Keith stormed into the conference room the next morning after practice. Allura, Lance, Hunk, and Pidge all followed looking equally annoyed.

"You guys looked good up there," Keith said, pacing in the floor at the head of the table. "Schuyler, you need more work on target practice, you're doing fine, but you could be better. Declan, you need to work on tightening your turns and Brina you need to work on your landings. But in the air, you guys are looking good." He stopped and turned to look at them all. "Now as you know, Erik and Sky went into town last night and there was a confrontation at the café. Two people, a man and a woman, were taken in to custody. We were making some headway in our interrogation, we almost had them convinced to accept a lighter sentence in exchanged for information on Vinn's whereabouts when Captain Klari arrived at the police station to announce that the Garrison would not negotiate."

Erik whistled lowly, "What happened?"

Keith scowled, "Both prisoners recanted what they had already said and refused to share any more information. They're locked up under guard for now."

"How are they?" Sky asked.

"Neither were injured seriously, they'll be fine."

"Sounds like Erik needs to work on his target practice too," Gideon muttered.

"Gideon," Allura said warningly as Hunk and Lance chuckled.

"So we're back to square one?" Sky asked.

"For the time being," Keith sighed. "All right, Erik, you're on duty in Castle Control. Gideon, I want you and Sky out on the target field practicing. Declan, Brina, I want you two in your Lions and working on your turns and landings. Dismissed."

The five pilots stood and moved slowly from the room, all feeling as though they had been dealt a blow, knocking them back to where they had begun.

………………………………………………………………….

With her heart racing, Cady made her way down to the hospital wing. She had to know what Tristan had been speaking about the night before when he had said they could pretend. Pretend what? She was so confused and had spent most of the night tossing and turning, trying to sort out her feelings and thoughts. Why did everything have to be so confusing?

Of course this was all new territory for Cady. Her dating experience was limited, mainly because her father had forbidden her to date until she was sixteen and even then she had to be chaperoned until she was eighteen. There was nothing more intimidating to a young teenage boy than to have to approach the Castle of Lions and come face to face with Commander Keith Whitaker. But even so, Cady never had trouble drawing the attention of boys. This was the first time she was trying to win the affection of someone of the opposite sex and not succeeding.

She had taken careful consideration when she had dressed that morning. Cady's first thought had been to put on one of her gowns, she always felt more feminine, more grown-up, and beautiful wearing them. But that might be a bit much for a visit to the hospital, she didn't want to appear too forward. After trying on several different outfits and attempting various hairstyles, Cady had decided to go with a pair of khaki slacks, brown loafers, and a red sweater, her hair pulled back in a ponytail.

Stopping just outside the open door to the hospital, Cady took a deep breath and pulled at the hem of her sweater. Steeling her nerves, she stepped through the doorway and smacked right into a solid wall. Or rather what felt like a solid wall. Cady took an unsteady step back and looked up to see a very angry Captain Klari.

Without so much as a word to Cady, the other woman swept past, muttering under her breath about ill-behaved ruffians and how could one of the most respected (that particular phrase was said with an overabundance of sarcasm) Commanders the Garrison has ever had could raise a brood of such rude, immature, disobedient children.

"I am going to pop that lady one."

Cady turned to see Becca standing beside the closed door to Tristan's room, her arms folded over her chest and an angry expression on her face. "What, uh, what was that all about?" Cady asked.

Becca threw her arms up in the air and groaned, "I have never met such an insufferable woman! Who does she think she is?"

"Aunt Becca?"

"I swear, I have half a mind to slash her tires!"

"She doesn't have a car here, Aunt Becca."

As if suddenly realizing she wasn't alone, Becca turned to Cady, "Oh, honey, I'm sorry, what can I do for you?"

"Is everything all right?"

"That…that woman actually accused me of not knowing what I was doing! She doesn't trust me to care for Lt. Alexander and she actually said she was going to send him to the closest Garrison outpost to see the medic there." Becca let out a frustrated groan.

As her words sunk in, Cady felt her heart stop, "Lt. Alexander is leaving?"

"He doesn't have a choice, it was an order."

"Is, uh, is he up to seeing anyone?"

Becca's expression changed and her eyes moistened, "Oh, Cady, it's just not easy, is it?"

"What?"

Becca pulled the girl into a tight hug, "Falling in love."

Cady felt the heat rise to her face, "Wh-what are you talking about?"

"Don't deny it, sweetie, I know how you feel about him." Still hugging, Becca began to sway slightly. "I had a hell of a time getting your Uncle Pidge to stop being so stubborn, but then we did have help. If he hadn't felt threatened by Dante, one of the other pilots, he probably never would have admitted his feelings to me."

