The bright Arusian sun shone down on the fields and reflected off the majestic Castle of Lions.  Allura sat back on her knees, taking in the scene around her.  It had been two weeks since their last battle and all the clean up had been completed.  Lotor had been injured in the last battle and they had received some Intel telling them that things were quiet on Doom while he recuperated. 

She and Keith were out in the garden replanting the roses that had been destroyed by a robeast in a previous battle.  Three bushes had been destroyed, but Keith had ordered another half a dozen bushes, knowing how much she enjoyed them.  Hunk and Lance had been helping them, half an hour earlier Keith had told them they could go.  There were only two more bushes to plant and they were both complaining about hunger pains. 

Allura watched as Keith tore into the dirt with a shovel, digging the final hole.  He had taken his shirt off earlier and his well defined muscles were glistening with a fine sheen of sweat.  More than once he had caught her watching him and responded with a sly smile and a wink. 

She knew he was upset.  Romelle was going to return to Pollux the next day and Sven had announced that he was going to accompany her.  They had all known it would eventually come to this, but it had still hit Keith pretty hard.  He had hoped Sven would stay on Arus, even if he had been honorably discharged from the Garrison, he could have stayed on with the Aursian military as a consultant.  But it was obvious to them all that he could not be away from Romelle and it was selfish to think they could convince Sven otherwise.

"So are you just going to sit there all day and let me do all the work?"

Allura looked up at the sound of Keith's teasing voice.  He was leaning on the handle of the shovel and watching her.  "Sorry," she mumbled, standing, holding the root covered ball of soil under a pink rose bush.

"What's on your mind?"  He asked, kneeling beside her to help her loosen the roots and settle it into the hole he had dug.

"A lot."

"Want to be more specific?"

She helped him push the dirt down into the hole, around the bush.  "Things have been quiet."

"Yeah, let's see how long that lasts."

"I was thinking about the time I spoke with your mother, I had extended an invitation to her to come and visit.  Do you think now would be a good time to invite her?"

Keith settled back so he was crouching beside her, "That could be fun.  I would love for her to meet you."

Allura didn't meet his eyes as she touched a small bud just starting to develop, "I want to meet her too, and your brother and sister.  I miss having a family of my own."

He pulled a glove off and reached up to rub at a smudge of dirt on her cheek with his thumb, "You have a family, Angel.  It might not be a typical family, but you have Koran and Nanny and the guys on the Force and me."

She smiled up at him, "I know, sweetie, and I love you, but it, well, it isn't quite the same."

"Well," he sat down, pulling her down in front of him.  "My family is your family.  Of course, once you get to know them, you might change your mind."

Allura smiled, "Come on, they aren't that bad."

"You're only saying that because you never had an older brother who sat on you and made you eat dirt."

"He did?"

"Well, he was ten and I was four, he hasn't actually done that in a while.  And you never had a younger sister who used to put makeup on you while you slept."

Allura giggled, "I bet you were pretty."

"If by pretty you mean pretty sexy, then yeah, I was."

Her eyes drifted down and back up, taking him all in, "You still are, Handsome."

"Why, your highness, if I didn't know better, I would think you were hitting on me," he teased, taking her hand.

"No, a proper Princess would never be so forward."

"Then I guess it's a good thing you're not a proper Princess," he whispered, closing the gap between them.

Allura had seen him shirtless before, but she had not embraced him, caressed him.  His muscles were taunt, his body hard.  She couldn't help the gasp that escaped as she slid her hands over his chest and around his shoulders.  Keith pulled her closer, pressing his lips against hers hoping to gain further access.  With a sigh, he released her mouth to move to her ear, kissing and whispering sweet endearments.  Allura closed her eyes and gently stroked his back, allowing him to surround her completely, to slowly lower her to the soft grass beneath him.

They were so lost in each other, neither heard the approaching footsteps.

"So this is why you dismissed us."

Keith groaned and rolled off Allura, looking up at Lance, "What do you want?"

Lance grinned, stuffing his hands in his pockets and rocking back on his heels, "Nanny wanted me to tell you guys to head in and wash up for supper.  She's planning something big for Sven and Romelle's last night."

"And you couldn't call me on my communicator?"

"Nah, this was more fun."

Keith scowled at him, "Fine, we'll be in in a moment."

Lance nodded and winked at Allura before turning to head back to the Castle, whistling lightly.

Allura rolled onto her side and propped her head up on her hand, looking down at him, "You okay?"

"I'm fine," he said, unconvincingly.

