Author's Note: I was not expecting the immediate onslaught of responses as soon as I posted the last chapter. So I have to start out this chapter with a huge "THANK YOU!" to all of my readers. Like I've said before, you guys are the best.
The usual disclaimer applies: I own nothing except my characters and whatever hot mess they get themselves into.
To Cha - I am so glad you enjoyed the interaction between Keith and Chris. There will be more to come on that front.
To Smithy - Christy may or may not tell Jeff about the rape, but for now, she definitely does not want him to know. A freak-out is the last thing she wants, especially now that she's safe.
To bknbu - There should be an interesting conversation between Morgan and Allura, as well as Christiane with various members of the Voltron Force. Larmina - much like her "other half" Lenora - is torn between Sven and Hawkins. As for the infamous beanbag chair, well, I'll refer you to the short stories "We Are Young" and "Senior Night" for more of its significance. ;)
To Emie Mac - Don't worry, I didn't die. I did go on vacation last week, but it was a working vacation, so very little writing got done. Boo! But now that the battles are over, it means Jeff and Chris finally get their reunion, and I know how you feel about Jeff! (P.S. I've also been spending time watching the subtitled Dairugger series - oh, how Captain Aki really grows on you! If you weren't a fan before, you certainly will be after!)
To FroofyB - I am so glad you're enjoying the story! Allura will most certainly make Keith sweat it out; she and Chris are more alike than they know. And as far as the Larmina/Sven stuff, the poor girl is torn about whether she should side with Sven or Hawkins. No clue where that might lead. Not yet, anyway. :)
To Craze - This conversation between Allura and Morgan could go one of two ways: really well, or REALLY bad. And I'm sure Nanny might have a thing or two to say about it all, so keep your eyes open for that. Thank you for your input!
To Sally On - I, too, love a strong Allura, so her conversation with Morgan should be interesting. AND entertaining! And is it just me, or do you get the sense of a Cossack/Maahox/Wade triangle forming against Lotor?
To Wade Wells - YEA! We did GOOD!
Title Song: "Home" by Lisa Hannigan
Albegas landed on Arus before Vehicle Voltron did. Commander Hawkins had recalled the fifteen vehicle mecha back to the Explorer, which was obviously larger and slower than any mecha. Jeff would have grumbled in complaint about it, but since he was so relieved that Christiane was safe, he let it slide. Impressive, especially for the hot-headed Air Team commander.
Aidan, Morgan, Taye and David came rushing into the great hall, eyes looking around for their teammate. The battle was over. They clearly wanted their girl back. Keith and his teammates were there already, waiting.
"DAVID!"
It surprised all of them, Voltron Force included, that Christiane would run to David first. After she raced down the stairs so quickly she might have fallen, the Blue Mecha pilot held his arms out and lifted her up into the air in an embrace. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and her legs around his torso, a few tears free-falling onto her surrogate father's shoulder.
The sight broke Keith's heart.
"Oh, Love, it's okay, you're safe now," he said soothingly, hoisting her up. "Thank God. Wade would have been a bloody goner if we hadn't gotten you back."
Without looking up, she nodded into his shoulder, then reached her arm out for Morgan. The navigator joined in the embrace, wiping away a few stray tears rolling down her own face. Keith felt gutted as he watched Morgan kiss the top of Christiane's head lovingly as a surrogate mother. "It's okay, Baby. We've got you."
The family she had deserved but never gotten. She finally felt like she was home.
Keith swallowed the lump in his throat down as he watched Christiane pick her head up from David's shoulder to wipe the tears off her face. She slid off him to hug Taye and Aidan. As he teammates crowded around her to make sure she was safe, Sven cleared his throat.
"Does her navigator get any thanks?" he joked.
Morgan's mouth dropped open as she took in the sight of her fellow navigator, and she sunk to her knees in shock and disbelief. "Oh, no. Seven hells, no. If that's you, Sven Holgersson, then I'm gonna throw my guts up."
"Bathroom's to the left."
"I hate you." Then she began to sob.
