Thank you so much for your patience and reviews. So grateful! Here is the next chapter. I'm hopeful to provide the next chapter faster….hopefully.

RossodiSera: Slam-Dunk! LOL. Yes, there's definitely another fight. I'm big on ending huge. Ha ha.

GoPinkLion: I definitely understand your assumptions. Let's see if this chapter helps clear a few things. Interesting what you thought about the conversation with Keith and Black. Lucy and Hunk, I feel for them too. Hopefully they will find their way back to each other. Don't count Sam out just yet. And Allura, oh Allura…Let's see what happens with her. Thank you for reading.

LibAkilah: Did Keith lose? I'll leave that to you guys. Unless you want my thoughts. If so, PM me and I'll let you know where my thought process is. Oh, and Romelle and Lance…here's the answer. Maybe, not what you wanted but I'm saving something really special for them later on.

Mertz: So Keith lost on purpose? Really?! Hmmm…good to know. LOL. You know I love you Mertz.

Playlist:

Seasons: Chris Cornell

Daya: Back to Me

Sam Tinnesz: Play with Fire

Chapter 24

Keith had to admit that sunset on Arus was one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen. When he did his time at the Arus penitentiary his cell was composed of four walls and not one window. It was no wonder, he was four floors below ground level and barely saw daylight. Apparently the fact that the gift had not left him made him dangerous to the general population. The only times he was allowed out were during lunch and dinner and under the direct scrutiny of officers who watched his every move. There were hardly any windows in the dining room. In time, the officers didn't find him to be the danger others had portrayed him to be. That's probably why he was able to get away with beating Pike that one and only time he had to fight. But, they didn't have the power to provide him with a single opportunity to see the sky. He blamed it on the warden. The man hated him.

The time at the Garrison Penitentiary had been a little easier. He was still in a windowless cell, but was allowed time in the courtyard where he could appreciate the sky. He had to admit it was better, but there was no way that Earth sunsets would ever beat the contrast of yellow, purples and blues of Arus' sky.

After, when he finally completed his sentence and travelled to different planet for his paid jobs, he never quite saw the same sunsets. The changing of the shades, how it gently and gradually light turned to darkness. It was a symphony of colors, a musical rendition of awe. Keith thought that if he shared his thoughts with anyone they would probably laugh at him. To put so much thought into something that everyone saw as normal. But he had lived in so much darkness that he learned to appreciate such little trivialities like daily sunsets on Arus. So anyone who would have known how he felt wouldn't have been surprised to find all the windows of the gym opened to display the daylight as he practiced his fencing skills with one of the AI robots Arus scientist created for practice.

The events of days prior were still vivid in his mind. He knew he needed to fine tune his skills. The next time he faced the Prince of Korrinth, there wouldn't be any fake swords.

When Lance walked into the gym, he found his former friend deeply focused on the practice session.

"What is it Lance?" Keith yelled out as he continued his practice. The robot moved swiftly around him.

It still amazed Lance that despite his heavy concentration, Keith was very aware of his surroundings at all times, "Just wanted to tell you that Hunk and I switched patrolling shifts. He's going to take on tonight and I'll take over the day after tomorrow."

"Fine," he nodded as he countered the robot's move.

"I'll be leaving a little earlier today," Lance continued. "I have an errand to run."

That stopped Keith. He pressed a button located on the handle of his sword and the robot stopped dead on his track. Turning to Lance, he asked, "Are all your tasks for the day done?"

It took every effort for Lance not to roll his eyes, "Yeah. Everything. You'll find my reports on your datapad."

He noticed the sweat on Keith's face. His cheeks flushed, hair drenched in sweat. He had been practicing hard, so hard that Lance questioned if somehow the fight between Lotor and the captain had thrown his confidence off.

"How long are you going to stay here?" he asked curiously.

Keith shrugged, "A while," he answered vaguely.

"That robot isn't Lotor," Lance smirked.

