Work on Red Lion was slow. Many times during the next day, Hunk threatened to blow it up and start from scratch. At one point, Pidge crashed the whole computer mainframe. No one had seen Keith since the Admiral grounded him the day before. Tempers flared. Sven sighed and took a look around. "Enough." He said. "Dere is nothing more ve can accomplish tonight. Things vill look better in the morning." Hunk scowled and threw down his tools in disgust. Without another word, he stormed out. Pidge gave Sven a small, weak smile, and followed Hunk. Sven sighed again. He took a last look around, then turned out the lights and headed for the rooms he and Romelle shared. It was very late and the castle was as quiet as a tomb. As he made his way past one of the ballrooms, he noticed a figure standing on the balcony. He went to investigate. He was not surprised to see Keith. "Keith?" He said quietly. "Are you talking to me yet?"

Keith was quiet for a moment. "Of course I'm talking to you." Then his expression darkened. "What is her problem Sven?" he exploded. "She doesn't obey orders. She won't listen to reason. She questions or countermands every thing I say." He started pacing the length of the balcony. "She follows me around like a mother hen, as if I can't take care of myself. She's got a quick temper and she's about to damn near drive me crazy! If Lotor doesn't get her, I might just kill her myself!"

Sven smiled. Ah-ha. I thought so. "She's beautiful too." He added.

"Of course she's beauti….What!" Keith turned startled.

Sven was casually leaning against the wall. "Vell, isn't she?" He walked over and put his arm around Keith's shoulders. "You can't hide it Keith. It shows every time you look at her."

Keith looked at Sven warily. "What shows?" Then he sighed and walked over to the edge of the balcony. "She's a Princess Sven. Nothing can happen."

"Vhy not? I married my Princess?"

"Yeah, 'My Lord Sven' but you were also the only guy in the Academy that was ennobled." Keith countered.

"Keith if you love her, den nothing matters. Believe me."

Keith was quiet for a moment. "I don't even know how she feels."

"Den I guess you have to ask her, don't you."

Keith shook his head. "Right. Nice easy topic to bring up as dinner conversation. 'Could you pass the salt Princess, and by the way, I love you. Do you love me?' Yeah, that'll work."

Sven turned Keith around. "She loves you. Trust me. You did not see her vatching over you while you were in sick-bay. She never left your side. Then vhen you slept near Lance, it vas she who kept all others away. Since ve got here, two years ago, Allura has not been far from you. Romelle said she even crept into your room this afternoon to make sure you vere all right. If dat's not love, dan vat is?"

Keith looked startled. "She did?" He turned away again and sighed. "Lance said basically the same thing. I didn't know I was that transparent."

Sven smiled. "Only to dose who know you, broder. Get some rest my friend. Talk to her tomorrow. It vill be fine." He gave Keith's arm a squeeze, then left.

Keith waited a moment longer, then headed out also. He was too keyed up to sleep, so he started wandering down the hall. He heard voices coming from the Council Chamber and steered off in the other direction. Glad I'm not in there. Keith made his way outside to the castle gardens. He paused for a moment in the dark. There were no sounds except the crickets. This is more like it. He stood there, just listening to the night. Suddenly, he heard a twig snap in the distance. Glancing towards the sound, Keith saw a figure creeping away from the castle. He quickly pulled out his gun, and blended into the underbrush. He followed the figure until it paused to look back. When the figure turned away, Keith struck. He leaped out of the hedge, ambushing his quarry. Before the stunned person could react, Keith slammed them to the ground, covered its mouth and brought his gun up under the person's chin. Keith looked down in surprise to find Allura's blue eyes looking up at him in fear. He could feel her heart, beating like a small bird's, against his chest. For a moment, neither moved. Then red flooded Keith's face. "Princess! I...I'm..." He quickly rolled off her and helped her to her feet. She leaned against him for a moment, still in shock. Keith led her over to a bench, and helped her sit down. "I am so sorry Princess." He stammered.

It took Allura a moment to get her voice back. When she did, she turned to Keith. "And what, pray tell, was that all about?" She asked icily.

Keith turned red again. "I didn't realize it was you." He said sheepishly.

"Do you always lurk in the dark and prey on unsuspecting people? Or is this something you save for special occasions?"

It took Keith a second before he realized she was joking. "Princess, what are you doing out here at this time of night anyway?" He snapped.

"I could ask you the same question. You're supposed to be in bed." She snapped back at him.

His temper flared. "Stop babying me. I can take care of myself. Just leave me alone." He glared up at Allura. She looked angry and hurt at his outburst.

