I don't own Voltron or anything even remotely associated with it. Heaven knows if I did, I would still have the toys. I may be stepping away from reality a little bit with this one, please forgive me. Like Voltron is realistic anyhow but you'll see what I mean. After watching the 1st episode today...I can see that I'm REALLY making things up, but it's better than Hagar being able to curse a giant robot into 5 pieces. Also forgot how really cheesy Keith's dialogue is. It was a long time between updates again, I know, please forgive me. I have no excuse but I am very sorry. :)

Preparations

"Go over it one more time, Pidge. Just to make sure everyone understands," Keith said softly, not looking up from his place against the wall. He was reclining again, arms folded, head bowed, barely even paying attention to the people surrounding him. It was the second day since Lotor's reappearance and the five members of the Voltron team looked more as if they had gone through the worst month of their lives rather than two harrowing days. Hunk could barely keep his eyes open and he had long since stopped trying to stifle his yawns. Pidge's glasses had become lost among his hair and any time he was not talking he spent rubbing his temples, his eyes closed with obvious strain. Lance appeared to have completely forgotten what a comb was his hair was so unruly and even his characteristic bravado was lacking as he sprawled in one of the uncomfortable chairs in the conference room, his legs stretched out in front of him. Allura was something akin to a ghost; she walked and spoke among them, but her spirit was elsewhere, her eyes limpid. This meeting was more of a formality anyhow. In protest of the Voltron Force's unavoidable assumption of control, several of the Chancellors had chosen not to attend. Why they wanted to support a king who continued to show no interest in the current state of affairs, Keith couldn't fathom, but he hadn't tried to petition them to change their minds either. Unsurprisingly, Calinda had chosen to attend and was watching the proceedings with an undisguised frown on her face, no longer trying to avoid looking mainly at Lance. She was worried. Keith couldn't exactly blame her. Coran, too, looked grave as Pidge sighed and began to outline the path again, his fingers unconsciously stroking his moustache.

"Everyone here understands the situation so I won't go over that again. We have one day left before Lotor will demand a decision from us concerning Her Majesty. Everyone also knows her decision. As previously suspected, Lotor has gone to a great deal of trouble to recreate the events surrounding his first demise ten years ago and so, things will continue just as they did before. History will repeat itself. However, this time we will not go into battle with him unprepared."

"Do you really think this is going to work?" One of the Chancellors interjected, not wanting to wait through Pidge's recitation a second time. During the first, none of them had said a word, not even Calinda and Keith was actually somewhat relieved to have one of them speak at last. Looking up from the computer that was never far from him, Pidge met the Chancellor's gaze steadily and said in a flat tone,

"It's our only option."

"If you will pardon me, you killed him before, can't you simply do it again?"

"No," Keith said, his voice sounding harsher than he had meant it to. Everyone's gaze flickered to him for a moment and several words were swallowed back due to the look on his face. There wasn't a one of them who had the courage to contest the man who had taken Lotor's life the first time, not when his near breakdown at the Doom Prince's return was known to all thanks to palace gossip.

"I simply don't see how it's going to work," the man repeated and leaned back in his chair, his arms folded defiantly across his chest. Keith bit back several words springing to mind, foremost among them the question of why the Chancellor had even bothered to attend if he was so opposed to what the Force had to offer but he swallowed it back and subtly motioned for Pidge to continue.

"It might not work but it's the best chance we have at defeating him. We can't take the risk

of him reincarnating himself again if we kill him by the usual means."

"And this magical one you've devised?" Peter interjected, though the youngest and most inexperienced, perhaps the only one of the Chancellors who was the most open-minded about the plan the Force had presented.

"Our only chance?" Pidge threw out with a shrug very like the boy he had once been. "We haven't the time to discuss the link I believe there to be between magic and science. My research is far from complete, though if this works and even if it doesn't, it will make for a most interesting chapter, if not an entire book. I do have the means, however, of providing anyone who's interested with copies of some of my articles about the link between magic and science but that's another matter entirely. I do believe beyond a doubt that there is something else that guides the Lions besides just machinery. We may never really know what it is and it might not even be what we commonly refer to as "magic" but it's there. And we need it to help us defeat Lotor. For good this time."