The Captain didn't say a word. Instead, he turned around and as he walked over to the bench that had his gym bag, he retrieved a towel, "I know he isn't. But, as you so eloquently stated, I lost to Lotor. It should go without saying that I need to be ready for the next encounter."

Trying to avoid any argument, Lance once again held his tone at the perceived sarcasm coming from his superior officer. He sighed inwardly and said, "I should be going, don't want to be late." Turning around, he began walking toward the door when he suddenly stopped and once again turned to the captain who was now sitting on the bench wiping his forehead with the towel. "Oh, I ran into Coran earlier to today. Told me to remind you that he'd like the whole team to say a few words at Romelle's ball tomorrow night. That includes you."

At Keith's surprised glance, Lance laughed, "As he so eloquently put it, the Captain will represent." With that he walked out.

Once Lance took leave, Keith sighed his annoyance. Noting that he still had a few minutes left of his training, he turned on the program again and resumed his training. Once done, he ended the program and began packing his gear when he heard a familiar voice.

"Quite a workout," the voice was calm, cool and collected.

He turned around and looked at her, "Romelle–"

"I know," she said firmly. "I won't stay here long. Just came to give this to you." She handed him a large black box she had been holding when she walked in, "Your wardrobe for tomorrow evening."

She could see the frustration in his groan.

"You promised, remember?"

"I don't understand why you and your father insist I attend this thing," he shook his head taking the box.

"I can't speak for my father, but I can tell you that I think you belong there just like the rest of them."

Keith smirked sarcastically, "You should play your part better, Romelle. You keep doing this, people will begin asking questions."

"Don't patronize me Keith," she responded quickly, "I didn't choose this! You chose for me, remember?"

"I know I did. I don't need reminding," he stated calmly as he stood right across from her.

"No," she shook her head. "I guess you don't."

XXXXXXXXXX

As Lance made his way out of the building, heading to the parking lot, he thought about where he'd take Romelle tonight. For the past few days, they had been spending every available moment together. That included dinner dates, lunches and the occasional sleep overs. For Lance, his dreams had come true. He wasn't sure when the tables had turned or what made Romelle change her mind, but he couldn't have asked for anything more.

Tonight, he thought he'd take out dancing. Romelle really liked ballroom dancing, he, not so much. But, if it made her happy, then he'd do anything. About to make a call and reserve a table at the club, Lance suddenly remembered that he needed to give Keith on some updates Darrell had added to the lions. Since the kid was out with Hope tonight, he had asked Lance to let him know.

He sighed, "I guess I'll have to go back."

Turning around he walked briskly to the gym, which was on the other side of the base, only to stop short when he heard Romelle's voice.

"Don't patronize me Keith. I didn't choose this! You chose for me, remember?"

"I know I did. I don't need reminding."

"No, I guess you don't."

He hid behind one of the side walls by the entrance of the gym in order to get a better view of Romelle and Keith, "What's she doing here?" he whispered to himself as he listened in.

XXXXXXXXXX

Romelle wanted to get Keith to talk, but she felt she was losing the battle, "I just wish things could have been different."

"You and me both," he agreed. "But, this is what we have now. This is who we are now. We all need to accept it. You, more than anyone of us."

"I can't," she shook her head. "It's just not fair."

"You have to, Romelle. For everyone's sake."

"Hope misses you," she finally told him. Smiling sadly, she looked at her former friend and said, "That day that she saw you at my father's office, she had to control herself from running to hug you. Keith, she loves you so much. She doesn't stop talking about you every chance she gets."

Resigned by the revelation, Keith looked at the woman and smiled a little himself, "Tell her, I felt the same way too."

"Keith you need to help them get over this," she begged. "It isn't healthy for them or you. We can't–"

"I'm not going to talk about this now, Romelle," he answered clearly frustrated. His stoic and cold demeanor was back, "You want me to go to this thing? Fine, I'll be there. Your dad wants me to make some cockamamie speech, fine I will. But don't push me anymore, Romelle. I have no more strength to do more. I've done…I'm done with this."

