Title: Friendship
Author: KawaiiChica
E-mail: KawaiiChica@hotmail.com
Rating: R - For adult situations and language - not reccomended for kids under 17.
Disclaimer: Not mine - just borrowed for the fic.
A/N: Ok, important chapter, sorry for the wait but I hope it was worth it. The story`s hit a pivotal moment.
" " Speaking
[ ] Thoughts
+++ Flashbacks
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"Thanks guys!"
Allura and Lance waved as Cassie and Mick drove off. It was dark out and a chilly breeze blew by, causing Allura to shiver and hurry inside the building, thanking the doorman on her way in. Lance followed with their bag and grinned when she told him to hurry into the elevator.
"You`re such a slowpoke sometimes," Allura pressed the button for their floor and leaned her head against his shoulder on the way up. "So`d you have fun this weekend?"
Lance nodded, "Yeah, didn`t you?"
"Oh yeah, the beach was great," Allura yawned, stepping out as the doors opened.
They were met at the door by Keith, who gladly took their bag from them and set it in the living room where they were hanging out with Ken and Devon.
"How was your weekend?" Pidge asked.
"Great, the water was a bit cold but I still got a nice tan," Allura smiled and settled down in the seat next to Ken.
He moved over a bit and settled his arm over her shoulders, "Did you have a good time with Cassie and Mick?"
"Mh-hmm..." Allura yawned and blinked her sleepy eyes.
"You should go up to bed Allie, its been a long day," Lance picked up the bag and headed up to put it away.
Allura ignored him and shook her head a bit, "What about you guys? What were you up to?"
"Nothing, went to the mall, saw the new horror movie, and were bored out of our minds," Hunk answered, "Any ideas?"
"Its late to go out, and worse on a sunday... why don`t we play a game?" Allura stood and went over to a nearby closet. "Let`s see... there`s the game Adventurers, Target, two decks of cards, Dominoes and..."
With a slight laugh, "The Newlywed Game!"
"Great options," Hunk mumbled, "Aren`t most of those kids games?"
"Yep," Allura grinned, "Why not play The Newlywed Game? We can change the name to the Best Friend`s Game and play with our best friend."
"We`re seven," Pidge reminded her.
"That`s all right, I`ll ask the questions," Devon offered, "Keith and Lance can make up one team, Hunk and Pidge another, and Allura and Ken will be the last."
"That could work," Keith shrugged and sat down on the sofa next to Hunk and Pidge.
"Great!" Allura beamed, helping Devon settle everything, hand out cards and pens. Afterwords she went into the kitchen for drinks and some snacks. Hunk helped her bring them out and they chatted while waiting for Lance.
"Hey, who bought the cake that`s in the kitchen?" Allura asked with a smile.
"Ken brought it," Keith replied.
"For you and Lance, you know, since it was just your anniversary I thought you could use a little cake," Ken grinned with a sly twinkle in his eyes.
Allura lowered her lashes, looking at him suspiciously, "And what`s that supposed to mean?"
"That he might not have gotten used to buying it," Ken winked, "I was only doing you a favor."
"KEN!" Allura hit him with a pillow, "For your information, I have not had cake with Lance!"
"Sure you have, on your birthday," Pidge interrupted.
"Really?" Ken smiled at her, "Since then?"
"No!" Allura shook her head and glared at Pidge, "We had cake but we didn`t have cake." Her tone changed for the second time she said the word.
"You mean in all this time you haven`t had cake?" Ken gaped, "Dear lord its unbelievable."
"Why is it so unbelievable?" Allura set her hands on her hips.
"Come on, how lond did it take us to have cake?" Ken reminded her, raising an eyebrow.
"That was different!" Allura turned away, "Nevermind."
At that moment Lance joined them and they explained the plans for the night. They settled down on the sofas, Allura and Ken on the love seat, Hunk, Pidge and Keith on the large sofa, and Lance on a single chair. Devon sat across from all of them behind the coffee table. After explaining the rules, half of the players had to leave so Ken, Hunk and Lance exited the room. The others answered their questions and a few moments later, the others were called back.
They came back accompanied by Liz, who was home alone since Tony had been called away to an emergency. She sat beside Devon to enjoy the fun.
"So partners, let`s find out how well you know your best friends." Devon grinned and began. "What is their favorite song? Starting with you Lance."
"Dust in the Wind," he quickly answered.
"Big Yellow Taxi," Hunk said.
Ken smiled, "Insatiable."
Devon nodded, "And the others said..."
"Dust in the Wind," Keith flipped over his card.
Pidge sighed, "Screaming Infidelities."
"Since when?" Hunk asked.
"A while ago," Pidge shrugged and told him not to worry about it.
"Allura?" Devon turned to her.
Allura blushed and flipped over her card, Ken chuckling when he read the answer, "I knew it."
"Instiable? I`ve never heard it," Lance mumbled.
"Of course not, its never been recorded," Ken explained, turning to Devon for the next question.
"All right, Liz keep score of their correct answers if you please," he handed her the score board and went on, "What thing absolutely freaks them out? In terms of giving them the creeps when they see it."
"Hmm... scorpions? I think Keith can`t stand them," Lance guessed.
"Easy, snakes," Pidge grinned.
"Whips or chains," Ken spoke with a frown.
"Guys?" Devon waited for the others to answer.
"Skeletons give me the creeps," Keith replied.
"Snakes," Hunk grinned at Pidge.
Allura pulled her feet up before her, curling up on the sofa, "Whips, chains or handcuffs."
The guys wondered what that was about but decided not to ask. For the next twenty minutes they kept exchanging quetions and answers, fighting from time to time except for Allura and Ken. The round ended and they decided to take a break for a few minutes before sending out the three that hadn`t left before.
Liz grinned as she read a set of questions that Devon had set aside. "Now these are interesting."
"What are they?" Pidge asked
"The sex questions," Liz laughed when as he shyly nodded and blushed.
"Let`s see... what is your friend`s number one fetish?" Devon grinned and waited.
