Insert disclaimer here. Have a nice day.

Admiral Alexander Harrison and Commander Jeffrey Dunbar watched as Keith flipped the young cadet to the ground. Keith was dressed in a white gi, and surrounded by a dozen students dressed the same way.

"That was a beginner's mistake Cadet. Again." Keith ordered sternly.

The young man got to his feet, and stood in front of Keith. Suddenly the boy lunged forward. Keith caught his arm as he flew by, and forced him to his knees.

"Never charge your opponent Cadet..." Keith's voice trailed off as he tried to remember the young man's name.

"Nichols Sir."

"Cadet Nichols. Never rush into any situation. Analyze your challenger, you'd be amazed at how much information some one can give away in an instant." Keith told him.

"But Commander Montgomery, I mean, you're alot bigger and more experienced than I am." Nichols whined from his place on the floor.

"Uh-oh, wrong thing to say." Jeff said quietly to Harrison.

"That's for sure." The Admiral replied grinning.

Keith narrowed his eyes at the young man. "Well then Nichols, we'll have to just make sure that all your adversaries are smaller and weaker than you are."

"That's not what I meant Sir." Nichols said, getting to his feet.

"Then what did you mean Cadet?" Keith asked coldly.

"I mean, you've been training for years Sir. I've only been in Commander Dunbar's class since I was twelve." Nichols stammered.

"Really. Aria!" Keith called out.

Keith's daughter came running towards him. "Yes Daddy?"

"Show Mr. Nichols here how it's done." Keith stepped back off the mat.

Nichols looked disbelieving at Aria. "Sir? You can't be serious. " He said. "She's just a child."

Keith fixed the boy with a stern glance. "And you're not?"

Nichols had the grace to blush. "Commander Sir, I am fifteen, she can't be more than ten or eleven."

"Actually, I'm nine." Aria piped up.

The other students in the class had to stifle their giggles. "Sir, really, I might hurt her." Nichols said condescendingly.

Keith smiled wickedly, a twinkle in his brown eyes. "I'll take full responsibility Cadet. Begin."

"This is going to be good." Jeff whispered. The Admiral nodded in response.

Aria circled around Cadet Nichols. A few times, he tried to feint her into moving, but she held her ground. Finally Nichols lunged forward. Aria stepped deftly out of the way, at the same time catching him with a well timed kick. Nichols stumbled, and Aria followed up by hooking her leg around his knees. Nichols hit the floor with a resounding thud. The rest of the class whooped and cheered.

"All right, that's enough." Keith ordered. They quieted down almost immediately. He held out a hand and pulled Nichols to his feet. "This could have been any one of you. Never assume that because an opponent is smaller and frailer than you, that he or she will be easy to defeat. Now, pair up, I want to see all of you in action. Thanks baby." He smiled down Aria, who grinned back up at him. Keith tousled her hair and she ran back to sit with Zarana on the bleachers.

Jeff got up and walked over to Keith. "Bit hard on him weren't you?"

Keith shook his head. "He deserved to be knocked down a few pegs."

"I won't disagree with you there. He's a good kid, but a bit overconfident."

Keith snorted. "A bit?"

Jeff laughed, then grew serious. "You know Montgomery, you're pretty good against a harmless fifteen year old."

Keith looked sideways at Jeff. "What are you trying to say?"

Jeff shrugged. "Nothing, just how good do you think you are Commander?"

"Want to try me?" Keith grinned.

"I'd be too afraid to kick your ass in front of the kids."

"In your dreams Dunbar. Let's go"

They got into position on the practice mat. The students sensed something happening, and gathered around to watch. Keith and Jeff circled each other warily. Jeff moved first and lunged towards Keith. Keith adroitly stepped back, and grabbed Jeff by the elbow, spinning him to the ground. "Point." Keith said. The students cheered.

Jeff glared at them. "Just for that, you can all stay late today." Most of them laughed in response. Jeff got into position again. This time, Keith jumped forward, grabbing Jeff around the middle. Jeff tired to break free, but Keith once again dropped him to the floor. The students cheered again.

"Point." Keith grinned.

Jeff grumbled something under his breath and looked up at Keith. "The least you could do is help me up." Jeff said, holding out his hand.

Keith shook his head. "How stupid do you take me for?" Jeff glared and got to his feet by himself. "One more point, I win the match." Keith told him, circling around.