"So you each take pieces of your own Lions and put them together at the spring where they supposedly came to the mind of their inventor?" Peter threw in again, saying the words slowly, as if he was trying to fully grasp their meaning.

"Yes. And if nothing happens, we go to face Lotor with our own weapons and hope that he can't send his spirit into another unsuspecting person," Pidge replied. Peter's brows arched but he said nothing further, his brows remaining drawn together.

"What makes you think that's what he intends?"

"He cheated death once, Chancellor, he can do it again," Keith said flatly.

"But if he believe he has Her Majesty..."

"Her Majesty isn't his main objective. All he wants is to defeat us and until he does, he'll stop at nothing to achieve it."

"It all sounds like hocus pocus to me," another Chancellor chimed in, throwing up his hands in obvious disgust.

"Hocus pocus or not, it's all we've got," Lance said sharply, speaking for the first time in several minutes. Gratefully throwing him a small smile, Keith tried to ignore Calinda's wince and addressed the skeptical faces assembled before him once more,

"Chancellors, we're not asking for your permission to go ahead with this. His Majesty was one for procedures and regulations; we are not. Regardless of whether or not you think this plan is legitimate, we are going through with it. We thought it only fair that you know should the worst occur and we fail."

Several looks passed between the Chancellors, excluding Calinda, who looked whiter than Keith had ever seen her and who was staring blankly at one of the walls. From his team, there was no reaction, all four were wearing the same grim expressions as he.

"What of His Majesty?" Which one of them dared to ask it, Keith never knew nor did he

really care. Forcing himself to smile as winningly as he could, he met each of the Chancellors gazes in turn, including the frozen Calinda's and answered,

"When we have finished, Chancellors, I fully intend to tell His Majesty everything I have just told you." Even his teammates started at this news, most noticeably among them Allura. Animation returned to her features for the first time since Cael's abduction as she stared at Keith in a mixture of horror and amazement.

"But..." Someone said, it didn't matter whether it was one of his teammates or a Chancellor. Keith raised a hand against their protest and said,

"He may have washed his hands of this affair, but he has a right to know what we intend. It is his son we're trying to rescue, after all, and his wife that we're giving up as a prize." His gaze found Allura's and he tried to smile into her horrified expression. Starting, Lance looked from Keith to Allura for a moment before fixing the Queen of Arus with a stare that was frighteningly intent. She didn't see it, however, she was too occupied in staring at Keith.

"As long as His Highness is returned to us and you find a way to rescue Her Majesty, it doesn't matter how you achieve it, Captain," Chancellor Mika said finally, disapproval etched across every facet of his wrinkled features. "I wish your team good luck and good faith, you're going to need it." With that, the Chancellor rose from the table and exited the room, his robes swishing behind him. Looks passed between the remaining Chancellors before they rose to do the same with the exception of Calinda. The latter was staring solely at Lance, her arms folded across her chest while her expression darkened. Lance was still glaring at Allura who was stubbornly avoiding his gaze. What it meant, Keith didn't want to bother to determine. He supposed it was some misplaced jealousy on Calinda's part and while he understood, it irked him nevertheless. This was no time for melodrama. He almost laughed at the thought, considering that the same thing certainly awaited him during his coming conversation with the absent King of Arus.

"Hunk, Pidge, Lance, get everything together and go over whatever you need to. We leave in two hours. That should be enough time for Liran to verbally slaughter me." This, with a smile, that surprised everyone present.

"Keith, do you think you should?" Hunk asked, actual worry on his features. Pausing at the door, Keith smiled the same wistful smile and said softly,

"He has the right to it...the least I can do is give him the opportunity." Still smiling, Keith vanished through the door, the set of his shoulders understandably rigid. Gathering up their things, Hunk and Pidge exited the room without so much of a word for Lance, talking quietly among themselves. They were used to it by now but in some ways, it was still funny how the team always ended up being divided along the same lines. Which left Lance alone in the room with two women, one who wouldn't look at him while the other was furiously trying to catch his attention.