With her teammates staring at her, Morgan buried her face in her hands and sobbed harder than she could ever remember. She hadn't sobbed so hard since that day back at the Academy when she found out that Keith and the boys were going to Arus. She remembered holding it together until she found out about Sven's and Len's engagement, and then she just...lost it.
As he approached her, he murmured, "Hey, hey," remorsefully. He lifted Morgan up from the floor and hugged her. She continued to weep, not saying anything, merely laying her head against his chest and mourning what had never been. Her with Keith, him with Len...none of it was ever going to happen now.
He knew what she was thinking - how could he not; they were both like-minded - and with his chin on top of her head, he grieved silently along with her. Words weren't needed. He let his his fellow navigator drain her tears against his chest.
"We all thought you were dead," she finally croaked as the last of her tears fell. Then, in a much quieter voice, she added, "She thought you were dead."
As if that would explain everything, he thought grimly. "Well, as you can see, I'm not."
"And you're married, and she's married." Her voice was barely a notch above a whisper. "What kind of a mess did you two get yourselves into?"
"Nothing that can't be fixed." A little louder, he told her, "Now, you should introduce me to your husband. Officially."
Morgan rubbed her face with her hands, then smiled sheepishly at him. "So you know I married David, huh? Come on, you should get to know the man who beat your roommate's butt in every shooting match the Academy every held."
"HEY!" Lance cried out.
"He's also the guy who taught Len to shoot, so be nice."
She introduced Sven to both David and Taye. He shook hands with both of them, then felt a tap on his shoulder. He felt his eyes widen at the sight in front of him. "Holgersson. I'd like to thank you for rescuing Christiane."
Aidan Dalloway, the guy who hated him more than anyone else because Lenora didn't pick him, held his arm extended for a handshake. In his black-and-white uniform, he was obviously the team captain. Surprised, Sven took his hand and shook it. "Dalloway. There's no need to thank me. She's Keith's sister. I would have done it anyway."
"Of course." The two looked each other over, and Sven swore he could sense the faintest amused grin curling up on the corner of Aidan's mouth. "We'll speak more, Viking. Right now, I think the Explorer may be landing." He shrugged. "When that jerk Hawkins puts his mind to it, that ship can really fly."
"Leave my brother alone," David defended Hawkins mildly.
At the mention of the Explorer, Christiane's turquoise eyes widened. Despite his reservations, Keith was pleased. If his sister was that excited to be with her boyfriend, then he would learn to tolerate it. Maybe even like it. After all, it was Jeff, his best friend. In hindsight, he realized that there couldn't be a better match for his sister if he'd hand-picked one himself.
As soon as she shut off the transmission, Lenora laid her head on the desk, a serene smile on her face. Now she could finally relax.
"What was that?" Kelly asked, having come into the office as the transmission came to a finish. "Good news? Bad news? Wait, if it's bad news, don't tell me. I don't think I could handle it right now."
The Space Marshal exhaled, which loosened the knot of tension she'd carried since she found out that Christiane had been kidnapped. "It's good news, Asimov. I just heard from Jon. They've got Chris, and they defeated Wade at the same time." She smiled. "Now they're all reconvening on Arus to celebrate their victory. I'll give them that - they deserve it."
Kelly sighed, just as relieved. "Oh, that's wonderful. I feel so much better now."
"Me too."
The First Officer shot a half-grin at her superior. "Permission to speak freely?"
"Granted."
"Go home, Len." Kelly rubbed her back soothingly. "You need some sleep. Go relax. I'll take care of everything from here."
"I can't put that on you, Kell."
"Shut up, Stensson. You can and you will." Kelly helped pull Lenora to her feet. "You haven't slept since you found out that Chris had been kidnapped, and you haven't been home, either. So go home. Get in bed. Throw back a few shots of Ciroc if it helps." She grinned. "And remember, the boys are coming home soon."
She nodded. "I guess getting some sleep wouldn't hurt."
Kelly pushed her towards the door. "That gorgeous triplex is calling your name. Go. Catch some ZZZs." She smiled. "Because God knows your husband is gonna be keeping you awake when he's home for ten weeks."
