Chapter 4: Home Is Where The Heart Is
It had been a year since the Voltron Force left Arus. She threw
herself headfirst into her studies learning more then she did when her
friends were there. She became a princess once more. She ruled her planet and
grew into her role. She was truly happy now, per say. Her planet was no
longer tortured by war and the people prospered. Taking advantage of the
situation, Coran and Nanny were on her back constantly about finally finding
a suitor. She had found one, that she knew, but he would not be acceptable in
Coran and Nanny's eyes. The suitor they had in mind was a prince, not a
top-ranking officer. Despite everything that was happening, she missed her
friends a great deal. Although it was difficult to see, Coran and Nanny could
see her sadness.
Often they would reminisce times when the team was there and laugh
at some of the experiences. The memories that hurt her the most were the ones
that Coran and Nanny knew nothing about. Sometimes after those sessions she
would go off on her own to remember. Visiting places that she had connected
with the team made it easier to remember and feel their presence. Then there
were times when all she would do was shut herself in her room and cry. She
missed it all: Keith's manner, Lance's attitude, Sven's seriousness, Hunk's
appetite, and Pidge's boyish ways. She missed them all too much to live
without showing her emotions. Coran had often heard her cries but did nothing
to comfort her. He felt would only make matters worse.
* * * * *
Things weren't going well for the Voltron Force either. When they
arrived in the Near Universe Keith treated Jeff with indifference. He refused
to shake hands symbolizing an alliance between the teams. He was even quieter
than before and was slow to act. His heart was no longer in his work. He
seemed constantly depressed. In the first few months everyone thought he was
taking the move too hard. He just needed some time, they figured. It had been
going on for a year and they started to worry 'bout him. Nothing that they
did to help worked. Nobody had any idea why he was carrying on like this.
Lance, Hunk, Pidge, and Sven found him alone and decided to interrogate him.
This madness had to stop.
"Keith, what's going on? You seem different then before."
Lance inquired.
"Nothing," He answered in a sinisterly calm voice. "Nothing except I want to
kick Jeff's ass."
Everyone was startled. "But why? He hasn't done anything to hurt us?"
"Oh, yes he has. While we finally complete our mission he can't even make a
dent in his problem. He needs us to help him fight his own battles. In a time
of peace he takes us away from our home and demands we fight and continue
with the violence. For once I'm sick and tired of fighting. I worked my tail
off for peace and I want to enjoy it. It's not enough knowing others are safe
anymore. I know it sounds selfish but . . . I want to be safe myself." With
that he started to cry.
Everyone was surprised at what war had been waging inside of him. It
was tearing him apart. They left the room and regrouped in a different room.
"I know why he's carrying on the way he is. He misses Allura." Lance answered
everyone's questions.
"So do we but why would he act like that?" Pidge pondered.
"Because he and Allura are an item." Lance answered quickly. An uneasy
silence fell among the team.
"Figures." Sven broke the silence.
"What figures?" Lance snapped at him.
"He goes to Arus and falls for Allura. I go to Pollux and fall for Romelle."
No one saw what he had with Romelle.
"So that's why . . . back on Doom . . . you cracked like that?" Lance asked
in a soothing voice.
"Yeah." He answered softly. "It's also why I stayed on Arus. Not just because
you needed a fifth pilot but because Pollux held too many memories of her. I
knew if I stayed there I'd go crazy again."
In the end they decided to help Keith the only way they knew how.
They went to Hawkins and demanded a recess.
"How am I supposed to issue these kinds of things? We need you here to fight
and here is where you shall stay." Hawkins ordered.
"Vehicle Voltron can handle it here. They have been for years. All I'm asking
is permission to go to Arus for two weeks! Two weeks!" Lance answered back.
"Don't get all lazy on us just because some 'wonder team' is sent here to
fight for you. Can't you see how this is killing Keith!"
"He'll live. He's been through worse." Hawkins responded coldly.
Sven and Hunk grabbed Lance as he prepared to kill Hawkins.
"Let them go, Hawkins." Jeff ordered. "They all need a break. Give them what
they want."
"I'm not giving them two weeks leave to Arus."
"Then give them two weeks leave to Pollux. It's the closest planet to us in
the Azure quadrant. They have friends there. If we need them all we do is
call them and they will come back and help. We will only call them if we are
in a LIFE OR DEATH situation."
