Hi all!

Thank you so much for your reviews and birthday wishes, both were greatly appreciated.

Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter up. I was away all weekend and when I got back work and life got it the way. I promise to try harder and post faster. Thank you for your reviews, your support, and your patience! You guys rock!

Thanks!

Enjoy,

Failte

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Erik, Sky, Declan, Gideon, and Brina sat quietly around the table in the conference room. Erik sat up straight, his hands folded together on the tabletop in front of him. Sky was seated to his right, sitting back, tapping her fingers against the arm of her chair. The twins sat on the other side of the table, Gideon stared at a spot on the wall just above Erik's head while Declan slouched in his chair. Brina sat beside Declan, a nervous expression on her face while she toyed with a lock of her hair.

The door slid open and Keith swept in, followed closely by Pidge who carried a pile of papers. "All right, team, pay attention. As you may have figured out, Arus received an ultimatum by Vinn this evening." He held up the orange envelope, "To paraphrase, he told us he had enough backing and firepower to take us down. Our only option would be to surrender the Votron Lions to him, or he would attack and take them himself. He was kind enough to say that Allura would be able to continue to rule Arus and, if we obeyed him, we would all be able to live our lives as we do now. By obeying him, Voltron and his pilots would be at his beck and call. Of course we will not allow that to happen, so we have to be prepared for attacks."

"What is he hoping to accomplish?" Declan asked.

"He wants power, as much as he can possibly get his hands on, and there is nothing as powerful as Voltron."

"Where's Mom?" Gideon asked quietly.

"Allura is preparing a statement. She will go on the air, both radio and televiewer, in about fifteen minutes to warn the people of Arus about the impending attacks." Keith explained. "We will be reinstating the alarm system and the caves will be reopened. You will all have new duties on top of your training. We will need your help preparing the caves, luckily they have been kept up for the most part and even modernized. Now if we are forced to send our people into the caves, they should be even safer and more comfortable.

"Our Intel says that Vinn is still at least three days flight away from here. But he may send in an attack led by a second in command, so we must be ready at any moment. While it is Voltron's job to defend and protect the people of Arus, it is of the utmost importance that Allura and the heirs to the throne are kept safe." He turned to his sons, "No over the top heroics guys, you need to stay safe."

"Yes, sir," they replied.

"Now, Erik."

"Yes, sir?"

"Your parents and sister are leaving in about an hour, after the meeting, you're free to go see them off before you have to return to duty. They will be escorted with two fighters about halfway home, where they will meet up with two Polluxian fighters who will see them the rest of the way."

Erik nodded.

"All right, we are going to go over your new duties and your new schedules. Everything has been typed up for you, Pidge has copies for everyone. Practice will be broken into two sessions a day. Workouts and strength training will continue as scheduled, there will be a guard schedule posted each week you will need to check. This will be a lot of hard work, we are now at war and we will act as such." Keith watched as Pidge handed out the last of the papers. "We'll start on the first page."

…………………………………………………

Nearly an hour later, Erik stood in Castle Control bidding his family farewell.

"You know how to get a hold of us if you need anyting," Sven said.

"Yeah, Dad, I'll be in touch."

"Please," Romelle took his arm. "Call or email as often as possible, I'll be worrying like mad."

Erik smiled down at her, "Don't worry, Mom, everything will be fine."

"Good luck, jerk," Delora teased quietly.

He threw his arm around his little sister's shoulders and pulled her into a tight hug, "Thanks, brat."

Sven was next, giving his son a tight, back slapping hug, followed by Romelle who clung to her eldest child, afraid to let him go. Stepping back, reluctantly, she gave her son a weak smile, "Behave yourself, Erik."

"I'll try, Ma."

She turned and saw Sky standing off to the side. Romelle walked over to her, smiling at the nervous expression on the young woman's face. "Sky."

"Aunt Romelle."

Romelle pulled her into a hug, surprising Sky, "I'm so glad Erik has you to look out for him."

Sky nodded, returning the older woman's hug.

Pulling back, Romelle looked at her, brushing the hair back from her face, "I have always thought highly of you Sky, but then how could I not love the girl who stole my boy's heart years ago."

Sky felt the heat rise to her face and, for lack of anything else to say, muttered, "Thank you."

"Good luck, Sky, and know that you're welcome to come visit us on Pollux any time. All I ask is that you take care of Erik for me."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Smiling softly, Romelle patted her cheek and turned back to her family.

All five members of the original Voltron Force and their families had gathered in Castle Control and hugs, handshakes and goodbyes were shared.

