Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, settings, etc involving Voltron: Defender of the Universe, Voltron: The Third Dimension, Voltron Force, or Voltron: Legendary Defender. These stories are for entertainment purposes only and are to be viewed as parodies and satire.

Author's Notes: This chapter has taken me quite a bit of time to write. I got about a 1/4 of the way through and I stopped. It just didn't feel right. So rather than force myself to continue and produce a subpar story, I started over from scratch. I am quite pleased with how this chapter turned out and I hope you do as well.

Popstar Princess:

Dinner and a Show

The ride to the restaurant took about thirty minutes. Lotor tried to strike up a conversation, but Allura's focus was on her phone. She scrolled through page after page of social media posts, reading the comments that her loyal followers were posting. It pained her that she couldn't respond. Lance had told her not to post anything until after the press conference and she agreed to abide by his wishes. She was so lost in the glow of the screen that Allura didn't notice the vehicle coming to a stop.

"Allura…Allura, we're here," Lotor informed her.

"Huh?" Allura looked up at him with a blank stare.

"We've arrived at the restaurant," Lotor responded softly.

"Oh, ok," was her simple reply.

Allura's door opened and she stepped out, thanking their driver. She looked up at the restaurant and stared in disbelief.

Before her wasn't a luxurious, celebrity filled restaurant where the "who's who" in entertainment would wine and dine, discuss business ventures and hook up with co-stars. The brick building was rather small with dingy windows, discolored signs on the door and a neon sign that flickered as it struggled to remain lit.

"Lotor, what is this place?" Allura asked, making no attempt to hide the disgust in her voice.

"This is Manset's," Lotor answered as he stepped around the car. "He's an old friend." Lotor answered as he took Allura's arm and escorted her towards the door.

"So we're just stopping by so you can say a quick 'hello' to him, right? We're not actually eating here?"

"Don't be silly, Allura," Lotor said with a smile. "Of course we're eating here. Manset serves some of the best food in town."

"Lotor, don't you think this place is a bit...beneath us?" Allura asked.

Lotor stopped walking and turned to face Allura. "What do you mean?"

"Well, we're celebrities. We should be eating at a four or five star restaurant. Lance would never let me be seen at a place that looks like…"

"That looks like what?" Lotor interjected.

"That looks like it belongs in some run-down, desert, tourist town. Does it even have one star?"

"My dear Allura, you will learn that looks can be deceiving. Fancy décor, elitist clientele and an obviously biased industry rating does not always translate to delicious food and good service." Lotor pointed at the restaurant in front of them. "Manset puts quality over fame. He may not have the big names stars eating here, but those who do will always come back."

"If you say so," Allura remarked as the two of them resumed their walk towards the door.

Before Lotor could grab the handle the door burst open and there stood Manset, in all his red-skinned, four armed glory. "Lotor, my friend, it is so good to see you," Manset said in a heavy accent that sounded a bit German or Austrian to Allura's ears.

"It is good to see you too, Manset." Lotor greeted his friend with a smile and a hug.

"And who is this lovely lady," Manset asked.

"This is Allura."

Manset reached out to take Allura's hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you, my dear."

Reluctantly, Allura stretched her hand out and placed it in Manset's. She watched as Manset kissed her hand, doing her best to hide her disgust. "The pleasure is all yours," Allura said in a whispered voice.

"I see your taste in women has vastly improved," Manset teased Lotor.

"I hope the taste of your food has improved," Lotor joked in response.

"Why don't you come in and find out for yourself," Manset said as he held the door open.

Lotor motioned for Allura to enter first. Allura feigned a smile as she entered the establishment with Lotor and Manset following.

At the Altean Records headquarters, Hunk and Ginger were busy setting up chairs in the spacious lobby.

Ginger noticed that Hunk was being more quiet than usual and that he seemed off in his own world. "Hey, are you ok?" she asked the burly body guard.

"I'm fine," Hunk answered in a short, sharp tone.

Ginger put down the chair she hand in her hands and walked up beside Hunk. She placed a hand on his bicep and looked him directly in the eyes. "I can see something is bothering you. Do you want to talk about it?"

