Hello all! Please enjoy the latest chapter. Hope you like it. Work has been killing me so I am hoping that it slows down a little so my postings are more current. Again, thank you for the reviews, PM's and overall nods of encouragement.

GoPinkLion: Lucy is very intuitive. I don't thinks she know exactly what happens, but she knows that something happened. She is also not heavily invested in the situation as the team is so her perspective and observation are not partial. And Hunk's apprehension. He's a soldier and he is afraid of bringing a child into the world that is very dangerous. Hunk has mostly been written as a man who likes kids and kids cling to him. Kind of wanted to show the opposite in this fic. Hope and Darrell…LOL! I think you're going to love what I'll do with them and Lotor…..hee hee hee…..guess you'll have to find out. Thank you for reading.

KathDMD: Hello Lovey! So there are a couple of things that you should know. I rewrote certain scenes in this fic based on your comments. So…I hope you like where this is going. Keith and Romelle….well, Romelle is afraid of Keith, just like, he's afraid of her. So, he will in the end do whatever she asks and vice versa. What a weird relationship they have, huh? And Hunk, poor man is just totally freaked out. LOL!

Snyperlady: The base…mmmm….Lotor is devious. I hope I can pull off what I'm thinking. I don't want to write him as the bumbling idiot that the original cartoon portrayed him. It's so unfair to such a great villain. Again, let's hope I did him justice.

Okay, here we go!

Playlist

Joey Fehrenback: Delicate

Mazzy Starr: Roseblood

Cillo: Breathe

Chapter 16

The next day rolled around so fast that Hunk had no idea how he ended up sitting next to Lucy at the OBGYN's office. Looking around he could tell that the practice was beyond posh. It was downright ludicrous. Everything everywhere looked expensive. He didn't dare move too much on the chair he was sitting on thinking that if he broke it, he might just have to sell the baby in order to pay for the damn chair.

The entire octagonal room had dark hardwood floors, thick contemporary pale blue and pumpkin orange chairs, glass tables that stood out against thin marble columns and dark blue and gray walls. It was cold yet eerily comfortable. Hunk didn't know what motions went through his mind. He knew he felt nervous, anxious, and completely out of his element.

"Hey," Lucy whispered. He jumped. Lucy, looking at him for a moment, laughed, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," he nodded and smiled a bit, "Sorry, my mind was somewhere else."

"I could tell," she laughed a bit more. "Are you nervous, honey?"

"No, of course not," Hunk immediately told her, "Lucy, I'm fine."

"Well, that's good," the young woman said with a sigh, "At least one of us is. I'm completely out of my element here."

"Seriously?" he looked surprised.

Lucy smiled a little, "Hunk, we're having a baby. I'm away from my family and on a planet that I haven't lived in for almost twenty years." She lowered her voice, "I'm in this place, sitting in a chair that probably costs more than the monthly payment in our apartment. Hell yeah, I'm nervous!"

"You shouldn't be." He tried to appear stronger by taking his wife's hand and gently kissing it, "You are going to be fine. Nothing to worry about."

Lucy kissed his cheek, "Thank you Baby. I needed that."

"Mrs. Lucy Garrett," the nurse suddenly called out, "The doctor is ready to see you now." She was a young short stubby woman with gentle dark brown eyes and long dark brown hair that was tied up in a ponytail. Lucy and Hunk stood up and walked toward her. "My name is Emily, I'll be assisting the doctor today. If you would please follow me, I'll take you to the Dr. Girard."

The three shook hands before Hunk and Lucy followed Emily into a door next to the reception area and then down the hallway to the doctor's office. Within a minute or two they were welcomed by a tall dark brown man with black hair and caramel eyes, "Mr. and Mrs. Garrett! It is a pleasure to meet you," the man said shaking their hands.

"Dr. Girard, thank you so much for seeing us. Romelle has told us so many wonderful things about you," Lucy said as they shook hands. "I realize that with your busy schedule—"

"You needn't worry about that, Mrs. Garrett," he assured her. "When Romelle asked if I could take you on as a patient, I was delighted. I am grateful that you've placed your trust on me. Romelle is a good friend and a great partner in our goal of helping orphaned children."

