Author's Note: Even though I had a lovely weekend away (and thank you to everyone who wished me a happy anniversary!), this chapter demanded to be finished. I began some of the segments four months ago, and they told me it had been long enough! So this was very easy and quick to write; most of the work had been done already.

As per usual, I own nothing except my characters.

To Sally On - EVERYBODY is concerned about Sven. He's got so much going on here, with a wife, a kid, and an ex-fiancée. It all depends on whether or not Lenora picks him over Jon...and if Romelle picks him over Erimar.

To bknbu - In Romelle's case, she would be taking Erik away from Sven if they divorced. Because she has already made it clear that Sven would not be allowed on Pollux if they divorce, she has essentially decided that Erik won't see much of his daddy. Not a pretty situation for anyone involved, whether they stay together or leave each other.

To FroofyB - I'm a nail biter too, and these chapters have made me a wreck! Len, Sven, Romelle, Jon...what are they all gonna do?

To Wade Wells - Grumpypants? ;) I love you, babe. The good stuff is coming, I promise.

Title Song: The Cure's "Lovesong" cover by 311

It was the first cool fall Friday since school began. Mid-term exams were right around the corner; they began on Monday, which meant that the entire school would be buckling down to study over the weekend. Sven was only worried about NAV101 and HIST101 - navigation because it was the field he'd chosen to specialize in, and history because he hated it and had no idea how he would ever remember dates and names.

The only good thing about history class was that Lenora was in it. He hadn't said anything to her, but he was crazy about the black-lipped systems analyst. He had to pinch himself when she sat down next to him on the first day of class, muttering something about how lucky she was that somebody else from her floor was in her class. They were built-in study buddies. Problem was, he wanted her to understand that they should be more than study buddies. They would be good together.

"Ask her out, dummy," Lance scolded him when he first confessed his feelings. But Sven was shy, and he definitely didn't have the confidence that Lance, Cliff, and Aidan had with the ladies. So he stood back, content for the time being to enjoy her company as they studied the history of the planetary alliance together, hoping that she'd come to her senses about him.

Lenora was already in the classroom when he walked through the doorway. The seat next to her - his seat - was temporarily occupied. Andrew, one of their classmates who lived on the fourth floor of their building, was in his spot, and Sven strained to hear what they were talking about.

"...so if he's not your boyfriend, I'd like to take you out for pizza tonight," Andrew was saying. "We could study afterwards, if you want."

She shrugged. "No, he's not my boyfriend. We just spend a lot of time together 'cuz we live on the same floor. So yeah, I guess pizza's okay. What time do you wanna go?"

Sven clenched his teeth together as Andrew replied, "How about six? I'll come down to your floor and get you, and we'll go from there."

"Sure. Sounds good."

Narrowing his slate-blue eyes, the Norwegian stood over his desk, looking down at the both of them. "You're in my seat," he huffed to Andrew, the glare in his eyes enough to scare the poor guy away. But it wasn't enough to scare Lenora. She stared up at him defiantly, almost as if she was challenging him, but she said nothing as he sat down next to her.

Throughout the entire class, all Sven could think about was the fact that Andrew had asked her out on a date. The girl he was crazy about was going out on a date with another guy, all because he was too shy to say something and hadn't acted quickly enough. He decided he would have to remedy the situation after class, when they were walking back to the dorm.

History seemed to take forever, and when class was finally dismissed, Lenora darted up out of her chair, her messenger bag already around her shoulder. He jumped up after her, shooting a deadly look over at Andrew as he did, in an effort to catch up with her. She knew. She knew how annoyed he was at himself and at Andrew, and she probably thought he was annoyed with her, too. Which he could never be.

As he darted after her, he could hear his roommate's voice in his head. "Man, you really like that girl," Lance enjoyed teasing him. "She makes you do stupid things."

Lance was right. This girl really did make him do stupid things.

She was quick. By the time he'd made it out of the building, she was nearly halfway across the quad, her messenger bag angrily bouncing along the side of her body. Cursing himself, he darted along the grass. He couldn't let her return to the dorm without him. If she did, he never would have had the chance to tell her how he felt.

When she was within reach, he grabbed her bag. "Len! Would you please stop?"

She whipped around, glaring at him in a mix of anger and disbelief. "What?" she asked incredulously. "What do you want outta my life, Holgersson? Yeah, I'm going on a date with Andrew tonight. So WHAT?" She screamed the last word loud enough for it to be heard across the quad.

