Author's Note:

Hello everyone and welcome to a shorter chapter this time. This one is set during the 'Space Mall' episode, though little of that appears here since its mostly focused on some bonding time between Lance and Allura. Thank you for your continued support and I hope you enjoy the chapter.

I own nothing.

Chapter 12

Lance felt horrible.

He was stuffed up, couldn't stop sniffing, was really tired, and just wanted to go to bed. Apparently, he also looked liked death incarnate (according to Hunk), and once 'Space Dad' Shiro had gotten wind of his condition, he was immediately whisked down to the med-bay.

He was now watching Coran reading the results of his scan, while Shiro hovered nearby in concern (as he did whenever any of the Paladins were in the med-bay).

The Altean spun round to face them, a pleased expression on his face.

"Well, there's nothing to worry about. It seems that Lance has simply caught the Bynhidular Flu."

Despite his words, Shiro looked very worried, "The what!?"

"The Bynhildular Flu." Coran repeated, "It's a common virus that simply makes you feel awful for a couple of quintants, but it doesn't do any actual harm and disappears on its own."

"And that applies to humans as well?"

"Of course." The Altean stroked his moustache, "I double checked myself, Lance's body is already fighting off the illness, so we just need to wait for it to blow over."

Shiro glanced at the cryo-pods, "Can't the pods simply do it?"

"Of course not!" Coran looked at him in disappointment, "Not even the pods can do everything. This illness is going to have to go away on its own."

"But Coran!" Shiro protested, "With us needing scaultrite lenses, and Zarkon tracking the Black Lion, we need everyone we can to help."

"There's nothing I can do Shiro, we just have to wait."

With Coran refusing to budge, the Black Paladin sighed, "Fine, but is there anything we can do to help."

The Altean smiled, "Nothing much, as long as Lance rests, it'll all pass by soon enough."

Now, Lance felt horrible, and was bored.

Shiro had gone to strengthen his bond with the Black Lion, Coran had taken the others to a Swap Moon and Allura was resting after their constant wormhole jumps to escape Zarkon. Meaning he had a lot of his time on his hands and little to do with it, he hadn't realised until now just how much time he spent with the others.

Someone knocked on his door, and he pushed the 'enter' chime, knowing it had to be Allura.

The princess strode in and smiled, "Sorry Lance, but I thought you'd want some company."

He raised an eyebrow, projected symbols asking if she would catch his flu if she hung around him, and she laughed.

"Don't worry, I've had Bynhildular Flu before, and you can only get it once, plus, its not particularly contagious."

He nodded, then pulled a face, and she answered in agreement as she sat down on the side of his bed.

"Yes, its not fun. My mother always went on about how much I complained when I had it."

He frowned, then asked her what her mother had been like, and she looked wistful.

"My mother was kind and loving, though she could be quite severe, even my father would snap to attention when she was displeased." She chuckled, "One time, Coran had done something foolish and broken some ornament she loved, so she proceeded to drag him along by his ear through the castle like a naughty child and made him fix it. No one messed with her when she was angry."

Lance grinned, imagining the scene, and she smiled back.

"Of course, the fact she was a well-trained fighter herself certainly helped. She knew a number of martial arts and could match up to my father, even if he was a great Alchemist." She looked thoughtful, "I suppose it was her strength I admired most, she always stood by her ideals, and didn't let anyone's pre-conceived ideas rule how she acted. That was probably why she was so good at assisting my father with diplomacy, she was honest, and everyone knew it."

Her smile turned sad, "It was that strength that made her join the fight when the Galra attacked Altea, and ultimately lead to her death."

There was silence, and Lance reached out and touched her arm. When she glanced his way, he tilted his head and gave a comforting smile, which she returned.

"Thank you, Lance, and you're right, she did what she had to for her family and people."

He blinked in surprise, wondering how she knew what he'd been thinking of expressing, and she patted his hand.

"You have a wonderful gift Lance, you can say a lot without a single word, telling people exactly what you're thinking with just your actions. My mother could do something very similar, she could calm a screaming child with a simple smile or silence a rude diplomat with a single glare." She ruffled his hair, "I think that's why everyone loves you."

He squirmed in embarrassment, then gave her a mischievous look.

She grinned, "I see, you want to hear more embarrassing stories about Coran?"

He nodded eagerly, and she laughed.

"Okay then, why don't I tell you what happened when my mother discovered he'd traded three quarters of his shipment of lango for a used pogo oscillator."

Later, Shiro swung by Lance's room to check on him.

Upon being allowed in, he was greeted by the sight of Allura laughing uproariously as she related some funny story involving Coran, her father and something that sounded like the Altean equivalent of ducks.

Lance was grinning like a madman, and he waved to Shiro in greeting.

Shiro smiled, "Seems like you two have been having a fun conversation."

Allura smiled, "I was keeping Lance company, and he wanted to hear some embarrassing stories of Coran."

He sighed, "Man, something tells me that I would've wanted to hear them."

She grinned mischievously, "I'll tell you and the other Paladins them sometime, I'm sure Coran won't mind."

He raised a knowing eyebrow, "I'm sure he won't." He gestured to the door, "The others have just got back, we should probably find out how they got on."

She shrugged, "Then we'll wait for them here, I'm sure they'll come to check on Lance first anyway, and this way, we don't have to repeat what we say at the meeting to him."

He inclined his head, "Fair point."

As expected, the others did indeed come via Lance's room, and their next plan of action was discussed...once they'd all checked that he was doing okay first.

PS-So little is mentioned of Allura's mother in the series, so I took an opportunity to show a little of how I thought she was. Please let me know what you thought and any suggestions for chapters, and I'll hopefully update soon.