"You're part of the foundation as well?"

"Yes," the doctor nodded. "Romelle and I have been partners in crime for probably the past four years or so. But prior to that, I was the one that delivered Hope."

"You delivered Hope?" Hunk suddenly asked.

"Why yes," the doctor nodded proudly. "I was a kid back then. But, yes, Romelle was a patient. A few years back, we crossed paths when she pitched the idea of becoming a board member of the foundation. I couldn't say no. Romelle is a great negotiator. Please, have a seat."

"Thank you," Lucy said as she took a seat across from the doctor's desk. The office was no different from the waiting room outside. Dr. Girard had done well for himself. His office had high end leather furniture, a mahogany table with a thick glass table top, a small living area and various technological gizmos that even Hunk didn't know how they worked.

"So congratulations are in order," the doctor smiled as Lucy laughed with happiness and Hunk nodded with a little smile of his own, "I'm assuming this is your first."

"Yeah," Hunk immediately said.

"Was this a planned pregnancy?" the doctor asked as he began as he pulled up the computer and began creating a medical file for Lucy.

"God no!" Hunk said so forcefully that it made Lucy turn to him with a questionable gaze. "I mean…well, I meant…."

"No, doctor," Lucy played it off with a smile. "As you see, it was a surprise to both of us."

Nodding with a small smile of his own, the doctor continued looking at the screen in front of him.

As the doctor continued typing and asking questions, Hunk began to feel the room grow stuffier. Lucy kept a cool composure, but Hunk could tell she felt uncomfortable. The entire environment had suddenly changed and, at that moment, Hunk knew that the words had let out opened a pandora's box of feelings he purposely hid from Lucy. Now, looking at his wife, who sat still and looked at the floor from time to time, Hunk inwardly sighed. She knew.

XXXXXXXXXX

The morning felt really good to Hope. She woke to find a holographic message left by her mom on the vidscreen: Honey, I have a meeting that I couldn't get out of this morning. Breakfast is in the warmer. See you later. Love you. Romelle had made her French toast, scrambled eggs and turkey sausages. She had even made her a cappuccino with whip cream. It was really nice to be home.

Knowing that her mom's meeting would most likely take all morning, Hope decided to get started surveying the damaged area of the ballroom until her mother made it back. She took the second family vehicle and headed to the base. But before going to the ballroom, she'd stop by and see her grandfather.

As a young girl, she'd love spending time with her grandfather. He had been her father figure after her father passed away and the two developed a close relationship. She was glad that she'd be spending some time with him during her visit to Arus.

Unfortunately, it was going to be short visit. Hope only had a limited amount of time to help reconstruct the ballroom and help her mom put the event together. She'd attend the ball and then be off again to Terra. The thought saddened her. In her heart, she didn't want to leave because there was one person that she couldn't get out of her mind. She missed him, so much.

Hope realized early on that Darrell broke their relationship to protect her. He told her that she needed to experience the world. He didn't want to hold her off by being with him. Little did Darrell know that being with him was the only thing she wanted. After their first night together, there was no denying it in her mind. Now if she could just convince him of that.

Well, there'll be enough time, she thought as she walked down the hallway to her grandfather's office. As she made her way down the hall, Hope didn't expect that time would present itself so early. Just as she turned, she saw Darrell walking toward her. Her eyes widened with surprise.

"Darrell?" she suddenly found herself saying.

"Hope," he was equally surprised to find her there. "What are you doing here?"

Smiling a little, she said, "I'm helping mom out with the preparations of the Gala." Sounding a little too sheepish for her taste. Hope couldn't control herself as she continued speaking, "I'm only here for a couple of weeks and then I'm back to Paris."

As she spoke, Darrell couldn't stop himself from studying every one of her features. Hope had curled her black locks. They fell down her shoulders to her lower back. Her blue eyes shined even move against the black eyeliner and black mascara she wore. Her light gloss made her lips so tempting to kiss.

