~Drat! Enough rubbed off that it's showing. What should I say?~ Allura pondered. She lifted her hand to cover her cheek. "Oh, you mean this?" She echoed, trying to buy time as her thoughts scrambled to locate a plausible excuse.

"Yes. That." Her Guardian responded, succinctly. ~Youthful hi-jinks, or not, if one of those young men has purposely done something to injure the Princess, there will certainly be consequences!~ He thought, heatedly.

She chuckled at his dire expression. "Coran, please, stop looking so vengeful, it's my own fault this happened! I wasn't watching where I was going, and I smacked into a falling chunk of ice when we were sledding." There was an element of truth in that statement; she had been wrapped up in thoughts of Keith when the slush ball had found its target.

"Has Dr. Gorma seen to it?" Her Guardian also dropped onto the sectional, directly opposite her. His gaze was stern, but anxious as well.

"No, and he's not going to; he's too busy to bother for a minor scrape. I can get my own ice packs! Besides, I've had nastier contusions than this one, you know." She informed him, airily.

He looked skeptical at first; granted, he had seen her tired and sore after a battle, but had never seen her look so beat up. Up until now he felt the team, and especially the Captain, had kept her well protected, but ironically had not done so today when the team was only fooling around. How could a chunk of ice make a mark like that, unless it had been deliberately thrown? Obviously, she was protecting someone. His anxiety level rose yet again, as all his past misgivings about letting Allura hang around with the 'rough and tough' Space Explorers returned. "You have? Where?"

"Uh-huh... and let's just say, in less observable locations." She informed him, matter-of-factly.

Coran gave her a perplexed look, then glanced down and fumbled with the folder he had brought, opening it and paging unnecessarily through its contents, as he avoided direct eye contact with his Princess.

"They were mostly from bad landings, " she added, mischievously, "and they healed just fine on their own."

Her guardian winced, but kept his eyes fixed on the papers in his hand.

"Oh. Well. That is good...about the healing, I mean. I am quite certain you would use proper judgment in making these types of decisions, Princess, it is just that I am...was... worried about you, that's all. And of course, there is no way for me to know about what I won't see, unless you choose to tell me, so...ah, that complicates matters. I do not wish to offend you by asking." His hands now gripped the papers as if he were in a hurricane.

Allura secretly chuckled at his discomfiture. He always clammed up when subjects that he deemed 'awkward in nature' arose, and conversation about her body and its workings definitely fell under that category.

She smiled fondly at the person who she considered her most loyal subject. For such a forward thinking man, he could be exceedingly old fashioned, but she wouldn't want it any other way. Coran was an absolute treasure just the way he was and because of what he stood for, chivalry, honesty and honor. As her gaze ran over his studiously bent head, she noted with loving concern the spots where the reddish-brown waves were now lightly sprinkled with gray; gray that had not been there one short year ago. There were new lines marking the classically sculpted features, and his once ruddy skin had taken on the unhealthy pallor of one who worked too much and enjoyed life far too little.

Allura thought of how much her guardian had sacrificed for her and for Arus. Technically, it was Coran's sworn obligation to see to her welfare, but she knew without doubt that his concern went beyond duty, because that was just the kind of man he was; he cared profoundly about whatever he undertook to uphold and sustain. There were no half measures for this man at all; never once had he distanced himself from his charge despite the horror of all that had happened to his family and to his Planet Arus.

Tender feelings flooded her being for the man who had willingly become a surrogate father and trustworthy protector to a forlorn, shell-shocked orphan even after the heart-rending loss of his own family. As she gazed at the noble, selflessly giving man in front of her, Allura suddenly felt the urgent need to express what she felt in her heart.

Coran gave a start when the Princess reached over and took hold of his free hand. He set down the file, viewed her solemn expression, and felt the lines across his forehead deepen as she grasped his other hand as well. She looked as what she had to tell him was of great importance, and he could sense her internal struggle to form the proper words.

She was distressed about something! What could it be? Her injury? The team? The dashing young Captain, perhaps?

