Allura, still clinging to Keith's arm allowed him to lead her to the main floor where she was bombarded with well-wishers and those simply wanting to meet her. He kept a firm hold on her, keeping her close to his side as he kept an eye on those around them to make sure nothing was amiss. He pulled her free of the crowd beginning to grow around her to lessen the possible dangers and as he moved along, he found that they were in the middle of the dance floor. The band struck up a new song, a slow jazz beat that made the couples around them come closer together. Keith turned nervously to the Princess and bowed. She curtsied and took the hand he offered. He pulled her into his arms and began to sway.

Non dimenticar...means don't forget you are...my darling...

Allura closed her eyes, losing herself in the movements of their bodies. Keith didn't hold her as close as the other men held their women, but the way he held her was almost possessive and she wasn't sure how she felt about that. But she did know that she was enjoying herself, finding herself comfortable in his arms. She trusted him.

Keith could smell the light perfume that the Princess was wearing and it was playing havoc with his senses. His hand twitched at her waist, wanting to stroke her bare back, but he dared not. He did pull her slightly closer until their cheeks were touching and he held her hand against his heart. She looked up at him, blue eyes glinting in the semi-darkness and he looked down at her, a small smile touching his lips.

He felt her hand slide up from the base of his neck to right beneath his hairline. Her fingers began to tangle themselves in the short bristles of his black hair and he closed his eyes, stifling a groan. She didn't seem aware of the sound as her fingers reveled in the softness of his hair and she smiled. She looked up at him and found him looking back at her with an intense expression. She felt a lump grow in her throat in the beginnings of panic, but then he smiled and he was her friend Keith again. He pulled her closer to him, the smile pasted on his face to keep her off guard, and as planned she moved compliantly.

"You're a wonderful dancer," she whispered.

"Thank you."

Suddenly, the spell was broken when he felt a hand on his elbow. He looked up and found a handsome young Prince wanting to cut in on the dance. Allura turned surprisingly annoyed eyes at him as she was taken up into the other man's arms. Keith stepped back into the crowd surrounding the dance floor to keep an eye on her. He didn't like the way the Prince held her, too close in his opinion. Allura was looking at him as if he were speaking another language and Keith was sure the Prince was trying his hardest to impress her. He smirked.

Good luck.

Allura turned her head slightly and met his eyes. She smiled a smile that he'd never seen before. It was filled with feeling and he saw the promise of another dance...many more dances. He took a step back as if struck and then she was swung out of his view.

"Swallowed a fly, Chief?" Lance asked, studying Keith's stricken expression.

"N-no..."

Lance followed Keith's gaze and wasn't surprised to find Allura at the end of that line of vision. He patted Keith on the back.

"She's just a Princess," he sighed mockingly.

"Yeah..." Keith said distractedly. "Just another Princess." He looked at Lance. "Could you watch her? I've got to get some air."

"Sure."

Keith wove his way through the crowd and found his way into the rec room. He sat down on the couch and undid the first few buttons of his jacket. He desperately needed to loosen up, his shoulders had tensed up unbearably in only a few minutes. He had never panicked like that before, but then Allura had never smiled at him like that before. He needed to get out of the ballroom and its romantic music and dim lights so he could get his head straight. He'd been without a woman for too long for just a smile to make him react like this. Then again...Allura wasn't just an ordinary woman.

"Just another Princess," he muttered under his breath like a mantra. "Just another Princess..."

He didn't know how long he was sitting on the couch, but he heard footsteps making their way down the empty corridors and he stood to meet their owner. In the process, he nearly toppled Allura over as she came through the doorway as he was leaving it. He grabbed her shoulders to keep her steady and she huffed, the hair around her face moving with the air.

"Where have you been?" she demanded. "You're supposed to be my escort for tonight and you abandon me with Lance-a-lot-of-bull."

Keith had to smile at the nickname. "I'm sorry. I just needed to get out of there. It was a little stuffy."

He offered her his arm, but she moved past him to sit down on the couch with a huff of air as her skirt billowed out around her.

"I'm a little dizzy. That Prince whoever spun me around so much that I think my brain is still flying around in there."

"Can't leave the guests waiting," he said, holding out a hand to help her up.

"You're too thoughtful for your own good," she groused, taking it.

He walked her back to the ball. They danced all through the night, but Keith was careful to keep his distance from her. Always he kept the barrier of their friendship to keep him from feeling anything more. But Lance was keeping an eye on him and by the curl of his lip, he knew something was up. He winked at Keith as if they shared a grand secret. Allura was completely in the dark, but she was having a good time with her favorite commander. The ball died down early the next morning and as tradition, Allura was first to leave and thus ended the festivities. She bid her subjects and the others adieu with more flair than she had greeted them with. Keith then escorted her back to her chambers.

"You're a great date," he said lightly.

She grinned. "Thanks. I have to admit that I had a great time with you." She cocked her head to one side and regarded him thoughtfully.

"What?" he asked, running a self-conscious hand through his hair.

Quickly, as if he might disappear, she pressed a kiss on his cheek and after a wave disappeared through her chamber doors. He stared at the closed doors bemusedly.

Just another Princess...just another Princess...just another Princess...

~END~