"Are you alright?" she asked noticing that he hadn't said anything after her comment.

"You've lost weight," he suddenly hear himself say. She looked a little surprised, but he quickly recovered what could have been an offensive remark, "You look good, Hope. You always do. I was just noticing that you look slimmer since the last time I saw you."

"I'm not a fan of the food in Paris," she commented as she shrugged, "Good thing I'm back for a couple of weeks to put it back on. Mom already started feeding me the good stuff."

Darrell laughed. He knew that when it came to cooking Romelle loved feeding the entire family. "You look good, Holgersson."

"You too Stokes," she smiled back. "I miss you."

Darrell's smile faltered a little, "It was nice seeing you again, Hope. I have to go."

Nodding, she answered and immediately hugged him before he had a chance to back away, "I understand. I hope I see you again in the coming weeks."

He sighed and nodded wrapping his arms around her. Closing his eyes, he enjoyed holding her petite frame. God he missed her. But just as quickly as the thoughts came, he dismissed them. Breaking away, he told her, "I have to go. See you around."

With that, Darrell walked away leaving Hope once again, behind.

XXXXXXXXXX

Coran looked over the information that Lance had shared with Keith the evening prior. Keith, who sat next to him in the living room area of the office, sat back and waited until the advisor processed everything he saw.

"Are you sure these are correct?" Coran asked, still looking at the screen.

"Darrell is never wrong," Keith answered. "He was able to pull this information deep within the Drule systems. I'm sure if it was something they wanted us to know, he wouldn't had had such a challenging time gathering it."

"What are your thoughts?" Coran turned to Keith.

Keith snorted. "Whatever they are building underground is so well hidden that they don't want our satellites to detect it. It could be a weapon, arsenal or biochemical…who knows at this point. But, whatever it is Coran, we need to find out. Lotor is cunning. He will strike us with everything he has."

"The problem is finding someone who can infiltrate the compound," Coran sighed. "I'm not sure who can do that. I even pondered the idea of a Drule or hybrid going in, but most Drules who live on Arus don't want to return to Korrinth."

Nodding, Keith added, "They're refugees here Coran. They'll be killed if they return to their planet. No, it would have to be someone human. Intel gathered suggests there are some allies still living within the cities surrounding the compound. They can help our operative enter the castle and the areas."

"Again, the problem is who," the advisor snorted in frustration. "Where you able to look at the files?"

"Some," he answered. "Lance's information took priority last night. I'll look at them later today. But, I do have a volunteer who took me aside yesterday. He wants to go."

Perplexed, Coran asked, "Someone volunteered? Who?"

"General Gellar," Keith answered with a matter of fact tone.

"What?" Coran was genuinely surprised. This confirmed what Keith thought, the General had only discussed this with him.

"Came to me yesterday afternoon and said he wanted to go in to Korrinth."

"And, what did you say?" the advisor asked wondering what Keith's answer was and why the General would want to be part of a mission like this one.

"What do you think?" Keith asked. "Coran, he can't do this. First, he hasn't done any type of work such as this one in almost twenty years. And, even the ones he did take were never as dangerous. The man is more of a strategist than an operative. He's not devious enough. Won't be able to assimilate to his surroundings."

"Devious?" Coran lifted his brows, "No, can't say the General is that. Not many of us possess such gift." The Advisor stated the comment with such harshness that Keith unconsciously looked way.

"Well," Keith replied without looking at that older man, "You're right. Not many can stomach certain assignments and duties given by the military."

Coran was about to say something when both men heard a knock on the door. Turning the advisor called out, "Come in."

Both men soon noticed the young woman walk in, "Good morning Grandpa!" Hope smiled as her gaze went directly to her grandfather. "I wanted to see if you wanted to grab some coffee—" She stopped and her smile widened when she noticed who was also in the room, "Uncle Keith!" Unconsciously, she went to him. When his indifferent response registered in her, Hope immediately stopped and backed up. "It's…it's good to see you Uncle Keith."

