Author's Notes
Thank you for faves and follows. I got a lot of comments about Lance and why Allura would ask him for some assistance. Because he is king of sexcapades, that's why.
Limetwist – That's what Allura is thinking. Cranky captain needs some spanky action (sorry bad attempt at trying to make things rhyme.) Lance always makes things interesting. More Lance in the next chapter.
Paulina Ann – Things are pretty calm in this chapter. Just sorting everything out. More Lance action in chapter 4.
JustLucky05- Glad you are liking this so far. Allura has gotten a taste of Keith in the last few stories. Now she's plotting to get him.
CubbieBlueMako – Yes, Lance caught enough to know that something is going on, or at least suspect that something is going on.
Rated T
Enjoy!
Chapter 3
Fifteen minutes later, the Voltron Force convened inside Castle Control. The generators that powered the heat and light within the huge castle had been taken out merely an hour before, yet the temperature of the air had dropped quickly. Allura shivered slightly as she stood in the chilly, dark room, waiting for Keith to begin his debriefing.
Walking purposefully to the main console, Keith turned and faced his teammates. "Good effort out there tonight, team. We dealt Lotor some pretty serious damage on his command ship. I doubt we'll see him back any time soon." As he paused to exhale, he noticed he could see his breath. "It appears we have more pressing things to deal with here at the castle. Hunk, what do we know about the generators?"
"It looks like Lotor strategically took out the castle's power conduits. One has been totally destroyed. The other one was fried by an ion burst. It shouldn't take long to fix the one damaged by the power surge."
"Make it happen," Keith stated simply.
Grimacing, the Yellow Lion pilot hated to disappoint his commander, but this was beyond his control. "I can't do it in the dark, Keith," he replied. "It's intricate work and we have no power for lights. It would make more sense to wait until morning."
Nodding in understanding, Keith accepted Hunk's reasoning without argument. "Makes sense, big guy. But let's get started on it at first light. The weather is supposed be frigidly cold over the next few days."
"You got it, Cap," Hunk confirmed. "The power and heat need to be our first priority."
The lightly accented baritone of Koran's voice interrupted any further conversation. "Actually, I think our priority has to be to figure out how we are going to get through the night with no power, heat, sensors, or defense. We are in a very vulnerable position."
Keith stood quietly. It was apparent to everyone that his wheels once again were turning. There was no denying why Keith was the commander. He had impeccable problem solving skills and knew how to weigh his options. Considering situations from all angles, Keith had an unnatural instinct for knowing what had to be done, and his gut was usually right. "I think," he began, "we should all stay together tonight."
"What?" Lance protested. "Are you crazy?"
"Together?" Hunk asked.
"I hardly think that's proper!" Allura argued.
"Absolutely not!" Nanny bellowed.
Holding up his hand, Keith waited for the rants to end. He exchanged a look with Koran, who hadn't said a word. The advisor nodded for him to continue, apparently willing to hear him out. "The castle has no heat. Our quarters will be freezing. I think we should all hunker down in the library. There are several couches and chairs. We can use the fireplace as a source of heat. It's in the center of the castle and we would be relatively safe there in the event of an attack."
"But what about keeping watch?" Pidge inquired. "We can't just hope that Lotor is holding good to his end of the bargain and will leave us alone."
"We can each take turns making patrols in the Lions to make sure no threats arise. I will take first watch," Keith explained.
"With no power, how will you let us know if you need us?" Lance asked.
"Our coms are powered by batteries. They should be fully charged having just come out of the Lions. Keep them on at full volume so you'll know if I need you," Keith said. "Come on, everyone, I know it's not ideal. It's just for one night." Sensing more protests coming, Keith thought hard. All of a sudden his face broke into a devilishly handsome smile. "Think of it as an impromptu sleepover. It might even be fun."
"This is certainly not my idea of fun, Commander." Nanny snorted through her nose. "I will not allow the princess to spend the night with a bunch of hooligans."
