Hi All,

Once again, I am so sorry for the delay. My hard drive crashed again and we had to replace the hard drive. So not only have I lost everything, but I have to rewrite it all. It is so frustrating. But I am going to start saving up for a new computer, so hopefully this won't continue to be a problem. Of course, if you want to contribute to my new computer fund, it would be greatly appreciated :)

Thank you so much for your reviews and patience. You guys are awesome! I was glad to see some of you got the Princess Bride quote. I just love that movie!

Enjoy,

Failte

Keith entered the conference room the next morning with a smile on his face and a slight spring in his step. He looked around the table, pride swelling as he took in his team. "You guys did a great job yesterday. We are all very proud of you."

"Where is Vinn now?" Erik asked, still uneasy about having that man so close to his family.

"Paton is questioning him this morning. Garrison officials will be arriving this afternoon to escort him to a containment center for further questioning."

Declan sat up, "What's going to happen to him?"

"Well, he is going to be brought up on various charges in front of the Intergalactic Supreme Court. We can assume now that he will be charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and assault. As the investigation continues, I'm sure more charges will be filed, and that is just from Sven, Romelle, and Delora. There will probably be hundreds of more charges coming from other planets and people." Keith explained.

"I can't believe its over," Brina said quietly.

"It's not," Keith told her. "We are going to continue as we have been with your training and your education. There is still the possibility that not all of Vinn's followers were captured. There could be retaliation or escape and rescue attempts. We must…"

"Remain constantly vigilant!" The five pilots interrupted.

He smiled at them, "You got it. We can't allow our guard to slip. I shouldn't have allowed Allura to plan this picnic, but the wheels are turning and she and Nanny and Romelle are working on it now. If there is even the slightest hint of trouble, the picnic will be canceled. We are still working with the Garrison and following any leads, any Intel. Be prepared."

"I just don't get it," Gideon said. "Vinn is a wuss and a moron, not to mention the fact that he, uh, well, he doesn't quite look like an evil genius. I mean he's short and fat, not to mention a whiner. How did he gather such a following?"

"I'm not going to pretend to understand why some people follow the people they follow," Keith said. "Keep in mind that it isn't always size that matters, think of Napoleon. Sometimes it takes a talented speaker with a strong personality, like Hitler. When a person feels lost, they are willing to follow anyone who promises them a place to belong."

"But Vinn didn't seem to be any of those," Sky pointed out.

"We're hoping to find out by interviewing his men why they followed him so blindly. There will also be a full psychiatric evaluation of Vinn."

"Do you, uh," Gideon paused, unsure of how to proceed with his question.

"Do I what, son?" Keith asked.

Gideon's cheeks burned red, "This, uh, this may sound silly, but do you think he might have had some kind of magical help?"

"That's not silly at all, it's actually a very good question. You know Kadmus and you've heard stories of Haggar, you know how powerful magic can be and the terrible consequences that can come from misusing magic. That is definitely an aspect we are going to investigate. Now, we need to discuss the party."

"What about it?" Declan asked.

"Well, while you are all invited and will most likely be the guests of honor, you will be on duty, just in case."

"Has there been any word of any others?" Erik asked.

"Not yet, but we're keeping an eye out and the Garrison has two groups of investigators out collecting Intel. For today, I want you guys to practice as you have been, start with flight and the target practice."

"Yes, sir."

"You're dismissed," Keith walked over to the door and paused, turning to his team. "And keep up the great work."

…………………………………………………………………………….

Erik found himself with some free time later that afternoon. Sky was on duty in Castle Control, his mother and sister were planning the picnic with Allura and Cady, and his father had gone off with Keith, Lance, Hunk, and Pidge for some old fashioned bonding. He had seen Declan disappear into Brina's room and who knew where Gideon had gone off to.

