Voltron Defender of the Universe Stories: A New Twist to an Old Favorite: Burning Youth

Rating: R; Chapter Rating: R: Mature Scenes (including teenaged sexual relations) and Language

Characters: Keith Kogane (14); Princess Romelle (13); Sven Holgersson (14); Lisa Hawkins (13); “Lance” Charles McClain (15); Princess Allura (13); King Kova (adult); Prince Avok (22); Joan (young twenties: a pilot)

Summary: When Keith and Romelle reunite at Galaxy Garrison’s Cadet Boarding School, their renewed relationship can tear an alliance apart.

Spoilers: There is a spoiler for Episode 17, but the majority of others are for the rest of this written series.

Setting: Galaxy Garrison’s Cadet Boarding School, Earth and The Royal Castle, Pollux

Note: Some relationships and “histories” are altered in this series; however, there are few dramatic changes that could not be explained by normal Voltron canon. Due to these changes, the “series” is rewritten, with minor (and sometimes) major “What If’s” being addressed. Also, if you have questions about family relations, contact me nicely, but in the end, we have things planned out to work. Please enjoy a New Twist to an Old Favorite.

Standing in the middle of Romelle’s bedroom, Keith surrounded her with his gentle arms, kissing her lovingly on the lips. He was amazed that this beautiful, young girl had once been a little nine-year old tomboy who thought he was just another space pilot: cocky and bull-headed. But now she was here with him, and he wasn’t going to let her go. He never wanted to be parted from her again. The three years that they had been separated seemed like torture. He never realized that he could care about someone so much.

As a young child, he’d lost his parents in a devastating car accident. Then he was taken in by Commander Hawkins and entered into the Space Academy. He raced through the academics with a momentum and precision unmatched before or since; and soon became the youngest person to ever be awarded the rank of Ensign. This honor was swiftly followed by a year-long tour, training on the planet Pollux at one of the best facilities in the Alliance. It was there that he first met the girl he now held close to his beating heart.

His beating heart. Speeding, racing was more like it. As a fourteen-year-old boy, he was experiencing what most people would want to call puppy love, his first love; but he knew in his gut that it was much more. If asked, he wouldn’t be able to explain it. Being near her was like being able to take a deep, long-awaited breath after a long swim underwater, it was like coming home, even though he had no real home with which to compare it; he knew that this feeling was the only thing in the world he could truly depend on, and he never wanted it to go away.

The couple had been together every waking moment since they first realized they were back on the same planet; and recently, they had spent some sleeping hours together, as well. But tonight was different. They both realized it. Tonight Keith had decided that it was time to tell Romelle how he felt, and it made him nervous. He didn’t know for sure how she would react. Would she tell him that she felt the same way, or would she run away, or would she laugh at him, or would she just stand there, not saying anything? He couldn’t let himself think that she might feel anything for him but the same love he felt for her.

“Romelle,” he started, still holding her close to him. “There’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time.” He paused, not sure how to go on. Finally, he decided that simply saying it would be best. “I love you, Romelle. I always have. The last few months have been the best time I’ve had since I was on Pollux.” He paused again, this time waiting for a reaction from her.

Her throaty laugh, followed by a kiss more intense then any of those shared between them before was enough to make him relax. Romelle was the type of girl to speak her mind; if she were uncomfortable, he’d know about it. Gentle, yet strong hands cupped his face as she pulled back, smiling happily. “Keith, I love you more than anything I’ve ever loved before.” Her blues eyes were smoldering a darker color with her deep emotions… and something more. Romelle moved her hands from his face, grasping his hands and sliding them across her hips and waist to her tummy, a smile playfully lighting her face.

Keith kissed her again, this time gently lowering her to the bed and lying down next to her. She felt so soft and frail, not like the child he knew on Pollux. He could feel a longing deep within him. Was this the right time? Would she accept him or would she leave him forever, tearing him apart at the heart? He let the moment flow as naturally as possible, not wanting to scare her off.

With another soft, deep laugh, Romelle pushed his arms around her once more, kissing first his neck then feathering her lips softly over his face to once more capture his mouth. Her body moved against his in an age-old rhythm of desire, unconsciously or deliberately? She seemed open to the same possibilities that ran through his mind and body.

They continued kissing for several more minutes, holding each other close. His hands left her back and slowly, softly began to explore her, first touching her hips, then running up her back and caressing her neck. When she didn’t resist, he continued his gentle caresses and explorations.

Her hands quickly fell into sweet imitation of his sensual explorations, caressing his chest and roving to his clothed manhood without hesitation. Romelle’s curiosity and desire raged just as high as Keith’s, and it showed in her enthusiastic responses.

Within minutes, the teenagers had removed each other’s shirts. Keith lay on his side, propped up on his elbow, gently running a caressing finger up and down Romelle’s chest, right above her right breast.

At his caresses, a low groan issued from the girl’s swollen lips; it was quite evident she liked what he did to her.

He was beginning to feel a little more relaxed with the situation, but still wanted to take things slow because this was a new experience for both of them.

