Title: Friendship
Author: KawaiiChica
E-mail: KawaiiChica@fangirl.org
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Allura and Lance have gotten real chummy, why does it bother Keith? And what would happen if Allura was given time off from being a Princess?
Disclaimer: Not mine. Never will be. Want my own Lance but its not happening.
Author's Notes: I'm using some modern things in the story- sorry I kind of had to - like cars, motorcycles, condo's and pretty much a major city (which I just made up a random name for) I know it doesn't fit in too well, but if you look at the 3-D Voltron, their Galaxy Garrison was pretty modern looking so I figured I'd add some of our culture into the story. I'm also making up last names for them, because I can't recall what they were originally. Hope its not too bad.
" " Speaking
[ ] Thoughts
***********
- The Next day -
After checking his watch, Lance realized it was almost time for Allura to go on her daily visit to Maru's house. "Allura you need to go change don't you?"
Allura nodded, "Thanks Lance, I will in a moment."
"Call me when you go ok?" Lance pulled out his communicator.
"Sure thing!"
Hearing Hunk and Pidge arguing over something in the game room behind him, Lance entered and grinned as he joined in their game of billiards. Keith soon entered the room and joined the game also.
About two hours later, Lance was watching a game of darts between Keith and Hunk when his communicator went off.
"Lance here"
static...
"Hello? Koran what is it?" he asked and got nothing but static. "Hello?!"
[Something's wrong... Allie never called me!]
Moving away from the room towards the doorway he tried reaching her. "Allie - Princess is it you? Come in Allura!"
The seriousness in Lance's voice startled the others who were used to hearing his carefree jokes and tone of voice.
"Lance what is it?" Keith stepped up beside him.
"Something's not right- something to do with Allura, we've gotta go." Turning towards the doors, he stepped out of the windowless game room and noticed the downpour outside the nearest window.
"Oh damn!" forgetting about the others behind him, he ran through the hallways, down the stairs to the control room and down to the lion launch pad where he'd parked his rebuilt motorcylce.
Driving out and across the bridge to the castle, Lance pulled out his communicator again and tried Allura's. "Princess come in- can you hear me Allura?"
Nothing but static for a few minutes and a few more tries. Riding on his bike through the rain, Lance realized he'd left his coat back at the castle. Just as he was about to try Allura's communicator again, Keith contacted him.
"Lance we're out in our lions searching, something happened to her communicator because Koran can't get a signal from it, if you find her..."
"Check in, of course!" pushing his bangs out of his eyes, Lance noticed a bundle up ahead to the side of the road.
"Keith I've gotta go, its kind of hard to drive single handed!" Cutting off the conversation, he slowed down and hopped off his bike to check out the figure.
[Black cloak, hood over their head... is that blond hair?]
Hurrying over and tapping the figure carefully, he heard a familiar moan and sighed with relief. He rolled her over and was relieved to see no large wounds. Lifting her into his arms, he felt the coldness from her and pulled her closer. Sitting back on the bike, he pulled out his communicator and contacted Black Lion. "Keith I found her, she's freezing and unconscious. Have Dr. Gorma waiting for us when we arrive, I'll get her there in five or less."
Looking down at the pale princess he wondered what had happened. He bundled her up as carefully as possible since they were both soaking wet, and held her in front of him on the bike. Feeling her shiver, Lance pulled her closer and sped up.
***********
"So doctor how is she?" Koran asked as soon as Dr. Gorma stepped out of the princess' room.
Rubbing his temples for a second, Dr Gorma sighed, "She's cut up a little, might have a bruise on her upper arm where she seems to have fallen on something hard."
"But what made her pass out?" Hunk asked
"Exhaustion, she's been too stressed and working too hard lately. I wonder how much sleep she's been getting?" the doctor sat in a nearby chair.
"As much as any of us I'd say." Pidge shrugged.
Lance shook his head, "Not really, she's been having difficulty sleeping, nightmares and insomnia for the past months."
"She told you about it?" Koran wondered.
"Yeah"
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Nanny suddenly asked from the doorway to Allura's room.
"She made me promise I wouldn't and I've been making sure she takes it easier in training and stuff - or so I thought." Lance moved over to the doorway, "Can we go in and see her?"
Dr. Gorma nodded, "In just a bit, I want all of you here to bear witness that I'm prescribing some rest for her."
"Wait a minute, if you will doctor." Excusing himself, Lance went down the hall to his room to change and returned within moments, a black folder in one hand, a pen tapping against his leg in the other.
"What're those for?" Hunk asked.
Lance opened the folder and pulled out a typed sheet of paper, "For Dr. Gorma, Nanny, and Koran to sign."
"Sign what?" Koran mumbled as they all moved forward to see the paper, which they all recognized quickly as a contract.
"A contract?" Nanny looked up to the serious expression on Lance's face.
