Chapter Four

It was the end to another breathtakingly gorgeous day on Planet Arus. It's people were hurrying home to their families, smiles wreathing their faces over the continuing good fortune that had been bestowed upon them since the defeat of Zarkon. The whole planet seemed to resound that feeling of jubilation.

As the sun set, its burnished rays leaving trails along the horizon, the coming darkness seemed to set a pall over the inhabitants of the metal leviathan looming on the landscape.

Tomorrow morning was going to come all to soon. That thought loomed in the front of Allura's mind as she walked through the halls, on her way to her office. Tomorrow morning… what would she do after that. They had only been in her life for two years, but now that she had, she could not imagine them not in it. She had been rewarded beyond measure by their presence on her planet. Not only had her people been freed, through their bravery, but her life had been made infinitively richer by just their presence.

She looked up, her eyes appearing to focus on something in the foreground, but nothing appeared to be there. Allura simply walked, with her gaze directed at nothing. Her thoughts provided her with dazzling visuals of happy memories that had come to her.

Her head jerked up in a startling realization. Those guys had not just become a part of her life, they were her life! Everything that was of her essence also was intertwined around those of the Voltron Force.

But sadly, she knew that life would have to go on. There was nothing she could do to keep them here. Koran himself had attempted every diplomatic and administrative maneuver and favor to try to keep them stationed here. But that itself failed with a resounding and final note.

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Around the same time, Lance was making his way down another corridors towards the personal quarters. His mind was tormented with the wracking decision he had just made.

It was gone and done, the paperwork was on it's way to Galaxy Garrison and there was nothing he could do to change the course on which he had set himself. He only hoped that it was the right decision.

But as he strode down the hall, an instinctual feeling filled him, and he knew, just knew, that he had made the right decision. Maybe it had not been the best move for his emotional health or his career, but something was telling him that destiny hinged upon his decision. Somehow, the tapestry that they had woven would show that he had followed the correct path.

And as he gave no thought or care to where he was going or what might impede his path, he ran head on right into Allura. They both ricocheted off each other, Allura falling ungracefully to the floor as Lance's sheer body mass was no match for her petite frame. Lance managed to catch himself on a door frame to keep himself from flattening his rear end. Allura wasn't so lucky. She went down with an unladylike grunt and glared up to see who had ran into her.

Her face registered surprise as she saw it was Lance and ever furthered her embarrassment as she realized that he was doing everything in his power to hold his laughter back. Allura only glared at him and harrumphed loudly, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring regally at him, just daring him to laugh. Lance only grinned down at her and offered his hand down to help her up. Allura was never able to hold onto her royal act for very long and she grinned back at him as she took his hand in hers. He pulled her up and she set about rearranging her voluminous skirts.

" Princess, I am really sorry…. " Lance started but was cut off by a wave of Allura's hand. "It's not a problem. It's obvious we were both staring off into space and not paying any attention."

The two fell in a companionable stride as they walked down the hall. Lance spared a glance down at Allura as they walked. She looked as if she wanted to say something, but nothing came out. Lance only rolled his eyes and patiently waited what she wanted to say.

" Lance, are you ready to leave?" She finally asked, the words rushing out. Lance came to a halt as she asked her question. He looked down at her, her head down turned and her eyes avoiding his. He rubbed his neck in consternation as he debated how to tell her.

" Ahhhh, Princess….. I don't know how to say this…" He trailed off uncertainly as her head raised and looked at him questioningly. Her eyes tried to seek his, but he turned his head, avoiding her gaze.


" I… ahhh…. I'm not leaving. " He finally blurted out. Allura looked at him, her eyes wide in surprise and a hint of relief, " How?"

" I put my resignation of my position in today. I can't leave Arus…. Or you Allura" He said weakly. He still avoided her gaze until he felt Allura's hand cup his cheek and turn his face towards her. He was smiling softly and a tear slipped down her cheek.

"Thank you" She whispered as she clung to his hand.