Romelle, on the other hand, seemed to have different ideas for this encounter. She seemed not to want slow, her hands roving eagerly over his body, caressing his groin as she spread kisses across his chest and shoulders. Romelle wanted something as intense and driven as she felt, and her every move seemed to push them both towards that pinnacle.

He let his fingers run down the center of her chest, over her bra, and slid his hand to her hip, kissing her again. Chills ran up his spine as he put his arms around her and turned over, pulling her on top of him and slowly letting their lips part. He let her sit up, straddling his waist, and looked into her face with love-glazed eyes. But only for a moment, for he reached his hand around the back of her neck and affectionately pulled her back down to meet his lips with hers.

He nearly pulled away again as he felt her hands caressing over his chest, her thumbs grazing his surprisingly sensitive nipples. The sudden light in her eyes let him know that she was fully aware of her effect on him and enjoyed it. Romelle let out a gentle groan as she caressed him again, whispering against his mouth, “Keith… more, please.”

Fumbling behind her, he managed to release the clasp of her bra, and freed her ample, perky breasts. He let her pull the constricting piece of clothing off her chest and watched as she tossed it aside, then tenderly took one breast in each hand, stroking her with careful interest. Her flesh was warm and soft in his touch, and he felt the wanting need in him increase.

He slid his hands down to her waist and gently pushed her skirt down over her hips and off her legs. She then put her hands on his belt, causing an increasingly excited bulge in his pants. She unbuckled his belt and pulled it off of him, then unbuttoned the front of his jeans, slowly sliding them down over his hips and thighs, and finally letting them fall to the floor, his underwear sliding off in the process, and at last freeing his throbbing member.

A shock coursed through him as her hand closed almost possessively over his hardened member. She let her fingers explore his naked flesh, not shy in the least about giving him the same pleasure he’d given her or in learning him as he was learning her.

Tenderly wrapping his arms around Romelle, Keith turned back over and laid her on her back, underneath him. He hooked her panties with his fingers and pulled them down and off, kissing her belly at the same time. Then he raised his face back to hers and pushed his lips to hers in a passionate lock. He could feel the wanting pulse in his loins.

Romelle’s legs seemed to open of their own accord as she returned his kisses. She caressed her hands upwards, over his abdomen to his chest, returning his passionate kisses as fervently as he gave them.

Placing his fingers between her legs, he gently caressed the delicate skin. Then he aimed his tool at her mound and softly pushed past the folds of flesh. She whimpered in slight pain, and he hesitated, not wanting to cause her discomfort. After several long moments, she began to relax, making entry smoother.

He began to lovingly stroke in and out of her, sealing the bond between them. Slowly, a need for release began to rise in him, and he quickened his pace. She whimpered in his ear, but this time there was no pain in her sound. Breathing in unison, they rode their passion to climax, kissing each other to muffle their moans of pleasure.

They lay in each other’s arms, catching their breath, kissing each other every now and then, as if to reassure themselves that this was real. Pulling out of her, Keith rolled onto his side and laid his head on the end of the pillow. He continued to caress and explore with his fingers, eventually slowing down as he drifted off to sleep. Romelle pushed herself close to him and quickly fell asleep, as well, into a dreamless slumber.

Keith woke up to sunlight streaming into the window. He was lying on his side with his hand gently resting on Romelle’s naked belly. She was gazing at him and caressing his fingers, lightly. He smiled at her, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her close to him, kissing her affectionately.

Normally she hated to be called ‘princess’, but with Keith it was different. He could call her what ever he wanted, and she wouldn’t get agitated. “’Morning,” she answered, her voice raspy after sleep. “How did you sleep?”

“Like I always sleep when you’re lying next to me: like I haven’t a care in the world,” he answered. She laughed heartily and cuddled to him closer. He kissed her forehead and caressed her cheek. “How ‘bout you?”

“Like a dream,” she replied then laughed at the unintentional pun. Suddenly, an unfamiliar and unpleasant feeling hit her gut. She began to feel nauseous, and pushed herself from the bed, hurrying to the bathroom. The door remained ajar, but she didn’t notice. She leaned over the sink, hoping the sick feeling would go away.

She answered with a groan, then a heave. After which was followed by running water. A few minutes passed and she emerged from the bathroom, her arm across her stomach and a green tinge to her face. Keith got up and approached her, but she moved past him and sat on the bed. He sat down next to her, not sure how to help.

“I must be getting sick,” she said, lying down. “Maybe you should go back to your room. I’d hate for you to get sick because of me.”

Keith didn’t get up. Instead he lay on the bed next to her and gently stroked her hair out of her face. “I’m not going anywhere; at least not until I know you’re taken care of.”

“Lisa will be back soon. You should get something on.” She raised her head slightly, but he told her to stay still. He fumbled on the floor at the foot of the bed, finding his pants and underwear, and put them on. Then he pulled a large sleeping shirt from her dresser and helped her into it. He covered her with a blanket and lay back down on his side next to her, resuming his gentle caress of her hair and face. She closed her eyes, thankful that he didn’t listen to her request, and fell asleep, her arm still wrapped around her belly.