"No kidding." Jeff snapped back.

"Temper, temper Dunbar." Keith smiled mockingly.

Instead of answering, Jeff threw himself at Keith, catching him off guard. Keith toppled to the floor. The kids cheered louder. "Never underestimate the power of the Dark Side." Jeff paraphrased an old movie. "Point." He grinned down at his friend.

Keith hauled himself to his feet. They stood staring at each other. Keith finally moved, but this time, Jeff was ready for him. He grabbed Keith by the arm, and hooked one of his legs behind Keith's knees. Keith dropped to the mat. "Point. Next one wins." Jeff mocked.

They stood glaring at each other. Keith feinted towards Jeff, but Jeff held his ground. Jeff then lunged at Keith, catching him around the middle. The wrestled for a moment before Keith broke free. "You're gonna have to try harder than that Dunbar." Keith taunted.

"We'll see." Jeff answered back. He rushed forward, once again grabbing Keith about the waist. This time, Keith couldn't break free and Jeff managed to flip him over. Keith slammed to the floor, landing hard on his back. The gym erupted in cheers.

Pain ripped through Keith's back, making him clench his eyes shut in agony. Jeff didn't notice for a moment, he was being congratulated by his students. Finally he turned to Keith. "Not bad, eh Montgomery.

Keith, who was still lying on the floor, didn't answer. He had his eyes tightly shut, his teeth clenched as his breath came in shuddering gasps. "Keith!" Jeff knelt at his friend's side.

"I…I'm all right. Just give me…a minute." Keith took a shuddering breath, and opened his eyes. He slowly eased himself to a sitting position. His breath came raggedly.

Aria appeared at his side, her brown eyes troubled. "Daddy?"

Keith smiled at her. "I'm OK kitten."

Harrison and Zarana stood next to her. "Keith, son are you all right?" He asked.

Keith nodded. "Help me up." Jeff and the Admiral each put a hand under Keith's arms and helped him to his feet. He stood rigidly for a moment then let out a deep breath. "Relax, I'm OK."

Jeff looked at the students amassed around them. "All right class, there's nothing more to see here. Hit the showers. Class dismissed." He turned his attention back to his friend as the kids started leaving the room, muttering as they went. "Christ Keith, I forgot about your back. I'm so sorry."

Keith shook his head, the color slowly coming back to his face. "Don't worry about it Jeff."

"I should have remembered, dammit." Jeff said angrily.

"I said forget it."

Zarana placed her tiny hand in Keith's. "Vahloo Keith?" She placed her other hand lightly on his back.

Keith felt a tiny shock go through him. He winced then relaxed. "Thanks sweetheart. That feels much better." He smiled down at her.

She grinned up at him, her smile a mirror copy of her father's. "You're welcome. She turned to Aria. "Come on! Let's go wait for Hans and Troi." Zarana ran towards the locker rooms.

Aria looked nervously up at her father, her eyes dark with concern. "Daddy? Are you sure you're OK?"

Keith smiled down at his daughter. "Go, I'm fine." She hugged him tightly around the waist then ran off after Zarana. Keith looked up at Harrison. "Mom doesn't hear about this. Either one of them. Allura either for that matter."

Harrison shook his head. "They won't hear it from me."

"Good." He faced Jeff. "Jeff, stop fretting. I'm fine. Just alot of scar tissue back there that I usually manage to forget about."

Jeff shook his head. "Still, I'm sorry."

"Well, I've had enough excitement for the day. Keith, I'll take the girls back to your parents. We're all meeting there for dinner tonight." The Admiral said.

"Thanks Uncle Alex. Remember, not a word." Keith told them again.

"My lips are sealed." Harrison waved and followed Zarana and Aria.

Jeff watched them leave, then he turned to Keith. "What did Zarana do to you?"

"She's been doing stuff like that for almost a year now. Looks like she's inherited Dorma's healing power. It's not enough to really heal me, but it kinda numbs it for a while." Keith told him.

"Just as long as she doesn't inherit Lance's sixth-sense. One lunatic in this bunch is enough." Jeff grinned at Keith. "Well, since your uncle took the kids, what do you say we head down to the Officers Club for a drink? I sure as hell could use one."

Keith smiled back. "Dunbar, that's the best idea you've come up with all day."

"Lance? Can you hear me? Lance!"

