
"I'm alright, I just wish I knew what was going on."
"Tell me about it," Becca fell back on the bed beside her.
"Sergeant Collier?" A voice called through the door.
"Yeah!" Darcy yelled back.
"Privates Fforden and Iyre, Ma'm! We're out here if you need anything!"
"Thanks!" She turned to her sister. "So, Becs, how's Pidge?"
Becca smiled, "Fine. He said he's going to take me for a ride in Green after this threat passes."
Darcy gasped as the castle shook.
"I really hate this," Becca whispered.
"It's okay, they guys won't let anything happen to us," Darcy told her.
The castle shook again, harder this time.
"What if…" Becca started to say, but stopped when Darcy sat upright and held up her hand to silence her.
***************************************
The five lions were in the air, fighting the eight fighter ships that had arrived. No one seemed to notice when one of the ships pretended to take a hit and quickly descended to the ground. Nor did they notice the two cloaked figures that raced from the ship towards the castle.
***************************************
In the hall outside the room, Becca and Darcy heard the two guards yelling, a scuffling sound and a few blaster shots. Darcy grabbed her communicator and dialed up Lance.
"Collier."
"Lance what's going on?"
"We're under attack, Darcy."
"Did they breech the castle?"
"Not that we know of, why?"
"Something's going on out in the hall, Lance," her voice rose a little. "Shots were fired."
Lance swore, "I'll be right there, Darc." He snapped the communicator shut and turned to Allura and Koran. "Something's going on up in the hall, I'm going to run up and check on Darcy." He grabbed two guards and took off running.
"Get me my weapon," Darcy told Becca.
"But…"
"Just get it Becca!" Darcy pushed herself all the way up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Her heart was racing, something was happening.
Becca got the metal lock box out of the closet and set it on the bed beside Darcy. She watched as her sister once again took it from the box, turned it on and checked to make sure it was in working order, but this time she didn't put the safety on.
Another blaster shot was fired in the hall.
"You locked the door, didn't you?" Darcy asked her sister.
"Uh, yeah, I think so," Becca crossed to the pad to double check.
The door slid open, Darcy looked up, expecting Lance. She gasped when two cloaked figures entered the room. She quickly raised her weapon and trained it on them. "Who are you?"
With lightening quick reflexes, the one figure reached out and grabbed Becca, holding a weapon to her head.
"Drop your gun."
"Lotor," Darcy hissed.
He shook his head back, causing the hood of his cloak to fall back. "You're a quick one. Now if you don't want me to put a hole in your sister's head I would suggest you out your weapon down."
Becca watched her, tears running down her face, shaking slightly.
Very slowly, Darcy laid her blaster on the bedside table and raised her hands, "Let her go, Lotor."
"Get to your feet," the second person whispered.
Darcy did as she was told, pushing up from the bed. She wrapped her arms around her stomach, trying to ignore the throbbing pain. "Let her go."
Lotor let Becca go, shoving her toward her sister, aiming his weapon at the two of them. "Now where's your beloved husband?"
"What do you want?" Darcy asked.
"You're in pain," Haggar whispered.
Darcy ignored her.
"I want your husband." Lotor smiled, causing his gruesome face to wrinkle.
Becca cried quietly.
"You got me," Lance stepped into the room behind them, weapon drawn, flanked by two similarly armed guards.
Lotor turned to face him, firing two quick shots, disposing of the two guards.
Darcy gasped, feeling her legs tremble beneath her.
"Sit down, Darcy," Lance said, never taking his eyes or his weapon off Lotor.
She sank onto the edge of the bed, rubbing her stomach. Becca sat beside her.
Lotor smiled softly, his gun still trained on the two women, "Good to see you again, Lieutenant." He stepped closer to Darcy and Becca.
"Don't take another step," Lance warned.
"Don't make me shoot your wife." Lotor said.
"What do you want?"
"You to suffer," Lotor said, squeezing the trigger of his gun, grazing Darcy's arm with a laser.