Romelle twisted and turned her body this way and that, watching her movements in the mirror of the nurse’s bathroom. Nothing seemed abnormal about the naked flesh she saw, nothing to give any indication as to what was happening. The thirteen-year-old felt tired and sick… and terrified. What could be wrong with her?

The sound of a soft knock on the bathroom door alerted Romelle to the return of the nurse. She pulled a robe over her body, closing it before reaching for the door latch. As the door silently swung open, her eyes met those of the nurse, and she could see instantly that it wasn’t going to be good news.

The man, without a word, signaled the girl into the main infirmary and to a seat. He sat on the edge of his chair, looking as troubled as Romelle felt. Clearing his throat and not meeting her worried eyes, the man began what sounded like would be a very long, pompous speech.

“As you know, this school was founded by Galaxy Garrison in order to educate their younger wards and cadets as well as diplomats and children of the most important families of the Galaxy Alliance. As a royal princess from planet Pollux, you were granted admission to this school on the assumption that you would conduct yourself with the decorum and responsibility expected of all students here.”

Finally, Romelle sank into the chair he’d gestured to. She’d come here after waking up sick that morning, something that seemed to happen a lot in the last three weeks. What in the world could have set him off as if she’d been sent to the Head Master’s office rather than the nurse’s? Confusion warred with nausea as she tried to comprehend the meaning behind his words. All too soon, she realized just what he was referring to.

With a slight frown, Romelle shook her head, not denying that there was a boy in her life but denying the need to answer. “Sir?”

“Don’t play the fool.” He glowered at her and straightened his lab coat, standing to tower over her. It was an age old ploy to try to make someone submissive. He seemed unaware that it would have little effect on a girl whose older brother had tried it her entire life.

As Romelle simply ignored his comment and let his actions roll off her like water off a duck, his frown deepened. The school nurse tried another tactic. “If you tell me the boy’s name, it’ll go easier on you, girl.”

She stiffened her back, shoulders straightening defiantly. As if she, royal princess of Pollux, would ever betray someone to make things easier on herself. Her frown equaled his in disapproval.

The nurse strode to the wall phone and reached for it, as if giving her one last chance. “You will be sent home in disgrace if you don’t cooperate, girl. Name the boy who got you pregnant.” He turned a glare at her, waiting for her to beg not to be sent home.

In shock, Romelle rose to her feet, her hand instinctively going to her throat in a gesture of self-defense. “Pre… whoa!” That was the only indication, however, that he had thrown her off guard. She quickly fell back on her training and pulled her emotions close. With a toss of her pretty blonde hair, Romelle narrowed her blue eyes at the man and headed for the door. Her tone was condescending as she strode indignantly from the room. “You are a disgusting little toad.”

With a gentle closing of the door, belying her anger and increased fear, Romelle headed down the sterile hall.

It wasn’t too much later that Romelle, fully dressed, was called into the Head Master’s office. She gracefully poised on the edge of a stiff-backed chair, watching the Alliance officer intently. The princess ignored the odious presence of the school nurse on a chair nearby.

“I’ve called you here to discuss the matter of your health and your past actions, your highness.” The head master’s tones were soft and condescending; he was trying to appease her while he gathered information. “We will have to send you to your father of course; we cannot have you in school with a child, naturally. However,” and he tried a small, not very successful, smile, “you shouldn’t be the only one punished. You must be upset about what this boy did to you. Let us know who he was and we’ll deal with him. I’m sure he pushed you into this.”

Romelle absorbed the meaning behind the words. This man was willing to document the pregnancy… could she really be pregnant?... as a rape. He was willing to allow her the dignity and sympathy that came with such a crime, rather than the stigma of being a sexually active teenager. He was willing to smooth things over with her father, a man who could easily lose his temper and make things worse for her, for the simple naming of the boy she’d been sleeping with.

She couldn’t even fathom doing that to Keith. He’d lose his career, his home, his future, all because they’d fallen in love. Romelle wouldn’t ever do that to the boy she loved, certain he’d never do anything like that to her, either. Thus, without really thinking things through, Romelle made a momentous decision. She made up a lie on the spot.

“I don’t know his name. We met during a day trip to the mall. He made it sound all right, so… so I went with him. I think he was foreign, though. He had a funny accent, not like the local people here.” Romelle never looked away from the head master as she relayed the information he sought… the wrong information.

Suddenly, the man’s smile was gone, replaced by an intense frown of… what? Disgust? Disappointment? Worry? He stood and nodded, coming around the desk to gently lay a hand on her shoulder. “I see. We’ll have someone investigate this matter, your highness. I will have to ask you to go pack, but we will explain things to your father.”

And with that, she found herself outside of the office without memory of actually having stood and left. Instead, Romelle was beginning to become overwhelmed with the knowledge that she was pregnant; it wasn’t some warped joke. Her world came crashing down around her as she broke into a desperate run for the uncertain safety of her bedroom.

Lisa was lying on her stomach, on her bed, when Romelle pushed her way into the room. She looked up as her roommate entered, not seeming to notice the unusual behavior of her friend.

“Keith came by looking for you. I couldn’t tell him where you’d gone, because you hadn’t told me. Anyway, he said to let you know that he’ll be in the game room until four, and after that he has to go to flight training, so he won’t be available until late tonight.”