"Allura deserves a break, if only for a short period of time. Dr. Gorma has already said his prescription is rest, that she passed out from exhaustion, I just want to ensure she gets that." Lance set the pen on the paper.
"So you wrote up a contract?" Hunk scratched his head, looking bewildered.
"The contract is for her time away." Lance went on to outline it, "For the next three months Allura stops being a princess- it can be announced as a medical leave of absence and she'll have the option of going away or staying here. She'll be able to dress and act as any other 18 year old can, no restrictions."
"Where would she stay if she decides to go away?" Nanny asked, biting her lip in worry.
"I was thinking about Spretz," Lance answered, "Since that is the city with the highest population and it has been rebuilt the fastest, she'll be able to blend in easily. I'm, sure we can find a place where we'll be able to stay with her, the four of us." He looked at the other members of the team. "We all deserve a break don't you think?"
"Yes but... what if there's an emergency?" Koran read over the contract.
"You'll be given the number to reach us, and Spretz is only a day and a half away by the regular road, even faster if we fly." Lance watched as Koran handed Nanny the paper.
After Dr. Gorma read it, he settled it on the table and smiled at Lance, "This is a fairly extreme measure don't you think?"
"Not after what happened today" Lance replied
"Quite true" Dr Gorma picked up the pen and signed, "Seems you have everything settled, you set out a plan for her expenses, her protection, sounds great."
After hesitating a bit, Koran and Nanny finally signed the paper thanks to Lance's smooth answers to their worries and Dr Gorma's agreeing with him. "This will be good for her and the rest of the team, to get out of the castle and live with the people for a time... I like the way you've handled this young man." the doctor shook hands with Lance respectfully, turning to see Koran finish signing, Nanny biting her lip uncertainly.
"When does it go into effect?" she asked him.
Checking his watch, Lance couldn't hold back his chuckle, "In five minutes" he turned and pointed at the nearby wall clock, which read 11:55.
"Five minutes until her birthday" Nanny shook her head at him, wondering if what they were doing ws the right thing. [Three months away from the castle- a normal girl... this could be trouble.]
Signing the contract himself, Lance turned to the other guys and held out the pen. "I've signed that I'll take responsibility for anything that may happen during this time off, you guys need to sign and accept the vacation time."
"So we're all getting a vacation?" Pidge asked
"Yep" Lance handed out the pen, grinning as they all signed. As the bell struck midnight, Lance smiled and set the contract back in the black folder.
"So is it okay if we go in to see her?" he recieved a nod from Dr. Gorma and entered Allura's room.
***********
Walking over beside the bed, Lance was relieved to see her eyes open, "Hey Allie, how are you doin'?"
Shaking her head, Allura managed a tired smile. "Fine"
"You're not 'Fine', you passed out on the road home. Why didn't you call me for a ride?" Gently rubbing her hands between his, he shivered at how cold hers were.
Allura shrugged, "I wasn't all that tired when I left the house, I thought I could make it home."
"Well next time forget about taking a walk and call me or one of the guys, something could have happened to you out there."
"Like what? someone else could have found me and brought me home?" Allura yawned and rubbed her sleepy eyes.
"Yeah, someone could have found you and taken you to their home, not yours." Lance sighed as he noticed her drooping eyes. "Get some rest princess, we'll talk when you wake up." moving to slip out of her room, he was stopped by a slight squeaze on his arm.
"Can't you stay for a while? I don't want to sleep alone." she pleaded tiredly.
"I'm not sure about this Allie, why don't I call in Nanny and have her sit with you?"
Allura shook her head, "No, I'm kinda scared I'll have a bad dream again, and Nanny's not as soothing as you, please stay?"
"Ok, I'll sit here while you sleep." Lance leaned over her to tuck her into the sheets, and was surprised when she lifted her arms to his neck for a hug.
"Thank you Lance, you're such a sweetheart, even if you don't want the world to know it." she giggled and pulled him down to kiss his cheek.
"You know, I was gonna wait until later to give you this but..." Picking up the folder he'd dropped at the foot of the bed, Lance handed it to her as he turned on a small bedside lamp of hers.
"What is it?" Allura asked, excitement shinning in her not-so-sleepy eyes.
"A birthday gift." Lance grinned as her eyes widened.
"Who told you?" she asked, still not opening the folder.
"A certain grandmother we both know and love" Lance grinned as she sighed.
"I didn't want anything," she told him, opening it and squinting to read the letters, first reading the signatures at the bottom. "You even got Dr. Gorma to sign it? I can't read with this small lamp, what is it?"
Lance grinned and got off the bed to turn on the regular lights. "Its better if you read it yourself."
Allura waited impatiently for the light to come on, then quickly looked down to read the first paragraph.
"... that for the next three months Allura Dannen will be released from her duties as Princess... oh my god" Allura's eyes snapped up to Lance's smile. "What does that mean?! Is this some cruel joke?"
Lance frowned, shaking his head, "No! Its just for some time off for you, be a regular girl like you wanted... you know... have some fun!"
