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

Enjoy Chapter 7

Mertz

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Over the next few days Keith continues his regimen of mornings spent in the lion trying to remember how to fly it and the afternoon spent with Cat, trying to stop her from beating the hell out of him. His evenings are spent in Allura's arms as she helps him rid himself of his frustrations from the day and telling him things they had done in the first six months of their marriage.

This morning Keith lays on Allura, his arms crossed over her stomach as he rests his chin there. He looks up into her eyes and begins laughing, "Come on…in the control room?"

Allura smiles down at him as she reaches down with her hand to move Keith's hair out of his eyes, "Yes, in the control room. Lance almost caught us and after that we decided we had best save our "activities" for our bedroom."

Keith chuckles before he slides up and places a kiss between her breasts. Keith studies her breasts, lightly running his fingers over her nipples, watching them immediately respond. He glances back up into her eyes, "Is it me or have your breasts grown slightly?"

Allura smiles at him as he continues to play with them. His eyes meet hers again, "They certainly seem more sensitive." Allura caresses his cheek, "Perhaps it is because you seem even more fascinated with them than before you lost your memory. The growth is probably because I am regaining the weight I lost while you were missing."

Keith sighs and looks over at the clock. He grimaces before facing Allura again, "As much as I would love to continue this discussion of your breasts I better get up and moving. I am supposed to meet Cat in the gym this morning." Keith climbs off of Allura and gets out of the bed.

Allura rises then stops as a wave of dizziness hits her and she closes her eyes. Keith notices her face pale and sits back down on the bed beside her, pulling her into his arms, "Allura!"

Allura opens her eyes to see the concern etched across Keith's features, "I'm fine Keith…"

Keith's eyes narrow in anger, "Like hell Allura. Something is wrong."

Allura sighs and shakes her head at him, "Honestly Keith…I'm fine."

Keith grips her arms, "Allura, I want you to go get checked out by Dr. Gorma." Allura opens her mouth to argue but Keith cuts her off, "I mean it Allura. Go get checked out this morning or I will drag you down there myself."

Allura smiles at him, "That sounds like something you would say…"

Keith glares at her and growls out, "Allura…"

She rolls her eyes at him, "Fine…I'll go see Dr. Gorma this morning."

Keith studies her eyes for a moment then nods and kisses her forehead. She watches him as he dresses quickly and leaves the room.

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Keith grimaces as he picks himself up off the gym mat for the fifth time this morning. He groans as he holds his stomach, "Did Lance piss you off last night and you are taking it out on me?"

Cat smiles at the comment and glances over to where Lance is sitting before shaking her head at Keith, "You are still thinking too damn much. You are the best instinctual fighter I know. Where the hell is your gut instinct?"

Keith groans as he takes several deep breaths, "Still in bed asleep."

Cat watches him for a moment then puts her hands on her hips, "We aren't getting anywhere this way. You keep making the same mistakes." She walks over to one of the cabinets and takes something out of the drawer. She walks back to Keith with a black mask in her hand.

Keith looks at it dubiously, "What is that for?"

She holds it out to him, "Put it on. You need to quit using your eyes and listen to your instincts."

Keith takes the mask from her and looks at it for a moment before raising his eyes to Cat, "Are you shitting me?"

Cat smiles at him, "No, I am not "shitting" you. You have fought me this way before, when you lost a bet to Lance and almost did better than when you had use of your eyes. I'm trusting that instinct of yours to kick in again."

Keith looks over to Lance who smiles and nods at him before he takes deep breath and puts the mask on. He stands still listening as Cat walks around him then grimaces when he feels a sharp jab to his side. Cat growls at him, "Go with your gut dammit!"

Keith closes his eyes beneath the mask and takes a deep breath as he listens to Cat move around. He loses his sense of self and closes his ears to the other sounds in the room to listen to her foot steps on the gym mat. He senses her closeness and brings up his arm and blocks her next jab.

Lance watches from across the room, a big smile on his face, as Keith continues to block Cat's punches. It's about time buddy… and then cringes as Keith gets a hold of Cat's leg as she tries to kick him and throws her away from him.

Cat flips as she lands back on her feet, "Great! I knew you still had it within you." Keith comes at her and begins attacking. Cat smiles as she blocks his kicks and punches before returning a few of her own.

Sven, Hunk and Pidge walk into the room as Keith and Cat move in a flurry of moving body parts as they try to best each other. Sven watches open mouthed as Keith once again gets a hold of Cat and throws her over his head. Cat rolls as she hits the mat and jumps back to her feet to attack him again.

Sven grabs Lance's arm, "Am I seeing what I think I am seeing?"

Lance turns to face him with a shit eating grin, "That you are my friend!"

Keith blocks another kick from Cat and flips away from her. He holds up his hand to stop her then pulls the mask off of his head. He looks down at it before turning to face Cat again. She smiles as she walks up to him, "How did that feel Yank?"