"Fetish?" Hunk asked with a blush.
"Yes, in bed, during or after having intercourse or relations," Liz chuckled and gave Allura a wink.
"Yuck... never thought about that," Lance frowned and tried to think of anything he`d done that Keith might do. "What kind of question is that anyway?"
"Just answer already," Liz said with a laugh.
"I guess... using... wine?" Lance shrugged.
"Umm... something to do with computers?" Hunk chuckled awkwardly, "I don`t know, I don`t even think he`s HAD... you know."
Pidge blushed again and agreed, "But I have heard some stuff that sounds interesting."
Allura and Liz giggled, giving him sympathetic smiles, "Don`t worry about it."
"Ken?" Devon reminded him.
Ken looked at Allura smugly for a moment before answering, "cake."
"Cake?" Lance raised an eyebrow.
"OH MY GOD!" Pidge yelled, staring at the couple on the loveseat with wide eyes, "THAT`s what you meant! You two have had CAKE!"
"WHAT?!" Lance stared.
"Its true!" Keith leaned forward in his seat, "That`s what you two meant with all that cake talk earlier! That`s why you brought Allura and Lance a cake!"
"He brought us a cake?" Lance turned to look at him.
"Yes," Hunk nodded, "Its in the kitchen."
"Oh lord," Allura said meakly, laying her head on her knees.
"So you two`ve... you know..." Pidge insisted.
"Slept together, yeah," Ken shrugged, suddenly noticing Lance get angry, "But not recently! I swear!"
"No!" Allura raised her head and looked at Lance, "I haven`t slept with Ken since we got out on vacation. What happened between us was a long time ago and under VERY strange circumstances and is all in the past. We`re just friends now."
Keith frowned, "Friends who used to be lovers?"
"Why not?" Allura asked, "Believe me, if you had been here you`d understand."
"You slept with him at the age of fourteen?" Lance asked angrily.
Allura nodded with a sigh, "But things were different, I don`t know how to explain it but believe me it hasn`t happened since then."
"Great," Lance muttered, crossing his arms and leaning back against his seat.
"What does it matter if Allura`s slept with Ken, I`m sure your history isn`t so clean either," Liz met his eyes, "Or do you really expect us to believe you`ve been a saint?"
"Not a saint but I`m not hanging out with people I`ve slept with," he replied.
"Well that`s your problem, the fact that Allura and I are still good friends isn`t a crime and neither of us feels guilty about anything that`s happened between us." Ken turned away and looked to the others. "Anyone want to keep playing or should we just split up to be bored in our own corners?"
"How about we go watch a movie instead?" Devon asked, "I just bought that comedy with Jean Rivten and Ared..."
"Ared Sommeil?!" Liz beamed, "I vote for the movie!"
Allura managed to laugh along with the others, except for Lance who was still angrily pouting in his seat. Waiting for the others to leave the room, Allura asked Lance if he would come along, not surprised when he shook his head and looked away from her.
"Lance..." she sighed and moved to his seat, sitting down on the table in front of him. After trying to get him to look at her, she gave up and moved to the ground, looping an arm around his leg and resting her head against his knee. "Why does that make you so mad? I swear nothing`s happened between us in a long time, Ken and I are just friends now."
"Just friends, who know everything about each other even after all this time apart? he didn`t get a single wrong answer!" Lance took a deep breath to calm down.
"We`ve always been that way," Allura tried to explain, "Out of all of my friends, Ken and Teddy were my best. The three of us could read each other like a book, we can talk without talking, we know each other`s weaknesses and strengths... and when it happened it was my fault, I needed to understand."
"Understand what?"
"Understand why, what it was about," Allura shrugged, "Everything."
"About sex? So you slept with someone to understand what sex was about?" he frowned and waited a moment, "I guess that sounds reasonable, if you`d been older."
"If you only knew the half of it," he suddenly heard a slight tremble in her voice and looked down to see her hands rubbing at her eyes.
"Allie?" suddenly realizing what a jerk he was being, he leaned down and pulled her up onto his lap, not surprised to see a few tears in her eyes. "I`m sorry, I guess I`m just jealous."
He sighed and set his chin on her shoulder, "I don`t have the cleanest record myself now that I think about it, but seeing the way you two get along and I dunno... I just got jealous."
"Of Ken?" Allura shook her head at him with a small smile on her face.
"Why not? He`s slept with you, out of marriage and..." Lance stopped, "Let`s just forget about it ok? I`m sorry."
"Me too," Allura gave him a peck on his cheek and a quick hug. "How about we go to sleep?"
"What?!" Lance`s eyes widened.
"NO! Just to sleep, I`m tired, its been a long day." Allura smiled sleepily.
"Oh, why don`t you go ahead? I think I`ll go watch the movie with the others, I`m not so tired yet." Lance stood and went upstairs holding her hand.
"Hey! Glad to see things are ok," Ken greeted them, he stood and walked over to Lance, "Are we ok also? No hard feelings?"
"Nah," Lance apologized for over-reacting and joined them in front of the tv. Just as they began to settle in with the others, the elevator was heard as it stopped on the bottom floor, a knock following closely.
"Since when does Tony knock?" Allura wondered, standing and going downstairs. Opening the doors without asking who it was, she was stunned to see an older gentleman smiling at her warmly.
"Hello my dear!" he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her before she had time to react.
"So good to see you after all this time," he slid his hands down her sides, pulling her shirt down a bit with them. Stepping back a bit to look up at him, Allura was surprised to see his smile.
"What are you doing here?" she asked in barely a whisper, too afraid to speak.
He shrugged and glanced up the stairs where the tv could be heard, "Are you very busy?"
"W-what do you want?" Allura whispered again shakily.
"Just another little favor sweetheart," he eyed her from head to foot and smiled, "I see you`ve matured quite a bit... all the better now that you know the drill."
"No!" Allura stepped back, her voice breaking a bit as her eyes watered, "How could you do that to me and dare to show your face again?"
