Voltron and its characters belong to WEP, the others are mine.

Keith walked along the darkened corridors of the Castle. It was late and he should have been exhausted, but he was too keyed up to sleep. He passed the Control Room and nodded to Hunk. He continued down the deserted halls, his boots echoing in the silence.

He checked in on Troi in sick-bay. The boy had regained consciousness a few hours ago, and was now resting peacefully. Those wounded who where not in critical condition, had been moved to the caves far below the planet's surface. Most of the nearby villagers had moved there as well.

Keith made his way through the ballroom to the balcony over looking the lake. He stood staring up at the lights in the sky, knowing they were enemy warships. He scowled to himself. Face it Montgomery, you're just avoiding her. He was still standing there, staring out over the lake, when Lance came in.

"Figured I'd find you here." Lance walked over to stand next to Keith. He pulled two cigars out of his pocket and handed one to Keith, then leaned over to light it for him. Lance took a long drag, and blew out a puff of smoke. "So, can't sleep?"

Keith shook his head. "No."

"Mom tried to slip me a mickey, but I caught on." Lance blew out another puff of smoke. "Dorma's asleep. Finally."

"Good."

The silence grew between them. Lance looked sideways at Keith. "Well, you're pretty talkative tonight."

"Shouldn't you be with your wife?" Keith asked, annoyed.

"I could ask you that same question."

"Go to hell Lance." Keith snarled.

"After you." Lance crushed out his cigar on the railing. "I told Allura I would keep my mouth shut, but I changed my mind." He whirled on Keith and grabbed him by the shoulders, catching his friend by surprise. "Just were do you come off, accusing her, accusing me!"

"She told me herself that you do most of my duties as Consort. How am I supposed to know just how seriously you take my place." Keith shoved Lance's hands off of him.

Lance's green eyes flashed with anger. "You son of a bitch." He said heatedly. "You god-damned son of a bitch!" He threw a punch at Keith, who easily sidestepped it grabbing Lance's fist in his hand. "What gives you the right to say that to her?" Lance demanded, pulling his hand away.

Keith took a long drag on his cigar, then threw it out over the railing. "It's pretty obvious Lance. You two have had something since we landed here, years ago."

"WHAT! Are you crazy, or just stupid?"

Keith glared at the 'stupid' remark. "Deny it Lance! Deny that you have feelings for Allura."

"Of course I have feelings for her, we ALL do, me, Hunk, Pidge. Christ Keith, she's one of my best friends!" Keith didn't answer, just turned back to the balcony. Lance shook his head in disbelief. "Where is this all coming from anyway? I mean, first this crap with Allura, then turning in your Key, and now you're headed to Earth on permanent assignment? What's going on Keith?"

"Just leave me alone."

Lance shook his head. "Not this time. I want answers Keith, and I'm not leaving until I get them." Keith didn't move. "Does she even know you're leaving?" Keith didn't answer. "I thought so. Dammit Keith! What is going on?"

Keith faced Lance, the black eye patch showing up vividly against his pale features. "I'm tired of having to justify my intentions to everyone, especially you."

Lance was incredulous. "ME! I've never asked you to justify yourself. I'm the only one who puts up with you when you get like this!"

Keith turned his back on Lance. "Yeah, and you love it don't you. Gives you a chance to be the hero for a change."

Lance clamped down on his temper. "Yeah, that's me. Big Hero Harrison. Just waiting for his Commander to stumble so I can look good." Lance took a shuddering breath. "Guess we're not as close as I always thought we were, brother."

Keith paced the length of the balcony, unconsciously rubbing his aching shoulder. "Maybe I'm just tired, tired of the fighting, the struggle…" His voice trailed off.

"Now you're not only lying to me, you're lying to yourself."

Keith glared at him. "You're one to talk, you threw away your career."

Lance nodded. "Yeah, I did. And I have no regrets. I'm happy here, I have a home, a family, a life. But this isn't about me, it's about you and Allura." Lance sighed. "Just answer me one question Keith, when have I ever moved in on you?" He held up his hand to cut Keith off. "OK, maybe once, but it was Marissa Starleeon, and we were only fourteen."

"I'm glad you find this so amusing." Keith said coldly and walked down to the far end of the balcony.

"It's just so ridiculous! Keith, when have I EVER given you cause to doubt me? You're my best friend, my brother!" Lance paused and looked over at Keith entreatingly. "When have I ever touched what was yours?" He asked quietly.

Keith didn't answer, and didn't turn around. The minutes passed in silence. Finally, Lance shook his head. "I don't even know why I bother." He turned towards the door. "Fine Keith, believe what you want. Obviously there's nothing I can do to change your mind. Enjoy your new home. Hope Earth is as good as we remember." He was halfway out the door when Keith's voice made him pause.

"Lance…I'm sorry."

It was spoken so softly, that Lance wasn't even sure he heard it. He turned to see his friend leaning over the railing, Keith's shoulders slumped in defeat. There was such heartbreak in Keith's voice that Lance softened. "I'm not the only one you need to apologize to." He continued out the door, nearly colliding with Dorma on the other side. Lance smiled down at his wife. "Wondered when you were going to show up."

