I make no claims to Voltron or any other WEP characters.

Enjoy Chapter 6

Mertz

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Keith sits through dinner smiling as the guys tell stories, reminiscing about their times at the Academy, trying to help him remember. Hunk laughs between bites as he looks at Allura, "You wouldn't have believed the look on Keith's face when he discovered what Lance had done to his uniform Allura."

Allura giggles as Lance turns a deep shade of red. Cat smiles at his obvious embarrassment, "So handsome…what did Keith do to get even?" Keith raises an eyebrow at her as Lance contemplates his answer, "What makes you think I would have done something to get even?"

Cat smiles wickedly at him, "I know enough about you Yank to know you wouldn't have taken that one lying down." She turns her gaze back to Lance, "So?"

Lance clears his throat and throws a glare Hunk's way, "Thanks for bringing up this story good buddy."

Pidge joins Hunk in laughing at Lance's discomfort as Cat elbows him in the side, "Get on with it."

Lance groans, "Well first the bastard…" he looks at Keith, "No disrespect here Keith…it's just the way we talk to each other." Keith smiles in amusement as Lance continues, "First the bastard makes me do extra night guard duty for a month. Then for the next inspection he had loosened the seams of the pants on my uniform. So when I had to bow to the Admiral the seam near my butt ripped open and I was bare for the world to see."

Sven busts a gut laughing, "It wasn't Keith's fault you didn't believe in wearing underwear Lance."

This last statement causes the entire table to erupt into laughter as Lance once again turns a deep shade of red. Cat stops laughing to caress Lance's cheek, "Poor thing… So what did the Admiral have to say?"

Lance closes his mouth refusing to answer so Pidge speaks up, "He lectured Lance on correct military attire including underwear then forced him to walk as he was through the entire assembly, his butt bared to the world."

Cat laughs until she cries as Lance glares at Pidge for speaking up. She gains his attention by leaning near his ear and whispering, "Well…that explains why you wear underwear now…"

Lance rolls his eyes, "Enough picking on me people…"

Keith smiles at the group as they stand one by one. He turns his gaze to Allura questioningly. She smiles at him, "We usually go to the rec room after dinner to relax. Sometimes we watch movies, play games or just sit around and talk." She holds her hand out to him and Keith stands and takes it then follows the others out of the room.

As they enter the rec room Allura leads him to a couch and sits down pulling Keith down next to her. Lance walks over to the movies, "I think we have had enough story telling for one evening." and pulls out a movie, putting it in as Cat throws a pillow at him, hitting him in the back with it.

Lance gives her the evil eye as he picks up the pillow and walks back to Cat, trying to rub her face into it causing her to laugh. Keith watches them amused as Allura snuggles into his chest forcing him to wrap an arm around her to stay comfortable.

As the movie continues Keith becomes tired and his eyes drift shut, You said you loved me Keith… You promised me you would prove your love…

He feels someone shaking him, "Keith?"

He manages to open his eyes and blinks them several times as Allura's concerned gaze comes into focus and she whispers to him, "Are you alright? You were muttering in your sleep."

Keith nods, "I'm fine Allura… I'm just really tired. Could we retire for the night?"

Allura studies him for another moment then nods. She stands and takes his hand as he stands beside her, "We are going to call it an evening. Good night."

The others in the room wish them good night as Keith and Allura leave the room.

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Allura leaves the bathroom in her nightgown, stopping by her dressing table long enough to run a brush through her hair before turning to the bed. She glances at Keith as she approaches the bed. Already asleep Keith looks very peaceful to Allura as she shuts off the lights and crawls under the blankets. She slides near Keith and caresses his cheek, pausing to push his hair out of his eyes once more. Keith opens his eyes suddenly and then relaxes, "Not tonight Allura…", then closes his eyes again.

Allura smiles slightly as she lays down beside him, "I just need to touch you Keith." her hand resting on his chest.

Keith reopens his eyes and turns his head to study her. She moves her hand from his chest to caress his lips. Keith sighs and kisses them. He turns on his side toward her, "Turn on your side."

