Title: Friendship

Author: KawaiiChica

E-mail: KawaiiChicahotmail.com

Rating: R - For adult situations and language.

Disclaimer: Not mine - just borrowed for the fic.

" " Speaking

[ ] Thoughts

Flashbacks

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It was dark and cold outside, the storm earlier that day leaving a cold wind behind, but the solitary figure out on the bridge seemed undisturbed by the breeze rushing through her loose hair. Indeed, despite the warm fire waiting in her room, Allura didn't seem likely to come inside any time soon.

Making his way over with a small blanket in hand, Keith hesitated about whether or not to disturb her in her peace. Unlike the others who'd jumped to congratulate Lance, he'd focused on the princess' reaction and was not surprised to see a brief flash of guilt and pain in her eyes before she shook it off and managed to form a smile.

[There's something wrong with this, she doesn't want to marry Theodore, it's obvious enough by their behavior. If she's stll in love with Lance, why would she have gotten engaged to someone else?]

"Everything ok commander?" Allura's voice drifted back towards him.

Keith moved forward and settled the blanket over her shoulders before taking a seat beside her, facing in the opposite direction as her. "Just thought you might be cold."

Allura shrugged, tucking the blanket around her so it wouldn't fall off, "I hadn't thought of it."

"So I noticed," Keith looked up at the stars above and waited another moment to speak again, "You've been out here for a while now."

Allura nodded, "I have much to think about."

"Nothing too pleasant by the looks of it," Keith looked beside him at her pale face, made paler by the soft moonlight.

After a moment she spoke again, "I can't blame him for leaving, I don't know if I could watch him marry someone else either. I can't ask for that."

"I should hope not," Keith bit his lip at the pain that flashed in her eyes again.

"But I don't want him to go," she whispered, staring out at the water rippling beneath the bridge, the cold air creating small waves. "I never meant for this to happen, Theodore was left in the past and I was hoping for..."

"For a future with someone else?" Keith whispered, watching her nod.

"We had just made up again when they arrived," Allura sighed, "Given it was a shaky thing still. We needed to talk things out and take it slowly, but even the chance was ruined."

"So you're still in love with him?"

Another nod, her eyes filling with tears which were quickly blinked back, "Its not something you get over so quickly you know."

"Yeah," Speaking from experience, Keith frowned a bit, "Then why marry another man?"

"I refused at first," Allura finally seemed to process the cold and shivered, pulling the blanket tighter around her. "I blatantly refused to marry a man who would make me feel dirty and humiliated the way he had."

"And then?"

Looking up to the castle, Allura sighed and looked away again, "And then he explained some things, made some strong entreaties, and finally reminded me that it was our parents' wish we marry. He had their copy of the engagement agreement and letters from my mother and father to his, telling about how happy they were with the match and how well we got along."

"So he pulled the old guilt trip," Keith shivered in the cold and pulled his jacket closer. "Hard to say no to your dead parent's wishes, isn't it?"

"Very," Allura nodded, resting her cheek against his shoulder, "There's another thing, I don't know what to make of it."

"What is it?"

"Teddy's behavior years ago, all the awful things he said," Allura bit her lip and hesitated, "He was horrified by what had happened and even more so when he was told the details because he'd..."

"He'd?" Keith leaned back to look into her eyes, "What?"

"He'd been one of them," Allura swallowed and looked up at him with troubled eyes, "He came for my birthday and when he was told I was gone, he stayed for a vacation with some friends. They were taken by a guy to the mansion where grosspapa took me and he heard about their 'princess' and..."

"He didn't," Keith whispered, shocked by the news.

"He did," Allura whispered, "He didn't know it was me, he was drunk and I was drugged."

"Shit"

"Yeah"

Keith stared ahead, trying to sort through the implications of that, finally focusing on one thought, "You're marrying one of your rapists."

Allura gulped, shivering harder both from the wind and the sudden cold inside of her and stood, "I don't know how to deal with that."

