The Princess interrupted him, anticipating the question. "I have run every scan in the book and I'm positive he's unaccompanied and unarmed from what my readouts are telling me. He's wearing civilian clothing and kneeling in front of Blue Lion. His head is down, and I can't see his expression, but it appears he's waiting for me to make the first move."

Keith tensed and his adrenaline kicked into high gear. A muscle jumped in his cheek as he considered what Allura had told him and his jaw clenched at the image of Lotor being in such close proximity to her, unarmed or not.

Luckily, his thought processes remained coolly analytical despite his physical and emotional responses to the impending danger. It was preposterous to think that their sworn enemy would ever let himself be taken captive in this way, and it was even more implausible that the evil Prince would ever risk being locked away from his favorite obsession. It had to be one of the depraved bastard's 'seize the Princess and run like hell' hoaxes. The Black Lion pilot smiled mirthlessly. ~It figures that the creep would show up on Christmas. Wonder if he heard about the mistletoe?~

Jerking himself out of his reverie, he radioed the others, informing them of the imminent danger and telling them to notify Castle Control and Coran at once.

"Allura needs backup, so I'm going in. No sense all of us being pinned down on the ground if his fleet shows up." The Voltron Captain's eyes had hardened to two chips of obsidian, and his features were set in the uncompromising lines of a warrior about to do battle.

"Be careful, Keith-don't try to take him on alone." Lance advised, upon seeing the expression on his best friend's face. "I know you really hate the guy-we all do- but be sensible. Call on us if there's trouble."

"We'll see. Black Lion out," was the terse response, before his leader severed visuals and the audio link.

Lance exchanged worried glances with Pidge and Hunk. "What happened to the 'we are a team' concept?"

Pidge added, "Yeah...and Keith's usually so cool, calm and collected when it comes to dealing with Zarkon and Hagar...why does he let this particular SOB get under his skin? Any guesses, Big Guy?"

Hunk smiled, a little sadly. "Because for the Skipper...when it comes down to dealing with Lotor...it's personal. Prince Piss Eye is determined to get Princess for himself. Keith is determined to prevent that at all costs, especially sin-…" he broke off, not wanting to betray Keith's trust any further.

Lance shot a searching look at the Yellow Lion pilot, a new suspicion dawning in his mind. Hunk's worried expression confirmed it.

"Sheist! Why didn't he tell me?" The Red Lion pilot exploded. "Something's happened between them hasn't it? You know, don't you? Did something happen in the lounge? Granted, Ally was a little tipsy, but...oh jeez, man! Just tell me if you know something I don't, okay?"

"What? The lounge? What happened?" Pidge asked, his eyes shifting back and forth between his teammates' on screen visages. The other two ignored him.

Hunk shrugged noncommittally. "What's to tell about the lounge? You know Keith doesn't confide in me that much. And if he did share something I wouldn't tell."

"Tell what?" Pidge inquired impatiently. Once again, his question was disregarded.

Lance glared at the Yellow Lion Pilot, mentally wishing away titanium hulls and a whole lot of airspace so he could get right in the Big Guy's face. Hunk stared back with an impassive expression, determined not to betray the only confidence that Keith had ever shared with him.

His patience paid off; gradually the ire faded from Lance's expression and he sighed wearily.

"I suppose the signs were all there, I just wasn't paying attention. And I do have a habit of making things rough for him, don't I? Always have, since academy days, especially when it came to the women he dated. That's why he doesn't confide in me."

Hunk nodded solemnly. "Yep. He needs a friend, not a court jester. I can't imagine it's easy being in love with a Princess."

"No. And I'll not make it more difficult for him," Lance vowed. "I'll give him the mistletoe when it arrives! It's only right... Christmas is about love after all. He should get a chance to find happiness. So should the Princess."

"That's beautiful, Lance, you're a true friend." Hunk said gruffly, trying to contain his emotions.

"Thanks. You are a good friend to him, Hunk, a better one than I am."

"Now, c'mon, you know that's not true. You're his best friend."

Fed up with being overlooked, Pidge cut in irritably. "I am now demanding to know what you guys are yapping about! You sound like a soap opera...a very bad soap opera. Enlighten me please?"

"Um..." Hunk stammered, hating to keep a secret from his best friend, but knowing he must.

Lance came to his rescue. "It's about relationships...and it's complicated. Too hard to explain; you'll understand when you get older."