Becca screamed. Darcy gasped and leaned heavily on her sister.
"You son of a bitch," Lance roared, charging him.
Lotor raced to the bed, pushed Becca to the floor and grabbed Darcy by the hair, pulling her to her feet, holding his gun to her stomach. "Don't move, Lieutenant."
Lance froze.
Darcy stared at him, terrified, blood running down her arm. She was shaking uncontrollably, pain etched in her face as he yanked her hair.
"Please, Lotor, don't." Lance pleaded.
Lotor grinned, enjoying his power over the man who had ruined his life.
"I'll do anything you ask, just don't hurt Darcy."
"Hmmm…anything?" Lotor asked, pressing the gun harder into her stomach.
Darcy gasped. She suddenly felt warm and wet. "Oh God!" She screamed.
Lance looked at her and paled at what he saw.
Lotor looked down in disgust at the puddle below her that had splashed his boots.
"My water broke," she gasped.
"Lotor!" Lance yelled. "For the love of God, let her go! She is innocent, she didn't do anything to you!"
Darcy gasped and groaned as the pain got worse and Lotor tightened his grip on her hair. It felt as though he was ripping it all out by the roots.
Somewhere in the distance Lance heard the sound of running. Someone was coming. He prayed it was Keith or one of the guys and that they were coming armed.
"Drop your weapon," Lotor said. He too heard the sound of approaching people.
Lance set it on the dresser beside him and raised his hands. "Let her go now. She can't hurt you."
Lotor shoved her away from him. Darcy lost her balance and fell, slamming her head on the bedside table.
It seemed to happen in slow motion. Lance watched as she fell limply to the ground, landing hard on her side. He made a move to step toward her but was stopped when Lotor fired his weapon, hitting him in the leg, the arm and the shoulder. His last image before everything went black, was Darcy lying completely still on the floor.
Keith, Pidge, and Hunk arrived at the door, weapons drawn, just as Lotor fired his first shot at Lance.
"Damn you!" Pidge fired his blaster hitting Lotor in the arm, causing him to drop his weapon. Pidge stepped forward, firing twice more, hitting him in the stomach and chest. He turned his weapon on Haggar who had been watching from beside the door.
Hunk dropped to his knees beside Lance while Keith knelt beside Darcy. He pulled out his communicator and called Dr. Gorma, telling him to send two gurneys immediately.
Becca rose to her feet. She had been cowering beside the bed while this had all been happening.
"Are you okay?" Pidge asked her, keeping his eyes on Haggar.
"Yeah," she whispered, shakily.
Kadmus appeared in the doorway breathing heavily and leaning on his walking stick. "I got here as quickly as I could," he wheezed.
Haggar hissed at him.
"Stupid witch," he said to her before turning to Pidge. "I'll take care of her."
"I'm not afraid of you, old man," she whispered.
"Liar." He stepped towards her, grabbing her
arm. "Come with me."
"No, please, Kadmus, we're blood." Her voice changed.
"Don't remind me. I have no sympathy for you any more. I gave you a second chance months ago, but not this time." He told her, dragging her from the room.
Dr. Gorma arrived in the door, followed by a couple of his nurses, and took in the scene before him, "Okay, I'll need you gentlemen to help me get them on the gurneys."
Hunk lifted Lance and set him on one gurney while Keith lifted Darcy and set her on the other.
"It looks like her water broke," Keith told Dr. Gorma.
The doctor nodded, "Let's get them to the hospital now."
They all froze when they heard a loud, screeching scream. Kadmus appeared at the door.
"You no longer need to fear Haggar, she won't be bothering you again. Nor will he." Kadmus pointed to Lotor's still form.
Keith nodded, "Thank you, Kadmus." He turned to Dr. Gorma. "Let's get them to the hospital."
Pidge turned to Becca where she stood, shaking, quietly crying. He crossed to her, wrapping his arms around her while she sobbed against his neck. He rubbed her back and whispered soothing words to her.