She gave into her urge to touch him and laid her hand on his chest, feeling it rise and fall.  "Pollux isn't that far away, we'll see them all the time."

"I know."

"I don't want Romelle to leave either."

He took the hand she had laid on his chest and brought it to his lips, kissing her fingers gently, "I know, baby."

"This is what's best for both of them."

Keith nodded.

"Maybe I can help you get through this."

He grinned at her, "I know you can."

"Come on," she sat up, tugging on his hand.  "Let's go call your mother."

"Well, that isn't exactly what I had in mind," he mumbled.

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

"It still seems strange not having you here.  How are you settling in?"  Allura sat in her study, talking to Romelle on the videophone.  It was two weeks since Sven and Romelle had gone to Pollux.

"I miss you guys too and I know Sven does as well, but we're settling in fine.  It was a little uncomfortable at first, there are a lot of bad memories here, but it is so wonderful to be home again and with Bandor and Sven."

"Sven is settling in well too?"

"Oh yes," Romelle grinned at her cousin.  "He is working with Bandor to rebuild Pollux's military and he is loving every minute of it.  I think he just needed to feel helpful again."

"That's wonderful.  It sounds like going to Pollux was the best thing for you guys."

"It was.  I can't believe how much work needs to be done to build it back up.  Doom pretty much destroyed the planet."

Allura sighed, "Yes, we were attacked two days ago and part of the school was knocked down.  With the continuing attacks, it is going to take us forever to finish rebuilding."

"So, when is Keith's family supposed to arrive?"

"First thing in the morning."

"You nervous?"

Allura rolled her eyes, "Terrified."

"Oh come on," Romelle laughed.  "You've spoken to his mother before."

"Yes and she's very nice, but this is different.  She's coming here, she'll see where Keith lives, what he does.  What if she doesn't like me?  What if she doesn't like him living here?  What if…"

"What if the moon fell from the sky and landed on the castle," Romelle interrupted.  "You're being silly.  Keith loves you and so will his family."

"How do you know?"  Allura's voice rose slightly.  "You don't know them.  What if his brother and sister hate me?"

"What if they love you?"

"What if they think his staying here is too dangerous and they want him to go home to Terra?"

"He won't leave you."

"What if…"

"Allura stop it!"

She let out a breath, "Sorry, Romelle, I know I'm being silly.  This is a first for me and I'm nervous.  What about you?  When are you going to meet Sven's parents?"

"We haven't set any plans, I've spoken to his parents a couple of times and they're wonderful people.  They were so thrilled that he was alive, I think they'll accept anyone he brings home."  Romelle stopped and looked over her shoulder.  "I'm speaking to Allura."

Sven appeared beside Romelle in the screen, he looked healthy and happy.  "Allura, how are you?"

"I'm great Sven…"

"No she isn't," Romelle interrupted.  "She's stressing out about meeting Keith's family."

"You have noting to vorry about, Allura.  Isabelle is a vonderful woman and Dana is a very sveet girl."  Sven assured her.

"What about Gerald?"

Sven grinned, "He's a nice guy.  A bit of a smart aleck, but a nice guy.  He'll most likely vant to embarrass Keit."

"That could be fun," Allura mused.

He laughed, "Dey vill love you, you have noting to vorry about."

"Thank you, Sven."

"But, ve have to go.  Ve are meeting Bandor and a group of possible investors about de rebuilding of de planet."

Allura smiled and nodded, "Of course.  It was wonderful talking to you both again.  Good luck with your meeting."

"Thank you Allura," Romelle responded.  "Good luck tomorrow, I can't wait to hear what happens.  Call me as soon as you can."

"I will."

Sven rolled his eyes, "You vill be fine.  Good bye, Allura.  Tell de guys I said Hi."

"Will do, good bye Sven."  Allura shut the connection, feeling better.  She missed Romelle terribly.  As much as she loved Keith and the others, it just wasn't the same.  With a sigh, she turned on her stereo and went to work going over the proposals the city planners had sent her.

Keith stopped outside Allura's door and grinned.  He could hear the faint strains of 'For You Blue' coming through the door.  Ever since Lance had brought them the disk, he often heard her playing it when she was alone.  Noticing the door wasn't locked, Keith slid it open and walked in.

Allura jumped in her seat when the door opened and dropped the pocket mirror she was holding.  "You could have knocked," she said sharply.

"I could have, but I like surprising you," he said, shutting and locking the door behind him.

