School Days
Part VIII
The French Lieutenant
By KittyCaro
Disclaimer: Characters from the Adventures of Voltron and the New Adventures of Voltron are copyright 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1997 by WEP. Any and all new/original characters belong to the author.
Rating: PG-13 for adult situations and mild language.
Author’s notes: This is an AU fic about Keith and Allura. Lynne thanks for beta-reading this part and for your wonderful examples. Please hurry with the sequel to Bonds of Love!
Gina your fic, "First Crush" was my inspiration for this latest chapter in the series ;-)
Erinn this includes something you mentioned that you would like to read in Voltron fics, I hope you have a chance to take a look.
Ariane thank you for being my French translator. This is for you, mon amie.
C&C are welcomed.
Originally Published 11/29/2000 - Revised 03/07/2015
Rating: PG-13 for adult situations and mild language.
Author’s notes: This is an AU fic about Keith and Allura. Lynne thanks for beta-reading this part and for your wonderful examples. Please hurry with the sequel to Bonds of Love!
Gina your fic, "First Crush" was my inspiration for this latest chapter in the series ;-)
Erinn this includes something you mentioned that you would like to read in Voltron fics, I hope you have a chance to take a look.
Ariane thank you for being my French translator. This is for you, mon amie.
C&C are welcomed.
Originally Published 11/29/2000 - Revised 03/07/2015
Click on the following links to move along to that chapter.
Thursday, November 20th, 2302
Lieutenant Commander Lance Beaumont, a member of the Voltron Force was in the Student House of the campus of Aarhus University, assisting the attractive Christian Brøchner, while he waited for Princess Allura, who had been called to the Dean's office.
"Slide it in a little farther, more, more, yes, yes, that's right. Yes, keep going!" His lovely companion urged.
Lance complied with her request as best he could, then took a break to catch his breath, for more than one reason.
He exhaled slowly, as he eased his shoulder back from the wide-screen TV. Instead of studying for her exam, Christian wanted to watch television and she had sweetly asked for his help in moving the television to a better angle for viewing. Lance could never say no to a woman, especially one who radiated sex appeal. Even her directions for moving furniture took on sexual overtones for him because of that appeal.
"Oops! How clumsy of me."
He turned around, only to get an eyeful of her delightful rounded backside as she bent to pick up her purse from the floor.
~Speaking of better angles…~ Lance found himself mesmerized for a long moment. He finally took a rather tight breath.
"How's this, Chris?" He inquired, rather hoarsely.
She turned to face him and that was worse. With hands on her knees, her torso twisted, the neckline of her light green sweater dipping away from a generous bosom, she had an air of sensual enchantment he was all too aware of.
"That's fine," she replied huskily, her smile widening.
Yes, Christian was attractive and obviously found him the same. Her interest was summed up in the slow sweep of her gaze from feet to face, with several teasing pauses in between.
Lance had been bemoaning his solitary status for the past year, and here was an appealing solution, a young woman looking for the comforts of a man. No attachments, just simple, satisfying sex. And for a moment, he considered the possibility.
He watched her retouching her make-up and then returning the kit to her purse. Her movements were graceful, and he found that appealing as well. He knew she saw him simply as Lance, not Lieutenant Commander Lance Beaumont, pilot of Red Lion, and that appealed to him too.
She didn't know about his dreams, his failings and his fears, and he felt no inclination to share anything other than his body with her, even though she was intelligent and sweet.
Why was that? Did he want to spend the rest of his life jumping from one relationship from another, until he woke up one day and realized that he didn't have the nerve to follow his heart?
So what if he was only a space explorer, who didn't have a fancy castle and a big armada? Did that make him less of a person, less of a man? Did that strip away all his value? Apparently, a terrific woman like Christian didn't think so. Perhaps it was time he stopped viewing himself by what he possessed rather than by who he was.
A slow smile appeared on his lips. Amazing. All it took was one sexy girl to alter his entire perspective on life.
Taking his smile as an invitation, Christian closed the distance between them. When her arms slipped over his shoulders, he had no objections to her feathery kisses or to the feminine feel of her pressed up against him. His response to both was healthy and encouraging.
"What's wrong?" she asked, as he pulled away.
Lance stepped back. He was smiling and his handsome face still flushed by the intimate contact, but his eyes held no passion, just the reflection of the sudden clarity that flooded his mind.
Christian released him, frowning slightly, confused by his reaction. "I'm sorry. Do you find me unattractive?"
"On the contrary. In fact, I owe you my sincere thanks."
Christian was very clever in figuring men out. "Why do I have the feeling that you're giving me the push off?"
"My life is complicated. You have just opened my eyes to some things I have been blind to, and for that I thank you."
"But you're not interested," she whispered sadly.
"Chris," he sighed, waving his arms side by side. "I'm tempted, but-"
"Not interested," she finished, resignedly. "I hope that we can remain friends."
"Naturallement!" (Of course)
She smiled teasingly. "Then I'll remain optimistic."
"Lance?"
The lilting tones of the Princess' voice reached his ears. He was unaware of how the mention of his name coming from Allura's lips impacted both his body and mind until Christian's gray eyes lit up with understanding.
"Yes, your life is very complicated," she murmured in sudden understanding, rubbing his arms consolingly.
Allura suddenly appeared on the open stairs, wearing a red turtleneck, a tartan skirt, and knee-high black leather boots. She paused as she took in the unexpected sight of her escort and Christian pressed together. Though her expression remained unreadable, it was a moment before she could speak.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," she said, flushing slightly, "but the exam is about to begin."
"You're right! I've got to go!" Christian exclaimed, anxiously glancing at the clock on the wall. Her companion stared at the newcomer, taking in every aspect of her appearance.
"Are you okay, Lance?" Allura asked, with a tiny smile.
Her worried prompt shook him from his concentration. "Y-yes," he stammered. He suddenly felt so stupid.
Christian couldn't hide her amusement. It was evident that the roguish lieutenant could behave like a silly schoolboy in front of her friend. But what about the pained smile Allura gave the two of them? And the way she hesitated, just for an instant, looking back at the dashing lieutenant before descending the stairs.
Was Allura… jealous?
The too-intuitive Christian put on her forest green coat concealing her charming figure just as her smile for Lance disguised her disappointment. "Well, I'll be on my way," she said brightly, tossing her long, pale red-gold hair, "I want to get a good seat." She left the bemused Lance to his thoughts, and bustled down the stairs.
Lieutenant Commander Lance Beaumont, a member of the Voltron Force was in the Student House of the campus of Aarhus University, assisting the attractive Christian Brøchner, while he waited for Princess Allura, who had been called to the Dean's office.
"Slide it in a little farther, more, more, yes, yes, that's right. Yes, keep going!" His lovely companion urged.
Lance complied with her request as best he could, then took a break to catch his breath, for more than one reason.
He exhaled slowly, as he eased his shoulder back from the wide-screen TV. Instead of studying for her exam, Christian wanted to watch television and she had sweetly asked for his help in moving the television to a better angle for viewing. Lance could never say no to a woman, especially one who radiated sex appeal. Even her directions for moving furniture took on sexual overtones for him because of that appeal.
"Oops! How clumsy of me."
He turned around, only to get an eyeful of her delightful rounded backside as she bent to pick up her purse from the floor.
~Speaking of better angles…~ Lance found himself mesmerized for a long moment. He finally took a rather tight breath.
"How's this, Chris?" He inquired, rather hoarsely.
She turned to face him and that was worse. With hands on her knees, her torso twisted, the neckline of her light green sweater dipping away from a generous bosom, she had an air of sensual enchantment he was all too aware of.
"That's fine," she replied huskily, her smile widening.
Yes, Christian was attractive and obviously found him the same. Her interest was summed up in the slow sweep of her gaze from feet to face, with several teasing pauses in between.
Lance had been bemoaning his solitary status for the past year, and here was an appealing solution, a young woman looking for the comforts of a man. No attachments, just simple, satisfying sex. And for a moment, he considered the possibility.
He watched her retouching her make-up and then returning the kit to her purse. Her movements were graceful, and he found that appealing as well. He knew she saw him simply as Lance, not Lieutenant Commander Lance Beaumont, pilot of Red Lion, and that appealed to him too.
She didn't know about his dreams, his failings and his fears, and he felt no inclination to share anything other than his body with her, even though she was intelligent and sweet.
Why was that? Did he want to spend the rest of his life jumping from one relationship from another, until he woke up one day and realized that he didn't have the nerve to follow his heart?
So what if he was only a space explorer, who didn't have a fancy castle and a big armada? Did that make him less of a person, less of a man? Did that strip away all his value? Apparently, a terrific woman like Christian didn't think so. Perhaps it was time he stopped viewing himself by what he possessed rather than by who he was.
A slow smile appeared on his lips. Amazing. All it took was one sexy girl to alter his entire perspective on life.
Taking his smile as an invitation, Christian closed the distance between them. When her arms slipped over his shoulders, he had no objections to her feathery kisses or to the feminine feel of her pressed up against him. His response to both was healthy and encouraging.
"What's wrong?" she asked, as he pulled away.
Lance stepped back. He was smiling and his handsome face still flushed by the intimate contact, but his eyes held no passion, just the reflection of the sudden clarity that flooded his mind.
