Hi all~

RedLion2 ~ Here's my theory on why only one robeast is sent at a time: They are very intricate creatures and they take time to make and Lotor is too impatient to wait for more than one to be completed.  He's also arrogant enough to think he can strike when they aren't expecting it and that this robeast will be the one to defeat Voltron.  So I blame Lotor's arrogance and impatience.  Just my theory. 

Anony, T.F. Kit, Black Knight 03, Dee, and Nova Victoria Jade Satori ~ Thank you for your great reviews! You all really know how to make my day!  And T.F. Kit, I'm looking forward to chapter 6!

Just a quick warning, there is a little friskiness at the beginning of this chapter. 

Enjoy,

Failte

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Keith knocked on the door to Allura's study.  Koran had called him in from the workroom where he and the other guys had been working on the Lions, fixing the damage done to them in the battle the day before.  Allura wanted to be out there helping, but her wrist had been badly sprained and she was of very little help at the moment.

"It's open," she called out.

The door slid open and Keith couldn't help but smile when he saw her, bent over her desk, her brow furrowed in concentration.  She made a quick notation and looked up, her face instantly relaxing when she saw him.

"Hi."

He walked in and shut the door behind him, "Hi."

"How're things going with the Lions?"

"Blue was hit the worst."  He laid a hand on her shoulder when she winced, "But Hunk said she'll be fine.  We were able to order the needed parts and they will be delivered with the next shipment from the Garrison."

"How long until I can fly her again?"

Keith began to massage her shoulders, "Hunk said by the end of the week."

"Good," she purred tipping her head back to look at him.  "What's up?"

"What do you mean?"

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"Maybe it's because I haven't seen you in three hours and I missed you."

"You're starting to sound like a stalker, Keith."

Letting go of her shoulders, he pushed aside the papers and hopped up on her desk so he was sitting in front of her, "I have good news."

"You're pregnant?"  She asked excitedly.

He laughed and leaned over to kiss the top of her head, "Smartass.  No, this is really good news."

Laying her hand on his knee, she watched him expectantly, "Are you going to tell me or not?"

Keith reached into his back pocket and held out a folded envelope to her.

She took it with her uninjured hand and read the address on it, "This is from the Garrison."

"I know."  He took pity on her as she tried to open the envelope one handed and took it from her.  Unfolding the piece of linen parchment, he held it out.

Allura scanned the letter, her mouth opening in shock.  She read it again to make sure it was real.  With an excited shout, she jumped out of her seat and threw herself at him.  "This is amazing!  Oh, Keith, I am so happy!"  She exclaimed, pressing her lips to his.

"Me too," he grinned.

"When did you get this?"  She asked, holding the letter up.

"It just arrived certified delivery and Koran called me in to sign for it."

Allura bit her lip and studied him, "Its official, now, Keith.  You have been permanently assigned to Arus.  This is really happening, isn't it?"

"Yes it is," he ran his hand over her hair, cupping the back of her head.  "You okay?"

"I'm great, a little overwhelmed.  I mean, it is really happening, we're getting married, Keith."

"Having second thoughts?"

"Never.  But is this ironclad?  Is there still a chance of you getting transferred at all?"

He shrugged, "It would be a very slim chance.  They want me to be the official Garrison liaison for this sector, so I will probably have to do some traveling, but I will always come back home."

"Home," she smiled sweetly and leaned against him.  "This really is your home, isn't it?"

"Yup, we're making our home together."

Throwing her arms around his neck, Allura stepped between his legs to lean completely against him, "Can we set a date now?"

"Sure."

"How about next week?"

He chuckled, "I think we should wait until after Sven and Romelle, they did get engaged first and we don't want to step on their toes."

"But they're not getting married for another six months," she whined.

"Tell you what," he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and putting his feet up on her chair, trapping her in.  "We will get together tonight after dinner and pick a date."

Leaning her head against his shoulder, she whispered, "And then I can meet with Hilla to start designing a dress."

"Sounds good."

"I've been thinking about where we'll live."

"What do you mean?"

"I was thinking that we should move into the North Wing."

He tightened his arms around her, "If that's what you want."

Allura had occupied the North Wing with her parents, it had the largest rooms and the best views.  When it was safe enough to move back into the castle, she had moved into a room in the West Wing down the hall from Koran, she couldn't bear to be up there all by herself. 

"I do, Keith, I want to have our family up there.  It's sort of away from everyone, like we can have our own little house and still live with the others."

"I'll go anywhere you want to go," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her throat.

She leaned heavier against him, "I'll talk to Nanny about going up there and getting it cleaned out."

"I'll help you."

"You bet you will," she smiled, forcing herself on him until Keith was lying back on her desk and she was on top of him.

