Hi all!

Sorry for the delay, but there was so much going on with work and the holidays.  You know what it's like when life gets in the way.  Thank you so much for your patience and your wonderful, helpful reviews. 

Bell ~ You know, I was a little surprised when I read in the comic that Lance had a criminal record and they sprang him from jail for this mission, but then I realized that it fit his persona and I do like the way they've done him.  I just love their take on Hunk too and I kind of stole their idea of Pidge being a computer expert for my other stories.  And as for Sven, he is just creepy and they've already pretty much disposed of him.  I hope they delve deeper into him to find out what happened and why he is the way he is.  I also have to agree with you and RedLion2 about the scene were Lance interrupts Keith and Allura, very well done.

Enjoy!
Failte

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

Keith swiped the back of his hand over his forehead.  The sun was overhead and the heat was just starting to become unbearable.  He stood upright and stretched his back, taking in the scene before him.  The Force, along with the Princess and most of the townsfolk, had started to rebuild their planet.  A few homes had been completed the week before, but had been destroyed in a Doom attack three days earlier.    They were now in the process of putting up what would be the town's orphanage while others worked on personal homes.

Pidge was helping Hunk nail some boards while Lance showed Allura how to properly work a drill.  Keith watched as she laughed at some comment Lance had made.  Her hair was pulled back in a bun and damp tendrils fell around her face, sticking to her cheeks, which were rather red with exertion.  For the first time in days, she looked good.  Allura had been rather sluggish and pale lately, fueling worries about her health.  That morning she hadn't eaten much and had seemed rather out of sorts, but if anyone inquired after her health, Allura went on the defensive and waved them off.

It had been a long, hot day and Keith was ready to call everyone to break when Allura threw her head back to laugh again and she caught Keith watching her.

The two of them had come to an unspoken agreement.  They had to work together and as such they treated each other with solemn respect and a stiff friendliness.  He wished he could be as comfortable around her as Lance was, but it was too difficult to push aside deeper feelings for friendship.  And it didn't help to hear Nanny planning a ball so Allura could meet Princes from other planets.  Keith wouldn't mind so much if he didn't have to be there, but his presence, as well as the rest of the Force, were requested for security purposes.

With a sigh, Keith turned to beat a few more nails into the beam.  They could wait five more minutes for a break.

Allura cursed herself as she felt her heart constrict when she looked up and saw Keith watching her.  She didn't know how he continued to do it to her.  Every so often she would catch him watching her with an expression she couldn't read and it unnerved her.  But he had kept his word and had kept everything strictly professional.  What had happened?  She had come to know Keith for the kind, smart, hard working man that he was and she wanted to know why he had treated her like that.  It didn't seem to fit.  Their friendship sometimes seemed strained and other times they got along great.  More than once she had tried to subtly question Lance as to Keith's thoughts and feelings, but Lance was loyal to his friend and would not give up any information.  And to make matters worse, he was spending more time with Euclida Remikade, or Lida as Keith called her.  Allura scowled at the thought of the two of them.

He was certainly handsome.  Dressed in khaki carpenter's pants and a black t-shirt that showed off every ridge and valley of his muscled torso.  A utility belt hung low on his hips and the muscles in his arm and shoulder rippled as he swung the hammer.  His teeth were clenched, holding a half dozen nails between them and his hair was curling damply around his face.

"You okay, Princess?"

Lance's voice interrupted her thoughts and her cheeks reddened at being caught staring at Keith, "I'm fine, Lance."

"Well, we're just about done here, you can go see if Keith needs help if you want," Lance said slyly.

Allura shook her head, "No.  When I finish here, I need to meet with the elders to go over the town plans.  We're meeting tomorrow in the castle to look over the new blueprints."

Lance smiled and took a swig from his canteen, "You're spreading yourself thin, Allura, you need to take it easy once in a while."

"I can't do that, Lance, you know that.  But I do have the ball to look forward to."

"Are you really looking forward to it?"

"Of course," her voice rose slightly, as it always did when she was hiding something.  "I love to dance and it will be so nice to see some people I haven't seen in years.  We haven't had a chance to celebrate in ages and it will be so much fun."