Christian released him, frowning slightly, confused by his reaction. "I'm sorry. Do you find me unattractive?"
"On the contrary. In fact, I owe you my sincere thanks."
Christian was very clever in figuring men out. "Why do I have the feeling that you're giving me the push off?"
"My life is complicated. You have just opened my eyes to some things I have been blind to, and for that I thank you."
"But you're not interested," she whispered sadly.
"Chris," he sighed, waving his arms side by side. "I'm tempted, but-"
"Not interested," she finished, resignedly. "I hope that we can remain friends."
"Naturallement!" (Of course)
She smiled teasingly. "Then I'll remain optimistic."
"Lance?"
The lilting tones of the Princess' voice reached his ears. He was unaware of how the mention of his name coming from Allura's lips impacted both his body and mind until Christian's gray eyes lit up with understanding.
"Yes, your life is very complicated," she murmured in sudden understanding, rubbing his arms consolingly.
Allura suddenly appeared on the open stairs, wearing a red turtleneck, a tartan skirt, and knee-high black leather boots. She paused as she took in the unexpected sight of her escort and Christian pressed together. Though her expression remained unreadable, it was a moment before she could speak.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," she said, flushing slightly, "but the exam is about to begin."
"You're right! I've got to go!" Christian exclaimed, anxiously glancing at the clock on the wall. Her companion stared at the newcomer, taking in every aspect of her appearance.
"Are you okay, Lance?" Allura asked, with a tiny smile.
Her worried prompt shook him from his concentration. "Y-yes," he stammered. He suddenly felt so stupid.
Christian couldn't hide her amusement. It was evident that the roguish lieutenant could behave like a silly schoolboy in front of her friend. But what about the pained smile Allura gave the two of them? And the way she hesitated, just for an instant, looking back at the dashing lieutenant before descending the stairs.
Was Allura… jealous?
The too-intuitive Christian put on her forest green coat concealing her charming figure just as her smile for Lance disguised her disappointment. "Well, I'll be on my way," she said brightly, tossing her long, pale red-gold hair, "I want to get a good seat." She left the bemused Lance to his thoughts, and bustled down the stairs.
[Lance was sitting on a bench next to the auditorium. He glanced at his watch and sighed]
The Princess has been in there for more than three hours. She told me that she would wait for the results. Poor thing, she was so nervous, this is her last test before her autumn break and the hardest according to her, but I know she will be all right. She's very smart.
I must admit that back in the Academy I didn't study as hard as my friends, but I always managed to get the highest grades, though sometimes I didn't take notes nor did my homework, while Keith and Sven were obsessed. That shows that very few of *us* have that ability.
Heh, does it show that I'm not the modest kind?
[He then reaches into a side pocket of his brown bomber jacket for a pamphlet he picked up in the Student House, when a group of students passed him on their way to class. They were laughing and joking around]
This university is proof of the Arusian people's endurance. They repaired the damaged buildings and gardens in record time. You could almost swear that Zarkon and his forces never attacked this part of the planet. By some miracle it hasn't been hit by Lotor and his cronies. Pidge thinks that he has spared it because he doesn't want to hurt the Princess. But I don't share his opinion, that <I>imbécile</I> doesn't give a damn about her feelings; he only wants to take over her planet and destroy Voltron.
She recovered from her injuries, but just imagining that bastard abusing her makes my blood boil. If I had the chance, I would slash his blue throat with my sword.
[He leans his head on the wall and closes his eyes]
I'd better think about more pleasant things, like music- gentle sounds bringing back images of long ago, of childhood dreams, of a carefree life. Of family who's so far away…
How I miss them. But this is my job. I can't abandon those who depend on me.
And then there is that face. That heavenly beauty with the tempting mouth and blue eyes. Her soft voice so much like music itself… and her sinfully lovely features. How can I go on without exploring the sweet mystery of those lips?
[He blinks his eyes open and smiles]
The thought of her mouth against mine is almost too much.
Let's think something else… how about the history of Arus University the Princess told us a few months ago?
Two years after Prince Aalfor colonized Arus, plans were made for the founding of a university. Many forces, including the trade, industry, organizations and institutions fought to have the university situated in the outskirts of the capital, and it was here in 2052 that "Aarhus Universitet" came into being. In 2053 the first buildings were inaugurated. These buildings, which today housed the schools of Arts and Social Sciences, were at that time sufficient to house all the teaching and research activities of the faculty of Science.
At the beginning the faculty of Science only had the departments of physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, ecology and geography. In 2054, teaching began in the basic medical subjects, but three years were to pass before a full-fledge faculty of Medical Science was established.
The faculty of Economics and Law was founded in 2060, and after studies in Political Science and Psychology had begun in 2068 and 2081 respectively, the name was changed to the faculty of Social Sciences. The faculty of Arts is the university's youngest faculty, founded in 2103; it teaches languages and philosophy.
The area was enlarged in keeping with the pace of development, and buildings began to appear all over the university campus. The architectural style of the buildings is the same as its Terran counterpart, and it has remained unchanged. Consequently, the characteristic yellow-brick buildings with their straight lines and sharp angles give a uniform structure despite changing fashions over the years.
Before the war, AU had a broad network of universal contacts with formal agreements of cooperation with more than two hundred educational institutions in Terra alone and was in touch with a total of approximately five hundred institutions.
The Voltron Force take pride in ensuring that all the students and employees are protected against Zarkon and Lotor; and those students and researchers that are coming from various parts of the universe will get the best treatment both in regard of academic and human values, that's what King Alfor stride for, and the Princess is closely following his footsteps.
The Princess has been in there for more than three hours. She told me that she would wait for the results. Poor thing, she was so nervous, this is her last test before her autumn break and the hardest according to her, but I know she will be all right. She's very smart.
I must admit that back in the Academy I didn't study as hard as my friends, but I always managed to get the highest grades, though sometimes I didn't take notes nor did my homework, while Keith and Sven were obsessed. That shows that very few of *us* have that ability.
Heh, does it show that I'm not the modest kind?
[He then reaches into a side pocket of his brown bomber jacket for a pamphlet he picked up in the Student House, when a group of students passed him on their way to class. They were laughing and joking around]
This university is proof of the Arusian people's endurance. They repaired the damaged buildings and gardens in record time. You could almost swear that Zarkon and his forces never attacked this part of the planet. By some miracle it hasn't been hit by Lotor and his cronies. Pidge thinks that he has spared it because he doesn't want to hurt the Princess. But I don't share his opinion, that <I>imbécile</I> doesn't give a damn about her feelings; he only wants to take over her planet and destroy Voltron.
She recovered from her injuries, but just imagining that bastard abusing her makes my blood boil. If I had the chance, I would slash his blue throat with my sword.
[He leans his head on the wall and closes his eyes]
I'd better think about more pleasant things, like music- gentle sounds bringing back images of long ago, of childhood dreams, of a carefree life. Of family who's so far away…
How I miss them. But this is my job. I can't abandon those who depend on me.
And then there is that face. That heavenly beauty with the tempting mouth and blue eyes. Her soft voice so much like music itself… and her sinfully lovely features. How can I go on without exploring the sweet mystery of those lips?
[He blinks his eyes open and smiles]
The thought of her mouth against mine is almost too much.
Let's think something else… how about the history of Arus University the Princess told us a few months ago?
Two years after Prince Aalfor colonized Arus, plans were made for the founding of a university. Many forces, including the trade, industry, organizations and institutions fought to have the university situated in the outskirts of the capital, and it was here in 2052 that "Aarhus Universitet" came into being. In 2053 the first buildings were inaugurated. These buildings, which today housed the schools of Arts and Social Sciences, were at that time sufficient to house all the teaching and research activities of the faculty of Science.
At the beginning the faculty of Science only had the departments of physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, ecology and geography. In 2054, teaching began in the basic medical subjects, but three years were to pass before a full-fledge faculty of Medical Science was established.
The faculty of Economics and Law was founded in 2060, and after studies in Political Science and Psychology had begun in 2068 and 2081 respectively, the name was changed to the faculty of Social Sciences. The faculty of Arts is the university's youngest faculty, founded in 2103; it teaches languages and philosophy.
The area was enlarged in keeping with the pace of development, and buildings began to appear all over the university campus. The architectural style of the buildings is the same as its Terran counterpart, and it has remained unchanged. Consequently, the characteristic yellow-brick buildings with their straight lines and sharp angles give a uniform structure despite changing fashions over the years.
Before the war, AU had a broad network of universal contacts with formal agreements of cooperation with more than two hundred educational institutions in Terra alone and was in touch with a total of approximately five hundred institutions.
The Voltron Force take pride in ensuring that all the students and employees are protected against Zarkon and Lotor; and those students and researchers that are coming from various parts of the universe will get the best treatment both in regard of academic and human values, that's what King Alfor stride for, and the Princess is closely following his footsteps.
All this waiting is making me nervous...
"Your Highness?"
I looked up from my red diary, craning my neck from side to side in an attempt to see around Knut and Gustav seated in front of me in the large auditorium. Professor Porskrog was standing on the stage, his hand clutching my exam, his face unreadable as always.
