Don't own Voltron, just the others!

-

Life at the Castle settled down to normal over the next few days. The Alliance people headed back to earth. The Space Patrol along with the Vehicle Voltron Force, handled patrols. There was no sign of Lotor or Zarkon. Doctor Gorma gave up in frustration, after trying to get Keith to stay in sickbay. Keith spent most of the day in meetings, or trying to get his memory back. He and Allura spent more nights together than apart. Wisely, Coran and Nanny did not interfere.

After seeing that Keith was really all right, Sven and Romelle decided to go home to planet Pollux. Everyone gathered to see them off.

"Take care min broder. I don't vant to come back for another one of your funerals." Sven joked. He pulled Keith into a hug.

"I will." Keith glanced at Allura. "She keeps too good and eye on me to get into any trouble." Keith laughed.

"Besides, as long as Dad is here, Keith is too afraid to step a toe out of line!" Lance told them.

They laughed. "You really have a death-wish, don't you? I will get this arm back you know." Keith told him. He turned to Romelle. "Take care of yourself. Keep in touch. I want to know the minute that baby is born."

She smiled and hugged him. "You will." Romelle glanced over to Allura, who was now telling Sven good-bye. She leaned over and whispered to Keith. "Take care of her. Save the wedding until after this little one is born, so we can be there." She laughed as Keith turned bright red. Sven walked over and took Romelle's hand. They hugged Keith and Allura once more, then they got into their ship. Everyone watched until the ship disappeared into the atmosphere. Then, they headed back inside.

Lance, Hunk and Pidge, headed off towards the 'Explorer'. "Stay out of trouble Cap!" Lance grinned.

Keith glared at him. "He's really enjoying this."

"Let's go for a walk." Suggested Allura, taking Keith's good hand. They walked through the castle.

"Where are we going?" Asked Keith.

"You'll see." Allura led him down a dark set of stone steps. "I'm taking you to see my Father."

Keith stopped dead in his tracks. "You mean King Alfor's tomb is down here? I thought these were just old tunnels into the castle."

"They are, but Father is down here too." She led him down another set of stairs. They came into a large room softly lit by torches. In the center of the room, lay a bier adorned with the Royal Crest of Arus. Allura walked over, and put her hand on top of the Crest. "Hello Father."

A ghostly image of King Alfor appeared. "Hello my Daughter. It has been a long time since we last spoke."

"I know Father." She turned to Keith. "This is Keith, Captain of the Voltron Force."

Alfor turned to face Keith. He smiled. "The Captain and I have spoken many times over the past few days."

"You have?" Allura turned towards Keith, puzzled. Keith was paler than death, staring at the King. "Keith? What's wrong?"

"You! You're the one! In the ship!" He put his hand to his head. "But? But how?" He swayed unsteadily on his feet.

Allura was at his side in a flash. She sat him down on a marble bench in the tomb. "What are you talking about Keith?"

Keith looked up at the king. "Sir? I don't really remember it all…"

Alfor smiled. "Yes Keith, I was the one that guided you out of the fire. I have watched you and your friends since you landed on my planet."

"Father! You helped Keith? You were the 'some one' he keeps trying to remember?" Allura asked.

"Yes Daughter. I talked to him through his fever dreams, keeping his spirit alive until he could find his own way."

The color was seeping back into Keith's face. "You also turned me around. The navigation systems were gone. I was dead lost in the middle of enemy space." Keith got to his feet and paced the length of the tomb. "You saved my life."

"I am glad to have done it. You are a good man Keith Montgomery. I watch as you protect my daughter and my people. I could hope for no one better to capture her heart." Alfor smiled at both of them. "Now, I must go. Take care of each other my Children." He disappeared.

Allura and Keith stood staring for a moment. Then Keith whirled around and started up the steps. "Let's get out of here." Allura had to hurry to catch up to him.

"Keith! Wait, slow down!" She called. Keith continued, without answering her. He didn't stop until he was outside the Castle. Allura grabbed his good arm. "Keith! Stop a minute! What's wrong?"

Keith trembled. "My God, your father!…I need some air." He started walking away. Allura followed him. "Allura. No. I want to be alone." He said.