He stepped towards her, "I need your help."
"Why?" Allura`s voice broke, "Grosspapa?"
He stiffened and frowned, "Exactly because I AM your grosspapa, you are still under MY tutelage. Remember that you are not legally free from me until you marry or turn 21."
"And then? Father was still alive back then," she asked, not noticing her voice had lifted.
"Shh... you know he wasn`t involved, he wouldn`t help me so I had to move to my other relatives," he shrugged.
To Allura`s relief, Ken decided to go get a drink and came down stairs at that moment, freezing for a second on the stairs in shock. The effect didn`t last long however and in the next instant he was thundering down the steps that remained and kicking the man out.
"HOW DARE YOU SHOW UP HERE? GET THE HELL OUT! NOW!" he yelled while he bullied the other man into the elevator, "AND DON`T YOU DARE COME BACK AGAIN!"
"Think about it darling!" the older man yelled to Allura just as the doors closed.
By the time Ken came back, she was being surrounded by the others and asked what had happened. He shoved through the small huddle around her and wasn`t surprised to see Allura standing quietly while tears slipped down her blank eyes. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her close and cooed soft words to her in a strange language for a moment before she reacted and sobbed into his shoulder.
"Gomen nasai koishii," Ken kept repeating, "He`s gone now... gomen nasai..."
"Ken-ii..." Allura pulled back, wiping her eyes, "Why?"
"Because he`s a sick old man," Ken wiped her face with a frown, "A fucking sick bastard."
Allura whimpered and closed her eyes, letting him hold her again, "He wanted a favor..."
"I can imagine," Ken shook his head before resting his cheek against her hair, "I`m sorry."
"Don`t be," Allura sighed shakily and yawned, her voice was small as she spoke, "I don`t wanna have nightmares tonight."
"You won`t," Ken looked up, finally remembering the others around them and saw Liz meet his eyes. She shook her head angrily, realizing who had been at the door and turned away, shooing the others upstairs, all but Lance.
"Would one of you mind explaining what all that was about?" he asked.
"No," Allura shook her head turning away from Ken to face him.
There was anger in his eyes, as well as jealousy and annoyance. Opening her mouth to explain, she pictured him suddenly as she`d seen him before at the castle. After they`d been told how Lotor tortured people, she remebered the look of disdain on his face and shook her head.
"I can`t," she turned and ran into the living room towards her music room.
"What?!" Lance threw his hands up in exasperation.
"Let`s find out," Ken headed in her direction and motioned for him to follow.
Reaching the door, he knocked and called out to her, "Babe? Can I come in?"
"Are you alone?" Allura sniffled.
"Yeah," Ken opened the door and stepped into the room.
Allura sat beside the window with a small lamp beside her. "Where`s Lance?"
"He went upstairs," Ken left the door open a bit and moved beside her. "You really should tell them already, why all this mystery for something that wasn`t your fault?"
"Because," Allura hesitated, "Its all so... wrong."
"Yes, it was horrible and something no one should have to go through but its in the past and like I said, none of it was your fault." Ken insisted.
"I know," Allura sighed and yawned sleepily. "Arigato Ken-ii."
"Hai, daijabu?" Ken stood.
"Hai," Allura turned towards the door as Lance came in.
"Oyasuminasai koishii," Ken gave Lance a nod and left, closing the door behind him.
"Oyasumina- what?" Lance moved to kneel beside her.
Alura giggled and lay back, "Oyasuminasai, it means good night."
"In Ken-talk?" Lance took her hand into his and stroked his fingers over it softly.
"No, its Japanese, a terran language Ken-ii taught me." Allura yawned again and closed her eyes, "I`m sorry for freaking out like that, I was just remembering."
Lance rolled his eyes, "Remembering what? Its getting annoying not knowing what happens to you sometimes. You never freaked out that way before."
"I know," Allura gave a long sigh, "I guess being with the guys makes me remember more often. When we`re at the castle I feel safe and I can forget everything that happened here in the city, but with Tony and the others over-protecting me again, I dunno... things are different."
"Then why come here?" Lance slid down beside her, "Who was that man?"
"Because I hadn`t seen Tony and them since it happened and I thought I`d gotten over it," Allura closed her eyes, "Lance?"
"Yeah?" he waited for her to continue.
"Did you really mean what you said the other night?" she looked up at him uncertainly, "About..."
He cut her off by cupping the back of her head and pulling her forward for a passionate kiss, "Yes."
Allura smiled a bit uncertainly, "Would you love me no matter what?"
"Of course," Lance frowned a bit, "Why the sudden ques..."
"Mind if I go to bed?" Allura jumped up and took his hand in hers. "I`m tired."
"What?!" Lance stood, confused by her sudden change of topics.
"I think I`ll go to bed now, good night Lance," she gave him a quick peck on the lips and went out and up to their room. Following her up, Lance wondered how much longer he could last with all the mysteries around them.
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"Allura its for you!" Sandra, the head nurse, called out from behind the desk.
"Thanks," Allura took the reciever with a smile, "Hello?"
"Mrs Chamberlain?" a worried female voice asked.
"Yes?" Allura asked, a pang of fear running through her.
"There`s been an emergency, your husband..."
Allura jumped, "What about him?"
"He needs you, now, come over quickly please," the woman gave her and address and hung up.
"I`ve got to go Sandy, something urgent`s come up," Allura left her patient`s list and ran out before hearing her reply, focusing solely on the address she`d been given and wondering what could have happened to Lance. [Please God let him be ok!]
After driving as wildly as Lance normally did, she finally arrived at a small apartment building, wondering if she had the correct address. "69 Empire Lane... this is the right address..."
Too worried to question it much more, she hopped out of her convertible and ran to the small gate, opening it and hurrying up the steps, surprised to find the front door open. "Hello?"
"Upstairs!" the woman from earlier yelled from the second floor.
"Coming!" Allura ran up and looked around at the furnishings. Everything was dark mahogany, the reddish curtains on the window on her right making the hallway even darker. "LANCE?!"
