Thanks to Mertz for putting up with me bugging her and to Wade Wells as well! Xia...knock it off.

I do not own Voltron or the WEP characters.

Hope everyone enjoys chapter 10!

CMS

Keith leads Allura to the Observation Room, where a huge window overlooks the countryside. The room is lightly furnished with sofas, chairs, and tables. As Keith nears the window, he turns to face Allura. "What are you thinking?" He asks with frustration in his voice.

Allura is taken aback by the question and plops down on the sofa near the window. She sighs, "I don't know what I'm thinking right now."

Keith kneels before her and takes her hands in his. Allura lifts her gaze to meet his. "You can't go back to him. Not after…." Keith catches himself before he says anymore.

Allura's eyes go wide and asks with fear in her voice, "You know?"

Keith lowers his head and sighs. Lifting his head, he answers, "Yes…"

Allura pulls her hands away from his and stands. Walking to the window, she looks out. "I'm so humiliated."

Keith stands and moves to stand beside her. "Allura, you have no reason to be."

Moving her gaze to Keith's once more, she says, "I tried to stop him Keith...I didn't have the strength. If Lance didn't get there when he did…"

Keith wraps his arms around her and pulls her into a tight embrace. He kisses the top of her head and she begins to cry. "This is the very reason you cannot go back to him. I won't let you."

She raises her head and they lock gazes once more. Keith places a palm on her cheek and wipes her tears with his thumb. "I love you Allura. Always have and always will. I will not let you down ever again."

"You have never let me down Keith. I love you too. I always have and I always will." She lifts her head more and moves in closer to him. Allura places a soft loving kiss on Keith's lips and he welcomes it.

Allura's eyes go wide and she breaks the kiss and pulls away. "Wait!" Keith looks at her stunned. "That man, the one Lotor and I were speaking to... I remember…sort of…"

"What is it?" Keith asks.

"The man asked Lotor something and he said 'I will', then he asked me the same thing…I said that I wouldn't. I couldn't make out what he was asking, but now that I think back, it must have been about marrying Lotor."

Keith's eyebrows rise as he listens to her words. "After I more or less said no, Lotor said something to the man and we left. Perhaps if we could speak with that man…oh, forget it. We can't leave Arus without Lotor seeing and I don't think we would have time to go to Tharash to find him."

"We may not be able to, but I think I know someone who may." Keith says.

"Who do you have in mind?"

"Sven is out on diplomatic relations for Pollux. He isn't too far from planet Tharash. Maybe he could get in touch with this guy." Keith suggests.

Allura perks up with hope. "You really think so Keith? Could we really find out what happened?"

Keith wraps his arms around her once more. "I don't know. One thing is for sure though…I won't let him take you Allura."

______________________________

Alone by the window and watching the Arusian landscape, Allura ponders, I have to go speak to my father. She races out of the room and to King Alfor's tomb.

As she approaches the sarcophagus where her father's body rests, she kneels down in front of it. With hands together, she bows her head and pleads, "Father, I need your help. Lotor is not giving up. I am so afraid and feel so weak. I couldn't have married him…I couldn't have." She begins to cry.

Allura hears a faint voice:

Have faith my daughter. Do not give up hope. What you think of as weakness, others think of as strength. You will overcome this. Trust in yourself…and in your friends. Good bye my daughter…I am so very proud of you.

Tears steam down her face. "Please Father...don't leave me. I need you now." Allura feels a hand on her shoulder. She looks up startled, "Oh Keith!"

She stands and with hope in her eyes, she asks, "Anything?"

Keith lowers his head… "I'm sorry…he…Sven found him dead."

Allura's hands clasp to her mouth to stifle a cry. "No…" she whispers.

Keith catches Allura as her legs give way beneath her. "That's not all I'm afraid."

Allura pulls her head from his chest and looks up to him seeing fear in his eyes, "There's more," he begins, "There is a marriage certificate…and your signature is on it."

Tears slide down her cheeks once more. "No! I didn't sign anything…at least…I don't remember signing…" fear consumes Allura and Keith's face fades from sight.

"Allura? Allura?" Keith says and with no response from her, Keith lifts her into his arms and carries out.