"How did this happen?"  He asked, rubbing her back.

"I don't know, want me to get up?"

"Uh, not just yet."

She ran the fingers of her right hand up and down his side, "We can redo the master bedroom for us and the room next to it that would make a great nursery."

"Just let me know when you want to start."

"How about right now?"  She asked, combing her fingers through her hair and attacking his mouth with hers.

Keith cupped his hand over the back of her head as he deepened the kiss, growling slightly as he felt her hand run down his side and slip under his shirt.  Moving of their own accord, his arms stretched above his head as she forced his shirt up to his chest.  Lifting her head slightly, they broke the kiss just long enough so they could pull the shirt over his head, before their lips were drawn back together.  His fingers found their way to the zipper of her gown and he slowly pulled it down, exposing a smooth line of her back to his seeking hands.

"Mm," she sighed, resting her head on his shoulder as his hands stroked and massaged her bare back.

"I love you," he whispered into her ear as he continued to explore within her dress.

"I love you too," she whispered back, pushing herself up to straddle him, holding her dress to her. 

Her hair was mussed and coming out of its neat braid, her cheeks were red and her lips swollen.  He reached up to stroke her cheek, "You are so beautiful." 

Smiling impishly, she lowered the dress over one shoulder.

"You're killing me, Allura."

Her smile grew slightly as she lowered the other shoulder, holding her dress in place just above her breasts.

Unable to help himself, Keith sat up and pulled her to him, hungrily plundering her mouth.  Allura wrapped her legs around his waist and hugged him to her, deepening the kiss.  He moved his mouth down her throat to her shoulder, kissing, nibbling. 

"Keith?"

"Hm?"

She tightened her arms and legs, grinding slightly against him, smiling when he groaned against her shoulder.  "Is this it?"

He sighed and lifted his head.  The thought that if he moved too far away and her dress would fall entered his mind and it was driving him crazy.  "On your desk?"

She smiled and bit her lip, "I don't care where, as long as it's with you."

"God, I love you," he murmured.

"We can sneak back to your room," she suggested.

Keith pursed his lips, torn.  He wanted, so badly it hurt, to be with her.  But was this right?  Should he let this happen before they got married?  They were going to marry, so why not?

"Keith?"

"Are you sure?"

She nodded.

He snatched a quick kiss and grinned at her, "You're on, Beautiful."

She slipped a hand between their bodies to secure her dress in place so she could slide it back into place.  Not wanting to leave him just yet, she untangled herself from him slowly and stood, turning so her back faced him.  "Could you please zipper me back up?"

Licking his lips, Keith began to slowly pull the zipper up, stopping halfway to press a line of kisses up her heated back.  She gasped and shivered when she felt his warm, moist mouth on her back.  Nerves and excitement danced through her body, making her weak in the knees.

"Hurry up," she whimpered.

Smiling at her impatience, he slowed his progress, drawing out the exquisite ecstasy.

"Keith."

With a heavy sigh, he tugged the zipper up the last inch and turned her to him, "That's just a taste of what to expect."

"I think I might be in over my head," she whispered as he picked his shirt up off the floor and pulled it on.

"Change your mind?"

"I didn't say that."

"Then what are we waiting for?"

"You to stop playing games," she took his hand and pulled him toward the door.


"There you are, Princess."

Allura pasted a fake smile on her face when they came face to face with Nanny on the other side of her door, "Yes, Nanny, what is it?"

Nanny frowned disapprovingly at her young charge's disheveled appearance, "These just arrived your highness, I thought you would like to see them."

Allura took the large envelope Nanny handed her and turned it over, Keith looking over her shoulder.  She grinned and handed it to Keith, "It's our pictures!  We have to pick one to give to the papers." 

"Why don't you pick the one now and I'll have a messenger take it to the printer," Nanny suggested.

With a frustrated sigh, Keith tore open the envelope and pulled out a small pile of proofs, which Allura snatched from his hand and carried over to the desk.

Nanny stood beside her as she spread them out over the desktop, "Oh, Princess, I like that one."

Allura looked at the one she was pointing to.  It showed Allura sitting up straight in a chair, cradling a rose in her arms, while Keith stood behind and to the side of her, his hand resting on her shoulder.  "Yes, that's nice."

Keith stood on the other side of her, "I don't know, it seems a little…fake."

"It's not fake, Captain," Nanny said, annoyed.  "It's elegant."

"What about this one?"  Allura asked holding up a picture of Keith sitting in the chair and her behind him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

"Ach, no!  That is totally undignified."

Keith laid a reassuring hand on her back, "I like it.  We'll think on that one."

"Keep in mind, Princess," Nanny spoke up.  "That this will be used in newspapers and magazines across the universe and beyond."

"I know," the young Princess mumbled as she shuffled through the pile before stopping on one.