When the airspace was deemed safe and their ship took off, Sky went to stand beside Erik as he watched his family fly home. She wound her arm around his waist and leaned against him, her head on his shoulder. His body moved slightly as he sighed and wrapped his arm around her, holding her tightly.

"You'll see them again soon," Sky whispered.

"I'm worried about Pollux," he admitted.

"Why?"

"Because I'm not there to help."

With a heavy heart she told him, "You can go back, Keith will understand."

He smiled down at her, "No. This is where I belong, I was chosen by Black. Dad can handle things on Pollux, I just feel a little torn. Plus, it's really hard to sneak off and make out with you if I'm on another planet."

"Is that all you ever think about?"

"It keeps me from worrying about Pollux and Vinn."

"Schuyler?"

They both turned to see her parents standing behind the. Sky released Erik, "Yeah, Mom?"

"We're going to head home now, but we'll be back first thing in the morning."

Sky hugged her mother quickly, "Okay, good night."

"Be careful," Darcy whispered into her daughter's ear. "Don't let the emotions of the times rush you into anything you're not ready for."

Sky blushed at her mother's comment, "I won't, don't worry."

Darcy pulled back and smiled at her daughter, "I know I don't have to worry about you, sweetie, just be careful."

Lance kissed his daughter's cheek and winked at her, "Have fun, Sky, just behave yourself."

"Of course, Dad, I'm a good girl," she teased.

"Just make sure you stay that way."

Darcy leaned over and whispered in Sky's ear as Lance moved over to Erik. "He and I had a little talk. I pointed out that he has been behaving just like my father did when he and I started dating and you would think I had slapped him. So he is doing his best to behave himself, as hard as it might be."

Sky watched as her father spoke with Erik, smiling, "He seems to be doing well."

"This is killing him inside."

"Erik's a good man."

"He is," Darcy agreed. "But, in your father's eyes, he isn't good enough for you. You are the most important thing in the world to us, Sky, so just bear with him while he plays the overprotective dad."

Sky looked up at her mother and smiled weakly, "Thanks, Mom."

Darcy kissed her daughter's forehead, "Love you, sweetie."

"Love you too, Mom."

"All right, gang," Keith called out. "We've got work to do."

Lance shook hands with Erik and turned to give Sky another kiss, "Good night, kiddo, I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night, Dad."

"You okay?" Erik asked as Lance, Darcy, Hunk and Paton all left.

"Yeah," she looked up at him. "What did my dad say to you?"

He shrugged, "He just wanted to know how I was doing and how I was feeling about this threat."

"Thanks for putting up with him."

"Hey, if I can't face your father then I sure as hell can't face Vinn."

"Hey, lovebirds!" Keith called. "Put the hormones on hold and get your butts over here."

Blushing, Sky ducked her head and jogged over to where the others had gathered with Erik at her heels.

……………………………………………………………

It was nearly midnight when the Force made their way to their rooms for the night. They had been taken on a tour of the caves to see the changes that had been made over the years. The accommodations had been updated and were more comfortable. Food preparation would be easier and the pantries would be stocked the next day. There was room for several thousand people to live comfortably, but work still needed to be done. It had been years since they had been used and the rooms need to be cleaned and straightened. Palace guards, soldiers, and volunteers would be working along side the Force to get everything ready.

"Go, get some sleep," Keith had told them. "We'll be up and in the gym by 0530."

A nervous silence surrounded the five young people as they entered their wing. Even the twins were strangely quiet. It had suddenly occurred to them all just how serious this was. The people of Arus were depending on them.

Good nights were mumbled as they all went to their separate doors.

Sky typed in her code and watched her door slide open. Physically she was exhausted, but mentally her mind was going so fast, she knew she was going to be up for a while.

"Hey."

She looked over her shoulder to see Erik standing in her doorway. "Hey yourself."

"Don't I get a good night?"

"No."

"No?"

Sky smiled half-heartedly, "It's hardly night anymore."

He crooked his finger until she came to stand in front of him, "Good night, Sunny."

"Good night, Erik," she closed her eyes and tilted her head toward him in anticipation. But nothing happened. Opening her eyes slowly, she saw him leaning against the doorframe, watching her amusedly. "What?"

"You're cute."

"Thank you, Commander," she replied coyly.

He leaned closer, "I'm thinking you shouldn't call me that off duty."

"What should I call you?"

"I liked it when you called me 'Sweet Cheeks' the other day."

Sky rolled her eyes, "Try again, Erik."

"Sex god?"

"Um…no."

"Sexy beast?"

"I don't think so."

"Lord of Pleasure?"

With that, Sky doubled over with laughter, "I assume you're talking about yourself?"

"Ouch."

"Good night, Erik."

He leaned in and gently caressed her lips with his own, "Good night, beautiful."