Keith slowly begins to smile back at her, "Great…"

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Allura walks out of MedTech contemplating what Dr. Gorma had told her. She sighs, her eyes on the floor in front of her as she walks to her office only looking up when she hears footsteps in front of her. She smiles when she spots Keith then gives out a small scream as he picks her up and swings her around the hallway. She grips his shoulders, "Have you lost your mind?"

Keith laughs as he sets her back down and kisses her smartly on the mouth, "I did it Allura!"

Allura looks up at him with her eyebrows raised, "Did what?"

Keith hugs her close to him, "I managed to block Cat. The guys told me it was like the old me fighting her."

Allura smiles at him as he picks her up in his arms and swings her around once more making her laugh. She caresses his cheek, "How did it feel?"

Keith smiles at her, "Familiar."

Allura smiles at him, then steps back. She takes his arm and escorts him into her office. She pushes him down on the couch then sits on his lap, wrapping her arms around him. Keith sighs as he inhales her scent then turns his face so he can kiss her again. He runs his hands along her back before he remembers their discussion that morning, "Did you see Dr. Gorma?"

Allura sighs as she kisses his neck then pulls back to look him in the eyes, "Yes I did and I'm fine Keith. Dr. Gorma figures it is just the stress of everything going on. I'm to take it easy for the next couple of days."

Keith studies her face wondering if she is leaving something out and decides to speak to Dr. Gorma himself later. He sighs as he tightens his hold on her, "Instead of trying to fly that lion this afternoon why don't you and I go out for a picnic?"

Allura gazes into his eyes closely, "Just you and I?"

Keith smiles at her, "For what I have in mind it better be…"

Allura arches a brow at him, "Exactly what do you have in mind?"

Keith continues to smile at her, "A meadow full of flowers…a blanket…you naked underneath me as I tease your breasts with a flower…"

Keith chuckles as Allura slaps his chest. She snuggles back into him and sighs, "I don't know if it would be safe Keith."

Keith sighs deeply, "Allura…if we wait for total safety we will never leave this castle ever again. It's a beautiful day outside. The sun is shining and I want to spend an afternoon amongst the flowers with my wife, alone."

Allura teases his neck with her lips, "What else are you going to do to me?"

Keith chuckles once more, "You will have to wait until we get to the meadow to find out."

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After much arguing with Lance and Sven and finally promising to check in every half hour, Keith and Allura manage to get away from the castle on horseback. Keith looks back at Allura as he rides; she is smiling as she urges her horse to go faster. Keith laughs as she rides past him and follows her as she leads him to a meadow that is two miles away from the castle.

Keith dismounts and walks to Allura's horse to help her down. She smiles at him as he lowers her to the ground. Keith kisses her lightly on the lips before turning around to get the blanket and picnic basket off of his horse.

Allura watches as Keith sets down the basket and then spreads out the blanket on the ground amongst the flowers. Just as he finishes and turns around Allura runs and jumps at him. He catches her to him but loses his balance and falls backward onto the blanket with Allura landing on top of him. He groans as he tries to catch his breath, "Did you learn about surprise attacks from Cat?"

Allura chuckles as she settles on top of Keith and slides her legs to either side of his hips before sitting up. Keith watches her as she begins to unbutton his shirt, starting with the buttons closest to her and then working her way up.

Once his shirt is open Allura runs her hands across his muscled chest before leaning down and kissing him in the middle of his chest.

"Well…isn't this a cute picture?"

Keith pushes Allura off of him as he jumps to his feet and shoves Allura behind him while he raises the gun that had been on his waist high. Queen Merla walks across the field toward them, "In fact I might be sick, it is so cute."

Keith aims at her chest, "What do you want Merla?"

Merla smiles at him, "For you to finish what you started, my love." You are my love Keith… Prove your love to me… Take the knife out of your boot and kill Allura.

Keith stands upright as his eyes glaze over. He lets the gun drop from his hand as Allura screams his name. He bends over and takes the hidden knife out of his boot before turning around to face Allura with it.

Allura edges away from him as she pleads with him, "Keith, don't let her do this to you! You can stop her Keith, close your mind!"

Keith pauses and shakes his head to try to clear it only to have Merla's voice become louder. You promised me my love… Kill her now!

Keith again begins to move toward Allura, raising the knife. Allura sobs, "Keith please!" as he steps closer and closer to her. She is too afraid to go near him to kiss him and try to end Merla's hold. She holds up her hands to him, "Keith, I'm pregnant. If you kill me you will kill our child!"

Keith pauses, his eyes widening in recognition. Merla watches Keith wavering and swears, then pushes harder. KILL HER NOW!!

Keith closes his eyes and tries to regain himself. He opens his eyes and pleads with Allura, "I…can't stop." He raises the knife once more, "Please…Allura…stop me..."

