Hi all!

Sorry for the delay, things have been rather hectic. In case you haven't noticed, the previous chapter was not the last chapter. There is one more after this one, I promise that's the end then!

RedLion2- Thanks for your review. Of course Keith won't let Cady go alone with Tristan, that's why he had also bought tickets for Erik and Sky.

C-Town Chica, MustangAce - Thank you for your reviews!

Enjoy,

Failte

The next morning Keith took Erik, Declan, and fifty guards with him out to the Bittor settlement. He and Allura had stayed up long after everyone else had gone to bed and discussed what they were going to do, how they were going to handle these visitors. It wasn't an easy conversation and they had gone to bed quietly, neither happy with the decision that had been reached.

Montry Joles was out in front of his home when they pulled up in their small fleet of vehicles. Keith slid out from behind the wheel and waited for Erik and Declan to join him. Without a word, the approached Montry and followed him when he turned and entered his hut.

"Please, sit," Montry said, removing his coat. "I received word that you would be down here today."

Keith nodded, standing just inside the door, flanked by his two men. "Then I am sure you know why we're here."

"I can assure you, Commander, that none of us had anything to do with what happened to your daughter. I should have known that Klintel would cause trouble. He said he had turned a new leaf, he was no longer afraid of Vinn, he wanted to start over for the sake of his children."

"Then you know he is Vinn's half brother?"

Montry hesitated a moment and then nodded.

"We have discussed how we want to handle this, my wife and I," Keith told him. "You did not announce your arrival or ask permission to land on Arus. You bring with you a threat, that you knew about. Now if I had my way, you would all be packed up and off this planet by nightfall. However, my wife, the ruler of this planet, believes that Rossbin was working alone and she believes that it is unnecessary to punish you all for his actions. Before the Doom war, Arus was known as a safe haven for any displaced persons and after we defeated Doom we had hoped to offer sanctuary again. But we will not do so at the expense of other's safety, particularly the safety of my family. I have no patience for anyone who puts my family in danger, Montry. We have agreed to give you one month to leave and we are willing to help you find other arrangements."

Montry nodded again, "That's fair."

Keith turned to leave, but stopped and looked back at the other man, "I really am sorry it came to this."

"So am I."

………………………………………………………………………………

"Hey, Sky, how're you feeling today?" Cady asked as she swept into the kitchen.

"I'm fine, a little tired and nauseous, but fine," she told her, sipping her tea. "How're you? How's Tristan?"

"He's sleeping. He pushed himself too hard yesterday to join in all the festivities. Aunt Becca wants him to just rest today."

"And I take it you're only too happy to act as his nurse?" Sky teased.

"Of course. Have you heard anything from my father yet?"

"No, but they should be back any minute. Uncle Keith said they were going to stop in the police station on their way back. We're going to have a meeting then."

Cady sat down at the table across from her friend, with a sandwich in front of her. "Do you know what's going on?"

Sky shook her head, "No, but if you want to sit in on the meeting, I'm sure your father won't mind."

"Yeah, I'll probably do that. Where's Figment?"

"Nicky and Tori offered to walk her."

"My parents are seriously thinking about getting a dog."

"I hope they do, I'm afraid Nicky is going to kidnap my dog in the middle of the night."

Cady giggled, "The twins will probably use Figment to teach Nicky how to steal."

Sky laughed, "Of all the things they can teach him."

"As long as it isn't grand theft auto."

"Or breaking and entering."

"Hopefully, they'll stop before anything gets too dangerous."

Sky reached up and laid her hand on her head, trying to stop her giggling, "Okay, we have to stop. This is killing me."

"Sorry, but you have to admit, the twins are an easy target."

"Oh, I know it," Sky smiled and pushed her plate aside. "So tell me, was Tristan serious about Erik and I going to Terra too?"

"Yeah, he thinks the world of you guys. He wants his family to meet all of us."

"But we don't want to interfere in…"

"You won't be interfering. Tristan and I were talking about it. We were thinking about spending a few weeks on Terra. I want to visit my grandmother and we thought you guys might like to visit some of your family while we're there. We can hang out then split up for a while."

"That sounds great."

"Yeah. I think my father also likes the idea of you guys going. I'm sure that once we're safe on Terra, he'll feel better."

Sky grinned at her friend, "This is so exciting, I can't wait. It's been years since I've been on Terra."