He clamped down his hand on her shoulder, more forcefully than he expected to. "Don't go out with him."

"And why not?" Her face was flushed with anger and frustration. "Give me one good reason."

"Because you don't really want to go out with him." When he said the words, he truly believed them. Sven felt something special for Lenora, something that transcended common lust or anything else the average sixteen-year-old boy might feel, and somehow he just knew that she felt the same way for him. "You want to go out with me. You're using him to get back at me for not asking you out."

"You are the most arrogant jerk I have ever met." She stared at him indignantly for a moment before shaking his hand off her shoulder and moving away. Unfortunately, her ankle gave way underneath her as she turned, and she fell to the ground in embarrassment.

Instead of laughing at her, Sven extended his arm. "Let me help you up, Elskede."

"Huh? What did you just call me?" Forgetting her annoyance for the moment, she accepted his hand and let him help her off the ground. "Ow. Friggin' ankle." She bent over to rub the ankle that had given out on her.

"Are you all right?"

"Sure," she grimaced. "As good as the day I came off the press." She dusted her cadet uniform off. "It's 'cuz I'm in these boots and not my heels. I walk better in heels 'cuz I'm so short."

He tilted his head sideways for a moment, examining her unnervingly with his slate-blue eyes. Then, after a moment of hesitation, he lifted her up and began to carry her back to the dorm. A time like this called for drastic measures.

She was too embarrassed to be shocked. "Hey! HEY! Put me DOWN, Holgersson!" She wanted to pummel him, but she was afraid he'd drop her if she did, and he was tall, so it was a long way to the ground.

"Will you relax already?" he said to her. "I'm not putting you down until we're in the building, so quit fighting me."

"Fine." She accepted her humiliation and pulled her messenger bag up to cover her face. She didn't want anyone to see her being carried back to the dorm, especially not Aidan or Morgan. She'd never hear the end of it.

Though she wasn't looking, she could tell just by the amount of time it was taking that he was going to the building's rear entrance - the one that mainly served as a fire escape. She was surprised about what she was feeling. She'd been an emotional black hole for two years, since the night her father was gunned down. She hadn't even been excited about getting pizza with Andrew. But Sven? This guy made her feel emotions again, anger and humiliation and indignation and...

Something else.

She heard the door open, and he put her down on the first step of the staircase. "There you go, Elskede. How's your ankle?"

"It's okay." From her spot on the first step, they were almost the same height. "What did you call me?"

"Elskede."

"What's it mean?"

He jammed his hands in the pockets of his cadet uniform and looked down. "It means 'Beloved' in Norwegian."

Her heart, which she'd closed off to feeling anything once her father was in the ground, began to swell a little. She didn't want it to, but there was something so sincere about this guy that she couldn't help it. "Why me, Holgersson?" she asked him softly. "What is it about me in particular? I'm no good for anyone. The people who love me all end up hurt - or worse."

He shrugged. "I don't know what it is about you. I just feel like there's something about you, and I'd be stupid if I let you get away. So no, you can't go on that date with Andrew tonight. I'm not denying you permission, I'm just saying that it's not fair for you to hurt him."

She scowled again. They were right back to where they left off. "That's not up for you to decide. And besides, a girl's gotta eat." She tried to turn to go up the stairs, but he grabbed her wrist and held her fast.

From behind her, he whispered into her ear, "Why do you want to hurt him just to hurt me? Spare everyone the drama and the hurt feelings. Stay in with me tonight. We'll study, we'll get pizza...I'll even kick Lance out of the room."

If she could have melted into his arms, she would have. Turning back to face him, Lenora wrapped her arms tightly around Sven's neck, and felt even better when he clasped his hands around her waist. This wasn't supposed to happen, but apparently, it was going to happen whether she liked it or not.

It had been a long time since she'd let herself feel anything at all.

"Touchdown to Earth in an hour," Sparks announced to the bridge.

Captain Newley had temporarily taken command of the Explorer in the absence of Commander Hawkins. Rich understood how hard his friend had taken Christiane's abduction, and his need for a few moments to gather himself, as well as thank the man who had rescued the girl off of Crydor.