Lance watched as she gestured mindlessly with her hands.  She was nervous and he knew why.  "Are you looking forward to meeting all the Princes?"

She looked down, twisting the drill in her hands.  "That's Nanny's thing.  I'm not ready to marry and she knows that, she just wants me to keep my options open."

"You're not ready to marry?  But I thought you had to."

"These are different times, Lance, I am flying with the Force, fighting for my planet.  I can put off getting married for a few more years."

"But wouldn't it be safer?  I mean, if you got married, wouldn't that discourage Lotor from trying to force you?"

She whirled on him, an angry expression on her face, "No one is going to force me into anything!"

Lance held his hands up, "Sorry, sorry, I just thought that it might be a good idea.  Who knows, maybe you'll meet the man of your dreams at this ball."

Allura sighed dejectedly, and mumbled, "I doubt that."

It had been hard for Lance, watching her and Keith dance around their feelings and knowing there was nothing they could do about it.  Allura threw herself into her work while Keith was starting a relationship with a woman he wasn't really in to.  There had to be a way around this and he intended to find a resolution as soon as time allowed.

"Allura!"  He reached out and grabbed her arm as she drilled a crooked hole through the beam.

She hadn't been watching what she was doing, too distracted by Keith talking to Euclida Remikad.  The beautiful redhead was smiling up at the Captain, her hand resting on his arm while he spoke to her.  It was a cozy image that burned in Allura's heart.

Lance sighed and wrenched the tool from her hand, "They're just friends."

"What are you talking about, she's beautiful and smart.  The two of them are perfect together."

"No, they're not."

Allura looked up at him, surprised, "How do you know?"

"Because I know Keith and I know his feelings lie with someone else," he told her cryptically.

Blushing slightly, Allura busied herself by mopping her forehead with a handkerchief and then stuffing it into her pocket.  She shook her head, trying to clear the fog that seemed to be seeping in.

"Are you alright?"  Lance asked, taking her arm.

"I'm fine," she assured him.  "The heat is just getting to me."  In reality, Allura had been feeling lightheaded and a bit sick to her stomach all day, but she had been ignoring it, hoping it went away.  There was just no time for her to get sick now.

"Come on," he led her to a tree.  "Sit a moment in the shade."

She nodded, feeling weak kneed, "I'm fine, Lance."

"I know, but it is a hot day and the heat is getting to me too.  I think we could both use a break."

Keith watched as Lance walked Allura over to a tree, holding her by the arm.  Something wasn't right.

"Keith?"

He looked at Euclida, surprised to see her still there.  "Sorry, Lida, what did you say?"

"I asked if you had any idea how long it would take to finish rebuilding Alforia."

"Oh, uh, well, it depends," his gaze kept shifting to the Princess and his second-in-command.  "Doom is a continuing problem and if they are able to destroy what we build, who knows how long it will take."

"You seem distracted," she commented, following his gaze.  "It looks as though a break is needed."

"Yes, if you'll excuse me, Lida, I'm going to talk to my men, call a break."

"Of course," she nodded.  "If there is anything at all you need, please let me know."

Keith smiled and turned to tell Hunk and Pidge they could take a much needed break.

"You feel warm," Lance said as he helped Allura to the ground.

"So do you," she retorted, leaning back against the tree.  "It's bloody hot out."

He pushed his canteen into her hands, "Drink this and when you're up to it, I'm going to walk you back to the castle."

She shook her head, "No, there is so much work to be done."

"It will get done, Allura, but we can't allow you to get sick."

With her eyes closed, Allura nodded slowly.

Keith made his way to the tree where Lance crouched beside Allura.  "Is everything alright?"

"The heat is taking its toll," Lance explained.


Keith swore softly and ran his hand through his hair, "I am so sorry, Princess, I should have called for a break earlier."

"You were too distracted with other prospects," Allura slurred.

"What?"  Keith asked, confused.  He looked at Lance who just smirked in response.

"Is everything alright?"  Hunk asked, coming over to join them.

"Yeah, we're just all long overdo for this break," Keith said.

"That's for sure," Pidge said, sitting on the ground.

"Allura," Lance tapped her cheek gently. 

Keith crouched down on the other side of the unconscious woman and laid a hand on her cheek, "She's burning up."