Allura stared at him in awe, looking down at the contract she read it through, her shocked expression dissapearing slowly and a smile taking its place. Finally after reading the whole thing, she sat there smiling softly, tears in her eyes.
"Allie?" Lance asked carefully
Lifting her eyes to his she gave him a beaming smile before jumping into his arms. "OH MY GOD! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DID THIS!"
Having been knocked back when she threw herself at him, Lance lay sprawled awkwardly with a very happy princess hugging the life out of him. "I can't believe it! I'm so excited, this is the BEST birthday gift ever Lance! Oh my gosh, I Love You! I soo LOVE you!" She squealed happily, kissing his cheek repeatedly before scrambling off him and standing to a side of the bed.
Frowning down at the frilly nightgown Nanny had put on her, she skipped over to a drawer and pulled out another tank top/pants pj set and ran into the bathroom. "Don't go anywhere!" she called over her shoulder.
"Sure thing" Lance grinned, sitting up and setting the contract over on her dresser where it wouldn't get messed up or anything. Walking over to the door, he invited the others in and then went back to the bed laying down on it casually. Keith, Hunk, and Pidge came in followed by Nanny and Koran, Dr. Gorma gone to get some sleep.
Allura came out and beamed at everyone, hugging them all happily. "I'm SO excited! This is the best gift I've ever gotten- I usually can't stand birthdays!"
Thanking Nanny and Koran for their part in it (signing the contract at least) she skipped over to Keith, the only guy who hadn't gone to sit on the bed and pulled him over to join the group. "I'm sorry Nanny and Koran, but would you guys mind if we have a meeting for a bit? We'll go to sleep soon."
Both nodded uncertainly, stepping out and wondering what their plans would be, and how the next three months were going to end.
Still pulling Keith, Allura walked over to the bed and flopped onto it next to where Lance, most signs of fatigue gone from her features, delight the only emotion in her beaming smile. "So we get to leave here and go to Spretz? That sounds like so much fun! I can find us an apartment, for the five of us right? Yeah, that was in the contract. I wonder if I should call... no! I'll call Zeke!"
Allura explained as she crawled over to the opposite side of the bed. "Hold on just a sec until I get him on the line ok? Just sit quietly once he comes on- let me deal with this, I know this guy."
She picked up the phone and dialed a number, impatiently waiting for someone to pick up she put down the reciever and left it on the main speaker. Lucky for her the person was used to late night calls.
"Yeah?" a gruff voice answered
"Hey Zeke" Allura greeted cheerfully.
"Angel cakes?" the voice answered, surprise evident in his tone.
"Uh-huh, how you doin' sugah?" she winked at Lance beside her, smiling at his surprised expression.
"Good, business as usual, you need something? Long time you don't swing by and play." the guy answered.
Allura pouted, "Oh I know Z, I haven't been able to get away- you know my work, can't give it up or anything."
"Yeah, you're doin a damned good job with that too, just left one of your places yesterday." Approval obvious in the speaker's tone.
"Thanks! Glad you approve." Allura rolled onto her back, stretching across the bed.
The guys sat silently around listening quietly. [How in the heck does she know this guy? And what's with the voice?]
A throaty laugh interrupted Keith's thoughts and he was surprised to realize it was Allura laughing at something Zeke said.
"But speaking of places... you wouldn't happen to have any available would you Zeke?" Allura asked sweetly.
"Depends on how many people you want it for." Zeke answered, getting to business quickly, Pidge could hear the rhythmic tapping of what he guessed were computer keys.
"Oh, just a place for five" Allura replied casually
"Five? You got some girls with you? Thought you stopped..."
"I did" she cut off crisply, "I'm goin' on vacation, need a place for a my co-workers, you know who they are."
"Sure thing, you tell them they did a damn good job too." Zeke replied good naturedly.
"I'll be sure to pass that message along Zeke, now about the place...?" Allura twirled some of her hair around a finger absently, suddenly turning and making a face at Lance, making him laugh.
"You got company doll? shoulda introduced us, hey there." Zeke suddenly spoke to Lance.
"Hey" Lance glimpsed at Allura who shrugged before speaking.
"Lance, Zeke, Zeke, Lance- happy?"
"Women" Zeke muttered before chuckling, "So you all on vacation Lance?"
"Yeah, I got us the vacation actually, someone here passing out was finally the last straw..." Lance was abruptly cut off by Zeke's scolding Allura.
"When the hell'd you pass out woman?! You know you gotta watch out for yourself! God damn! Tony's gonna be pissed as all hell when he finds out!" Zeke fumed, the keys stopped clicking suddenly.
"I'm fine Zeke! Even taking a break to get better, but I need ~place~ to spend my vacation!" Allura interrupted pointedly, "And Tony does not find out about that understood?" the tone of her voice making all the men understand how serious she mean that.
"I guess... found you two places, one by the water..."