[Well hell, how does one deal with that?] Standing also, he draped an arm over her shoulders while they made their way back to the castle, each lost in their thoughts but the embrace a small comfort to the princess.

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"What are you still doing down here?" Nanny stomped over behind the girl bent over some paperwork on the desk in front of her.

"Hmmm?" Allura turned and sighed, "Oh, I'm just finishing a few small things, I'll be ready in time."

"Not at this rate princess, you must get upstairs now if you're to be ready, the guests will arrive at any given moment." Taking her by the arm, Nanny led her out of the library and over to the stairs. "You go ahead, I'll get your dress from the ironing room and be there in a moment. Oh your grandfather will be in for such a surprise!"

"Who?" Allura asked stiffly, inwardly shaking her head at what she'd just heard.

"Why, your grandfather," Nanny sighed, "Its been a long time since he's been a guest in this castle. I'm sure he'll be very proud when he sees you in your mother's engagement dress."

Allura gritted her teeth, asking quietly, "And just WHO invited him?"

"I did of course, its the only proper thing to do. He's family and you seemed to have forgotten his invitation so I added it." Nanny's attention was caught suddenly by a girl setting a flower vase in the wrong place and turned to correct her.

[I can't believe she would do this!] Teeming in anger, Allura stomped upstairs and opened her doors with a bang. A pair of ladies jumped, two of Nanny's assistants about as stubborn as she was, and were about to scold her when they were cut off by her furious shout. "OUT!"

With a gasp, they hurried to do her bidding, one of them crashing into a surprised Lance who'd come to see what was the matter when her doors slammed open. The three were completely taken aback by the princess' anger, "And tell Nanny her assistance will NOT be needed! She can KEEP my mother's dress and forget about my wearing it!"

"But princess its tradition that you..."

"To HELL with tradition! I'll wear whatever I damn well please!" With that she entered her room and slammed the doors shut.

A glass shattered afterwards, making the ladies jump and hurry down to speak to Nanny. Hesitating for a moment, Lance knocked on the door and jumped when it was flung open. "WHAT?"

Her anger cooled immediately, replaced by a wince and a sheepish look, "Sorry, I thought you were someone else."

"What's the matter?"

"He's coming," she mumbled, chin trembling and hands fisting in anger at her sides, "Nanny had the GALL to invite MY grandfather!"

Gaping in surprise, he said the only thing that came to mind, "He'll be here?"

"Yes, tonight!" Seeming to process that thought, she slumped and shook her head, "I warned him never to come again and Nanny has to go behind my back and do this. Who does she think she is? After all, this is my party and I obviously hadn't invited him for a reason!"

"It mustn't have been a very important reason or he wouldn't have accepted," Nanny stepped beside Lance and held up the dress, "May I come in? This is kind of heavy you know."

Allura grabbed the door and gave her a furious glare, "Well then have someone take it back for you because I am NOT wearing it!"

"Oh yes you are!"

"No, I'm not and I will not discuss this with you. As you have said so many times, I am the princess and as such what I say goes. I am no longer a child who will listen to your every word, I don't wish to wear that horrendous thing and I won't." Casting Lance a quick, apologetic smile, she proceeded to shut and lock the door in their faces.

"Princess you open the door this instant!" Nanny stuttered and huffed at the young man smirking beside her, "Of all the times for her to take her duties and privileges seriously, this is not the best one!"

"I'd say its about time actually," Lance shook his head at the hurt babysitter, "I'm afraid she's outgrown you Nanny, she no longer needs you to tell her what to do."

"Of course she does! I've watched over that girl since she was born, she'll always..."

"Love you and give you a place in her home, but she's not a girl anymore, she's a woman," taking the dress from her, he smiled softly and bade her lead the way.

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"Its a good thing Nanny and Koran were ready to greet the guests, Allura and Theodore have yet to come out of their rooms." Pidge tugged his elegant black coat down, uncomfortable in the stuffy evening wear.