"She said she felt fine, the heat was just getting to her," Lance explained.

"We need to get her back to the castle," Keith lifted her effortlessly, ignoring the murmurs and glances from the surrounding people.  "Lance, keep an eye on things here, Pidge, come with me."

Lance nodded, "Sure thing, Cap."

"We'll be back soon," Keith said as he carried her to the cart they had ridden in from the Castle.

Pidge took the reins while Keith secured Allura to the seat with his arm around her shoulders.  She had yet to waken and he could feel the heat burning through her shirt and into his arm.  He should have insisted she take the day off, ignored her protests. 

Keith was afraid that he was pushing her too hard.  She was so young and had so much to attend to.  They could handle the rebuilding of the town while she did whatever she needed to do from the Castle.

As they approached, Keith pulled out his communicator and dialed up Castle Control.  "Koran, we're bringing the Princess in, make sure Dr. Gorma is on standby."

"What happened?"  Koran asked worriedly.

"She passed out and has a fever."

"We'll meet you at the door."

Keith snapped the communicator shut and reattached it to his belt.  Allura leaned heavily against him, breathing shallowly.  He looked down and saw her eyes flutter open.  "Allura?"

She smiled softly, "Keith." 

Pidge pulled back on the reins and the cart stopped a few feet from the door.

"How do you feel?"  Keith whispered.

But it was too late, she had already slipped back into unconsciousness.  He lifted her from the seat and felt her tremor as he carried her to the door.

"What happened?"  Dr. Gorma asked.  He stood at the door with a gurney and one of his nurses.

Keith gingerly lowered Allura onto the bed and looked up at the doctor, "She passed out and is burning up.  We've all noticed that she's been out of sorts lately, pale and sluggish, but she refused to take time off to rest."

Dr. Gorma felt the Princess's face, feeling the heat, and pried her eyes open.  "We'll take it from here, Captain, thank you."

Keith watched him wheel the gurney toward the hospital wing before turning to Pidge, "Go ahead, head on back.  I'm going to stay here until we know what's wrong, then I'll come back."

Pidge nodded and saluted.

"What is going on?"  Nanny stood with her hands on her hips and glared at Keith when he walked into the waiting room.

He shrugged, "She passed out."

"I knew it!"  She took a step closer, poking Keith in the chest with her finger.  "You boys are pushing her too hard!  She has so many responsibilities and you keep adding unnecessary stress."

He didn't respond, instead lowering his head so his chin rested on his chest.

"I want her to get more rest."

Keith nodded.


Nanny watched as he agreed with her, a little surprised, "Well, what do you have to say for yourself?"

"You're right Nanny."

"Oh, and what about flying?"

"That's up to her."

"No, you're the captain, you can dismiss her."

"I don't think I can."

"And why not?"

Keith raised his gaze to meet the older woman's, "Because she is the ruler of this planet and she has more right than any of us to fly a Lion."

Nanny threw her hands up and sighed angrily, "This has got to change."

Dr. Gorma walked out of the examining room, making notations in a file he held.

"How is she?"  Nanny asked.

"She's exhausted and suffering from heat exhaustion," he explained.

"See!"  Nanny whirled on Keith.  "This is your fault, you're pushing her too hard."

"Will she be alright?"  Keith asked, ignoring Nanny.

"She'll be fine, Captain, with rest and fluids.  But I want her to stay in bed for the rest of the day.  We'll move her to her room in a few hours."

Keith nodded, "Thank you, Dr. Gorma.  I have to head back to the site, but I'll be back later.  Please, keep me updated on her condition."

"Will do."

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

Later that evening, after dinner, Keith made his way to Allura's suite.  Dr. Gorma had released her into Nanny's care an hour earlier and she was resting comfortably.  He had returned to the site and assured everyone that the Princess was indeed going to be fine.  After some thought, he had decided to break the plans he had made with Euclida, telling her he was needed at the castle since the Princess was going to be out of commission for the night.

Euclida was a great girl and very beautiful.  The physical attraction was definitely there, Keith would have to be dead not to be attracted to her.  She was tall and willowy, with thick, wavy red hair and beautiful green eyes.  Her wit and intelligence made it a joy to talk with her and they got along well.  But was it going to go any deeper?  He doubted it.  Deep down, Keith knew he was just using her as a distraction and he knew that wasn't fair. 