Dorma looked up at him, her violet eyes filled with concern. "Are you all right?"

Lance nodded. "I'm fine. Him, now that's another story." He shrugged behind him with his head. "Maybe you can talk some sense into him."

"I can try."

"You believe me, don't you? That Allura and I are only friends. That I would never…" Lance's voice had a touch of desperation in it.

Dorma smiled and placed a finger on his lips. "If I did not believe you, you would not be standing here before me. You would be in sick-bay, in many, many pieces."

Lance sighed and pulled Dorma into his arms. He held her close, just breathing in the scent of her. "I love you Babe." He said softly.

"Ke svavalia. I love you too." They held each other close for a few moments, then Lance released her and watched as Dorma went into the ballroom, closing the door behind her.

Haltor sat on the throne in his command ship, a glass of dark wine in one hand. He smiled up at his mentor. "And you told me he would be hard to kill."

"He is not dead."

Haltor laughed. "He was bleeding and broken! I shoved him overboard myself!"

"He is not dead." The witch pulled a crystal globe out from her robe.

Haltor leaned closer. "What is it?"

"Watch and see." She waved her hands over it. An image appeared. It showed Keith, standing on a balcony in the Castle. He was walking the length of it, when he paused and looked up, his gun drawn. She waved her hands over the ball and the image disappeared.

Haltor frowned. "What happened witch?"

"My powers are not what they used to be. It is possible he sensed me."

Haltor got up and towered over her. "I thought he was dead."

"I told you not to kill him. I want him alive!"

"Why is he so important to you? Why not just let me kill him, and be done with it?" Haltor seethed.

"No, I must have him alive." She smiled evilly. "I have plans for him."

"He should not have survived." Haltor said thoughtfully. "He is old, and weak. I am not."

She shook her head. "I did warn you. Your father too, thought Arus would be an easy target. Maybe we should just give up, before our losses become too great."

Haltor snarled at her. "We are not leaving! Assemble my fighters! We attack the planet at dawn!" He stormed from the room, his ebony cloak billowing out behind him.

Haggar watched him leave and turned back to her crystal ball. Keith's image appeared and she smiled to herself. "Soon Voltron Captain! You will be mine at last."

Keith looked down at the sleeping forms of his wife and daughter. Aria was curled up in her mother's arms, a sweet smile on her tiny face. He stood there, watching them for a few minutes, then sighed and left the room. He paused in the living room, just looking around, then grabbing a blanket off the back of the couch, he walked out the door. He made his way to the Rec-room, and threw the blanket on the couch. God, I'm exhausted. Dorma had done her best. Talking to her had taken some of the weight off his shoulders, but she couldn't mend his heart. He sat down on the edge of the couch, and put his head in his hands, rubbing his temples to ease his headache.

"Keith."

Keith looked up in startlement, one hand on the gun at his hip.

"Relax my son." A shadowy figure materialized in front of him.

Keith stood and bowed. "Your Majesty."

Alfor smiled. "Now, now, I've told you before, none of that." Alfor's smile faded. "You are injured and weary, sit down before you fall down Keith."

Keith obliged, and sat back down. "Thank-you Sir, it's been a rough few days."

"You are correct in that statement my son." Alfor paused for a moment. "You are not only wounded in body, but in heart Keith."

Keith held up his hand. "Please, I've already had two lectures tonight telling me what a fool I'm being. I don't need another one."

"Very well, a warning then."

Keith looked up at him sharply. "What kind of warning?"

"I fear Arus is in grave danger. This Haltor seeks to kill you, and does not care if he has to destroy the planet at the same time."

Keith got to his feet and paced the room. "I can understand his need to get rid of me. He knows I killed Lotor." He looked up at Alfor. "But why the planet?"

"Lotor wanted nothing more than to conquer and rule Arus and my daughter. He stopped short of decimating the planet, for what use to him, was a dead world?"

Keith nodded. "I see your point. But how does he know so much about us?"

"You were correct in your assumptions. Haggar is indeed alive, and aiding him. Her powers are not what they once were, but she is still strong."

"Damn."

"She has instructed him to take you alive if he can. She has something planned for you. I do not think it will be pleasant."

Keith smiled thinly. "I wouldn't think so." He sighed and rubbed at the back of his neck. "Kim was right, we need to mount an assault of our own, as soon as possible."

"Haltor plans to attack at dawn."

"Damn." Keith said again. He was quiet a moment, then looked up at Alfor. "Then I guess I'd better wake the Team. Thank-you Your Majesty."

Alfor smiled. "There is one more thing." He reached out, and touched Keith on the forehead. A strange tingle went through Keith's body, and he felt his exhaustion fall away. "I cannot heal your hurts, but I can ease your weariness. Good luck my son." Alfor faded away.

Keith watched at Alfor disappeared, then squared his shoulders. His head was clearer than it had been in days. With one last glance around the room, he turned and headed out the door.