She wanted the Space Marshal to be ready for her husband when the Explorer finally docked back in New York. She didn't want her to cheat on him ever again.
Once the Explorer docked in Lake Arus, Commander Hawkins and Captain Newley began the task of getting the team and crew off the ship and onto land, where they could make the trek to the castle. Jeff nearly sprinted the entire way there. He was so overwhelmed with emotions - joy, gratitude, determination - that he didn't know which to deal with first. Oh well. He'd figure it out when he got back to the castle.
He fully intended never to lose Christiane again.
"Jeffrey! Slow down!" Cliff laughed. "We all know how excited you are to see Chris again, but have you ever stopped to think that maybe her brother wants to spend time with her, too? And what about Morgan and David?"
"Morganza and the Brit know full well what this experience has done to me," Jeff replied, pausing only long enough to look back at the Land Team captain. "I think they can allow me a little time with my girl."
Lisa bit her tongue, but said nothing. Yes, she knew she was in love with Aidan, but sometimes it made her sad when she thought about the past. Whenever she revisited those years she'd spent as Jeff's girlfriend, thinking he might want to marry her, and it ended with nothing but tears and margaritas at Soltoro, it still stung. And it possibly always would.
It was better to focus on the present instead of the past.
Though Jeff led the group, the entire Explorer staff made it to the main hall of the castle at more or less the same time. As he rushed through the doors, he wasn't expecting the sight that awaited him. Well, that was only partially true. He wasn't surprised to find Christiane with David by her side, both of them surrounded by Aidan and Taye. He was surprised to see Morgan seeking comfort in the arms of someone he hadn't seen last night; someone tall and dark, with piercing slate-blue eyes.
"Oh my God," he muttered. "The Viking." Without meaning to, he remembered a night too many years ago on the floor of the Explorer, a night where he slipped the guy's wedding band on his own finger and attempted unsuccessfully to comfort his grieving fiancée. Shaking his head, he decided to focus on a happier image. "Chris!"
Christiane turned her head in the direction of the voice. Unable to keep the smile from spreading on her face, she rushed off towards Jeff. He broke away from his teammates and moved towards her until she was there, safe and in his arms. And, most importantly, alive.
"Oh my God, Chris, oh my God," he muttered over and over again as he drew her in. "I was so worried. You can't ever let that happen again. I won't let it happen to you again." He grabbed her face and kissed her, holding it long enough for it to be embarrassing.
"Jeffrey! For the love of God, let the girl breathe!" David teased.
"I'm sorry. I am so, so sorry, Chris. I should have been there." Setting his sights on David, he retorted, "Shut UP, Rackens!"
Christiane laughed, then wrapped her arms around Jeff's neck. "Leave him alone," she told her boyfriend playfully. As she hugged him, she glanced over his shoulder at the rest of the Vehicle Team. "Hi, guys. I hope this guy I've got my arms around hasn't given you too much trouble."
"Oh, not at all," Cliff cracked sarcastically. His eyes drifted over to Lisa, who had broken away from the group and wrapped her arm around Aidan's waist. "He merely got wasted on your beloved Ciroc, and snapped at the rest of his teammates." He paused, smirking. "Oh. And did I tell you that he drank absinthe?"
"Blech." Christiane made a face at Cliff, then turned her head back towards Jeff. "You drank absinthe?"
"Not one of my finer moments." He winked.
She wrangled her way out of his arms and headed towards Commander Hawkins. He saluted as she approached. "Tech Sargeant Kogane," he greeted, "I am glad to see that you're safe. I've already contacted the Space Marshal. She knows we've got you."
"Fantastic." She hugged Hawkins - she felt like she could have hugged everyone, she was so grateful. "Thanks for looking out for Jeff, Jon," she whispered to him. "I'm sure he was more than a handful."
"Truer words could not be said, Chris. But he's okay, and more importantly, you're okay." His eyes wandered over to the Voltron Force. Then, in his regular tone of voice, he asked her, "So, have you spoken with your brother yet?"