Taking a deep breath, Keith approached the Princess' door and knocked softly.

The door slid open and Nanny looked at him sternly, "What is it?"

"I came to see how the Princess was."

"She's resting, you can speak with her in the morning."

"Nanny, really," Allura's tired voice rose.  "Come in, Keith."

Annoyed, Nanny stepped aside, allowing Keith to pass.

Allura laid in her bed, her blonde hair spread out on the pillow, wearing a light blue nightgown that made her eyes stand out against the paleness of her beautiful face.  She looked so frail and delicate.  Keith's heart shuddered at the sight of this strong woman being forced to give in to the weakness of her body and he knew that he really was fooling himself.  Even if he could never have her, no woman, not even Euclida Remikade, could take her place in his heart.

"How are you feeling, Allura?"  He asked tenderly.

She smiled softly, "Tired and bored.  I was hoping to get more visitors, but I think Nanny is scaring them away."

"You need rest," Nanny insisted.

Keith leaned closer and lowered his voice, "Don't worry, I won't ever let Nanny scare me away."

A little color returned to her cheeks as she blushed.  "How, uh, how did things go this afternoon, in town?"

Keith pulled the desk chair over and sat beside her bed, "Things went very well.  They are very hard workers."

"They're excited, ready to get out of the caves and get on with their lives."

"If they keep it up the way their going, it won't be long."  He stopped and looked around the room, wondering how to broach the next subject.  "I, uh, I spoke to Dr. Gorma.  He wants you to take it easy tomorrow, so you're off practice."

"I have a lot to do tomorrow, Keith, I have meetings and…"

"Koran is taking care of the meeting with the elders."

"But I need to see the blueprints.  I need to clear everything before arrangements can be made to start building."

"Nothing will be done without your consent, Allura.  Koran is just going to gather the information and go over it with you later."

Allura pouted, feeling useless.  "I guess you don't need me, huh?"

Keith rolled his eyes and smiled, "Of course we need you, we need you to be well.  Take a day, enjoy it."

She sighed, "Now you sound like Nanny."

"She's right Allura."

"I can do this, Keith."

"You're human, Allura, we all have our limits and it's important that you know yours.  We need you to be well."

Allura looked down to see Keith had clutched her hand in his, squeezing it.  "I know," she whispered.

Nanny cleared her throat loudly.

Keith dropped her hand, "Besides, you have a ball to attend in another week."

She turned away, not responding.

Standing, Keith patted her hand, "Just let me know if you need anything."

I need you, she wanted to tell him.  I need you to accept me, to love me, to be with me. 

"Thank you, Captain," she whispered, still not meeting his eyes.

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

"Is Euclida coming tonight?"  Lance asked.

He and Keith were in Castle Control, overseeing the arrival of the guests for the ball.

"Yeah, her father was invited and he's bringing her."

"So what, exactly, is going on between you two?"

"We're friends."

"Is that all?"

Keith nodded.

"Does Euclida know that?"

Keith didn't answer.

"This isn't fair to her," Lance lectured.  "If you aren't interested in her, it isn't fair to lead her on."

"I know, Lance, I don't need you to tell me that.  To be honest, I don't know what's going to happen.  Most relationships start out as friendships."

"Have you looked into this law anymore?  I mean, there has to be a way…"

Keith whipped his head up and silenced Lance with a look.  "Drop it, Lieutenant."

"Well, Euclida is a great girl."

"Yes, she is."

"But she just isn't Allura."

Before Keith could respond the door slid open and Allura swept into the room.  She wore an elaborate pink gown and a small tiara rested atop her hair that had been pulled back into an elegant twist.  Even with the irritated expression on her face, Keith thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

"Wow, Allura, you look amazing," Lance grinned.

She scowled, "All the better to snag a husband with, huh?"

"Hey, if you got it, flaunt it."

The meaning of Lance's words seeped into Keith's dulled senses.  "You just earned another shift, Lieutenant."

Allura looked at Keith and forgot whatever it was that Nanny had said to upset her.  He wore his dress uniform and had brushed his hair back, looking quite the gentleman.  There was no way any of the men who came tonight could compete with him.