"In Spretz?" Allura asked, knowing the city was about half an hour away from the nearest beach.
"Nevermind, one place, top two floors, penthouse, music room, study, kitchen on the first with four bedrooms...."
"We need five Z" Allura sighed, rubbing her eyes tired again.
"That's all I've got in Spretz girl- and I need a pair for it." the gruffness returned to Zeke's voice.
"A pair?! Zeke I can't make a pair!" Allura informed him.
"Its all I have in Spretz- must have a pair, owner's a nice old woman, but she wants a pair living in the place and she's a few levels down from you so she'll notice." Zeke declared
"Hmm..." Allura lay there biting her lip hesitantly, glancing at the confused guys around her, she shrugged and smiled at them before answering Zeke.
"If you can get me the false papers, we´ll create the pair." She glanced at Lance nervously, making him suddenly very suspicious.
"You got it doll- make up the names?" Zeke asked
"Doesn´t really matter." Allura fidgeted for a moment while the clicking went on over the line.
"All right, I've got a place for you all set up, the keys will be yours in the afternoon tomorrow, along with your papers and do you need the jewels?" Zeke asked.
"I think I can find some" Allura sighed [Even my 'normal' vacations get complicated!] She smiled softly at Lance, wondering what his reaction would be. [I'm sure he won't mind... I hope]
"Right then, its all set, nice hearing from you Angel, make sure you drop by when you can and go see Tony sometime too." Zeke chuckled.
"I will, thanks Zeke! Talk to ya later!" Allura made a loud kissing sound before hanging up.
"What was that all about?" Keith finally asked.
"I just found us a place to stay," Allura sat up and set her head on Lance's shoulder.
"Sounded pretty mysterious" Lance muttered
"Zeke's part of an underground circle of friends I have, he's a sweetheart" Allura shrugged.
"So we're gone for three months, any plans?" Hunk asked.
"Lots of them, we're gonna enjoy this break you guys." Allura smiled and sat up again, "I know people who can get us into some good parties, we'll go shopping and hang out, make new friends- at least I know for sure you guys will."
"No responsibilities?" Pidge mused.
"Nope, except there is a catch to this, at least for the place Zeke found us." Allura looked at Lance uncertainly.
"Well?" He raised a brow at her expectantly.
"Since there's only four rooms we're gonna need a pair" Allura pouted and kept her eyes on him, "I was thinking you and I could handle it."
"What's a pair?" Keith asked, bothered by her thinking about Lance first. [I'm definitely not gonna like this.]
Allura winced a little and bit her lip, "A couple"
Hunk shrugged, "A couple of...?"
¨Yeah, we could pull that off," Lance replied, "Why would we need papers and jewels for that?"
"Because a pair is a 'married' couple." Allura explained
"Ohhh..." Hunk said, looking at the two sitting side by side and remembering their attitude towards each other as of late. "You two would definitely work."
Lance took a glimpse at Keith, who looked oddly disturbed. [Damn! I know he cares for Allie, but... we are a lot closer than they are and... I dunno, being married to Allie could be fun...]
He was cut off from his thoughts as they kept talking, [I know its bugging him to think of us together!] He got a brief look from Keith and grinned. [Yep]
After a while of planning, Allura interrupted the meeting with a sudden yawn. Seeing how Lance had leaned back against the headboard beside her, she leaned back and lifted his arm around her again. They both stayed like that for a while, talking with the others who were now sprawled across the rest of her large bed comfortably. Pidge on the other side of Allura, aganst the headboard. Hunk had pulled up a chair, but leaned back in it with his feet up on the edge of the bed, and Keith was leaning against a bedpost at the foot of the bed.
Feeling her turn onto her side and drape an arm across him, Lance reminded her that they weren't playing a married couple yet and that they were still in the castle.
"Who cares? I'm not a princess now remember? Any girl can take a nap with her best friends around- no big deal." Allura started to pull back, "But if you wanna go, I'll see you in the morning k-? I'm suddenly *yawn* really sleepy again."
Tightening his arm around her, Lance declined the offer and settled her more comfortably against him. "So we're pretty much set now right you guys?"
Hunk and Keith nodded, Pidge had fallen asleep a while ago beside Allura. The remaining three talked until Lance fell asleep and Keith followed suit soon after, Hunk was the last to fall asleep, sitting on his chair by the bed.
- Later on that morning -
Nanny was shocked to enter the princess' room and find her sleeping on the bed, surrounded by men. With her her head on a pillow beside Pidge's, Lance lay wrapped around her, one hand over her head, the other across her stomach, his left leg between both of hers. Keith lay across the foot of the bed, and Hunk sat on a chair with his upper body laying forward on the bed.
***********
Well? What do you think? I hope the chapter's not too bad- next one includes Allura moving with the guys into the city- where we start so see a whole new side to the polite and proper princess.
-- Don't forget to Review!
