Lance stared out the window at the endless downpour before turning back to the heated discussion between the others in the rec. room.

“Reports are already coming in.If it keeps raining like this they’re going to be flash flood, property damage, maybe even loss of human life.”

Lance shook his head at the Princess’s alarmed words.“Then we’ll just have to go to the worst areas and help.There are four of us that can go into the field while you and Coran lead the effort from the Castle.We can each take a group of guards and we can sandbag and evacuate.”

Allura looked at Coran, question on her face.

Coran seemed to think it over for a moment, before he nodded.“That just might work…”

Keith interrupted him.“No, we can’t do that.”

Coran’s eyebrows rose, “Oh?And why not?”

Lance watched his friend falter and sighed, filling in the information.“I can’t swim.”

He felt all eyes turn to him.“But I can always team up with Keith.It’s not a big deal.That still leaves three groups and Nanny can head up a medical tent.”

He could feel Keith glaring at him but didn’t let it show as Coran nodded in agreement.Keith could worry all he liked but he wouldn’t cross the line with him.

…………………

Lance had changed into a red sweater, black jeans, hiking boots toque and poncho.He just stepped out of his room when a strong grip on his arm forced him back against his shut door.Slowly his mind registered Keith’s flashing eyes.“What’s the idea Lance?You have a death wish or something?”

Forcing himself to remain calm instead of letting his anger go, he spoke softly, “No.But we need people to help out in order to keep as many people alive as possible.I’m an abled bodied person and I’m going to help, I’ll just stay away from the annoyingly large bodies of water.”Seeing the worry still in Keith’s eyes he laughed harshly.“You’re in charge Keith.I’ll listen to what you say as long as you let me help.I promise that much.”

“I guess that’s the best I can hope for.”

Lance slapped his shoulder lightly.“That’s about right Commander.Now how about we get going?”

……………………..

Lance gritted his teeth as he lifted another sandbag onto the truck.Keith had taken Lance’s safety into his own hands, by putting him in charge of filling and loading sandbags.He’d been working straight for the last four hours and the rain was still coming down.A quarter of their forces had already gone to the Medical tents due to over-exertion, strained muscles and much more.Deciding he needed a fifteen minute breather he tapped the guy he was working with on the shoulder and let him know.

He had maybe gone ten feet when a woman grabbed him, pulling him towards the river, babbling.Unable to break free without hurting her in the process, he allowed himself to be dragged.As they neared the water his blood chilled to see what had her in such a panic.A little girl, no more then ten, was on a ledge below the bank, too far to reach and the water was rising quickly.He couldn’t call for help, the storm would drown him out, if he ran to get someone the fast moving water would sweep her away, if he radioed Keith he’d be ordered to stay away and both of his other two options were already cancelled out.He smiled wryly as he moved forward, he’d just call Keith AFTER he got the girl out of danger.

Getting a good grip he climbed down.He might have jumped, it wasn’t too far, but the water had covered the ledge and was up to the girl’s knees, and he didn’t want to take any chances.

The girl was crying, her brown hair was plastered over her face and she was shivering badly.

Lance gave her a disarming smile, “I’m going to lift you up to your Mom, okay?”

The girl didn’t say anything, just nodded and sniffed.

Getting a good stance, Lance grabbed her beneath the arms and lifted her straight up.The girl’s arms were stretched out and her Mother’s hands were as well, but there was still nearly two inches between them.Shifting his grip he grabbed her hips, trying not to notice the water was halfway up his thighs and standing still was becoming nearly impossible.He felt her weight lessen as she was lifted out of his hands.

When he was sure she was safe he tried for a handhold but his hand slipped off.Reaching into his pocket he grabbed his communicator, pressing the buttons through the plastic cover.

“Keith?”

There was static.“Lance?That… you… bad connection.”

“Keith, I’m in trouble.”

“What?Trouble ---”

“Keith?”

The water’s force, no at his hips, caused him to loose his balance and he dropped it into the water.

“This is SO not good.”

……………………..

Keith glared at his communicator and resisted the urge to throw it away.He looked over at Pidge who had joined him.“I think Lance is in trouble.”

Pidge’s eyes got wide, “But how…”

“It’s Lance, he attracts trouble.”He looked over at the Green Lion.“Think you can get us to the sandbagging area right away?”

“I can try.”

Keith sighed as they ran to the Lion.“Let’s hope we’ll get there in time.”

…………………….

Lance had wedged his hand into a crack in order to keep from being swept away.The water’s level was beginning to worry him.It was nearly to his chest and his skin was numb from the cold.If he didn’t get out he’d probably get hypothermia or pneumonia and that was if he didn’t drown first.Taking a steadying breath he tried to climb up again but he had barely cleared the water level, reaching for the top when he lost his grip and fell into the water, his shoulder hit the ledge hard as he sunk beneath the surface.

Panic gripped him as he tried to get his head above water.When he finally managed to do that he sucked in a lungful of air and tried to cling to the side with his good arm, trying to keep his teeth from chattering.

…………………….

Keith hopped down from Green Lion, followed by Pidge.His sharp eyes had already searched for and found the highest ranking Arusian on location.A man he both knew and liked.

“Artyr!” He called several times as he neared.

The man turned on the seventh call and waved, walking toward him.“Keith.What brings you here?”

“Lance.I got a communiqué from him.He said he was in trouble.”

Artyr frowned.“Last I heard he was break.”

“Help!You must help.He saved my baby but he’s trapped and the water’s rising so fast…”

Keith and Artyr glanced at the woman that back at each other.Reaching the same conclusion.“Lance.”

………………………..
Lance’s fingers were so numb that he wasn’t sure if he was actually hanging onto the rock face anymore or if he’d let go.The water had reached his neck and he was having trouble keeping it out of his lungs and the air in.

A strong current caught him and he through he heard Keith’s voice yelling his name as he was dragged under.

………………………..

Keith felt his heart stop as he watched Lance sink under, and without thinking he jumped in after him.The cold shocked him and it was dark but he caught a flash of red and dove after it, stretching out a hand he grabbed the arm, pulling Lance’s unconscious form into his arms and kicking upwards.They broke the surface and stopped as he saw Artyr tossing him a rope, he grabbed it without loosing Lance and let the other men pull them towards shore.

When they got to shore he noticed his friend wasn’t breathing and started cpr.

………………………..

Lance’s eyes fluttered open and he found himself looking up into Keith’s upset face.“You’re going to give me a heart attack by the time I’m twenty.Christ Lance.You’re only seventeen… no sixteen, I forgot that your Uncle pulled strings for you…”

Lance smiled, “I’m alive Keith, the girl’s alive.Just leave it at that.I’m tougher than I look.”

Keith got up slowly.“Yes, you are.”He smiled then, “Get some rest.We’ll talk later.”