A/N: Yes, I still live! Apologies for the delay in posting, and thank you to Talon3 for nudging me to get going on my writing again. Hopefully the next chapter won't take so long.

Leaving Arus is never easy; this morning, waking up with Allura naked in my arms, her blonde hair splayed across my chest, it seems impossible. But I know I have to; I don't dare give Wade any reason to doubt me. "Good morning, gorgeous; time to rise and shine," I whisper, smiling at the sleepy grumble I get in return. "Come on, I've got to leave soon."

Green eyes blink up at me, half-awake. "Don't want you to go. Stay with me." Her arms tighten around me, and she snuggles closer.

"Sugar, I'd like nothing better." I dip my head and kiss her deep and slow. "But we both know I can't. Coran only got me a three-day pass for a ball; Wade'll ask questions we don't want to answer if I'm not back on Earth tonight." And if it wasn't for Pidge's computer wizardry, we'd STILL have those questions. Fortunately, the ninja nerd's worked up a portfolio of pictures and vids of a ball that never happened for Wade to see. I ease out of her arms and pad to the bathroom, taking care of business and jumping in the shower.

Allura comes and perches on the vanity when I get out, watching me shave. "How soon do you think you can come back?"

I reach over with my free hand and cup her cheek; she closes her eyes and leans into the touch. "Sweetheart, it's gonna be a while, you know that. I'm gonna have to put my head down and be Wade's good little boy for a few months."

She sighs, wiping a stray bit of shaving cream from my cheek. "I'm going to miss you. Keith better find Black soon; I don't want to sleep alone any longer than I absolutely have to."

"Neither do I, 'Lura." Keith is NOT a subject I want to discuss, so I bravely avoid it by heading for my closet and pulling out a fresh set of shackles—I mean a clean Alliance uniform. Time to start getting back into character, much as I don't want to. Allura comes and sits on my bed, watching me dress. "Keep looking at me like that, honey, and I'll never get off the planet." She giggles, and I lean over to steal a kiss. "Evil, evil woman . . . best thing that ever happened to me."

She gives me a sad look as I straighten up and finish dressing. "I could order you to stay, you know. Matter of planetary security."

Of course she could. And God knows I'd jump at it, even if we WEREN'T together. I'm tired of playing Wade's game, of being isolated so far from what I know now is my real home . . . but I can't. WE can't. "Remember the plan, sweetheart. I can't keep tabs on Wade and help gather dirt if I'm here, even if that's what I'd rather be doing. I promise I'll call when I can, and come home as often as I can without getting Wade all interested."

"You're right, I know you're right. . ." she gets up and heads for the bathroom. "But Lady Goddess, do I wish you were wrong."

"So do I," I whisper to her back, then turn my attention to my packing, missing her already.

When we finally get downstairs, Sven is still lingering over a cup of coffee. Judging by his pallor, he's still not 100% from yesterday, and has no business being out of his bed. Judging by his scowl, he knows that and Mrs. McClain's little boy Lance ain't gonna be the one to say JACK about it to him. He glances up as we walk in and manages a faint smile. "Romelle is on her vay, if ve can stay here a few days," he says quietly, and Allura nods. "But. . .I vanted to be here vhen you left, min bror. De team does not see each oter nearly enough anymore."

"I know, Sven." We sit down on either side of him, and get served breakfast. "Even Pidge and Hunk. . . I'm on the same planet with them, but. . . even when I DO see them, we have to be so stiff with each other in public." I even miss Keith, not that I'll say it out loud, not that I don't still want to deck him one.

Sven shakes his head slowly. "Damn Vade. I hope Keit finds vhat he is looking for soon." He winces and rubs the scar on his neck, then slowly stands. "I tink I had better go back to bed vhile I still can. Safe travels, Lanse; call vhen you can, ve vill look after Allura." He claps me on the shoulder, bends to kiss Allura's cheek, then shuffles out like he's 94 instead of 24.

"I wish something more could be done for him," Allura murmurs as we watch him leave. "It's so unfair; Romelle's told me how he cries in pain some nights."

I push the old guilt down. "I know. . . but he's seen the best doctors in the Denubian and on Earth, 'Lura. His wounds healed badly on Doom, and there's no undoing it." Her small hand, callused and so unlike the soft girl's hand I kissed that first day so long ago, slips into mine, silently squeezing and offering comfort. I return the gesture as we dawdle over breakfast, putting off the inevitable for as long as we can.

Eggs and bacon only take so long to eat, though, and the staff starts giving us the evil eye, so we head back up to collect my bag before wandering out to my ship. "Please be careful, Lance." Allura stops and faces me, taking both my hands. "I need you to stay safe and come back to me."

"Promise to do my best, sugar." I slip my arms around her small waist, lifting her a bit to kiss her breathless. "Love you, Princess. I'll call you when I get to Earth, OK?" She nods, a bit dazed, and I take one last kiss before I force myself to let go and climb into the cockpit. I'm so focused on her that I don't see I've got company until I hear the voice of the most wanted man in the galaxy.

"Hello, Lance," Keith says coolly, and I turn to see him in the back of the cockpit. "Get this thing in the air; we both have places to be, and we're long overdue for a talk."