Cady knew that she didn't work out as much as the others, but she had always thought she was in decent shape. By mid afternoon, they had seen a lot of Boston. It was a beautiful city and the history did amaze her, the age of the buildings, what the people did during the Revolutionary to gain their independence. And while she could appreciate how hard they fought, what they had done, if she had to see one more military monument she was going to scream. Not to mention the fact that she was starting to feel smothered by all the people. She had never been so jostled or felt so claustrophobic in her life. And on top of all that, the temperature had peaked at just above thirty degrees.
"How are you holding up?" Tristan asked as they walked through Charlestown.
"I'm fine," she smiled at him, squeezing his hand. "But I wouldn't mind getting something to eat."
Erik laid his hand on his stomach, "I'm with you there, Cady."
"There's a café up here a ways. They have some good sandwiches and hot soup. We can stop there and hit the USS Constitution after we eat." Tristan suggested.
"So what are the plans tonight?" Sky asked. "We're meeting some of your friends?"
"Yeah, there's this pub we used to hang out in. They have some great food, the best Shepard's Pie you'll ever have, and the beer is cold and comes in big mugs."
"Will we have time to go home and change?" Cady asked.
Tristan looked at her, "Is that why you brought so many clothes? So you can change three times a day?"
"This will only be the second outfit of the day and I can't go out in my walking clothes, I need to put on something more suitable for hitting the town in the evening."
"There is a difference between daywear and eveningwear," Sky explained as they entered the warmth of the small cafe. "Then there's day makeup and evening makeup."
"Day hair and evening hair," Cady added.
"You have no idea how easy you men have it," Sky sighed.
Rolling his eyes, Erik said, "Come on, Sunny, you look hot no matter what."
"Ohhhh, good response, Erik," she kissed his cheek.
"You've trained him well," Cady muttered as she studied the menu hanging behind the counter.
"What did you use? A rolled up newspaper?" Tristan asked.
"No," Erik wrapped his arms around Sky. "She uses special rewards."
"Okay," Cady held her hands up. "I don't want to lose my appetite."
"Their clam chowder is terrific," Tristan said, trying to change the subject.
They all jumped in surprise when Erik's communicator sounded. He unclipped it from his belt and excused himself to step outside.
"I wonder what that's about," Sky murmured, watching him through the front window.
"You'll find out soon enough," Cady told her. "Split a sandwich with me?"
Sky turned back to the counter, "Sure. No tomatoes."
"You can pick them off. Can I have a cup of clam chowder and a turkey sandwich, please. Oh, and a soda."
The bored teen boy behind the counter looked at the three of them, "Is this all together?"
"Yes," Tristan said before the others could speak. "There's a fourth as well. Sky? You ready to order?"
"I'll have a cup of clam chowder and, well, I guess I'll order for Erik. Um, another cup of clam chowder and the chicken club and two sodas."
Tristan placed his order and paid while the girls took their cups to the soda machines. They took their number and found a table before Erik joined them again.
"Everything okay?" Sky asked when he sat down.
"I am officially off the hook," he said.
"What do you mean?" Tristan asked.
Realization dawned on Sky, "Lauria had the baby."
He nodded and turned to Tristan, "My Uncle Bandor's wife had a baby last night, their first, a boy."
"And that means you are no longer the next in line for the throne," Tristan concluded.
Erik smiled, "Yup. Xavior Bandor. A healthy eight pounds, six ounces, twenty-one inches long. Mother and son are doing fine."
Sky reached across the table and squeezed his hand, "You okay with this?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Now I really can concentrate on flying and working on the Polluxian military with my father."
"The Polluxian military?" Tristan asked. "What about Black? And Voltron?"
"I am flying Black as long as I need to, as long as Black calls me. But I still have responsibilities to my home planet and it's safety."
"What about you?" Tristan asked Sky as their meals were delivered.
She took the half a sandwich that Cady offered and replied, "My home is with Erik."