The pilot of Green Lion shook his head in disgust. It was like one of those 'what's wrong with this picture' puzzles in his favorite childhood magazine; he was old enough to defend a world, but still too young for discussing romance. He sighed noisily. "You know what? Even if you'd tell me what's going on with Princess and Keith, I don't even want to know. It's none of our business, period. So can the chat and let's go scout for RoBeasts!"

"Right!" Hunk quickly agreed, wanting to end the awkward moment.

For once, the Red Lion pilot had nothing clever to say. "Sorry, you're right, Green Lion. I'm on it."

Many miles away the Captain of the Voltron Force was addressing the Princess of Arus in a tone that brooked no resistance. "Allura, listen to me. I don't care what it looks like he's doing, you do NOT get out of your Lion; do you hear me? Don't even talk to him!"

"Yes, Keith, I read you, loud and clear. Stay put. Not a word." She repeated dutifully.

"Good! Okay, I've alerted Castle Control. I'm nearing your position, hang tight."

"Thank goodness! I mean, I read you, Black Lion! P-please hurry!" Allura responded, her nervousness making her voice quiver.

She severed the secure communications channel with trembling fingers.

Help was on its way, all she had to do was remain calm; not do anything rash.

Her eyes zeroed in once more on the Doomian prince.

He still hadn't moved or attempted to communicate with her. It was almost like he was waiting for something- or someone. Her brow furrowed with anxiety; what new game was he playing with her now? Why couldn't he take no for an answer and go find someone equally wicked as he who could and was willing to appreciate him?

Looking down at the Prince from this angle she noticed that his muscular bulk seemed much less intimidating, and without his armor, almost ordinary. So why, even though she sat in a gigantic, lethally equipped mechanical cat, did she still feel like a mouse being bandied about between the paws of evil?

She moaned softly and rubbed her suddenly throbbing temples. Lotor would always have power over her as long as she was afraid of him. Would she ever get over that? It was so all-encompassing; a fear so great, so strong, that she'd been willing to do herself in, rather than to let him touch her...

Allura breathed a huge sigh of relief when Keith's ship roared into view. Her gaze shifted back to Lotor, who she saw also was watching the Captain's arrival on the scene with an expectant, almost pleased expression on his blue-hued features.

In mere seconds, Black Lion had come to rest a little ahead and to the right of Blue Lion. Its worried pilot switched on his visuals and studied Allura's white face with open concern. ~She's scared. God, I hate him for doing this to her.~

"This is Black Lion. Are you doing okay, Princess?" Keith's calm tones flooded into the Princess' cockpit once again. Her gaze turned to her screen. The gentle dark eyes behind his helmet's visor met her anxious gaze, trying to reassure her without saying a word.

She glanced toward their enemy, and then back at him, all the while anxiously biting her lower lip.

~It's Keith to the rescue once again! When are you going to learn to stand up for yourself, Allura?~ A mocking inner voice scolded her.

"Allura?" His voice had sharpened with concern.

"Yes, I'm fine," She replied tightly, ignoring the nagging inner voice. "At least, now that you are here, I am."

Roguishly quirking an eyebrow at her, Keith drawled, "Why thank you, Princess, it's very flattering for me to know you enjoy my company. Well, at least over Lotor anyway."

Her eyes widened at this unexpected levity and at the broad, white-toothed grin he flashed her. Immediately annoyance replaced anxiety. What was the matter with him? Didn't he realize this was an inappropriate time to be flirting? This wasn't a joke, they were in danger!

She glared fiercely at the Captain through the blue tint of her visor, and opened her mouth to give him a piece of her mind.

But before she could let loose the tirade building up within her, he spoke. "Feel better now?" He inquired, his face now deadly serious.

She stared at him, nonplused. Then, reluctantly, she smiled. The little monster, he knew anger always helped take away her fear; he had done that on purpose! "Yes, much better." She admitted. And it was the truth; she felt much more focused on the situation now, instead of her anxieties.

"Good!" He was all business now. "I'm going to ask our visitor why he's here. Okay with you?"

"Yes."

Keith switched on his two-way P.A. system and brusquely addressed the Doom Prince, his voice echoing around the clearing. "All right Lotor, what's the deal? Did you come to offer your surrender? And by the way, someone needs to tell you that green is not your color."

The Crown Prince of Doom stared at Black Lion, and then threw his head back and laughed with what appeared to be genuine amusement.

Keith looked sideways and winked at the image of an open mouthed Allura. He then patiently waited for Lotor's mirth to subside.