Nodding, Keith picked up his tablet from the table, "It's good to see you too Hope. Coran, we can pick up this conversation later. You know the most important things now. I'll look at the files you gave me later today." He began walking toward the door, but unable to get out without passing Hope, Keith asked, "Are you well, Hope?"

"I am Uncle," she nodded answering him in a gentle voice. "Thank you."

Giving her a small nod, he passed her and left.

Once gone, Coran asked, "What was all that about?"

Smiling a little, Hope replied, "What do you mean? I was glad to see him, that's all?"

"Really?' her grandfather asked rather inquisitively, "Hope, I know that your mother told you what he did to your father. Yet, I don't understand this reaction from you."

She shrugged, "Losing Daddy was hard. I don't remember much about him. Part of me misses him. Uncle Keith…well…I just don't have those same feelings as all of you do. Resenting him will not bring my father back. We need to move on."

"You sound like your mother," Coran answered, still questioning the girl's actions.

"Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment," Hope replied walking up and hugging her grandfather, "Now, let get some coffee before I spend the day putting together that room for mom."

Whatever was going on was very bizarre. Thinking as he walked out with his granddaughter, Coran thought of what needed to be done to find answers.

XXXXXXXXXX

Allura had a full day ahead of her. Patrol the night before was uneventful and when she got back, she rested a few hours before raising, showering and getting ready for the day. Since there was no lion practice this morning, Allura decided to walk to Sam's office and invite him for coffee before the rest of the day took them apart. When she walked in to his office, Altair found him completely enthralled in whatever he was reading on the computer screen.

"Whatever you are reading must be real interesting," she smiled a little as she walked further in to his office.

Without looking up, Sam said, "Do you know how many languages and dialect Korrinth has?"

"Truthfully, it's never crossed my mind," she answered studiously looking at him.

"Fifty-Six," he replied. "And, those are only the ones that have been identified by Garrison, the Corps, and other military agencies around the Denubian."

"Why this sudden interest in Drule language, Sam?"

Looking up at his girlfriend, "Yesterday, I spoke to Kogane about the possibility of taking the assignment at Korrinth. Allura, he spoke to me in a Drule dialect that I didn't even recognize as Drule."

"You finally asked Keith to allow you to go?" Allura sighed as she sat down on a chair across from his desk. "What did he say?"

Sam snorted, "He asked me if I was capable taking such assignment…in Drule."

Altair looked at him a little perplexed, "I'm not following you. What? You answered him in Drule?"

He shook his head, "I couldn't. I wasn't familiar with the dialect that he used. I felt like a fool! How could I have not known that Allura? I know just about everything there is about Korrinth. Damn it! I put together every plan of attack we used against them!"

Allura was quiet, trying to carefully word her response, "Sam, that's something only someone on the field would have known. And then, that's someone who would have lived undercover for months…years."

"Then, how come he knew?" Sam looked at her, "From what I know about all of you, not one of you have ever been in Korrinth longer than a few days on mission. How, Allura? How come this man know so damn much!"

Looking at him, Allura realized that Sam wasn't mad, but disappointed in himself. She felt for him, "Keith has always been one to be ahead of things," she gently told him. "Even back then, when he and the rest of the group arrived on Arus, Coran was amazed how much he knew about Arus, our history, culture…it's just who he is."

"He won't let me go," he finally said.

"Maybe it's for the better," Allura answered cautiously. When she saw the anger in Sam's eyes at the statement, she calmly asked, "What's the point, Sam? What will you gain from going there? You could help so much on this end rather than going over there. And, I want you here…with me."

"You think I can't do this either?"

"No!" she raised her voice. "That thought has never crossed my mind. But, you have to realize you have limitations. We all do."

"You don't! You never will."

"Sam, that's not true."

"You'll never grow old, tired, Allura," he let out a humorless laugh. "You're with me now, but what about ten years from now, twenty? Will you stay with me then?"

"I will never leave you," she told him with an adamant tone.

Standing up and walking toward her, Sam kneeled down in front of her and took her hand, "You can't promise me that Altair. I will grow old, you won't. I'm growing old now. You can't tell me that you don't notice people staring at us whenever we go out? How about when we are together at the base? You've never wondered what others think about us?"