_____________________

"WHERE IS MY WIFE?!" Lotor yells into the view screen.

Coran holds his hands up in an attempt to silence him. "She is…"

Keith rushes into the control room and stops Coran's sentence by saying, "Allura is ill. She is resting right now."

"Ill? From?" Lotor asks.

"Probably from that shit you gave her!" Lance remarks.

"I already told you, I have no clue what you are talking about." Lotor smirks.

"Yeah, well, it is the only way you got her to sign that certificate and the only way you could have gotten her into bed!" Lance blurts out.

"Yes, well…whatever flyboy, Allura and I still have to finish what we started."

"Enough! We want to see this certificate Lotor. I'll have Hunk get it from you." Keith demands.

"No Commander! I will not give you the only copy of my marriage certificate!"

"Give us a copy then…we want to see that Allura did indeed sign it." Keith stands with his arms folded across his chest.

"Fine, I'll scan it to your system…"

"Nope! I don't trust you with access to anything...especially the computers." Keith states.

The anger is written all over Lotor's face, "Fine! Hurry up…I want what's mine. Send your man…now."

Keith smiles lightly. "Very well." Coran severs the line and turns to Keith.

"Is Allura alright Keith?"

"Yes…she is just very weak and scared." He sighs, "I don't know a way out of this, any ideas?"

Coran strokes his mustache in thought. "Get that certificate…we'll go from there. There are many avenues we can take. If it is her signature, perhaps we can prove that she signed it under duress. Also, there is…."

Keith raises an eyebrow, "What?"

Coran continues, "Well, they didn't consummate the marriage. Therefore, the marriage is not sealed. She could always request an annulment from the council."

Keith lowers his head. "Let's just hope this is quick and painless for her. She's been through enough." Keith turns from Coran and walks up to Hunk.

"Hunk, when you get the certificate from Lotor, give him this." Keith hands a rolled up bundle of material to Hunk. Hunk eyes it, "What's this Keith?"

"Allura's so called wedding dress. Give it back to the bastard…only after you get the certificate."

Hunk salutes him, "You got it." Hunk rushes to his chute and heads to Yellow lion.

Lance comes up to Keith. "Why didn't you send me?"

Keith lifts both eyebrows with surprise. "You're kidding me? Not with how pissed off you are. We need that certificate first Lance. Besides, I want to be the one to kick his ass."

"You're no fun." Lance states sarcastically.

Keith turns from Lance, facing Coran and Pidge as he states. "I'm going to check on Allura. Let me know when Hunk returns."

Coran nods his head in understanding.

_______________________

Keith waits patiently outside Allura's bedroom door. As the door opens, Keith watches as Dr. Gorma walks out. "Dr. Gorma, how is she?"

As the door to the bedroom slides shut behind him, Dr. Gorma removes his eye glasses and begins wiping them with his shirt. As he places them back on his face, he says, "She will be ok Commander. She passed out from lack of nutrition and with all the stress of the events from the past few days."

"May I see her?"

Dr. Gorma smiles and nods his head. Keith notices the bright smile on the doctor's face as he walks away.

Keith knocks lightly on Allura's door. When no one answers, he walks in quietly. Keith moves his gaze to Allura's bed and finds her still form resting nicely. A smile creeps on his face and he sighs.

Walking over to her bed, he sits beside her with his feet planted on the floor. He studies her soft, beautiful features on her face and gently sweeps a tendril of hair from her forehead.

Allura sighs softly and her eyes flutter open. She waits for her sight to focus as she turns her gaze up to Keith. Smiling softly at him she tells him, "Please tell me it has all been a bad dream."

The smile leaves his face and he regretfully states, "I wish I could. How are you feeling?"

Sitting up, Allura says, "A bit better. I'm sorry about that."

Shifting his body so that he is facing her more, Keith rubs her arm while exclaiming, "Don't be sorry. You needed some rest."

She drops her forehead on his shoulder. "I just want all of this to end. You didn't ask for all of this to happen to you Keith. You shouldn't have to fight my battles."