~ K.C. ~
Author: KawaiiChica
E-mail: KawaiiChica@fangirl.org
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Allura and Lance have gotten real chummy, why does it bother Keith? And what would happen if Allura was given time off from being a Princess?
Disclaimer: Not mine. Never will be. Want my own Lance but its not happening.
Author's Notes: I'm using some modern things in the story- sorry I kind of had to - like cars, motorcycles, condo's and pretty much a major city (which I just made up a random name for) I know it doesn't fit in too well, but if you look at the 3-D Voltron, their Galaxy Garrison was pretty modern looking so I figured I'd add some of our culture into the story. I'm also making up last names for them, because I can't recall what they were originally. Hope its not too bad.
" " Speaking
[ ] Thoughts
***********
- The Next day -
After checking his watch, Lance realized it was almost time for Allura to go on her daily visit to Maru's house. "Allura you need to go change don't you?"
Allura nodded, "Thanks Lance, I will in a moment."
"Call me when you go ok?" Lance pulled out his communicator.
"Sure thing!"
Hearing Hunk and Pidge arguing over something in the game room behind him, Lance entered and grinned as he joined in their game of billiards. Keith soon entered the room and joined the game also.
About two hours later, Lance was watching a game of darts between Keith and Hunk when his communicator went off.
"Lance here"
static...
"Hello? Koran what is it?" he asked and got nothing but static. "Hello?!"
[Something's wrong... Allie never called me!]
Moving away from the room towards the doorway he tried reaching her. "Allie - Princess is it you? Come in Allura!"
The seriousness in Lance's voice startled the others who were used to hearing his carefree jokes and tone of voice.
"Lance what is it?" Keith stepped up beside him.
"Something's not right- something to do with Allura, we've gotta go." Turning towards the doors, he stepped out of the windowless game room and noticed the downpour outside the nearest window.
"Oh damn!" forgetting about the others behind him, he ran through the hallways, down the stairs to the control room and down to the lion launch pad where he'd parked his rebuilt motorcylce.
Driving out and across the bridge to the castle, Lance pulled out his communicator again and tried Allura's. "Princess come in- can you hear me Allura?"
Nothing but static for a few minutes and a few more tries. Riding on his bike through the rain, Lance realized he'd left his coat back at the castle. Just as he was about to try Allura's communicator again, Keith contacted him.
"Lance we're out in our lions searching, something happened to her communicator because Koran can't get a signal from it, if you find her..."
"Check in, of course!" pushing his bangs out of his eyes, Lance noticed a bundle up ahead to the side of the road.
"Keith I've gotta go, its kind of hard to drive single handed!" Cutting off the conversation, he slowed down and hopped off his bike to check out the figure.
[Black cloak, hood over their head... is that blond hair?]
Hurrying over and tapping the figure carefully, he heard a familiar moan and sighed with relief. He rolled her over and was relieved to see no large wounds. Lifting her into his arms, he felt the coldness from her and pulled her closer. Sitting back on the bike, he pulled out his communicator and contacted Black Lion. "Keith I found her, she's freezing and unconscious. Have Dr. Gorma waiting for us when we arrive, I'll get her there in five or less."
Looking down at the pale princess he wondered what had happened. He bundled her up as carefully as possible since they were both soaking wet, and held her in front of him on the bike. Feeling her shiver, Lance pulled her closer and sped up.
***********
"So doctor how is she?" Koran asked as soon as Dr. Gorma stepped out of the princess' room.
Rubbing his temples for a second, Dr Gorma sighed, "She's cut up a little, might have a bruise on her upper arm where she seems to have fallen on something hard."
"But what made her pass out?" Hunk asked
"Exhaustion, she's been too stressed and working too hard lately. I wonder how much sleep she's been getting?" the doctor sat in a nearby chair.
"As much as any of us I'd say." Pidge shrugged.
Lance shook his head, "Not really, she's been having difficulty sleeping, nightmares and insomnia for the past months."
"She told you about it?" Koran wondered.
"Yeah"
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Nanny suddenly asked from the doorway to Allura's room.
"She made me promise I wouldn't and I've been making sure she takes it easier in training and stuff - or so I thought." Lance moved over to the doorway, "Can we go in and see her?"
Dr. Gorma nodded, "In just a bit, I want all of you here to bear witness that I'm prescribing some rest for her."
"Wait a minute, if you will doctor." Excusing himself, Lance went down the hall to his room to change and returned within moments, a black folder in one hand, a pen tapping against his leg in the other.
"What're those for?" Hunk asked.
Lance opened the folder and pulled out a typed sheet of paper, "For Dr. Gorma, Nanny, and Koran to sign."
"Sign what?" Koran mumbled as they all moved forward to see the paper, which they all recognized quickly as a contract.
"A contract?" Nanny looked up to the serious expression on Lance's face.