She shook her head. "I won't let you. Don't start this again Keith."

"I'm not starting anything. Give me some space." He replied coldly.

"No." She replied in the same icy tone.

Keith whirled on her. "You don't get it do you Princess? My whole life has been on some one else's plan. Keith Montgomery, following his parent's footsteps, graduating with top honors from the Academy, youngest to ever make officer, Shadow Corps Operative, Captain of the Voltron Force. Hell, falling in love with you was the best thing that ever happened to me! Now I find out that the only reason I'm here now is because some ghost rescued me. And not just any ghost, but your FATHER! He wants a good match for his daughter, so here's good old Keith again. If it wasn't for him, Lance and the rest of the Space Force, you would still be in Lotor's hands. How am I supposed to feel! I'm done living my life for everyone else! NOW LEAVE ME ALONE!" He stalked off, tearing the sling off his arm as he walked away.

Allura stood there, stunned, unable to move or talk. She started to shake, tears running down her cheeks. "What the hell was that all about?" She turned. Lance stood there, looking as shocked as she. Allura sobbed and threw herself into his arms. After a few minutes, he led her to a bench. "Want to tell me what happened? I could hear him yelling half way across the yard."

"I...I'm not sure. I don't think I've ever heard Keith talk like that. He's the most level-headed person I know! I didn't think it was possible for him to lose his cool." Allura told him.

"Oh, it happens, just not very often. So, what happened?"

"We went to my Father's tomb, beneath the Castle." She told him. "Father appeared and told us..."

"Whoa! King Alfor showed up? And talked to you?" Lance said, shaken.

Allura nodded. "I often speak to my Father's spirit." She told him matter-of-factly. Then she continued, telling Lance what had transpired in the tomb, and Keith's uncharacteristic outburst. "He was so angry Lance! Why? My Father was only trying to help!"

Lance was quiet a moment. "I think that's the problem Princess. Since Keith lost his parents, he's always trying to prove himself. He got top grades in EVERYTHING at school. Worked extra hard so people wouldn't feel sorry for the poor orphaned boy. Coming here to Arus, letting him have full command was a dream come true." Lance got up and paced the length of the garden. "Damn! I never knew he felt like we were trying to take care of him. We've been smothering him since he got back." He turned back to Allura and knelt in front of her. He took her hand in his. "I'll go talk to him. Don't fret. Go inside and wait for him." Lance told her softly.

Allura's eyes filled again. "Thank-you Lance."

Lance placed a soft kiss on her forehead, then watched until she was back in the Castle. He turned and started off in the direction Keith had taken. Lance wasn't surprised to find Keith at the edge of the lake. He walked over to him slowly, and stood a few feet away.

"What do you want?" Keith snarled.

Lance shook his head. "Nothing Cap. Just admiring the view."

"Don't patronize me Lance. I'm not in the mood." Keith said angrily.

Lance grabbed Keith by the shoulders and whirled him around so that they faced each other. The anger in Keith's eyes was flashed with pain. Lance didn't let go. "Just what kind of mood are you in then? You come back out of nowhere, from the dead! We're all stunned to see you, especially Allura! And you act like this! Just what in God's name is your problem Montgomery?"

"Go to hell Lance." Keith's voice shook.

"Oh, I'll be there, no doubt about that." He released his grip on Keith's shoulders. "I told you once before, you hurt her again, you deal with me."

Keith faced the lake again. "I didn't mean to hurt her." He said quietly.

"Mean is or not, you did." Lance said coldly. "Do you have any idea what she's been through? What we've all been through? Christ Keith, we thought you were dead!" Lance walked a few paces ahead of Keith. "I had to watch that ship blow up, knowing I had left my best friend on it to die." Lance's body shook.

"Lance, you didn't leave me."

Lance whirled and faced his friend. "Like hell I didn't! I should have knocked you senseless when I had the chance!"

"Lance, come on. I didn't even want you there in the first place."

"And if I hadn't been there, you wouldn't have gone after Lotor and this whole thing never would have happened!"

"I still would have gone after Lotor, Lance."