He had completely given up trying to unravel the complexities of her moods by the time she had turned sixteen...now, at twenty-one, she was much less volatile, but had become more of a mystery to him, with the riddle being what would she do next to establish her autonomy from himself and Nanny? A frowned-upon (at least by Nanny) romance with the Captain was the most plausible theory.

Having no idea how to deal with the situation, or her curious frame of mind, the Royal Advisor simply regarded her with a kind, steady gaze and a patient demeanor, as he waited for her pronouncement.

Allura spoke with great sincerity, her lovely eyes appearing quite solemn as they looked into his. "My dearest Coran, I would like to acknowledge my gratitude for all you have done for me. You have given my family more than half a lifetime of loyal and devoted service, and I have given you naught but headaches and worries in return for that service. I am truly sorry for that, and I hope to do better for you in the future."

Her Guardian seemed very much taken aback at her heartfelt words. He looked down at their clasped hands, and back up at her earnest expression. Then, for a moment, his eyes crinkled and a smile curled his luxuriant mustache.

"What you give me, and have given me, Allura, is no less than what any man would expect from his own daughter." He said, gently. "You have given me the pleasure of seeing you grow into a fine young woman. You have given me purpose. You have given me hope for the future."

He paused, squeezing her hand and noisily clearing his throat as he saw her eyes well with tears. His own gaze was a little misty; mercy, it wouldn't do to turn into a blubbering fool right now, there was too much work to be done! He gave her hands a final squeeze, and then released them, picking up the folder once more. "Hmph. Well, there it is, then. Shall we go over our checklist now?"

A laugh bubbled out of the Princess as she reached out for the list he handed her.

"I love you, Coran. You know that, don't you?"

"Yes, Allura, I know." The mustache turned up and the weary hazel eyes sparkled at her once more. "And I love you. Now, no more stalling- let's get this done!"

"Yes sir!"

Elsewhere in the castle...

"Hey, what's that smell?"

Pidge's boisterous question immediately roused Hunk from his comfortable, schnapps- induced stupor. His wide nostrils flared, as the scent ticked them, and his dark head lifted from the well-placed indentation in his recliner's headrest. He inhaled deeply, trying to place the delightful aroma that had wafted into their quarters.

He sat bolt upright as his internal sensors identified the source.

He inhaled again, just to sure- yes, there was no mistaking it.

He grinned as his salivary glands went into overdrive.

He sent a delighted look over to his little buddy.

"What? You know, don't you? What is it? " Pidge asked eagerly, upon seeing the joy in his best friend's broad grin and the anticipatory glow in the dancing black eyes.

Hunk nodded silently, his grin spreading from ear to ear.

"Well don't just sit there smiling like a big doofus, clue me in!" The boy snapped impatiently.

"It's...gingerbread!" The word flowed off Hunk's tongue like an endearment.

"Gingerbread?" Pidge echoed. He breathed in the spicy fragrance permeating the air and looked back at his friend who was cackling in glee. "My gosh, you're right! It is gingerbread!"

The Yellow Lion pilot took another deep inhalation, and then ran both hands over his tousled hair. "I think this bears investigating, I mean, where in the world would Nanny ever get the idea of making gingerbread?"

"Who cares? Let's just go get some!" The Green Lion pilot exclaimed.

A scant five minutes later found them approaching the inviolable domain of the Princess' governess, all senses on full alert.

An all-too-familiar figure immediately headed them off at the pass, arms folded uncompromisingly across her middle, as she blocked the entrance into gastronomic paradise. The large steel ladle hanging from a side loop on her apron either made her look like a benevolent domestic goddess, or a warrior woman preparing to do battle with her trusty mace, depending on one's point of view.

"Go back." Nanny informed them, tersely. "No free samples today, by direct order of Her Majesty."

Hunk bowed deeply to her, showing surprising grace, and respect. " O Supreme Commander of the Royal Domicile, though I fear I am not worthy to be the mat under your impeccably polished shoes, I would still request a favor."

Nanny and Pidge both gaped at this unusually brilliant display of etiquette.