"I wonder what she'll be wearing, you heard about her refusal to use her mother's engagement dress?" Hunk whispered so as not to be overheard.

"Of course, I think all the castle knew within the hour, those two assistants have mouths bigger than your appetite," smiling at a gentleman walking by, they sighed and prayed they'd be able to slip away early.

The castle was filled with important lords and ladies from all of Arus and visitors from Galaxy Garrison and other planets. Romelle and Sven were there, but unfortunately they were caught up with other officials and stuck talking about politics and other drab topics. Keith and Lance were with an old friend at the opposite side of the room, talking about old times from their training days at the academy.

A gentleman's head snapping up towards the doorway caught Pidge's attention, making him look up to see who had arrived, the sight made his mouth drop. Standing beside Theodore in full regalia, was Allura in a dress far from conventional. Unlike all the other ladies' dresses, which had corsets, long sleeves and large, poofy skirts (think her pink dress or cinderella's dress) Alura's dress was simple but elegant.

The shimmering midnight blue material hugged her curves down to her hips, then tapered off to allow her legs room to walk, the loose skirt flowing around her while she moved with a small train trailing at her back. The top of the gown was sleeveless, her long arms and creamy shoulders exposed for all to see. She wore a small necklace that hung barely below the base of her neck, bringing one's attention to the top of her gown where the slightest swell of her breasts teased the eye. Her hair was left loose, a sparkling flower holding the top half of it together at the base of her neck to keep it from getting in her face, except for a few wispy curls framing it. Her make-up was light, pale pinks, a little eyeliner, mascara and a glistening pink lipstick on her lips.

She was breathtaking and the room immediately fell into a shocked silence. Never had a young princess worn anything so brazenly unconventional. If they did opt for sleeveless dresses they still wore their corsets and large round skirts. It was an act of defiance and everyone knew it.

Theodore broke the silence, welcoming everyone and thanking them for coming, excusing them both for being a bit late. The previously stunned guests snapped out of their shock and applauded the young couple, congratulating them while they made their way around the room. Theodore's arm remained wrapped around Allura's waist, holding her close while they accepted the remarks with ease.

After half an hour of chit-chatting, greeting the guests and so on, Allura announced that a buffet had been set up and that the music would begin soon. Most of the guests flocked to the patio where a large netted tent had been set up for the food tables. Theodore went along with Damien and Neil while Allura stayed back and had some time with Sven and Romelle.

"It's so good to see you!" The girls hugged, bright smiles on both their faces.

"Careful not to squeeze too tight princess," Sven scolded lightly.

Romelle stuck out her tongue and shushed him, "You certainly never hesitate to hug me as tight as you want, and Allura isn't nearly as strong as you."

"All right, just be careful, I'll go get you some food so the two of you can talk," bowing, he turned and hurried over to where the voltron force waited for food.

Allura hugged her cousin once again, tears stinging her eyes at the thought of having some female companionship. She still missed Maru immensely, she'd been Allura's only female friend and confidant, and like most women, she needed some girl talk. "I have so much to tell you."

"Yeah, like why I heard the rumor that you were married to Lance?" Romelle smiled when she let go.

"Playacting, nothing more," a new male voice answered for her.

Allura stiffened and turned to the doorway where her grandfather stood. He was in complete formal dress, black slacks, white shirt, his kingdom's traditional golden jacket and with his elegant cane in hand. He eyed her dress and smiled, a chill going through Romelle at the sight. He might have been older but something about this man gave her a bad impression. He had an impressive air about him, exuding both power and bit of coldness.

Gathering her courage, she stepped around Allura to face him, "And who might you be sir?"

He raised an eyebrow at her but focused on her cousin again, "I am the bride's grandfather and legal guardian."

"Not for long," Allura reminded him, "I am to be wed next month, you should congratulate me."

"But of course," moving to her side, he gave her a cold smile and touched his lips to her cheek. "Congratulations my dear, how does it feel to know you're marrying such a close friend?"