"Allura deserves a break, if only for a short period of time. Dr. Gorma has already said his prescription is rest, that she passed out from exhaustion, I just want to ensure she gets that." Lance set the pen on the paper.
"So you wrote up a contract?" Hunk scratched his head, looking bewildered.
"The contract is for her time away." Lance went on to outline it, "For the next three months Allura stops being a princess- it can be announced as a medical leave of absence and she'll have the option of going away or staying here. She'll be able to dress and act as any other 18 year old can, no restrictions."
"Where would she stay if she decides to go away?" Nanny asked, biting her lip in worry.
"I was thinking about Spretz," Lance answered, "Since that is the city with the highest population and it has been rebuilt the fastest, she'll be able to blend in easily. I'm, sure we can find a place where we'll be able to stay with her, the four of us." He looked at the other members of the team. "We all deserve a break don't you think?"
"Yes but... what if there's an emergency?" Koran read over the contract.
"You'll be given the number to reach us, and Spretz is only a day and a half away by the regular road, even faster if we fly." Lance watched as Koran handed Nanny the paper.
After Dr. Gorma read it, he settled it on the table and smiled at Lance, "This is a fairly extreme measure don't you think?"
"Not after what happened today" Lance replied
"Quite true" Dr Gorma picked up the pen and signed, "Seems you have everything settled, you set out a plan for her expenses, her protection, sounds great."
After hesitating a bit, Koran and Nanny finally signed the paper thanks to Lance's smooth answers to their worries and Dr Gorma's agreeing with him. "This will be good for her and the rest of the team, to get out of the castle and live with the people for a time... I like the way you've handled this young man." the doctor shook hands with Lance respectfully, turning to see Koran finish signing, Nanny biting her lip uncertainly.
"When does it go into effect?" she asked him.
Checking his watch, Lance couldn't hold back his chuckle, "In five minutes" he turned and pointed at the nearby wall clock, which read 11:55.
"Five minutes until her birthday" Nanny shook her head at him, wondering if what they were doing ws the right thing. [Three months away from the castle- a normal girl... this could be trouble.]
Signing the contract himself, Lance turned to the other guys and held out the pen. "I've signed that I'll take responsibility for anything that may happen during this time off, you guys need to sign and accept the vacation time."
"So we're all getting a vacation?" Pidge asked
"Yep" Lance handed out the pen, grinning as they all signed. As the bell struck midnight, Lance smiled and set the contract back in the black folder.
"So is it okay if we go in to see her?" he recieved a nod from Dr. Gorma and entered Allura's room.
***********
Walking over beside the bed, Lance was relieved to see her eyes open, "Hey Allie, how are you doin'?"
Shaking her head, Allura managed a tired smile. "Fine"
"You're not 'Fine', you passed out on the road home. Why didn't you call me for a ride?" Gently rubbing her hands between his, he shivered at how cold hers were.
Allura shrugged, "I wasn't all that tired when I left the house, I thought I could make it home."
"Well next time forget about taking a walk and call me or one of the guys, something could have happened to you out there."
"Like what? someone else could have found me and brought me home?" Allura yawned and rubbed her sleepy eyes.
"Yeah, someone could have found you and taken you to their home, not yours." Lance sighed as he noticed her drooping eyes. "Get some rest princess, we'll talk when you wake up." moving to slip out of her room, he was stopped by a slight squeaze on his arm.
"Can't you stay for a while? I don't want to sleep alone." she pleaded tiredly.
"I'm not sure about this Allie, why don't I call in Nanny and have her sit with you?"
Allura shook her head, "No, I'm kinda scared I'll have a bad dream again, and Nanny's not as soothing as you, please stay?"
"Ok, I'll sit here while you sleep." Lance leaned over her to tuck her into the sheets, and was surprised when she lifted her arms to his neck for a hug.
"Thank you Lance, you're such a sweetheart, even if you don't want the world to know it." she giggled and pulled him down to kiss his cheek.
"You know, I was gonna wait until later to give you this but..." Picking up the folder he'd dropped at the foot of the bed, Lance handed it to her as he turned on a small bedside lamp of hers.
"What is it?" Allura asked, excitement shinning in her not-so-sleepy eyes.
"A birthday gift." Lance grinned as her eyes widened.
"Who told you?" she asked, still not opening the folder.
"A certain grandmother we both know and love" Lance grinned as she sighed.
"I didn't want anything," she told him, opening it and squinting to read the letters, first reading the signatures at the bottom. "You even got Dr. Gorma to sign it? I can't read with this small lamp, what is it?"
Lance grinned and got off the bed to turn on the regular lights. "Its better if you read it yourself."
Allura waited impatiently for the light to come on, then quickly looked down to read the first paragraph.
"... that for the next three months Allura Dannen will be released from her duties as Princess... oh my god" Allura's eyes snapped up to Lance's smile. "What does that mean?! Is this some cruel joke?"
Lance frowned, shaking his head, "No! Its just for some time off for you, be a regular girl like you wanted... you know... have some fun!"