Christiane nodded. "I have. I'm assuming you've met the Voltron Lion Force, yes?"
The commander's eyes scanned over the members of the Arusian team. He recognized the princess, of course, as well as her niece. He vaguely recognized Keith and the other Voltron pilots, along with the other two young cadets. Coran, he knew.
He did not know the dark man with the slate-blue eyes. And was that man glaring at him? No, it was impossible. "Christiane, who is that? I don't remember him from last night."
Oh, gods. Helplessly, she locked eyes with Morgan, who understood the panic running through her system. "He...he helped me when I was on Crydor, Sir. That man is Sven Holgersson, the royal consort of Princess Romelle of Planet Pollux."
"Oh? He helped you out on Crydor?" Hawkins placed his hand on Christiane's shoulder. "Then, as commander, I'd like to thank him personally."
She blinked. Oh, heaven help us.
As Hawkins approached Sven, there was nothing his old friends - Keith, Lance, Hunk, Pidge, Morgan, Aidan, Jeff, Cliff, Lisa, Cinda, and Ginger - could do but hold their breaths. Aidan in particular watched the scene unfold, curious about the outcome. He knew what Sven must be feeling, and if the Viking felt anything of what he felt, then the commander was as good as dead.
Sven bit his tongue as the commander approached and extended his arm. "I am Commander Jonathan Hawkins of the Explorer. I have heard that you rescued our Christiane while she was on Crydor. I am genuinely grateful to you for your help, and on behalf of the Space Marshal of the Galaxy Alliance, I would like to invite you back to Earth for a proper reward."
It was an odd thing, but as Hawkins spoke to him, the only detail Sven could focus on was the man's left hand. Specifically, his wedding band. Hawkins wore a wedding band of hammered platinum, one that looked suspiciously like it might be from Tiffany. It reminded him of the ring he'd purchased for himself with Lenora, but without the hammered metal. "My name is Sven Holgersson. And there is no need to thank me, I truly only did what was needed for Christiane's sake. She is my friend's sister, after all."
One by one, he noticed his friends beginning to exhale with relief over the fact that he hadn't bitten the commander's head off. But he focused on Aidan. Those sapphire eyes burned into him, and for some reason - a reason that would assure Sven that seven hells had indeed frozen over - he wanted to talk with him.
It took everything in Romelle to pry herself out of her lover's arms.
Erimar was an astounding lover. The things he said to her, the things he did to her - it only reinforced the fact that she wanted to be with him. Perhaps she had been too hasty in threatening her husband about seeking a divorce. Right now, glowing in the wake of Erim's total love, it seemed like a completely plausible idea.
Poor Erik. The boy had no idea of what discord his parents' marriage was suffering.
"You know, Romy," Erimar murmured, his eyes half-closed, "my people would love for me to bring you back to Tyvel as my queen. It would be so easy, and you would be perfect in the role." He turned his head to gaze into her aquamarine eyes. "All you would have to do is say yes."
She curled into him. "Excuse me, that's not such an easy thing to do," she replied playfully, planting a kiss on the strong line of his jaw. "I'm married, remember? My husband and I have a son."
"Oh, yes." The prince smirked at her. "Your son who is in the nursery with his nanny while his mother is making love to someone she's not married to, while her husband is off doing God-knows-what for anyone and everyone except his family." He closed his eyes and nodded, satisfied. "Oh, yes. I think that about sums it up."
Romelle sighed. "Yes, I think it does. Quite succinctly, in fact."
Erimar leaned in to place a kiss on her lips. "Why do you continue to torture yourself, Romy? Why do you insist on saving a marriage that's obviously over when you could be happy? You know I would make you happy, and I would treat Erik as though he were my own son. What's keeping you tied to your husband?"
She wrapped herself around his body. "Once you've made those vows, Erim, it's hard to turn your back on them." She snuggled into his chest, feeling like she was finally happy and finally at home. But was the feeling worth breaking up her family over? Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. She wasn't sure yet - only time would tell.