"Its no surprise really, I've always known I was going to marry Theodore remember? Our parents were praying for this union my whole life, so it's nice to be able to do something that I know they would have approved of," Allura smiled casually.

"Your highness would you care for something to eat?" Lance joined the group, offering Allura his arm.

"I'd love to, if you'll excuse us grosspapa? Romelle needs to eat also, her husband is fetching her a plate," Taking Lance's arm, she grabbed onto Romelle's wrist and left him standing there on his own.

"That was rude Allura," her cousin scolded her.

"It was too polite if you ask me," Lance defended her, steering them towards Sven who was serving two plates of food.

Romelle laughed at his near-collision to a general and moved ahead of them, "I think I'll go help my husband, we'll talk later ok?"

"That's fine," Allura watched her go and smiled up at the man beside her, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Feeling slightly uncomfortable standing alone for a moment for the first time since Theodore had returned, Lance looked down and caught sight of her wrist. "You're wearing your bracelet."

"I thought it went with the dress," Allura looked down at her wrist before a visiting leader from Galaxy Garrison came up and interrupted them.

"Excuse me, you're Lance McClain, right?"

"Yes sir," Lance nodded, not recognizing the man before him.

"I'm Colonel Jenkins from Galaxy Garrison, I appointed you to the expedition," The man saw his eyes widen a tiny bit before he gave another short nod. "And I was thinking that if could be ready, it would be very helpful if you could come back with me to the garrison sooner than we'd planned so we could go over a few details I could not tell you about in the letter I had to send."

"How much sooner?" Allura asked.

Colonel Jenkins shrugged and looked down at his watch, "I'm set to leave tomorrow at noon, could you be ready to go by then?"

"If I retire early from the party, yes sir," Lance felt a cold breeze float by and Allura shivered beside him. "I'll be ready to go by then."

"Excellent! I can see why you were so highly recommended for the project, I look forward to working with you." Shaking his hand, the Colonel excused himself from them and moved over to get a drink now that things were settled.

Allura felt as if a ton of bricks had been dropped on her suddenly, taking hold of his arm to steady herself. When he turned to look at her, she fought back tears and forced herself to smile, "He seems nice enough, who knows? This could be a great step forward in your military career."

"Like anything could top being the pilot to red lion?" Lance smirked, "But you're right, he does seem like an all right fellow. We'll see."

"You'll see," Allura looked away, releasing his arm suddenly, "We haven't been able to talk but..."

Lance cut her off, "It's all right, things are as they should be, don't you think? We knew we'd eventually be re-assigned, I'm just the first to go, and you'll be married to the man you always wanted to marry."

Allura nodded, "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Hearing her name being called from a group not far away, she gave him a small smile before moving to join the visiting royals, surprised when he spoke again. "You look great tonight, by the way."

That brought a real smile to her face, "You really think so?"

"Yeah, that blue's the exact color of your eyes," Lance smiled back, signaling over to the group that had called out to her.

Turning away again, Allura sighed and gave them her princess smile, plotting a way to get away from the party early herself. Reaching a group of younger diplomats, she was relieved to see that she knew one of the princes from a visit to Galaxy Garrison before the war. Chatting easily with the more liberal-minded group, she felt herself being stared at and briefly glanced around for signs of anyone looking her way. No one was looking but she still had the nagging feeling that she was being watched. A glimpse over her shoulder showed her grandfather watching from a group of military men from neighboring kingdoms and made her quickly turn back to the group she'd joined.

[What could he want? Mick paid him quite a sum of money last time, he can't possibly need any now] Hearing the orchestra signal the beginning of the dancing, Allura smiled at Theodore when he joined her and led her inside to the dance floor. They danced the first song together and then she was passed from partner to partner over the next. She lost count of how many she'd danced with after a while and was beginning to feel rather woozy when Keith bowed before her.

After the first spin, he looked down into her eyes and smiled, "You've been dancing all night princess, you're wearing yourself out."