Keith moves his shoulder for her to raise her head. He places a palm on her cheek and she leans her head into it. "This isn't just your battle. Remember…we are all in this together."

"But it is because of me that Nathan wanted you to begin with. He could never get over being jealous of you."

He raises an eyebrow. "I don't understand why he would be…he didn't even know me. Wait…" Keith says , after remembering the remark Nathan said weeks earlier. "Nathan said that you would say my name in your sleep…I thought he was just saying that to make excuses. Is it true?"

Allura pulls Keith's hand from her cheek and holds it in her palms. She flushes a bit. "Yes…I guess so. You were always in my thoughts…always my protector. When he would be so over-bearing and abusive, I would always pray that you would come and save me."

Dropping her head, she whispers, "But you never did."

Keith lifts her head with his finger beneath her chin once more. "I didn't then, but I will always come to you now Allura. Nothing will keep me from you ever again…I promise you that. I love you too much."

Smiling, she lifts her body so she is resting on her knees. She moves in closer to Keith and takes his face in her hands. With lips threatening to touch, she whispers, "Show me."

Keith feels the heat rising up his body. With those two words, he is lost and he moves in to take control of her lips. Keith and Allura lose themselves in this one kiss. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he slowly lowers her down on the bed.

Breaking the kiss, Keith sits up to remove his boots and shirt. As his shirt is removed, Allura watches his perfectly cut body. She saddens as she spies the bruises along his ribs. Keith turns to her and lowers himself beside of her.

Allura turns her body toward him and caresses his cheek. "I want to be with you…I don't want to hurt you." Keith places his palm on Allura's hand. "You can't hurt me anymore than the time away from you has already hurt me." He says as he looks deeply into her beautiful blue eyes.

Allura moves in for another kiss and moves her hand to his shoulder. She pushes slightly on it to get Keith to roll over on his back. Allura sits up once again on her knees and removes her shirt, leaving a soft pink, lace bra for Keith to appreciate.

Keith watches her every movement as she undresses herself in front of him. When all is left on her is her bra and matching panties, Keith attempts to sit up only to have Allura gently push him back down. "Relax," she says in a seductive whisper.

Moving to Keith's waist, she unbuttons his pants. Allura opens them and straddles his legs. She moves her hands to either side of his waist band and begins to pull them gently down his body. Keith pushes back even more against the pillows as he watches her every movement.

Once Allura tosses his pants to the floor, she slides back up his body, stopping at his manhood. Keith watches intently, anticipating her next move. Allura runs a gentle hand over his hardened shaft and Keith inhales deeply, pushing his head into the pillow more.

The desire for the man that lies in front of her becomes overwhelming and she tucks her fingers into the sides of his briefs. Allura tugs them down, being as gentle as her aroused body will allow and tosses them to the floor, along with the rest of the clothing.

Allura moves back up Keith's body, running a hand along his side and up to his neck. She runs her thumb along his lips and he takes it in his mouth, sucking gently on it. After Allura removes her thumb, Keith runs a hand up the back of her neck, entwining his fingers in her long golden tresses. He pulls her head down for her lips to meet his.

Running her tongue along Keith's lips, she slips it into his mouth as his tongue plays. Keith then moves his hands to her back and unclasps her bra. After removing it, he tosses it off to the side, not really caring where it may land. Next, he runs his hands down her sides and feels for her panties. Once he feels the soft, lacy material, he hooks his finger in and tugs them down as far as they will go.

Allura feels the loosening of them, and removes them the rest of the way. She breaks the kiss and the two lovers look deeply into each other's eyes. Breathing heavily, Keith asks, "Allura…are you sure you want this?"

Moving her head in closer to him, she states, "I want to know what it feels like to make love Keith." Keith takes her head in his hands once more and places a deep, passionate kiss on her lips. Allura moans deeply and begins to move her hips against Keith's groin.

Pulling out of the kiss, Keith tilts his head back, releasing a groan. He opens his eyes and watches her as he lifts her hips and places her on his manhood. Allura feels the thick, hard shaft enter her from the man she is devoting herself to and inhales deeply.