"And they say you don't have a sense of humor, Captain!" The evil Prince finally replied. He grinned into the face of Black Lion, his ochre eyes bright with mirth. "That was a good one!"

"I repeat, why are you here?" Keith barked, no answering humor in his voice.

"I wanted to talk to the Princess, and you too," was the relaxed reply.

"Send us a space-gram next time, it's cheaper and won't get you thrown in the slammer."

Once again their unwelcome visitor laughed. "Your wit knows no bounds, Keith. That Red Lion pilot of yours has been teaching you a lot."

Allura felt her lips twitch, despite her antipathy toward the arrogant Prince. She carefully kept her face turned away from Keith's view screen. If the Prince only knew with whom Keith really had been sharing his humor and other things lately, he might not be so amused.

"I would like to speak with you both, " The Doom Prince politely requested, looking back and forth between the two Lion ships. "As you can see, I've come alone, with no weapons. I am dressed in Arusian green, the color of peace and of new life."

"You've tricked us before," the Captain stated curtly. "Why should we trust you now?"

"Because I am the best chance for making peace that you will ever have," Lotor stated, in clear, ringing tones. "I have concluded that Zarkon and I will never agree on what's best for Doom and so I have broken ranks and taken the risk to come here. I have tricked my father and Hagar into thinking I am on Mora so that I could do this without inciting their evil meddling or treachery. As for my command...well, at this moment my men are on their way to Santo 3 for a week's R and R, thanks to their generous Prince."

"Why now? Why not six months ago when you and I first fought? " Keith asked warily. "A fight by the way, in which you cheated."

"Yes, well..." Lotor almost seemed uncomfortable. "I had my reasons. Had to look good for the old man, he expects that sort of thing. I am sure you've been in that position of wanting to win your father's approval, haven't you?"

Inside Black Lion, Keith snorted with derision. "Let's cut through the bull- what's your so-called offer this time?"

In response, the Doom Prince turned to face the Blue Lion.

"Princess, I offer Arus a chance for permanent peace by renouncing the throne of Doom and the Doom's empire. I will not follow in my father's footsteps. Instead I will fight by your side to defeat Zarkon, and install a ruler of your choosing in his place."

Allura felt her mouth hanging open and shut it with a snap. She turned to meet Keith's astonished expression. She cleared her throat and addressed her nemesis.

"Lotor, let's suppose for a moment I believe that you would consider doing this and we became allies. What's in it for you? I don't understand."

"Don't worry Allura, I know better than to try to make you believe it's out of the goodness of my heart, or a Christmas gift." He turned back to the Black Lion and smirked, his yellow eyes gleaming with humor. "My mother was Terran you know, Captain, I know all about your quaint little rituals. But I digress...yes, what's in it for me? A pardon from the Alliance and the Garrison -that's where you come in, Captain- and I also request a home on a world of my own choosing where I can be safe from any reprisals or vendettas."

Allura blinked in astonishment. "That's all? That is all you want in exchange?"

"Don't count on it." Keith hissed, his face hardening. "I'm sure you'll be mentioned in there somewhere."

"Well said yet again, Captain- you are correct, there is one other small detail..." The Prince of Doom slowly rose to his feet and faced Blue Lion once more, an appealing look pinned to his features. "I'll need some companionship on this new world, and I'd like to start a family. My dearest Allura, if I give up my evil ways, get a pardon and a grand new home, there is nothing stopping you from marrying me, is there?"

Keith exhaled noisily. ~I knew it. It's all about having Allura, he doesn't care about anything but that. I hope she doesn't agree...God he'd use her, abuse her and throw her away just as he did to Romelle. Maybe worse. I can't even think about her bearing his- oh Lord, it's too horrible.~ He turned tortured eyes to the Princess and saw the desperation in her expression as she spoke, though her voice held nothing but hauteur as she addressed her sworn enemy.

"Are you actually giving me a choice this time, Lotor?"

The Prince smiled; a mere reflexive movement that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Of course you have a choice, my dear." He paused and reached into a pocket of his jerkin, pulling forth a blood red orb. "There are always options."

Suddenly a shimmering bubble of light seemed to encase the green-clad Prince. It lifted him into the air to hover in front of the eyes of Blue Lion.

"What in the world..." Allura breathed.

"Are you impressed my lovely Princess?" Lotor chuckled. "You should be. Just so you know, this bauble was made for me by Hagar; call it an early Christmas gift." He paused, chuckling at the absurdity of the notion, and then continued. "You should know that while I am in this sphere I can deflect any weapon discharge, magnify it ten fold and send it directly back to its source."