Lance grew very quiet. "I really thought I'd lost you Keith."

Keith put his good arm around Lance's shoulders. "Never brother."

They stood there in silence for a few minutes. "What really happened Keith?" Lance asked. "You're more shook up now than when you got back."

Keith sighed. "It's all coming back, the flames, the pain…..the fear." He took a shuddering breath. "I've never killed a man like that before Lance, in cold blood." He said quietly.

"You told the council that you left Lotor alive."

Keith shook his head. "I ran him through with a sword, his face inches from mine. I felt his blood pour over my hands." Keith was shaking, staring at his hands. "What have I done?" He whispered.

Lance softened. "Hey if you got off that thing, I'm sure Lotor did. Unfortunately."

"Yeah, but I had divine help Lance. Otherwise I'd be dead."

"Talk to me Keith."

Keith sighed. "We fought with swords. He threatened to keep me alive. Then capture Allura again and force her to be his if she wanted to spare my life. I lost it Lance. Went after him like a madman. I stabbed him through the chest. The point of my sword came out through his back."

"So, you did kill him." Lance stated.

"He had a pulse. Before I could do anything, Haggar blasted me from behind. She stood over me, I closed my eyes, waiting for her to finish it. It never happened. Somehow, I found my knife and threw it at her. She disappeared in to energy. I checked Lotor once more. I told him to leave Arus and Allura alone. He passed out, and I left. I found our ship in the cargo bay and got it to start. I remember talking to you, then the explosion." Keith started shaking again.

"Easy Keith, you're all right now." Lance put his hand on Keith's arm.

Keith composed himself. "I passed out for a couple of days I think. My whole body hurt. I found some meds in the kit. I had no communications, no navigation systems, I have no idea why life support was still working. I kept fading in and out. When I was awake, there was a…a presence there, talking to me. Every time I wanted to give up, he told me to hang in there, 'remember your friends,' he kept saying. Finally, I came to enough to realize how lost I was. I wanted to give up, but he wouldn't let me. Some how, he got me turned in the right direction, and I was able to get home."

"And you think this 'presence' was Allura's father?" Lance asked.

Keith nodded. "I know it was. I saw him again today. Down in the catacombs."

He grew quiet for a few minutes. "Lance?"

"Yeah?"

"Did Lotor….I mean…is she really all right?" He asked hesitantly.

"She's really all right Keith. He didn't touch her. Not for lack of trying, but that self defense stuff we taught her paid off. He couldn't get near her."

Keith's body shook again. "I never meant to throw all this on her." He whispered.

"If it makes you feel any better, I remember Dad doing the same thing to Mom after a bad mission." Lance told him quietly.

"If it hadn't been for her father, and yours for that matter, we wouldn't even be here having this conversation."

"Yeah, and if you and the rest of the Team hadn't killed the Robeast, I'd be dead. And we still wouldn't be having this conversation!" Lance paused. "Stop trying to pretend you can save the universe single handed. You're only human Keith." Keith closed his eyes, and ran his good hand through his hair. Lance walked over and put his arm around Keith's shoulders. "Let's go find her."

Keith stood quietly for a few minutes, then nodded. They started back to the Castle. Before they got to the door, Keith put his hand on Lance's arm. "Thanks." He said quietly.

Lance smiled and gave him a quick hug. "None needed Brother. Go, fix this. She's in her room." He turned and left Keith alone.

Keith walked down the hallway, towards Allura's room. Before he got there, Coran stopped him. "Keith, I wonder if I might have a word with you."

Keith groaned inwardly. "Sure Coran, what's up?"

Coran led Keith into his office. They sat down. "I know the Princess and yourself have gotten…very close over the past few weeks." He started.

"Yes?"

Coran took a deep breath. "I am asking you what your intentions are towards her."

"I love her Coran. I'm hoping she'll marry me one of these days." Keith told him.

"Therein lays the problem Keith. You are not of royal blood." Coran looked uncomfortable. "Therefore, you can never rule Arus as King. The people would never accept you."

Keith laughed. "And thank God for small favors! Look Coran, I have no desire to rule anything. I love Allura. She already has a strong right hand," he said, looking directly at Coran. "I'm hoping to be her left."