"He`s unconcious, at the end of the hall!" the woman yelled.
"Oh lord!" Allura felt her eyes tear up as she hurried over, opening the door and freezing where she stood.
The room was dark and lit by many small candles, all deep red, like the bedding and carpeting. Standing before her holding two wine glasses stood Mick, wearing a pair of black pants and a black shirt. "Come in."
He pulled her wrist with his free hand and stepped to where she`d stood, closing the door with his foot.
"W-What is this?" Allura stammered, feeling herself trembling.
"I told you we`d make up for lost time soon didn`t I?" he grinned, scanning her outfit as he handed her a glass. "Its been almost a week already."
"No," Allura shook her head, knocking away the wine, "I`m leaving now, Lance will have gone to the hospital by now and found out I left. He always goes at two and we go eat."
"I don`t think so dear," Mick grinned, "You see I`ve had some help planning this little get-together."
He sipped his wine and went on, "A dear relative of yours is once again helplessly in debt and came to me for help."
"No," Allura whispered weakly, eyes tearing up while she looked around the room, shaking out her hands, feeling an odd tingle in them.
"Oh yes, he came to me with another business deal and set this little place up for us," Mick moved over to a nearby table and set down his wine. "Having problems with your hands?"
"No," Allura frowned, looking down at them as they suddenly felt heavier, slower.
"Yes you are, you see, the doorknobs and gate were coated in a syrum that makes your arm go numb within minutes of coming into contact with it." he smiled widely, "And we made sure to fix the gate so that you had to use both hands to open it."
"No," Allura whispered, struggling to move her numbing arms.
"Oh yes," Mick moved toward her and grinned while he undid the zipper at the back of her dress, feeling the unstoppable trembling of her body as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I won`t even have to force you this time."
"NO!," Allura screamed, trying to kick him. He caught her leg and used it to throw her off balance and knock her onto the bed.
"Sorry to be a little rough, I`m in a bit of a hurry since the syrum won`t last forever," Mick grinned, moving over her, struggling to pull her dress off. He had it at her waist and was pulling out her arms when Allura heard movement outside and screamed again.
"Its just your grosspapa," Mick chuckled and leaned down to cover her mouth with his. Seconds after his kiss began, the door was slammed open and two faimiliar voices rang out.
"SHIT!"
"OH MY GOD!"
Allura whimpered, knowing what it looked like, afraid to look at them. Mick pulled back with a curse and turned to look at the couple at the door.
"I can explain..."
"Like HELL you can!" Cassie screamed, covering her mouth in shock, "With ALLIE?"
Allura shook her head, "Lance..."
But she could see his clenched fists and furious eyes, "Don`t."
Allura felt her arms begin to have feeling again and struggled to sit up, "Lance..."
"That`s what you kept hiding," he stepped back shaking his head, "You already admitted to sleeping with Ken... to think you kept begging me not to leave you alone with Mick. You knew you`d sleep with him if given the chance."
He looked to Mick angrily, "How many times has this happened?"
Allura sobbed and shook her head. "This isn`t what you think, I can explain!"
"Lance let`s go," Cassie whispered shakily, "Please let`s just go."
"Yeah," Lance took her by the arm and pushed her out, not looking back when Allura cried for him to return. He called over his shoulder at the top of the steps, "Who`d have thought the little PRINCESS was such a slut?"
Allura closed her eyes and bit back a sob.
"We`re screwed," Mick began to quickly get dressed.
"I still can`t move much," Allura whimpered.
"You`ll be fine in a few minutes from the way you managed to sit up, I had the handcuffs at hand," Mick zipped his pants and grabbed his shirt, stepping into his shoes. "I`ve got to get after Cassie, I need her money."
"That`s why you were going to marry her," Allura glared.
"Of course, you know me," he threw on his shirt over his head.
"Forget about Cassie," Allura`s voice was icy, "Find a way to get the hell away from Arus."
"Why should I do that princess?" he smirked.
"Because if I ever see you again I swear to kill you myself," Allura stood and slowly pulled up her dress, "You have until I finish getting ready and reach my bag in the car."
"You wouldn`t dare," Mick said, stepping towards the door, "You`re not that kind of person."
Allura zipped up her dress again and slid on her shoes that had fallen off, "Why not? All you need is enough hate, and believe me I`ve never hated anyone as much as I hate you now."
"Don`t cry little one, you`ll be fine," a familiar voice consoled her from the doorway.
"Why?" Allura cried, "Why grosspapa? How could you do this to me? And twice?"
"Easily, after all, you`re my daughter`s child and I need the money you make me," he sighed, "Your mother was a whore, sleeping with your father behind my back... you take after her, sleeping with that angry young man."
"No..." Allura headed towards the door and brushed past him, "I don`t."
"Of course you do," he shrugged and watched her walk away, "I have enough for now little one."
"Good..." Allura went downstairs and out to her car, taking the keys from another familiar old face, "Thank you Hans."
"I`m terribly sorry miss," he said with obvious regret in his voice and eyes.
"Me too," Allura sighed deeply and started up the car, wondering where to go. She turned cold eyes to the man beside her window and spoke in her most authorative tone. "Warn your lord as well, if he ever shows up on Arus again, I`ll make sure he never leaves."
"Are you really capable of killing?" Hans asked solemnly.
"Maybe not, but I know plenty of people who are," Allura turned back forward, flooring the gas pedal and speeding away.
[Oh God I have to explain this to Lance... if looks could kill...] She went over his words again and again, seeing the hate in his eyes as he said them. ["Who`d have thought the little PRINCESS was such a slut?"]
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Well, as you can see, it was quite an important chapter, and hopefully it wasn`t offensive. Next chapter - Allura`s secrets will be revealed.
And as an extra note, thanks to all of you who have reviewed and those of you who`ve read this far. Special thanks to those of you who e-mailed me about the story as well.
Don`t forget to let me know what you think of this chapter.