Unconsciously, Romelle glanced at the clock on Lisa’s night stand. It was three thirty. Did she dare go seek him out?

Lisa pushed herself off the bed and began searching through her dresser. “I’m meeting Lance later. He’s so cute. Can I borrow your earrings?” She walked into the bathroom after finding an outfit, started the shower, and undressed, but left the bathroom door ajar so she could hear Romelle’s answer.

Romelle looked back at the clock then threw herself on her bed, burying her face in her arms. She didn't cry; she was far too angry to cry. She did, however, start plotting just how she'd manage this one when she got home. She was familiar enough with authority to know she'd lost all chances of staying here, especially if they figured out she wasn't raped.

With a frustrated sigh, the girl stood up and reached into her jewelry box. Taking out the desired earrings, and matching set of jewelry, she placed it carefully on Lisa's desk. Quickly, she penned a note to her roommate, not bothering to speak to the girl out loud, lest she give herself away with tears or anger. Finally, she grabbed her jewelry case and purse and headed out of the room, letting to door close softly. She knew the rest of her stuff would be packed for her and sent back, one of the perks of being royalty. As she had no secret love letters or anything with Keith's name, she knew no one would figure things out from her belongings.

Without stopping at the game room, knowing seeing Keith would be just too difficult, Romelle headed towards the school's hangar. Her shoulders were back and her chin tilted proudly. She would go home with pride, even if she couldn't look her friends in the face. Being sent home was bad enough... but pregnant? Her mind rebelled as much as her stomach, and she shook the thought away. The nurse had to messed the testing up... she was only thirteen; she couldn't be... Romelle stopped that thought cold as she watched the school's pilot coming towards her with a frown.

The woman was an old friend of hers: Joan, a pilot who'd done some work on Pollux for a short time when Romelle was only nine.

Joan smiled and held out her arms for a hug when she saw who her passenger would be. She hadn’t been given any details to the whys of the situation, only that the girl was going home. When she saw Romelle, she naturally assumed it must have been one of King Kova’s unusual requests.

“Hey, sweetie! I can’t believe how you’ve grown since the last time I’ve seen you,” she said as she gave Romelle a friendly hug. “How long has it been? Almost four years, I think.”

With a sob, the girl threw herself into the woman’s arms, all her resolve to be brave and strong flown out the window at such a loving welcome. She didn’t explain what had happened, but she did fiercely hug Joan while they stood on the tarmac. Finally, after several long minutes, and much tears, Romelle pulled away and wiped at her swollen eyes. “Let’s go home, Joan. Please?” She couldn’t explain here… if she could ever explain at all.

Joan put a sisterly arm around Romelle’s shoulder as she led her into the shuttle. She led Romelle to a seat then strapped herself into the pilot’s seat. This particular ship was small, with only six chairs including the pilot’s. It would be a long trip, and Romelle only had her old friend to keep her company. After lift off, Joan set the auto pilot then turned to Romelle.

Romelle had been quiet through the entire launch process, except for the occasional sob. When Joan turned her kind question on the girl, though, it was like unleashing a torrent. She cried harder than she had on the tarmac; the reality was starting to sink in.

"I... I... I..." she sobbed, trying to speak and unable to. In an attempt to communicate her fear and shame, the girl climbed onto her friend's lap, though at thirteen she was really getting far too big for such childishness. Throwing her arms around the woman's neck, Romelle burst out, "Oh, Joan, I'm pre... preg... nant!" and she buried her face in the woman's shoulder, body shaky with her horrible sobs.

Joan hugged Romelle close, and stroked her long, blond hair. She didn’t say anything just then, letting the teenager cry. As Romelle’s sobs began to subside, Joan took her friend by the shoulders, gently pushing her off her shoulder and looking into her eyes. “Tell me what happened, and I’ll see what I can do for you,” she offered, helpfully. She didn’t want to scare Romelle off, but Joan felt that it was important to get the young girl to talk, especially while they had so much time to get some of the kinks to the desperate situation worked out before arriving on Pollux.

Joan knew that King Kova was an unpredictable man, and she wanted to give Romelle the opportunity to figure out exactly how she was going to handle her father. She could only imagine the fury and wrath the king was bringing down on the people surrounding him at that moment. Romelle, as far as she could tell, was his pride and joy, and the boy who had been responsible for the pregnancy would see the worst of the man… if he found out who that boy was.

Romelle slid off her friend's lap with a nod. She wiped at her eyes, gathering her thoughts as she did so. Finally, she looked up and said, "I love him. We... it was really nice and," she blushed and looked down at her twisting fingers. "It was like exploding, but great."

Romelle stood and started playing with the back of her chair, walking slowly around the small cockpit. "We met so long ago; we've known each other for years. He's my best friend and everything. And I've been sick for a few weeks, so I finally went to the nurse." The girl looked up, apparently unaware her words, like her thoughts, were everywhere.

"He said I was... you know," a flush suffused her face and she hurried on, avoiding the word, "and wanted to know who uh... did it." Romelle suddenly hurried to Joan and gripped her arm. "I can't tell anyone, Joan. Please, you can't either. If you tell, Keith will be kicked out." Princess Romelle suddenly realized with horror what she'd said, and her hands flew to cover her mouth, her blue eyes wide in terror.