"Ally," was all Lance said, his brows drawn tightly together as he tried without success to get her to look at him.

"Lance," Calinda began, still seated and staring unfalteringly at Lance.

"Cally, this isn't the time," he retorted, holding up a hand to dismiss her while Allura's fascination with the floor only intensified.

"When is it the time, Lance? Every time I try to talk to you, you're either flying those silly Lions or busy conferring with your precious Captain or her..." Allura's head snapped up and she looked past Lance straight into Calinda's jealousy-tinged expression.

"Calinda, you should know..." She started, only to be cut off by Calinda's mirthless laughter.

"Oh I know. I know better than anyone, even the Captain, that there isn't anything to the relationship the two of you have. He doesn't like it anymore than I do, though, I can see that much. You will pardon me, Your Majesty, if I am tired of always coming in second when I thought that I was first. I can see now that I was wrong. About more things than one." Rising to her feet, Calinda fixed Lance with a long stare, her chin raising in spite of herself.

"Cally, don't do this," Lance said finally, turning his head and looking at her at last. Her brows arched and she laughed again, the sound eerie with its lack of amusement.

"I know you've grown tired of me causing scenes...and I'm tired of having to cause them. Have your private conference and go risk your life based on something straight out of a fairy tale. I don't care any more."

"It isn't straight out of a fairy tale," Lance said softly. Calinda snorted.

"Combining five items from your lions at a spring in the hopes that they'll come together and make one new item that will miraculously keep your enemy from coming back to life a second time? It sounds very fairy tale-like to me. I can't believe you of all people are going to wager your life on it."

"You have no idea what we're facing," Lance said through gritted teeth. Calinda tossed her head and folded her arms.

"Of course I don't. I used to think His Majesty was silly, just like all of you, for feeling so inferior to the Voltron Force but I understand it now. It isn't pleasant constantly being shut out of something simply because you didn't have the good fortune to be involved ten years ago."

"It wasn't good fortune," Allura put in quietly, startling both of them.

"Call it what you want, it doesn't matter. I wish you luck, all of you. You're going to need it...and not just in this fantastical venture you have planned. I'm sorry, Your Majesty, for what I've said. It isn't your fault...and I suppose it isn't really your fault either. Neither of you can help it. Please be careful," this solely for Lance before she fled the room, the faintest glimmer of tears in her eyes. For several moments Lance stared where she had been, his hands thrust in his pockets as his features flickered through several different emotions.

"You should go after her," Allura said finally, turning away from him.

"I will but not until you promise me."

He rounded on her with such a ferocity that she actually retreated a step. Eyes widening, Allura met his gaze for only a moment before she looked away and shook her head.

"I can't."

"Ally, you have to tell him."

"I can't."

"He has a right to know who he's really saving."

"He'll hate me," she whispered, the fear in her voice genuine. Lance started and peered down at her face, still turned away from him.

"Keith? Hate you? You're crazy, Ally. He never could, even if he wanted to."

"He will after this. How could he not? This isn't like me taking the Black without asking his permission. It's unforgivable."

"You really don't know him at all, do you? Yes, he's going to get angry. And yes, he's probably going to hate you. But only for a few minutes."

"I can't," she repeated, shaking her head yet again. Sighing, Lance watched her for several moments and then said in a low tone,

"He thinks Lotor's going to kill him."

"I know," she whispered.

"Isn't that all the more reason to tell him before he sacrifices himself to what he thinks is his destiny?"

"It isn't his destiny."

"You know that and I know that but I'll be damned if Keith knows it. He's got this whole thing so twisted in his mind he can't see straight anymore. He won't live for you because even if he were dead, he'd let Liran stay between you, but he might live for his son. Ally, he loves that boy already and he doesn't even know it. And Cael should have the chance to know his father...one that won't see him only as a disappointment."

"How can I ever tell Cael? Even when he's..."

"He'll figure it out, Ally, and then he will be angry at you and he might hate you for it. Liran's done too much damage to him. You have to tell him before you go. Promise me that you will or I won't leave you alone, Calinda be damned."