"I know. Tristan was telling me all about Boston. It's beautiful and full of history and there is some great shopping."

"I'm surprised you mentioned the beauty and history first," Sky muttered.

Cady stuck her tongue out, "I'm a little deeper than you give me credit for."

"When are we going?"

"Not for a couple of months."

"Erik and I need to work out our schedules so we can get time off."

"Don't worry about it, I have it in with your boss."

Sky smiled, "Thanks, see what you can do."

"Schuyler!"

"Cadence!"

"What is that?" Cady asked, pointing at her friend's hand.

Sky held her hand up, "What? Oh, my ring, Erik gave it to me for Christmas."

Cady grabbed her friend's hand and pulled it closer, "He gave you a ring too? Where did he find this? Its…its cute."

Sky grabbed her hand back, "I think it's beautiful. He slipped it on Figment's collar for me to find."

"That is so romantic! So, what does it mean?"

"It means that Erik knows I collect elephants and that the garnet is my birthstone."

"Sky…"

"No, Cady, it was just a gift from my boyfriend."

"Could it be a hint of things to come?"

Sky stared at the ring on her finger and smiled, "Maybe."

Cady sighed wistfully and changed the subject, "So, what are you wearing to the New Years Party?"

"I have no idea."

Cady raised her eyebrows, "Does this mean we're going shopping?"

Shaking her head, Sky replied, "Maybe."

"I heard Deanna got some amazing new dresses in for the winter season."

"Fine, Cady, we'll go shopping."

The Princess clapped her hands excitedly, "Goodie! We'll go tomorrow."

"We'll see what my schedule is. It all depends on what your father has to say today. Speak of the devil," Sky unclipped her communicator and flipped it open. "Collier."

"Schuyler, we're on our way back. We'll be meeting in the conference room in ten minutes." Keith told her.

"Yes, sir. Oh, and Cady would like to sit in on the meeting."

Keith paused, he had planned on speaking with Cady alone after he and his team had met. "All right, have her join us in the conference room."

………………………………………………………………………

Keith stood at the head of the table and looked around. Both generations of the Voltron Force, as well as his eldest daughter, surrounded the table, all watching him expectantly.

"The Bittor settlement will be cleared out by the end of the month," he began, getting right to the point. "I told them we would help them find other arrangements."

Allura looked down at the polished surface of the table, feeling guilty and helpless. It wasn't supposed to be like this. They were supposed to help people, give them a safe place to stay.

"Until they have left Arus, neither Allura nor the children are allowed out of the castle without guard, for any reason." Keith glanced at his daughter and noticed for once that Cady didn't look upset at this announcement. "I spoke with Paton and we have decided that Rossbin will be charged with one count kidnapping, one count conspiracy to kidnap, and two counts of assault. His son is eighteen and will be charged and tried along with him as an adult. His daughter is only fourteen, we cannot find the mother, so she will be placed in foster care."

"Where will the trial be?" Lance asked.

"That hasn't been determined yet. I am going to contact the Garrison to see if they have any charges to bring up against him. We know now that he lied. Rossbin had said he had been forced into working for Vinn, that he had been murdered his first wife and his children had been threatened. We have since learned that he is actually Vinn's half brother and that his wife ran off several years ago. His current wife disappeared the day before they took Cady. We believe she left Arus on the postal ship that left that day."

"Any idea where she might be?" Hunk asked.

Keith shook his head, "No. But we are searching for her."

"What's the plan for now?" Erik spoke up.

"The plan," Keith replied. "Is that we are going to go back to normal. The Force will go back to practice and their guard schedules, Sky you're off for the next two days."

"Sir, I'm fine," she protested.

"Just relax, take the time to rest and get better. We are going to work with Paton to have soldiers and police officers patrolling the area around the settlement. The New Years party will go on as planned, unless something arises of course. Any questions?"

"When are you going to contact the Garrison?" Allura asked.

"As soon as we're done with this meeting. Anything else?" Keith looked around the table, a few people shook their heads. "All right, you're all dismissed. When more information is gathered, we'll meet again."