"I'm just the hired muscle around here. It's not my place to say anything," Hunk responded, though he did not try to shrug off Ginger's touch.

"You're also a person with feelings." She motioned for him to sit down and then took a seat herself. "Now tell me, what's on your mind."

As he sat down, Hunk looked around for Lance. He saw his boss standing off in a corner, speaking into his phone and visibly frustrated. Hunk leaned in closer to Ginger so that he wouldn't have to talk too loud.

"I'm just not happy working here anymore," he confessed.

"Why not?" Ginger asked.

Hunk nodded towards Lance.

"Lance is the problem?" Ginger inquired.

"Mostly," whispered Hunk. "When I was hired, I figured this would be an easy job. Just keep nut job fans away from a big name pop star. At first it was great; the pay would good, I got a lot of perks like free food and I've traveled all over the world. But now…"

"What about now?"

"Lance has coddled Allura to the point where it feels like I'm babysitting a spoiled brat. The company made Keith give up his career for her and then they don't even try to stop him from leaving. Plus the way that I was dismissed in favor of Zarkon's security people escorting Allura to dinner with Lotor annoyed me. But to top it all off, this scheme of pretending Allura is pregnant just for the publicity of it, it's flat out disgusting." Hunk gave a heavy sigh.

"I get the feeling this is a bit more personal for you," Ginger commented.

"My sister had a difficult time conceiving a child. Her and her husband struggles for several years and even went through a miscarriage." Hunk wiped away a tear that was forming in the corner of his eye. "They have two beautiful children now but it was a difficult road for them. So seeing Lance treat this so…so…callously…infuriates me and makes me want to throw up at the same time."

"Have you tried talking to Lance about this?"

"Have you tried talking to Lance about anything?" Hunk asked her.

Ginger just silently shook her head.

"He doesn't listen…unless it's about something that can make him money or get his client in the headlines." Hunk shifted in his seat. "I just don't want to do this anymore."

"What do you want to do?"

"I want to have my own tv show," Hunk replied instantly.

"What type of show?"

Hunk shrugged. "A cooking show, a travel show, a home repair show…I don't know."

Ginger was intrigued with Hunk's idea. "Do you know anything about those topics?"

"Oh yes, quite a bit actually. Before I became a body guard, I worked in many different industries so that I could help my parents."

Before Ginger could respond Lance stormed over. "What the hell am I paying you for?!"

"We were just taking a short break," Ginger replied.

"Well taking a break isn't going to get these chairs set up in time for the press conference," Lance told her.

Hunk could feel is anger rising. "Don't talk to her like that," Hunk said. "It wasn't her fault, I had something on my mind and I needed to talk about it."

Lance turned his attention to Hunk. "I didn't realize talking was part of your job description. Now, how about you do what I told you to do and get these chairs set up."

"No," Hunk blurted out.

"No?" Lance asked. "Did YOU just tell ME 'no'?"

"I'm not setting up another chair until you apologize to Ginger," Hunk demanded as he crossed his arms.

Ginger looked at Hunk in astonishment. She didn't know what to say in response to his defense of her.

"Let's get something straight right now, I don't apologize…to anyone. Now get your stupid ass back to work or you can turn in your resignation right now!"

Those were the last words out of Lance's mouth before the world suddenly went dark.

Lance awoke staring up at the ceiling. His head was throbbing and he was having trouble seeing out his left eye. "What happened?"

"You were punched and you hit your head when you landed on the floor," replied a security guard who was attending to Lance.

"I was punched?" With some pain, Lance managed to sit up.

"Hunk nailed you hard." said a nearby security guard.

"How long was I down?"

"You've been unconscious for about 15 minutes," said the first guard. "We should get you to the hospital to make sure you don't have any other injuries."

"That can wait. I have a press conference in," Lance checked his watch. "in forty-five minutes."

"Sir, I really think you should go to the hospital," the second security guard stated.

"I'll go right after the press conference." With some assistance, Lance stood up. "Where is Hunk and Ginger?"

"They left as soon as you hit the ground."

"Remind me to press charges in the morning. In the meantime, I need to find someone to get these chairs set up."