"You don't mean that."

"Don't I? The woman means more to me than I could possibly tell you but I'm not going to

stand by and let you damn Keith to his fate simply because you're afraid. There's nothing I can say that will stop him from thinking he's marching to his death, but you can." She looked at him at last, fear in her eyes as she asked,

"And if it's not enough?"

"Tell him you love him."

"I thought you said he wouldn't live for me."

"He won't...but he needs to hear it just the same. Don't give yourself up to Lotor without saying everything, Ally. Not this time." Several minutes passed where the two of them simply stared at each other, one fearful, the other fiercely determined. Eventually Allura sighed and a single tear streaked down her cheek as she whispered,

"I'll tell him."

"Before you go?"

"Before I go."

"I'm going to keep asking until you do. You have to do this, Ally. You've waited long enough."

"I know...I'll tell him."

"Good. That is...if he survives talking to your husband."

"Liran wouldn't dare lay a hand on him...he wouldn't like the results," Allura said softly, blinking back the tears that refused to go away. Smiling down at her, Lance unexpectedly pulled her into an embrace, the tension draining away from him as he did. She seemed unusually fragile in his arms, as if there was very little holding her together and he wondered idly if telling Keith might be the thing that broke her.

"It'll be fine," he murmured into her hair. She gripped him tighter in response and then drew away from him.

"I hope so. For all our sakes. You'd better go find Calinda."

"Ah yes. An hour of begging for forgiveness awaits," Lance said wryly, running a hand through his hair and grimacing.

"It might take longer," she said, fighting back a smile.

"But I've only got two hours. Women," Lance shook his head and bowed fluidly to her before exiting the room. Alone, Allura stared off into nothingness, more afraid of her coming conversation with Keith than she was of giving herself up to Lotor for the second time.

Standing outside the door to Liran's rooms, Keith hesitated briefly before knocking. In the conference room it had been easy to announce his intention to talk to Liran, it was not so easy now that he was standing outside the man's door. It had to be done, however. Had he been in Liran's situation, he would both have wanted to know what was intended to save his son and to have the chance to confront the man who had slept with his fiancé and kept it secret for ten years. He deserved that much even if the man was an absolute boor. Idly Keith wondered if Liran would have the guts to hit him and then decided against it. It was too likely that he would hit back and that might somehow ruin Liran's appearance. His lips twitched in spite of himself and he held on to his amusement in order to strengthen himself before knocking on His Majesty's door.

"Come in," Liran's voice called out, surprising the Voltron Captain. He would have thought Liran would put anyone attempting to enter his rooms through extensive questioning. It wasn't good that the man could still surprise him. Squaring his shoulders, Keith breathed deeply and entered the rooms of the Arusian King. He deserved anything the man had to say to him.

He was even more surprised when he caught sight of Liran. Lounging on one of the sofas in his sitting room, the King of Arus was far from his usual immaculate self. Gone was the impeccable white suit, replaced with clothes rather similar to the ones Keith wore when not in uniform. They were dark as well, dark blue with a simple stripe to adorn it. Liran's hair, however, still fell in perfectly straight lines but there was a faint hint of stubble on his cheeks and there were shadows under his eyes. Guilt trickled through Keith as he took in Liran's changed image. How much of this had to do with him and Allura he didn't want to wager. He hoped it was more to do with the prospect of losing Cael and Allura than Liran's discovery of his wife's infidelity but he highly doubted it. Realizing exactly who had come through his doorway, Liran started, his features darkening over with the expected anger and Keith quickly bowed.

"Your Majesty."

"Captain." Keith hadn't thought it possible to sneer a single word so chillingly but Liran accomplished it splendidly.

"I apologize for the intrusion, but I thought you might want to know the Force's plans for retrieving the Prince."

"How thoughtful of you."

"He's your son," Keith said simply. Liran's head jerked so sharply, his hair fell out of alignment and he stared unabashedly at Keith.

"My son," Liran repeated, staring at Keith almost as if he didn't see him.