I unzipped my purse and shoved my pen and diary halfway inside, then made my way across the thirty pairs of feet to the aisle. I rubbed my damp palms down the sides of my skirt and felt my heartbeat accelerating sharply.
He's one of those teachers who at the beginning of each semester say that nobody in his class will get A's. The most you could get was a B. Most of my classmates don't agree with him, but he's considered an eminence in Arusian law, so no one can dispute his rules.
I then took a deep breath. Oh well, let's get it over with.
"Yes, professor?" The words came out in a whispered croak. How embarrassing, everyone will know that I'm a nervous wreck. After all, a princess has to protect her image before her subjects.
Fortunately everyone is so absorbed in their own exams that I don't hear any giggling or talking, not even from Christian, who's sitting at the front. She's biting her lower lip and tapping her pen on the desk.
The Professor held out my paper and said in a low voice, "I just finished grading your exam." He then paused for a few moments, and I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach.
Oh no! I flunked! I will have to take a make-up exam!
His customary expressionless face turned into one of satisfaction and appreciation. "His Majesty King Alfor was my student and he always got B's, now I'm proud to say that his daughter got an A."
I blinked. "Professor Porskrog, you said that no one gets A's in your class."
He nodded. "That's true, but you have forced me to reconsider my standards."
I smiled sheepishly at him and then looked at my exam. There it was- a big, bright, red letter A.
"Thank you, Professor!"
He chuckled softly. "Don't thank me, you earned it."
I thanked him once again and then glanced at Christian. I signaled to her that I would be waiting for her outside. She shook her head vaguely and pointed at her watch and focused again on her exam. I wish I could help her, but I have to get back to the Castle.
I stepped out of the auditorium and found Lance sitting on a nearby bench, sleeping soundly. I felt so badly for him, he got up at 5am for lion practice and then he had to be my chaperone. Poor baby.
I tapped gently him on the shoulder. He opened his eyes and smiled lazily at me.
"Sorry to wake you up."
"Ah, Princess," he said, stretching sleepily, "I was just resting my eyes."
I grinned at him. "Really? So why were you snoring?"
He quirked an eyebrow at me and stood up. "Me? Snoring? I don't think so, that's Hunk's department."
I laughed at him. "I was only joking; you were sleeping peacefully, like a baby."
"I always sleep like that, in case you're interested," he replied teasingly, stretching his arms behind his head, and then releasing them with a sigh.
I felt my cheeks grow hot in response with his remark and his actions.
"Really? That's good, sleeping so well keeps one healthy." I said nervously, and then, desperately trying to change the subject, I blurted, "Professor Porskrog just gave me my grade." I held out my exam for his perusal.
His face lit up with a delighted smile. "Princess, you got an A, we must celebrate!"
"But Keith told us to get back to the Castle as soon as possible. He wants to talk about Lotor's recent attack, and Nanny is preparing Thanksgiving dinner at Hunk and Pidge's request."
His hazel eyes twinkled. "Come on, this is a special occasion, I'm sure they won't mind if we're a little late," he coaxed.
I hesitated for a few moments. To tell you the truth, after this grueling exam I didn't have the mindset to listen about Lotor and his two-headed robeast.
"Well, if you say so."
"Let's go to the Student House," he suggested.
More later…
"Your Highness?"
I looked up from my red diary, craning my neck from side to side in an attempt to see around Knut and Gustav seated in front of me in the large auditorium. Professor Porskrog was standing on the stage, his hand clutching my exam, his face unreadable as always.
I unzipped my purse and shoved my pen and diary halfway inside, then made my way across the thirty pairs of feet to the aisle. I rubbed my damp palms down the sides of my skirt and felt my heartbeat accelerating sharply.
He's one of those teachers who at the beginning of each semester say that nobody in his class will get A's. The most you could get was a B. Most of my classmates don't agree with him, but he's considered an eminence in Arusian law, so no one can dispute his rules.
I then took a deep breath. Oh well, let's get it over with.
"Yes, professor?" The words came out in a whispered croak. How embarrassing, everyone will know that I'm a nervous wreck. After all, a princess has to protect her image before her subjects.
Fortunately everyone is so absorbed in their own exams that I don't hear any giggling or talking, not even from Christian, who's sitting at the front. She's biting her lower lip and tapping her pen on the desk.
The Professor held out my paper and said in a low voice, "I just finished grading your exam." He then paused for a few moments, and I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach.
Oh no! I flunked! I will have to take a make-up exam!
His customary expressionless face turned into one of satisfaction and appreciation. "His Majesty King Alfor was my student and he always got B's, now I'm proud to say that his daughter got an A."
I blinked. "Professor Porskrog, you said that no one gets A's in your class."
He nodded. "That's true, but you have forced me to reconsider my standards."
I smiled sheepishly at him and then looked at my exam. There it was- a big, bright, red letter A.
"Thank you, Professor!"
He chuckled softly. "Don't thank me, you earned it."
I thanked him once again and then glanced at Christian. I signaled to her that I would be waiting for her outside. She shook her head vaguely and pointed at her watch and focused again on her exam. I wish I could help her, but I have to get back to the Castle.
I stepped out of the auditorium and found Lance sitting on a nearby bench, sleeping soundly. I felt so badly for him, he got up at 5am for lion practice and then he had to be my chaperone. Poor baby.
I tapped gently him on the shoulder. He opened his eyes and smiled lazily at me.
"Sorry to wake you up."
"Ah, Princess," he said, stretching sleepily, "I was just resting my eyes."
I grinned at him. "Really? So why were you snoring?"
He quirked an eyebrow at me and stood up. "Me? Snoring? I don't think so, that's Hunk's department."
I laughed at him. "I was only joking; you were sleeping peacefully, like a baby."
"I always sleep like that, in case you're interested," he replied teasingly, stretching his arms behind his head, and then releasing them with a sigh.
I felt my cheeks grow hot in response with his remark and his actions.
"Really? That's good, sleeping so well keeps one healthy." I said nervously, and then, desperately trying to change the subject, I blurted, "Professor Porskrog just gave me my grade." I held out my exam for his perusal.
His face lit up with a delighted smile. "Princess, you got an A, we must celebrate!"
"But Keith told us to get back to the Castle as soon as possible. He wants to talk about Lotor's recent attack, and Nanny is preparing Thanksgiving dinner at Hunk and Pidge's request."
His hazel eyes twinkled. "Come on, this is a special occasion, I'm sure they won't mind if we're a little late," he coaxed.
I hesitated for a few moments. To tell you the truth, after this grueling exam I didn't have the mindset to listen about Lotor and his two-headed robeast.
"Well, if you say so."
"Let's go to the Student House," he suggested.
More later…
As they arrived to their destination, Allura told Lance that the Student House came into existence in 2270 while her parents were studying, and was the first of its kind on Arus. Since then it has been the setting for the activities of the student societies and for the everyday life of the students. It included the Stakladen, the largest canteen at the University, coffee rooms, banquet rooms, a bookstore, music room, AU sports, exercise room, bath and sauna.
"I like this place," Lance remarked, looking around him with pleasure, "it reminds me of a sports-bar we used to hang out back in Los Angeles, called the One-Eyed Cat. It had billiards, wide screen TV, a live band and Karaoke lounge."
He finally spotted a place to sit. "Look, there's a table over there," he said. "After you, Princess!"
Allura moved past him with a smile, and he caught a faint whiff of herbal scented shampoo from her luxuriant hair, and the scent of her perfume, something light and floral. He heard the gentle sound of her black boots on the wooden floor and the tinkle of the golden bracelet that she always seemed to wear on one of her slender wrists.
He couldn't take his eyes off her. Eventually he did so, realizing much to his chagrin that he was staring at her bottom.
A waitress walked over to their table to take their order. Allura asked for a piña colada and Lance ordered a beer.
"How long is this autumn break?" he asked her when the waitress had left.
"Three days."
"Three days?" he gasped in dismay, "That's not fair!"
"I don't mind, really, we have enough days off, with the Arus' holidays, summer vacation and Christmas. I just love being back in school!" she laughed.
"When my father ordered AU to be closed because of Zarkon's attacks, I had just finished my second year. Everyone was so disappointed, but dad was only thinking about our safety." She paused for a few moments, and then said softly, "I thought we would never be able to go back, until you five came along." Her eyes shimmered with deep emotion.
Lance knew that talking about that time saddened her deeply and tried to lighten her mood. "I was reading a pamphlet about your degree in Political Sciences. It says that you earn it in just three years."
Allura smiled. "Yes, an Arusian bachelor degree takes three years, just like the Danish one and a further two years of study leads to a master's degree. Just before my exam, the Dean gave the Minister of Education his report about Post-graduate studies. They are presently undergoing considerable changes, as higher priority is being given to Ph. D. programs. Currently, a considerable number of Ph. D. students travel outside the galaxy. Similarly the university receives a large number of visiting lecturers and post-graduate students. Just last week, a Terran professor came to give us a lecture about Mass Media and American Politics."
He nodded in understanding. "So are you thinking of going for a master's degree?"
"Hmm- for the moment I want the bachelor's degree. Perhaps someday."