"My feet hurt like the very devil," Allura admitted, causing him to laugh quite naturally. "I'd give anything to go to bed to be honest."

"I know, and I can help you escape," motioning to the slightly diminished crowd in the ballroom, he saw her eyes widen and smiled. "You've been dancing literally for hours, now I'm going to waltz us over to that spot right there and we'll be able to spin off into that dark corner undetected. After that, you can sneak up to your room while I hide out for a while behind the column over there, what do you say?"

"I say you're the best man I've ever met," Allura smiled gratefully before her eyes dimmed again, "He's leaving tomorrow."

Keith frowned, "What?!"

"Lance, he spoke to Colonel Jenkins who's to be his boss on the expedition and he's leaving tomorrow at noon." Allura sighed in relief as he maneuvered them out of sight as he'd told her and they finally stopped dancing. "I was there when he agreed."

"I'm sorry," Keith whispered, surprised that Lance had failed to mention it, "I was wondering why he left so early."

"He's snuck out already?" Allura glanced over the ballroom and saw that indeed he was no longer there.

"He's probably packing," Keith sighed and moved them furthur back into the shadows. "If I were you I'd slip off now, I have to move away from here also or they'll come looking for us and know I helped you sneak away."

"Thanks Keith," placing a kiss on his cheek, Allura turned and touched a panel on the wall, sliding it out of place and ducking behind it quickly before it moved back, leaving no trace of the secret passageway.

Keith watched and shook his head, "That girl probably knows more ways of getting around than the guy who built this place."

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"That's it!"

Closing the last of his bags, Lance sighed and lay back on his bed, staring up at his room for one of the last times. He didn't have a lot of things to pack so he hadn't taken long, but seeing the room so empty felt sort of depressing, confirming the fact that he really was leaving, and soon.

Turning off the light beside his bed, he closed his eyes, thinking back to the moment Allura had stepped into the room with Theodore earlier. She'd literally taken his breath away, making him forget all about the conversation he'd been in with his friends the moment he saw her. Standing there in the shockingly revealing dress, he'd seen the disapproval in Theodore's eyes and felt like punching the idiot's lights out.

Who cared about what people might think? He had the most beautiful girl in the cosmos on his arm and the man had the gall to shake his head at her dress? Hell, Lance would have puffed up with pride at having such a beauty beside him.

He went over the way her dress hugged her curves and remembering another time when he'd been given an equally stunning view of them, that night at the beach house that they'd had to sleep outside because of their noisy neighbors upstairs. Thinking of the soft white nightgown she'd worn that night, he was surprised to hear a familiar noise beneath him suddenly.

Remaining frozen on his bed, he listened to the light scratching of the drawer moving out of place, felt the slight dip of fingers gripping the edge of his bed to pull the figure out, hearing the soft rustle of clothing sliding along the floor. A soft sigh reached his ears and he sucked in a breath sitting up in his bed and moving one hand towards the light, only to feel a small pair of hands reach out and touch his chest.

He recognized those hands, it would be impossible not to after all the times she'd cuddled close to him for comfort. Before he could speak though, they slid up to cup his face and pull him forward, breathing his name softly before their lips met.

Like that time on the beach , their kiss was hot and needy, his arms sliding around her as she pushed him onto his back, her body stretching out over his. She wore another silky nightdress with nothing beneath it he found out soon enough with his hands roaming over her body. Allura straddled one of his legs and pressed down into him even while her hands massaged his scalp.

Need rushing through him, Lance's hands slid beneath her gown and had it up around her waist before he knew what he was doing. However his need was drowned the moment she broke off the kiss and whispered his name again, his hands freezing at her waist and body stiffening in surprise beneath her.

Allura felt the change and also stiffened, her head moving down to rest in the crook of his neck, her lips touching his adam's apple lightly. Having a windowless room had at times been a blessing, now being one of them as he struggled to cool down, knowing the sight of her would only worsen things.

With a heavy heart, Lance slipped his hands out of her nightgown and began pulling it down over her legs again, "We can't do this princess."