"Aunt Becca…"

"You have to be honest with him, honey," Becca released her and wiped at her wet eyes with the back of her hand. "You two remind me of your mother and father, eerily so. But I don't want to see you hurt, I'll have a word with your father to make sure Lt. Alexander isn't sent away."

"No! You can't tell my dad about this, please, Aunt Becca!" Cady pleaded. "Sky, Erik, and you are the only ones who know. Please don't tell my dad, I don't even know if Tristan likes me and I don't want Dad scaring him off before I can talk to him."

Becca took Cady's face in her hands, tears falling from her eyes, "You have grown into such a beautiful, smart young woman."

"Aunt Becca, you're hurting me."

"Oh, I'm sorry, honey," Becca released her face. "I was just thinking about how fast you have all grown up. Luke is going to be ten. Ten years old. My baby is going to be entering his double digits, I'm not ready for that."

Cady had survived enough of her mother's pregnancies to recognize the mood swings, "Aunt Becca, why don't you have a seat? Can I get you anything?"

"No, sweetie, go, talk to your young man. I have to go…go find my husband. I have my communicator on if you need me for anything."

"Okay, thanks, Aunt Becca."

Cady knocked on the door and waited to be granted admission before sliding it open. "Good morning, Lieutenant, how are you feeling?" Cady asked, her voice a little higher than normal. He was sitting on the edge of the bed wearing only a pair of blue and white striped cotton pajama pants. Her eyes were automatically drawn to his chest and the tight muscles of his abdomen. He was gorgeous.

Tristan fought the urge to cover himself up, "I'm much better, your highness, thank you. Dr. Audric said I will be released as soon as I eat breakfast."

"I'm glad to hear that," Cady looked down at the floor, suddenly very unsure of herself. What if he didn't remember their conversation? He had been sedated after all.

"I wanted to thank you for the kindness you have shown me during my stay here," he said quietly.

"Aunt Becca is better than any Garrison medic, I don't understand why you have to leave to see one."

"It's an order."

"How do you put up with Captain Klari?"

Tristan had to fight back the smile that threatened to split his face, "She's my superior."

"But she's…she's not a very pleasant person."

Tristan smiled at the diplomatic way Cady was trying to handle this, "This is my first, and hopefully last, mission with her."

"How did you get this assignment?"

"I requested it. I wanted to meet the Voltron Force, to see the legendary Lions and Planet Arus."

"I hope you weren't disappointed."

His eyes locked with hers and he answered truthfully, "It has been amazing. More than I ever could have imagined."

"When, um, when would you be leaving?" Cady silently cursed the tremor in her voice.

"Probably tomorrow or the day after. As soon as Captain Klari can get me on a ship to Zettle."

"You know, if you don't want to leave, I bet my mother and my father could throw their weight in and have you stay."

"If I tried to go over Captain Klari's head, she would make my life miserable."

What about my life? Cady thought, her heart sinking at the thought of him leaving so soon. "Would you be coming back?"

"I don't know."

Cady lowered her eyes to a spot on the floor just in front of her feet, rapidly blinking. She knew she should say something, but she couldn't. It was too hard.

"Your highness?"

"I, uh, I have to go, I have a class in a little while. Um, please, just…just let me know if I can do anything for you or get you anything." She mumbled.

"Thank you…Cady."

She nodded and quickly left the room before he could see the tears in her eyes.

………………………………………………………………………………….

Sky slipped into her room after lunch and fell back on her bed, happy to have five minutes to catch her breath. Practice had been brutal, Keith was so angry about the outcome of the prisoner interrogation that he was doubling up on all their practices and workouts. He wanted them in top form in case this capture led to another Vinn and Bittor attack.

She glanced at the clock on her bedside table and noticed that she had thirty minutes before she was scheduled to meet Erik for a run and then she had guard duty in Castle Control until dinner time. She stretched her arms above her head and worked out some kinks in her sore muscles. Sky had spoken to Keith the day before and was glad to see that he had agreed to her request, giving both her and Erik the evening off for his birthday, now she just had a couple of days to get her plan in motion. His parents were coming the following weekend for a belated celebration, so his actual birthday night was going to be just the two of them and Sky was planning on making it a very romantic evening.

A tentative knock at her door surprised Sky since she really wasn't expecting anyone. "Come in!"

The surprise grew when the door slid open and Brina walked in.

"Uh, hi, Brina, what's up?"

"Can…can I speak with you about something?"

"Yeah, come on in," Sky sat up, crossing her legs. "Have a seat. What's up?"

Instead of sitting, Brina paced the floor, "I know you and I haven't exactly been close friends or anything and I know why."

Sky waited silently for the other girl to continue.