"Well, to become a space explorer you have to study four years, but Keith, Sven and I graduated in three and half years because of the undercover work we did for the Alliance."
"Was it really… dangerous?" Her eyes went wide.
He lowered his gaze. "Yes, but we were able to get the information they needed and many lives were saved," he said, in a matter-of-fact tone.
At that moment the waitress brought their drinks.
Lance took his glass. "Á votre santé!" (To your health) he said happily.
"Santé!" Allura replied, and took a large sip of her drink.
"I think they put in a little too much rum," she said with a grimace.
"May I?" Lance politely asked, reaching for her glass.
"By all means," she said, watching him raise the glass to his mouth.
He took an experimental sip. "Hmm. It's fine, Princess. Don't worry, Nanny won't get mad at you."
They both laughed.
Allura smiled at her companion's bravado. She had always thought that Lance provided undemanding, pleasant company, and she found his irreverent attitude toward his commander especially refreshing. He was the only one who could make Keith lose his cool, besides her, of course.
"Princess, maybe we could go out on your days off… if you want to."
"That would be nice, I'd like that." She found herself responding warmly.
"Not on your nights off, though," he added ruefully. "Keith's very protective of you, Princess. He has difficulty in controlling his temper where you're concerned. I can't forget how he chewed me out when he learned that I was giving you flying lessons behind his back. Even if you two don't get along, when you decided to go back to the university, he laid down the ground rules. We prepared a contingency plan in case we are attacked while you are in class; we must report back to the Castle on an hourly basis, and stay in constant communication with AU's security officers and Castle guards assigned to the premises."
Lance's gaze was so direct and intent as he relayed this information, that Allura suddenly felt pressured to make a revealing reply, something she had no intention of doing.
"But you know Keith, he's all business," he went on with a shrug, "and if I don't do what Keefer says, I'm going to find myself on the next shuttle back to Terra. And I like it here. It's where the action is."
~And where you are,~ he added silently.
She took another sip of her drink. "Would he really do it? Send you back to Terra, I mean?"
"Maybe not Terra; it's more likely he would send me on a suicide mission to Doom," he chuckled softly.
Allura began to question him about his family, a much safer topic of conversation than Keith's over-protectiveness. She learned that his sister Liliane has just received a scholarship to the Sorbonne to study fashion design, and his other sister, Lucie was studying her first year of high school at St. Germain Lyceé. His parents, Gérard and Camille were in the midst of opening a bakery shop in the city of Orléans. He then told her of his time at the lyceé, where he met Sven and Keith; how they became friends and why they were called The Three Musketeers by their classmates.
"Sharing a living space takes a lot of work, but it can be even more of a challenge when you spend 24/7 with your roommates. We lived together our last year of high school at Keith's home, and when we arrived in Los Angeles to enroll in the Space Academy we decided to rent a house, and that's when we met Hunk and Pidge. We lived together for three and a half years there, so we're really close."
Allura thought that someone didn't have to be around the five Space Explorers for very long to realize that joking around and teasing each other like brothers were a big part of what made their friendship work.
"We rarely argue. We do get sick of each other now and then, but we're always able to clear things up."
"And who's the slob of the group?" she asked, pertly.
Lance grinned. "I am. If you come into my quarters, you would see why."
Allura's cheeks turned pink at his suggestion. ~I don't think Keith would like that!~
He noticed her reaction and chuckled softly. "Sven says that it takes about half an hour to walk from one end to the other with all the clothes on the floor."
"It's a good thing that Nanny doesn't go to that part of the castle, she would have a fit," she remarked, with a small giggle.
"You're right," he laughed, "but I know she loves me, in a sort of demented way."
She smiled warmly at him. "I was wondering, why you know so much American slang?" she asked, "You sometimes talk like an American, only your accent betrays you."
"Lots of reading, watching old TV shows and listening to music. Papa always says that everyone must be able to speak and write in English because of its international importance in commerce and science, and it creates professional opportunities and advantages. Besides, when the Galaxy Alliance was created, they decided to adopt English as their official language."
"Yes, that's what I keep telling Coran, but he says that as Princess of Arus, I must be able to communicate in other languages."
~She's perfect,~ Lance thought dreamily, ~bright, beautiful, sweet and multilingual.~
He took another quick sip of his beer. "How many do you know so far?"
"Twenty," she replied, somewhat wearily, "with eight more to go."
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wow, I only know French, English, Drule and a few words and phrases in Norwegian Sven has taught me."
She rested her chin on her hands, her blue eyes becoming almost dreamy. "You're lucky; French is one of the most beautiful languages of the universe, besides Danish of course."
He smiled. "Yes, French is the language of amour," he stated softly.
~He's such a flirt. If I were Christian, I would be jealous,~ Allura thought.
"Have you noticed that you can hide your accent when you sing?" he asked, switching topics.
"Yes, I found that out a few days ago as I was watching a very old variety show with Nanny and Coran in my study, while you and the guys were in the rec room watching Major League soccer."
He leaned back on his chair. "Ah yeah, it was LA Galaxy against Chicago Fire," he said, "great game, they were tied 1-1, and at the last minute Galaxy scored."
"Yes, well, among the guests in this variety show there was a Spanish singer, Julio Iglesias. He was singing with no accent and you could understand the lyrics perfectly. But when the host interviewed him, his accent emerged in full force."
"Isn't that something? But it works the other way as well; I can also fake accents," Lance informed her, wriggling his eyebrows. "I can hide my accent with ease and sing like an American or an Englishman anytime I want to!"
"Really?" Her interest was piqued.
He laughed heartily. "Yes, I remember one time at the Space Academy when this ability got me into trouble, and all because of Sven."
"Sven?" she asked shocked, "I can't believe it!"
Lance narrowed his eyes. "Princess, just because he presents this good-old-boy image to you, doesn't mean he is one. You shouldn't trust the quiet, serious ones. They're the worst. At least with *me* you know what you get!"
"That's true," she said, grinning appreciatively. "So, tell me what Sven did!"
"We were celebrating Cliff's birthday at the Officer's Club, and between drinks Sven dared me to sing. If I took up on his challenge he would give me a hundred dollars, so of course I accepted. But part of the deal was that he would choose the song and the location."
"What song did he choose?"
"An old English song, 'Rock DJ' by Robbie Williams."
She nodded, her eyes going wide. "I have seen that video on MTV Classics a few times. It's kind of racy, isn't it? When Robbie realizes that the girl, the DJ, isn't interested on him, he begins to take off his clothes until he's completely naked. And when that doesn't work, he peels off his skin and then pulls various body parts and throws them at the girls who are dancing around him." She shivered violently. "How gross!"
He grinned. "Yeah, it's really funny. But keep in mind that he got the DJ's attention in the end," he added, "even though he was only a skeleton."
"But I digress. Sven said that I would have to sing in the central gardens of the Academy."
"How devious of him," she gasped.
"Chip, Pidge's brother found the music and with the help of Jeff, broke into the communication room and put it through the loudspeakers. I don't want to sound like a show-off, but I have to say that my female classmates were pleasantly surprised by my performance. They were cheering and applauding, some of them were even throwing flowers and pieces of clothing at me. Ginger even ran over and kissed me on the cheek. Jeff and Crig told later me that Lisa and Cinda had fainted and were taken back to their quarters."
"I wish I could have seen that," she sighed wistfully.
"What? Me stripping?"
She blushed prettily. "No! I mean your singing!"
He grinned. "Oh, right. Well, unfortunately at the end of the song, the Military Police marched into the grounds and everyone ran away. I would have been caught literally with my pants down, if it hadn't been for Keith. Back home, he gave Sven and me quite an earful."
He leaned forward. "Imagine the scene; we're in the living room sitting on the couch, super drunk. Keith was standing before us, with that stern look on his face, while Hunk and Pidge were rolling on the floor laughing their heads off."
Lance stood up and ran his fingers through his hair like his friend. "You're drunk and disgraceful!" he snapped, imitating Keith's accent to the hilt.
"Sven and I just looked at each other and grinned happily. 'Hello Drunk', I greeted him."
"'Hello Disgraceful, a deal is a deal,' he replied shaking my hand and then giving me a crisp, one hundred dollar bill."
"Keith rolled his eyes at us, and threw his arms up in the air. Finally he told me, 'Lance, you're pathetic!'"
"And I said to him, 'Come on, Keith, and make up your mind. Am I disgraceful or pathetic?'"
"And Sven replied, 'I believe you're both.'"
Allura burst out laughing when she heard him imitating Sven's accent perfectly. "Lance, you're terrible!"
Her companion sat down again, grinning. "I know, but I'm grateful too, if it hadn't been for Keith's timely intervention, right now I would be cleaning toilet bowls in the Academy, instead of flying Red Lion."
Allura shook her head in amusement. ~Oh Lance, if you only knew the things that Keith did at St. Mary's, you would not believe it.~
She then took on the expression of a little girl thinking about getting into mischief.
"Lance, would you sing for me?" she asked, in the sweetest voice imaginable.
"Hmm, I don't know."
"Come on, Lance," Allura said cajoling, rising from her chair. "The Karaoke lounge is empty!"
A single eyebrow arched in inquiry. "Do you swear not to laugh at my choice of music?"