Lance rolled his eyes as his two friends stared at each other.  "What can we do for you, Princess?"

"What?"  She started from her thoughts.  "Oh, I was just wondering how everything was going, but, well, I really just wanted a break from Nanny."

"Ah, I understand," Lance winked at her.  "Well, I have to go help Hunk double check the perimeter.  Save a dance for me, huh?"

"Of course," Allura smiled at him.

And then they were alone.  Well, there were two other guards in the room and Koran was due back at any moment, but as far as Keith was concerned, they were alone. 


"I can't wait for this night to be over," Allura admitted, looking down at the monitors.

"I'm sure you'll have fun," he assured her.

She snorted, "Yeah."

They stood in a comfortable silence.  Keith kept his eyes on the screens before him, but all other senses were firmly attuned to her.  He felt the hair on his arms and the back of his neck rise when her skirts rustled and her hand brushed his.  The subtle scent of roses wafted into his nose and he found himself wanting to taste her, kiss her, feel her.  It was getting to be too much.

"Maybe you…"


"Is Euclida…"

They both laughed nervously as they tried to speak at the same time.

"Sorry, Allura, go ahead."

"Oh, I was just wondering if Euclida was coming tonight."

He looked at her puzzled, she had seen the guest list.  But then it had been her father who had received the invitation and since Euclida's mother had died a few years earlier, she was stepping in as his escort.  "Yes, she is accompanying her father."

Allura nodded, "Yes, well, glad to hear that.  You, uh, you two make a good couple."

Keith didn't answer.

"Ach, Princess!"  Nanny entered the room like a tornado.  "We have to get ready for you to make your entrance and there are people to greet.  The ball room is already bursting with people and you're in here wasting time we don't have!"

Keith heard Allura groan and he wished more than anything that he could tell Nanny what to do with the crowded ball room.

"When will you be coming?" She whispered out of the corner of her mouth.

"As soon as I can," he whispered back.

Allura nodded and followed Nanny from the room.

For ten quiet minutes, Keith watched the monitors.  The last of the guests had arrived and he was free to attend the ball, leaving the guards on duty in charge, but he didn't want to go.  Walking into the ball room meant he would be greeted by the sight of Allura talking and dancing with various men who were there to woo her.  He took a deep breath and tried to steel himself to the image, it was one he was just going to have to get used to.

More than once, Keith thought about seeking another position.   His staying on Arus was becoming a living hell, being so near her, but knowing he could never be with her.  But as long as Doom was a threat, he couldn't leave.  That was even more reason to defeat them, the sooner he could get off this planet, the better.

"Captain?"  Koran walked into Castle Control.  "Your presence is requested in the ball room."

With a quiet sigh, Keith nodded.  "I was just making sure everything was set up in here."

"The guards can handle it, we need you on watch in the ball room."

With a curt nod, Keith followed Koran from the room.

The ball room was filled and loud.  A string quartet was set up in a corner, but were almost completely drowned out by the voices that rose and fell.  There was easily two hundred or so people gathered, Princes and their valets, town elders, and royalty from neighboring planets.  Maids and butlers moved through out the crowd with trays of champagne and small hors d'oeuvres.

Keith stood on the top step in front of the main entrance and spotted Allura without a problem.  She stood speaking to three princes, a fake smile pasted on her face while she listened intently to what one of the men were saying.  Tearing his gaze from her, he scanned the room, taking notice of where Lance, Hunk, and Pidge were, as well as making sure the exits were visible. 

"Keith."

He turned and saw Euclida.  She wore a fitted, low cut green dress that shimmered as she moved.  Her hair flowed down her shoulders and she smelled of wildflowers.  Despite himself, Keith felt a pull toward her.  Nothing like what he felt for Allura, but something simpler and purely physical.

He bowed, "Lida, you look lovely tonight."

"Thank you," She curtsied.  "You're looking handsome.  I haven't been able to see you in a while, how are you?"

"Good, thank you.  Things have been hectic, but their looking up.  How are you?  How is your father?"

"We're both well, thank you."

Keith nodded and looked up, meeting Allura's eyes from across the room. 

Euclida cleared her throat.

He realized she was speaking to him, "I'm sorry, what?"  .

