The New Prince

Chapter 11

The next time Keith awoke he found himself in a room at MedTech with Sven and Allura sitting on chairs across from him.

"Hello sunshine." Sven smiled standing up to greet him, "Nice to see you awake."

Allura, who stood behind Sven, smiled nervously at him, "I'm glad you're ok."

He nodded uneasily his thanks. She could tell that the feelings of hurt by their last encounter still lingered inside him. "How long am I stuck here for?" Keith simply asked.

Sven picked up his friend's sudden willingness to leave and dismissal of Allura's words, "Well…" he studied his friend a little closer, "Gorma told me you are free to go after you woke up. Just take it easy for a day or two."

"Erin...how is Erin?" Keith asked as he began lifting himself off the bed.

"She's fine. Awake and talking to Lance and the general. Woke up about an hour after we arrived on Arus."

"I want to go and see her." Keith ordered.

From the corner of his eye, Sven saw how Allura's body went rigid. Dismissing it for the moment, he turned to Keith whose tone seemed a bit harsh. His friend rarely displayed such tendencies. "Come on, I'll help you get there. I brought you some clothes from your room. You can change in the bathroom." he told him as both he and Allura helped him up.

VVVVVVVVVV

Sven knocked before they saw Lance open the door for them, "Well, look who is up! I've never known a stun shot would put someone out for four hours."

Keith looked shocked and turned to Sven and Allura, "Four hours!"

Allura shrugged, "Gorma was worried for a bit, but he thinks it was a combination of fatigue and getting shot that put you down."

About to reply, he was cut off by Lance, "Someone wants to see you." he told him and opened the door wider. In bed, he saw the sandy hair young woman with a shining smile.

"Keith!" She beamed, "You're all right!"

He went to her and hugged her tightly, "I'm glad you're ok, too."

Hawkins went up to them, "I'm just glad all of you made it out safely." He patted Keith's back and then held his shoulder's tightly, "Thank you Keith."

Turning to face the general, he answered, "I didn't do much Sir. Sven and Lance did most of the work."

"Finally, credit!" Lance shouted.

"That's because you actually did something!" Erin answered brazenly.

"I see you are still a smart ass!" Lance snorted.

"Of course. Did you think different?" Erin cocked her head a bit to taunt him.

"Nope, but I'm glad you're still here."

The young woman smiled. "Thanks McClain."

Allura watched the interaction taking place. She became specially intrigued by how possessively Erin took Keith's hand. She held on to it as if afraid he'd leave her. The princess also watched Keith closely. With his other hand, he gently caressed Erin's cheek. And as she watched, something ignited in her and she started to feel a heat in the pit of her stomach and a tightening of the chest.

"Princess!" General Hawkins suddenly blinded her view. "Thank you so much for your help."

"Oh! Please don't mention it General. We were glad to help." She suddenly answered forcing a smile as she calmed her feelings. "Well, I'll let you all reminisce for a while." Allura then told the group, unable to stay there any longer, "I'll have Nanny notify all of you when dinner will be served."