Joan put her hands on Romelle’s and gently pulled her back down into the chair next to her. She appeared to be thinking hard. “First, you ought to know me better than to think that you need to hide anything. It’s a long flight; we’ll figure things out.”

She stood and began to circle the cabin slowly. “Let me think… Who knows about Keith? I mean, who knows that he’s, you know, part of this?”

"Nobody." She turned in her control chair to watch the older woman with troubled eyes. "I wouldn't tell them. I... uh..." she bowed her head, "I told them it was some man in the village."

She listened as Romelle explained a little more, taking in the information and putting the pieces together. Suddenly she looked slightly alarmed. “Who is Keith? He isn’t someone I know, is he?” Judging by the flash of terror in Romelle’s eyes, Joan could guess that she new the boy. Instantly the name registered. “Keith, the young ensign? Oh, Romelle.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say without making it sound condescending or parent-like. “Does he know?”

There was a suddenly fierce look in Romelle's eyes. "I didn't tell him." She hurried to where her friend stood and took her hands. "Joan, please. I love him. He loves me, too. I don't want him to be kicked out."

Late that evening, Keith sat on a soft chair in one of the study rooms. He looked absolutely devastated. He couldn’t understand what could have happened to drag Romelle away so quickly, and without any word from her. Had she gotten worse? He knew she’d been feeling sick lately, but that seemed to be only for a short time in the mornings. He turned to Sven, one of the two other boys in the room, but didn’t say anything; he just looked bewildered.

Sven looked silently at the other boy. He was fourteen, like Keith, and had led, if not as confusing a life as the higher ranking boy, at least as full a life. He’d been shunted to several planets during his youth, ending with a chance at Galaxy Garrison’s boarding school. Anyone who went here was either an officer in training or had dreams of becoming one, unless the student was from a ranking family with diplomatic aspirations, of course. Sven was hoping to become an officer.

He’d started this school at age eleven, far sooner than most of the other students living in the dormitories. With his quick intelligence and natural athletic abilities, he had been able to make up for a sporadic education and a bout of poor health, bought on when he’d been attacked by a rabid dog just before entering the school. It was such a fluke, actually, as only a few of the known worlds still had cases of rabies in existence. Nirrat had been one of those worlds, and equally, it had been a world unable to cure the fatal disease. Fortunately, Sven’s father was a physician of the first order and had been able to demand one of the fastest transports to Earth to save his son’s life. It had worked, but the recovery had been extremely rough, including an arm with severe nerve damage that even to this day, almost four years later, still bothered him sometimes.

It wasn’t Sven’s odd past, however, which was on the young teen’s mind. It was the unknown problem that seemed to be bothering his friend, Keith. As several of the other students that formed their close-knit group entered the room, listening to an outlandish tale of derring-do from happy-go-lucky Lance, one of the science students, Sven settled back into his chair to wait. He wouldn’t bring up Keith’s trouble in this crowd, no matter how everyone cared for him. There were just some problems that were meant to be private, friends or not.

The small group of friends had arranged a late-night study session before mid-terms, and the only one who wasn’t there was Romelle. Lisa had come in with a note and an unacceptable account of Romelle being called home on family business. Keith didn’t buy it, but he had no other explanation.

Lance sank into a chair right next to Keith, a smile lighting his friendly features. The fifteen-year-old was apparently oblivious to his friend’s troubled state, even after Lisa had rushed in with her message. Things always happened in royal families; unfortunately, this time it was Romelle’s family that had needed her. “So, are we gonna study or gossip, guys? I’ve got my first exam in Astronautics tomorrow and I could use a refresher on navigating ion dispersement fields.”

Keith shook his head, clearing the bewildered look off his face. “Yeah; uhh, let’s get started.”

As the others settled down in the seats, Keith began flipping through his text. He’d always performed extremely well in school, and he knew he needed to make sure his grades didn’t suffer because of his personal life, but he found it hard to get started.

Lisa, sitting on one side of Keith, looked over at the book he was holding. “I think we’re beginning with Astronautics,” she offered, holding up the correct book.

Keith looked up from the text he was leafing through and noticed his book in Lisa’s hand. He put the communications manual aside and took the book from Lisa. He then began flipping through the pages of the appropriate text, trying to remember what they were supposed to be studying.

The group began their study session, Lisa and Allura participating and helping to quiz the others. Keith remained quiet unless he was asked a question, and even then his voice seemed far away. His answers were accurate, but automatic, like they’d been memorized and rehearsed. Sven could tell that his heart just wasn’t in this session.

About an hour into the session, just as the girls were beginning to get to the questions that Lance, being a science officer, was supposed to know, Keith stood up and walked out of the room, leaving his books behind.

Sven picked up his friend’s, and roommate's, books, ignoring the sudden flare of confused gossip around him. He thoughtfully looked at the stack then turned to his girlfriend, Allura. "I think I will go to bed, too. Goodnight."