"I knew the nice guy routine wouldn't last." Keith declared, his anger barely held in check. "Get out-now!"

The Prince ignored the order, instead focusing on the cockpit area of the Lion ship in which the woman he so feverishly desired now sat as if frozen. "Your options are as follows, Princess- either we join forces, defeat evil and then leave this galaxy behind to enjoy the harvest of peace while we start our new life together...or, in one week, I come back with my armada and obliterate Arus for good, after saving you for myself, of course. You'd have to live on Doom then, unfortunately. Not a pleasant place for someone who's so...shall we say, virtuous. The choice is up to you. As I said you have a fortnight to ponder my proposal."

"A week?" Allura echoed, stunned. "But what about your arma-"

"My armada is on Santo 3, but another one is in the last stages of completion on Doom, along with a particularly nasty new breed of RoBeast. However, you're right, you might need some additional time to deal with that notorious Alliance red tape...I will add a few days just because thirteen is my lucky number. That gives you plenty of time to contact the Garrison and make arrangements, Captain. And plenty of time for Allura to pack." The Prince smiled mockingly.

"She's not going anywhere!" Keith shot back. "Tell him where he can go, Princess, and I'll be happy to make sure he gets there!"

"Allura, are you not the supreme authority here? Does this underling always speak for you?" The Doomian sneered, his trademark arrogance resurfacing.

"He is not an underling, he is my Commander and my friend." The Princess stated icily. "I value his opinion, and if he speaks impulsively, it is because he cares." Her voice softened unconsciously as she continued. "And it is because I deeply care for, uh, about him and the rest of my friends and my people, that I tell you that I will give this offer my full attention and consideration."

"You will?" Keith's eyes went wide with shock.

"You will?" Lotor echoed, looking equally as stunned. Evidently the handsome Black Lion pilot didn't have as much influence with Allura as he had thought. It was obvious how the arrogant whelp felt about her, and perhaps she'd take him as a lover if given a chance, but at least she had the good sense to be practical when it came to affairs of state. Of course she'd want to marry royalty-she'd marry...him. A triumphant grin split his face before he recovered his suave demeanor.

"A wise and gracious decision, my lady." He nodded.

"She's not your lady yet." Keith informed him, tightly. He cast another incredulous look at the Princess, who avoided his eyes.

"Please leave us to enjoy the day." She commanded, regally.

"As you wish," Lotor acquiesced, feeling he could be benevolent now that the Princess was within his reach. "I hope you will accept this gift of peace that I offer you."

"As I said, I will consider what you have proposed." Allura said coolly. "There is one thing I would like to say to you now, Prince Lotor. Your mother may have taught you about the Terran Christmas holiday, but obviously you missed the point of it. Christmas is a holiday where people give without expecting anything in return. To give a gift and expect reciprocation, is not to give a gift at all. It is merely bartering."

Lotor jerked in surprise, and then his skin darkened to a vivid shade of indigo. He looked furious at the insult, but wisely held his tongue. "Call it what you like, it makes no difference to me. You have thirteen days until I return. You'd best get busy saying your farewells." Then, muttering an incantation taught to him by Hagar, he abruptly dematerialized.

When she was certain the immediate danger had passed, Allura finally turned to look at Keith, her expression full of quiet confidence.

"Wow," he said softly.

She reddened slightly under the warm approval of his stare, but kept her poise.

"Shall we contact the others and return to the castle, Captain?"

"Right." He made short work of the communication, then turned to her once more. "You're not going to really consider this asinine scheme of eloping with His Creepiness are you?" He asked her, half-teasingly.

She smiled. "Maybe. I do have the safety of an entire world to consider you know."

He gaped at her. "But-"

"We'd better get going, Keith." She gently cut him off as she re-inserted her lion key. "I'll see you back in the Control room, okay?"

"Yes, you can bet on that." He answered grimly, also inserting his key.

The two Lions literally roared to life and the ships leaped for the heavens, the Black one protectively flanking the Blue, not leaving its side until it had dived under the waves of its watery home.

Black flew on for a short distance until it arrived at and then came to rest on its gigantic pedestal at the castle gates. It froze into its majestic, eternally vigilant position in front of the Castle of Lions, as its human heart and soul hurriedly departed the beast's innards to find and confront the Princess of Arus.

To be continued....:)