"I'm not going to deny it, but when I first came here I couldn't help but notice that Erik is a good looking guy. I mean, I'd have to be blind to not notice. But I wasn't after him. Declan told me from the beginning that Erik only had eyes for you and, boy, is that ever obvious. You two are great together and I would never want to come between you, in fact I am too scared of you to even think about that, not to mention the fact that no other woman has a chance with him."

Sky raised her eyebrows in amusement and surprise.

"Oh man, this is not coming out right," Brina continued to pace, wringing her hands. "I am sounding like a horrible person, I am not a whore."

Unable to hold it back anymore, Sky burst out laughing.

That broke the tension and Brina turned to Sky, smiling softly, "I'm sorry, I guess I'm a little nervous. Can I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure. But I reserve the right to not answer it if I don't want to."

"Fair enough," Brina tucked a long lock of hair behind her ear. "Um, are you and Erik finding it hard to have a relationship and work together?"

"It's not always easy, I mean, we have to be able to separate work from our personal lives. It's not like we make out during meetings or talk flight tactics when we're alone. Why are you asking me this?"

Brina sat on the edge of the bed beside Sky, "I think you know why."

"Declan."

"Yeah."

"You like him?"

"Yeah, I do. I mean, he is so sweet and charming and funny and really, really good looking."

Sky shrugged, "Then go for it."

"I don't know. I mean, it feels weird. He's two years younger than me…"

"Erik is a year and a half older than me," Sky interrupted.

"And the whole working together thing."

"Brina, I think we all know how Dec feels about you and if you like him, go for it. You're both professionals, you can do it and not let it get in the way of your jobs. You were chosen, Brina. If Green didn't think you could handle it all, you would not be flying."

The redhead bit her lower lip and nodded, "I've been watching how you and Erik are able to balance it and it has given me hope that maybe…maybe Declan and I can make it work."

"Maybe you can."

Brina smiled, "Thank you, Sky. I really appreciate that we can talk like this."

"We're teammates, Brina."

"And friends?"

"Yeah, and friends."

"Good," Brina stood. "I was worried that you didn't like me, I'm glad we could work this out."

"So am I," Sky stood and walked her to the door. "But just remember that if you hurt Declan, you will have to answer to me."

"You're all a very close knit family, aren't you?"

"Yup, these guys are as much my family as my parents are."

"I've noticed."

Sky felt a twinge of guilt, "I guess it is difficult to try and join such a close group from the outside."

"It's not as bad as it was at first, I am starting to feel more accepted."

"Good, I'm glad to hear that."

Brina smiled, "Well, I have to go. I'll see you at dinner."

Sky raised an eyebrow, "You going to go talk to Declan?"

Blushing slightly, the other girl shrugged.

"Good luck, Brina."

"Thanks, Sky." Brina stood in the hallway a moment, debating what she should do. She couldn't deny it anymore, how she felt about Declan. At first she was too nervous learning to fly Green and training with the rest of the team. Now that she was feeling more confident in her abilities and her place within the team, Brina really began to notice Declan more, beyond the mischief maker was a sweet, intelligent, kind, mature guy.

Brina was used to guys noticing her, she never thought she was anything special, but she never seemed to lack plans on a Friday night. Her last long-term relationship had lasted almost a year and they had broken up several months ago. Since then she had gone out on a few dates before joining the Voltron Force, but nothing had come of them.

Now thoughts of a young prince kept creeping into her mind and thoughts. What if this was truly meant to be and she was too afraid to go for it because of silly reasons like he was younger than her.

Taking deep breath, Brina straightened her shoulders and knocked on Declan's door. It was now or never.

"Yeah, come in!" Was the muffled reply.

When the door slid open, Brina's eyes widened at the sight that greeted her. Declan had obviously just taken a shower, he stood beside the door to the bathroom wearing a pair of jeans and rubbing his damp hair with a towel.

Letting the towel fall around his shoulders, Declan looked up and smiled, "Hey Brin, how's it going?"

"Uh, good."

"I just talked to my Dad, he said we were both looking better up there. Your landings are coming along, we're so used to just returning the Lions to their hideouts, clean landings on the ground will just take practice." Dec walked over to his closet and pulled out a black shirt, sliding his arms into it and buttoning it up. He looked up to see Brina watching him with a strange expression on her face. "You okay?"

She licked her lips, "Yeah, um, can we talk?"

"Sure," he stopped in front of his mirror and combed his fingers through his hair. "I only have a few minutes though."

"Oh? You have plans?"

He flashed her his famous smile and Brina felt herself go weak in the knees. "I'm meeting up with a lovely young girl."

"You…you have a date?"

"Well, I don't know if I would call it a date, exactly, we're just going to go for a walk before dinner. Who knows, maybe it will lead to something more."

She felt her heart stop, "But…but you can't!"