There was going to be a dinner with everyone that night, the real belated celebration of his birthday, so he decided to just chill out for a few hours. Erik had had very little sleep the night before, it had taken hours for his adrenaline high to come down and he had to get up early for their morning meeting. Tiredness was suddenly washing over him as he slid the door open to his room.

Pulling his shirt over his head and sitting on the edge of his bed to tug his boots off, Erik was about to curl up in his inviting bed when his computer caught his eye. Something told him to check his email. He hesitated, really just wanting to take a nap, but he stood and walked over to his desk.

There were a couple of emails from friends back home, a handful of spam messages, and one from Tristan. Erik's eyebrows rose and his curiosity got the better of him. He hadn't heard from Tristan in a week and judging from the way Cady had been acting, he assumed she hadn't heard from him either. The Princess seemed to grow more withdrawn and depressed over the past several days.

Clicking on the message, it opened and he read:

Erik,

I guess you're a little surprised to hear from me now. I haven't written to you or Cady. I'm not really sure why, cowardice I guess.

I applied for the position with Captain Klari, to go to Arus and work with the Voltron Force. My parents never understood my love of being a soldier. I love helping people, I love the order and structure, flying throughout the universes, seeing places and meeting people. I figure if anyone can understand where I'm coming from, it's you.

I guess you can say I've been trying to find myself. My family is quite wealthy, an old money family of Boston. My father had always assumed I would go into law and work with him in the family firm. That's just not me. They offered to give me my trust fund early and let me travel, see the world, and then come home and go to law school. Instead, I signed up at the Academy and joined the Garrison. They were disappointed at first, but, over time, they have come to realize how much I enjoy what I do. Even though my mother asks me to reconsider every time I speak to her.

Why am I telling you this? Because I need your help and your advice, Erik. You probably think I'm a jerk for how I've treated your cousin. I know I am. I'm at a crossroads. I can honestly admit that I am in love with Cady. But I'm afraid I screwed up. Has my hesitation ruined any chance I had? I still have five and a half months after my leave is over. I have no right to ask her to wait, but I don't know what to do.

I've come to realize that I've been using my assignment as an excuse, forcing me to not admit my feelings. It was not my intention to meet and fall in love with someone. It was not in my plans, it was not part of the order and structure I had set for myself, so I denied myself. I was wrong and all I did was suffer and hurt Cady. Something I never wanted to happen.

I want to visit Arus, but I don't know if I am still welcome. I have a week left in my leave and I would like to spend it with Cady. Making it all up to her and getting to know her better. This time I have spent without her has made me realize how much I care for her, how much I want to be with her. Can you help me? Can you help me get clearance to land? I just want to talk to her. If she doesn't want to see me, I understand and I won't ever bother her again.

Thanks,

Tristan

Erik could all but hear the uneasiness and stress in the letter. He felt bad for the guy. He knew what it was like to be in love with someone and unsure of how they felt.

Taking pity on Tristan, he really did like the guy, Erik quickly typed up a response.

…………………………………………………………..

Erik groaned and turned his face into his pillow as a knock on his door woke him. "Go away!" He grumbled.

The door slid open and Sky walked in, "Get up you bum."

"I am going to regret giving you the code to my room, aren't I?"

"Probably," she sat on the edge of his bed and tugged the blanket down. "Dinner is in ten minutes, you have to get up."

With another groan, he rolled over and looked at her, "Are you trying to torture me?"

"Yes."

His eyes skimmed over her and he licked his lips as his mouth went dry, "Why are you wearing that?"

Sky looked down at her red dress, feeling self-conscious. "What's wrong with it? I thought you liked it."

"I do like it," he assured her, running his hand up her arm. "It just reminds me of the private birthday party we had the other night and it makes me wonder what you're wearing under it."

"Oh yeah?" She leaned over and kissed him gently. "Maybe if you're good, you'll find out later."

He took her arms and yanked her down, pulling her flush against him, "I'm really not hungry, let's just stay here."

Sky slid her hands up his bare chest and around his neck, "I would love to, but your family is waiting and my father is in the castle."