She raised her right hand. "I do," she vowed solemnly.
His lips curved slowly upward into a devastating, triumphant smile. "D'accord." (Okay)"
"I like this place," Lance remarked, looking around him with pleasure, "it reminds me of a sports-bar we used to hang out back in Los Angeles, called the One-Eyed Cat. It had billiards, wide screen TV, a live band and Karaoke lounge."
He finally spotted a place to sit. "Look, there's a table over there," he said. "After you, Princess!"
Allura moved past him with a smile, and he caught a faint whiff of herbal scented shampoo from her luxuriant hair, and the scent of her perfume, something light and floral. He heard the gentle sound of her black boots on the wooden floor and the tinkle of the golden bracelet that she always seemed to wear on one of her slender wrists.
He couldn't take his eyes off her. Eventually he did so, realizing much to his chagrin that he was staring at her bottom.
A waitress walked over to their table to take their order. Allura asked for a piña colada and Lance ordered a beer.
"How long is this autumn break?" he asked her when the waitress had left.
"Three days."
"Three days?" he gasped in dismay, "That's not fair!"
"I don't mind, really, we have enough days off, with the Arus' holidays, summer vacation and Christmas. I just love being back in school!" she laughed.
"When my father ordered AU to be closed because of Zarkon's attacks, I had just finished my second year. Everyone was so disappointed, but dad was only thinking about our safety." She paused for a few moments, and then said softly, "I thought we would never be able to go back, until you five came along." Her eyes shimmered with deep emotion.
Lance knew that talking about that time saddened her deeply and tried to lighten her mood. "I was reading a pamphlet about your degree in Political Sciences. It says that you earn it in just three years."
Allura smiled. "Yes, an Arusian bachelor degree takes three years, just like the Danish one and a further two years of study leads to a master's degree. Just before my exam, the Dean gave the Minister of Education his report about Post-graduate studies. They are presently undergoing considerable changes, as higher priority is being given to Ph. D. programs. Currently, a considerable number of Ph. D. students travel outside the galaxy. Similarly the university receives a large number of visiting lecturers and post-graduate students. Just last week, a Terran professor came to give us a lecture about Mass Media and American Politics."
He nodded in understanding. "So are you thinking of going for a master's degree?"
"Hmm- for the moment I want the bachelor's degree. Perhaps someday."
"Well, to become a space explorer you have to study four years, but Keith, Sven and I graduated in three and half years because of the undercover work we did for the Alliance."
"Was it really… dangerous?" Her eyes went wide.
He lowered his gaze. "Yes, but we were able to get the information they needed and many lives were saved," he said, in a matter-of-fact tone.
At that moment the waitress brought their drinks.
Lance took his glass. "Á votre santé!" (To your health) he said happily.
"Santé!" Allura replied, and took a large sip of her drink.
"I think they put in a little too much rum," she said with a grimace.
"May I?" Lance politely asked, reaching for her glass.
"By all means," she said, watching him raise the glass to his mouth.
He took an experimental sip. "Hmm. It's fine, Princess. Don't worry, Nanny won't get mad at you."
They both laughed.
Allura smiled at her companion's bravado. She had always thought that Lance provided undemanding, pleasant company, and she found his irreverent attitude toward his commander especially refreshing. He was the only one who could make Keith lose his cool, besides her, of course.
"Princess, maybe we could go out on your days off… if you want to."
"That would be nice, I'd like that." She found herself responding warmly.
"Not on your nights off, though," he added ruefully. "Keith's very protective of you, Princess. He has difficulty in controlling his temper where you're concerned. I can't forget how he chewed me out when he learned that I was giving you flying lessons behind his back. Even if you two don't get along, when you decided to go back to the university, he laid down the ground rules. We prepared a contingency plan in case we are attacked while you are in class; we must report back to the Castle on an hourly basis, and stay in constant communication with AU's security officers and Castle guards assigned to the premises."
Lance's gaze was so direct and intent as he relayed this information, that Allura suddenly felt pressured to make a revealing reply, something she had no intention of doing.
"But you know Keith, he's all business," he went on with a shrug, "and if I don't do what Keefer says, I'm going to find myself on the next shuttle back to Terra. And I like it here. It's where the action is."
~And where you are,~ he added silently.
She took another sip of her drink. "Would he really do it? Send you back to Terra, I mean?"
"Maybe not Terra; it's more likely he would send me on a suicide mission to Doom," he chuckled softly.
Allura began to question him about his family, a much safer topic of conversation than Keith's over-protectiveness. She learned that his sister Liliane has just received a scholarship to the Sorbonne to study fashion design, and his other sister, Lucie was studying her first year of high school at St. Germain Lyceé. His parents, Gérard and Camille were in the midst of opening a bakery shop in the city of Orléans. He then told her of his time at the lyceé, where he met Sven and Keith; how they became friends and why they were called The Three Musketeers by their classmates.
"Sharing a living space takes a lot of work, but it can be even more of a challenge when you spend 24/7 with your roommates. We lived together our last year of high school at Keith's home, and when we arrived in Los Angeles to enroll in the Space Academy we decided to rent a house, and that's when we met Hunk and Pidge. We lived together for three and a half years there, so we're really close."
Allura thought that someone didn't have to be around the five Space Explorers for very long to realize that joking around and teasing each other like brothers were a big part of what made their friendship work.
"We rarely argue. We do get sick of each other now and then, but we're always able to clear things up."
"And who's the slob of the group?" she asked, pertly.
Lance grinned. "I am. If you come into my quarters, you would see why."
Allura's cheeks turned pink at his suggestion. ~I don't think Keith would like that!~
He noticed her reaction and chuckled softly. "Sven says that it takes about half an hour to walk from one end to the other with all the clothes on the floor."
"It's a good thing that Nanny doesn't go to that part of the castle, she would have a fit," she remarked, with a small giggle.
"You're right," he laughed, "but I know she loves me, in a sort of demented way."
She smiled warmly at him. "I was wondering, why you know so much American slang?" she asked, "You sometimes talk like an American, only your accent betrays you."
"Lots of reading, watching old TV shows and listening to music. Papa always says that everyone must be able to speak and write in English because of its international importance in commerce and science, and it creates professional opportunities and advantages. Besides, when the Galaxy Alliance was created, they decided to adopt English as their official language."
"Yes, that's what I keep telling Coran, but he says that as Princess of Arus, I must be able to communicate in other languages."
~She's perfect,~ Lance thought dreamily, ~bright, beautiful, sweet and multilingual.~
He took another quick sip of his beer. "How many do you know so far?"
"Twenty," she replied, somewhat wearily, "with eight more to go."
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wow, I only know French, English, Drule and a few words and phrases in Norwegian Sven has taught me."
She rested her chin on her hands, her blue eyes becoming almost dreamy. "You're lucky; French is one of the most beautiful languages of the universe, besides Danish of course."
He smiled. "Yes, French is the language of amour," he stated softly.
~He's such a flirt. If I were Christian, I would be jealous,~ Allura thought.
"Have you noticed that you can hide your accent when you sing?" he asked, switching topics.
"Yes, I found that out a few days ago as I was watching a very old variety show with Nanny and Coran in my study, while you and the guys were in the rec room watching Major League soccer."
He leaned back on his chair. "Ah yeah, it was LA Galaxy against Chicago Fire," he said, "great game, they were tied 1-1, and at the last minute Galaxy scored."
"Yes, well, among the guests in this variety show there was a Spanish singer, Julio Iglesias. He was singing with no accent and you could understand the lyrics perfectly. But when the host interviewed him, his accent emerged in full force."
"Isn't that something? But it works the other way as well; I can also fake accents," Lance informed her, wriggling his eyebrows. "I can hide my accent with ease and sing like an American or an Englishman anytime I want to!"
"Really?" Her interest was piqued.
He laughed heartily. "Yes, I remember one time at the Space Academy when this ability got me into trouble, and all because of Sven."
"Sven?" she asked shocked, "I can't believe it!"
Lance narrowed his eyes. "Princess, just because he presents this good-old-boy image to you, doesn't mean he is one. You shouldn't trust the quiet, serious ones. They're the worst. At least with *me* you know what you get!"
"That's true," she said, grinning appreciatively. "So, tell me what Sven did!"
"We were celebrating Cliff's birthday at the Officer's Club, and between drinks Sven dared me to sing. If I took up on his challenge he would give me a hundred dollars, so of course I accepted. But part of the deal was that he would choose the song and the location."
"What song did he choose?"
"An old English song, 'Rock DJ' by Robbie Williams."
She nodded, her eyes going wide. "I have seen that video on MTV Classics a few times. It's kind of racy, isn't it? When Robbie realizes that the girl, the DJ, isn't interested on him, he begins to take off his clothes until he's completely naked. And when that doesn't work, he peels off his skin and then pulls various body parts and throws them at the girls who are dancing around him." She shivered violently. "How gross!"
He grinned. "Yeah, it's really funny. But keep in mind that he got the DJ's attention in the end," he added, "even though he was only a skeleton."
"But I digress. Sven said that I would have to sing in the central gardens of the Academy."
"How devious of him," she gasped.
