A/N: I'm really thrilled so many of you are enjoying the story so far. I hope you like this chapter, too!

Keith surveyed the team surrounding him with satisfaction. Larmina and Pidge looked bright-eyed and ready, but the rest were just standing around with sleep-crusted eyes and vacant expressions. He clapped his hands. "Morning, team! As I'm sure you all know by now, we're re-instituting physical training. It's important that we are in peak condition, not only as pilots of Voltron, but also soldiers. While we may not exactly be part of the Galaxy Alliance military anymore, we're all still members of the Arusian Defense Force." He smiled at Allura. "And we can't let down our planet, so here's the plan. This morning we'll be conducting a three mile run. Tomorrow, Hunk will be leading us in the weight room, and the following day, I'll be conducting a session on hand to hand combat. Lance, I want you, Pidge and Allura to think about what sort of physical training sessions you want to lead the team in. Report to me with the details no later than end of day tomorrow."

Lance yawned. "That's great, Keith, but did we really have to do this at the butt crack of first dawn?"

The commander frowned. "For somebody who was in charge of an entire flight academy, I'd think you'd be a little more on the ball with training, Lance." He locked eyes with his second in command. "So, yeah, first dawn is it. It's time we got a little discipline back around here."

The cadets milled around together, Daniel grumbling under his breath about breakfast while Vince just wove unsteadily on his feet and Larmina chattered on about the benefits of starting the day with exercise.

Figuring that the others would follow her lead and stop arguing, Allura began to stretch out. "What's the path we'll be running, Keith?"

Grateful to her for getting things back on track and more than a little distracted by the sight of Allura bending down gracefully to touch her toes, Keith flushed a little. "I've marked out the path along the cliff trail. I want everyone staggered according to ability. Allura, you'll be leading Larmina, Pidge and Vince out first. When you hit the orange marker, turn around and head back here to the starting point. Lance, you, Daniel and Hunk will be with me. We'll give the princess' group a six minute head start. First person across the finish line from each group will get a free 'Get Out of Training' pass to use one time in the future."

Pidge brightened. "Great! I ought to be a shoo in for my group," he said to Hunk, who was looking a little crestfallen.

"Not me," Hunk said on a groan. "Geez, have you ever seen Daniel run? That kid can really make tracks. And Keith- oh man, I used to think he could run forever." He hauled up a massive leg to stretch his quad, putting a big hand on Pidge's shoulder for support. "I'm gonna get creamed."

Eyeing the others, Lance gave in with a snort and began to stretch out as well. A day off from Keith's torture sessions? Hell, he'd run himself into the ground for that. He sized up the competition. Hunk was no obstacle. The big guy could run three miles, but he'd never be winning any speed competitions. Daniel, while fast, just didn't have long enough strides to really pose a threat, he thought. Keith on the other hand… Lance winced. The guy could always run like the wind, and it seemed like he had the endurance of a professional athlete in the old days. Hopefully his time as a space cowboy didn't give him much opportunity for exercise.

"All right, team, let's line up," Keith called, pulling out a stopwatch. "Allura, Group One, are you ready?" He was psyched. Maybe what everyone needed was a little team bonding, some shared endorphins to get back on track. He missed the old days, when things were a lot more simple and straightforward, when the camaraderie came naturally.

Lance winked at Allura. "Kick some tail, Allura. Maybe we can use our free passes together to head out for breakfast one of these days. There's a great little restaurant down in the town that has killer doughnuts."

She grinned back. "I think you've met your doughnut quota this week, Lance. And don't forget- you're coming with me this afternoon to the Scaratos."

He gave a theatrical sigh. "Yes, Princess."

Larmina sidled up and planted her hands on her hips with a competitive smile. "Hate to burst your bubble, Lance, but I'm gonna wipe the floor with my group. Guess that means I get some tasty doughnuts from the diner, right?"

He reached out and ruffled her hair. "Sure thing, Meanie. You and I will go clean them right out of powdered and glazed and filling. But I wouldn't be so sure you've got this in the bag- your aunt can be pretty quick when she wants to be. Take it from a guy who's chased her."

"Hey!" She ducked away from him. "How many times do I have to tell you?" Larmina huffed, her clear blue eyes flashing. "Don't. Call. Me. Meanie!" Behind them, Daniel snorted with laughter, and she whirled with a venomous glare. "Laugh and die, Daniel."

Lance thought the boy might actually be developing a sense of self-preservation, because he swallowed the laughter so quickly it sent him into a coughing fit.

"Okay!" Keith interjected, forcing down a bubble of annoyance at the ease with which Lance teased and propositioned Allura. Yeah, things were definitely different. Lance used to know that Keith had feelings for her, and had respected that. "On my mark, Group One. Three, two, one- Mark!"