"Nanny," Allura interrupted. "I am much more interested in being warm than being proper. If you want to freeze in the name of propriety, by all means, feel free." She turned her intense blue eyes to her governess. "I will be in the library with the boys."
Nanny sniffed. Crossing her arms across her chest, she scowled. "Well I for one will not be able to sleep on a couch. This old body needs the comfort of its own bed. I will make do in my quarters with my own small fireplace for heat. The princess can stay with me."
"The princess will be fine," Koran assured her. "I think it is the best idea to guarantee both her safety and comfort." Glancing at the team, he felt confident in their abilities and knew he could trust them. "She will stay with the Voltron Force. I will stay in the library as well, if it makes you feel better."
"That's not necessary," the old governess sighed as she relented. "It's not her; it's them I don't trust."
"It's not like we're going to have an orgy," Lance muttered under his breath. "My gods!"
Hunk snorted through his nose at Lance's comment. Pidge tried to cover his snicker with a cough. Allura giggled demurely behind an elegant hand. Even Koran chuckled behind his thick mustache. Nanny just scowled at the Red Lion pilot.
Keith looked at the exchange with an amused expression on his face. When he saw that no other protests were brought forward, he smiled encouragingly. Grabbing his helmet, he pushed himself away from the console. "I'm going to head back out in Black. I'll patrol for a few hours." Looking to Hunk, the commander lifted his chin. "You mind taking the second watch, Hunk?"
"Not at all, Cap," Hunk replied. "I better get a little shut eye while I can." Yawning loudly, Yellow's pilot stretched grandly. "I'm going to go change into warm clothes and grab a few blankets. I'll see you in the library."
"I think you should all do that. Princess..." Keith's voice took on a noticeably softer tone as he spoke directly to the beautiful Arusian monarch. "You need an escort..."
"I'll do it!" Lance interrupted. "Since you're heading out on patrol, I'll do it." Seeing his friend's hesitation, Lance smiled reassuringly at Keith as he slung his arm across the princess's shoulders. "Don't worry, Keith. I'll keep her warm while you're gone."
Flushing, Allura giggled as she brought her hand up to her mouth. "Lance!"
"No, I will go with her..." Nanny said.
"I would prefer if Lance goes with her," Keith insisted. The commander's black eyes bore into his friend's hazel ones. "Escort her to her room to change into some warm clothes and get some blankets. Bring her back to the library and then you go ready yourself for the night. Pidge and Hunk, you stay here with her until Lance gets back." To Allura, he said, "I don't want you alone."
Allura shifted her eyes to look at her commander. What she saw reflected there was a look of tenderness and longing. A soft smile touched his lips as their eyes met. She could tell he was no longer annoyed with her; he was concerned with her safety and well-being. A second later, that look was gone, replaced by his normal stoic expression. The princess blinked. Had she imagined that look? "Ok, Keith," she quickly agreed. "I will make sure one of the Force is with me at all times."
He nodded at her and then looked around at the rest of the Force. "Ok, I'm off on patrol. Stay warm and stay safe." His black eyes found the princess's azure eyes for a moment longer before he turned away. Placing his helmet on his head, Keith turned and headed to the door. A second later, he was gone.
Allura shivered again as the cold seeped into her thin flight suit.
Lance noticed the princess's trembling. "Come on, Princess, let's get you into some warm clothes before you turn into a princess popsicle. I'll never live it down from Fearless if I let that happen." He proffered his arm to her. Allura nodded in agreement.
Turning to him with a smile, she accepted his arm graciously. "Yes, please. I see flannel and fleece in my future."
Lance gave a mock shudder and nodded his head as his eyes moved up and down her slender form. "Oh Allura, stop! Flannel and fleece! That's so hot!" He wiggled his eyebrows at her and then flashed a lopsided smirk as Nanny went off on an unintelligible tirade.
Hitting him playfully on the arm, the princess giggled as they headed down the hall and to her quarters.