A/N:Thank you to BMKiller for the constant reviews. They honestly make my day. I hope you, and everyone else, enjoy this final chapter!

-FangirlsAreEverywhere

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Allura's POV

Allura was in the pink ball gown once again, standing in front of many mirrors. She could see her mother standing in the background.

"No, I don't like that," Melenor said, pointing at Allura's hairdo. "Could you try a different style maybe?"

The stylist immediately got on it. She took out all the pins holding the hair in place.

"Ow!" Allura winced. "Could we just look at hairdos, and then decide?" she complained.

"No, I have to see it personally," Melenor said.

"It's not your hair, mother!"

Either the queen didn't hear her, or she was ignoring her.

The stylist put Allura's hair up again. Allura could feel her hair being pulled into the shape of a tight bun. New pins began making their way into her hair, causing more wincing.

Melenor suddenly gasped. "Wait! This is the one!" she exclaimed.

Allura gave a sigh of relief. She turned around to see the back of her head in the mirrors.

Her hair was tied up in a bun with a braid going around it. Simple. She liked it. She didn't know if it was worth all her wincing, but she liked it.

"Now, you look perfect!" Melenor exclaimed.

"Thank you, mother," Allura said. "But the ball doesn't start for another varga."

"That's just enough time to have you practice for the ball."

"I thought Lance and I were done with practice, mother."

"I'm talking about your entrances and exits, not dance practice, dear!"

Allura groaned. "Let's get to it then."

Lance's POV

"Hunk!" Lance screamed. "Help!"

Hunk came running to the scene.

"What's wrong, Lance? Are you okay?"

"I can't get this pin on!" Lance explained.

Hunk rolled his eyes. "Really, Lance? You made it sound like you were dying!"

"I did not!" Lance shouted defiantly.

"Just let me help you."

Hunk was able to get Lance's gold pin on after much struggling.

Then Lance held up another pin amd offered it to Hunk. His friend groaned, but continued helping his friend.

Finally, after 20 minutes of wrestling with pins and badges, there was only one pin left.

"Couldn't you have done this by yourself?" Hunk asked, picking up the final pin.

"No!" Lance said. "Didn't you see me struggling earlier?"

"I'm too tired," Hunk said. "Here, do the last one yourself."

"But I can't!" Lance said. Hunk was already leaving though.

Lance picked up the last pin. He was mumbling to himself about not being able to attach the pin, when he heard a soft click!

Lance looked down and saw that he had successfully attached the shining pin to his chest.

"Oh, I guess I could've done the rest too," he said to himself.

Now that he was ready, he had to leave for Shiro's office.

•••

"Hey, Shiro."

Lance poked his head into the office.

Shiro turned around. "Oh. Hey, Lance."

"You wanted to see me?" Lance asked, sitting down.

"I just wanted to tell you that your family will be coming from Earth to see you and Allura dance."

Lance's face lit up. "My mom? And my siblings? Everyone?"

Shiro nodded his head. "They wouldn't miss seeing you given this big honor."

"Are-are they here?" Lance stammered.

"Not yet, but their ship should arrive in an hour, just in time for the ball, and to see you dance."

Lance couldn't believe it; his family was really here! On Altea!

"Is that all I needed to know?" he asked, his excitement building up.

"You're dismissed."

Lance ran out of Shiro's office as quick as the wind. He hadn't seen his family for a year. He was so excited he could burst. In fact, he thought he would if he didn't tell anybody.

Lance rushed off to find one of his friends.

•••

"Oh! Pidge!" Lance shouted. "Glad I caught you!"

The alchemist-in-training turned around.

"Hey, Lance," she said, pushing her round glasses up her nose.

"You won't believe what Shiro just told me!"

He waited for a reaction, but Pidge just stood there, not moving a muscle.

"My family's coming to Altea!" Lance blurted.

"That's great news, Lance!" Pidge smiled. "I'm happy for you!"

"Hey, speaking of family," Lance said, "how's Matt doing?"

"Great actually!" Pidge's eyes lit up. "He and I have been able to create a new type of teladuv..."

She went on to explain some nerdy stuff that Lance didn't understand.

"Well, that's great and all, but I better get going." Lance looked at his watch. The ball would start in 30 minutes. He had to meet Allura in the ballroom.

Without waiting for Pidge's reply, Lance dashed out of the hall and made his way to the ballroom.

There were people and servants adding some final touches.

Lance looked around and found that everything everywhere sparkled and shined.

He quit looking when he saw Queen Melenor talking to a servant. Lance rushed to her side.

"Hello, your highness," Lance bowed. "Where's Princess Allura?"

"She's positioned on the stairs," Melenor answered.

"Oh." Lance was hoping to catch a glimpse of Allura before the ball, maybe have a small conversation with her. But it didn't matter, they had all evening for that.

Lance took his position by the foot of the stairs. Like Shiro taught him to do, he put one arm behind his back and the other one out for Allura to hold once she made her descent.

Suddenly, the ballroom doors burst open, and people began filling the room.

An announcer began calling out names of the many dukes and duchesses that walked by.