"Fine then. Go, take care of yourself. It's what you do best." She stood up to leave.

Keith sighed. "Allura. Wait." She turned back to him. "I've been stuck inside for a day and a half now. I needed a bit of fresh air. I'm sorry."

Allura walked over to Keith and took his hand. "I'm sorry too." She smiled.

Keith looked up and glared at her. "Now, why are you here? I thought you'd be in with the Council." He said nodding up at the lit windows.

Allura dropped Keith's hand and sat back down on the bench. "I needed a break. They aren't even talking anymore. Everyone is yelling at each other and no one listens to anyone else. They probably haven't even noticed I'm gone." She said softly.

Keith looked closely at her. Her skin was colorless, and there were dark circles under her eyes. As he watched, a small tear rolled down one cheek. His heart clenched with emotion. He walked up to her and held out his hand. "Walk with me." He said quietly. Allura looked up in surprise. She stood and took his hand. They walked in silence towards the lake. As they stood near the shore watching the moon come up, it seemed to Keith the most natural thing in the world to put his arm around Allura and draw her close. They stood there for a few minutes, Allura's head on Keith's shoulder. They watched a pair of swans glide across the lake. Allura sighed peacefully. If only we could stay here forever.

"Keith?"

"Mmmm."

"Tell me about your family." She felt Keith's arm tense around her shoulders.

"What? My family? Why?" He asked, surprise showing in his voice.

Allura turned and looked up at him. "You know all about me. I've never heard you speak of your family. You called the Admiral, Uncle. I hadn't realized you and Lance were related."

Keith walked to the edge of the lake. He ran his hand up over his head. "We're not. He was my father's best friend. He's my Godfather. I've always called him Uncle." Keith walked back to Allura and handed her a tattered photograph. "This was taken just after I turned nine. They disappeared soon after that."

Allura looked at the picture. It showed a tall dark man, with his arm around a beautiful, auburn haired woman. A small, dark haired boy stood between them, a grin from ear to ear. "Is this you? And your parents?" Allura asked. Keith nodded. Allura looked at the picture and back to Keith. "You look like your father, but you have your mother's smile. And her eyes."

"Uncle Alex took that picture on my birthday."

"What happened to them?"

Keith motioned Allura to sit down. "My parents were members of the Space Force. They met when they were going to the Academy. They were members of an elite force, the Shadow Corps, used only in special circumstances. My dad, Edward, was a fantastic pilot. Mom wasn't too shabby either. The house was full of awards and trophies..." Keith paused to remember. "After I was born, they stayed close to Earth, never leaving the solar system anyway. Once I was old enough to go to the Academy, they started taking missions again. The last one took them through a collapsing wormhole. They lost contact and were never heard from again."

"Keith, I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

Keith continued as if he hadn't heard her. "Uncle Alex and Aunt Brenda took me in. Made sure I always had family around me at the holidays, things like that. Once I reached Officer, I tried to use my influence and find out what happened. I even begged Uncle Alex. No one knows. They never found even a trace of their ship. They just disappeared." When Keith spoke again, his voice shook. "It's just…at times like this…" He paused to collect himself. "When Lance got hurt, and his father came to him. Well, sometimes I wish I had some one to come to me." He finished quietly, his eyes bright with unshed tears.

Allura took his hand. "Keith," she said softly. "I will always come for you."

Keith looked deep into her blue eyes. "Allura, it half kills me every time you fly out with us. Each time I wonder if this will be the time you don't come back." He paused swallowing the lump in his throat. "I couldn't live if I lost you. I love you." He said simply.

Tears streamed down Allura's cheeks. "Oh, Keith. I never thought I'd hear you say that! I love you too."

Keith pulled her against him, holding her tightly. The he put his hand under her chin, tilted her head, and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "I've wanted to do that since the day I met you."

Allura smiled. "I've wanted you to."

They walked hand in hand across the lake, talking softly and pausing occasionally to gaze at each other. "Much as I hate to say this, we really should get back." Keith said.

Allura sighed wistfully. "I know. I just don't want this night to end."

Keith smiled down at her and they started towards the castle. As they got to the door, Keith dropped Allura's hand. "Just for now." He told her. "Until we can figure this out." They stopped outside the door to her room. Keith gazed into Allura's face, and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. Then glancing to make sure no one was around, he kissed her. "Good night my Princess." He said softly.

"Good night my love." She replied, slipping into her room.

Keith watched until her door closed, then headed to his own quarters. Great Montgomery, you've fallen for a Princess. He sighed and fell asleep.