Allura looks around frantically until she spots a large rock. She picks it up as Keith closes the gap between them. Keith steps closer to her as Merla continues screaming in his head, "Stop…me…"

Allura swings with all her might at Keith's head, hitting him in the forehead. Keith falls to his side on the ground, unconscious, as Allura cries out his name and drops beside him, "Keith?" She pushes his hair off of his face to see the cut where the rock made contact with him.

Merla screams in frustration then glares at the couple on the ground, "Very well…I will finish this myself." She pulls a sword from her belt and walks toward them. Allura looks up as Merla approaches and looks around frantically for the gun Keith had dropped earlier.

She pauses and raises her eyes as Merla stands over her, raising the sword, "You have been nothing but a thorn in my side you bitch!" Allura screams and closes her eyes as the blade descends only to hear it hit another piece of metal.

Allura opens her eyes shocked to see Lotor standing over them, his sword stopping Merla's, "No you don't Merla!"

Merla pulls her sword back as Allura backs away from them to move back to Keith's side. She narrows her eyes at him, "What are you doing here?"

Lotor glares at her, "I believe that is my question for you. You made a promise to me, not to try to kill Allura."

Merla circles him with her sword, "No I didn't…I promised not to hire any more assassins. I never promised not to try to kill her myself."

Lotor continues to glare at her as he circles her, "Why Merla?"

"Isn't it obvious?" She smiles thinly at him, "You will never see past her to what we could be together. We could conquer the universe together but you would rather pine away for what you will never have." then she attacks him.

Allura shakes Keith trying to wake him, "Please Keith, wake up!" She begins searching him frantically for his communicator and pauses when she hears him groan.

Merla blocks another blow from Lotor and steps back, "How did you get here?"

Lotor circles her and smiles, "Haggar…seems she decided she could get further along in her search for power by backing me, instead of you."

Merla narrows her eyes, "That backstabbing bitch!" then swings her sword at Lotor again. Lotor blocks it then steps into reach of Merla and backhands her across the face. Merla stumbles backward and drops the sword before blacking out and falling to the ground.

Lotor stands over her, glaring down at her before turning away. He turns back to Allura to find her frantically shaking Keith. He walks over to her and grabs her arm, pulling her up to him, "It is time Allura."

Allura tries to pull away from him as he begins to drag her across the field, "Never! Let me go!"

Lotor stops and pulls her tight against him, "You are mine now!" and bends his head down forcing a kiss on her. When Allura tries to turn away he grabs her head and forces her to remain still as she screams against his mouth. He pauses when he feels a tap on his shoulder. He looks up to feel a fist connecting with his jaw.

Keith grasps Allura and pushes her behind him as Lotor reels from the punch, "I would thank you to keep your filthy hands off of my wife you bastard." then pushes forward and does a spin kick at Lotor knocking him backward onto the ground.

Keith turns to Allura, "Run, get on the horse and get out of here!"

Allura shakes her head at him, "Not without you!"

Keith glares at her but turns back when he hears Lotor moan. He walks up to him and kicks him in the face, fully knocking him out. He walks back to Allura, taking her hand and heading back across the field, "Let's get out of here."

They stop when they hear Merla's voice, "Not so fast…"

Merla walks up to them and her eyes connect with Keith's. Finish what you started my love…kill her!

Keith smiles at her and releases Allura's arm to walk toward Merla, "Your mind tricks will no longer work you bitch." Merla begins to step backward away from him, Stop! I order you to stop!

Keith glares at her, "You have no more power over me." He grabs her and holds her by her throat, squeezing the air out of her. Allura runs up to them, "Keith, don't!"

Keith shifts his gaze from Merla to Allura, "She blew me out of the sky, brainwashed me and tried to have me kill you…"

Allura's eyes widen, "You have your memory back!"

Keith nods before he turns his gaze back to Merla, "She deserves to die."

Allura places her hand on his arm as she looks up into his face, "Not by you Keith…"

Keith looks away from Merla once more to study Allura's eyes. She releases his arm and caresses his cheek, "Please Keith…let's go home."

Keith looks away from her again back to Merla, "If you ever come back to Arus again, I promise I will finish this." then throws Merla away from him. Merla regains her balance and holds a hand to her throat as she watches Keith take Allura into his arms, walk over to his horse and mounts it with Allura sitting in front of him.

He looks back at Merla once more before he pushes the horse into a gallop and leaves the meadow.

Merla watches them go as she continues to try to draw in air. She coughs as Haggar walks onto the field, "Didn't go as planned?"

Merla glares at her, "You bitch! You sabotaged me!" She walks to where she had dropped her sword earlier and picks it up before starting to walk toward Haggar.

Haggar smiles evilly at her, "I warned you…beauty fades, evil lasts forever." Haggar turns her staff on Merla, making a wind come out of it that pushes Merla back onto the ground.