Pidge, Allura, Vince and Larmina took off from the starting line. Larmina bolted, shooting out at top speed, while Vince followed closely. Unconsciously, Keith and Lance mirrored one another, each shaking their heads. The two cadets were going to burn themselves out in a speed duel long before they hit the finish line. Allura and Pidge were taking a more measured approach, setting sustainable paces.

"My money's on Pidge," Hunk said loyally.

Lance perked up. "Do I hear a bet, Hunk? 'Cause I'll take it. Allura by at least a hundred feet." He watched the first group disappear around a bend in the trail. "Twenty Arusian dollars?"

Hunk thought about it for a moment before nodding. "You're on."

Daniel inserted himself between them with a grin. "I want in on it, too. I've got my money on Larmina."

"Sure you do, kid," Lance said slyly. "And we're all shocked by that, too. Shocked, I tell you." He smirked at Hunk. "Aren't you shocked, big guy?"

"Totally," Hunk replied with a small smile. Personally, he thought the kid's crush on Larmina was cute. After all, most guys at that age went for girls they had no chance of landing. He sure had. Heck, he still did.

Again, it was the small things like this that left Keith feeling isolated, left out. He didn't think it was intentional, but he couldn't help but feel like Lance had just inserted himself into his place, leaving nothing left for Keith to do once he'd finally returned. He had to fight just to carve out a new niche for himself, and he resented the hell out of it. "Can we dissect your and Daniel's unrequited crushes later, Lance? It's time for our group to line up." He grinned at his second in command, eyes hard. "May the best man win."

Lance grinned back, teeth bared like a lion. "Oh, I intend to, Keith."

Up until that moment, Keith had been planning to let Daniel win. Hunk just wasn't built for race running with his bulk, and Keith knew Lance had been lax in his fitness over the last few years. Daniel, on the other hand, was a pretty fit kid and could use the experience of crafting a race plan to win instead of just winging it. He wanted to encourage him to use his brain instead of just half-assing it and hoping for the best, like he'd been prone to do thus far. But the plan was going to change. Someone needed to take Lance down a notch or twelve.

Keith smiled darkly as they lined up, catching Lance's eye down the line. That someone was going to be him.

Allura passed Vince just before the halfway mark, impressed when he rallied to keep pace with her for several dozen strides. She had just established a lead on Pidge, gradually lengthening her stride to ease the stitch forming in her side. She had Larmina in her sights, but she wasn't sure she could catch her. Despite what Lance thought, Larmina could run, and run hard. If she wanted to catch her in time… Allura pumped her arms harder, mouth thinned in determination. Maybe she'd lose, but it wouldn't be for lack of trying.

The pounding of feet alerted Pidge to the arrival of the second group. Dang! They'd made up ground fast! he thought, running just a little harder despite the pain in his ribs. When he'd made the turn at the halfway point, they'd been almost a quarter mile back. But now, Lance, Keith and Daniel were running almost neck and neck as they whooshed around him like he was standing still. Pidge frowned. Now granted, he'd never been the most physically blessed of the bunch, but this was just humiliating. He picked up his pace and locked his eyes on Keith's back. Follow the leader.

Daniel was panting hard, wishing for his voltcom. He could've been back at the castle and eating breakfast by now if he had it. Still, he'd hung with Keith and Lance this long. He could do it for another mile- surely they had less than that by now. He listened to the sound of Keith's measured breathing just ahead of him and tried to sync his breathing to the Voltron commander's. In. Out. In. Out. Push, Daniel, come on. You can do this. He ran harder.

He was dying- Lance was sure of it. So far he'd refused to yield, but he had to admit that Keith was in the better shape. The first mile had been cake, and they'd both held about a five minute pace with ease, Daniel trucking along between them. The second mile had burned more, but the exhilaration of catching and passing the first group had seen him through. Lance had always been a fan of the power of the chase, and few things were more tempting to chase after than the sweet sight of a female rear end. Allura's, in particular. He'd had his eyes locked on her since the moment he'd rounded the halfway marker. Next to him, Keith was beginning to lengthen out his stride again, starting a final push for the finish. Damn. Lance swallowed past a knot of nausea and did the same.

This felt great. Keith listened to the harsh breathing of Lance and Daniel, competitive joy welling up in him. He was the better runner, and he knew it. In fact, he'd had a lot of practice running –from enemies- over the last seven years, while the others had slacked off in his absence.

Still, each and every team member he'd seen thus far had been running their hardest, not giving in just because they had no hope of winning. Hunk had fallen back when he'd caught up to Vince, who was by far the weakest runner of the group. Peering quickly over his shoulder, Keith confirmed what he'd expected to see- Hunk rallying the cadet, acting as moral support and running partner. They would cross the finish line together.

When they'd passed Pidge, he'd noticed the much smaller man grimace in concentration and pick up his pace, determined to make a good showing. One thing he could always count on Pidge for was giving things his all- unlike some other team members, Pidge was all in.