With that he turned around and headed to the showers leaving Romelle standing alone.

XXXXXXXXXX

It took Lance a few seconds to pull himself together and walk away. He didn't want Romelle to catch him standing there listening. What was going on? He asked himself. What did Romelle mean?

Immediately he knew he couldn't just ask her what the conversation between Keith and her was about. He'd have to get it out of her discreetly.

And he had every intention to.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Did you try on your uniform?" Hope asked as she sat in front of her vanity brushing her hair.

Darrell had just come out of the shower and was drying off himself. Walking out with a towel wrapped around his waist, he made his way to her as he answered, "Why would I?"

"Because if it doesn't fit properly, you have time to get it tailored," she responded shaking her head. Leave it to Darrell not to pay attention to the little things.

"It will fit just fine," he shrugged as he knelt next to her. He could smell her perfume as he got closer to her. It drove him crazy. "Besides, it's only for one night. And, I'm hoping that it comes off faster than when I put it on."

She laughed as he kissed her. Hope too could smell the sandalwood aroma of the men's kit she bought for him earlier. Now that they were officially back and this time for good, Hope made sure that her bathroom was equipped with all the toiletries Darrell would need when he stayed at her place.

Romelle was not too happy about it. As her mother, part of her had her reservations with the unstable relationship the two of them had. But, she had to admit that they were made for each other. Deep down, she knew it, felt it. Hope clung to Darrell even as child. And his connection to her was uncanny. Back then, Hope was a child and Darrell was still a teenager. Of course, there was no love back then, other than the brotherly, little sister type of relationship, but everyone felt that in the future, there'd be much more. And, there was.

So, Romelle had to put her motherly feelings aside and accepted that the connection was much more than an average human connection. The lions were likely playing a role. Hope was no doubt the soul that belong with Darrell so, who was she to fight the inevitable?

"You are horrible," Hope laughed as he got up to get dressed.

"So what do you want to do tonight?" he asked, going to the closet to get his duffel bag that contained his change of clothes.

"You want to stay in?"

"Well," he said uneasily, "I don't mind. You think Romelle will? I don't want to make her feel uncomfortable in her own home." He knew of Romelle's reservations and understood them. He had behaved horribly and it would take time for her to see how serious he was about staying with Hope for good.

"Mom's got a date tonight," Hope smiled as she picked up her black locks into a pony tail.

"A date?" he smiled. "With Lance, I presume?"

"Your presumptions are correct," she nodded as she stood up. She was still in her robe and headed to the dresser to get a pair of sweat pants and her favorite Arus Corps T-shirt.

"I guess they are really hitting it off," as he searched for his own pair of sweat pants and shirt. He was glad to stay in for the night as well.

"Yes," she sounded happy. "I hope it remains that way."

Curious, Darrell asked as he dressed, "You really want them together?"

"Oh absolutely," she nodded getting dressed herself, "I've been wanting this for a long time."

"Really?" he sounded surprised.

Once fully dressed, Hope sat on the unmade bed. Sitting Indian style, she sighed, "Darrell, she's been in love with him ever since I can remember. And, I think he's been in love with her for a long time."

"Lance? Lance McClain?" Darrell was now shocked. Sitting next to her as he held his t-shirt on his hand, forgetting to put it on, he asked, "Are we talking about the same person?"

She laughed a little, "I remember as a kid that after Dad died, Uncle Lance was always hanging around the house. I remember him bringing pizza for dinner on a regular weeknight, or sometimes, he'd pick us up and we'd go to the movies or the beach. If it was summer or anything that would be fun for kid like me, he'd go out of his way to make it happen."

"I didn't know," he genuinely answered, more to himself as he stopped himself, making sure she'd continue.

"Anyways, this went on for a year or two. Somewhere in between I came to realize that these visits were not really for me. I mean, yes, partly, Uncle Lance took me everywhere, but at some point, I went to sleep or I feel asleep. I never really saw him leave. So, I'm sure…well, you get the drift."