She sincerely replied, "No. I don't care what others think."

"I do," he nodded. "It pains me. I know what they think. So many years together and yet…she still won't accept him."

"Sam—"

"Let me finish, Allura," he stopped her. "It's the truth. I've been wondering about this situation of ours for the last year and now that he's back—"

"Wait—"

"And, I wonder," his voice rose, "Do you really want to be with me?"

"Sam!"

"It shouldn't be a complicated question Allura. Do you want to be with me? Yes or no?"

"Yes," she let out the word in a hard sigh.

"Then, marry me," Sam gently squeezed her hand. "Let's bond. Let's really be together. For always."

When had the conversation suddenly taken a turn? Allura was astonished. She had absolutely no idea what to say. If she said no, he'd never forgive her. But, if she said yes? Altair didn't want to lose him. She loved him, but bond with him? There was only one man in her mind she ever think of bonding with, but he…

"Allura?"

That man was her past. They'd never be together. Part of her knew that, another part still clung to hope. Maybe clinging on to that hope prevented her from being with Sam. But, she had to let go of it. If Altair didn't, she was going to lose the man that had truly been there for her after all these years. Allura looked at Sam. His eyes were a mix of hope and defeat. Inwardly, she sighed, "Okay, Sam."

The man's eyes widened, "Are you saying, yes?"

She nodded and gave him a small smile, "Yes. I'll bond with you."

Sam took her into his arms, "You've made me the happiest man alive!"

Allura held him tight and closed her eyes. Even after seeing him so happy, Allura couldn't stop the feeling that she had made a very bad decision.

XXXXXXXXXX

As Cossack read over the information one last time, Lotor walked in to the computer room wanting to know what his subject had gathered.

"Is everything finalized, my dear Cossack?"

Nodding his answer, the Drule soldier answered, "We have everything we need to make the flight to Arus, Sire. You will not be able to be detected once we reach their airspace."

"Do you know where we can find her?" the prince asked as he sat next to Cossack he looked at the computer screen. "Where she'll be that night?"

Cossack shook his head, "I haven't received any information on her whereabouts. But, I'm sure we'll find out soon enough."

Lotor smiled as he looked at the computer screen. A picture of her. The picture that first sparked his interest. Her blue eyes stared back into his yellow reptilian, at least, that's what he imagined. "She is one fine looking specimen, isn't she, Cossack?"

Cossack had never paid much attention to human women, but he had to admit that the woman on screen was beautiful, "Yes, she is my Prince. She will make a good mate for you."

Continuing to smile, Lotor nodded, "Yes. She will."

XXXXXXXXXX

The ride home had been quiet. Hunk drove Lucy home before he had to report back to base. As he drove, he cautiously turned to see Lucy looking out her side of the window. He had no idea what had come over him at the doctor's office. All his feeling had come out in seconds with just one question. I'm so stupid! He said to himself. How could I?

Sighing hard, Hunk knew it was time to explain himself, even though he had no idea how to begin, "Lucy—"

"I don't want to hear it!" she raised her voice so dangerously that Hunk felt intimidated by the petite woman sitting next to him.

"I'm sorry!"

"For what?" she seethed, "For what you said at the doctor's office or the fact that you got me pregnant?"

"That's not what I meant," he tried to explain.

"Really Will," she let out a humorless laugh, "What did you mean? You practically told the doctor everything you felt on the inside in two words. You don't want this baby, do you?"

"That's not what I said!"

"That's what you meant!" she shot back. "Damn it! Just drop me off here."

"Lucy," Hunk turned to her surprised, "We're still three blocks away from home."

Ignoring his concern, the petite woman looked at her husband with a mixture of anger and hurt, "I'll walk. Seriously Will, just stop the car."

"But—"

"Damn it, just stop it!" she yelled. "I…I need to be alone for a while. The walk will do me some good."