"No," Allura tightened her hold on his shoulders, "Don't call me that, you never call me that in private."

"This is wrong Allie, you're getting married in a few weeks," Lance moved his hands down to his sides and fisted them when he felt her tears drop onto his skin.

Allura bit her lip in pain and buried her face deeper into his neck, "I'm sorry Lance, I'm so, so sorry!"

"There's nothing for you to be sorry about," he raised a hand to pat her back awkwardly and felt her nod, one of her hands sliding from his shoulder to the night stand and turning on the small lamp he had there.

Raising her head from his neck, Allura looked down into his eyes and saw her own struggle in his chocolate brown orbs. "Yes there is, we were just getting things settled between us again when I had to get engaged to him. I ruined any chances of our getting back together."

"We didn't belong together in the first place," Lance reminded her, "We're from two opposite ends of the system, you're at the top, and I'm from the bottom, people like us don't end up together."

"They can," Allura insisted, "Look at Sven and Romelle."

"They're a special case," Lance whispered, gulping at the sight of her teary eyes and trembling chin. "We're not princess, you're supposed to marry the handsome prince."

"Even if I'm in love with the daring pilot?"

Her words cut him like steel, and he knew she saw it by the way her eyes softened and she leaned forward a bit to kiss him on the lips again. Even when he remained impassive, Allura cupped his face in her hands and pressed gentle kisses to his mouth, mumbling gently between each one.

"Because I am you know, I'm still in love with you, I always was, I was just hurt and insecure after you slept with Cassie and I was taken by Mick. I told you he made me respond and I felt dirty for it, like you deserved better."

Lance shook his head at that, "I don't deserve you."

Allura bit his lower lip before sucking it between hers and gently massaging it with her own. "I don't deserve you either but I'm not going anywhere unless you make me. Go ahead, tell me you don't love me and I'll leave."

"Allura"

Pulling back, she rested her elbows on either side of his face and met his eyes, smiling at the glassy look in them for a second before becoming serious again. "Tell me Lance, say it out loud. If you can make me believe you don't love me anymore I'll go."

Closing his eyes, Lance moaned deep in his throat, his hands coming back up around her to pull her down for another kiss. Allura sighed and melted into him, eagerly kissing back when their lips met again. Reaching over, she clicked off the light and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding tight as he rolled them over and pressed her back into the bed.

Finally breaking apart, Lance kissed her neck and sighed, "We can't do this love, we really can't."

"Lance don't do this again, you stopped last time at the beach and I swear if you stop now I'll use all my knowledge of tying people up against you," Allura whispered, feeling his laugh rumble through his chest against hers.

"Allura you're supposed to be at your engagement ball," Lance reminded her.

"I'm not feeling well," Allura whispered against his ear, nibbling along the edge of it lightly. "You're leaving in less than twelve hours Lance, lets not waste any more time?"

"No, we've wasted enough already." Crushing his lips to hers again, he soon forgot all about her engagement, his impending trip, and everything they'd struggled through, concentrating instead on the silky skin, soft curves and sweet feminine cries of the woman he loved.

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"Have you seen Lance? He's leaving today," Keith asked the others as he joined them for breakfast. The majority of the castle was still asleep, since the guests of the ball had spent the night there after partying until the early hours of the morning. Allura had been excused after claiming a headache and Theodore had eventually slipped away also.

No one had noticed Lance's disappearance, save those who were looking for him like his friends. Now there were a scant two hours left before his departure and he had yet to show up.

"He must be sleeping still, most of the castle is," Romelle yawned and rested her head against Sven's shoulder. They'd escaped relatively early also, using her recently announced pregnancy as their excuse.

After serving themselves breakfast, the group headed upstairs to the lounge and were surprised to see Allura's door closing. Sharing a confused look, they shrugged and continued on their way. They were about halfway through their meal when Lance appeared, holding two bowls of cereal and a plate of toast.