~ K. C. ~
Author: KawaiiChica
E-mail: KawaiiChica@hotmail.com
Rating: R - For adult situations and language - not reccomended for kids under 17.
Disclaimer: Not mine - just borrowed for the fic.
A/N: Ok, important chapter, sorry for the wait but I hope it was worth it. The story`s hit a pivotal moment.
" " Speaking
[ ] Thoughts
+++ Flashbacks
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Thanks guys!"
Allura and Lance waved as Cassie and Mick drove off. It was dark out and a chilly breeze blew by, causing Allura to shiver and hurry inside the building, thanking the doorman on her way in. Lance followed with their bag and grinned when she told him to hurry into the elevator.
"You`re such a slowpoke sometimes," Allura pressed the button for their floor and leaned her head against his shoulder on the way up. "So`d you have fun this weekend?"
Lance nodded, "Yeah, didn`t you?"
"Oh yeah, the beach was great," Allura yawned, stepping out as the doors opened.
They were met at the door by Keith, who gladly took their bag from them and set it in the living room where they were hanging out with Ken and Devon.
"How was your weekend?" Pidge asked.
"Great, the water was a bit cold but I still got a nice tan," Allura smiled and settled down in the seat next to Ken.
He moved over a bit and settled his arm over her shoulders, "Did you have a good time with Cassie and Mick?"
"Mh-hmm..." Allura yawned and blinked her sleepy eyes.
"You should go up to bed Allie, its been a long day," Lance picked up the bag and headed up to put it away.
Allura ignored him and shook her head a bit, "What about you guys? What were you up to?"
"Nothing, went to the mall, saw the new horror movie, and were bored out of our minds," Hunk answered, "Any ideas?"
"Its late to go out, and worse on a sunday... why don`t we play a game?" Allura stood and went over to a nearby closet. "Let`s see... there`s the game Adventurers, Target, two decks of cards, Dominoes and..."
With a slight laugh, "The Newlywed Game!"
"Great options," Hunk mumbled, "Aren`t most of those kids games?"
"Yep," Allura grinned, "Why not play The Newlywed Game? We can change the name to the Best Friend`s Game and play with our best friend."
"We`re seven," Pidge reminded her.
"That`s all right, I`ll ask the questions," Devon offered, "Keith and Lance can make up one team, Hunk and Pidge another, and Allura and Ken will be the last."
"That could work," Keith shrugged and sat down on the sofa next to Hunk and Pidge.
"Great!" Allura beamed, helping Devon settle everything, hand out cards and pens. Afterwords she went into the kitchen for drinks and some snacks. Hunk helped her bring them out and they chatted while waiting for Lance.
"Hey, who bought the cake that`s in the kitchen?" Allura asked with a smile.
"Ken brought it," Keith replied.
"For you and Lance, you know, since it was just your anniversary I thought you could use a little cake," Ken grinned with a sly twinkle in his eyes.
Allura lowered her lashes, looking at him suspiciously, "And what`s that supposed to mean?"
"That he might not have gotten used to buying it," Ken winked, "I was only doing you a favor."
"KEN!" Allura hit him with a pillow, "For your information, I have not had cake with Lance!"
"Sure you have, on your birthday," Pidge interrupted.
"Really?" Ken smiled at her, "Since then?"
"No!" Allura shook her head and glared at Pidge, "We had cake but we didn`t have cake." Her tone changed for the second time she said the word.
"You mean in all this time you haven`t had cake?" Ken gaped, "Dear lord its unbelievable."
"Why is it so unbelievable?" Allura set her hands on her hips.
"Come on, how lond did it take us to have cake?" Ken reminded her, raising an eyebrow.
"That was different!" Allura turned away, "Nevermind."
At that moment Lance joined them and they explained the plans for the night. They settled down on the sofas, Allura and Ken on the love seat, Hunk, Pidge and Keith on the large sofa, and Lance on a single chair. Devon sat across from all of them behind the coffee table. After explaining the rules, half of the players had to leave so Ken, Hunk and Lance exited the room. The others answered their questions and a few moments later, the others were called back.
They came back accompanied by Liz, who was home alone since Tony had been called away to an emergency. She sat beside Devon to enjoy the fun.
"So partners, let`s find out how well you know your best friends." Devon grinned and began. "What is their favorite song? Starting with you Lance."
"Dust in the Wind," he quickly answered.
"Big Yellow Taxi," Hunk said.
Ken smiled, "Insatiable."
Devon nodded, "And the others said..."
"Dust in the Wind," Keith flipped over his card.
Pidge sighed, "Screaming Infidelities."
"Since when?" Hunk asked.
"A while ago," Pidge shrugged and told him not to worry about it.
"Allura?" Devon turned to her.
Allura blushed and flipped over her card, Ken chuckling when he read the answer, "I knew it."
"Instiable? I`ve never heard it," Lance mumbled.
"Of course not, its never been recorded," Ken explained, turning to Devon for the next question.
"All right, Liz keep score of their correct answers if you please," he handed her the score board and went on, "What thing absolutely freaks them out? In terms of giving them the creeps when they see it."
"Hmm... scorpions? I think Keith can`t stand them," Lance guessed.
"Easy, snakes," Pidge grinned.
"Whips or chains," Ken spoke with a frown.
"Guys?" Devon waited for the others to answer.
"Skeletons give me the creeps," Keith replied.
"Snakes," Hunk grinned at Pidge.
Allura pulled her feet up before her, curling up on the sofa, "Whips, chains or handcuffs."
The guys wondered what that was about but decided not to ask. For the next twenty minutes they kept exchanging quetions and answers, fighting from time to time except for Allura and Ken. The round ended and they decided to take a break for a few minutes before sending out the three that hadn`t left before.
Liz grinned as she read a set of questions that Devon had set aside. "Now these are interesting."
"What are they?" Pidge asked
"The sex questions," Liz laughed when as he shyly nodded and blushed.
"Let`s see... what is your friend`s number one fetish?" Devon grinned and waited.