Not wanting to make things worse than they already were, Hunk stopped the car and allowed Lucy to exit without further problems. Once she got out, Lucy walked ahead without saying another word. At this, the Voltron pilot didn't bother to push the subject any longer. Feeling defeated, he turned the car around and headed to base, extremely aware of the immense screw up he had caused.

XXXXXXXXXX

Allura walked out of Sam's office feeling numb. How had the conversation turned so quickly and to a topic that she avoided like the plague? Not only that, but, Allura accepted a proposal that she turned down numerous times. What was so different about this time? Not ready to face the group and especially one person in particular, Altair went to the ballroom of the old castle. Romelle would be there working with the crew to fix things for the ball. Maybe, I can pull her away so I can vent...hell, right now, I wouldn't mind asking her to switch places with me.

Altair made it to the bunkers and took the stairs to the lower levels of the base before heading to a long hallway that connected to the old castle. As she walked closer, she could hear a group of people talking and the sounds of electrical equipment running. Once in, she looked around to find her cousin, but as her eyes wondered around the large room, she didn't find her.

"Aunt Allura!" she suddenly heard a familiar voice suddenly call her. Turning around, Allura's eyes widened when she watched the young woman walk up to her.

"Hope!" Altair yelled as she almost launched toward the girl who she considered her niece. "Sweetheart, what are you doing here?"

Smiling broadly as she hugged her aunt, Hope answered, "Didn't grandpa tell you I'm here for a side project?" Seeing her aunt's face, Hope laughed, "I guess grandpa thought you'd spill the beans."

Altair rolled her eyes, "What a surprise that Uncle Coran would keep things secret." Allura sighed, "He's been doing that lately."

Hope looked worried for a bit.

"Oh, honey! You know your grandfather. He's a stickler for process and I guess he wanted to keep this as a surprise to everyone." Allura genuinely smiled. She loved Hope as if she were her own daughter, "Now, what are you doing here?"

"I'm helping mom fix the ballroom for the fundraiser," she answered. "When grandpa found out she'd need help, he asked my employer to 'borrow' me for a few weeks to help out here. After the ball, I'll be going back."

"And they are paying you?"

"You know grandpa," Hope laughed. "He's a good negotiator."

Allura hugged her niece again, "Oh, baby! I'm so happy you're here, even if it's only for a couple of weeks."

"Me too, Aunt Allura," the girl smiled. "I figured you're looking for mom, right?"

Altair nodded, "Need to speak to her, but I guess she's not here, yet?"

"Actually, I am," the girls heard the voice of another woman among the clatter of machines and people working at different areas of the ballroom. "Now, I see you've found out about Hope. Nice surprise, isn't it?" Romelle smiled as she wrap her arms around her daughter.

"Very," Allura agreed. "Wait till the boys find out."

"Well, I ran into Darrell this morning," Hope said casually. The other women smiled but held back from asking more. Both knew how complicated Hope and Darrell's situation was. Noticing their awkward smiles, Hope rolled her eyes, "Don't worry. It was a good encounter. I know both of you don't believe me, but Darrell will come around. I know he will. All he needs is time to realize what we have."

Allura wanted to say something, but it was a lost cause. At that moment, Hope sounded so much like Sven. Sven had a way of knowing things that no one else knew. He had a feeling, a predicament. He'd tell people, in a calm demeanor, what would occur. There were times when the team fought him endlessly until the course of events told them that he was right. Allura found that aspect of his personality as fascinating annoying. Sven was a calm soul whereas Allura had no time to waist. At that moment, Hope was bringing back that memory of him. She told them that Darrell would come around. Altair wasn't sure he would. But, then again, Sven was always right. Hope was Sven's daughter…chances were that she'd surprise them too.

"Well, let's just hope it's sooner than later," Romelle replied without a single ounce of doubt in her daughter's statement.

Allura shrugged, "If you really believe so, who am I to doubt?"

The girl smiled.

"Well, you know who will be happy to see you? Hunk and Lucy," Romelle sounded excited. "Perhaps we should invite them to dinner tonight?"

"And Lance!" Allura chuckled. "That man talks about you every chance he gets."

"Really?" Romelle asked surprised.

