The two opponents circled each other around the mat. Both watched the other for signs of weakness. The first one leaped, hoping to force his opponent into making a fatal move. It didn't work. The taller man swiftly sidestepped and managed to flip his attacker onto his back. He landed hard, his breath coming out in a large 'whoof'.

"Dammit Keith! You've been out of commission for six weeks now. Hell, you only got your sling off today! What does it take to beat you?" Lance wailed from his position on the floor.

Keith grinned. "I promised you I'd kill you the first chance I got." He picked up his towel, and wiped the sweat off his face. Lance got up and sat down next to him. "The shoulder actually feels pretty good." Keith said, stretching his arms above his head.

"Great. Glad to hear it." Lance muttered.

Keith laughed. After a moment, Lance joined in. "Let's go. Nanny will kill us if we're late for dinner." Keith said. They made their way to the locker room.

"You know, we've come up against some of the most hideous creatures ever imagined, and we're both afraid of a little five-foot woman. There's something wrong with that." Lance told him.

Keith nodded. "I agree." He stepped into the shower. "I miss Jeff and the others. When they were here, it was like old times back at the academy."

Lance agreed. "Only we didn't get into as much trouble this time."

Keith let the hot water soak into his skin. "Not for lack of trying I'm sure. I heard rumors of you and Cliff and a couple of village girls."

"How'd you hear about that!" Lance spluttered.

"My spies are everywhere…..be afraid Lance. Be very afraid!" Keith turned off the water, and dried off. He pulled on his clothes. "See you at dinner." He called, leaving the room. Keith walked down to the rooms he and Allura shared. She was sitting at her mirror, brushing out her long blonde hair. He walked up behind her and placed a kiss on top of her head. "Hey beautiful."

Allura smiled at his reflection. "How did the workout go? Is Lance still alive?"

"For the moment." He watched her for a minute. How lucky am I? "Here. I have something for you." Keith handed her a small wrapped box.

"What's this? It's not my birthday." She said, puzzled.

"Just open it."

She carefully tore open the paper. "This isn't one of those dead finger things that Pidge tried to scare me with is it?" Keith shook his head. She opened the box and gasped. Inside was a small ring. It was a clear white diamond, surrounded by blue sapphires. "Keith….I…." Allura's voice trailed off.

Keith dropped down to his knees. "I know that rings aren't the tradition here on Arus, but Allura, will you marry me?" He asked, looking into her eyes.

Allura nodded. "Yes!" She threw herself into his arms. "I love you!"

"I love you too." He slipped the ring onto her finger, and kissed her gently. "You really don't want to go down to dinner right now, do you?"

Allura smiled up at him. "Not really."

"Good." He scooped her up into his arms and carried her to their bedroom. "I've wanted to do that for a long time."

"Keith, for a big tough guy, you're a hopeless romantic."

"Watch it Princess. I'm still your commanding officer." He smiled down at her, and kissed her. "Let me show you something else I've wanted to do…."

Later, Allura lay comfortably in Keith's arms. "Think they missed us at dinner?"

She giggled.

"Do you care?" Keith asked.

She sighed, "Not really…" She looked up at him. "This was much better than whatever Nanny had prepared for tonight."

"I'm glad you think so." He tightened his arms around her. "I saw Doctor Gorma today." Keith told her.

"I'd figured as much when Pidge told me you were hunting for Lance."

"Doc cleared me for all duties. I think I might get up early and take Black for a ride. It's been a long time."

"Yes, almost two days now." Allura said mischievously.

Without missing a beat, Keith unceremoniously dumped Allura on the floor. "Hey!" she cried indignantly.

Keith looked down at her and grinned. "I don't think I'll let you and Lance play together any more. His attitude is rubbing off on you." Allura stuck her tongue out at him, and Keith responded by hitting her in the face with a pillow. She yelped and threw it back, jumping on him at the same time. "All right! All right! You win! Don't break my nose again!" Keith laughed.

"I'll break more than that this time!" Allura placed a quick kiss on his nose, then picked up her robe and walked to the window. After a few minutes, Keith got up and wrapped his arms around her.

"What are you thinking?" He asked quietly.

She sighed, looking out at the moon. "It's been so peaceful these past few weeks. I feel almost guilty, hoping Lotor is dead, and this stupid, senseless war is over."

Keith closed his eyes. "I wish the same thing." He sighed. "Unfortunately, we don't know for sure. I should have killed him."

Allura turned to face him. His dark brown eyes were troubled. She knew he was thinking about Lotor, and their final battle. "I'm glad you didn't. You're not a killer Keith Montgomery. If you had known he was going to self-destruct the ship, you would have taken him with you."

"I don't think so."

She nodded. "Yes you would have. Some times I know you better than you know yourself."

Keith was quiet a moment, then gazed down at her. "I hate it when you're right." He drew her close, resting his chin on her head. The beep of his communicator went off. Keith didn't move. It beeped again.

"Don't you think you should answer that?" Allura asked.

"Nope."

It continued to beep. Allura tried again. "He'll never leave us alone."

Keith scowled, and walked over to the communicator. "This had better be good Lance." He said shortly.

"Sorry to disturb your beauty sleep Cap, but there's a message here for you." Lance told him.

"So, it can't wait until morning?"