She leaned down and picked up the mirror, "Maybe I don't want to be surprised."

"What did I interrupt?"

"Nothing."

"You're blushing."

"No I'm not."

Keith leaned on the edge of her desk, "Yes you are.  What were you doing?"

Feeling foolish, Allura picked a strand of hair up off her shoulder and held it out in front of her face, "Do you think I should get my hair cut?"

"No."

She swept her hair up, "You sure?  I think I'd look older with it shorter."

"No."

"Why?"

He took her hands and pulled her to her feet in front of him, "I like it long."  He ran his hands through her hair, feeling it slide silkily through his fingers.  "What's with the sudden need for change?"

Allura closed her eyes and relaxed against him, feeling his fingers run through her hair and massage her scalp.  Her body grew progressively limper as the stress she had been feeling was released from her body.  "Hm?"

He chuckled, wrapping his arms around her.  "You're beautiful, Allura, you don't need to change."

She tilted her head back to look at him, "Thank you."

"Are you still nervous about tomorrow?"

Her cheeks darkened, "What are you talking about?  I'm not nervous."

Keith brought his hand up to tuck her hair behind her ear, letting his hand linger on her cheek.  "You can't lie to me, Allura."

"What if they don't like me?"  She whispered, feeling foolish.

"Then I'll put them on the next ship off this planet and wave goodbye."

She gasped, "Keith, that's terrible!"

He laughed, "They will love you almost as much as I do."

"I want to do this right, Keith.  I want them to like me and the castle and Arus."

Keith would have laughed if she wasn't being so serious.  "Allura, honey, I have seen you fight robeasts and Lotor.  I have seen you at balls dealing with Princes and working with various town elders and royalty from other planets.  But I have never, never, seen you nervous like this."

"Nothing has been this important to me," she admitted quietly.


"More important than when we get married?"

Her eyes widened, "Are you proposing?"

"Not yet."

"You have got to stop doing that."

With a smile, Keith lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers.  "I have to keep you on your toes."

Allura's lips curved into a flirtatious smile, "Keep it up, Captain, and I will just have to accept the proposal of some Prince."

He brought his hand up into her hair, fisting it tightly, while wrapping his other arm around her waist, "I don't think you should threaten me, Princess."

"It wasn't a threat," she purred.

Tugging at her hair, he tilted her head back so he could look straight down at her.  His voice was low when he spoke, "If I so much as see you speaking to a Prince, I will make sure he'll never be able to walk straight again."

She smiled at him, "Now, now, let's not get violent."

He tightened his arm around her waist so she was held firm against him, "Is that an order?"

"Yes," she whispered, wrapping her arms around him, stroking his back.

Keith dropped his forehead against hers and closed his eyes, "I love you."

"I love you too, honey."

"And my mother is going to love you too.  She already thinks you're a lovely girl."

"She does?"

"Yes, she said that when she spoke to you, you seemed like such a lovely girl and you carry yourself so well."

"I carry myself well?"

He opened his eyes, noticing that they were so close her face was out of focus.  "Yes, you impressed her."

"What about your brother and sister?"

Keith lifted his head and shrugged, "Who cares?"

"Keith."

"You don't have to worry about impressing anyone.  You are so amazing, you have nothing to worry about.  Now, if you continue on with this whining, I will have no choice but to break up with you."

Allura's eyes widened, "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," he let go of her and walked around the desk.  "If you don't stop with this nonsense I will just have to break up with you to spare you the awkwardness of meeting my family and spare me the agony of having to put up with your whining."

She gasped and put her hands on her hips, "How dare you!  I am not whining!"

"Well, no, now you're yelling," he teased.

A smirk crossed her lips, "Then say goodbye to this, Captain," she held her arms out and struck a seductive pose.

Keith crossed his arms and raked his gaze over her, "Hm, well, I guess I can deal with your whining if I get your body."

"Keith!"  She crossed her arms over her chest and blushed brilliantly. 

He laughed and held out his hand for her, "Come on, it's almost time for supper, you don't want Nanny sending out the troops looking for you."

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

Allura did not get a lot of sleep that night. Deep down, a voice of reason told her that she was being silly.  She had spoken to Keith's mother on the videophone and she had been nothing but nice.  And it wasn't as though she was going into this alone, Keith was going to be at her side the whole time.  That thought alone made her breathe easier.