……………………………………………………………………………

It didn't take Sky long to realize that Keith had been right to give her a couple of days off. Becca had told her that she would be tired and groggy and that the worst thing she could do would be to ignore it. Nausea also struck and she had feelings of dizziness whenever she stood for too long. So she decided to give in to it and retired to her bed, the lights off and the blinds drawn. Figment, as though she sensed Sky's discomfort, walked around the bed a few moments before finding her spot, curling up on the other pillow, her head lying on Sky's pillow. With the televiewer on low, Sky drifted into a deep sleep.

Erik sneaked into her room later that afternoon to check on her and found her sound asleep, the puppy snoring softly beside her. He crept over to the bed and looked down on her, his heart beating a little harder as the image of her, fallen in the snow, unable to hold her head up as blood clotted on the wound on the back of her head. Feeling a little weak kneed, he slowly lowered himself onto the edge of her bed.

Sky didn't move when he reached out and stroked her cheek. She was breathing, he could tell that, but she wasn't responding. Normally, Sky was a light sleeper.

"Sky?" He whispered, leaning closer.

Figment lifted her head and growled quietly.

"Quiet, Figment," he chided quietly. "I'm not going to hurt her. Sky? Wake up, babe." No response. "Schuyler, wake up. Don't make me get Becca." He said, a little louder, gently shaking her shoulder.

"Hm." She sighed.

Erik tapped her cheek, "Come on, Sky, you're scaring me."

Figment barked and pounced, landing on top of Sky.

Her eyelids fought to open as she mumbled, "Wha' you wan'?"

"I want you to wake up, Sunny."

Her eyes opened slowly, "Why?"

"Because you weren't responding."

"What?"

Erik cupped her cheek and turned her to face him, "How're you feeling?"

"Tired."

"I'm going to get Becca."

"No," she blinked the sleep from her eyes. "I'll be fine. I just want to rest."

"Yeah, well, you freaked me out. You wouldn't wake up."

"Sorry," she mumbled, scooping up the dog and nuzzling her. "Becca said that might happen."

"What else did Becca say?"

"I'll be fine, Erik."

"Let me worry about you."

She patted the empty side of the bed, "Are you done for the day?"

"Yeah, but I have guard duty right after practice in the morning."

"What did Keith find out?"

"He contacted the Garrison and last I heard, he was waiting to hear back from someone working on Vinn's case," he said, stretching out beside her.

"Have you seen Tristan?"

"No, he's resting. Becca wants him to relax today."

"I think Cady and I are going to go shopping tomorrow."

"Wait until after I'm done with guard duty and I'll go with you."

"No, we're going shopping for our dresses for the New Years Ball, you can't go."

"Sky, you aren't going alone. You're still hurting and until the Bittors are gone, Cady can't go out alone."

"Fine, we'll take someone, but not you."

"Brina?"

"Okay. And maybe my mother."

Erik nodded and kissed the top of her head, "Okay, I'll agree to that."

Sky laid her head on his shoulder and let her eyes drift shut again. She was so tired. This time, Erik let her, wrapping his arms around her as Figment curled into a tight ball on his stomach.

…………………………………………………………………..

"We'll be back in a couple of hours," Cady told Tristan the next day. "Will you be all right?"

He nodded, "I'll be fine Cady. Erik and I are going to find something to do."

She chewed on her lower lip, "Okay. Just don't push yourself to hard."

Tristan pushed himself slowly from his chair and stiffly crossed the room, "I won't, I promise. Go, have fun."

"Do you need anything? I can pick it up for you."

"No, I'm good."

Cady nodded, still hesitant to leave. He had only been here a couple of days and they had had almost no time alone together and here she was leaving him alone.

"Cady, honey, I'm fine," he assured her, laying his hands on her shoulders. "Go, have fun. I'll be here when you get back."

She stood on her toes and kissed him, "Okay, just…be careful."

"You too."

"I love you."

He smiled at her, flashing his dimple and causing her heart to race. "I love you too, Cady."

Sky, Brina, and Darcy were all waiting for her in the hall. Since Sky was still on medical leave, Brina and Darcy were both armed and acting as guard. The four of them made their way to the garage where a car was waiting for them.

"Where are we planning to go?" Darcy asked.

"I want to stop at Deanna's first, then we can hit The Dress House, and if nothing then, we can go to Brandt's Boutique," Cady told her. "We can stop at the café for lunch in between stores."

"Well, we'll see," Darcy said skeptically. "I don't want Sky to push herself, Becca didn't want you to come out today any way, she wants you to take another day."