Keith leaned over her shoulder, "That's the one."

Allura grinned, "Yes it is."

"Let me see," Nanny held her hand out for the photograph.

Allura handed her the image of her and Keith both standing, facing each other, their hands clasped together.  Allura was dressed in a formal blue gown, looking up at Keith, a laughing smile across her face.  He was looking down at her, wearing his dress uniform and a small smile on his lips.  They both looked at ease and truly happy.  It had been the last picture taken that day, Lance had shown up to see what was taking so long and he was making smart aleck remarks to make them laugh. 

"Oh I don't know," Nanny sighed.  "It seems a little to…casual.  Don't you want one of the more traditional or elegant ones?"

"No," Allura said.  "That's us."

"You're sure?"

"Yes," Keith told her.

"Fine, I will address a letter to the printer, but I won't send it out until tomorrow morning so if you change your mind, you have time."

"We're not going to change our mind," Allura assured her.

"Yes, well, we'll see.  Oh, and Princess?"

"Yes, Nanny?"

"You may want to change before dinner, you're dress is rather wrinkled."  With that, the older woman swept from the room.

Allura piled the other proofs up, trying to ignore the heat rising to her face.

With a mischievous smile, Keith laid his hand on the back of her neck, gently massaging.  "I guess the moment's ruined, huh?"

"It seems like something always ruins the moment," she mumbled.

"Hm, is that a put down?" 

"You know what I mean."

"I think it's a sign, Allura, that we shouldn't rush things."

"I don't think waiting four years is rushing anything," she replied.

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

A few nights later, Keith and Allura had been able snatch an evening alone.  They were cuddled on the sofa in the rec room watching a movie, relaxing for the first time in what seemed like ages.  There had been no reported movement on Doom in days and work was going smoothly in Alforia and around the planet.

Keith tightened his arms around Allura as she laughed at the antics on the screen.  He loved moments like this, they were safe and together.  Allura was relaxed and happy.  She was leaning against him, both his arms wrapped around her, while she unconsciously rubbed his leg.  It was at times like this that he could imagine a life after Doom, when they could be like this all the time. 

Allura stretched and reached her arms behind her, wrapping them around his neck, bringing his head down and kissing his cheek as the end credits rolled.  "Good movie, sweetie."

"I thought you'd like it," he whispered, turning her head so he could kiss her full on the lips.

"What I really like," she said, turning to face him.  "Are these stolen moments we find."

"That pretty much sums up our relationship."

"It isn't forever, Keith."

"I know."

"Come on," she stood and held a hand out to him.  "Let's go for a walk."

Keith checked his watch and looked out the window, it was getting dark.

"Oh, come on, it's not that late."

"Alright, alright."  He let her pull him to his feet.  "Just once around the lake."

"Yeah, I want to go to bed early, I have a meeting after practice in the morning."

"Anything I can help with?"

She shook her head, "Nah, thanks, just some boring planet ruling stuff."

He laughed and slung his arm around her shoulders, grabbing his communicator from his belt when it beeped.  "Whitaker."

"Hey, Cap, you have a call coming in," Pidge told him.

"Who from?"

The Green pilot shrugged, "We can't tell, they've scrambled the line so we can't trace it."

Keith sighed, it had to be Doom.  "Alright, I'll be right there."  He snapped his communicator shut and turned to Allura, "I have to go take care of a something, why don't you go grab a jacket, its cool out.  I'll meet you at the main entrance in ten minutes."

She didn't move, "What is it, Keith?"

"Just an incoming call, nothing really, probably just my mother or something."

Allura narrowed her eyes, "Don't shield me, Keith, is it Doom?"

He ran his hand through his hair, "Don't know, they scrambled the transmission so we don't know who it is."

"But you think it's Doom."

"Probably."

"I'll go with you," she said, leading the way to Castle Control.

Taking a deep breath, he ran after her, grabbing her arm and stopping her.  "Allura, this call is for me.  If it is Doom, let me deal with it.  I am in charge of the Force, I will deal with him."

She stuck her chin out defiantly, "I won't be kept in the dark."

"No, you won't, but please let me handle this."

"Fine, but I'm still coming."

"Fine," he snapped before mumbling under his breath, "Pushy little pain in the butt."

"I heard that."

"I'm sure you did."

She slid her arm around his waist and pinched his bottom, "I can be much worse than a pain in the butt."

They entered Castle Control together to find Koran and Pidge standing by the videophone console.

"Captain, Princess" Koran greeted them as they entered.

"Who is it?"  Keith asked.

"Guess," Pidge snorted.

"Captain."

Keith looked at the monitor to see Lotor staring back.  The ruler of Doom was seated in a high backed chair, his hands folded in his lap, watching the scene before him.  "Lotor."