"Chip, Pidge's brother found the music and with the help of Jeff, broke into the communication room and put it through the loudspeakers. I don't want to sound like a show-off, but I have to say that my female classmates were pleasantly surprised by my performance. They were cheering and applauding, some of them were even throwing flowers and pieces of clothing at me. Ginger even ran over and kissed me on the cheek. Jeff and Crig told later me that Lisa and Cinda had fainted and were taken back to their quarters."
"I wish I could have seen that," she sighed wistfully.
"What? Me stripping?"
She blushed prettily. "No! I mean your singing!"
He grinned. "Oh, right. Well, unfortunately at the end of the song, the Military Police marched into the grounds and everyone ran away. I would have been caught literally with my pants down, if it hadn't been for Keith. Back home, he gave Sven and me quite an earful."
He leaned forward. "Imagine the scene; we're in the living room sitting on the couch, super drunk. Keith was standing before us, with that stern look on his face, while Hunk and Pidge were rolling on the floor laughing their heads off."
Lance stood up and ran his fingers through his hair like his friend. "You're drunk and disgraceful!" he snapped, imitating Keith's accent to the hilt.
"Sven and I just looked at each other and grinned happily. 'Hello Drunk', I greeted him."
"'Hello Disgraceful, a deal is a deal,' he replied shaking my hand and then giving me a crisp, one hundred dollar bill."
"Keith rolled his eyes at us, and threw his arms up in the air. Finally he told me, 'Lance, you're pathetic!'"
"And I said to him, 'Come on, Keith, and make up your mind. Am I disgraceful or pathetic?'"
"And Sven replied, 'I believe you're both.'"
Allura burst out laughing when she heard him imitating Sven's accent perfectly. "Lance, you're terrible!"
Her companion sat down again, grinning. "I know, but I'm grateful too, if it hadn't been for Keith's timely intervention, right now I would be cleaning toilet bowls in the Academy, instead of flying Red Lion."
Allura shook her head in amusement. ~Oh Lance, if you only knew the things that Keith did at St. Mary's, you would not believe it.~
She then took on the expression of a little girl thinking about getting into mischief.
"Lance, would you sing for me?" she asked, in the sweetest voice imaginable.
"Hmm, I don't know."
"Come on, Lance," Allura said cajoling, rising from her chair. "The Karaoke lounge is empty!"
A single eyebrow arched in inquiry. "Do you swear not to laugh at my choice of music?"
She raised her right hand. "I do," she vowed solemnly.
His lips curved slowly upward into a devastating, triumphant smile. "D'accord." (Okay)"
"Music is love in search of a word." - Sidney Lanier
I convinced Lance to sing for me in the Karaoke lounge of the university, but if only I had known what would happen next…
"When I was in the Academy," he began, walking over to the console to make his selection, "there were some evenings where I couldn't sleep, and I would watch marathons of vintage shows. This is a song from a TV show from the 1970's called ‘The Partridge Family'. The program was kind of lame, but some of the songs were pretty cool."
Grabbing a microphone, he stepped center stage and waited for a few seconds, his gaze focused on the floor.
The music began and on the screens behind him appeared images of a family on stage. I guess they were the Partridge family he had mentioned. They were wearing what looked like brown velvet suits and bellbottom pants, just like the ones they're selling in the boutiques in Lyon.
And then Lance began to sing, a pained expression on his face.
“I'm sleeping
And right in the middle of a good dream
Like all at once I wake up
From something that keeps knocking at my brain
{He taps the side of his head and grimaces}
Before I go insane
I hold my pillow to my head
And spring up in my bed
Screaming out the words I dread…
{Lance smiles at me}
"I think I love you!" (I think I love you)
This morning, I woke up with this feeling
I didn't know how to deal with
{He gives me a puzzled look}
And so I just decided to myself
I'd hide it to myself
And never talk about it
{Places a finger on his lips}
And did not go and shout it
When you walked into the room…
{Glances at me}
"I think I love you!" (I think I love you)
I think I love you
So what am I so afraid of?
{He shakes his head}
I'm afraid that I'm not sure of
A love there is no cure for
I think I love you
Isn't that what life is made of?
Though it worries me to say
I've never felt this way
{Places a hand on his chest}
I don't know what I'm up against
{He quirks an eyebrow at me}
I don't know what it's all about
I've got so much to think about
{Places hand on his right temple}
Hey! I think I love you!
{He smiles tenderly at me}
So what am I so afraid of?
I'm afraid that I'm not sure of
A love there is no cure for
I think I love you
Isn't that what life is made of?
Though it worries me to say
I've never felt this way
Believe me
{He inclines his head}
You really don't have to worry
I only want to make you happy
And if you say
Hey, go away, I will
{He grimaces and looks away}
But I think better still
{He gazes back at me}
I'd better stay around and love you
{He places his hand on his heart}
Do you think I have a case?
Let me ask you to your face
Do you think you love me?
"I think I love you!" (I think I love you)
"I think I love you!" (I think I love you)
"I think I love you!" (I think I love you)
"I think I love you!" (I think I love you)
"I think I love you!" (I think I love you)"
{A.N. “I Think I Love You” by Tony Romeo 1974}
I rose from my seat and clapped enthusiastically at his rendition of that lovely song. He took a deep bow and then left the microphone on the small table and stepped down from the stage.
"That was beautiful Lance," I sighed, "Christian would be happy to hear you sing that to her!"
He smiled tenderly at me. "Non Princesse, cette chanson indique ce que je pense de vous."
"Excuse me?"
"This song reflects what I think about you."
"Oh," I said, suddenly feeling my face warm.
He gazed at me. "Princess, how would you define our relationship?"
"I-"
"Come on, don't be shy."
"I don't know."
"I'm serious, Princess."
I lowered my gaze. I thought we were friends, but now…
"I don't know what to say," I whispered uneasily.
He chuckled softly. "Your beautiful Arusian accent is more obvious whenever you get nervous."
I turned my back on him at that point. I didn't know what to think. Why was he talking to me like this?
More later…
I convinced Lance to sing for me in the Karaoke lounge of the university, but if only I had known what would happen next…
"When I was in the Academy," he began, walking over to the console to make his selection, "there were some evenings where I couldn't sleep, and I would watch marathons of vintage shows. This is a song from a TV show from the 1970's called ‘The Partridge Family'. The program was kind of lame, but some of the songs were pretty cool."
Grabbing a microphone, he stepped center stage and waited for a few seconds, his gaze focused on the floor.
The music began and on the screens behind him appeared images of a family on stage. I guess they were the Partridge family he had mentioned. They were wearing what looked like brown velvet suits and bellbottom pants, just like the ones they're selling in the boutiques in Lyon.
And then Lance began to sing, a pained expression on his face.
“I'm sleeping
And right in the middle of a good dream
Like all at once I wake up
From something that keeps knocking at my brain
{He taps the side of his head and grimaces}
Before I go insane
I hold my pillow to my head
And spring up in my bed
Screaming out the words I dread…
{Lance smiles at me}
"I think I love you!" (I think I love you)
This morning, I woke up with this feeling
I didn't know how to deal with
{He gives me a puzzled look}
And so I just decided to myself
I'd hide it to myself
And never talk about it
{Places a finger on his lips}
And did not go and shout it
When you walked into the room…
{Glances at me}
"I think I love you!" (I think I love you)
I think I love you
So what am I so afraid of?
{He shakes his head}
I'm afraid that I'm not sure of
A love there is no cure for
I think I love you
Isn't that what life is made of?
Though it worries me to say
I've never felt this way
{Places a hand on his chest}
I don't know what I'm up against
{He quirks an eyebrow at me}
I don't know what it's all about
I've got so much to think about
{Places hand on his right temple}
Hey! I think I love you!
{He smiles tenderly at me}
So what am I so afraid of?
I'm afraid that I'm not sure of
A love there is no cure for
I think I love you
Isn't that what life is made of?
Though it worries me to say
I've never felt this way
Believe me
{He inclines his head}
You really don't have to worry
I only want to make you happy
And if you say
Hey, go away, I will
{He grimaces and looks away}
But I think better still
{He gazes back at me}
I'd better stay around and love you
{He places his hand on his heart}
Do you think I have a case?
Let me ask you to your face
Do you think you love me?
"I think I love you!" (I think I love you)
"I think I love you!" (I think I love you)
"I think I love you!" (I think I love you)
"I think I love you!" (I think I love you)
"I think I love you!" (I think I love you)"
{A.N. “I Think I Love You” by Tony Romeo 1974}
I rose from my seat and clapped enthusiastically at his rendition of that lovely song. He took a deep bow and then left the microphone on the small table and stepped down from the stage.
"That was beautiful Lance," I sighed, "Christian would be happy to hear you sing that to her!"
He smiled tenderly at me. "Non Princesse, cette chanson indique ce que je pense de vous."
"Excuse me?"
"This song reflects what I think about you."
"Oh," I said, suddenly feeling my face warm.
He gazed at me. "Princess, how would you define our relationship?"
"I-"
"Come on, don't be shy."
"I don't know."
"I'm serious, Princess."
I lowered my gaze. I thought we were friends, but now…
"I don't know what to say," I whispered uneasily.