"I want to assure you as well, Your Majesty, that we will do everything in our power to get Her Majesty back. Neither I or my teammates will rest as long as she is Lotor's captive." At the mention of Allura's name, Liran seemed to come out of his trance and a bitter smile wrenched at the corners of his mouth.

"I doubt very much that she will be his 'captive', Captain, as do you. There is only one way he could have found that tracking device."

This with a grin that sent unease running through Keith. In the short time he had known Liran, he had never seen him this unbalanced, or as open with his emotions. Himself, he preferred not to think about the tracking device. He was beginning to wish they had never planted it in the first place. Liran's brows arched and his grin grew wider as he watched Keith.

"It bothers you, I see. It bothered me, too, to think of it, every time I saw that scar, marring what would otherwise be perfection." Slyly Liran eyed him, willing him to visibly squirm. Insides churning with the desire to throttle him, Keith kept his expression as neutral as possible. He wouldn't argue that Liran had every right to question him in this fashion...but he wasn't about to give him any satisfaction from it.

"I'm sure you share the same sentiment, Captain, but what I really wonder, is how many times you felt it? Once? Twice? Several?"

"Would it serve your purposes to know that I haven't thought it for ten years up until this moment?"

"Come now, you expect me to believe that? The both of you must take me for some sort of fool. I am not blind, I never have been. If it hadn't been for his years of smokescreening, sometime you really must thank him for that, I would have known the first day. Your unfailing honor holds no ground any longer, so you cannot use that as your proof. Whatever honor you had, you threw out the window ten years ago when you..."

"She wasn't your wife yet," Keith interrupted. Liran laughed..

"She might as well have been. Is that how you justified it?"

"I didn't plan on coming back."

"Captain, everyone but you knew that you would come back. I suspect even she was certain of it though she probably didn't put any faith in it. If she called you from the other end of the Galaxy, you would find a way to come to her aid. Knowing this, you really expect me to believe that you haven't..."

"I haven't touched her since that night," Keith said slowly, finding the burning gaze of Liran and forcing himself to hold it steadily. Again Liran laughed but he didn't falter, staring back at the Voltron Captain as if he could force the truth out of him.

"Indeed."

"Whether or not you choose to believe it isn't my concern, Your Majesty, but it is the truth. Whatever you might think of my honor, once she officially became yours, I relinquished any claim on her."

"She has never really been mine, Captain. She's yours whether you want to admit it or not. Why everyone but you seems to know it, I can't fathom. Even your enemy knows it. Your enemy knows a great deal that you do not." Liran looked at him significantly though what message he was trying to convey, Keith couldn't fathom. He was tired of this conversation, though, tired of having to defend himself for something that he couldn't change, no matter how wrong it had been. He wasn't even certain if Liran really was angry with him, or if he was just appearing angry because it was expected of him. He suspected it had more to do with Liran's feelings of inferiority in comparison to the Force than his feelings for Allura.

"May I go over our plans with you now, Sire? Or would you prefer to continue this line of questioning?" He asked with a small bow, transforming back into his official role. Liran dismissed him with a wave of his hand.

"Captain, I heard everything that was said at your meeting. I am well aware of your plans though I am not as certain of their success as you. You will get the Prince back, I have no doubt, but you will not kill him with this hocus pocus. And you will not get her back."

"I never said Iwould be the one to bring her back."

The gazes of the two men met again and Liran's brows raised as he comprehended Keith's full meaning. Once again, he began to laugh, only this time there was actual amusement in the sound. Shaking his head, Liran was scarcely able to keep from smiling as he looked at Keith.

"Oh Captain, you never fail to entertain me. You do this thinking you march to your death and that you'll be making some sort of noble sacrifice. You are a bigger fool than I ever thought you were. Most men will do anything to live...what makes you the exception?"

"I haven't anything to live for," Keith said quietly.

"I doubt that, Captain. I doubt that indeed," Liran murmured.

For a moment they looked at each other in silence and then Keith bowed and exited the room. Liran remained where he was, staring off into something only he could see. The Voltron Captain was wrong to think he had nothing to live for. He had everything.