Hawkins was ready to call them the minute the smallest amount of trouble.
Lance was right. Hawkins had become dependent on Lion Voltron.
"Fine. They will leave the day after tomorrow." Hawkins sent a message to
Galaxy Garrison telling them about the situation.
* * * * *
Coran was able to pick up the message Hawkins sent to Galaxy
Garrison. He ran to Allura's room where she was, once again, missing her
friends to the extreme.
"The Voltron Force was given a two weeks leave on Planet Pollux." He
announced. Allura looked up at him with disbelief although her eyes beamed
with happiness.
"I'm going there to see them." She finished.
* * * * *
The trip to Pollux was a fast one for the Voltron Force.
Self-assured Vehicle Voltron could handle anything; they prepared to enjoy
themselves. They didn't know how much they were to enjoy it. When they landed
Sven's heart broke. Everything around him was a reminder of Romelle.
Remembering his promise, he vowed he would move on. Besides, they had enough
on their hands with Keith losing it. They hadn't been there long when Allura
arrived. Seeing the Lions she landed near them and took off on foot after the
team.
She saw Keith first for he was lagging behind. "KEITH!" She shouted
after him and increased her speed. Thinking it was a dream he slowly turned
around to face the hard truth. What he saw surprised the crud out of him. For
the first time in a year, he felt happy. She caught up to him, kissed him,
and embraced him.
"I thought I'd never see you again." Keith exclaimed.
"I missed you so." Allura replied.
The team looked back and their hearts melted at what they saw.
"That's his first step towards recovery, team." Pidge said gleefully.
"Yeah, and I know what'll nip it in the bud!" Lance yelled back as he ran to
greet his friend.
"What?" But Lance and the rest of 'em had joined Allura, so Pidge caught up.
"GROUP HUG!" Someone yelled, and everyone complied.
"It's been too long, Princess. I didn't know how I would've survived in the
first few months." Hunk admitted.
"That's sweet of you, Hunk." Allura kissed him.
"WHOOPEE!" He yelled as he did backflips across the planet. Everyone laughed
at that.
"That's what I missed the most; the sound of your laughter." Allura said.
"Sure you did." Keith joked.
"You!" She slapped him playfully across the face.
They continued all the way to the castle. Bandor welcomed them with
open arms but shot a look at Sven. Sven seemed offended but said nothing.
Allura was the only one who noticed. She found out why that night when she
saw Sven exiting the castle. Wondering what he was doing so late at night,
she followed him to a graveyard. She looked around wondering what it was that
brought him here until Sven interrupted her thoughts.
"This graveyard contains the graves of all Polloxians who died because of
Zarkon."
"How did you know I followed you."
"Keith trained you pretty well on the stealth moves but we both had the same
teacher. I can tell when someone is on my tail."
"Why did you come here?"
"Romelle is buried here. Bandor was able to save her body on Doom after she
died. He took her back to Pollux and had her buried here for she was yet
another victim of Lotor." His face pained as he remembered how he killed
Lotor. "That's why I killed him. He put her through hell: making Avoc a
robeast, driving her father insane, forcing her to be Lotor's slave, having
her be the one to finish off Voltron and watch it, and throwing her into the
Pit of Skulls on top of all that. I felt the only way I could avenge her
death was to have him rot in hell. My only regret is having him die happy
because he kissed you. That's why his reaction time was slow. If I didn't
kill him he would've ran me through instead. Bandor blames me for her death.
He hates me and told me he wished Romelle didn't intervene and the ship
would've killed me instead. He means it too. I'm surprised he let me come
here."
"He knew if he didn't his hatred would've become public and the team would
start something. Bandor's very forgiving but he does mean what he says."
"I came tonight for this was the only time I could see her. Bandor wouldn't
let me come for he claimed I caused her enough trouble."
Suddenly, the wind ran through the graveyard, soft and gentle, as they felt
someone's presence.
"Don't tell me Bandor sent his guards after us." Sven retorted.
"No, no it's not them. It feels . . . spiritual." Allura observed.
"Romelle?" The wind ran through again, caressing them both.
"She's here in spirit."
"I'll be with you someday." Sven whispered to the wind as they both headed
back to the castle.
Bandor never knew what had happened that night. The next day Allura
said hello to an old friend of hers.
"How has she been performing?"
