Lance entered Link's home, his hands in his pockets and whistling a cheery tune. He found her in her study, her glasses propped on her nose and a stack of data pads in front of her. Silently, he leaned against the doorway and watched her work, thinking how beautiful she looked as she worked, and how lucky he was that he'd found her.

Suddenly, he found himself on the ground, the wind knocked out of him, and Link's knee on his chest.

"Jeeezus," he wheezed.

With a laugh, Link got up and offered him a hand. He took it and allowed her to pull him up as he tried to catch his breath.

"For a small woman, you sure know how to pack a wallop," he managed to say.

She grinned. "Well, I have to protect myself from intruders like you."

He growled and yanked her into his arms, but his eyes were dancing. She laughed just before he kissed her and then all was forgotten as they let their passion consume them.

Later, as Link was curled up at his side, Lance stared at her peaceful countenance, his own usually turbulent thoughts turning just as peaceful. Ever since he'd met her, he saw the changes in himself. He wasn't as restless or as mouthy--though he doubted the others would agree with him if he told them that. She brought a kind of serenity in his life that he never expected to find.

His entire family had been the temperamental sort. He remembered the fights his parents used to have. His mother's hispanic heritage clashed mightily with his father's Irish bent, and although Lance knew they loved each other, it always seemed like the end of the world when they fought. Of course, he and Gwen weren't bothered by it. If anything, they were worse than their parents. He had a scar on his shoulder from when Gwen had bitten him when they were eight.

Link sighed in her sleep and his thoughts turned to her again. He'd always thought of himself as a playboy, but after meeting her, all other women paled in comparison. He wanted nothing more than to spend forever with her...

"Link..." he whispered, gently shaking her.

"Mmmm..." she murmured into his shoulder.

"Wake up. I have to ask you something."

She opened one stormy gray eye and he chuckled when he saw how annoyed with him she was for waking her up.

"What?" she growled, wanting to go back to sleep.

"I know we haven't known each other very long, but I've never felt this way about anybody, and I've never been so sure of anything in my life. So, Linkadriel Varun...will you marry me?"

Link stared at Lance as if he'd lost her mind. But she saw in his eyes that he was serious because she could see that he was afraid of what she would say. She knew then that she loved this man even though they'd known each other for only a week. No amount of time was needed for her to realize this truth. They spent hours just talking about their beliefs and their thoughts. They were mentally and physically compatible. She felt like she'd known Lance forever.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked, sitting up and resting a hand on his chest. "I mean, this isn't just a simple question, Lance."

"Actually, it is, Link. It's a yes or no answer," he replied lightly.

"You wouldn't mind being married to a politician?"

"Not if you don't mind being married to a lowly AF pilot."

She smiled and when she did, Lance felt like he could take on the whole Doom Fleet.

"Yes."

Lance ran full tilt down the corridor. He skidded to a stop in front of the rec room where he saw Keith standing. At the sound of Lance's running feet, Keith turned around and nearly toppled over when Lance grabbed him by the shoulders, grinning widely.

"I'm getting married!" he yelled.

"WHAT?" Keith demanded, his eyes about to pop out of his head.

"Link and I are getting married! Tomorrow..next week...the week after....we're getting married!"

Keith could only stare, his mouth moving with no sound coming out.

"I'm not going nuts," Lance said, reading his thoughts. "I love her and she loves me. We both think this is right and we want it."

"You...you..." Keith cleared his throat and calmed down. "Congratuations, Lance." He smiled wanly.

Lance frowned. He had expected some kind of lecture, even yelling, but not this easy agreement. His sharp brown eyes studied Keith's face.

"What's wrong?" he asked. "What happened? Did you and Allura have another fight?"

At the mention of the Princess' name, Keith paled. He turned back to the window.

"Nothing happened, Lance."

"Then why do you look like you're about to die?"

Because it feels like I am...

"Keith...?"

"Go tell the others, Lance. They'll be happy to hear this news." He turned slightly to smile again. "The confirmed bachelor actually getting married. I didn't think I saw pigs flying this morning, but I guess I was wrong."

