Allura's fingers drummed a rhythm on the armrest of her hoverchair. She used to pace when she fell into deep thinking, but with the advent of her injury she'd learned to curb her restlessness. A stack of data pads remained on the desk in front of her, but today's work was finished. She'd finally made a dent in the work load she'd been struggling with for the past few days, and could actually see the surface of the beautiful oak desk that Keith had gotten for her.

At the thought of her friend, the Princess' almost light mood darkened. She glowered at the data pad sitting in front of her. He'd been gone for over a week and they hadn't heard a word from him. She was more worried than curious as to what he was up to. Hopefully, he would be better when he returned. She only wished....

The light sound of the doorchime broke her thoughts. She looked up suspiciously, wondering who might be up roaming around this time of night. Normally, she would have guessed that it was Keith, but that was unlikely, especially given how they had parted. Somehow she doubted his first thought on returning would be to come and see her.

"It's Romelle," said the muffled voice on the other side of the doors.

Sighing, Allura pushed a button on the control pad installed on the side of her desk. Romelle, in her nightgown and covered in a robe, walked in with a small smile on her face.

"You're up a little late, aren't you?" she observed.

"So are you," Allura returned. "Something on your mind?"

"As a matter of fact....I just wanted to talk."

Allura smiled slightly. "So are you ready for your trip?"

"Almost...." Romelle frowned. "Sven isn't coming with me."

"I know. He'll follow later on. He loves you, Cousin."

"But he also has a strong sense of duty and he won't leave Arus as long as three Voltron pilots are down. I understand...I just wish he were coming with me."

Allura nodded. "We're working to get replacements. But he knows his way around the Lions, Romelle. I'd like to keep him here for a while. Our defenses..."

"No need to explain, Allura," Romelle interrupted as she sat down on the couch.

Allura came out from behind the desk to place herself near her cousin. Romelle tapped a finger against the steel of Allura's hoverchair. It made a hollow, clanging sound.

"So how's your therapy coming along?" she asked worriedly.

"Good. We're working to strengthen my leg muscles...get some feeling back in my toes." Allura smirked. "I never thought I'd be taking my first steps twice in one lifetime."

Romelle smiled. "Not everyone can say that. Have you heard from Keith yet?"

To her cousin, Allura seemed to fold back into herself, her blue eyes dull. "No, I haven't."

Romelle pinned Allura with an inquiring look.

"Keith wants to be left alone," Allura said with a shrug. "And I'm not reading anything more into his silence than that."

Romelle saw that her cousin was not going to offer more than that. She leaned back in the couch and crossed her arms.

"What is going on with you two?"

"Who two?"

"You and Keith...."

Allura frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you spent every waking hour next to him and lose all interest in everything else while you were at it. I've never seen you look so worried before, Allura, and believe me, there were many instances when you had enough reason to look more worried."

Allura averted her eyes, staring at the tips of her slippers as if they held the secrets of the universe.

Or Keith's heart, Romelle mused.

"It's the same worry I'd feel for any close friend of mine," Allura replied nonchalantly.

"I'm sure Pidge would have been ecstatic if he'd woken up with you at his side," Romelle said slyly.

"Oh for Riaru's sake....Romelle!" Allura sputtered helplessly.

"Seriously though," Romelle said, her expression somber. "The Castle is a-buzz with speculation. You and Keith aren't..."

Few things in the universe could make the Princess of Arus blush, but what Romelle was implying took the cake. Romelle had to bite back a shriek of laughter at the bright red hue of Allura's cheeks.

"NO!" Allura exclaimed. "Romelle, for Riaru's sake, what has gotten into you?!?"

"Just curiosity. You have to admit, you and Keith are pretty close."

"Not that close! We're good friends though after everything that's happened..." she hesitated, "I think things have changed."

Despite the even tone, Romelle could see that this change was hurting Allura more deeply than she would admit.

"They don't have to," she said softly.

"But they have. I can't--I won't do anything about it. It's what he wants."

"He doesn't know what he wants right now, Allura."

"We'll see." Allura looked at her cousin through hooded eyes. "I think I'm going to bed. It's getting late."

"Alright. I should do the same."

Romelle stood and they walked to the door. As they went their separate ways, Allura said over her shoulder, "Say goodnight to Sven for me."

Before Romelle could think of a suitable response, her cousin was already gone.

Allura grimaced as she struggled to lift her leg. Her therapist, a young woman named Nica, calmly encouraged her. Allura gritted her teeth and finally succeeded.

"That's great work, Princess. I think we're done for the day, don't you?" Nica said with a smile.

"Yeah, I'd say so," Allura said, wiping the sweat from her brow.

"Do you want me to help you back into your chair?"

"No. I can do it."

"Alright."

