Disclaimer: WEP owns Voltron and all its characters.

Beta: Thanks again to Dawn! I think she may be having second thoughts...

This is the second installment in my "Chivalry" arc. 1. Chivalry, 2. Lion House Restored

Rating/Setting: Rating is T. Setting is DotU in flavor but is AU in some ways.

Chapter Six

Keith tore his gaze from Allura and looked at the group and then at the signet ring on his hand. "Dr. Gorma has already lectured me about my behavior. I'm sorry that I pushed all of you away, but I just needed some time. I wasn't expecting to be a player in an Arusian prophecy and travel through time." He stopped and everything in the room was quiet. Looking up from the ring to each of them, he continued, "But he reminded me that you're my family and that you'll help me through it." He turned to Nanny as he felt a squeeze on his hand and saw tears in her eyes. "Doc said that you all accomplished something. Can you tell me what it is?"

It wasn't Nanny who answered but Allura. Moving to stand next to Nanny, she noticed his eyes wouldn't meet hers. Trying to protect me by closing himself off… again, she thought before she spoke up. "Nanny has instructed the boys in how to search the library and the archives. In addition, she, Coran, and I have already pulled a variety of books and given them out as assignments."

Finally meeting her eyes, he asked, "Did you bring me some books as well?"

Smiling at him, she said, "Indeed we have… and in addition, some of the books have been transferred to digital copies and everyone has those loaded on their data pads with assignments. This one is yours." She held the data pad out to him and he reached to take it, but she didn't let go. "We'll save the heavy books for when you're released. This will give you plenty to do for now." She waited for his nod before releasing the pad.

Coran stepped forward and said, "Dr. Gorma expects to release you tomorrow morning. We thought that we could meet after breakfast in the conference room and everyone can share what they have learned. For now, I think we should leave Keith to rest and read." There were murmurs of agreement as they filed out.

Nanny gave him one last squeeze on his hand and then left.

Keith closed his eyes and waited for the last remaining person to speak. "The Council of Elders would like to speak with you."

"I don't choose to speak with them at this time." His tone was resolute and firm.

Allura's tone was soft, "Keith."

"No." He said a little louder as he looked at her. He wasn't going acquiesce to them, just because they wanted to meet with the new Arusian lord. Before, they only acknowledged that he and his team were a small part in the legacy of King Alfor. While the people loved them, the Council distrusted them, their motives, and the very love the people showed them. The Council saw him and his team as a threat to the power they held. He was sure that news of 'the One' had made it to their ears, and once again, it was all about what he could do for them. He wasn't going to have any part of it.

Sighing, she looked at him in exasperation. "They just want to talk to you, Keith."

"No. No, they don't. They don't want to talk to me, just plain Keith Kogane. They don't even want to talk to the Voltron Commander or Lord Kogane. They want to talk to 'the One.' I'm not going to do it." He closed his eyes as he issued his last sentence. She had a way of weakening him, and he didn't want that, so it was best not to see her.

"All right. You don't want to talk to them, but will you talk to me?"

"I'm talking to you right now, aren't I?" Keith knew what she was talking about, but he just didn't want to admit to it.

A touch of irritation entered her voice as she responded. "You know exactly what I'm talking about, Keith. You locked us all out and now you've let everyone back in, everyone but me."

He kept his eyes closed as if it could shield him from the truth of her statements. But the truth found its way in and he had to face it… and her. Opening his eyes, he looked at her, the love of his life. She was also the one he would have to keep at arm's length. "I think you also know exactly why I'm keeping you at arm's length."

"Do you plan to deny your destiny as the One?" Her gaze never faltered from his.

Wondering where she was going with this, he responded quietly, "You know I won't deny it. I can't deny it."

"Then there's no reason why we can't be together in every way, but marriage." Her face blushed at her forwardness. "We can take… precautions… and we can be married when you finish the third challenge."

He knew precisely what she was talking about. Pushing back the sheet, he swung his legs over the side and she began to speak to him in concern. "No, I'm fine. I just want to stand up." Being careful with the IV that was still attached, he stood carefully since the hospital shirt barely came to his mid-thigh. He reached out to her and she moved to take his hand.

"What is it, Ke-," she started to ask. But she was suddenly pulled into his arms. Allura barely had time to register what was going on when his lips touched hers. Gently at first and then demanding, as if this might be the last kiss he ever had. When he broke the kiss, she held him tight and laid her head on his chest.

Stroking her hair with his hand, he closed his eyes and rested his head against hers. "If I did… if we did, what you suggest, what would you do if I died?" He felt her try to pull back, but he held her tight. "Would you allow yourself to love another?"

Realizing he wasn't going to release her, she pulled him tight. "Whether we have sex or not won't change the fact that you are the only one for me. Besides, either of us could be killed in battle. What is the difference?"

Still stroking her hair and sounding a little wistful, he said, "I'm not sure, but to me there is a difference. I don't know how long I'll be gone on a quest. You may not even know if I'm alive or dead. I need you to be free to move on with your life if I'm gone for a year."

It made sense to her now. If they started an intimate relationship, she would wait forever for him to return from a quest. She thought that she'd still wait forever even if they weren't intimate. She loved him. But she could understand it now. "I understand, but just know, I love you and I WILL wait for you. No matter what."

Finally, he released her and sat back on the bed and moved under the covers. He couldn't offer her romance and a physical relationship. Not with the unknown ahead of him. What he could offer, for now, was friendship and when the quests were over, hopefully he could offer much more. "Can you live with what I'm offering you?"

Smiling sadly, she said, "Just friendship?" She saw him nod. "No kissing?" He nodded again and her heart sank. Taking a deep breath, she said, "I'll take friendship for now, but you better understand, that I'm planning on more. A whole lot more." She leaned over and picked up his data pad and dropped it on his lap. "Get reading, flyboy. We're going to get you through these quests and when you're done, you're mine. All mine." She turned on her heel and left.

Keith stared at the door. Her words and the look she gave him promised passion and lots of it. Picking up the data pad, he thought, I can't wait to be yours.