He chuckled softly. "Your beautiful Arusian accent is more obvious whenever you get nervous."
I turned my back on him at that point. I didn't know what to think. Why was he talking to me like this?
More later…
"To get a girl, sometimes you need to make an ass of yourself." - Lance
Lance picked up a metal ashtray from a nearby table and deliberately dropped it on the floor to break the oppressive silence.
Allura jumped, making a soft, mewing sound. He turned her gently until their eyes met, and she could only stare at him in befuddlement.
His large hand, warm and callused from battle, cupped her cheek. She wanted to speak, but words failed her, leaving her lips soundlessly parted.
His gaze dropped to her mouth, and she felt a sudden, a startling tightening in the depths of her body and slow warmth that radiated outwards.
Lance inhaled deeply, struggling for control over emotions which ranged from protectiveness to outright lust. And God help him, he did lust after her! This beautiful girl with a heart so big she could take on Zarkon and Lotor, no matter what the peril.
His fingertips brushed her lip, tracing the lower curve, and she quivered slightly.
"C'est maintenant ou jamais," he declared softly. (It's now or never)
The shock of his lips touching her made Allura's knees weaken. She had never been kissed by anyone except Keith.
Granted, in the past Lance had acted seductively or made provocative comments to her, and she had kissed him on the cheek a few times. But he had never touched her like this.
His mouth moved softly against her lips and she found herself imitating his movements, savoring the rasp of his chin against hers and the faintest taste of beer.
His lips parted and she felt the gentle intrusion of his tongue. She stroked his tongue and felt his chest rise sharply. And she was only brought to her senses by the sudden realization of his hard body pressing intimately against her.
Groaning softly, she gently pushed him away. "Please, Lance…" she whispered, placing a trembling hand over her mouth.
"Pardon," he gasped. "That may have been a little fast." He then looked over her head as if he didn't dare meet her eyes. He wanted to kick himself. He had frightened her!
Allura berated herself for her lack of control, and knew she could hardly slap him and run away. He could not be blamed for kissing her when she threw herself against him. They finally drew apart.
"Forgive me," he said again. He was breathing heavily and seemed still a little dazed. He swallowed and shut his eyes, taking a long, deep breath that came out in a rush.
"I shouldn't have chosen that song," he said ruefully. "The name of the character who sings it was an omen."
She gave him a puzzled look. "What's the name of the character?" she asked, in a hushed tone.
He forced a smile. "Keith."
She gasped softly. He was right, it was a sign. She shouldn't have asked him to sing for her!
At that moment, a group of students entered the Karaoke room.
"Let's go back to the Castle, before Keith and the guys come for us," she suggested, trying to mask her nervousness.
"Yes, let's go," he agreed in as calm a tone as he could muster. "I don't want to deal with his wrath."
Back in the Castle, Allura and Lance took leave of each other to dress for dinner.
As Lance showered, he sensed his pulse quickening in anticipation of seeing her again. The Princess might be prepared to ignore or excuse his outrageous conduct at the Karaoke lounge, but she could not forget it. She had responded to his kiss, she could not deny it.
One more kiss, he wanted, just so she could feel them pressed up against one another, his body plastered to her softness, just a few more moments.
He splashed cold water on his face, although he could still feel his lips burning, or was it tingling?
Putain! Get a hold of yourself, Lance!
In the coming days, he must do everything within his power to convince her that he poses no threat to her… that he only wants to capture her heart.
Lance picked up a metal ashtray from a nearby table and deliberately dropped it on the floor to break the oppressive silence.
Allura jumped, making a soft, mewing sound. He turned her gently until their eyes met, and she could only stare at him in befuddlement.
His large hand, warm and callused from battle, cupped her cheek. She wanted to speak, but words failed her, leaving her lips soundlessly parted.
His gaze dropped to her mouth, and she felt a sudden, a startling tightening in the depths of her body and slow warmth that radiated outwards.
Lance inhaled deeply, struggling for control over emotions which ranged from protectiveness to outright lust. And God help him, he did lust after her! This beautiful girl with a heart so big she could take on Zarkon and Lotor, no matter what the peril.
His fingertips brushed her lip, tracing the lower curve, and she quivered slightly.
"C'est maintenant ou jamais," he declared softly. (It's now or never)
The shock of his lips touching her made Allura's knees weaken. She had never been kissed by anyone except Keith.
Granted, in the past Lance had acted seductively or made provocative comments to her, and she had kissed him on the cheek a few times. But he had never touched her like this.
His mouth moved softly against her lips and she found herself imitating his movements, savoring the rasp of his chin against hers and the faintest taste of beer.
His lips parted and she felt the gentle intrusion of his tongue. She stroked his tongue and felt his chest rise sharply. And she was only brought to her senses by the sudden realization of his hard body pressing intimately against her.
Groaning softly, she gently pushed him away. "Please, Lance…" she whispered, placing a trembling hand over her mouth.
"Pardon," he gasped. "That may have been a little fast." He then looked over her head as if he didn't dare meet her eyes. He wanted to kick himself. He had frightened her!
Allura berated herself for her lack of control, and knew she could hardly slap him and run away. He could not be blamed for kissing her when she threw herself against him. They finally drew apart.
"Forgive me," he said again. He was breathing heavily and seemed still a little dazed. He swallowed and shut his eyes, taking a long, deep breath that came out in a rush.
"I shouldn't have chosen that song," he said ruefully. "The name of the character who sings it was an omen."
She gave him a puzzled look. "What's the name of the character?" she asked, in a hushed tone.
He forced a smile. "Keith."
She gasped softly. He was right, it was a sign. She shouldn't have asked him to sing for her!
At that moment, a group of students entered the Karaoke room.
"Let's go back to the Castle, before Keith and the guys come for us," she suggested, trying to mask her nervousness.
"Yes, let's go," he agreed in as calm a tone as he could muster. "I don't want to deal with his wrath."
Back in the Castle, Allura and Lance took leave of each other to dress for dinner.
As Lance showered, he sensed his pulse quickening in anticipation of seeing her again. The Princess might be prepared to ignore or excuse his outrageous conduct at the Karaoke lounge, but she could not forget it. She had responded to his kiss, she could not deny it.
One more kiss, he wanted, just so she could feel them pressed up against one another, his body plastered to her softness, just a few more moments.
He splashed cold water on his face, although he could still feel his lips burning, or was it tingling?
Putain! Get a hold of yourself, Lance!
In the coming days, he must do everything within his power to convince her that he poses no threat to her… that he only wants to capture her heart.
November 20th, 2302
Dear diary:
While having Thanksgiving dinner with the boys, I couldn't help remembering the kiss Lance and I had shared in the Karaoke lounge. How am I going to be able to face him after this incident?
Should I tell Keith about it?
No, I don't want to embarrass Lance in front of his friends, and disrupt his friendship with Keith. They are practically brothers. I cannot even be angry that he kissed me. I liked it. I can still feel the touch of his lips, so soft and gentle.
If I had not stopped him, what would have happened?
[Allura has a sudden, vivid image of Lance leaning over her, kissing her forehead, her eyelids, her cheeks, her mouth, her…]
No! I have to stop this. I love Keith. I belong to him!
Or do I?
Oh God! This is so confusing…
Dear diary:
While having Thanksgiving dinner with the boys, I couldn't help remembering the kiss Lance and I had shared in the Karaoke lounge. How am I going to be able to face him after this incident?
Should I tell Keith about it?
No, I don't want to embarrass Lance in front of his friends, and disrupt his friendship with Keith. They are practically brothers. I cannot even be angry that he kissed me. I liked it. I can still feel the touch of his lips, so soft and gentle.
If I had not stopped him, what would have happened?
[Allura has a sudden, vivid image of Lance leaning over her, kissing her forehead, her eyelids, her cheeks, her mouth, her…]
No! I have to stop this. I love Keith. I belong to him!
Or do I?
Oh God! This is so confusing…
In despair, Allura turned her head and suddenly saw the reflected candlelight in Keith's eyes as he watched her.
She felt trapped by his silent, intense gaze. Why did just being near him turn her into a quivering, confused girl?
"No thank you, I had enough turkey for tonight," she replied absent-mindedly.
"What?" Sven asked surprised.
She swallowed convulsively. "Excuse me, what did you say?" she said embarrassed.
He tried to hide his amusement. "I was asking you about your exam, how did it go?"
"Fine, fine, I got an A."
"That's great!" Pidge and Hunk exclaimed in unison.
She smiled nervously at them. "Thanks."
"Are you all right, Princess?" Keith asked suddenly, his voice unemotional.
"I'm a little tired, that's all," she replied, averting her gaze.
"That's understandable," Sven interjected, "I've heard of Professor Porskrog's exams from the other students while I've been waiting for you. He's worse than the instructors we had back in the Academy."
"Thank Goodness those days are behind us," Hunk said fervently, getting another ration of mashed potatoes.
"Take it easy!" Pidge chided, hitting Hunk's hand with a silver spoon. "You're not the only one who likes mashed potatoes."
"I left you the cranberry sauce, didn't I?"
"Stop it you two," Keith ordered, "leave something for us, or I'll ask Nanny to take back the pumpkin pie."
"Oh, no, not that!" Pidge gasped.