Upon seeing that he had a most attentive audience, the Yellow Lion pilot continued. "If my olfactory nerve serves me, I have deduced that you are baking gingerbread, a treat I haven't had since my Academy days. Please, my lady, a small scrap, or crumb is all I require to achieve Nirvana."

Having verbalized his plea, the big man sank to one knee, reaching for the governess' hand. He tugged it free of the arm it was tucked under, and held it in a courtly manner, while giving the woman the most powerfully beseeching look she had ever seen.

Her lips twitched.

Hunk, sensing a weakness, moved in for the kill.

"Please?" He half-whispered, giving her his most winning smile.

Pidge blinked at the kneeling figure and then turned his incredulous gaze to Nanny.

She was...smiling.

"Since you haf asked me properly, I shall grant your request. A small piece for each of you, on the condition that you return to your quarters to eat it." The governess nodded decisively.

"It's a deal," Pidge blurted out, grinning from ear to ear.

"My deepest thanks, my lady. I am forever in your debt." Hunk brought the work-roughened hand to his lips and bussed it gently, before releasing it and getting to his feet.

Nanny's stunned gaze lifted with him, as she watched him stand. Her lips parted, closed, and then opened in an 'O' of surprise. Finally, she gathered her scattered wits and turned, mumbling that she'd return in a moment.

When she did, it was with two slices of gingerbread the size of a small plate.

"Here you go, enjoy, and don't let me see you back here again today." She informed them, trying to sound stern and failing miserably.

"Yes ma'am!"

"Of course, my lady."

The two pilots turned and strolled down the hall, inhaling their fragrant treats.

"Where did you learn to do that?" Pidge asked his smiling friend.

"From watching old movies, and from observing Keith and the Princess. Those two are right out of book."

Pidge gave his large buddy a sidelong smirk. "Yeah- Keith always does things by the book."

"Aw..." Hunk groaned, then chuckled. "That was bad."

"Puns are supposed to be bad, otherwise, what's the point?"

"Huh, yeah, that's true. Well, little buddy, .I'm dying to dig into this...hunk of gingerbread so...let's book!"

"Sheesh! And you said I'm bad!"

Riotous laughter drifted back to the ever vigilant Nanny who remained outside the kitchens to ensure the intruders left.

~That was a close one...they nearly saw everything for the feast tomorrow.~ She thought, uneasily. ~Now, I really must go find something for the costume that Allura wanted. Perhaps the archives would have some old material that would serve.~

After depositing her apron in the kitchen, Nanny set off on her quest.

Back in the lounge, Allura stretched contentedly. Everything was taken care of; nothing left for her to do except wrap the gifts and find clothes for Santa Claus.

Coran had already left, to see to the tree and decorations.

~So far so good.~ She thought happily, getting to her feet. ~Now I just have to keep a straight face until tomorrow night and pray that there's no trouble from Doom.~

Entrenched in his quarters, Keith was finally finishing the last of his reports. They had gone surprisingly quickly, now that he was focusing. Sometimes a little time off was beneficial.

Clicking on the preview button, he thoroughly proofread his work, and then clicked on 'send'. He leaned back with a satisfied sigh as he watched an envelope materialize and rotate on a deep space background, until a cyber lion appeared to fetch it. The king of beasts then bounded off the screen; leaving huge tracks that spelled out the missive 'your message has been sent' in its wake.

~Pidge is sure a graphics genius~ Keith thought, smiling. ~I wonder if Princess has seen his newest upgrade?~ His smile turned soft and dreamy as he thought of the woman who definitely had seized his heart and ran off with it, much like the cyber lion had run off with his email.

He laughed at himself. Here he was, alone and staring at an inanimate lump of circuits and wires, and thinking of romance. He must be a little crazy, what person in their right mind could find anything romantic in a PC? Although...

The impulse to write something struck him- hard. Not a report, not a letter, but something personal. He impulsively opened a file, and stared at the inviting, brand new document waiting to receive his thoughts.

Reaching over he flicked on his stereo. As the strains of a Terran love song filled the air, he began to type.

To be continued...:)