"I'm wasting my time, aren't I?"

"Excuse me?"

She sighed, looking defeated, "I'm wasting my time.  I like you, Keith, really I do.  And I had held out a hope that you would some day feel the same."

"I do like you, Lida," he insisted.

"But not in the way I was hoping."

He hung his head, unable to respond.

"She's an amazing woman and she obviously has feelings for you."

Keith shook his head, "It's not what you think."

"Yeah, I think it is," she leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.  "Good luck, Keith."

"Princess Allura?"

Allura looked up at the man standing before her.  She had been so distracted by the sight of Euclida kissing Keith that she forgot there were three men standing with her.  She knew they had been seeing each other, but she hadn't seen them kiss before.  It hurt.

"I'm sorry, Prince Bernat, what were you saying?"

"I was asking how the building of Alforia was going."  The handsome young man asked her.

"It's, uh, it's going well, thank you.  So, uh, you're from Planet Hslakin, I've heard it's lovely there."

"Oh it is, Princess, you'll have to come and visit soon.  We have flowers indigenous to our planet that are breathtaking, but they pale in comparison to your beauty."

Allura smiled softly at his bad line, "Thank you."

Keith started his rounds, weaving through the crowd, trying to squelch his feelings of guilt about Euclida.  He kept up a constant scan, watching for anything out of the ordinary.  The other members of the Force were doing the same, although Lance would often stop and chat with a pretty girl.  Guards were set up at all three entrances, waiting for any instruction from Keith as needed. 

For the most part, the evening was going smoothly.  Hunk had broken up what might have been a fight between two Princes and sent them to opposite ends of the room.  After a couple of hours or so, he saw Allura looking tired and annoyed, she wanted to be there about as much as he did.  The dance floor was crowded with various couples twirling to the music of the quartet.  Allura was passed from one Prince to another, trying to keep up and smile.  Keith made his way to the drink table and grabbed a soda before turning to see Allura walk from the dance floor.

"I need a moment to sit down," Allura told the Prince who had asked her dance.  "I've been on my feet for quite a while."

"Of course, your Highness," he bowed.

Lance winked at Allura as she walked by, "How're you holding up?"

She rolled her eyes.

He laughed and continued with his rounds as Allura lowered herself into a chair beside an empty table.

The table wasn't empty for long.  Three Princes had come to join her.  She couldn't remember any of their names, but she smiled politely as they spoke to her.

Keith shook his head and started to make his way toward the main entrance, he needed some from fresh air.  All the people crammed into one room was making it warm and the air stale.  He nodded to the two guards and pushed through the door, entering the cool quietness of the hallway. 

Keith paced for a few moments, working out some frustrations and irritations.  He stopped suddenly when he heard the sounds of boots hitting the marble floor of the hallways.  Checking the two cross corridors, Keith saw no one, but he knew something wasn't right.

Returning to the ball room, he stood in front of the door, scanning the crowd.  That's when he saw them.  Four Drule soldiers had somehow slipped into the room.

"Allura," he whispered, running into the room, pushing through people.  He heard the first blaster shot, followed by screams and shouts, just as he spotted Allura.  She hadn't heard the shot, just the commotion that followed and she stood, looking around confused.  Keith swore, she was suddenly standing out in the crowd.

Another shot was fired as Keith dove over the table and tackled Allura under him, ignoring the yells and cries of the three Princes who had been at the table with her.

"What's going on?"  Allura demanded, looking up at Keith who was pinning her to the ground, beneath him.

"Doom," he hissed, unclipping his communicator.

"Where?  I didn't see them."  She shifted under him, trying to ignore the tingling that coursed through her body, burning everywhere his body came in contact with hers.


"What?  You don't believe me?"  He asked, dialing up Lance as two more shots were fired and more screams were heard.

"Collier," Lance called into the communicator.

"Lance, I have the Princess in the northwest corner of the room by the dance floor, I need you to get over here and get her."

"On my way."

Keith raised his head and looked over the table.  It was pandemonium.  People were pushing out of the three exits.  Lotor stood in the middle of the room, flanked by two guards, two other Drule soldiers lay dead on the floor.  He pulled out his communicator and called for more guards.