Jon had always been an astounding commander. He'd taken care of his crew members, whether they piloted a Voltron mecha or not. In the case of a lost crew member, he would take it upon himself to pen the note towards the deceased person's family, offering his own anecdotes, insight, and thanks. The fact that a member of his "family" could have been harmed was weighing on his conscience, as though he took full blame and responsibility for the fact she'd been kidnapped. Never mind the fact that it was not his fault and there was nothing he could have done to prevent it; he still held himself responsible.

"That's good, Tech Sargeant," Newley replied. "I'll let the commander know."

The captain rose from his seat and exited the bridge, knowing exactly where to find his friend. Rich had never begrudged Jon his status or the perks that went with it. The fact that the commander's personal quarters on the ship were better than the captain's own apartment in New York never bothered him.

Once outside his friend's personal quarters, he knocked.

After a moment, Jon opened the door, looking pleased. "Rich, get in here," he offered, in a very good mood. "I've got Sven in here, too. Please have a drink with us."

Alcohol was not exactly contraband on the Explorer, but it was limited and tracked, so more often than not the crew of the stellar ship was drunk on some alcohol substitute that Sammy had concocted from the rations. Or, in Jeff's case, on some decidedly contraband absinthe. "Well, I originally came here to inform you that the Explorer will be docking on Earth in an hour. But if you've got your legendary liquor cabinet open, Jon, then I'm all in."

"Good news on all counts." He held the door open enough for Rich to enter the room. Sven was seated on one of the leather chairs, holding his second vodka tonic in his hand; the captain chose to sit down next to him. "What can I get you to drink?"

"Whatever he's drinking." Rich pointed to Sven.

"Ciroc and tonic it is." Jon moved back towards the liquor cabinet to mix the drink for his friend. Sven, meanwhile, looked over at the captain, feeling reality hit him. There he was, drinking with both the captain and commander of the S.S. Explorer, plotting a way to get the commander's wife to leave him.

"Good call, Sargeant." Rich clapped Sven on the shoulder. "I like the way you think."

Sven couldn't help thinking that, no, if either one of them knew what was running through his head, they wouldn't like it at all.

Lisa excused herself to go check on Ginger, Cinda, and Taye. "It looks like the three of them are having a pity party over in the corner," she noted to Aidan. She momentarily left her boyfriend against the bar in the common area, hanging back with Cliff, Jeff, Christiane, Morgan, and David.

Seizing the opportunity, Aidan looked over at Cliff. "Mate, I need to talk to you for a second."

"Sure thing." He shot a look at Jeff. "I'll be right back."

"Make sure you get a move on, boys," Morgan warned them. "The Explorer's docking in about an hour. Whatever illegal or immoral thing you're planning on doing, do it quick."

Aidan rolled his eyes. "Thanks, Feld."

The Land Team captain led his old roommate out of the common area and into the hallway. They walked for a moment, long enough to put a respectable amount of distance away from their friends and teammates. "Okay, what's bugging you, Mate?" Cliff finally asked. "I've known you long enough to know when something's bothering you."

"He isn't getting Chris a diamond." Aidan looked out the window. Earth was a beautiful planet, and it grew larger and larger as they approached it for a landing. "Jeff may be our brother, but Chris is one of my crew. And he's not getting her a diamond."

Cliff laughed. "That's what's bugging you, Mate? Are you serious? You dragged me away from everyone to complain that Christiane's not getting an engagement ring? You sound like a girl right now."

"Shut up, Jack."

"Oh, come on, Aidan. It's just a piece of jewelry. If you feel so strongly about it, why don't you get the ring for her?" Examining the expression on his friend's face, Cliff stopped in his tracks. "Oh my God, Mate. Are you really gonna do what I think you're gonna do?"

"Just answer me one question, Mate." Aidan was uncharacteristically serious. "The likelihood of you, me, and Jeff getting a three-bedroom apartment in downtown Manhattan together is pretty much nil, right?"

Cliff nodded. "More than a year ago, I would've bet money on the three of us rooming together. Now, though, with Voltron and Albegas, you with Lisa, Jeff marrying Christiane...it doesn't look like there'll be a swinging bachelor pad in the future for any of us."

Aidan shook his head. "No. It's time. It's time for me to clean out my closet."

The Australian clapped his best mate on the back. "You're growing up, Dalloway. Being captain of Albegas has made you a better man."

"Hey now. Just because I grew up, don't think I'm not still fun. I am still the coolest dude you know and the best mate you'll ever have."

Cliff laughed. "I never had any doubt, Mate. I never had any doubt."