Coran flushed red at the compliment. "Ahem…Well, then…Thank-you Keith."

Keith smiled. "No problem." He got up headed once again for Allura's room. As he passed the Rec room gym, he heard loud voices coming from inside. He slipped inside to see what was going on. The Vehicle Voltron Force was there, along with Hunk, Pidge, and an assortment of Space Patrol soldiers. They were gathered around one of the wrestling mats. Keith moved up front. He got the shock of his life, watching Allura and Jeff trying to take each other down. Both were dressed in white gi's, and stood eyeing each other. "What's going on?" Keith asked Hunk.

"Those two have been at it for about fifteen minutes now. Allura's ahead by one point." Hunk told him quietly.

"Really?" Impressed at Allura, Keith continued to watch. Suddenly Allura lunged at Jeff, and he dropped her to the mat in an instant. There was clapping from the 'Explorer' crew.

"Point Princess, we're tied. Next one wins." Jeff was panting.

Keith looked at Allura. She lay on the mat, trying to catch her breath. She held her arm up for Jeff to help her up. Uh- oh. I wouldn't do that if I were you Jeff, Keith thought to himself. As Jeff grasped her forearm, Allura shifted her weight and Jeff flew to the ground. Everyone cheered.

Allura walked and stood over Jeff. "Never underestimate your opponent Captain Dunbar." She smiled sweetly at him.

Jeff groaned and got to his feet. "Who taught you that little trick!" He glanced around and caught Keith's eye. "I should have known."

Allura followed his gaze. She spied Keith, narrowed her eyes and turned away. By now, everyone was circled around Jeff, consoling him for his loss. No one noticed when Keith walked over to Allura. "He always fell for that one." He told her. "Nice move."

"Thanks." She replied shortly.

Uh-ho. I'm in trouble. Keith moved closer. "Allura, about today…" He put his hand on her arm.

"Let go of me." Allura snapped. She had been fuming over Keith for the past few hours. Seeing him in front of her made Allura realize how little hold she had on her temper. She shrugged her arm away, and started walking towards the door.

"Allura, wait, I want to talk to you." Keith protested, grabbing her arm to stop her from leaving.

"I said keep your hands off me!" She whirled and threw a punch dead center into Keith's face.

Keith landed on his backside on the floor, hands over his face. "Son of a bitch!" He yelled as blood poured down his face. The room went silent as everyone looked over at Keith and the Princess. "Dammit Allura! I think you broke my nose!"

Allura smiled nastily. "Good! You're lucky that's all I broke." She grabbed her things. "Stay away from me Keith Montgomery!" She turned on her heel and marched out of the room.

Everyone rushed over to Keith and started talking at once. Cliff and Jeff came over and knelt next to him. "She broke my goddamn nose!" Keith told them furiously.

Cliff pried Keith's hand off his face, and looked at him closely. "I'd say you're right old chap." He said grinning.

Jeff turned Keith's face towards him. "And it looks like you're going to have two spectacular black eyes to match!"

Crick arrived with an ice pack and gently pressed it to Keith's face. Hunk shooed people away, and helped his Captain to his feet. "Arugh! Dammit Hunk! Watch the shoulder!" Keith growled.

"Sorry Cap!" Hunk was trying not to laugh.

"Yeah, sure…" Keith tried hopelessly to stem the flow of blood running down his face. "Damn this hurts!"

Cinda appeared at his side. She forced Keith to look up at her. :Hold still Keith. I can at least stop the bleeding.: Her sea green eyes stared deep into his for a moment. Keith felt a little 'snap' in his head. :There, that should do it until you get to sick bay.: She said into his mind.

"Thanks Cinda." He glared at his friends. "Stop laughing. It's not funny."

Cliff composed himself. "I'm sorry Keith. You're right. It's not funny." He winked at the others. "It's hilarious!" They all exploded with laughter.

Keith swore under his breath, and stormed out of the gym.

Cliff wiped the tears from his eyes, and watch Keith leave. "Well mates, that's love for you!" They all burst out laughing again.