"He never said anything," Darrell concluded.

"I can tell you that during that time my Mom was happy. Very happy. Anyways, at some point, Uncle Lance's visits steadily decreased until they became non-existent. As a kid, I missed him, but kids are resilient and the sentiment of missing him decreased as well. But my mom, that was another story. I saw her sad again, I dare say, even sadder than when Dad died."

"But then she met your stepdad?"

She nodded again quietly, "Daddy was great. I liked him immediately. I don't think he took Uncle Lance's place. They were very different, but I felt loved by him too. Mom was happy, but never quite as happy as she was with Uncle Lance."

"So this relationship has been going on for years?"

"I guess," she shrugged. "I'm just telling you what I saw and I felt or still feel. They belong together. I'm not sure what happened back then. Mom's never discussed it with me. It's been a moot discussion and one that she aggressively keeps to herself. Never been able to crack open that box."

Darrell stayed quiet for a while and pondered. Lance the playboy has been in love with Romelle all this time? That explained why he was so defensive of my relationship with Hope.

It was hard to believe that Lance, who had a date almost every night had been longing for just one woman for years. Could it be that Lance was ready to settle down? And if so, would it be with Romelle?

"Hey?"

His thoughts were disrupted when he heard Hope's voice, "Sorry?"

"Are you okay? You suddenly went quiet," she looked at him curiously.

"Oh," he caressed her cheek, "I'm fine sweetheart. I guess this information had me thinking."

"Of what?"

"Oh how love is sometimes right in front of you and one doesn't even know it."

"Hmm," she nodded.

"Hey, how about we continue our own love story?" he smiled.

"Yeah," she said. "So movie night?"

Putting on his shirt, he replied, "Absolutely. And pizza. Somehow I've got a craving for pepperoni and sausage."

Getting up, Hope asked, "Any thought on a movie choice?"

Getting up himself, he replied, "Whatever you want my love."

"Cool! I'm actually in the mood for some action fic. I'm so tired of all the romance movies my friends on Earth made me watch. You know they even took me to see a remake of an old classic called the Notebook?"

"Was it good?" Darrell asked enjoying Hope sudden annoyance.

"Good?" she rolled her eyes, "the hero should have dropped the heroine from the beginning of the movie. To think the girls on Earth like these movies where the girl is the damsel in distress. I wanted to throw up."

Darrell couldn't help but to laugh, "Hope, I love you."

"I love you too," she answered. "Now, let's order that pizza. You got me craving for some pepperoni and sausage too!"

XXXXXXXXXX

He took a shower and then quickly dressed in a pair of jeans and a black shirt. Keith had no plans other than to check on the Lion's lair and go home to read a couple of files for the Korrinth mission. The time was getting close and it wouldn't be too long before he'd have to send someone to the horrid planet. He still hadn't found anyone who was capable of truly surviving out there. That worried him. He needed information fast, but wasn't sure who could get it.

As Keith walked out of the locker rooms, he saw Kirian sitting by one of the benches that surrounded the practice mat where he practiced earlier with the AI robot. "Mosley, what are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you," she replied standing up and walking toward him. "I really need to talk to you."

Already sounding angry and frustrated, "If this is about–"

"It is, Captain," she told him seriously. "Listen, I know you have reservations about me going to Korrinth, but you've been reading files for the past weeks and found no one. There's no one and you very well know right now. I'm the only one who can speak the language. That has to count for something."

"Mosley," he sighed, "You speaking the language is not going to be enough. There are a lot of factors that I need to look at to make that decision."

"What factors?"

"Why is it so important you go there?" he raised his voice a little. "Don't you get it Kirian? There's a chance you wouldn't last an hour there."

"You haven't given me an opportunity to prove myself," she reminded him.

Dropping his bag and the box he carried on the bench, Keith walked up to the mat and stood in the middle, "Here's your chance."