"Why are you here?"  Allura whispered angrily, crouching beside him.

"What?"

"Why are you here?  Shouldn't you be shielding Euclida from Doom?"

Keith turned to look at her, shocked, "I'm here for you."

"I don't need you, I can protect myself," she gathered her skirts and started to move from behind the table.

"Dammit," Keith grabbed her around the waist and yanked her back.  "Stop it.  Lotor is here, Allura."

"Then you better go make sure your little girlfriend is alright."

"What the hell is your problem?"

Allura stuck out her chin, "Don't talk to me like that, Captain, I demand more respect."

"This is neither the time nor the place, Allura."

"I know you're here, Princess," Lotor's voice rose above the noise in the room.  "I see you hiding behind the table with the Captain."

Keith swore again just as Lance slid across the floor.

"It's about time, Lieutenant."

"I did what I could.  Koran and the guards are moving everyone to other rooms in the Castle, he knew you had Allura."

"He doesn't have me," Allura snarled.

Lance looked at her strangely.

"Get her out of here," Keith said.

"Princess," Lotor sang.  "I heard you were looking for a Prince to marry, well, I'm here."

Allura let out a shaky breath and moved to stand.  Keith grabbed her and shoved her towards Lance.


"Don't be stupid," he muttered before standing.  "I don't believe you were invited, Lotor."

"Captain, how wonderful to see you again."

Keith pulled out his blaster and aimed it at Lotor, "Give me one reason why I shouldn't shoot you right now."

Lotor shrugged, "Fine." He snapped his fingers and another guard walked over, clutching a struggling Euclida.

Keith lowered his weapon and swore softly.  "Let her go, Lotor."

"What?  Worried for your little girlfriend?"  Lotor mocked.

"Come on," Lance whispered to Allura.  "Let's get you out of here while Lotor's distracted."

"We can't leave Keith," she insisted.

"I'll be back with reinforcements.  Come on."

"Drop your weapon," Lotor told Keith, pointing his own blaster at Euclida.

Very slowly, Keith lowered his weapon to the floor and rose with both hands in the air.

"Good," he never moved his gaze from the Captain.  "Where do you think you're going, Princess?"

Lance and Allura stopped on the steps that lead to the main entrance. 

"Just let the women go, Lotor, they're innocent."  Keith spoke up.

"I came here for the Princess and I'm not leaving without her."

"Lance, get her out of here, that's an order," Keith said, not breaking eye contact with the man in front of him.

"I'm not leaving without her," Lotor repeated, leveling his gun at Keith.

"Over my dead body," he snarled.

"That can be arranged." 

Allura screamed as the laser hit Keith. 

He gritted his teeth and tried to ignore the intense burning in his left shoulder.  "Lance, get her out of here now."

"No!"  Allura screamed as Lance dragged her from the room.  "Keith!  No!  Please Lotor!"

Lotor shifted his gaze from the screaming, struggling Princess to the man before him, fighting to stay upright as the pain clouded his vision.

"Lance!"  Keith yelled, falling to his knees as the pain became too much.

Lance pulled Allura through the door, trying to avoid her swinging limbs.

"Put me down Lance, I mean it!"  She shouted.  "Don't you see?  He won't hurt me, but he'll hurt Keith.  Let me go!  You can't just leave him in there!"

"Hunk, help me," Lance said, passing the squirming woman to his friend.  "I'm going back in, Princess but without you."  He turned and hurried back into the ball room, blaster in hand.

"Let me go!"  Allura's heel slammed into Hunk's knee, causing him to drop her.  She got her feet beneath her, gathered her skirts and raced after Lance.

The ball room was empty except for Lance who was scanning the room and Euclida who was collapsed on the floor sobbing.

"Lance, where is he?"  Allura swallowed her fear at the sight of the puddle of blood where Keith had been.

"Dammit, I told you not to come in here," Lance said before turning to the crying woman on the floor.  "What happened?"

She looked up at him through the red hair that had fallen into her face, speaking through her tears.  "L-lotor s-said something ab-about h-how Keith would n-never be good enough for the P-Princess and he was going to t-teach him a l-lesson about his p-place."

Lance swore again and turned to Allura, "Come on, Princess, looks like we have a rescue mission on our hands."