Next came the commonfolk, from the towns and cities. Lance began looking for his family.

And... there they were! Lance was about to wave his arms to get their attention, but decided against it.

Once every guest was recognized by name, Queen Melenor appeared on the balcony, her arms spread apart and a smile on her face.

"Welcome, to Altea's 1,000th Year Anniversary Ball!" her rich voice echoed. "It is my pleasure to announce that this ball will begin with the dance of my daughter, Princess Allura, and Captain of The Royal Guard, Lance McClain." The guests clapped as music began to fill the room.

Lance saw Allura take Melenor's place on the balcony. He readied himself as she walked down towards him, a perfect smile upon her face.

Lance began getting nervous. What if I mess up? What if I fall?

It didn't help that Allura looked so good tonight. Lance had seen her in the pink gown before, but somehow it was different when she had her hair and makeup done.

Allura grew closer with each step. Lance grew more nervous with each one she took.

Right before she reached him, Lance made up his mind.

I've done this enough times to not fall. I can't mess up, I won't mess up.

Allura reached the bottom of the stairs. Lance held out his arm, and she looped hers in his.

Lance tried for a smiled as he guided her to the center.

He looked around and saw Keith and Hunk standing in the crowd. Hunk waved at him and gave him a thumbs up.

Allura stepped closer, and Lance postitioned himself. Their dance was a solo dance, they were the only ones on the floor.

"You look amazing," Lance whispered to Allura.

Then they begun. They went through their satisfyingly familiar dance routine.

Lance had to keep a mental note to himself: don't trip on the Allura's dress.

He didn't want to embarrass himself in front of the entire kingdom, much less his family.

Lance and Allura spun around in such a familiar way that Lance's mind soon went blank. His feet were on autopilot.

Then the music stopped, and the dance was over. Lance jerked to a sudden stop, causing Allura to lose her balance.

He caught her from falling to the ground just in time. His arm was behind her back, and she was looking up at him.

They both blushed, though no one but themselves could notice. Lance pulled Allura back up, and they took a final bow together.

Still hand-in-hand, Lance and Allura made their way behind the stairs, where there was a secret entrance that they could use to slip out and back in unnoticed.

Allura's POV

"That's was fun, Lance," Allura whispered. She pushed the secret door open, and started down the tunnel.

"You did really good, Allura," Lance said.

"You too."

"You know, my family is visiting Altea for a day. Maybe you can meet them later?"

Allura smiled. "That sounds lovely. I'd love to."

"We better get out of here before people start wondering where we are." Lance pushed the door open at the end of the secret tunnel.

They walked to the main ballropm doors, and opened them just wide enough to slip inside.

Lance and Allura parted ways.

•••

"You were wonderful!" Melenor exclaimed.

"Yes, Allura!" King Alfor chuckled. "You did well."

Allura had found her way to her parents. They were talking to some of the many guests.

"Allura," Alfor said quietly. "There's someone that wants to see you." He gestured behind her.

There stood Prince Lotor, with his gorgeous white hair in all it's beauty.

"Hello, Princess," Lotor said, bending down to kiss her hand. "It has been quite some time since we've seen each other."

Allura quickly pulled away her hand. "Yes, and I'd like to keep it that way!"

"Allura," Lotor said. "Please just allow me one dance with you."

"Never!" Allura cried. "After what you've did to me?"

Lotor had betrayed and used her. There were just some things that couldn't be forgiven.

"Allura, please," Lotor reached for her hand again.

"No! And I never want to see you again!" She turned away and was hidden by the crowd.

Lance's POV

"That was so cool, man!" Hunk exclaimed. "You and Allura were so cool!"

"Really?" Lance asked.

"Eh," Keith shrugged his shoulders.

"You did great, Lance," Hunk reasured him. "Don't listen to Keith," he added with a soft sneer in Keith's direction.

"Well, thanks Hunk," Lance smiled.

Lance looked around. He spotted his family. "My family's over there!" he exclaimed. "'ll be back."

•••

"Mom! Dad!" Lance shouted. His parents turned around.

"Lance?" His mother raced forward.

Marco, Veronica, Luis, Rachel; all of them were there.

Lance ran up and gave each of them great, big, bear hugs.

"I'm so glad you're here!" Lance cried.

"Uncle Lance! Uncle Lance!" Lance looked down and saw his nieces and nephews surrounding his legs.

"Hey you guys," Lance scooped them into his arms.

"We missed you!" they cried.

Lance laughed. Then he remembered: he had to introduce Allura.

"Mom, dad! I'll be back."

Where was she? Lance looked around. There she was!

Lance went back into the crowd.

"Allura!" he shouted.

"Yes, Lance?" she turned around.

"You wanted to meet my family, right?"

"Of course," she walked towards him.

They made their way back to Lance's family.

Once they were in view, Lance waved at them.

"Mom, dad, there's someone I want you to meet." Lance stepped out to the side, revealing Allura behind him. She waved, while the family gasped.

"Is that the princess?" one of the neices asked.

Allura laughed. "Yes, I am."