Lance, who had been silent through out dinner, finally spoke. "Fortunately for the Princess, she'll have a chance to rest and spend more time with us."
Allura sat up straight and looked directly at Lance. He made no attempt to do anything but watch her with glittering eyes.
She swallowed hard. She was in deep trouble.
~Something is wrong, she's behaving kind of strange,~ Keith thought warily.
~Why does Lance have the smug look on his face?~ Sven wondered silently while reaching for his glass of wine.
Rising from her seat Allura said, "Thank you for a lovely Thanksgiving dinner. Now if you excuse me, I'm going to bed. Good night."
The five men stood politely as she left the room. "Good night, Princess."
"She seems worried," Hunk whispered. His deep voice filled with concern.
"Look," Pidge noted sadly, "She barely touched her food."
Keith threw his napkin on the table. "I'm going to talk to Coran, maybe he knows what is troubling the Princess."
Sven sat down again. "Yes, Keith, you do that," he said dryly, knowing quite well his friend was going after the Princess.
Keith went straight to the observation room. He found her standing before the window, her arms folded around waist, her head lowered.
"There are beautiful moons out there tonight," he said teasingly, in reference to the twin waxing moons of Arus, throwing a weak light across the room.
She looked up and managed a small smile. "Yes, they're beautiful."
He frowned. "What's wrong, Princess?"
She sighed deeply. "Nothing is wrong, I'm just tired."
"Handling your royal duties and school is kinda tough, isn't it?"
"Sometimes."
"We've been so busy that we haven't had a chance to be together. We only see each other when I take you to school on Mondays and during dinner."
She combed her fingers through her hair as she faced him. "Keith- do you remember the talk we had about me going back to school? You said that you didn't like the idea, because I wouldn't have time for you."
"Yes," he replied, "but I was only joking, I'm glad you went back."
She turned her attention back to the night sky. "I have heard of couples who break up when one of them goes off to school, because they won't see each other often. And I don't want that happening to us."
"Ally, they break up because they don't love each other."
Keith heard her sigh of exhaustion. He inclined his head and shrugged slightly.
"Allura, I want you to enjoy your 'college experience', to meet new people like I did when I was in the Academy, and not feel tied down. Couples in love give each other the freedom to be themselves. To do otherwise is controlling, and I *know* that people run away from those who make them feel smothered, and I don't want to lose you."
"Keith, I- "
"Allura- you had a life before this war, and I don't want to take that away from you."
She fell silent then, her head bowed, her muscles tense. He was more concerned about her peace of mind than with his own needs, and the realization brought a fresh wave of pain and shame.
"But I don't want to break up with you," she whispered, blinking back tears. "In my heart I feel we're meant for each other."
"I feel the same way." He then chuckled softly. "Besides, I don't want to make you feel guilty about going out with your classmates."
She flinched slightly. ~My classmates aren't the problem, Lance is,~ she thought despairingly.
"Who knows? Maybe this could prove to be a period of exciting growth for both of us," he finished softly.
"Oh, Keith," she sighed, "I want to believe that so much."
She glanced up at him, and found a look upon his face that was both tender and bittersweet. "Believe it," he declared.
Her gaze met his without faltering before she moved to stand before the door. "I will," she said simply, turning to look at him once more.
Keith felt uncomfortable as he searched her eyes. She spoke the truth, he knew. How else would she ever tell him about her fears?
When she left, Keith opened the window and heaved a heavy sigh. He ached to grab her. Shout that he loved her. But those damned surveillance cameras wouldn't let him.
Is she having doubts? He asked himself, his brow furrowing in distress.
Reason held him quiet and stilled the impulse to claim her. For even should she answer that she did love him, it could be out of duty, and it wasn't fair for either of them; she needed time and he was willing to give it to her.
But nobody said it was going to be easy.
When he had counted hundreds of stars and filled his lungs with the cold night air until it burned like icy needles, he closed the window and made his way to the control room for the night shift.
He didn't feel like giving thanks tonight.
The End.
11/29/2000
Revised 03/07/2015
She felt trapped by his silent, intense gaze. Why did just being near him turn her into a quivering, confused girl?
"No thank you, I had enough turkey for tonight," she replied absent-mindedly.
"What?" Sven asked surprised.
She swallowed convulsively. "Excuse me, what did you say?" she said embarrassed.
He tried to hide his amusement. "I was asking you about your exam, how did it go?"
"Fine, fine, I got an A."
"That's great!" Pidge and Hunk exclaimed in unison.
She smiled nervously at them. "Thanks."
"Are you all right, Princess?" Keith asked suddenly, his voice unemotional.
"I'm a little tired, that's all," she replied, averting her gaze.
"That's understandable," Sven interjected, "I've heard of Professor Porskrog's exams from the other students while I've been waiting for you. He's worse than the instructors we had back in the Academy."
"Thank Goodness those days are behind us," Hunk said fervently, getting another ration of mashed potatoes.
"Take it easy!" Pidge chided, hitting Hunk's hand with a silver spoon. "You're not the only one who likes mashed potatoes."
"I left you the cranberry sauce, didn't I?"
"Stop it you two," Keith ordered, "leave something for us, or I'll ask Nanny to take back the pumpkin pie."
"Oh, no, not that!" Pidge gasped.
Lance, who had been silent through out dinner, finally spoke. "Fortunately for the Princess, she'll have a chance to rest and spend more time with us."
Allura sat up straight and looked directly at Lance. He made no attempt to do anything but watch her with glittering eyes.
She swallowed hard. She was in deep trouble.
~Something is wrong, she's behaving kind of strange,~ Keith thought warily.
~Why does Lance have the smug look on his face?~ Sven wondered silently while reaching for his glass of wine.
Rising from her seat Allura said, "Thank you for a lovely Thanksgiving dinner. Now if you excuse me, I'm going to bed. Good night."
The five men stood politely as she left the room. "Good night, Princess."
"She seems worried," Hunk whispered. His deep voice filled with concern.
"Look," Pidge noted sadly, "She barely touched her food."
Keith threw his napkin on the table. "I'm going to talk to Coran, maybe he knows what is troubling the Princess."
Sven sat down again. "Yes, Keith, you do that," he said dryly, knowing quite well his friend was going after the Princess.
Keith went straight to the observation room. He found her standing before the window, her arms folded around waist, her head lowered.
"There are beautiful moons out there tonight," he said teasingly, in reference to the twin waxing moons of Arus, throwing a weak light across the room.
She looked up and managed a small smile. "Yes, they're beautiful."
He frowned. "What's wrong, Princess?"
She sighed deeply. "Nothing is wrong, I'm just tired."
"Handling your royal duties and school is kinda tough, isn't it?"
"Sometimes."
"We've been so busy that we haven't had a chance to be together. We only see each other when I take you to school on Mondays and during dinner."
She combed her fingers through her hair as she faced him. "Keith- do you remember the talk we had about me going back to school? You said that you didn't like the idea, because I wouldn't have time for you."
"Yes," he replied, "but I was only joking, I'm glad you went back."
She turned her attention back to the night sky. "I have heard of couples who break up when one of them goes off to school, because they won't see each other often. And I don't want that happening to us."
"Ally, they break up because they don't love each other."
Keith heard her sigh of exhaustion. He inclined his head and shrugged slightly.
"Allura, I want you to enjoy your 'college experience', to meet new people like I did when I was in the Academy, and not feel tied down. Couples in love give each other the freedom to be themselves. To do otherwise is controlling, and I *know* that people run away from those who make them feel smothered, and I don't want to lose you."
"Keith, I- "
"Allura- you had a life before this war, and I don't want to take that away from you."
She fell silent then, her head bowed, her muscles tense. He was more concerned about her peace of mind than with his own needs, and the realization brought a fresh wave of pain and shame.
"But I don't want to break up with you," she whispered, blinking back tears. "In my heart I feel we're meant for each other."
"I feel the same way." He then chuckled softly. "Besides, I don't want to make you feel guilty about going out with your classmates."
She flinched slightly. ~My classmates aren't the problem, Lance is,~ she thought despairingly.
"Who knows? Maybe this could prove to be a period of exciting growth for both of us," he finished softly.
"Oh, Keith," she sighed, "I want to believe that so much."
She glanced up at him, and found a look upon his face that was both tender and bittersweet. "Believe it," he declared.
Her gaze met his without faltering before she moved to stand before the door. "I will," she said simply, turning to look at him once more.
Keith felt uncomfortable as he searched her eyes. She spoke the truth, he knew. How else would she ever tell him about her fears?
When she left, Keith opened the window and heaved a heavy sigh. He ached to grab her. Shout that he loved her. But those damned surveillance cameras wouldn't let him.
Is she having doubts? He asked himself, his brow furrowing in distress.
Reason held him quiet and stilled the impulse to claim her. For even should she answer that she did love him, it could be out of duty, and it wasn't fair for either of them; she needed time and he was willing to give it to her.
But nobody said it was going to be easy.
When he had counted hundreds of stars and filled his lungs with the cold night air until it burned like icy needles, he closed the window and made his way to the control room for the night shift.
He didn't feel like giving thanks tonight.
The End.
11/29/2000
Revised 03/07/2015
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