When the Explorer finally landed in New York, there was a crowd of people waiting to greet them. The teams exited the ship, with Commander Hawkins traversing down the gangplank first, ignoring everyone around him and heading directly towards the Space Marshal. Jealousy and rage shot through the Norwegian in equal amounts as he watched Lenora tilt her head upwards to kiss him. There was nothing so irritating as watching his elskede kiss another man, particularly since she was married to that man and there was nothing he could do about it. Sven wasn't sure of many things in life, but he was sure that whichever of David Rackens' seven hells was the worst, he was in it right now.

Aidan leaned over and whispered to him, "Yeah. Get used to it."

"We come bearing a hero," the commander informed his wife. "Sven Holgersson, the man who came to the aid of our Christiane."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Sven? Really?" She knew she should be shocked, but for some reason, she wasn't. She knew that no matter what happened, her old fiancé would still do anything she asked of him.

"Yes." He squeezed her hand. "He pulled her off Crydor. Christiane would have died if he hadn't gotten there. She never would have made it through the night in the arctic temperatures without his help."

"Then we'll take care of him. I'll book him a hotel room, maybe make dinner arrangements. Anyone who rescues one of mine will be properly rewarded. Where is he so I can thank him personally?"

He turned to point Sven out, but he hadn't really needed to. Lenora would have known Sven anywhere. She approached him, pacing herself so she wouldn't just rush into him, and took his hands in hers. As she did, she noticed that he looked down at their clasped hands, probably wishing to see their platinum wedding bands.

"Sargeant Holgersson," she said finally, almost in a declaration ceremony for the onlookers, "the Galaxy Alliance is deeply indebted to you for the rescue of our Albegas crew member, Christiane Kogane. We cannot thank you enough for your brave actions."

"Space Marshal," he choked out in reply, "I was only doing my duty as a member of the Voltron Force."

It was then that she threw her arms around him.

He felt currents of electricity run through his body as he embraced his elskede. She turned her face into his neck, and he felt her breath on his skin. He wanted the earth to open up and swallow them both. "Sven," she whispered, making sure her lips were covered by her raised arms, "Jeg elsker deg fortsatt, og Jeg vil alltid."

"This is bad," Morgan whispered to Aidan.

"I think it's kinda funny," the Albegas captain replied. Lisa, her dark eyes wide, smacked him in the arm.

Across the crowd, Morgan could see Kelly's eyes, round and shining, as she watched the spectacle herself. Then, filled with relief, she watched as the First Officer marched up to the old flames, insistently tapping the Space Marshal on the shoulder. "Ahem," she cleared her throat forcefully. "Sargeant Holgersson, it's good to see you again. It's been a long time."

Lenora ducked out of her old lover's arms and stood by Kelly's side. Sven could have lashed out at their old floormate for interrupting their moment, but he knew how the fallout would interfere with his plans. "Kelly Asimov," he murmured instead, drinking in the sight of her. He could now understand why Modoch couldn't move beyond his relationship with her; she looked far better than she ever had during their Academy days. "It's good to see you, too."

"It's First Officer Asimov now," she corrected him with a chill in her voice. Then, turning her head to Lenora, she asked, "Have you seen Christiane?"

"No." She looked back at Sven. "Where is she?"

"Here! I'm here!" Christiane bounded away from Jeff and the rest of her teammates and darted towards the Space Marshal. Lenora embraced her, rocking back and forth, and suddenly communicating as only two female systems analysts could. To the onlookers, it was much like watching Pidge and Chip converse. Then, she cried out, "We're getting married, Len!"

Her cheeks hurt from smiling. "I know! I'm so excited! Morgan and I will start planning your wedding immediately, don't you worry about that."

Sven was not pleased about his moment with his elskede being interrupted, and he was even less pleased when the commander came over to claim his wife. Sven noticed the glint in her chocolate-brown eyes as she reached for her husband's hand, and it made him want to scream. No. She could not be in love with Jon Hawkins. She was in love with him. He was The One.

"Come with me, Sven," Kelly said pointedly. "We're putting you up in a hotel room for the night."

As the First Officer dragged him away from his friends and, worse, from his elskede, the only way Sven could keep himself calm was by rehashing his plan in his head, over and over until it made him want to lay down and sleep.

Jeg elsker deg fortsatt, og Jeg vil alltid: "I still love you, and I always will."