"Hey," she grabbed his arm before he could leave. "I, uh, I love you."

Erik smiled softly, "Love you too."

"I just…"

"What?"

"You know, if anything happens, I just…I want you to know."

"Nothing is going to happen, Sunny."

"It's easy to say that."

"Come on," he teased, pulling her into a hug. "Nothing will happen to us, we'll grow old together and watch our children have children."

Not sure how to respond to his statement, Sky rested against him, her head on his shoulder. No matter what happened, she felt safe when he held her close.

"I'll see you bright and early," Erik stole another quick kiss and released her.

Our children? She thought, closing the door behind him. There is no way we're already talking marriage and kids.

Sleep didn't come easy to Schuyler that night. Images of war and children floated in and out of her dreams.

………………………………………………………………………………………..

The next four days were busy for the young Voltron Force. From sunup to sundown they worked hard at training and preparing both themselves and Arus for attacks. While the five of them had become much closer during their excursion in the woods, there was no time for them to socialize. Erik and Sky were once again reduced to a quick kiss before retiring to bed at night. Declan and Brina had grown closer, but Sky was sure the Green pilot was still after Erik. She would catch Brina looking at him or touching him whenever they talked.

Sky had never thought she was the jealous type, but then she had never felt threatened before.

Since they had worked so hard and the caves were ready to be inhabited, Keith gave them the evening off after dinner. They couldn't leave the castle, but they were free to relax.

Intel over the past couple of days had been sketchy at best, the Garrison was having trouble keeping up with Vinn. Because of this, the castle was under lockdown and they were kept in a constant state of readiness.

"Want to sneak off somewhere and make out?" Erik whispered into Sky's ear as they left the dining room.

"Hm, as appealing as that sounds, I promised Cady I would get together with her."

"Come on," he whined taking her hands. "Remember what Keith said about snatching our moments alone whenever we can?"

She smiled up at him, "Tell you what, give me an hour or so, let's say eight o'clock, I'll meet you then."

Tugging her hands sharply, Erik brought her closer, "I'm going to hold you to that."

Raising an eyebrow, Sky licked her lips, "Promise?"

Erik groaned quietly, "Please blow off Cady."

"No," she smiled and brushed her lips over his. "I'll see you later."

Erik sighed as he watched her walk away. He shoved his hands in his pockets and turned to go find something to do.

……………………………………………………………….

"Come in!" Cady called through the door.

When the door slid open, Sky was greeted with the sight of the three Whitaker girls. Cady was sitting on the floor beside her bed with Tess sitting on the bed behind her braiding her hair while Charlotte was sprawled on Cady's big bed, flipping through a magazine. "I didn't realize this was going to be a slumber party."

"Oh, Sky!" Charlotte sat up quickly and tucked her legs under her. "Can I do your hair? I'll make you all pretty for Erik!"

"No," Cady spoke up. "You guys can go now."

"I'm not done yet," Tess protested as she tied together another braid. Half of Cady's head sprouted five braids while the other half hung down her back waiting to be done.

"Yeah you are, I want to talk to Sky."

"Why can't we stay?" Charlotte asked.

"Because we're going to talk about stuff you're not old enough to hear about."

Charlotte leaned over to Tess and whispered, "They're going to talk about boys and kissing and sex and stuff."

Cady whirled her head around, "Charlotte Abigail! What do you know about that?"

She shrugged her shoulders and looked down at her sister's comforter, "Just what the twins said."

Now Sky was intrigued, "And what have the twins told you?"

"That…that I wasn't allowed to kiss any boys until they met him and that I wasn't allowed to do sex until I was at least twenty five and married," she mumbled quietly.

"And what is sex?"

"Um, it's what you do when you want to do more than kiss and hug and you want to have babies. Have you and Erik done sex?"

Sky's eyes widened and heat rose to her face.

"Yeah, Sky," Cady teased. "Have you and Erik done sex?"

She cleared her throat, "Well, Char, seeing as I am neither twenty five nor married, no we have not."

"Have you kissed?"

Sky was growing increasingly uncomfortable with the young girls questions, "Uh, yeah. Um, Charlotte, what's with the questions?"

"What's it like to kiss a boy?" Charlotte asked earnestly. Tess looked up from Cady's hair, interested in the answer.

Knowing she wouldn't be able to get away from the question, Sky decided to go for the honest approach. She sat down on the bed and studied the wallpaper as she pondered her response. "Sometimes it's wet and mooshy and tastes weird. Sometimes it's warm and pleasant and makes you feel good. But when it's with the right guy, Charlotte, it is wonderful. You still have plenty of time to learn what it's like, but I will tell you that I was your age when I got my first kiss."