"No siree, it's keyed to your personal ID code. It might be important."

Keith sighed. "OK, I'll be down in a few minutes."

"I'll be here! Harrison out."

Keith turned to Allura. "I have to get that."

She smiled. "I'll go with you. Let me get dressed."

A short time later, they walked into the Control room. "What's up Lance?" Keith asked. Instead of his usual red flight suit, Keith had thrown on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Allura too, was dressed casual.

"Well, we got the call a few minutes ago. Whoever it is, wants to talk to you really bad. He's been on standby since I called you." Lance told him.

Keith walked over to the console and punched in his ID code. He glanced at Lance and Allura. "At least move out of sight of the monitor if you're not going to leave." The screen flickered and Keith's caller appeared. Keith's eyes narrowed. "Lotor." He said coldly.

The blue faced prince of the Druhle Empire glared down at Keith. "Well, well, it seems you too, survived our little encounter. How sad, I had hoped you died." Lotor said evilly.

"The feelings are mutual Lotor. What do you want?" Keith demanded.

"I wanted to see you for myself. There was no way you could have lived through the explosion."

Keith grinned, his smile as evil as Lotor's. "I've been through worse. I suppose if you're here, Haggar is still around too?"

Lotor nodded. "Of course. She saved my life." He leaned forward and stared at Keith. "You scarred me Captain. Left me to die. I will have to kill you for that."

"You can sure as hell try Lotor." Keith said nastily.

"You may have won this time Keith, but I will triumph in the end. I will defeat Voltron and Allura will be mine!" Lotor roared.

"Never, Lotor."

"We shall see about that. I almost killed the Captain of the Voltron Force. The rest will be easy." He laughed evilly.

"Almost doesn't count. You'll never have Voltron or Arus, Lotor." Without looking back, Keith held out his hand. Allura stepped forward and took it, standing next to Keith. "My wife and I won't let you."

Lotor glared. He glanced down at the ring on Allura's finger. She stared up at him, defiantly. "Until we meet again Princess." Lotor vanished.

Lance waited a moment, then stood and looked at his friends. "Wife?" he asked.

Allura blushed and held out her hand, showing him her ring. "Well, almost."

Lance hugged her. "Way to go Cap!" he said to Keith, grinning from ear to ear.

Keith smiled, but Lance noticed the smile did not go to his eyes. "Thanks Lance. Allura, you can go back to bed. Obviously I have some work to do down here." He kissed her softly. "I'll be there soon."

Allura looked troubled. Lance winked at her. She smiled. "Don't be too late." She turned and left the room.

Keith turned to Lance. "I want a security perimeter set up around the castle. Nothing and no one gets in here without us knowing. Get some ships in the air. I want to know as soon as Lotor comes into range." He paused for a moment, thinking. "We should also get word out to the villages near the Castle. Get the people somewhere safe."

"Aye-aye Cap." Lance began pushing buttons and sending orders.

"I'll get in touch with Galaxy Garrison. They need to know what's going on."

A few hours later, Lance glanced up at his friend. Keith was sitting at a computer console, pouring over data. "Keith. Go to bed." Lance told him.

Keith looked up, startled. "Huh?"

Lance walked over to him. "This could be our last quiet night for a while. Go. Be with her."

Keith sighed. "I know." He got to his feet. "Call if anything changes."

"You know I will Cap. Sleep tight."

Keith left and headed towards his and Allura's room. He entered quietly so not to wake her. The room was dark. Keith walked over and stood looking out the window. It was a beautiful night. Arus's twin moons were shining brightly amongst the stars. Damn Lotor. Why does Doom have to ruin everything?

"Keith?" Allura called softly.

Keith turned. "Allura. I thought you were asleep."

"How could I sleep?" She walked over and wrapped herself in Keith's arms.

Keith held her tightly. "He won't hurt you again Allura. I promise."

"I know. Keith?" She looked up at him. "I have you back, I don't want to lose you again."

"You won't. But he's not getting away this time Allura. This is ending, one way or another." Keith said firmly.

Allura sighed and laid her head against Keith's chest. "I hate this war." They stood, looking out the window.

"Allura?" Keith asked quietly.

"Yes Keith."

Keith took a deep breath. "I really don't want you out there in this."

Allura looked up at him, and her expression darkened. "I am part of this Team."

"I know that, but I want you to be safe."

She broke away from him. "Oh, and some stupid suicide mission to rescue me kept YOU safe? I don't think so Captain. I am flying with the rest of the Team. We need all five lions to stop Lotor." She said angrily.

Keith shook his head. "Princess, I want you here, where it's safe! I love you and can't lose you!"

"You won't lose me Keith! I have the right to defend my people and my planet. What we have together now shouldn't change that."

Keith walked over to her and took her hand, his brown eyes troubled. "I won't deny you that right." He sighed. "I just don't want anything to happen to you."

Allura's eyes softened. "Nothing will happen to me Keith."

"Promise me one thing."

Her eyes narrowed. "What?"

"That you will stay here, in the Castle, until we need you. If there is any way we can do this without putting you in danger…" He pulled her fiercely against him. "I'd die without you Allura." Keith said hoarsely.

Allura sighed. "All right, I promise. But don't try anything foolish Keith. I couldn't live without you either."