"What?" she looked baffled.

"Let's see what you can do," he shrugged sarcastically. "Don't go easy on me."

"I…" she was nervous. He could see in her face.

"Prove me wrong, Mosley," he told her. "You want this so bad, show me."

Taking a deep breath, the young blonde, walked up to the mat. It was a good thing she wore her military gear instead of her usually official base uniform. Since today was her combat practice day, she opted for not changing her wear.

"What's this going to prove?" she asked.

"Well, it will at least show me that you can take her of yourself should a situation arise," he countered. "Now, stop wasting my time. "

Kirian charged at him, but Keith without a blink grabbed her in a headlock, thrusting a leg behind her and threw her to the mat, "Still think you have what it takes?"

Kirian cocked her head and looked at the man standing above her, "You held back."

"I'm not going to hurt you, Mosley," he answered offering her his hand to help her up.

She took it and began to stand, "Don't hold back next time."

"Mosley, this isn't a game."

"Again," she ordered forcefully as she stood in front of him, closed her fists and raised her arms ready for second confrontation.

"No," he shook his head.

"I wasn't ready the first time. But, I'm ready now," she firmly stated.

He laughed sarcastically, "That's not how it works."

"Captain, please," she sighed, "I can do this!"

Sighing, he said, "Okay. Last time."

The first punch glanced Keith's cheek. He didn't evade it too much to access her strength. It was strong, not enough to do anything to him, but strong. The second punch, he blocked with his own hand before shoving her away.

She knew his intention was not to hit her, but to evade her attacks and mostly bring her down with minimal force. The only way to take him down would be to surprise him.

"Are we done?" he asked.

"No," she shook her head just as she charged at him utilizing a round house kick with her left leg. Keith dodged the move, but found that Mosley was faster than he expected. He countered the moves by taking the offensive, not once defending himself. Keith blocked her moves or got out of her way.

"Stop holding back," Mosley hollered with an attitude that surprised Keith. It was as if her personality had suddenly changed. She charged attempting to slam her foot against Keith's chest.

Again, he didn't say a word and sidestepped the attack.

But, Kirian wasn't about to give up. With lightning speed, she wrapped her arms around Keith's midsection and twisted and tossed Keith to the side sending him crashing to the floor mat.

Surprised by the sudden move, his eyes widened in surprise, "That I wasn't expecting."

"You were holding back," she huffed before kneeling down and getting closer to his face, particularly his lips. "You need to know something about me, Captain. I don't hold back."

Not showing his discomfort, Keith slowly moved away from the woman, "Good to know, Mosley."

As they both rose, Kirian asked, "So, what do you think?"

"I'm still thinking," he responded as he walked over to gather his belonging. "You're pretty good."

Her eyes widened, "Only pretty good?"

"There were some mistakes in your technique," Keith said looking at her.

"Well, why don't you tell me what they are?" she asked as she walked up to him. "Come on, Captain! Don't just walk away without telling me what I did wrong."

"Maybe some other time," he said. "Good night Mosley."

"How about now?" she asked firmly, but respectfully. "You haven't had dinner yet, have you? Let's go over to the dining hall." He began shaking his head when she stopped him, "You have no idea how important this is to me. Please."

He wasn't sure why he responded the way he did. Maybe because he didn't want to try on the monkey suit Romelle had given him earlier just yet, but Keith sighed and responded, "Sure."

"Really?" she sounded excited.

"Well, let's go," he said as he walked past her and out of the gym.

XXXXXXXXXX

It didn't come as a surprise to Allura where to find Keith. For the past week, he spent his evenings working out at the gym practicing every fighting scenario with the AI robot. She knew that the last fight with Lotor affected him. She still wasn't sure how, Keith had become so hard to read now. But it did. Part of her wanted to speak to him about that, but another part stayed away. After the events the night that she saw him and Black by the moat, neither had made an effort to communicate with each other. Instead, their communication bordered on the professional. Strictly professional. It wasn't something she wanted, but it had become so hard to be with him, and now that Sam wasn't around, temptation crept more than she was willing to admit. Staying away was the best option. Even if things didn't work out with Sam, there was no possible way of getting back with Keith. So much had happened in their past.