Without further comment, Sven had always been a quiet, self-contained boy, he gathered his own books and headed out the door, bringing Keith's stack with him as well.

Back in his room Keith read and reread the note that Lisa had given him, looking for any type of clue that might tell him why Romelle had left without saying good-bye. After several minutes, he put the note into his top dresser drawer and lay down in his bed, closing his eyes.

Not too long afterwards, one of his roommates opened the door and softly stepped inside. He was fairly quiet as he put their books away and prepared for bed. After several long moments, Sven stopped by Keith's bed and stood, silently. Finally, the other fourteen-year-old bent down to gently pull the blanket higher on his friend's shoulders then headed, without a word, to his own bed.

Sleep eluded Keith that night, and he spent the next morning going through the first of his tests in an almost robotic state; filling out the test answers, but not spending much time afterward discussing the difficulty of the exams with his friends. Instead he retreated to his room and began studying for the next series of exams.

Sven said nothing to the others about Keith's suddenly obsessive behavior, not even to excuse it as exam stress. However, he did keep a concerned eye on his roommate as time passed. And the concern only increased as the weeks went by.

For several weeks, Sven had seen a change in his friend, and it may not necessarily have been for the better. Although Keith was still excelling in his classes, he seemed detached. He spent less time hanging around the recreation rooms and more time in the library, study rooms, or his bedroom, devouring textbooks and other related material. Keith rarely seemed to have free time anymore, and rumors were circulating that the young officer had taken on several additional classes. Even though his instructors were praising and reveling in his friend’s academic success, Sven could see that Keith was running from something. His friends and peers didn’t appear to be as important to him as his career anymore.

Finally, even the ever patient Scandinavian seemed to reach his limit. On one exceptionally pretty evening, the black-haired young man walked purposefully into the bedroom, straight over to Keith, and took the book from his hands. With a frown, he simply asked, "Do you have an exam tomorrow?"

Keith didn’t look up, but just shook his head, giving Sven the answer he’d expected. He obviously wasn’t studying, especially since this book was about a subject that Sven knew Keith didn’t have that semester.

Sven nodded. "Fine." He pulled Keith out of the chair by the upper arm and dragged him, ignoring his protests and questions, out the door. With merely a nod towards other students still walking the halls, the boy dragged his friend from the dormitory building and down to rolling green lawn. When they made it off of the campus property, Sven turned to Keith and let him go, crossing his arms in his habitual way.

"You miss Romelle." The statement was made as mere fact. "Your work is superb." Another fact. "And you are no longer the Keith Kogane we love." Finally, Sven let some of his concern show, a rarity for the boy. "Either tell me everything or spend the night relaxing with me. You choose." Sven watched his friend with worried brown eyes.

Keith looked like he was thinking of how to answer the ultimatum, when he finally gave Sven a surprising answer. “Both,” he said simply and sat down on the grass. “I’ll tell you.”

He drew in a trembling breath then started to talk, quietly. “Romelle is probably the only person I’ve ever cared about. You know that at the beginning of my commission I’d spent a year serving outside the immediate area… Well, I was sent to the Diamond Galaxy to a planet called Pollux. It was there that Romelle and I met. She and I spent most of our free time together, exploring the caves in the mountains and the passages in the castle. She was the first real friend I made on my own.” He paused for a moment, looking up at the sky. He seemed to be finished talking about any history.

A single tear escaped his normally calm face, but he ignored the obvious breach of military bearing. He turned his eyes to his friend. Something was buried deep within them, but Sven had never seen it before in his friend. Suddenly he covered his face, letting his human weakness show. “Why didn’t she say good-bye?”

A long silence followed the heartfelt question. Sven didn't often indulge in emotional displays, and he was also well known for not just saying the first thing to pop in his head. Therefore, it was quite evident that whatever Sven was thinking, he would answer with a well studied reply. It was several minutes, in fact, before the other teen spoke.

"Perhaps she was just as hurt and thought it would be harder to leave." Sven looked directly at Keith. "Romelle is a princess, ja? Her father may have decided she needed schooling with a governess, not with diplomats and explorers."

Keith wiped his eyes and nodded, obviously regaining his composure. “You’re right,” was his only reply as he stood and looked around. He looked well in control of his emotions once more. He began to slowly walk back toward the dormitory then seemed to change his mind. “Let’s go get a milk shake or something, okay?”

With a small nod of agreement, Sven lightly slapped his hand onto Keith's shoulder and walked with him towards the town. "I'll pay this time since you forgot your wallet." He turned a small smile to his friend.

As the shuttle sped past small galaxies, Joan was taking advantage of their time alone to help Romelle come up with a plan. They couldn’t reveal the father’s identity to King Kova, especially not since the king held Keith in such high regard. The news would definitely not go over well. The pilot looked at the teen with resolve. “You’ll have to keep his identity a secret, and I don’t mean from only your family and the Alliance. Nobody can find out, Romelle. His career would be destroyed. And if he loves you half as much as you say he does… if he found out while he’s still in training he’d leave the academy to be with you. No; I’m afraid that you and I can be the only ones to know his identity.”