The two nieces ran to her and began asking questions, while Allura tried to answer as many as she could.

Lance's mom came over. "Calm down you two, let the princess be."

"Thank you," Allura said.

"Lance, won't you introduce us?"

"Guys," Lance looked at his family, "This is Princess Allura."

Lamce turned to Allura. "And Allura, this is my family."

"There are my siblings Marco, Veronica, Rachel, Luis. Then there's my mom and my dad." He pointed to everyone in turn.

Allura smiled. "It's nice to finally meet you all! Lance told me how much he missed you all."

"So he did, did he?" Veronica pushed her glasses up, a smirk on her face.

"Yes, Lance and I have had much time to talk."

"I see Lance has finally caught himself a girl," Lance's mom said.

Lance's face flushed red.

Allura's POV

"Follow me, Lance," Allura said after they finished talking with his family.

She pulled him to the main ballroom doors, and opened them once again. They walked through the halls, leaving all the lights and music behind.

Allura pushed open a door, and led Lance back to the garden pavillion.

"What are we doing here again?" Lance asked.

Instead of answering, Allura put his hand around her waist.

"Dance with me, Lance," she said. It wasn't a question, it was a request; one that Lance obeyed.

He placed Allura's other hand on his shoulder, and then they began to sway and dance.

There was no music, but Allura and Lance had danced this way before.

The pavillion was decorated with beautiful glowing lights strung all around the trees. Their lights reflected off the pavillion walls.

Allura found that she enjoyed dancing with Lance. He had learned their dance routine very fast. Allura liked that he was a quick learner.

Allura and Lance circled around the pavillion, like they always did. Suddenly Allura stopped.

"Thank you, Lance," Allura said, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"For what?" he asked.

"For giving me a good time," she replied. "This has been such a fun night."

Lance smiled. "I've had fun too."

In the distance, Allura heard the ringing of a soft bell.

"It's midnight," she said, standing up. "That means the ball is over. We should get back."

"Wait." While they were still close, Lance gave Allura a soft kiss on the lips.

Allura closed her eyes, letting the moment sink in.

Then Lance pulled away.

"Now we can go," Lance said. He took Allura's hand, and they walked back to the castle.

Lance's POV

When Lance and Allura made it back to the castle, they were surrounded by the mass of people leaving.

Lance made sure to keep hold of Allura's hand as they plunged into the dispersing crowd.

When they managed to escape the people, they were met with someone Lance didn't want to see: Keith. He tried to dissolve into the crowd again, but it was too late; the gaurd had seen them.

Keith walked towards them, his long black hair spilling off his neck and shoulders.

"Hey, Lance," Keith greeted casually.

"What do you want, Keith?" Lance asked, his voice suddenly bitter.

"I don't know. What do you want, Lance?" Keith sneered.

Hunk suddenly stepped out from the crowd panting. "There you are Keith!"

Hunk looked around. "Oh! Lance!" He ran to hug his friend, causing Lance to lose his grip on Allura's hand.

"Where have you been?" Hunk asked. "We couldn't find you all night!"

"I was with--" Lance started.

"He was with me," Allura interupted.

Keith's face went slack. "Really?"

Lance and Allura nodded their heads.

Hunk got so excited that he couldn't help hugging Lance and Allura both. "Oh! I'm so happy for you two!" he squealed.

Lance rubbed his sore shoulder when he was set back down. Hunk was really strong.

"Thank you," Allura said. "I don't believe I know your name."

"I'm Hunk," said Hunk. "The other guy's Keith."

"It's nice to meet you," Allura smiled. "I'm--"

"Princess Allura," Keith finished. His expression had gone back to normal.

"Well, I see that I'm easily recognizable."

Lance tugged Allura's arm. "We should probably find your par--I mean-- the king and queen."

Allura nodded her head and Lance scanned the receding crowd.

He spotted Queen Melenor and headed her way.

•••

"Allura!" Queen Melenor said. She had spotted them before they arrived.

King Alfor looked their way when he heard his daughter's name.

"Allura!" he spread his arms for a hug.

Allura let go of Lance's hand and embraced her father.

"And Lance!" the kind king said once Allura broke away. "I never thought you'd spend the whole ball with my daughter."

Lance's ears turned red while Alfor laughed.

"It's alright, captain," the king reasured him. "Besides, Allura could use a tough man like you."

It was Allura's turn to redden.

"But," Melenor said, "you two did well today."

"Thank you," Lance and Allura said at the same time.

"Why don't we go back inside," Melenor offered.

Together, Lance and the royal family walked though the castle gates.

•••

"Yesterday was great," Lance told Allura.

"It really was," she agreed.

"I'm glad it was spent with you." Lance looked at the princess lying her head on his shoulder.

It was early in the morning, the day after the ball.

"Lance?" Allura asked. "What are we?"

"What do you mean?" he asked, straightening himself.

"Are we just friends still, or are we...?"

Lance kissed her on the forehead.

"We can be whatever you want us to be," he whispered.

Allura snuggled closer to him. "I think I'd like us to be a couple."

"Me too."

They hugged one another, simply enjoying each other's warmth.