"Pretty well considering. She missed you a lot. Sometimes Keith and the rest
had to bail me out of situations that I could've easily handled myself
because she couldn't operate as she should. Extremely loyal, I must say."
"After all the life or death plights I dragged her into she better have
missed me."
"Take her for spin?" Sven offered.
"I'd thought you'd never ask."
He gave her a boost as she climbed into the head. She took her normal
position and took off. After a short warm-up session she really took to the
skies. She landed feeling exalted.
"Whoo, I forgot what flying her is like."
"Don't let King Alfor hear that. He might get offended hearing his daughter
forget Voltron."
Allura pretended to be astonished. "I would never forget about him. He's the
one who brought us all together."
"And never once have I regretted it."
* * * * *
The days following passed the pretty same way. They spent as much
time together as they could and when they couldn't they missed each other. On
the last night Allura found Keith in Romelle's garden staring up at Arus.
"Do you miss living there?"
Keith turned to see Allura at his side. He smiled as she sat next to him.
"Yeah. Livin' on a planet beats livin' on a ship but I guess you could call
Explorer home now."
Allura was offended. "No, Arus will always be your home."
"Let's face facts: Arus could never be home again. After our job is done here
I'm going back to Earth to find work there."
"After your job is done why can't you come to Arus? You're always welcome
there. Please, just go back when you're done. Come back to Arus. To me."
"I should've never went out with you that night."
"Why."
"Because it toyed with both our feelings. I must've been high that night. I
would've never done those things."
"But we love each other."
"Even if I did, it would've never worked out. Coran & Nanny would never
accept it and besides, you deserve a prince, not just some pilot."
"That's where you're wrong Keith."
They both turned to see Sven in the doorway.
"You excel any credentials that any prince could give her. You both proved
yourselves worthy of each others' love many times over. In the long run, it's
the best. I loved Romelle before she died, and although it took some time
Bandor accepted it, it was worth it. He knew I was best for her. I'm sure
Coran and Nanny will also see that for themselves."
"That doesn't make it right." Keith was unmoved by Sven's tirade.
Allura lost it then.
"HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO ME! Make me think that finally I had found someone
who'd look past the 'princess' and love me for me. Someone who would defy
what 'rules' that was laid out for me because I am a princess. I found all
that and more in you. All of last year, princes from all around came to see
me. I dismissed all of them, including those that I liked, because of you.
You were the one I wanted to rule Arus with. And now, now you give me this
song and dance about how we feel is wrong and how you faked everything out of
spite. What is with you, Keith?!"
Keith didn't say anything. He just got up and walked out. Somehow
the team sensed what happened. They greeted him at the door as he walked out.
They gave him dirty looks and Keith gave them one of his own. After he left
Allura started crying. After a long silence, Lance summed Keith up in one
word.
"BSB. I can't believe he'd pull a stunt like that."
"He's an idiot giving up what he had." Pidge retorted.
"No one hurts Allura like that and gets away with it. I'll make sure of
that." Hunk remarked.
"I'm sorry he did that, Allura." Sven apologized.
"It's my fault for starting it with him. I should've listened to Coran &
Nanny and married a prince."
Appalled by what she said, the team sat on the bench with her and comforted
her. Lance put his hand on her shoulder.
"You deserve him. No prince would love you the way he does. A prince looks
for more than the princess' love. Any prince would quickly offer you their
hand in marriage because you rule Arus and you own Voltron. Keith doesn't
care about that. He loves you for you."
Allura looked around at her friends' concern and love for her and smiled
weakly.
"Thanks guys." She hugged Lance. "Thanks for everything."
"You're welcome." Lance returned the hug.
"We'd do anything for ya." Hunk replied.
"Even beat crap outta another friend." Pidge finished.
"We'll open a can of whoop-ass on him. A very big can." Sven chuckled, even
though he meant what he said.
Allura smiled at the thought of friends beating up a friend for a friend.
"Just don't hurt him too much. Despite what he said I still love him."
"Just for you, Allura. If it were up to me I'd kill the knave." Lance replied.
* * * * *
"What did you think you were doin'?" Lance cornered outside the
castle grounds.
"I don't know."
"That's not what I wanted to hear." Lance roughly punched him across the face
that would've easily felled anyone but Keith.
"For chrissake's Lance WHAT IN HELL IS GOING ON?"
"Try you hurt one of our best friends so damn good it can't be healed and
this is your reproof." He threw Keith across the ground. He came close for
more but Keith regrettably belted him back. Hunk belly-flopped on top of him.