Pushing her trademark pigtails back over her shoulders, the teenaged princess nodded. "I won't tell; I don't want him to leave the Alliance. He's the youngest officer ever, Joan." Her eyes shone proudly as a beautiful smile lit her already pretty face. "He loves being an explorer and some day he'll be a commander of a team."

“Don’t worry,” Joan said reassuringly. “I’m sure he’ll stay in the Alliance. There’s one thing you’ll have to do, though.” When Romelle’s look became questioning, Joan continued. “You need to write to him. You have to tell him you went home… due to a family matter. You can’t leave him hanging.”

In what seemed like no time the small craft began its approach into Pollux air space. The alarm sounded and Joan switched the autopilot off, turning her attention to piloting the craft again. The shuttle landed smoothly on the planet and Joan collected her things and escorted Romelle off the space craft. She was glad, after such a long trip, to have the opportunity to rest.

Avok was waiting for them as they disembarked. The young man looked over his younger sister with genuine worry, approaching as soon as her feet were firmly on Polluxian soil once more. “Romelle? Father said you were coming home sick. Are you sure you should be up?’

The teenager put a hand to her mouth, not out of nausea but out of an attempt to keep her words in check; she was notorious for saying exactly what she thought. Fortunately, her brother mistook the action for a sign of queasiness and hurried to scoop her up into his arms. Only then did he take note of the pilot that had brought the girl home.

“Pilot Joan?” He was worried enough that his normally pompous tone was gone, replaced by strains of worry mixed with relief. “Thank you, Joan, for bringing her to us. Father has a physician waiting at the castle. Please. Come stay at the castle while you’re on Pollux. It is the least we can do for the pilot who took such good care of the princess.”

Without waiting to see if she agreed, naturally assuming he’d be obeyed even if it hadn’t been an order, the man turned and carried his teenaged sister up the hill and into the great hall of their home. Romelle never said a word to Avok, heeding Joan’s warning, and her own instincts concerning telling such devastating news. She’d have to talk to father, but she’d let him talk to Avok.

In the pretty blue and cream decorated suite, Romelle was laid on her bed to rest. A physician, as well as her father, was there to examine her, but it wasn’t an intrusive physical. Rather, the man was content to merely ask a few questions about her symptoms, not once mentioning the same diagnosis as the nurse at Boarding School. Finally, the man left, ushering Prince Avok from the room as well.

The man sank slowly onto his daughter’s bed. “Romelle? Sweetheart?” With a distraught groan then man scooped his daughter up into a protective hug. “The inept man in charge of that place,” he spat the words in contempt, apparently not in the least impressed with the Alliance or their boarding school any longer, “Said a man stalked you and raped you.” He hugged her tighter, only letting up when she squeaked in protest. “My poor little girl.”

Suddenly, he let go his child and stood, pacing angrily across the cream colored carpet, back and forth. The force of his anger terrified the teen, though the sudden switches in personality were normal for her father; he had been like that since she could remember. Whirling around, not precisely yelling at the girl but at the empty space around them, King Kova exclaimed, “I will have that poor excuse for a hell hole shut down! I’ll have them court martial every one of those…” the rest of his thoughts were so interspersed with foul language, Romelle covered her ears, turning red in embarrassment.

It wasn’t until he’d calmed down that Romelle managed to get the room to herself. He left to write long irate letters to the Galaxy Alliance. Romelle hadn’t had the courage to correct his assumptions, but she knew she had to do something to prevent the school being shut down. Thus, the girl slipped out of the secret passage in her former play room. Coming out in the conference room, she hurried immediately to the communications stations and opened a channel directly to Galaxy Garrison’s Marshall, using her father’s credentials to break through the normal red tape.

When the man answered, his face registered surprise then closed disapproval, at the sight of the young girl who’d phoned him in the name of King Kova of Pollux. Romelle immediately started talking, not giving him a chance to close the channel. “Sir, my name is Princess Romelle of Pollux. My father is King Kova. Unfortunately, when you hear from him, it will be in anger and hatred. I cannot explain everything, but he thinks your boarding school needs to be shut down because of something that happened to me. He’s wrong; I wasn’t attacked there. I never said I was, but he’s so angry I can clear it up. Please, take into consideration… uh…” and the thirteen-year-old suddenly faltered and fell silent, unsure of what to say or how to say it.

Marshall’s face softened slightly, to let the girl know he understood her. “You are calling me to inform me that King Kova intends to make a case against our school?”

Relief washed over the girl. She nodded, saying “Oh yes, Sir. I didn’t think it was fair to the school to shut down since it’s a misunderstanding. I wasn’t attacked at all. I’m perfectly fine.”

The man seemed to understand, nodded once, and flicked the screen off without further conversation.

Before she could even started to puzzle out what that abrupt end of the conversation meant, the door slid open and King Kova himself strode in. He did an almost comical double-take when he saw his daughter sitting in the communications chair instead of resting in her room. “Romelle…” his voice was a low warning.

She whirled around and gulped. She’d have to tell him, no matter what Joan said. She couldn’t have him shut down that school. It wasn’t fair to them. Taking her courage in her hands, no one could ever claim Romelle to be a coward after all, she stood and walked to her father, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. Her mind whirled as she stalled for time with a continued hug for the man.