Allura stared at him in awe, looking down at the contract she read it through, her shocked expression dissapearing slowly and a smile taking its place. Finally after reading the whole thing, she sat there smiling softly, tears in her eyes.
"Allie?" Lance asked carefully
Lifting her eyes to his she gave him a beaming smile before jumping into his arms. "OH MY GOD! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DID THIS!"
Having been knocked back when she threw herself at him, Lance lay sprawled awkwardly with a very happy princess hugging the life out of him. "I can't believe it! I'm so excited, this is the BEST birthday gift ever Lance! Oh my gosh, I Love You! I soo LOVE you!" She squealed happily, kissing his cheek repeatedly before scrambling off him and standing to a side of the bed.
Frowning down at the frilly nightgown Nanny had put on her, she skipped over to a drawer and pulled out another tank top/pants pj set and ran into the bathroom. "Don't go anywhere!" she called over her shoulder.
"Sure thing" Lance grinned, sitting up and setting the contract over on her dresser where it wouldn't get messed up or anything. Walking over to the door, he invited the others in and then went back to the bed laying down on it casually. Keith, Hunk, and Pidge came in followed by Nanny and Koran, Dr. Gorma gone to get some sleep.
Allura came out and beamed at everyone, hugging them all happily. "I'm SO excited! This is the best gift I've ever gotten- I usually can't stand birthdays!"
Thanking Nanny and Koran for their part in it (signing the contract at least) she skipped over to Keith, the only guy who hadn't gone to sit on the bed and pulled him over to join the group. "I'm sorry Nanny and Koran, but would you guys mind if we have a meeting for a bit? We'll go to sleep soon."
Both nodded uncertainly, stepping out and wondering what their plans would be, and how the next three months were going to end.
Still pulling Keith, Allura walked over to the bed and flopped onto it next to where Lance, most signs of fatigue gone from her features, delight the only emotion in her beaming smile. "So we get to leave here and go to Spretz? That sounds like so much fun! I can find us an apartment, for the five of us right? Yeah, that was in the contract. I wonder if I should call... no! I'll call Zeke!"
Allura explained as she crawled over to the opposite side of the bed. "Hold on just a sec until I get him on the line ok? Just sit quietly once he comes on- let me deal with this, I know this guy."
She picked up the phone and dialed a number, impatiently waiting for someone to pick up she put down the reciever and left it on the main speaker. Lucky for her the person was used to late night calls.
"Yeah?" a gruff voice answered
"Hey Zeke" Allura greeted cheerfully.
"Angel cakes?" the voice answered, surprise evident in his tone.
"Uh-huh, how you doin' sugah?" she winked at Lance beside her, smiling at his surprised expression.
"Good, business as usual, you need something? Long time you don't swing by and play." the guy answered.
Allura pouted, "Oh I know Z, I haven't been able to get away- you know my work, can't give it up or anything."
"Yeah, you're doin a damned good job with that too, just left one of your places yesterday." Approval obvious in the speaker's tone.
"Thanks! Glad you approve." Allura rolled onto her back, stretching across the bed.
The guys sat silently around listening quietly. [How in the heck does she know this guy? And what's with the voice?]
A throaty laugh interrupted Keith's thoughts and he was surprised to realize it was Allura laughing at something Zeke said.
"But speaking of places... you wouldn't happen to have any available would you Zeke?" Allura asked sweetly.
"Depends on how many people you want it for." Zeke answered, getting to business quickly, Pidge could hear the rhythmic tapping of what he guessed were computer keys.
"Oh, just a place for five" Allura replied casually
"Five? You got some girls with you? Thought you stopped..."
"I did" she cut off crisply, "I'm goin' on vacation, need a place for a my co-workers, you know who they are."
"Sure thing, you tell them they did a damn good job too." Zeke replied good naturedly.
"I'll be sure to pass that message along Zeke, now about the place...?" Allura twirled some of her hair around a finger absently, suddenly turning and making a face at Lance, making him laugh.
"You got company doll? shoulda introduced us, hey there." Zeke suddenly spoke to Lance.
"Hey" Lance glimpsed at Allura who shrugged before speaking.
"Lance, Zeke, Zeke, Lance- happy?"
"Women" Zeke muttered before chuckling, "So you all on vacation Lance?"
"Yeah, I got us the vacation actually, someone here passing out was finally the last straw..." Lance was abruptly cut off by Zeke's scolding Allura.
"When the hell'd you pass out woman?! You know you gotta watch out for yourself! God damn! Tony's gonna be pissed as all hell when he finds out!" Zeke fumed, the keys stopped clicking suddenly.
"I'm fine Zeke! Even taking a break to get better, but I need ~place~ to spend my vacation!" Allura interrupted pointedly, "And Tony does not find out about that understood?" the tone of her voice making all the men understand how serious she mean that.
"I guess... found you two places, one by the water..."