He pulls on her hips to get her to move faster. Allura obliges and moves faster, causing Keith to grip her firm ass and lift his own hips to deepen the penetration, moving in perfect rhythm.

Allura places her hands on Keith's chest as she pushes her hips down to get the full feeling of her lover. As they move faster and harder together, Allura tosses her head back, leaving her neck exposed. Her moans become louder as she reaches climax. The sounds of her ecstasy drive Keith to the brink and he loses all control. He releases all his love for her inside her.

As the couple float down from the top, Keith runs his hand up her neck and lifts himself up and begins kissing her neck, tasting the salt. Allura sighs and tilts her head down to him. She takes his lips with hers and Keith lies back once more against the mattress with Allura following, lips still pressed firmly together.

Lifting herself up on her elbows, with tears in her eyes, she whispers, "I never knew it could feel like this."

Keith wipes the tears from her cheek and says, "This is what love is supposed to feel like Allura." She places another soft kiss on his lips and lowers her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat as it slows down.

A few moments go by with Keith and Allura wrapped in each other's arms. Keith strokes her bare arm and says, "I really don't want this moment to end, but I sent Hunk to retrieve something. I'm sure he is back by now."

Allura raises her head and looks at him. "What did he go get?"

"Your so called marriage certificate."

She rises from the bed. "I told you Keith, I don't remember signing a marriage certificate!"

Keith too rises. "I was hoping you would say that. We're going to take a look at it and see if there is something we can do about it." Keith glances up and down Allura's still naked form. "If you continue to stand there like that in front of me, then we may not be going anywhere."

Flushing slightly, she says, "I guess we better get dressed." She reaches down to get her clothing but is stopped as Keith takes her hand and pulls her toward him. He wraps an arm around her body and places a gentle kiss on her hand. "I love you Allura…more than you will ever know."

Allura places her hand on Keith's firm chest and looks deep into his eyes. "I do know Keith."

They stand mesmerized for a few more moments then begin to dress.

_______________________

All eyes turn to Keith and Allura as they walk into the control room. Lance lifts an eyebrow as he notices the disheveled appearance of his two friends.

"Hunk, when did you get back?" Keith asks.

"About twenty minutes or so ago." He responds.

"Why wasn't I informed? I told you guys to let me know when Hunk got back."

Lance smiles, "Coran knew you were going to check on Allura and he didn't want you disturbed." Lance's smile gets wider and Allura notices. She feels a flush attempting to surface and she turns away.

Allura walks over to Hunk and Pidge and begins speaking with them. Lance elbows Keith in the ribs and Keith grabs them, making a groan. Lance inhales loudly and says, "Oh Keith! Man, I am so sorry. Totally forgot about your ribs!"

Lowering his hand, he responds. "Don't worry about it. What is up with you?"

Lance smirks. "Did you have a good time?"

Knitting his eyebrows together, Keith asks, "What are you talking about?"

"Don't look now Keith, but you look like you just had a workout…you know ssseexx." Lance drags out the word with a whisper.

Keith whips his head to Allura and then back to Lance with a shocked look on his face. "Shhh….have to have a trained eye for something like this," Lance whispers.

Dropping his head, Keith smiles slightly. Shaking his head, he asks, "Where is Coran?"

Pidge overhears them and answers for Lance. "He went to the council to have them take a look at Allura's signature."

Allura's eyes grow wide. "Signature? How can that be…I don't remember…"

Keith walks up to her, taking her hand. "Don't worry…we'll figure out what is going on. Let's head down to the council chambers."

The five members of the Voltron Force exit the control room and make their way to the council chambers.

The five teammates approach the half open doors of the council chamber. They can hear voices coming from inside. "Lotor?" Allura inquires.

Allura rushes into the room with her four friends right behind her. She looks around to see a few members of the council, Coran, and Lotor's angry face on the video screen.

"My wife! It is well past the hour for you to come to me." Lotor says loudly.

Still with fright, Allura stares up at the screen. Keith places a hand on the small of her back to catch her attention. She looks at Keith and snaps out it. Allura steps up to the councilmen's table and says, "I'm sorry for barging in unannounced, but that document you hold before you is illegal…I did not sign it. At least, I don't remember signing it."