The two guards gave each other a knowing look and sighed.

Lotor and Allura were nestled into one of the corner booths. The lighting in Manset's was dim and soft music played over speakers positioned throughout the restaurant; it gave the atmosphere a rather romantic feeling. The two sipped on their glasses of wine as they waited for their food.

"You look a bit, unsettled, my dear," Lotor stated. "Is everything alright?"

"No. So much has happened in the last few days that I feel like I'm drowning. My whole world has been turned upside down this week…I lost a big career deal to my rival Romelle, Keith deciding that his career is more important than me, this whole pregnancy thing and us having to pretend to be in a relationship, I haven't been able to post anything on social media and to top it all off, I'm eating dinner in a restaurant that no one of my status should even step foot in," Allura ranted. "Lance would never let me be seen in a place like this."

"Do you always do everything Lance tells you?" Lotor inquired.

"Well of course. He is my agent after all. He always has my best interest at heart."

"For some reason, I have trouble believing that." Lotor took a sip of his wine.

"Are you implying that Lance doesn't care about me?" Allura sat back in her chair and crossed her arms.

Lotor set his glass down. Despite Allura's diva attitude, Lotor remained calm and composed. "All I'm saying is that not everything and not everyone, is as they appear. Including Lance"

"I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for him," Allura said in defense of her agent. "I owe my career to him."

"Well, that is his job. He has to take care of you and present you in the best way possible to the public so that your fans will continue to support you and your record sales continue to climb. Without you, he has no job."

Before Allura could respond the waiter brought their dinner to them. "One garlic-ginger chicken with cilantro and mint for the gentleman and one grilled chicken with lemon and thyme for the lovely lady. Is there anything else I can get for you?"

"Not at this time, thank you," Lotor answered.

"Wow! This looks delicious," Allura commented.

"Just wait until you taste it," Lotor responded.

"Excuse me, sir," spoke the waiter. "Manset asked me to tell you that he prepared dinner for your security detail outside and that it is on the house."

"That is very generous of him. Tell him that I said 'thank you'."

The waiter smiled and stepped away as Lotor took a bite of his dinner.

Allura cut a piece of chicken and with slight hesitation ate it. Her eyes became so wide that Lotor thought they would pop out of her head.

"This is so good," Allura said with a mouth full of food.

"I told you," Lotor took another bite.

"I just can't believe how amazing this food is," Allura managed to say before shoving a fork full into her mouth.

Lotor smiled and went back to eating. The two of them spent the rest of dinner in silence, mostly because Allura was enjoying the food so much she was practically shoveling it into her mouth.

Once their plates were empty the waiter came to clean up the table. "Is there anything else I can get you?" he asked.

Lotor looked over at Allura who had a look of content on her face. "All we need is the bill."

"No need for that, my friend," Manset said as he approached the table. "Tonight, dinner is on me."

"That's very generous of you, Manset," Lotor responded. "But I don't feel right not paying for this wonderful meal."

"In that case, the next time you come in, I'll charge you double," Manset said with a laugh.

"Or I could just buy the restaurant from you," Lotor joked.

"Even you couldn't afford to buy me out," Manset responded.

The two chuckled for a moment then Lotor stood and hugged his friend. "It's always good to see you, Manset. But we must be going now. We have a press conference to attend."

"I understand. I hope when you return, you bring this lovely, young woman with you," Manset stated as he pulled Allura's chair back and helped her to stand.

"Thank you and I will be happy to come back," Allura responded.

Lotor gave her a quizzical look then smiled. He then stepped over to her and took her hand. "Have a wonderful night, Manset. And I promise, I will see you soon."

With those final salutations, Lotor and Allura left the restaurant.

Lance was pacing in front of the lobby entrance. The press had gathered and were getting restless. When Lotor and Allura finally pulled up in front of the building, Lance practically ran out to greet them.

"Where have you two been?" he asked in an irritated tone. "I have a room full of reporters and you two are showing up fifteen minutes late."

"Dinner took longer than expected," Lotor said in his soothing voice.