"Why'd you do that Keith?" Hunk slugged him senseless.
"You hurt her real good with that speech of yours back there. You're just
lucky she's real loyal to friends, especially you. Otherwise, she would've
dumped you faster than Lotor." Sven replied.
Keith's face lit up with fear. Pidge pounced on him. Keith stopped fighting
back and let Pidge kick him good.
"Get off him, Pidge." Hunk grabbed his little buddy.
Keith looked at all of them with genuine fear on his face. "I don't
know what came over me back there. I knew with each passing day would bring
me closer to the day where she would leave me again. It's hard livin' like
that. The past few days I made up excuses about why I can't see her as often
as I want to. What I said tonight was the result of what excuses came to
mind." He looked at all of them with intensity. "You all know how much I love
her. I would rather kill myself than say those things to her face. Yes, I
took most of what I said into consideration before startin' the relationship.
In the end I said 'to hell with all of it'. I loved her and that's all I knew
and cared about. I'm sorry about tonight."
The team took into consideration what he had said.
"We forgive you, Keith." They said in unison.
"Besides, I promised Allura I wouldn't kill ya."
"Pull a stunt like that again and I'll kill ya." Sven said.
* * * * *
They all helped pack the ships the next day. Keith avoided Allura
and stayed with packin' Black Lion. He could still kick himself for what kind
of pain he caused Allura. The only close contact he had with Allura that day
was when he stuck something into her ship when she wasn't looking.
With a tear-filled good-bye worse than the first, they parted ways
once more. Allura found the letter Keith had written to her the night before
when she arrived on Arus. She managed to hide it from Coran & Nanny until she
was up in her room, where she could read it without disturbance.
~Allura,
Please forgive me for the things I said that night. I didn't mean any of it.
I love you with all my heart and soul. Depressed with the thought of you
leaving me once more hurts immensely. The day I am able to leave my mission
I will join you on Arus. I still can't believe you turned down all of those
princes for me. You don't know how happy I was when I heard that. I love you
and I'm coming back when I can.
You'll be in my heart. Always.
Keith
P.S. We beat some sense into Keith that night. He's managed to survive some
powerful punishment. Yeah, we roughed him up as promised. We're here for ya.
Lance
Hunk
Sven
Pidge~
Allura noticed some tear stains on the top half of the letter,
smearing some of the words.
"He does love me." She said softly between tears. She looked out her window
towards the sky. "Oh my friends."
* * * * *
Keith was different when he came back to the Explorer. Instead of
the usual depressed look, he looked perky. He whistled around the ship and
his heart was back where it belonged: in battle. Life on the ship was back to
normal.
* * * * *
As was Arus. Allura no longer missed her friends like the past. She
was truly happy now. Coran & Nanny knew the trip had done wonders for her,
especially since they knew something was being kept from them. They didn't
pry for they knew they would never truly know.
All was well until the past relived itself. Some new force attacked
Arus. With ships similar to what Zarkon had they attacked without mercy. The
Castle prevented them from taking over the planet. The strange ships left
after doing considerable damage.
"What did the scanners pick up, Coran?" Allura asked after the ships left.
"These ships are just as if not more powerful than Zarkon's. Our scans could
not pick up who was leading the attack but we know it was not robot. We need
Voltron back here, where he belongs." Coran sent out a message to the
Explorer.
Hawkins was not pleased with what had happened.
"Tell the Lion Voltron Force they are going back to Arus, Jeff. They are
needed to defend the planet against some new force."
When Jeff broke the news, the team went wild. They didn't care if they still
had to fight.
"At least we're goin' home!" Lance summed up the news for Jeff, who thought
it a little depressing. They left soon after.
* * * * *
They came home to big celebration. Hunk dove at all the food before
anything else. Nanny admitted she missed Lance and his big mouth as well as
all the chaos they had caused while living there. Most of all, she said, she
was glad to see Allura happy again surrounded by her friends.
That night it was hard to sleep. Allura was still keyed up from the
revelry before. She went to her balcony and watched the sunset. Before long
she felt another presence beside her. She turned to see it was Keith.
"I'm so glad you're back." She said, taking him into an embrace.
"I'm never leaving you like that again. I'm home."
Allura looked up at him with amusement.
"To stay." He finished as he kissed her.
The End
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