Lance put a hand on his friend's shoulder, worried. "What is it, Keith?"

"Nothing, Lance. Nothing."

Lance wanted to know, but he let the matter drop...for now. He left Keith to his thoughts and left to spread the news, but he was more subdued. He wanted to get to the bottom of this.

Allura called Alderain into her study that night. He walked in, looking like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"You saw the news broadcast?" he said.

"Who didn't?" she returned bitingly. "I just wanted to formally end our courtship."

"But..but...nothing happened!" he protested, though it was half-hearted.

"Yes, something did. You fell in love this afternoon." And so did I.

Alderain couldn't meet her eyes. "I can't even begin to tell you how ashamed I am."

Allura's expression softened and reached over to put her hand over his. "Don't be. I wish you two all the happiness in the world."

He looked up, surprised. "Really?"

"Yes."

"She's pregnant...my family will not be pleased because her child could be the next in line to the throne."

"You'll find your way around it."

"Yes. Do you believe in love at first sight, Allura?"

She leaned back in her chair and thought back to the first time she'd seen Keith. She certainly didn't love him then and the thought made her smile.

"I don't know," she answered.

"I think I loved Maerie from the first moment I saw her," Alderain confessed.

"We all knew that. You didn't hide it very well."

He blushed. "I'm sorry if my behavior caused you any embarrassment."

She waved a hand in the air. "It's alright, Alderain. All that is passed now. Just make sure you invite me to the wedding."

She stood and they embraced.

"Thank you, Allura. I still extend my offer to help you in any way necessary."

"And I humbly accept it."

He smiled at her, and she didn't think she'd seen him happier than he was at that moment. Then, he looked thoughtful and he studied her face.

"Are you alright? You look...ill."

"I'm fine." Good thing Maerie already loves him...he's no charmer.

"Should I send you two invitations?" he asked, a wicked gleam in his eye.

"Why just two? Aren't you inviting the others?"

"I meant for you and...the Commander."

Allura stiffened. "We're just friends."

Alderain winked. "With me out of the way, you won't be just friends for long."

"Goodnight, Alderain."

He hugged her again. "I'm going to miss that. Goodnight, Allura."

He left her at last and Allura slumped into her chair. Her back ached and she didn't think she could get up to go to her room. Her eyes filled with helpless tears, but she refused to let them fall. She hadn't cried when Niloc had taken her prisoner and she wasn't going to cry now.

Taking several deep breaths, she forced herself to calm down. When her back stopped aching so unbearably, she tried standing again. She leaned heavily on her cane and made her way out of her office. She was almost at her door when a spasm overtook her and she gasped as she leaned against the wall for support. Beads of perspiration stood out on her forehead as she willed the pain to pass. She didn't hear the footsteps behind her nor Keith's sharp intake of breath.

"Allura!" Keith's worried voice reached her ears. His strong arms went around her waist and allowed him to support her. "What happened?"

"You happened, you bastard," she said between clenched teeth. "My back is killing me and it's your fault."

"My father's fault, not mine."

"No, half-wit. The stress of our...ordeal is making my back spasm."

Guilt tightened his features. He lifted her easily and entered her chambers. Gently, he lowered her into the bed, pulling the covers back and tucking her in. He ignored the temptation to climb into the bed with her and he could see in her face that she wanted him to, back aches be damned.

"Allura..." He had to fight to keep his voice in check. "It was your idea."

"Well damn me and my bad ideas," she retorted, then sighed and tried to smile for him. "Goodnight, Keith. Thanks."

"Goodnight, Princess."

"Sleep well."

He smiled, shaking his head. "Don't count on it."

He left the room and nearly collided with Lance.

"I saw you carrying her in. I thought you'd be in there for at least another ten minutes. I know it's been a while, but honestly, Keith...."

Keith glared at him and a weaker man would have turned and run. Lance decided he was just too stupid to do that.

"Shut up, Lance."

"You'll get her one day, Keith. I don't know what kind of barricade you two geniuses have concocted now, but it won't last long," Lance assured him as he walked away. "You and Allura...it's destiny."