Lance groaned and opened his eyes. Pidge was hovering over him, an anxious look on his face. He reached down, and helped Lance sit up. "Where am I?" Lance looked around. He was lying on the dusty ground. Then it all came back. "Where's Allura?" He started to get to his feet.

Pidge pushed him back down. "Relax, we already got her out. She's in Sick-bay."

"How bad is she?" Lance asked.

Pidge sighed. "It doesn't look good Lance. She's on her way to surgery."

Lance struggled to his feet again. "Get me there, now." He ordered.

Pidge knew it was useless to argue with his friend and helped Lance stand. "Dorma's on her way. She was near to panicking over the both of you." He led Lance into his Green Lion. "Here, sit still. Red's in no condition to fly." He glanced over at Lance's pale features. "For that matter, neither are you." They flew off towards the Castle.

Lance sat staring out the window, a glazed look on his face. Pidge watched him anxiously. "Lance? You alright?" Lance didn't answer. "LANCE!"

Lance started. "What?"

"Where are you hurt?" Pidge demanded.

Lance shook his head and winced. "I've got a headache the size of Arus, and I think I broke a couple of ribs. I'm OK, it's Allura I'm worried about."

You're not OK, but there's nothing I can do about it until we get you to the Castle. Pidge thought to himself. He landed Green on the lawn outside the Castle, and helped Lance out. Lance was unsteady on his feet, and leaned heavily on Pidge. Hunk rushed up to meet them. "Dorma's with Allura. They're still working on her." Hunk told them both. "Lance, lean on me." Hunk placed one hand around Lance's waist, and threw Lance's arm over his shoulder, and helped him down the hallway. They rounded the corner and entered Sick-bay.

Hunk's wife, Sereti, was watching for them from the waiting room. She was a plump, sweet faced young woman. Her grey eyes opened wide with concern and she hurried over when she saw them enter. "Lance are you alright?"

One of the nurses helped Hunk ease Lance down onto an examination table. "Looks like a concussion." She said shining a light into his eyes.

"He's complaining about his ribs too." Pidge added.

Lance tried to shoo them away. "Where's Allura?"

The nurse pushed him back down onto the table. "Lie still." She commanded.

Lance ignored her and got to his feet. The room started spinning around him. Before everything went black, he felt some one touch his head. There was a sharp pain, and an intense burst of light. His vision cleared and he looked down into his wife's violet eyes. Lance shook with emotion. "Dorma." He said hoarsely.

"Svavaliadeelin. Beloved." She pulled him close and held him tightly.

"Sit down Lance. Before you fall down." Pidge forced Lance back down onto the bed.

"How's Allura?" Lance asked.

Dorma shook her head. "It is not good. There is something wrong with the baby. I have done all I can."

Lance noticed for the first time, the wan pale look on Dorma's face. He drew her into his arms and held her. Before he could say anything, the door opened and Doctor Gorma walked in.

"Captain, are you all right?" Gorma asked.

Lance nodded. "Allura?"

The doctor shook his head. "We need to get in touch with Keith immediately."

Everyone grew still. "Why? Is Allura…Is she…." Pidge couldn't finish.

"No, she is stable for the moment." Gorma told them.

"Then what is it?" Lance demanded.

"I should be telling this to Commander Montgomery."

"Tell me." Lance ordered. "I have no idea where Keith is at the moment, he could be at the Academy, in a meeting, at his parents, even out with friends. It'll take some time to find him. What's wrong with Allura?"

Gorma sighed. "She is bleeding internally. We can't stop it. There is only one thing we can do to stabilize her."

It took a moment for his words to sink in. "Not…not the baby?" Sereti said fearfully, clutching Hunk's hand.

Gorma nodded. "There is nothing we can do. You see why we need to talk to Keith."

Lance got up and paced the length of the room. He stood, his back to them all, his body shaking. Finally he turned, and looked Gorma straight in the eyes. "Do it Doc. Save her life." Gorma nodded and left them, hurrying back to Allura. Lance avoided looking up at his friends.

Dorma walked over and took his hand. "Come Svavaliadeelin, you are hurt, you need rest." She said softly.

Lance shook his head. "I have to call Keith."

"Lance, I'll talk to him." Pidge told him.

Lance shook his head again. "No, she was my responsibility." He shook off Dorma's hand, and without a backward glance, he left the room.