Lotor hollers, "Allura! What are you saying? We married out of love and you didn't hesitate to sign that certificate!"

Allura refuses to look at him. She speaks to the councilmen once more. "I did not willingly marry the Doom Prince. Although there is no evidence, I was drugged. I don't remember anything about signing those documents. My memory is hazy on a lot of the time I spent with…Prince Lotor."

One councilman asks, "Do you remember anything?"

Sighing, she senses her friends behind her, especially the one she gave her whole heart to. "I just remember struggling…struggling to get away from him…please…don't make me say anymore."

"This is ridiculous! Allura…gather your things…I am coming in a shuttle to take you home!"

"Like hell you are!" Keith says with clenched fists.

Lance rushes up to the table, "Look, I'm the one that found Queen Allura. She was obviously distraught. She was extremely weak and couldn't dress herself….hell, she couldn't even walk!" Lance holds his arm out straight and points to the view screen. "That bastard did something to her. He drugged her! By the time Dr. Gorma was able to do a blood test, it was already out of her system!"

Coran places a hand on Lance's shoulder. "Thank you Lieutenant…I think that is fine." Lance looks at Coran and shakes his head. He whispers, "This is bull shit."

Another councilman pushes the certificate toward Allura. "Is this indeed your signature?"

Allura studies it. "It looks a lot like mine, but I can't be sure it is…I just don't remember."

Keith looks at Lotor and notices his cocky smirk and his anger boils. It is taking every bone in his body to keep him from losing it.

The councilmen look from one to the other. "Please give us some time to deliberate on this matter."

"No! I want what's mine!" Lotor shouts.

"She's not a planet that you just conquered asshole!" Lance shoots back. Hunk and Pidge each take one of Lance's arms and escort him out of the room.

Allura looks at Coran and then back to the council. "Please…you know I wouldn't willingly go to Lotor. I love Arus too much for that."

Coran wraps an arm around her shoulders and guides her from the room. Keith stands with a disgusted look at Lotor. "Commander?" Keith hears from the other side of the room. He turns his head and nods to the councilmen then leaves the room to be with the rest of the team.

Lotor glares at the councilmen until the connection is cut.

Lance paces the hall. "I don't fucking believe this! They are actually entertaining the idea that Allura willingly married Lotor. What next?"

"Lance please…you're not helping Allura…" Pidge says, trying to calm Lance.

This makes Lance even angrier. "Look! You didn't see her when I found her. Her spirit was crushed! The way she was treated…." Lance notices that all eyes are on him now. The look on Allura's face is like a knife slicing through his heart.

Tears fall steadily down her face and she covers her humility with her hands. Keith begins to make his way to her, but is cut off by Lance. Lance rushes over to her and tries to take her hands from her face. "God Allura, I'm so sorry. I…I didn't mean to…"

"Just go Lance….please." Lance lowers his hands and his head in humiliation.

Keith walks past him and embraces Allura. She continues to cry in his arms.

Twenty minutes pass, but it seems like eternity to Coran and the Voltron Force. The doors open and a woman bids them entrance. Keith keeps an arm wrapped tightly around Allura.

The six people stand in front of the councilmen. "We have chosen not to hail Prince Lotor just yet. We have compared the signature on the marriage certificate to the divorce decree from King Nathan."

Allura stiffens and grips Keith's arm hard. The councilman continues, "There are similarities, it does appear that they are both Queen Allura's, but it seems as though the signature on the marriage certificate was signed under duress. From what our Queen has testified to, not to mention the Lieutenants' speech, we must agree that this marriage to Prince Lotor is not legal."

Allura releases a deep breath and turns to Keith. She throws her arms around his neck and whispers, "It's over."

He tightens his embrace and kisses the side of her head, not noticing the looks from everyone in the room. Coran clears his throat and says, "Break it up…once Lotor gets the news, he isn't going to be too happy. "

Keith releases Allura and agrees, "Coran's right team. We better get ready for an attack. Let's head to the lions." Keith turns to the councilmen and puts both hands together. "Thank you!"

He takes Allura's hand and the team rush out of the room.