"They're in a whole other wing," Erik murmured, stroking her back and running his lips down her cheek.

With great reluctance, Sky pushed herself up and stood, "Get up."

"It's my birthday," he whined, sitting up. "And all I want is to lie in bed and make out with my girlfriend."

She crossed to his closet and pulled out a black shirt, "Here, get dressed."

He continued to grumble under his breath as he stood up and pulled on the shirt.

"Don't be such a baby," she chided, combing her fingers through his hair.

"I got an email from Tristan."

Her fingers stopped in mid stroke, "What?"

"I got an email from Tristan."

"And?"

"He's in love with Cady and he wants to see her."

"He's coming here?"

"He wants to," Erik went over to his dresser to finish what she had started with his hair, using a brush. "I told him I'll help him out."

"Does Cady know?"

"No."

"Is he going to tell her?"

"I don't know. I think he's going to surprise her, he's too afraid she won't agree to see him if he asks."

"So you're going to sneak him on to the planet and surprise her?"

"Yup."

"What if it really pisses her off?"

Erik slid his arms around her waist, "She is miserable without him, he is miserable without her. So they will either be happy together or miserable together, but at least they'll be together."

"That's some weird reasoning," she replied, snaking her arms around his neck.

"Do we really have to go to dinner?" He whispered, nuzzling her throat.

"Mm, yes, we do."

"What are you doing after dinner?"

She rolled her eyes and stepped back, taking his hand, "Well, there's this really cute pilot I promised to meet up with."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, I told Pvt. Barrone I would meet him in the rec room at 21:00 hours."

"Not funny."

"Hey, I had to wait two years to get him to notice me, I'm not going to let some little thing, like my relationship with you, get in the way of that."

"You know," Erik muttered. "One of these days I'm going to get sick of your teasing."

"Who said I was teasing?"

"Brat."

She winked at him, "And yet you can't resist me."

"Wily temptress."

She stopped and captured his chin between her thumb and finger, "I love you."

"I know," he leaned forward and kissed her. "You can't resist me."

"Conceited wanker," Sky teased as they started walking again.

As they approached the dining room, he lowered his voice and whispered into her ear, "I, uh, I would disagree with that description, but I can't."

……………………………………………………………….

All five members of the original Voltron Force and their families, along with Brina and Lynnai, sat around the immense table in the dining room. An elaborate four course meal was served as they all spoke and joked and carried on.

"My favorite," Lance said. "Was the time the twins took a couple of Nanny's hats, her robe, and housecoats, and dressed up the horses in the stables."

"You didn't!" Brina gasped.

"Yes," Allura grimly assured her. "They did. I was mortified and we were afraid Nanny's head was going to explode."

"But the horses never looked so lovely," Keith pointed out.

Hunk chuckled, "There was the time they decided to give each other hair cuts. They had done such a bad hack job, Allura had to take them and get their heads shaved."

"Did you guys ever behave?" Brina asked.

"No." Keith, Sven, Lance, Pidge, Hunk, Darcy, Cady, Paton, Lynnai, Erik, and Sky all said at the same time.

"Oh come on, we weren't always that bad," Gideon said. "And we weren't the only troublemakers. Sky really had her share."

Pidge snorted, "What do you expect from Lance's daughter."

"Hey, I was a good girl," Sky spoke up. "Don't try and drag me into this."

"I remember you trying to run away with Red when you were about eight," Hunk said.

"Oh, I was so angry. You're lucky I don't believe in spanking or you wouldn't have been able to sit for at least a month." Darcy sighed.

"What happened?" Brina asked.

"Well, Sky was angry because we were the meanest parents ever for some reason I can't remember and so she packed her little suitcase, took Red's key, and ran away to the castle. When Koran had his back turned, she ran to Red's tube. She had been in the Lion with me so many times she knew what buttons to push. The Lion took off, but knew better than to go too far. She landed in front of the Castle and kept Sky locked inside her until I got there." Lance explained.