With a sigh, she rolled onto her side.  She had only picked at her food at dinner, eating a few bites when Keith made it known that he would not let her leave until she ate something, even if he had to sit on her to keep her there.  It was two in the morning and she was still awake.  Nanny used to tell her that even if she wasn't sleeping, it was important that she rest, so Allura continued to toss and turn, pretending to get rest.  After fifteen more minutes of staring at her clock, she came to the realization that if she couldn't sleep, she shouldn't be the only one.

When Keith answered his communicator, he sounded hoarse, but alert, "Whitaker."

"Hi, Keith."

"Allura?"  He sat upright, clutching the small device.  "What's wrong?  Where are you?"

"I'm in my room and I can't sleep."

"What?"

"I'm in my room and I can't sleep," she repeated.

"But you're alright?"

"Yes."

Keith sighed and rubbed his hand over his face, "What do you want, Allura?"

"I can't sleep."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"Allura, honey, lay down, close your eyes, relax your body, and concentrate on slowing your breathing.  Sleep will come."

"I tried that."

 "Did you try reading?"

"Yes."

"Did you try watching something on your televiewer?"

"Yes."

"So you decided to wake me."

"Yes."

"Misery loves company, huh?"

Allura pouted prettily and studied his disheveled image in her communicator, "What if your family gets bored?  They're going to be here a week and we're still rebuilding, there isn't much to do."

"Alright, Allura, at first this was cute, now, well, now it's not anymore.  They will not get bored, they will love you, and we will all have a good time.  I promise you.  If they don't, then you can hold me personally responsible."

"Sorry."

He smiled softly, "Go to sleep, Allura."

"I'll try."

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

Insistent knocking shook Allura from her dreamless sleep.  She looked at the clock to see it was 5:30, half an hour before she had to get up for practice.  Thinking it was Nanny, she pushed the blankets off and padded over to the door.

"Good morning, Beautiful," Keith greeted her.

She looked at him, confused, "What?"

"Good morning," he swept past her into the room, carrying the small tray of coffee that Nanny usually brought her.

"What are you doing here?"  Allura yawned, rubbing her eyes.

"Bringing you coffee," he set the tray on her desk and turned to look at her.  She wore a nightgown that covered her from throat to ankle in soft white.  Her hair was mussed and she rubbed one eye while focusing on him with the other.  His heart did a strange lurch and he fought the urge to reach out and grab her.  "I take it you finally got some sleep."

She yawned again and nodded.

"Good," he sat on her desk chair, poured a cup of coffee and held it out to her.  "Are you feeling better?"

She took the coffee and sat on his knees, "I'm sorry if I've been overreacting, but I've had a stomachache ever since your mother said she would come."

"Need I remind you that it was your idea to invite her?"  He asked, bringing his hand up to rub gentle circles on her back.

"I know."

He took the coffee from her and sipped, "And if I can survive Koran, you can survive my mother."

"How did you get Nanny to let you come this morning?  Does she know you're in my room?"

"She's busy with preparations.  Since they're arriving around lunch, she's overacting as much as you are.  She actually asked me to bring this to you."

"Really?"

"Well, she asked me to drop it off, not to stay."

Allura leaned against him, "I'm glad you did."

He dropped a kiss on her forehead, "It's time you go dress.  After practice, you'll only have about five hours before they arrive to get dressed, do your hair and make yourself look perfect."

"Perfect?"

"Yeah, I can't let you embarrass me."

"Oh!" Her mouth fell open in disbelief as she stood.

"I'm kidding," Keith laughed.  "I'm kidding.  If anything, I'm more worried about them embarrassing me."

{{  "Come on!"  Allura interrupted.  "This is ridiculous!  I was not that bad."

"No, you were worse," Lance told her.

Hunk chuckled, "We were waiting for you to explode you were so full of nervous energy."

"And it was all your idea," Keith pointed out.

Allura sighed, "I don't remember it being that bad."

"You wanted to recarpet the rec room," Pidge said.

Lance laughed, "And repaint the front hall and Observation Deck."

"How did it go?"  Becca asked.  "It wasn't that bad, was it?"

"Well, Dana had changed a bit and she was going through a phase," Keith told her.  "And of course Ger and Allyson brought their sons, Adam and Ben were real young, and having them here kick started Allura's biological clock."

Allura turned to Becca, "You should have seen Adam, he was four and he looked like a little Keith, I wanted one of my own."

"Yeah, he was cute," Lance mumbled.  "Until he got his hands on Red's key and tried to flush it down the toilet."

"He just took after his father," Keith said.

"It didn't go at all as I had imagined it," Allura told them.  "Keith's mother is wonderful…}}