"I had the most wonderful meal," Allura stated. "It was a chicken topped with…"

"I don't care," Lance interrupted her. "We need to address the press, right now. Let's go." Lance grabbed Allura's arm and practically yanked her off the ground as he led her into the building. Lotor followed closely behind.

"I want to thank you all for coming tonight," Lance said to the reporters. "I know many of you have questions regarding the latest rumors regarding my client, Allura and it is my goal tonight to provide you with the answers to those questions."

Lance was standing behind a podium, front and center of the gathered journalists. Allura, her Nanny and Coran were standing just behind Lance on his left with Lotor and Zarkon standing to his right.

Lotor noticed Allura appeared a bit nervous but was trying to hide it. He reached his hand out to her. Allura noticed the gesture and welcomed it. She held her hand out and felt his soft, gentle grip.

Allura's nanny took notice of Allura holding Lotor's hand and looked upon him with a questionable gaze.

"I don't want to waste your time so I will get right to the point," Lance continued. "The rumor regarding Allura being pregnant…is true."

Immediately the crowd of reporters and photographers erupted into a flurry of questions and camera flashes.

"When did this happen?" asked one reporter.

"Is Keith the father?" asked another reporter.

"Please, settle down," Lance asked of the crowd. "Several weeks ago, after a rather ardent fight with her boyfriend Keith, Allura attended a party hosted by the artist formerly known as Prince Lotor. In a moment of heartbreak and loneliness, Allura found solace in Lotor's arms."

Allura shifted uncomfortably. She trusted Lance and his advice on this course of action, but she couldn't help but feel a bit of uneasiness. Lotor gave Allura's hand a slight squeeze as though to reassure her.

"Upon learning of Allura's pregnancy, she will be cancelling all of her scheduled concerts and public appearances for the next few months." The room filled with the noise of reporters trying to speak over one another.

"Allura's health and the health of her baby are our top priorities and the only way to ensure their safety is to minimize her travel and public exposure."

Zarkon leaned over to whisper in Lotor's ear. "He's good."

"Yes, quite the silver-tongued devil," Lotor remarked. "Perhaps you should consider hiring him."

"I just may have to consider it," Zarkon responded.

"After much discussion, it has been decided that Allura will be moving into Lotor's spacious mansion. We feel that this is the best option to provide Allura with a stable and caring environment and we would like to say 'thank you' to Lotor for his graciousness."

"Will Allura still be represented by Altean Records?" one reporter shouted from the back row.

"Yes. Allura will continue to be a client of Altean Records and we look forward to having her back in the recording booth as soon as possible. She has been an asset to the company and to the music industry as a whole and we can't wait until she is back on stage entertaining the world."

"Where is Keith? How does this affect his relationship with Altean Records?"

"Keith and Altean Records have decided to part ways. He currently pursuing other career options and we wish him the best. As we conclude this press conference, I would like to thank you all again for coming and ask that everyone bear with us over the next few months as Allura faces the challenges of motherhood and to keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Good night."

The room erupted once again as Lance and the group stepped away from the makeshift stage and out the front door, where Lotor's vehicle was still awaiting them.

"That went well," Lance commented in a self-congratulatory manner.

"Now we just have to get through the next three months," remarked Nanny.

"After what I just saw, I don't think you have anything to worry about with Lance at the helm," Zarkon commented.

Lotor ignored the others and focused his attention on Allura. "Are you alright?"

"I'm just very tired right now," Allura stated solemnly.

"Let's go home so you can rest," Lotor told her.

"Yes, get as much rest as you can. The next three months are going to be tough but we'll get through this together," Lance stated.

"Thank you," Allura said. "To all of you."

Lotor and Allura entered the back of the car and rode off into the night. Zarkon got into his own limo and headed off to a dinner party. Nanny went back inside to try to get herself on camera, leaving Coran and Lance alone in front of the building.

"I'm taking an awful risk, Lance. This had better work."

"Trust me, Coran. I have everything under control."

"I hope so," Coran said as he turned to go back inside. "It's not just your career on the line."

With those parting words, Coran returned to the lobby, leaving Lance alone to contemplate the future.