Allura does as requested then sighs contently as Keith snuggles up behind her and wraps his arms around her. She feels him kiss her neck before his breathing once again deepens into sleep. Allura relishes the feeling of Keith's arms around her before she closes her eyes and joins him in sleep.

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Allura awakens the next morning feeling slightly cold. She opens her eyes and turns over to find Keith's side of the bed empty. Feeling panicky she sits up quickly, "Keith!" as she looks around the still dark room.

"I'm here Allura…"

Allura turns around in the bed again to find Keith sitting in a chair near the windows, watching the sun come up. She quickly climbs out of the bed, walks across the room and sits down in his lap, wrapping her arms around him as she buries her face in his neck.

Keith sighs as he wraps his arms around her, "You are going to have to stop panicking every time I am not in bed when you wake up."

Allura doesn't reply, just clings to him even more. Keith kisses her forehead, "Are you alright?"

Allura finally loosens her grip on him as she relaxes her body, "I feel a little ill. I didn't feel well yesterday either."

Keith strokes her hair, "Do you need to go see the doctor?"

Allura whispers, "No" against his neck, "I just need you."

Keith closes his eyes briefly as he tightens his grip on Allura, Please God…do not let me hurt her… He continues to stroke her hair and listens as her breathing deepens as she falls asleep once more. Keith watches the sun come up, shining brightly in the room, before he shifts Allura slightly as he rises.

Keith walks across the room and gently lays Allura back down in the bed, covering her with the blankets. He takes the extra blanket from the end of the bed and covers her with that as well then turns back to the windows and pulls the drapes, darkening the room once more before he slowly walks out of the room.

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Allura awakens sometime later and rubs her eyes before turning over to look at the clock. Shocked by the lateness of the hour she rises, quickly showers and dresses before leaving the room. She walks down to castle control to find Romelle and Cat standing beside Coran as he works the controls.

She walks up to the dais, "Where are the boys?"

Romelle turns and smiles at her, "Good morning sleepy head. Keith told us you weren't feeling well and to let you sleep in. Feeling better now?"

Allura nods before turning her gaze back up to the monitor, "Coran…where is Keith and the others?"

Coran turns in the chair to face Allura, "They are out in the field. Keith is in Black lion with Sven. The others are with to keep guard."

Allura pales slightly, "I should join them." She pulls her gaze away from the monitor, "Coran, raise the dais so I can launch."

Cat grabs her arm, "Love…you need to stay here."

Allura opens her mouth to argue, but Cat cuts her off, "They are trying to jog Keith's memory by taking him out to a field and putting him the Captain's chair. One, you would be a distraction for Keith and two, they would have to guard you as well."

Allura still looks mutinous so Romelle touches Allura's arm, "Honey, you need to relax. Keith isn't going anywhere, the others won't allow it. Let them try to help him."

Allura closes her eyes as a tear slips out of her eye and runs down her cheek as she whispers, "I keep dreaming I'll wake up to find him missing again."

Romelle and Cat both hug her and then Cat grips her chin forcing her to look at her, "He is back and he won't be leaving again Allura."

Allura nods and wipes her tears away. She looks at the monitors once more before sighing, "I'm going to get something to eat and go work in my office." She looks at Coran, "Please notify me when they return."

Coran nods, "Yes Majesty." and Allura leaves the room.

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Keith takes several deep breaths trying to calm his heart beat as Sven explains the controls to him. Keith sits in the Captain's chair and listens as Sven finishes, "You just need to listen to your instincts Keith…you were one of the best pilots at the Academy."

Keith looks over all the controls and tries to push down the panic he feels, Instincts…like there is such a thing as pilot instincts that will help someone who doesn't know how to fly… He grasps the controls and pushes the button Sven had indicated to start the lion and pulls it into a standing position. He slowly begins moving the lion, walking it along the ground.