Nica turned and began putting the therapy room back in order. Allura sat up from her position on the mats and pulled herself onto her chair. She was just getting settled when Gwen walked in.

"Hey, you're getting a workout," she commented.

Allura took the towel Nica was holding out and mopped up her face. "I know. I don't think I've worked this hard before."

"And she's progressing with leaps and bounds," Nica added proudly. "At this rate, she'll be up and around in no time."

"I'll be sure to warn Lance," Gwen said dryly.

They moved towards the doorway. Gwen looked pensive and Allura caught it.

"Something on your mind?" she asked.

"I want to leave Arus, Allura."

"Seems like everyone does," Allura said calmly. "I'll miss you, Gwen. I'm sure Lance will too..unless..."

"No, he's not coming along. In fact, I haven't told him. I'm not certain if Morgan and I are leaving, but it's a possibility."

The Princess frowned. "Why come to me?"

"I was hoping," she paused. "I thought you'd give me a good reason to stay."

"We need you here. If there was any place where you could distinguish yourself as a leader and an officer, it's here."

"But we're in a hot zone. I don't want Morgan in danger."

"As long as we're at war with Zarkon, you can't get away from it, Gwen. At least here Morgan has an extended family. She's got Lance and people to fuss over her, and watch over her. And you too. You know you're happy here."

"I'm just afraid. Niloc came close, Allura. Too close."

Allura's mouth twisted. "That he did."

"What if Lotor and Zarkon decide they want to focus all their energies on us. What if..."

"Can't live with what ifs, Gwen. I can't give you any guarantees that you'll be safe here. I can barely guarantee that for my people who live outside these fortified walls. But you have to stay where it's right for you."

Gwen smiled for the first time in days. "You're a wise woman, Princess."

"Can I get that in writing?"

They laughed and turned the corner towards Allura's chambers.

"You know, I admit that I thought you'd have a terrible time with all of this, but I think that it's changed you for the better," Gwen said. "So some good has come out of this. Does that sound crass?"

"No. I think you're right. Almost dying makes you look at things differently," Allura said wryly.

"Seriously though..."

"No, I know what you mean. I do feel different. Everything seems crisper. Sharper somehow. Duty is important, but now I know that there are things beyond that. Corny, isn't it?"

"Of course not. I think Pidge feels the same way. He's designing new things every second. He doesn't want to waste time. Hunk and I had to force him to rest."

Allura smiled. "He's been showing me his designs. He's got good ideas, but I think he needs Hunk's help in how they're going to look. Pidge may be a technological genius, but he's no artist."

They finally reached Allura's doors and Princess keyed in her code. The doors slid open and Gwen was struck by how empty the large chambers were. There was only a bed, a dresser, and two armchairs. The colors were neutral beiges and cremes, and did not really have a personal touch to them. Allura's study was separate, so there were no books or pads in sight. The Princess invited Gwen in and she took a seat in the armchair which was comfortable. Allura went into her large closet and pulled out a jumpsuit. Her closet was full of them.

"I know it's plain," Allura said, catching Gwen's surprise at her spartan furnishings. "But I don't spent much time here. I even sleep in my study sometimes. Well, I used to anyway."

She went into the bathroom so she could wash up, and turned on the intercom so she and Gwen could continue their conversation.

"You and Keith are alike," Gwen observed. "His quarters are the same."

"I know."

Gwen's surprised silence spoke volumes and Allura sighed. "I've seen all their rooms. Nothing lewd about it."

"It's just hard not to notice."

"We're just friends. Good friends. Nothing more. I don't understand why people think there's anything more. It's been nearly three years after all. You can't expect us not to have some degree of intimacy."

"I'll be sure to pass the word along. People have been bothering you, huh?"

"Just a comment here and there. But it builds up. If Nanny sits me down and starts explaning about the birds and the bees, I'm going to have to kill someone."

Gwen laughed. Allura emerged, dressed in the crip jumpsuit and her hair arranged in a bun. She rearranged her turtleneck and tucked an errant strand behind her ear. Gwen stood.

"To Castle Control?" she asked.

"Yes."

They headed out, engaged in friendly conversation. Turning a corner, they nearly collided with Hunk whose arms were full of data pads. Gwen grabbed some they slipped from his grasp. They exchanged a smile.

"Good day, Ladies," Hunk said smoothly.

"Good day, Laddie," Gwen returned. "Where are you off to?"

"Where else?"

"How are the Lions coming along, Hunk?" Allura asked.

"They're coming along, which is really all I'm asking for."

"I'll help you with these pads," Gwen said. "It was nice talking to you, Allura."

"I'll see you two later then," Allura said.

They headed off in the opposite direction, and when Allura heard Gwen's laughter echoing down the corridor, she thought of another reason why Gwen wouldn't want to leave.

Hunk.