Startled, Declan turned to her, "Why not?"

"Because you can't! You just can't!"

"Brin, what's going on?"

Tears filled her eyes and she swallowed hard, "Nothing. I'm…I'm just being stupid. Um, have fun."

"Brina," he grabbed her arm before she could leave. "What is it?"

"Nothing."

"It's not nothing. Are you crying?"

His gentle tone broke her and a single tear escaped. "No."

"Yes you are, tell me what's wrong? Is it your family? Did something happen?"

""No, I just…"

"You just what?"

"I just talked to Sky and she made it sound so easy, well, not easy but at least possible and I thought it could happen. Now I see how stupid I am. It's too late." She hiccupped and pulled her arm from his grasp. "Have fun on your date."

Declan reached over and covered the keypad with his hand so she couldn't open the door. "Too late for what?" He whispered.

Brina rested her forehead against the door and closed her eyes. "For us."

"What?"

She shook her head.

Declan reached out and brushed her hair back, "What is it?"

"There were so many things I was worried about," she whispered. "But the more I thought about it, the more I thought that maybe it was possible. Then I talked to Sky and…and I decided I wanted to try and make it work, but I'm too late."

He laid his hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him, "No it's not."

"Wh-what about your date?" She whispered.

"It's not a date, it's just two friends going for a walk. I didn't think you liked me in that way."

"I did, I do."

Declan leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers, "I'd rather go for a walk with you."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really," he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Brina went willingly into his embrace, resting her cheek against his chest and listening to his heartbeat.

Gently stroking her hair he asked, "So, what brought you around?"

She chuckled quietly, "I don't know. I think I was interested the first time I met you, but it was a little intimidating."

"What do you mean?"

Brina tilted her head back to look at him, "Well, I was just chosen to be a member of the new Voltron Force and I had a lot to learn. Not to mention the fact that you are Prince Declan James Whitaker of the Arusian Royal Family. I grew up learning about your family, in awe of you all. You and Gideon are infamous, the handsome, fun, prank-loving Whitaker twins."

"There's more to me than that."

"I know. I've gotten to know the real you and, well, I really, really like you." Her voice lowered as the heat rose to her face.

Declan dipped his head and whispered into her ear, "I really, really like you too."

She chewed on her lip a moment before raising her gaze to his again. "It was after the whole plastic wrap thing. You took it with such good nature and I realized, as you were standing there wet and covered in plastic wrap, that I just wanted to hug you."

He laughed, "So this is a pity thing?"

"No, I didn't mean that."

"I know," he moved his head closer. "Can I?"

She nodded.

With an almost feather-light touch, his lips brushed over hers. "Feel free to hug me any time you want."

Winding her arms up around his neck, Brina asked, "What about your date?"

Declan rolled his eyes, "It isn't a date. I'll talk to her."

"Who is it?"

"Saria."

"Who?"

"She's one of the new recruits, just starting her training."

"Oh. So she's your age."

He smiled, "That's all right, I like my ladies a little more mature."

Brina raised her eyebrows, "Watch it."

His face turned serious again as he reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear, "You are so beautiful."

"Way to cover your ass."

"You on duty tonight?"

She shook her head, "I have the early shift tomorrow."

"Would you like to get together after dinner, hang out?"

"Why, your highness, are you asking me on a date?" She asked coyly.

"I think that's pretty obvious and don't call me that."

"What? Your highness?"

"Yeah, stop it."

Brina giggled, "Aren't you comfortable with your title, your highness?"

"Do I have to shut you up?"

"Depends on how you plan to do that."

"Like this," he wove his hand into her mass of auburn hair and captured her lips with his own.

Brina felt it throughout her body and she unconsciously tightened her arms around him, pulling herself closer. "If that's how you shut me up," she breathed when they pulled apart. "Then I'll have to call you that more often."

Declan grinned, "I have to go let a girl know that I am no longer available."

"Don't hurt her feelings, Dec."

"I do have some tact."

Standing on her toes, she pressed a kiss to his cheek, "See you later."

He grabbed her hand before she could step away, "Meet here after dinner?"

Brina shook her head, "Nope. If it's a date, you have to come and get me."

"You're going to make me work for this, huh?"

"Well, you did give up on me."

"You didn't exactly send me any signs that you were interested."

"You just give up too easily."

Declan sighed, "All right, all right, I'll come and get you."

Brina winked at him, "See you then."

Sky was just leaving her room when Brina walked out of Declan's. The two girls made eye contact and the grin on Brina's face told Sky what she needed to know. She opened her mouth to ask for the details when the Castle alarms sounded.

"I guess we'll have to talk later," Sky said as they broke into a run.

"Yeah, after my date with Declan," Brina replied.