"I wanted to go spend the night at my friend Yavane's house and you wouldn't let me. So I was going to fly Red over to her house." Sky muttered.

"You were such a spoiled brat," her father told her.

Sky stuck her tongue out at him.

"What about when Cady broke into Mom's bathroom and painted her face and most of the walls with makeup?" Declan spoke up.

"What can I say?" Cady asked. "I've always had an eye for beauty."

"Come on now," Erik spoke up. "I know Dad has told me some stories. You guys weren't exactly angels."

"So, Allura, how's the planning for the picnic coming?" Lance asked, changing the subject before they could gang up on him.

"Smooth, Dad," Sky teased. "Afraid of the stories they'll tell about you?"

"I fear nothing they could say."

"Like the time you and Sven and Keith mooned the Admiral's house?" Pidge asked.

"You mooned the Admiral?" Declan asked.

"Yes, Sven has a nice little scar from the Admiral's terrier on the back of his leg," Lance told them.

"Why don't you all go to the other room for tea and coffee," Nanny suggested. "The girls need to clear the table."

"You know, we're supposed to be celebrating Erik's birthday," Gideon said as they all moved into the rec room. "We should be sharing embarrassing stories about him."

"Yeah," Declan agreed. "Lora, Sky, you guys have got to have something."

"Erik's a good boy. He never caused any trouble." Romelle told them.

"What can I say? I'm perfect." Erik shrugged.

Sky elbowed him in the side, "I wouldn't go that far."

"Perfect or boring?" Gideon asked.

"Not everyone needs to cause trouble as a cry for attention," Erik teased. "Some of us get all the attention we need by being smart and attractive."

"And apparently conceited," Declan added.

"You two need to learn to show some respect to your CO."

A low beeping sounded and Paton pulled her small pager from her belt. She checked the number and flashed everyone a weak smile, "If you'll excuse me, I'll be right back."

"When is the Garrison going to pick up Vinn?" Erik asked.

"First thing in the morning," Allura replied. "He is going straight to the hospital in the prison on Luna for a full psychiatric evaluation."

"Did you get any more information from him?"

"Some. Let's save it for tomorrow morning's meeting." Keith said, not wanting to discuss it in front of the younger children.

"Is everything all right?" Hunk asked when his wife reentered the room.

"Seven more Vinn loyalists have been captured," she explained. "They claim to be the last of them stationed on Arus, but we're going to continue our investigation."

Keith nodded, "Good. Thanks for keeping us updated."

"So, how're the plans going for the picnic?" Pidge asked.

"Well, we've scaled it down for now," Allura told him. "It's just going to be us and some close friends, here at the castle. The bigger celebration will be later when we can guarantee the safety of everyone there."

Gideon threw his arm around Lynnai's shoulders, "We can bring dates, right?"

"Of course. And Brina, we sent an invitation to your family as well."

"Thank you, Ma'am," she smiled at the Queen.

Keith squeezed Allura's hand gently.

"It's going to be held in the meadow behind the castle and there will be a band and plenty of food. It'll be a lot of fun."

Cady sighed and pushed herself up, her arm still cradled in a sling, "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to head off to bed."

"Good night, dear," Allura said as her daughter kissed her cheek.

Sky watched her friend, worriedly. She had been so quiet lately. Glancing at Erik she whispered, "I'll be right back," and followed Cady out of the room.

"Hey Cady, you okay?"

The Princess turned to see her friend, "Yeah, I'm just tired."

"You sure?"

"Do you know how it feels to see you and the twins with someone and to not have someone myself? It feels like I'm being excluded from some exclusive club. And I know who I want to be with, but he doesn't want anything to do with me."

"Cady…"

"Don't, Sky, I just want to go to bed."

Sky nodded, "If there's anything I can do for you, just ask."

"I know, thanks, Sky. Good night." With that, the Princess turned and made her way to her room.