Lance watches from Red lion as Keith moves Black, Damn it…he's moving it like an old lady…Come on Keith, trust your instincts. Then Lance swears as a missile leaves Black lion and heads right for him. He grasps his controls and quickly jumps Red out of the way as the missile explodes behind him, "What the hell Keith?!"

Keith swears profusely as Sven tries not to laugh. He leans over Keith to flip on the video screen to see a very upset Lance, "Take it easy Lance…he just hit a wrong button."

Lance glares at the image of Sven's humor and Keith's obvious embarrassment, "You think!"

Sven can't help it and begins laughing as Lance continues to glower at him. He finally turns back to Keith, "I think we had better go over the controls once more…"

An hour later, Keith finally has the lion running along the ground, but refuses to try to fly it up into the air. Sven sighs as Keith pulls off his helmet and stands to get out of the chair, "It doesn't even feel familiar Sven…"

Sven sighs as Keith steps around him and behind the Captain's chair. Sven slides into the chair, "We will try again tomorrow Keith." Keith sighs out his frustration as he takes Sven's place in the side chair and buckles in as Sven pushes Black into the air, heading back for the castle.

Keith exits the launch tunnels to find Cat and Romelle standing in front of him. Disgusted with himself he gazes at Cat, "Gym…"

Cat raises an eyebrow at him, "No lunch?"

Keith shakes his head as he turns and walks out of the room. Cat raises her eyebrows at Romelle and then turns and follows him.

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Romelle knocks on Allura's office door to hear, "Enter."

She carries in the lunch tray in her arms and smiles as Allura looks up from her desk, "I didn't know if you had taken the time to eat before coming in here, so thought I would bring something."

Allura smiles at her, "I hadn't…I was going to, but then lost my appetite."

Romelle sets the tray down on her desk and grabs a sandwich before sitting down in the chair in front of her desk. Allura takes a bowl of cut up fruit and begins eating that. Romelle finishes swallowing her bite of sandwich, "Keith and the others came back a few minutes ago. He dragged Cat immediately to the gym. I don't think it went well in the lions."

Allura stops eating to stare at Romelle, "What do you mean?"

Romelle sighs, "You could see the frustration on Keith's face. Sven and Lance had similar looks on their faces when they finally exited the launch area."

Allura sets the bowl aside and stands. Romelle looks up at her, "Where are you going?"

Allura starts to walk around her desk, "I need to check on him."

Romelle sighs again, sets her sandwich back on the tray and follows Allura out of the room. They enter the gym to find Lance and Sven standing away from the gym mat, watching as Cat circles around Keith before swinging her foot around toward his face. Keith ducks at the last moment but fails on the follow through as Cat brings up her fist and hits him in the jaw causing Keith to fall backward onto the mat.

Allura inhales and says Keith's name causing Lance and Sven to turn around and see her. Lance leaves Sven and grabs Allura's elbow forcing her to leave the gym with him, "Allura, you don't want to be in there."

Allura pulls her elbow away from him, "She is beating on him Lance!" she begins to head back to the gym only to have Lance grab her again, "No she isn't Allura. She is trying to get him to remember his training. He is already doing better today than he was yesterday but you would just be a distraction Allura."

Allura pulls away and opens her mouth to argue only to have Romelle interrupt her, "Lance is right Allura… You need to let Keith work without distracting him."

Allura's whole body droops in defeat before she finally looks back at Lance, "Don't let her hurt him Lance…"

Lance snorts and shakes his head, then turns around and walks back into the gym.

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Allura doesn't see Keith again until dinner only to find him on edge. He won't speak unless spoken to and barely touches his dinner. Allura sighs as the others begin to rise and head for the rec room. Sven stops and looks back at them, "Joining us?"

Allura looks at Keith's face once more before smiling at Sven, "Not tonight Sven. Good night." Sven studies Keith for a moment longer before he nods and leaves the room with Romelle.

Allura turns toward Keith and says his name. Keith turns his head toward her for a moment before looking away and rising from the table. He heads for the door and Allura rises quickly to race after him. She catches up to him in the hallway, grabbing his arm, "Keith, what's wrong?"