A gentle hand fell to her golden head, stroking lightly. Kova’s voice softened; he had trouble ever staying angry in the girl’s presence. “Romelle, father needs to talk to Galaxy Garrison about that evil place. We can cuddle later, sweet.”

Romelle shook her head, not letting go. With a gulp, she lifted tear-filled blue eyes to face her father squarely. “I… I wasn’t raped, father.”

He stopped petting her and waited, a frown starting to replace his regretful smile.

Surging on, the girl started talking hurriedly, “I… I really love him, Father. I want to marry him. And…”

“Enough!” King Kova’s anger had, for once, swung into full force against his daughter. “What are you saying to me? That you would ruin yourself over some boy in that nowhere town on that backwater planet?” The man pushed his daughter from him, sending her reeling into her seat, gasping in sudden fear.

She had known of his quick temper and terrifying mood swings her entire life, but never had they been leveled at her. Now, for the first time in her short thirteen years, Princess Romelle was afraid of her father, afraid of what he might do. “Father…”

“Don’t you dare call me that, you whore!” He flung his hand out, slapping her across the face. “You will never, never mention this again! When the infant is born, I will claim it as your mother’s. No one, not even your brother Avok, will ever know. Until the time you can show yourself in public again, you are to live in that far cottage on the edge of the grounds. You’ll take a woman with you to help you when it’s time… and she will never tell a soul of the shame you have brought to my name.” King Kova turned his back on his daughter. “We will send the Alliance back to their dirty mud-balls they call planets. I refuse to have any Alliance members here any more. They are nothing but molesters and philanderers!” With that, the King stormed from the room without a backward glance, throwing orders right and left that made barely any sense.

Romelle sobbed, picking herself up from where she had been tossed. Touching the flaming, swelling bruise on her cheek, the girl gulped. Then she ran from the conference room to the suite Joan had been given, tears on her face and fear in her heart.

Slamming open the door, Romelle flung herself at Joan, sobbing and babbling almost incoherently. It took nearly half-an-hour to piece together what had happened, and that Romelle was begging Joan to go with her into exile. They could hear the commotion in the halls as King Kova made good his threat to throw any Alliance members from his kingdom and his planet.

Joan, after piecing together what had happened, sat on the bed, not wanting to say the wrong things. She knew that Romelle needed her, but she’d had very little medical training, only the training the Alliance required for a pilot; and that didn’t include birthing babies. She stood up and began to pace. If she was going to help her young friend she would need to learn how to. Her mind began working quickly, trying to come up with a solution that would give her the necessary training and put Romelle in as little danger as possible when the time came.

“You know I’m a pilot. I’ve never been taught very much about medicine,” she started. “But I’ll go with you, on one condition. You’ll have to help me find someone nearby that I can work with for the next few months. If I go with you without any training, there could be a lot of problems when the time comes.” Joan was sure that Romelle would agree to just about anything she suggested, as long as the young teen could have her friend nearby for her long exile.

Joan began to pack her things back up, not waiting for Romelle to tell her father or for an answer from the king.

With a shudder, Romelle suddenly seemed calm once more. She helped her friend, silently, until they had everything packed. However, instead of letting the woman leave by the main hall and doors, she tugged her into the library. From there she led the pilot up the passageway into the room next to her father's; it would be many more years before she realized it had been designed for a mistress to occupy. Glancing carefully into the hall, Romelle tugged Joan into her room so she, too, could pack some things up.

"Joan, I will get a midwife to help us. I... he's getting rid of all the Alliance people, Joan, and that means you, too." Romelle hugged her older friend. "I don't want to lose you! I've lost everyone else. And now I'll lose Keith, too, because Father would never let the Alliance back in." She pulled away, scrubbing at her face to rid herself of the useless tears. "He hates me, too."

She turned to grab the hastily packed bag, hefting it to her shoulder, then signaled the pilot to follow into the former playroom. Romelle led her friend down the secret passage to the Conference Room, checking to make sure no one was occupying it. Confident that they wouldn't be discovered, she let the woman across the hall to the War Room and into the tunnels under the castle grounds.

It was a long route to get to the far cottage, but Romelle only rested once in the process. She was determined to hide from her father until he could calm down, and in her still naive thinking, that would be as soon as she had the baby and her mother began raising it. Then, she'd be loved again, she was sure.

After arriving at the cottage, Joan fished through the desk in the main room, producing paper, a pen, and an envelope. She handed them to Romelle and watched as the teenager wrote the note that they agreed upon, the note that Joan would personally deliver to Keith. Joan took the sealed letter from the young girl, explaining that she would come back as soon as she could, after reporting in to the Alliance. But first she would spend the night in the cottage, with her, so she wouldn’t be alone.

Early the next morning, Joan said good-bye to Romelle and went out to her shuttle. She took one last look before boarding then set off back for Earth. Romelle didn’t hear if her letter had ever made it to its intended receiver because Joan never returned. Being on exile on a planet that shunned the Alliance, Romelle didn’t get any news about her old friend.

To Be Continued in Chapter Three: --- when written

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