Keith watched the Princess lying at his side sleep. Her face was in perfect repose and he couldn't even begin to count how many times, in the past two days alone, that he wished he could see her sleep. He brushed a curling lock of hair from her cheek back behind her ear and she stirred slightly, but didn't awaken. He caressed the bare arm that she had thrown across his chest and smiled as he thought of what had just happened. He would think about the ramifications of their actions tomorrow, but for now, he would enjoy what they had. A lingering worry dampened his happiness as he thought there was a good chance he would lose everything he had worked hard for as soon as Coran found out what had happened here.

He began to move away from Allura, but her arm had a fast hold on him. She refused to let him go. He had to smile to himself. Even in sleep, she didn't want to let him go. He owed her so much and she deserved so much more than him, but despite all that, she wanted him. He marveled at the strength of this woman's love, that even though she had lost everything to Zarkon, she still had the capacity to give herself completely to an emotion that could ultimately destroy her. He felt like a coward, and the lowest form of life when he compared himself to her.

"Keith...don't leave me..." she muttered.

He looked to see if she was awake, but her eyelids were still fastened over the big blue eyes that he lost himself in. He settled back down beside her and tucked her head underneath his chin. He closed his eyes and hoped that morning would come slowly.

Allura stiffened as she slowly woke up and realized that she wasn't alone. Her eyelids felt puffy and she knew she had slept too long when she could see that the sun was already halfway across the sky. Slowly, her senses came alive and she could feel the soft linen against her bare skin. She moaned softly and snuggled against the warmth that was near her. She could feel a hand caress her naked back. The memories from the night before brought a smile to her face and she had to fight back the urge to giggle uncontrollably. She had done it. They had done it. At long last.

"Are you awake?" Keith whispered, his breath rustling her hair.

"I am now," she replied, looking at him and smiling. Her smile faded when she could see the worried expression on his face.

He began to pull himself away from her, but she held on to his arm with a strong grip. Her blue eyes glittered dangerously. "Don't you dare leave me now," she said under her breath.

Her nails bit into his skin as her grip tightened painfully. He didn't make another move to go. He laid back on his pillow and sighed. He had been sighing a lot these days. The Princess rolled until she wasn't leaning on him and laid back on the other pillow. She crossed her arms over the sheets self-consciously, realizing her state of undress.

"I can't believe you were going to leave me," she said, trying not to sound pathetic.

"I wasn't going to leave," he said softly, turning to look at her. He curled a long blonde lock around his index finger and tugged her closer to him. "I'm going back with you."

"What?"

He pulled her closer until they were nose to nose. He kissed her lightly.

"Never will I be sorry that I love you," he said sincerely. "I'm sorry that I didn't have a chance to love you under better circumstances, but I'm not sorry that this happened." He smiled and to Allura, it was like the sun in her life rose again. "I'm going back with you."

With a joyous laugh, she threw herself at him, causing him to fall hard against the mattress. She rained kisses all over his face and tightened her arms around his neck. He laughed and held her to him.

"We should get dressed and see Sven and Romelle," he pointed out. "We're being rude, staying in bed all day."

"I'm sure they'll understand," she argued, pressing kisses against his jaw.

Keith laughed, and gently detached her. She pouted prettily, but got up and pulled on her jumpsuit. She kept her back to him, feeling suddenly shy. He grinned as he put his own uniform on. She was still the Virgin Princess, though techinically that would be a misnomer, and it amused him to think that this blushing young woman was the same woman who had abandoned all thought to propriety the night before.

They left his room together and made their way to the dining room. Sven and Romelle were seated next to each other, their heads close together and twin smiles on their faces as if they shared the universe's greatest secret. They looked up in unison at the sound of the doors opening and grinned when they saw their friends.

"Good afternoon," Romelle said, a laugh in her voice. "You two look refreshed. Sleep good last night?"

Allura could feel her face heat. She refused to look at Keith's reaction, but from the quivering she felt at her side, he was taking Romelle's question better than she was.