"Fetish?" Hunk asked with a blush.
"Yes, in bed, during or after having intercourse or relations," Liz chuckled and gave Allura a wink.
"Yuck... never thought about that," Lance frowned and tried to think of anything he`d done that Keith might do. "What kind of question is that anyway?"
"Just answer already," Liz said with a laugh.
"I guess... using... wine?" Lance shrugged.
"Umm... something to do with computers?" Hunk chuckled awkwardly, "I don`t know, I don`t even think he`s HAD... you know."
Pidge blushed again and agreed, "But I have heard some stuff that sounds interesting."
Allura and Liz giggled, giving him sympathetic smiles, "Don`t worry about it."
"Ken?" Devon reminded him.
Ken looked at Allura smugly for a moment before answering, "cake."
"Cake?" Lance raised an eyebrow.
"OH MY GOD!" Pidge yelled, staring at the couple on the loveseat with wide eyes, "THAT`s what you meant! You two have had CAKE!"
"WHAT?!" Lance stared.
"Its true!" Keith leaned forward in his seat, "That`s what you two meant with all that cake talk earlier! That`s why you brought Allura and Lance a cake!"
"He brought us a cake?" Lance turned to look at him.
"Yes," Hunk nodded, "Its in the kitchen."
"Oh lord," Allura said meakly, laying her head on her knees.
"So you two`ve... you know..." Pidge insisted.
"Slept together, yeah," Ken shrugged, suddenly noticing Lance get angry, "But not recently! I swear!"
"No!" Allura raised her head and looked at Lance, "I haven`t slept with Ken since we got out on vacation. What happened between us was a long time ago and under VERY strange circumstances and is all in the past. We`re just friends now."
Keith frowned, "Friends who used to be lovers?"
"Why not?" Allura asked, "Believe me, if you had been here you`d understand."
"You slept with him at the age of fourteen?" Lance asked angrily.
Allura nodded with a sigh, "But things were different, I don`t know how to explain it but believe me it hasn`t happened since then."
"Great," Lance muttered, crossing his arms and leaning back against his seat.
"What does it matter if Allura`s slept with Ken, I`m sure your history isn`t so clean either," Liz met his eyes, "Or do you really expect us to believe you`ve been a saint?"
"Not a saint but I`m not hanging out with people I`ve slept with," he replied.
"Well that`s your problem, the fact that Allura and I are still good friends isn`t a crime and neither of us feels guilty about anything that`s happened between us." Ken turned away and looked to the others. "Anyone want to keep playing or should we just split up to be bored in our own corners?"
"How about we go watch a movie instead?" Devon asked, "I just bought that comedy with Jean Rivten and Ared..."
"Ared Sommeil?!" Liz beamed, "I vote for the movie!"
Allura managed to laugh along with the others, except for Lance who was still angrily pouting in his seat. Waiting for the others to leave the room, Allura asked Lance if he would come along, not surprised when he shook his head and looked away from her.
"Lance..." she sighed and moved to his seat, sitting down on the table in front of him. After trying to get him to look at her, she gave up and moved to the ground, looping an arm around his leg and resting her head against his knee. "Why does that make you so mad? I swear nothing`s happened between us in a long time, Ken and I are just friends now."
"Just friends, who know everything about each other even after all this time apart? he didn`t get a single wrong answer!" Lance took a deep breath to calm down.
"We`ve always been that way," Allura tried to explain, "Out of all of my friends, Ken and Teddy were my best. The three of us could read each other like a book, we can talk without talking, we know each other`s weaknesses and strengths... and when it happened it was my fault, I needed to understand."
"Understand what?"
"Understand why, what it was about," Allura shrugged, "Everything."
"About sex? So you slept with someone to understand what sex was about?" he frowned and waited a moment, "I guess that sounds reasonable, if you`d been older."
"If you only knew the half of it," he suddenly heard a slight tremble in her voice and looked down to see her hands rubbing at her eyes.
"Allie?" suddenly realizing what a jerk he was being, he leaned down and pulled her up onto his lap, not surprised to see a few tears in her eyes. "I`m sorry, I guess I`m just jealous."
He sighed and set his chin on her shoulder, "I don`t have the cleanest record myself now that I think about it, but seeing the way you two get along and I dunno... I just got jealous."
"Of Ken?" Allura shook her head at him with a small smile on her face.
"Why not? He`s slept with you, out of marriage and..." Lance stopped, "Let`s just forget about it ok? I`m sorry."
"Me too," Allura gave him a peck on his cheek and a quick hug. "How about we go to sleep?"
"What?!" Lance`s eyes widened.
"NO! Just to sleep, I`m tired, its been a long day." Allura smiled sleepily.
"Oh, why don`t you go ahead? I think I`ll go watch the movie with the others, I`m not so tired yet." Lance stood and went upstairs holding her hand.
"Hey! Glad to see things are ok," Ken greeted them, he stood and walked over to Lance, "Are we ok also? No hard feelings?"
"Nah," Lance apologized for over-reacting and joined them in front of the tv. Just as they began to settle in with the others, the elevator was heard as it stopped on the bottom floor, a knock following closely.
"Since when does Tony knock?" Allura wondered, standing and going downstairs. Opening the doors without asking who it was, she was stunned to see an older gentleman smiling at her warmly.
"Hello my dear!" he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her before she had time to react.
"So good to see you after all this time," he slid his hands down her sides, pulling her shirt down a bit with them. Stepping back a bit to look up at him, Allura was surprised to see his smile.
"What are you doing here?" she asked in barely a whisper, too afraid to speak.
He shrugged and glanced up the stairs where the tv could be heard, "Are you very busy?"
"W-what do you want?" Allura whispered again shakily.
"Just another little favor sweetheart," he eyed her from head to foot and smiled, "I see you`ve matured quite a bit... all the better now that you know the drill."
"No!" Allura stepped back, her voice breaking a bit as her eyes watered, "How could you do that to me and dare to show your face again?"