Merla gets to her feet again, glaring at Haggar, "I will pay you back for this you bitch."

Haggar laughs at her, "Robeast will finish what you started…" She disappears and reappears by Lotor. She touches his shoulder, waves her staff and both vanish.

Merla glares at the spot they vanished from and then looks up when she hears the roar of the robeast. She screams and jumps sideways, just getting out of the way of a giant foot as it comes down, the foot just missing her. Merla looks up as she watches the robeast take another step away from the meadow…heading toward the castle.

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Keith pushes the horse to go as fast as it can, "Come on!"

Allura hangs on tight to the pommel, "Keith, please! I feel like I'm going to slip off!"

Instantly one of Keith's arms comes around her, making her feel more secure, "Hang on tight Allura…we have to get back to the castle as fast as possible. This isn't over yet!"

Behind them they could hear the vocal scream from the robeast. Keith swears and pushes the horse to go faster, "We are almost there Allura, just another minute or two!" as the castle comes into view and Keith begins galloping across the bridge.

Keith pulls on the reins, stopping the horse once they enter the castle. A guard runs up and takes the reins as Keith hops off the horse, then reaches up to help Allura down. Once on the ground Keith holds her to him for a moment, "We have to get to castle control, but Allura I need to know… Was that the truth or did you just say you were pregnant to stop me?"

Allura smiles up into his eyes, "I'm pregnant…"

Keith returns her smile, gives her a quick kiss on the lips then pulls her along behind him as they run for castle control. As they enter the room, Lance and Sven turn to meet them with Lance yelling, "What the hell happened to checking in?"

Keith holds up his hand, "Later Lance, we need to launch. Haggar has let loose another one of her pets."

Lance stares wide eyed at him as Pidge walks up to them, "Keith?"

Keith smiles at the sixteen year old, "I'm back…all it took was Allura hitting me in the head with a rock."

Cat chuckles as Sven looks at Keith's forehead, "That explains the new bruise…"

Keith shakes his head at them, "Later guys…we need to take care of business." He looks at Sven, "I need you to take Blue lion." Behind him, Keith hears Allura inhale sharply as Sven raises an eyebrow at him then nods and heads for the tunnels as Coran raises the dais.

Keith turns around and places a hand on her abdomen, "You need to stay safe…" He kisses her once more then heads for tunnel one and Black lion.

Keith puts the key for the lion in and enjoys the sound of its roar as it stands and he takes off into the air, "Lance, status!"

Lance comes onto his video screen, "Robeast is one mile away from the castle…this one is going to be ugly."

A moment later Keith gets his first view of the robeast and grimaces at Lance's very basic but accurate description of what they were facing. The purple robeast had white long hair, three green eyes in its forehead, was 100 feet tall and had four arms. Each arm was holding a sword and it had knives pushing out of its knees.

Keith swears, "We need to form Voltron now!" He flies up in the formation, followed by the other lions managing to out race the missiles the robeast fired at them from cannons placed on its arms.

Keith lands Voltron in front of the robeast, "We need to take out some of its arms or we will be dead, lion head attack!" Keith pulls the harness over his head and locks it in place before hitting the button to send the four lion heads at the robeast. Green and Yellow manage to take out two of the arms as Red and Blue are hit away by the robeast.

Keith cringes as he hears Lance and Sven yell as the blades make contact with the lion heads, "Everyone back!" Then as the robeast tries to descend on him while the heads were still detached, he yells, "Electro Force Cross!" and sends Voltron's cross at the robeast, hitting it between its three eyes with it.

The robeast screams in pain as the heads reattach, "Form blazing sword!"

Keith rushes Voltron forward and manages to cut another arm away but yells as an electric shock goes through Voltron when the robeast's remaining sword hits Voltron in the chest. Pidge fires proton missiles from Green's mouth right into the robeast's face forcing it to step back.

Keith rushes the robeast once more, this time managing to cut the robeast in half with the sword. He pulls Voltron back as the robeast slides apart before exploding. He lets out a sigh of relief, "Well done team! Sven, Lance…you guys alright?"

Sven swears, "The hit from that sword hurt like hell…my ears are still ringing…"

Lance laughs a self-depreciating laugh, "That is nothing compared to how my ears are going to ring after Cat yells at me for getting hit."

Hunk and Pidge break into laughter as Keith and Sven share a look, as married men they know their own wives are bound to have a few words to say to them about their injuries as well. Keith sighs, "Let's get back to the castle…I'm beginning to get a headache."

Pidge laughs, "After being hit in the head with a rock; that is to be expected."

Hunk joins Pidge in laughing as Keith grimaces. Sven watches Keith through his monitor, "What happened?"

Keith meets his eyes, "Later…this is a story I only want to tell once." Sven nods then they separate and fly the lions back to the castle.