Allura sat in the small lounge outside the medical facility. She had clasped her hands and lowered her head. She was desperately attempting to pray, but it was difficult for her to remember the words. Her mind and heart was numb with fear.

Keith was pacing the room like a caged lion, snapping orders into his communicator. "Hunk, do a quick recon of the countryside. Lance, handle my watch over Castle Control and make sure Pidge knows what happened... Have him make the Princess' excuses to Councilor Toima. He's probably still waiting for her in the Amber Room... Okay? That's all for now. Keep me posted guys."

He raked a hand through his already unruly hair. He hated feeling helpless and powerless to do anything. He would have rathered take the watch or go on patrol, but he knew that the Princess would need him there if anything happened.

Keith whirled around at the sound of a footstep. The white-coated figure of Dr. Gorma was approaching them. "What's going on? How is he?"

"The Prime Minister suffered a massive coronary. His heart is not as strong as it should be. I fear that the pressure and stress that he was under triggered the attack."

"Did you know the condition of his heart? You did, didn't you! Why didn't you tell us?" Keith demanded.

"I could not. His Grace forbade me to do so and I was bound by my oath as a doctor to keep his condition secret until he allowed me to discuss it with you."

"But—"

"Please, let's not argue about that now," Allura's tired voice interrupted the impending argument. "Doctor, all I want to know is this. Is he going to be alright?"

"We're doing everything we can, Your Highness, but his recovery depends on his spirits. He is very worried about you and I fear that this worry may hamper his recovery."

"Oh," Allura murmured.

Dr. Gorma watched as a mixture of relief, worry and guilt flickered across the Princess' expressive face. "He is conscious now and would like to see you and the captain. Come, I will take you to him now."

Keith reached out a hand and helped Allura rise from the chair. He took the opportunity to study her pale face — she looked shaken. He placed a comforting hand at the small of her back before guiding her to follow the doctor.

"He must remain calm so do not upset him." Dr. Gorma cautioned them as he opened the door to the private room where Coran was. "You can only stay for a few minutes. I will call you when it is time for you to go."

Allura stiffened as she saw Coran in the hospital bed with wires and tubes' connecting him to machines that buzzed and beeped. He didn't look like the strong proud man that she had known and relied on ever since she was a little girl. She took a deep breath and composed herself. Coran mustn't see how upset she had been.

Allura took a seat on the bed, being careful to avoid all the wires and tubes. "Hello Coran," she said affectionately as she reached for his hand and held it tightly. "I knew you weren't feeling well."

"Little Princess... " Coran's voice was weak and unsteady. Allura smiled at him warmly, remembering the endearment from her childhood, but her eyes were still dark with worry. Coran suddenly seemed so old.

"I... promised your father... I would take care of you. You can't be left alone again." His voice faltered and he tried to lift his head to search the room. "Keith... is he here?"

Allura glanced at Keith uncertainly and beckoned him over. Keith crossed the room to stand next to Allura so that Coran could see him. "I'm here, Coran."

"Promise you'll take care of her for me." Coran gestured feebly with his free hand, "She'll be all alone if anything happens to me... Promise!"

"I promise. You have my word."

Coran struggled for breath. "Not enough... Promise me... you'll marry her... as soon as possible... you must protect her from Zarkon... She's the one... This is the only way!"

Keith's eyes widened but his voice was strong and reassuring, "I will. Don't worry about anything Coran. I'll take care of her." As he stepped back, he saw Dr. Gorma signal them from the doorway.

"It's time to go, Princess." Keith helped Allura up and waited while she kissed the top of Coran's head. "We'll be back soon Coran."

Allura allowed Keith to lead her from the medical facility. She was glad to see that they were heading towards her private study — at least no one could hear them in there. She knew that they were going to have another "discussion" again.

She jerked out of Keith's hold as soon as he shut the door. All her fear and confusion bubbled into fury and she whirled around to confront him. "How could you do that? How could you tell Coran you were going to marry me?"

"I told him what he needed to hear. Would it kill you to obey him for once if it helps save his life?" Keith countered evenly, without a hint of expression on his face.

"I will not do this." Allura lifted her chin defiantly and glared at him.

"Doesn't he mean anything to you? Are you so selfish and hard headed that you can't make a small sacrifice to help him? Or is the idea of marrying me so bad that you won't even consider it?" Keith raised his voice and shouted at her.

Allura flinched as if he had struck her. Keith couldn't have been more mistaken. She would have done anything for Coran. After all, the Prime Minister was more than just her advisor — he was another father to her.

To be Keith's wife. To belong to him. It was something that she had wanted it so badly that she hadn't even dared to think of it. But the captain wasn't interested in a real marriage — he didn't love her — his over-developed sense of duty had pushed him into this.

Keith ran his hand through his hair and took a deep breath. He made an effort to rein in his frustrated temper because of the confusion flickering across Allura's expressive face. "Look, Princess, I owe him. He's done a lot for me — and for all of us. If our marriage means this much to him, then I'm willing to go through with this."

Allura forced herself to think clearly. She took a deep, steadying breath to compose herself, "I know that and I appreciate your loyalty to him — and to me — but..." Her eyes met his in a desperate plea for him to understand, "I had hoped to marry someone who I loved, and who loved me back."

It was his turn to break their eye contact for a moment. He looked at the floor and rubbed the back of his neck. It was time to tell her the unvarnished truth.

His dark eyes bored into hers, "Princess, you deserve to have that kind of marriage, but I don't know if I can give you that. I know what the others say about me behind my back. Pidge thinks that an icicle has more warmth than I do."

Allura drew in her breath sharply, realizing that, for the first time, Keith was appearing before her without any of his usual masks. In his eyes, she saw undisguised pain.

His solemn voice filled the quiet room, as he continued to speak. "I can't promise you a grand passion. I don't think I'm capable of it. I don't feel things as deeply as you do, but I do care for you, more than I ever expected to care for anyone."

He reached out an uncertain hand to wipe away the tears that began to trickle down her cheeks. "It's not much and I don't know if that's enough to base a marriage on, but it's all I can give you."

Will that be enough? Allura asked herself desperately. She felt her resistance crumbling as her better sense was overturned by the effect of his handsome face and his deep voice.

She swallowed the lump of emotion that lodged in her throat and closed her eyes, making a futile effort to fight the tears began to flow freely.

Keith was at a loss. He wanted to comfort her, but he didn't know what to do or what to say to make her feel better. He settled for holding her and stroking her hair gently until the storm passed.

Long minutes passed in silence before Allura reluctantly pulled away from him and the comfort that he offered.

She had come to a decision.

She offered him a tentative smile, "But you know, if we're going to get married... you really will have to call me Allura It'll be really strange if you keep on calling me Princess."