"Very well actually," he said. "You look a little tired out, Romelle. Tough night?"

Her eyes widened and she laughed. Sven had the grace to look embarrassed. It was no secret in the castle that his chambers were abandoned for the most part of the night.

"Touche," the Princess of Pollux laughed. "Touche."

They grinned at each other and a friendship was forged. Allura looked from her cousin to the man at her side and had a feeling that she was missing something. There was something between them that wasn't there before and she knew it was all due to her. Keith and Romelle exchanged a look, and they knew each forgave the other for whatever harsh words were said.

Allura walked to the table and took a seat across from Romelle. A servant girl immediately appeared with two plates. Allura took one sniff of the food and her mouth watered. She hadn't eaten since the day before. She was concentrating so hard on not shoveling the food into her mouth that she didn't even notice that Keith was doing just that. His appetite was finally back and he was making up for the lost time.

Sven and Romelle exchanged amused glances. Underneath the table their hands were linked. Sven brushed his thumb lightly against her smooth skin. She looked at him. He nudged his head towards the door. They stood.

"Excuse us. We'll be right back."

The other two didn't even look up. They went out the door.

"Coran's wants to send a fleet to get her back," Romelle said in an urgent whisper.

"Did you try to..."

"I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn't listen. He's acting just like a father whose daughter has run away."

"Coran iz like a fader to her. I understand why he would act dis vay."

Romelle pursed her lips. "We have to stop him. We have to give them some time to settle whatever's between them and strengthen themselves against Coran."

"Ve send dem to Eart," Sven said matter-of-factly.

Romelle stared at him. "Are you serious?"

"Completely."

"Do you know the trouble...I can't even...Sven..." Romelle sputtered. "They can't leave!"

He raised an eyebrow. "Dey already haf."

"That's a good point, but still..."

"How about ve tell Coran where dey've gone and talk him into leafing dem be until dey are ready."

"They don't exactly have all the time in the world. When Lotor finds out that two pilots are gone, he's going to destroy Arus in one swoop."

"I'll talk to him."

The two conspirators jumped in surprise at the sound of Allura's voice. She smirked at them.

"I was just going to the bathroom," she said. "Lucky me, I hear some interesting bits of information on the way there."

"So you're going to talk to Coran?" Sven asked her.

"Yes," Allura said firmly. "Where's the castle control?"

"Follow me," Sven said.

They made their way down the corridors. Romelle went back into the dining room where Keith was still stuffing his face, unaware of what had occured just outside. He looked at Romelle with a question in his eyes.

"She's gone to call Coran," Romelle said nonchalantly.

Keith coughed violently, choking on the food that was halfway down his throat. He took a big gulp of his goblet of juice. He stared at Romelle as if she had sprouted an extra head.

"You can't be serious," he gasped. "We were going to go back today. What's she doing?"

"You're not going back today," she told him. "You're going back next week. Allura's arranging your vacation plans."

Keith pushed his chair back with a loud screech and bolted out the door. Romelle followed at a more leisurely pace, enjoying the entertainment her cousin and her cousin's consort provided. If she had pockets, she would have put her hands in them and began whistling. She heard Keith's quick footsteps disappear down the corridor.

Gasping for air, Keith burst into the control room just as Allura was taking a seat. She turned and smiled when she saw him, but there was a shark-like quality to the way her teeth were bared at him.

"Before you say anything, remember that you owe me this. I traveled for a whole day for you. You put me through hell and I deserve a break. You are going to sit down and shut up."

Too stunned to say anything, Keith did as he was told, but sat at her side to show his support. Sven typed in the commands to link them to the Castle of Lions. Allura held her breath as the screen before them flickered. She thought that her speech would be the hardest thing she would have to do, but it couldn't even compare to what she was doing now. She clutched Keith's hand tightly. They exchanged a glance as if to ask each other if they were really doing the right thing.

I love you, he mouthed.

Allura kissed his cheek and turned to the screen. It was worth it. Nothing was important when there was no love in a life. She turned to the screen and faced Coran with a will of steel.