Note: I don't own Voltron or its characters, the others are all mine!
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Keith sat up, breathing heavily, drenched in sweat. The pain streaking through his shoulder almost made him scream.
"Keith?" A hand touched his arm and made him jump.
"Allura! What are you doing here?" He turned and saw her lying next to him.
She sat up. "Keeping an eye on you. What's wrong?" She asked concerned.
Keith got to his feet. He ran a trembling hand through his hair. "I thought I was back on the ship. Everything was blowing up all around me. I couldn't get out….There was some one….Dammit! Why can't I remember?" Keith said angrily.
Allura got up and took his hand. He was shaking. "Relax Keith. The memory may never come back. You went through a lot out there."
Keith shook his head. "I don't like not knowing what happened."
She smiled up at him. "I know. We'll figure it out. Now come back to bed."
Keith looked at her mischievously. "I'm not sure I'm in shape for anything like that Allura."
Allure blushed pink. "I didn't mean….Keith!"
He laughed and took her in his arms. "I love you."
"I love you too."
The buzz on his communicator buzzed some time later. Keith groaned and hit the response button. "What?" He growled.
"Good Morning Captain!" Lance sounded all together too cheery this early in the morning.
"What do you want?"
"Is Allura still with you? They want her in a meeting. I figured I'd let you know before the cavalry came looking for her." Lance replied.
Allura sat up. "Thank-you Lance. I'll be there as soon as I can."
"You heard her. Now leave me alone." Keith muttered.
"Cap, you sure are a bear in the morning. Harrison out." Lance signed off.
Keith lay back down. Allura curled up next to him. "I wish I didn't have to get up." She ran her hands up his chest.
"I know. I like having you here." Keith told her. Allura grew still. "Not thinking of Lance again are you?" Keith quipped.
"No, just you." She started to tremble.
Keith held her tighter with his one good arm. "What's wrong?" He asked quietly.
"Keith, I still can't believe you're here. The past two weeks have been hell. I thought I'd lost you." She said quietly, tears running down her cheeks.
"I thought I'd lost you too. The ship was trashed. I had no navigation, no communications. I was in so much pain, I think I passed out for a couple of days." He sighed. "I'm trying to forget it."
Allura looked up at him and smiled. "We'll work on it together." She sat up. Now I should get to that meeting."
Keith got to his feet, and stretched. "I need to move. Getting stiff again. I'll see you later." He walked into the bathroom, and stepped into the shower. A few minutes later, he stepped out, feeling almost human again. I really need a shave. Wonder how I can talk Lance into helping me. He walked into his room, and was startled to see Allura still there. "I thought you had left!" He said, wrapping the towel tighter around his waist.
"Not shy are we?" Allura smiled. "Lance will be here in a moment. Doctor Gorma wants to see you in sick bay." Somehow she had gotten a new dress sent to his room, and her hair was wrapped up in braids around her head.
Self consciously, Keith pulled a pair of pants out of his closet and threw them on the bed. "He can wait until I've had something to eat. After living on stale Space Force rations for the past week, I could eat a horse."
Allura ran her hands gently across the burns on his back. Keith winced. "Do they hurt?" She asked quietly.
Keith nodded. "I feel like road-kill." He sat down on the edge of the bed, still wrapped in his towel. Allura walked over and pulled him to her, holding him close. He closed his eyes and thought of how "right" this felt. She gently ran her fingers through his hair. He sighed.
Lance stood leaning against the doorway, watching. He hated to disturb them, but knew if anyone other than himself had walked in and seen this, there would be hell to pay. He stood watching them for a minute. Lance still couldn't believe Keith was here. His best friend was pale and worn looking, with nasty bruises covering his body, but he was here. Lance hardly slept last night thinking about it. Watching Keith and Allura together, brought a lump to his throat. But before he could say anything, Keith spoke up.
"My love, Lance is waiting patiently for us. We'd best not keep him waiting. Who knows what his sordid mind will come up with."
Lance walked in the room. "I should have known I couldn't sneak up on you." Allura stepped back. "How are you this morning Cap?"
"Better." Keith stood up and gave Allura a quick kiss. "Don't be too long."
She smiled and left for her meeting. Keith glared at Lance. "What are you looking so smug about?" He asked pulling on his pants.
"Me? Smug? Please Captain…I'm never smug."
"Shut up and help me with my shirt." He silenced Lance with a look. "No wisecracks. I will kick your ass."
Lance grinned and helped his friend. "I don't know how she puts up with you Cap. I roomed with you for ten years, and you still drive me nuts." He hauled Keith to his feet. "Come on. Let's get some breakfast."
Breakfast was a harrowing ordeal. Well wishers kept coming over to Keith, just to see for themselves, that he was alive. Finally, Keith gave up all pretense of eating. "Lance, I'm getting out of here. You haven't seen me." He muttered.
"And where will you be, just in case?" Lance asked.
"None of your business. Don't follow me." Keith got up and left the dining room. He knew if he headed to his quarters, some one would find him, so he made his way to the stables. He walked over to his white stallion. "Hey boy," he said rubbing the horse's nose. "How are you? Wish I had an apple for you, but I barely got out of there alive myself!" The horse whickered at him.
"Not going for a ride I hope Keith." Admiral Harrison walked over. "Beautiful animal. How are you this morning son?"
"Much better sir. Amazing what a good nights sleep, and a cup of coffee can do!"
Harrison laughed. "Feel up to taking a walk?"
"Sure. Anything to keep me away from the masses."
They made their way down to the lake. The 'Explorer' sat serenely in the blue water. Patrol ships flew over head. Keith glanced up at them and sighed.
"So, how are you really Keith? Having nightmares yet?" the Admiral asked.
Keith looked at him. "How did you know that?"
Harrison shook his head. "Anyone who's been in combat like that has nightmares. I've woken the whole house up at times."
Keith sat down in the grass. "It bothers me that I can't remember. All I see are the flames." He said quietly.
The Admiral sat down next to him. "The dreams will stop in time Keith. Don't fret about your memory. It will either come back, or it won't. We've all been through it." The Admiral said thoughtfully. Keith looked at him. Harrison nodded. "I've been through things that I'm rather glad I can't remember." He stared out across the lake. "Now, about your resignation."
Keith got to his feet. "I meant it Uncle." He took a shuddering breath. "I'm prepared to take whatever consequences that go along with it." He said quietly.
The Admiral stood and walked over to Keith. He put his hands on Keith's shoulder and forced Keith to look at him. "As far as I'm concerned. It never happened."
Keith shook his head. "I don't want special treatment—" He started.
Harrison interrupted him. "I'm not giving it to you. You weren't yourself at the time. The only ones who witnessed it are your Team. Do you really think they are going to hold you to it?" Keith shook his head again. "But I will tell you this. If you EVER pull a stunt like that again, I WILL have you brought up on charges. Then when the Alliance is through with you, you'll have to deal with me. Is that clear Keith Alexander Montgomery?" There was no argument in his tone.
"Yes sir." Keith said, quietly, bowing his head.
Harrison laughed. "Well, I never thought I'd see the day when you'd be cowed." He pulled Keith into a hug. "Now, let's get back before the Doctor comes looking for you." They started back to the castle. "And on the way, you can tell me all about you and the Princess."
"Oh no! You're getting nothing out of me!" Keith protested.
"All right then, suit yourself." They walked quietly for a few minutes. "I guess I'll just have to ask Lance!"