"In Spretz?" Allura asked, knowing the city was about half an hour away from the nearest beach.
"Nevermind, one place, top two floors, penthouse, music room, study, kitchen on the first with four bedrooms...."
"We need five Z" Allura sighed, rubbing her eyes tired again.
"That's all I've got in Spretz girl- and I need a pair for it." the gruffness returned to Zeke's voice.
"A pair?! Zeke I can't make a pair!" Allura informed him.
"Its all I have in Spretz- must have a pair, owner's a nice old woman, but she wants a pair living in the place and she's a few levels down from you so she'll notice." Zeke declared
"Hmm..." Allura lay there biting her lip hesitantly, glancing at the confused guys around her, she shrugged and smiled at them before answering Zeke.
"If you can get me the false papers, we´ll create the pair." She glanced at Lance nervously, making him suddenly very suspicious.
"You got it doll- make up the names?" Zeke asked
"Doesn´t really matter." Allura fidgeted for a moment while the clicking went on over the line.
"All right, I've got a place for you all set up, the keys will be yours in the afternoon tomorrow, along with your papers and do you need the jewels?" Zeke asked.
"I think I can find some" Allura sighed [Even my 'normal' vacations get complicated!] She smiled softly at Lance, wondering what his reaction would be. [I'm sure he won't mind... I hope]
"Right then, its all set, nice hearing from you Angel, make sure you drop by when you can and go see Tony sometime too." Zeke chuckled.
"I will, thanks Zeke! Talk to ya later!" Allura made a loud kissing sound before hanging up.
"What was that all about?" Keith finally asked.
"I just found us a place to stay," Allura sat up and set her head on Lance's shoulder.
"Sounded pretty mysterious" Lance muttered
"Zeke's part of an underground circle of friends I have, he's a sweetheart" Allura shrugged.
"So we're gone for three months, any plans?" Hunk asked.
"Lots of them, we're gonna enjoy this break you guys." Allura smiled and sat up again, "I know people who can get us into some good parties, we'll go shopping and hang out, make new friends- at least I know for sure you guys will."
"No responsibilities?" Pidge mused.
"Nope, except there is a catch to this, at least for the place Zeke found us." Allura looked at Lance uncertainly.
"Well?" He raised a brow at her expectantly.
"Since there's only four rooms we're gonna need a pair" Allura pouted and kept her eyes on him, "I was thinking you and I could handle it."
"What's a pair?" Keith asked, bothered by her thinking about Lance first. [I'm definitely not gonna like this.]
Allura winced a little and bit her lip, "A couple"
Hunk shrugged, "A couple of...?"
¨Yeah, we could pull that off," Lance replied, "Why would we need papers and jewels for that?"
"Because a pair is a 'married' couple." Allura explained
"Ohhh..." Hunk said, looking at the two sitting side by side and remembering their attitude towards each other as of late. "You two would definitely work."
Lance took a glimpse at Keith, who looked oddly disturbed. [Damn! I know he cares for Allie, but... we are a lot closer than they are and... I dunno, being married to Allie could be fun...]
He was cut off from his thoughts as they kept talking, [I know its bugging him to think of us together!] He got a brief look from Keith and grinned. [Yep]
After a while of planning, Allura interrupted the meeting with a sudden yawn. Seeing how Lance had leaned back against the headboard beside her, she leaned back and lifted his arm around her again. They both stayed like that for a while, talking with the others who were now sprawled across the rest of her large bed comfortably. Pidge on the other side of Allura, aganst the headboard. Hunk had pulled up a chair, but leaned back in it with his feet up on the edge of the bed, and Keith was leaning against a bedpost at the foot of the bed.
Feeling her turn onto her side and drape an arm across him, Lance reminded her that they weren't playing a married couple yet and that they were still in the castle.
"Who cares? I'm not a princess now remember? Any girl can take a nap with her best friends around- no big deal." Allura started to pull back, "But if you wanna go, I'll see you in the morning k-? I'm suddenly *yawn* really sleepy again."
Tightening his arm around her, Lance declined the offer and settled her more comfortably against him. "So we're pretty much set now right you guys?"
Hunk and Keith nodded, Pidge had fallen asleep a while ago beside Allura. The remaining three talked until Lance fell asleep and Keith followed suit soon after, Hunk was the last to fall asleep, sitting on his chair by the bed.
- Later on that morning -
Nanny was shocked to enter the princess' room and find her sleeping on the bed, surrounded by men. With her her head on a pillow beside Pidge's, Lance lay wrapped around her, one hand over her head, the other across her stomach, his left leg between both of hers. Keith lay across the foot of the bed, and Hunk sat on a chair with his upper body laying forward on the bed.
***********
Well? What do you think? I hope the chapter's not too bad- next one includes Allura moving with the guys into the city- where we start so see a whole new side to the polite and proper princess.
-- Don't forget to Review!
~ K.C. ~