Keith runs his hand through his hair agitated, "Nothing is coming back Allura. Nothing even feels familiar and I don't know what to do…"

He pulls away from her once more and continues down the hall. Allura stands there stunned for a moment before she races after him once more. She follows him into their bedroom as Keith keeps moving until he is standing in front of their window, looking out at the night sky.

Allura watches him for a moment, her heart aching for him, before she walks up behind him and wraps her arms around him. She feels him stiffen for a moment before he relaxes again. She sighs, "You are pushing yourself too hard Keith…"

She releases him and walks around him to face him. Allura studies his eyes as she reaches up to caress his cheek, "Nothing feels familiar?" She steps closer so their bodies touch as she steps up on her tiptoes to kiss him.

Keith sighs against her mouth and pulls her closer to him, molding their bodies together as he deepens the kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth. He reaches behind her and pulls down the zipper of her dress. Allura sighs as she pulls away from him and begins removing her clothes. Keith watches her for a moment and then begins removing his own clothes.

Once nude, Allura steps away from Keith and walks to their bed, pulling back the covers and lying down on the mattress. Keith follows her to the bed, kneeling on it as Allura makes herself comfortable before lifting a hand to him in invitation.

Keith takes her hand and kisses it before lying down on top of Allura and kissing her once more. Allura shifts her legs so that Keith's body is between them as he moves from her mouth to nuzzle her neck. Allura sighs as his hand drifts to her breast, caressing the nipple before his hand drifts lower and teases her, causing her to lift her hips up against him as she whispers his name.

Keith smiles at her as he slowly pushes into her and ends the torment caused by his hand only to begin a new kind of torment as he slowly moves within her. Keith finds her lips again and continues to move, faster and faster until Allura breaks the kiss as she tosses her head back crying out his name. Keith continues to move within her and groans out his own satisfaction against her neck.

Keith pulls out of her and shifts to his side, pulling Allura along with him. Allura throws one leg over his hip and pushes the other between his legs while wrapping her arms around him. Keith watches her in the room only lit by moonlight as Allura leans forward and lightly kisses his lips. She pulls away and studies his eyes before whispering, "Are you sure nothing feels familiar?"

Keith sighs as he moves a hand to caress her cheek before he whispers back, "Perhaps there is one thing that feels familiar…"

Allura smiles at him as he kisses her lips again then wraps his arms around her to pull her closer to him before he closes his eyes and falls asleep.

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Keith turns his head in his sleep, You are my love Keith… Prove your love to me… Come to the window my love… Keith pulls away from a sleeping Allura and walks to the window, naked, his eyes only half open. He stands there as the image of Merla appears before him, Keith my love… Keith puts his hand to the glass and whispers, "Merla…"

The image of Merla smiles at him, Soon my love…

"Keith?"

The image smiles again, Go back to her for now… Remember nothing…

Keith fully opens his eyes and looks confused briefly at the window before he feels Allura's arms come around him, "Keith, what are you doing?"

Keith turns around to face her, "Just thinking…"

Allura smiles up at him, "Come back to bed…" Keith smiles at her as Allura pulls him back to the bed.

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Merla keeps her hand to her head watching the activities through Keith's eyes before pulling away, "Ugh…they are having sex again. They are like a couple of rabbits."

Haggar laughs behind her, "Ahh…those were the days."

Merla narrows her eyes at her causing Haggar to laugh once more, "I was a young girl once…a millennia ago."

Merla smiles at Haggar, "When were you ever a girl Haggar?"

"Shall I show you?" Haggar waves her staff and suddenly a young girl stands before Merla. She is tall and willowy; long, curly raven black hair and sea green eyes in a pretty face with full pink lips. Merla gasps as the image fades and Haggar reappears before her, "What happened?"

Haggar smiles, "I took within myself the dark power and my shape changed to what you see today. Beauty fades, evil lasts forever."

Merla shakes her head at her, "Well…at least I have regained control of Keith's mind. I will continue to strengthen that connection while he sleeps over the next few days. Then Allura will die."