Daniel was hanging tough with him, but he felt sure the cadet didn't have anything left in the tank for that final sprint to the finish line. Lance… he wasn't so sure about Lance. He could be a stubborn idiot when he wanted, and Keith didn't put it past him to literally run himself to death just to prove a point to him.

They were only a half mile from the finish line now, and closing fast on Allura and Larmina. Larmina was slowing up, foundering in the homestretch from burning so much speed in the beginning. Keith could tell he'd have to stress patience and strategy with that one, and that she'd likely turn out just as stubborn as Lance. Still, she was holding off Allura, speeding up as her aunt pulled even. Keith grinned. Allura was letting her win- he could tell.

Allura gasped, each breath feeling like a searing hot poker in her side. The simple orange cone marking the finish loomed in her eyesight, flashing like a promise from the heavens. She made another effort at drawing even with Larmina, but her niece would glance sideways at her and grimace before putting on another burst of speed. Allura had no idea where she was getting it from, because she was completely gassed. Ten more strides, she cajoled herself. Come on, Allura, run hard. Five. Four. Three. Two. One. She stumbled across the finish line, still more than a full stride behind Larmina, who was grinning in ecstasy. Oh, thank the spirits- done. Shambling to the side as Larmina crowed about the sweet taste of victory, Allura put her hands on her head as she heaved for air and turned to watch the guys fast approaching the finish. Her eyes widened.

Daniel was running as hard as he could, but it felt like his feet were made of lead and his lungs half the size they were at the start. On either side of him, Keith and Lance had started to pull ahead, each man quickly pushing into a final sprint for the finish line. He couldn't hear anyone behind him, so Daniel dialed it back just a little as he watched the two commanders battle it out in front of him. Yeah, there's no way I could keep up with them now, he thought consolingly before a mischievous grin lit his features. At least, not without my voltcom. Then they'd be eating my dust.

Lance gritted his teeth and sucked air in hard and fast, doing his best to ignore the pain in his lungs. He pumped his arms and pushed for that last little burst of speed- he was not going to lose to Keith, not after all those snide little comments he'd been making to him since he'd returned with Black Lion. This was his chance, his chance to beat Keith on his own turf and silence him once and for all. He caught Keith's profile out of the corner of his eye, pulling ahead. Lance dug in, summoning everything he had left.

It caught Keith by surprise when Lance shot forward just after he'd pulled ahead. He'd been sure that would've been the final nail in Lance's coffin. They were only feet from the finish line, and Keith had thought that Lance seeing him lead out this close to the end would seal it. He scowled, and pushed with all his strength for those last drops of speed.

They crossed the finish line together, Keith panting hard, Lance a distinctly ugly shade of green. "I won," he croaked, before turning off the path and puking his guts out. Larmina made a strangled noise of distress before clapping her hands over her ears and turning away.

"The sight of someone else being ill makes her nauseous," Allura explained to Keith, her face suffused with a becoming flush as she still tried to recover her breath. "Even when she was a little girl."

Keith nodded, still too winded to make a reply. He reached out and clapped Daniel on the shoulder as he crossed the finish line for a job well done.

Daniel was panting, bent over with his hands on his knees. "Couldn't tell from behind… who won?"

Allura smiled at him. This one reminded her so much of Lance sometimes. "Larmina did."

"No, I meant between Keith and Lance."

With a final deep breath, Keith smiled at the cadet. "Good job, Daniel. I didn't expect you to keep up with me as well as you did. I'm impressed." He paused. "And I won."

"Like hell you did," came the weak retort from behind a scraggly bush.

Keith rolled his eyes. "Give it up, Lance. I had you, and you know it."

The other man emerged back onto the trail, face pale and eyes watering, but mouth quirked in his typical grin. "Only in your dreams, Keith. I got you on the last step, and you know it."

Allura and Larmina shared a very feminine look, one that clearly said, Men! "It was a dead heat," Allura finally said. When they both glared at her in disgust, she raised her hands. "No, really. You two were nose and nose."

"Which means I win, since I've got the bigger nose," Lance quipped.

Keith smirked. "Thanks to me. You'd have never broken it that first time without my help."

Pursing his lips, Lance ran his hand over the nose in question. "I wouldn't exactly call elbowing me in the face and breaking my nose 'help,' Keith."

"What?" He shrugged innocently. "We were sparring."

"You did it twice!" Lance shot back. "I still say you were sore over that whooping I gave you in boxing."

Pidge, who'd turned back and jogged to Hunk and Vince, crossed the finish line with the other two as a team. "Great job!" he said to Vince. "See? We knew you could do it."

"Yeah, little buddy. You did awesome," Hunk added with a heavy pat on the cadet's shoulder, sending the much smaller boy stumbling. "Teamwork can make even the hardest tasks easier."

Keith and Lance looked at each other in shame at Hunk and Pidge's words and actions as Allura glared at them both pointedly. They'd let their little competition get the best of them, while Hunk and Pidge had done exactly what this exercise was supposed to do- build camaraderie and teamwork.