Allura entered soon afterwords, holding two cups of juice and sets of silverware. "Hey guys!"

"What's up?" Setting their food on the coffee table, Lance took the juice from her hands and sat on the ground, with Allura close to his side.

"Feeling better princess? We were told you had a headache last night," Pidge asked in obvious concern.

"Yeah I'm ok now, thanks," digging into her cereal, Allura managed to fight down a blush and giggled when Lance poked her in the side.

"And you! You're leaving today and you don't say anything?" Romelle scolded, dimming everyone's mood immediately.

"It was unexpected but Colonel Jenkins asked me to accompany him last night," Lance nodded, biting into his toast with a frown.

"Hey, you are not spending your last hours here frowning!" Allura slapped his arm and smiled, "We're planning on going for a ride after eating, you guys wanna come?"

"Yeah!"

"Sounds great"

Eating quickly, they left their dishes there and ordered their horses to be saddled. Romelle excused herself and stayed in the library instead, knowing it would be risky to go for a ride in her condition. The others eagerly mounted and were off.

Riding along the countryside, through the nearby woods and into the town where they stopped by Maru and Oma's home, they spent the time laughing and pointing out places they'd played jokes on each other or snuck out of the castle to hang out. With only half an hour left, they slowly made their way back, dreading the departure to come.

After dismounting, Hunk, Pidge, Sven and Romelle waited outside talking to Colonel Jenkins while Allura, Keith and Lance went up for his things. On their way up, Theodore and Damien crossed their path and were told the news. They congratulated him and joined the others outside.

Once they were in Lance's room, Keith sighed and took his bags, leaving for the pair to have some time alone together. Allura looked over at the bed she'd spent the night in and felt tears well in her eyes. Silently, Lance pulled her into his arms and lowered his head to hers for a kiss. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Allura held tightly and focused on memorizing everything she could about the moment, the warmth of his arms around her, his scent, his taste, knowing he was doing the same.

Ending the kiss, he felt a tear on his cheek resting against hers and wiped it away gently with one hand. Moving apart, he grabbed the last bag and took one final look at his room before opening the door and following her out. Praying no one would notice her tears on their way down, Allura leaned against his arm and laughed as he pointed out the hallway they'd spent a night sliding down with their socks on, and the place he'd first met up with her late at night.

"Ready to go?" Colonel Jenkins stood at the door and checked his watch.

"Yes sir," Reaching the others, Lance let go of Allura to hug and say good- bye to his friends. Hunk, Pidge and Keith gave him tight hugs goody-bye and promised to keep in touch, all of them rather choked up but keeping their calm. Theodore and Damien shook hands with him and wished him well. Sven and Romelle also gave him a tight hugs good-bye and wished him luck on the trip. Nanny and Koran had been told and they both gave him small gifts.

Stopping in front of Allura, he kneeled formally and kissed her hand as was proper. Standing, he met her eyes and saw the tears shimmering there, shaking his head a little and cracking a joke while breaking protocol.

"Aw, what the heck? Nanny can't scold me anymore!" With a chuckle, he crushed the princess in a tight hug that made the others laugh and her arms to come around him one last time.

"Take care of yourself okay?" Allura managed to laugh, although a couple of tears slipped from her eyes.

"Hey, you promised not to cry," Lance reminded her, tapping her on the nose playfully with his finger.

Allura shrugged, "What can I say? I'm a sentimental wimp."

"You take care too... love," Lance whispered the final word, turning to grab his bags and head out to the ship that would take them to galaxy garrison.

"See you guys later!"

Feeling an arm slip around her shoulders, Allura looked up to see Theodore beside her and felt a pang of guilt running through her, shaking it off easily when Lance turned at the end of the bridge and waved one last time.

"BYE!"

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Ok don't kill me, I swear this fic off yet! I promise you'll get a happy ending, and the next chapter will be the last. Odd to think this was my first fic and its taken me so long to finish – I hate writer's block. Thanks to those of you who've stuck with it!