"Who was it?" She asked excitedly.

"It was Erik."

"Really?"

"Yup. I was mad because Cady didn't want to play soldier and he thought it would make me feel better."

"What was it like?"

"It was wet and mooshy and tasted weird. Then I punched him in the stomach."

"You did?" Charlotte gasped while Tess giggled.

"Yes I did."

"Is it still wet and mooshy and taste weird?" Tess asked.

Sky laughed, "No. He's had a few years to practice."

Cady stood and stomped her foot to try and wake it after sitting for so long, "You know what, Char, I think Uncle Lance is still around the castle somewhere. If you want to know the facts of life, go ask him."

"Cady," Sky shook her head. "You're asking for it."

"Yeah," she opened the door for her younger sisters to file out. "But it really freaks my father out to think your dad is teaching his daughters about sex."

Tess stopped in the door and turned around, "Sky?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you in love with Erik?"

Sky thought she should feel embarrassed, but she didn't. "Yeah, Tessy, I am."

The girl nodded, paused as though she was going to say something, but whirled around instead and hurried down the hall.

Cady shut the door and started untying the ribbons Tess had put in her hair, "How's it going, Sky?"

She fell back on the bed, "As well as can be expected. How are you doing?"

The princess sat on her vanity chair and tried to brush out the uneven braids, "Can you tell me what exactly is going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"I have tried asking Daddy, but he just smiles and tells me I have nothing to worry about. Are we in danger?"

"Well, Cady, there is a threat, but we are going to do everything in our power to protect Arus."

She turned around in her chair and faced Sky, "All I know is that Dad has said I can't go out on any more dates for the time being and that I have to stay in the castle."

"This is the safest place to be."

"I know that. But what are we hiding from?"

Sky rolled over onto her stomach, "A man, Vinn, has pretty much declared war on Arus."

"How can he pretty much declare war?"

"He threatened your mother that if she didn't hand over control of Voltron, he would attack. Since you know she won't let that happen, we have to be prepared for any possible attack."

"So there will be an attack."

"It sure is looking that way."

Cady sighed, "What can I do to help?"

"Just do whatever your parents tell you to."

"But I want to do more."

"Cady, you are the next in line to the throne. We need to make sure your mother and you, as well as your brothers and sisters, are all safe. The best thing you can do is stay safe so we don't have to worry about you."

"Mother said I will probably have to go down into the caves with the younger kids. It will be up to me to lead the people down there while my parents oversee what is happening up here."

Sky sat up slowly, "Are you okay with all this?"

"I have to be, Sky, I don't have a choice. It's what I've been raised to do, trained to do. I'm still terrified, though."

"If it makes you feel any better, I'm nervous too."

Cady took a deep breath and stood, sweeping her hair back into a ponytail, "But we will put forth a strong front and defeat this jerk."

With a smile on her face, Sky stood as well, "Damn right we will."

The shrill sound of the alarms echoed throughout the castle. Cady paled and stopped in mid step.

"Come on," Sky told her. "Let's go to Castle Control and see what's going on."

The rest of the Force, along with Keith, Allura, Pidge, Lance, and Hunk were already in Castle Control when they arrived.

"What's going on?" Sky asked.

"Unidentified ships have entered our outer airspace," Lance told her. "And no, Cady, I will not teach your sisters about the birds and the bees."

Allura's head whipped up, "What?"

"Nothing, Mom," Cady smiled innocently.

"They're responding," Pidge announced, stepping aside so everyone could see the monitor.

Allura stepped forward as the image came into focus, "You have entered Arusian airspace, state your name and business or we will use force."

"Your highness," the face of Kabandha Vinn smiled up at her. "I am Commander Vinn of the Bittor Coalition. I wish to speak with you about a particular matter."

"I know what you wish to speak to me about and I believe you already know my answer."

"I was hoping I would change your mind."

Keith turned to the five pilots and nodded toward the entry tubes. Taking the hint Erik led them to their tubes and they all disappeared into their Lions. Keith then moved over to stand beside Lance where he instructed his second to prepare the Arusian Air Brigade to send up their first company. Lance nodded and turned to Hunk, the two of them ran from the room. Finally Keith motioned for Pidge to sound the alarms and alert the Arusian people of the impending threat.

"That is not going to happen," Allura assured Vinn. "The Garrison has been notified of your threat. If you decide to attack, we will fight back and you will have to answer to the Garrison."

Vinn laughed a deep, throaty laugh. "I am not afraid of the Garrison or of you, little lady."

Allura straightened her shoulders and pulled herself up to her full height of five foot five, "We are prepared to return your attack, Vinn."

"So be it."