"I was hoping you and I could have a few words, alone."

Keith nodded to Koran and Pidge and they both left, leaving Allura standing beside him.  "What is it, Lotor?"

"I requested alone, Captain."

"Just get to the point," Keith sighed.

"Princess," Lotor nodded to her.

"Lotor."  Her voice was stiff when she spoke.

"This is between the Captain and I, it would do you good to know your place."

Keith could all but see the steam pouring from Allura's ears as she stepped closer.  "I know my place," she assured him.  "I am ruler of this planet and fiancée of the man you are about to speak to.  This is my place."

"Let the men speak."

"Alright," Keith interrupted.  "Enough of this, Lotor, just get to your point."

"Fine, Captain, I have a proposition for you."

"What is it?"

"I want to challenge you to duel."

"Excuse me?"

"Just you and me, the winner gets the Princess."

Keith ran his hand over his face, not believing what he was hearing.  "You're kidding me, right?"

"No, I can assure you I am not."

"Allura is not a possession, Lotor.  Even if I wanted to, I could not just hand her over to you, she chose to be with me, not you."

Lotor let out a bark of laughter, "What is it with you?  You allow a woman to lead you around by the nose when you, the man, should have better control over her."

Keith felt Allura tense beside him.  He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, "I am not going to duel with you, Lotor."

"So you are willing to admit in front of your woman that you are afraid of me."

"I am not afraid of you, Lotor, I just refuse to lower myself to your level.  If you wish to officially surrender, just say the word and we will pick you up."

"This isn't about surrendering, Captain, this is about me claiming what's mine."

Keith raised his eyebrows, "Excuse me?"

"The Princess was promised to me a long time ago and I intend on collecting her."

"Alright," Keith leaned closer to the monitor, irritation etched on his face.  "Enough of this.  If you come anywhere near Allura, I will kill you."

Lotor laughed again, "I'm not afraid of you Captain.  I take it you are going to accept my challenge."

"No," Allura whispered into Keith's ear.  "He'll fight dirty, you can't trust him."

"I don't plan on fighting him," Keith whispered back.

Lotor cleared his throat.

Keith looked up, "I am not going to duel you."

"We can meet on neutral ground, just you and me, man to man."

"No, Lotor."

"Well, we can either do that or I can show up on Arus and we do it on my terms."

Keith narrowed his eyes, "Is that a threat, Lotor?"

"More like a promise."

Allura watched as Keith tensed, his hands shaking slightly as he gripped the edge of the monitor.  She laid a hand on his arm, feeling the tightly coiled muscles beneath his shirt sleeve.  "Keith."

"Fine," he snarled at the smug, lavender face in the screen.  "I'll meet with you."

"No," Allura whispered.

"I will be in touch with the specifics."

"Wait!"  Keith stopped Lotor from ending the connection.  "You will not decide on the specifics, I will."

Lotor raised one white eyebrow, "I don't think you are in any position to tell me what to do."

"Anyway you look at it, Lotor, you will go down."

"You're quite sure of yourself."

"When it comes to Allura, I am very sure."

"One week, Planet Vistro, just you and me."

"One week, not Planet Vistro, I know Doom has sympathizers on that planet, Planet Dewhur and I will bring two of my men with me since I know I can't trust you."

"One week, Planet Dewhur, and one man."

"Two men.  Your word is no good, I will have backup."

"One man and the Princess."

Keith shook his head, "The Princess does not come."

"Fine, one week from today, midday, Planet Dewhur, one man as backup, and we fight hand-to-hand and sword."

"You're on."

"Until then, Captain," Lotor nodded to him and closed the connection.

Keith sighed angrily and turned to see Allura watching him.  "What?"

"I can't believe you did that," Allura whispered.

"I had to."

"No you didn't!"

"Allura, it was either I face him out in the open or he attacks us here."

"If he attacked us here, then you would have all of us as backup.  Now you're fighting him alone and you know as well as I do that he is untrustworthy."

"I can handle him, Allura.  Hand-to-hand combat is my strong point.  I'll take Lance, he can back me up if anything should happen.  And with all the rebuilding that has been completed, the last thing we want is for Doom to attack and destroy what has been completed."

The Princess stared at him with wide, angry eyes, "You are an arrogant moron!  I can't believe you're doing this!"

"I have to, Allura, for us.  This could be it, we could be free of him forever."  He took her hand, "Come on, I think we were going to go for a walk."

She shook her head and pulled her hand away, "I have to go to bed, I have a lot to do tomorrow."

"Allura, don't be mad, I love you.  You'll see in the long run that this is the right thing to do."

"I'm not mad, I'm frustrated.  Good night, Keith."  She kissed his cheek and hurried from the room.