He stepped towards her, "I need your help."
"Why?" Allura`s voice broke, "Grosspapa?"
He stiffened and frowned, "Exactly because I AM your grosspapa, you are still under MY tutelage. Remember that you are not legally free from me until you marry or turn 21."
"And then? Father was still alive back then," she asked, not noticing her voice had lifted.
"Shh... you know he wasn`t involved, he wouldn`t help me so I had to move to my other relatives," he shrugged.
To Allura`s relief, Ken decided to go get a drink and came down stairs at that moment, freezing for a second on the stairs in shock. The effect didn`t last long however and in the next instant he was thundering down the steps that remained and kicking the man out.
"HOW DARE YOU SHOW UP HERE? GET THE HELL OUT! NOW!" he yelled while he bullied the other man into the elevator, "AND DON`T YOU DARE COME BACK AGAIN!"
"Think about it darling!" the older man yelled to Allura just as the doors closed.
By the time Ken came back, she was being surrounded by the others and asked what had happened. He shoved through the small huddle around her and wasn`t surprised to see Allura standing quietly while tears slipped down her blank eyes. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her close and cooed soft words to her in a strange language for a moment before she reacted and sobbed into his shoulder.
"Gomen nasai koishii," Ken kept repeating, "He`s gone now... gomen nasai..."
"Ken-ii..." Allura pulled back, wiping her eyes, "Why?"
"Because he`s a sick old man," Ken wiped her face with a frown, "A fucking sick bastard."
Allura whimpered and closed her eyes, letting him hold her again, "He wanted a favor..."
"I can imagine," Ken shook his head before resting his cheek against her hair, "I`m sorry."
"Don`t be," Allura sighed shakily and yawned, her voice was small as she spoke, "I don`t wanna have nightmares tonight."
"You won`t," Ken looked up, finally remembering the others around them and saw Liz meet his eyes. She shook her head angrily, realizing who had been at the door and turned away, shooing the others upstairs, all but Lance.
"Would one of you mind explaining what all that was about?" he asked.
"No," Allura shook her head turning away from Ken to face him.
There was anger in his eyes, as well as jealousy and annoyance. Opening her mouth to explain, she pictured him suddenly as she`d seen him before at the castle. After they`d been told how Lotor tortured people, she remebered the look of disdain on his face and shook her head.
"I can`t," she turned and ran into the living room towards her music room.
"What?!" Lance threw his hands up in exasperation.
"Let`s find out," Ken headed in her direction and motioned for him to follow.
Reaching the door, he knocked and called out to her, "Babe? Can I come in?"
"Are you alone?" Allura sniffled.
"Yeah," Ken opened the door and stepped into the room.
Allura sat beside the window with a small lamp beside her. "Where`s Lance?"
"He went upstairs," Ken left the door open a bit and moved beside her. "You really should tell them already, why all this mystery for something that wasn`t your fault?"
"Because," Allura hesitated, "Its all so... wrong."
"Yes, it was horrible and something no one should have to go through but its in the past and like I said, none of it was your fault." Ken insisted.
"I know," Allura sighed and yawned sleepily. "Arigato Ken-ii."
"Hai, daijabu?" Ken stood.
"Hai," Allura turned towards the door as Lance came in.
"Oyasuminasai koishii," Ken gave Lance a nod and left, closing the door behind him.
"Oyasumina- what?" Lance moved to kneel beside her.
Alura giggled and lay back, "Oyasuminasai, it means good night."
"In Ken-talk?" Lance took her hand into his and stroked his fingers over it softly.
"No, its Japanese, a terran language Ken-ii taught me." Allura yawned again and closed her eyes, "I`m sorry for freaking out like that, I was just remembering."
Lance rolled his eyes, "Remembering what? Its getting annoying not knowing what happens to you sometimes. You never freaked out that way before."
"I know," Allura gave a long sigh, "I guess being with the guys makes me remember more often. When we`re at the castle I feel safe and I can forget everything that happened here in the city, but with Tony and the others over-protecting me again, I dunno... things are different."
"Then why come here?" Lance slid down beside her, "Who was that man?"
"Because I hadn`t seen Tony and them since it happened and I thought I`d gotten over it," Allura closed her eyes, "Lance?"
"Yeah?" he waited for her to continue.
"Did you really mean what you said the other night?" she looked up at him uncertainly, "About..."
He cut her off by cupping the back of her head and pulling her forward for a passionate kiss, "Yes."
Allura smiled a bit uncertainly, "Would you love me no matter what?"
"Of course," Lance frowned a bit, "Why the sudden ques..."
"Mind if I go to bed?" Allura jumped up and took his hand in hers. "I`m tired."
"What?!" Lance stood, confused by her sudden change of topics.
"I think I`ll go to bed now, good night Lance," she gave him a quick peck on the lips and went out and up to their room. Following her up, Lance wondered how much longer he could last with all the mysteries around them.
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"Allura its for you!" Sandra, the head nurse, called out from behind the desk.
"Thanks," Allura took the reciever with a smile, "Hello?"
"Mrs Chamberlain?" a worried female voice asked.
"Yes?" Allura asked, a pang of fear running through her.
"There`s been an emergency, your husband..."
Allura jumped, "What about him?"
"He needs you, now, come over quickly please," the woman gave her and address and hung up.
"I`ve got to go Sandy, something urgent`s come up," Allura left her patient`s list and ran out before hearing her reply, focusing solely on the address she`d been given and wondering what could have happened to Lance. [Please God let him be ok!]
After driving as wildly as Lance normally did, she finally arrived at a small apartment building, wondering if she had the correct address. "69 Empire Lane... this is the right address..."
Too worried to question it much more, she hopped out of her convertible and ran to the small gate, opening it and hurrying up the steps, surprised to find the front door open. "Hello?"
"Upstairs!" the woman from earlier yelled from the second floor.
"Coming!" Allura ran up and looked around at the furnishings. Everything was dark mahogany, the reddish curtains on the window on her right making the hallway even darker. "LANCE?!"