But she needed to speak to him. There had been so many unanswered questions, questions that kept her up at night, questions that made it impossible for her to stop thinking about him. His connection to the lions was uncanny. What else was he able to do? What was he hiding? She had to find out.

About to make the turn down the hallway to the gym, she spotted him walking out followed closely by Mosley. The girl was smiling as she walked up next to him, the two making their way to the dining hall.

"What's going on?" Allura whispered to herself.

XXXXXXXXXX

As they danced around the ballroom, Romelle felt in heaven. Feeling Lance's body close to her excited her, but also made her feel safe and close. However, despite his smile, the kisses and gentle caresses between the dances, Romelle noticed him subdued and quiet.

"What's on your mind?" she whispered in his ear.

He looked at her, his eyes gently studying her, "On my mind? You. You are on my mind."

She smiled, "I know you more than you think McClain."

"You do," he nodded. "And I know a lot about you too, Love."

The way he said it, suddenly made her frown, "What is that supposed to mean?"

He shook his head, "Nothing Elle. What makes you think I meant anything by it?"

She realized that maybe she was making something out of nothing. Lance obviously didn't mean anything, did he? "I'm sorry. I overreacted."

"No," he smiled at her. "Maybe it came out the wrong way. Elle, there's been many things that have gone wrong in our relationship. Mostly me. But, the one thing I can say is that we've always been honest with each other. And I know that we will always be." Taking her in closer, Lance guided her as they sync in to the song they danced to.

She wasn't sure why the short conversation went the way they had, but a sudden chill ran up Romelle's spine. Was there something Lance knew that he was waiting for her to share? And if she did, would he be angry? Would he ever forgive her?

XXXXXXXXXX

Lotor looked at the vial he held in his hand, "To think that this amount of liquid can do so much. Can change so much. Isn't it amazing? I'm not sure if it is painful or if there will be side effects after it. Haggar really didn't tell me. But, I don't care. What will be gained will be so grandiose, so amazingly wonderful. It will be an added treasure to the dynasty I am trying to revitalize."

"You're crazy!"

Turning around to face the person who had just shouted, the prince smiled, "Crazy? That's not how I would describe myself Prince Reiner. I tend to think of myself as rather cunning, patient," he shrugged, "Intelligent. But, crazy? No, your Highness. If I were crazy, I wouldn't have thought out this plan so well."

"Are you planning to kill me after?" The prince was being held by two rather large Drule guards. Lotor and Cossack stood next to each other on the bridge of Reiner's ship. They had intercepted the ship as it made its way to Arus. The Prince was on his way to attend the Children's Foundation Gala when he was attacked by Drule ships.

"I was wondering the same thing too," Cossack laughed mockingly.

"Haven't decided, yet," Lotor casually replied. "Once I do make that decision, I shall let you both know. For now, I suggest you make yourself comfortable in your ship. My guards will be around to assist in any of your needs while I attend the gala on your behalf."

"This is insane!" the Prince screamed. He was a tall man, almost as tall as Lotor with blonde hair and tanned skin. The height was the reason Lotor had chosen him. Haggar had promised that she could alter the Drule's appearance, but he had to pick subject that matched his height and body structure. Reiner was the closest subject. His body was not as toned and lean as the Drule's but Lotor didn't think people would notice that. If anything the Prince would probably be complemented on his new physique.

"No, it's smart. I'll attend of your behalf and I'll acquire what I want from the event. Simple in and out. After, I'll decide what do to with you."

"You will never get away with this! They will all see right through you."

"Oh, Sire," Lotor mocked. "I already have."

Opening the vial and drinking it right in front of everyone around, the Drule Prince replied after. "Now, I suggest you shut up if you plan on living through tonight."