"Every. Chance. He. Gets," Allura emphasized. "I swear, he thinks Hope is his daughter!"

At that, Hope laughed rather loudly. Romelle played it off with just a shaking of her head. Looking at her mother and aunt, the girl continued, "You know who else I saw? Uncle Keith."

"He saw you here?" Romelle immediately looked at her daughter. "What did he tell you?"

"Nothing, much," Hope shook her head. "He was meeting with Grandpa, when I saw him in his office. Just basically asked, if I was well."

Romelle smiled sadly. Allura looked at her cousin curiously. Something about the way Romelle looked at her daughter made Allura wonder. Lately there were so many questions she wanted to ask her cousin about Keith. But, she decided this wasn't the time, especially not in front of her niece, "Hope, how about we meet later on today for lunch, kiddo? We can catch up."

"That would be great Aunt Allura!" the girl answered excitedly. One of the workers suddenly called to her and the young girl turned around, "I'll be right there. I need to go, but we can definitely catch up during lunch."

"Absolutely," Allura smiled and then hugged her niece. "Go. You're needed."

"Thanks," Hope nodded. "Mom, see you in a bit?"

"I'll be there soon, darling," Romelle answered as Hope gave her mom a quick hug before walking away. Looking at her cousin, she asked, "Are you okay?"

"How can you tell?"

Romelle gave Allura a smirk, "I know you more than you know yourself. That includes every one of your facial expressions. You have no idea how much your eyes give you away."

"Can we go somewhere a little more…private?"

"These double doors over there lead to a balcony. Not that we'll see anything other than a wall since it's now closed, but, it's private enough so we can talk," she answered as she led Altair to the enclosed balcony. Once the women arrived, Romelle asked, "Okay, now what's going on?"

Allura was about to run her hand through her hair when she realized that she was sporting a pony tail. Instead, she took the tail pulled it in front of her shoulders and began twirling the end of it as she spoke, "Sam's been trying to convince Keith to be the operative that will go into Korrinth to gather intel on Lotor's plans and whatever the hell else the monster has there."

"I remember you telling me that," the older woman nodded.

Allura sighed in frustration, "Why would he want a field assignment? Why Korrinth? Why now?"

"You know why," she replied. "I told you. Sam needs to feel he has contributed to saving his home planet."

"He's been a strategist his entire career," Allura argued. "He s contributing! No, it's not that. I thought it was that at first. i thought I understood, but I was wrong. I just came from his office, I understand now."

"You do?"

She nodded, "He's afraid of getting old, Romelle. And, he's afraid of losing me."

"And he's afraid of Keith," Romelle finished.

Once again, Altair nodded, "He asked me to marry him."

A little worried now, Romelle cautiously asked her next question. She knew exactly how her cousin felt about marrying Sam, "And what did you tell him Allura?"

"He's a good man Romelle," she answered in a tone that felt like she was trying to convince herself.

"What did you tell him, Allura?" Romelle repeated with more firmness.

"He loves me," he voice cracked.

Romelle closed her eyes. She couldn't believe that Allura would do such a thing, "Oh God. Why?"

"I can keep on clinging on to the past," Allura replied after taking a moment to compose herself. "He needs this."

"This?" Romelle lashed out. "This isn't about what he needs Allura. The Oath is so much more than that and you know this! Do you even realize what you're doing?"

"I can do this!"

"No," Romelle shook her head, "You can't. Ryan and I did a similar thing and it got us nowhere for years. The only difference is that we got out. You can't. Your relationship with Sam will be forever! And it will be very sad for him to live an eternity without real love."

"But I love him," Allura argued.

"But you're not in love with him," Romelle countered back. "I've lived many years without love Allura. It's not pretty, or easy. As a matter of fact, it is the biggest nightmare you'll ever encounter."

Not knowing how to answer that, Allura looked away from her cousin and began walking back to the double doors that led to the ballroom, "Romelle, I didn't come here for you to stop me or to give me your blessings. The decision is made. I will marry Sam. I will give him what he deserves. What I should have given him a decade ago. I owe him at least that much."