"He`s unconcious, at the end of the hall!" the woman yelled.
"Oh lord!" Allura felt her eyes tear up as she hurried over, opening the door and freezing where she stood.
The room was dark and lit by many small candles, all deep red, like the bedding and carpeting. Standing before her holding two wine glasses stood Mick, wearing a pair of black pants and a black shirt. "Come in."
He pulled her wrist with his free hand and stepped to where she`d stood, closing the door with his foot.
"W-What is this?" Allura stammered, feeling herself trembling.
"I told you we`d make up for lost time soon didn`t I?" he grinned, scanning her outfit as he handed her a glass. "Its been almost a week already."
"No," Allura shook her head, knocking away the wine, "I`m leaving now, Lance will have gone to the hospital by now and found out I left. He always goes at two and we go eat."
"I don`t think so dear," Mick grinned, "You see I`ve had some help planning this little get-together."
He sipped his wine and went on, "A dear relative of yours is once again helplessly in debt and came to me for help."
"No," Allura whispered weakly, eyes tearing up while she looked around the room, shaking out her hands, feeling an odd tingle in them.
"Oh yes, he came to me with another business deal and set this little place up for us," Mick moved over to a nearby table and set down his wine. "Having problems with your hands?"
"No," Allura frowned, looking down at them as they suddenly felt heavier, slower.
"Yes you are, you see, the doorknobs and gate were coated in a syrum that makes your arm go numb within minutes of coming into contact with it." he smiled widely, "And we made sure to fix the gate so that you had to use both hands to open it."
"No," Allura whispered, struggling to move her numbing arms.
"Oh yes," Mick moved toward her and grinned while he undid the zipper at the back of her dress, feeling the unstoppable trembling of her body as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I won`t even have to force you this time."
"NO!," Allura screamed, trying to kick him. He caught her leg and used it to throw her off balance and knock her onto the bed.
"Sorry to be a little rough, I`m in a bit of a hurry since the syrum won`t last forever," Mick grinned, moving over her, struggling to pull her dress off. He had it at her waist and was pulling out her arms when Allura heard movement outside and screamed again.
"Its just your grosspapa," Mick chuckled and leaned down to cover her mouth with his. Seconds after his kiss began, the door was slammed open and two faimiliar voices rang out.
"SHIT!"
"OH MY GOD!"
Allura whimpered, knowing what it looked like, afraid to look at them. Mick pulled back with a curse and turned to look at the couple at the door.
"I can explain..."
"Like HELL you can!" Cassie screamed, covering her mouth in shock, "With ALLIE?"
Allura shook her head, "Lance..."
But she could see his clenched fists and furious eyes, "Don`t."
Allura felt her arms begin to have feeling again and struggled to sit up, "Lance..."
"That`s what you kept hiding," he stepped back shaking his head, "You already admitted to sleeping with Ken... to think you kept begging me not to leave you alone with Mick. You knew you`d sleep with him if given the chance."
He looked to Mick angrily, "How many times has this happened?"
Allura sobbed and shook her head. "This isn`t what you think, I can explain!"
"Lance let`s go," Cassie whispered shakily, "Please let`s just go."
"Yeah," Lance took her by the arm and pushed her out, not looking back when Allura cried for him to return. He called over his shoulder at the top of the steps, "Who`d have thought the little PRINCESS was such a slut?"
Allura closed her eyes and bit back a sob.
"We`re screwed," Mick began to quickly get dressed.
"I still can`t move much," Allura whimpered.
"You`ll be fine in a few minutes from the way you managed to sit up, I had the handcuffs at hand," Mick zipped his pants and grabbed his shirt, stepping into his shoes. "I`ve got to get after Cassie, I need her money."
"That`s why you were going to marry her," Allura glared.
"Of course, you know me," he threw on his shirt over his head.
"Forget about Cassie," Allura`s voice was icy, "Find a way to get the hell away from Arus."
"Why should I do that princess?" he smirked.
"Because if I ever see you again I swear to kill you myself," Allura stood and slowly pulled up her dress, "You have until I finish getting ready and reach my bag in the car."
"You wouldn`t dare," Mick said, stepping towards the door, "You`re not that kind of person."
Allura zipped up her dress again and slid on her shoes that had fallen off, "Why not? All you need is enough hate, and believe me I`ve never hated anyone as much as I hate you now."
"Don`t cry little one, you`ll be fine," a familiar voice consoled her from the doorway.
"Why?" Allura cried, "Why grosspapa? How could you do this to me? And twice?"
"Easily, after all, you`re my daughter`s child and I need the money you make me," he sighed, "Your mother was a whore, sleeping with your father behind my back... you take after her, sleeping with that angry young man."
"No..." Allura headed towards the door and brushed past him, "I don`t."
"Of course you do," he shrugged and watched her walk away, "I have enough for now little one."
"Good..." Allura went downstairs and out to her car, taking the keys from another familiar old face, "Thank you Hans."
"I`m terribly sorry miss," he said with obvious regret in his voice and eyes.
"Me too," Allura sighed deeply and started up the car, wondering where to go. She turned cold eyes to the man beside her window and spoke in her most authorative tone. "Warn your lord as well, if he ever shows up on Arus again, I`ll make sure he never leaves."
"Are you really capable of killing?" Hans asked solemnly.
"Maybe not, but I know plenty of people who are," Allura turned back forward, flooring the gas pedal and speeding away.
[Oh God I have to explain this to Lance... if looks could kill...] She went over his words again and again, seeing the hate in his eyes as he said them. ["Who`d have thought the little PRINCESS was such a slut?"]
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Well, as you can see, it was quite an important chapter, and hopefully it wasn`t offensive. Next chapter - Allura`s secrets will be revealed.
And as an extra note, thanks to all of you who have reviewed and those of you who`ve read this far. Special thanks to those of you who e-mailed me about the story as well.
Don`t forget to let me know what you think of this chapter.
~ K. C. ~