Sky rolled her eyes as the car moved smoothly out of the garage. "I'm fine, Mother, really."

"Any idea what you're looking for?" Brina asked Cady.

"I want something new, something totally different, something to knock Tristan off his feet."

"Something pink?" Sky asked teasingly.

Cady scowled at her, "No. Maybe something black, low cut…" She trailed off when she noticed Darcy looking at her with a raised eyebrow. "Or maybe not."

Darcy smiled, "I'm just along to make sure you guys are safe and that my daughter doesn't push herself to hard, not to pick out a dress for you. Just…just make it tasteful."

"I will. What about you two?" Cady asked Darcy and Brina. "Are you looking for dresses?"

"I went shopping last week with my mother and bought a dress," Brina told her.

"What's it like?"

"It's a dark green slip dress with cowl neck."

"How long?"

"Ankle length and silver high heeled sandels."

"That sounds beautiful," Cady turned to Darcy. "What about you?"

"Oh, I don't need a new dress. I'll just wear one of my old dresses."

"Hm, no, that won't do. We'll find you something today."

"That's really not necessary."

"What about you, Sky?" Brina asked.

Sky shrugged, "I have no idea."

"It can't be red," Cady said, ticking off her fingers. "Or plain or long, you have great legs Sky, show them off."

"Fine, you can pick out my dress for me," she mumbled.

"Can I?"

"No."

The car slid to a stop in front of Deanna's dress shop and Cady jumped excitedly out of the car, not waiting for the others.

………………………………………………………………….

"Here," Cady thrust her arm through the curtain of Sky's dressing room, two more dresses in her hand. "Try these on."

"Cady," Sky whined. "It's been over an hour. I liked the red one."

"No red. Try the lilac."

"You mean the purple?"

"It's lilac."

"It has a big fake flower on it! No flowers!"

"Fine, try the other one on!"

Grumbling under her breath, Sky stepped into the dress and walked out so someone could zipper up the back.

Cady stepped back and studied her friend, tapping he finger against her lips, "Hm. Turn around. Turn around, Schuyler. Hm. No. I don't think orange is your color."

"I told you that twelve dresses ago."

"Here, sweetie," Darcy walked over, a dress draped over her arm. "Try this."

"I don't know, Mom."

"Trust me, try it on."

Sky retreated back into the dressing room and removed the dress Cady had given her. She held up the dress her mother had handed her and studied it. It was a beautiful organza, halter dress with a tea length skirt. Black lace floral appliqué decorated the hem of the skirt and a narrow black velvet ribbon circled the waist of the champagne colored dress. The full skirt swished and twirled as she spun in front of the mirror.

"Well?" Cady called out.

"Well, I think this is it," Sky called back.

"Do we get to see it?" Darcy asked.

Sky pushed aside the curtain and stepped out.

"Oh, honey," Darcy brought her hand to her mouth. "You look so beautiful."

Cady circled her friend, looking her up and down. "Yes. Yes, that's the dress. We'll find you a nice pair of heels. You'll wear your hair up, of course, so you'll need earrings and a necklace."

"I thought I would wear the trinity knot necklace Erik gave me," Sky said.

"No, you need gold for this dress, not silver. We'll go look at the accessories next. But now it's my turn to have a fashion show." Cady turned and picked up what looked like a dozen dresses she had laid over a chair and disappeared into the empty dressing room beside the one Sky had just vacated.

Sky changed back into her jeans and sweatshirt before returning to her mother's side. Three chairs had been set out by the dressing rooms while Deanna took Sky's dress and carried it to the checkout. Brina, Darcy, and Sky settled in to watch as the Princess tried on dress after dress.

Cady tried on full length, tea length, and cocktail length dresses. Red, green, blue, black, teal, lavender, pale yellow, and every other imaginable color in almost every fabric. Sky let her head fall back against the chair as Deanna zippered up what felt like the one hundredth dress and Cady twirled in front of them.

"Come on, Sky," Cady said, standing in front of them, her hands on her hips. "I helped you, now you can help me."

Sky looked at the full length, strapless organza dress with a trumpet skirt in periwinkle blue. "I don't think so, Cady."

"Why not?"

"I don't like the skirt."

"Okay, I'll be right back." The Princess disappeared back in the dressing room.

Darcy patted Sky's hand, "How're you feeling?"

"I'm fine, Mom, I wouldn't say no to some lunch though."

"We'll get something when we're done here."

"I think I found it!" Cady called out excitedly.

"Let's see it!" Sky replied.

Cady pushed aside the curtain and swept out, holding her hands out at either side. She wore a full length, black satin strapless gown. The neckline was folded over like a cuff showing a contrasting shell pink material, a slit up the side separated as she moved showing another hint of pink beneath. The dress was stunning and sophisticated. While it still had some pink on it, it was a complete departure from her former bright pink ball gowns.

"Oh, Cady, you look so beautiful," Darcy sighed.

"You look amazing," Sky agreed. "Tristan will be blown away."

Brina nodded, "Great choice."

"There are matching gloves," Cady said holding out her arms, the left one still bandaged. "They're fitted and black with small pink buttons. But I don't know if I'll be able to wear them."

"I'm sure we can work something out," Darcy said. "You'll want to wear them."

Cady clapped her hands, "Goodie! Okay, I'll change back and then we can get shoes!"

………………………………………………………..

The car returned to the castle around the middle of the afternoon. Two guards met them and helped carry in the various bags and packages. Darcy had been talked into a new dress. A strapless gown in a cinnamon color with matching shoes and a handbag.

Cady quickly hung her dress in her closet, leaving the bags containing her new shoes, jewelry, evening bag, and the three other outfits she had found lying on the floor in her room. She tossed her coat over her desk chair and hurried from her room in search of Tristan.

"There you are," she said, finding him in the rec room with Erik playing the PlayStation.

"Hi," he grinned at her as she sat on couch beside him. "Any luck?"

"Oh yes, I have found the most beautiful dress. I can't wait for the party."

"I can't wait to see you in it," he said, kissing her.

"Where's Sky?" Erik asked.

"Putting her stuff away," Cady told him before turning back to Tristan. "How're you feeling?"

"All right."

"What has Becca said?"

"She wants me to take it easy, but that I am coming along all right. She spoke to my CO and I'm here for two weeks, then she is going to reevaluate the situation."

Cady grinned excitedly and slid her hands behind his neck, "So I get you for two more weeks."

"Looks that way," he smiled back, his stiff back forbidding him from returning her hug.

Sky walked into the room and fell back into one of the chairs, "What'd I miss?"

"Tristan is staying for two more weeks," Cady told her.

"Good, you can distract Cady so I can get some sleep," she mumbled, closing her eyes.

Erik glanced over his shoulder, "How're you feeling?"

"Okay."

He tossed down the controller down and stood, stretching his arms above his head, "You should be in bed."

She opened her eyes a bit, "Cady and I were talking on the way back and we thought we should plan when we want to go to Terra."

"I can't take time off until I'm through with the Garrison and that won't be until the end of January. I need to go home and get my affairs in order so I can move here." Tristan explained.

"How about March?" Cady asked.

Erik walked behind Sky's chair and rubbed her shoulders, "You just can't wait, can you?"

"No I can't. What's wrong with March?"

Sky tilted her head back and looked up at her boyfriend, "That's good for me."

"If we can get cleared by Keith, that's fine," he told Tristan. "How long were you thinking of staying?"

"Probably a month, if you can get it off."

"We can visit my family in Chicago," Sky said. "And see if we can see your grandparents."

Erik squeezed her shoulders gently, "That would be fun."

"I'll have to let my parents know when to expect us so they can be ready. I know my mother is going to want to have everyone over for a dinner to meet you all." Tristan said.

Cady clapped her hands together, "This is so exciting! I can't wait! And then we'll have to have your parents here."

"They'd love that."

"Come on, Sunny," Erik walked around the front of the chair. "Let's go find Keith and see if we can get the time off."

She held her hands up and let him haul her to her feet, "Okay."

"Then you can go lie down."

She nodded and leaned against him as they left the room.

As soon as they were left alone, Cady turned to Tristan, taking his face in her hands and kissing him gently. "Have I told you how glad I am you're here?"

He ran his fingertip along her bandaged arm, "I just wish you didn't get hurt every time we did get together."

"But I've come away from both injuries stronger and more in love with you."

He smiled softly, "You're a hopeless romantic, Princess."

Cady returned his smile, "I love you, Tristan."

"I love you too, Cady," he whispered, kissing her longingly.