"So, uh, so what my mother said at dinner last night…"
"She jumped the gun a little," Sky said.
Erik nodded, "We have no idea where she came up with that."
"Sorry about that."
"It's all right," Sky assured him. "I can think of worse things to be said about us."
"No pressure, huh, Erik?" Tristan teased.
But Erik didn't respond, his attention was turned to the television set on the wall across from them, behind Cady and Tristan.
"What is it?" Cady asked, turning to look over her shoulder.
The television was tuned into a twenty-four hour news channel. The screen flashed images of Keith and Allura before switching to Vinn. A banner across the bottom of the screen read Abuse Allegations.
Erik stood and walked quickly over to the set to turn the volume up.
"…Vinn was the leader of the now defunct Bittor Coalition, his family had ties to the former Doom empire, once led by King Zarkon and then his son Lotor. Last year, Vinn, whose full name is Kabandha Vinnachara, attacked the planet Arus, hoping to gain control of Arus' famous protector, the robotic fighter, Voltron. After several battles, including one that left the Princess of Arus," (a picture of Cady appeared on the screen) "with a blaster injury, Vinn was captured by the Voltron Force, led by Commander Erik Johansson, when the Force freed members of the Polluxian royal family abducted by Vinn. In another small twist, the royal family members who were abducted were Princess Romelle, Prince Consort Sven, and Princess Delora Johansson, the parents and sister of Commander Johansson. Vinn's trial is due to start in ten days, the jury had been selected last month, seven men and five women. Now Vinn's lawyers have brought allegations of abuse to the table, claiming the Arusian royal family used excessive force when detaining him…"
"That's a lie!" Cady gasped.
Tristan laid a hand on her arm, "We know Cady, its just Vinn trying to find a way out of trouble."
"We are attempting to contact the Arusian royal family to speak with them concerning the allegations and the group of investigators being sent to Arus," the reporter continued. "We will have more as this story unfolds. We'll be right back after these messages with today's stock numbers…"
Erik turned the volume down and returned to their table, "I have to contact Keith, see if he knows what's going on."
Sky watched him walk back outside, "They can't possibly believe Vinn."
"They have to check out all the allegations," Tristan explained. "The Garrison will send some investigators to conduct some interviews and perform an inspection of where he was kept. Your parents did nothing wrong, I'm sure this will all be over very quickly."
"What did he have to say?" Cady asked when Erik came back.
"When we get back to the house, he wants us all to contact him so he can talk to us all together." Erik said.
"We can head back now," Tristan said, gathering the plates onto the tray. "We can get a cab and be back at the house in twenty minutes."
The four of them arrived back at the Alexander Estate in the late afternoon. Josie was out shopping with a friend and Tristan's father wouldn't be home from the office until seven o'clock. The only people in the house were the two maids and the butler.
"Come with me," Tristan said. "We can use my father's study, no one will bother us in there."
Cady dug her communicator out of her purse and flipped it open.
"You should clip that to your waistband or carry it in your pocket," Erik suggested. "Its easier to get to."
"I know, I know," she mumbled. "Now what do we do."
"Dial up the castle."
"Can we all do it at the same time?"
He rolled his eyes, "Geez, Cady, did you hear anything your father told you when he gave you this?"
"Yes," she replied haughtily. "I just never had to call in as part of a group, so don't pick on me. Jerk."
"Brat."
"Self-righteous creep."
"High maintenance diva."
"Children," Sky interrupted. "We have a call to make."
"You could at least try to defend my honor," Cady grumbled to Tristan.
"I thought you were doing a fine job on your own," he replied.
"I'm dialing in now," Sky announced. "If any of you would like to join me, feel free."
Tristan sat in the chair behind his father's large desk, Cady and Sky sat in the chairs opposite the desk while Erik leaned against the bookshelf behind Tristan.
"Castle Control, Arus," Hunk answered.
"Hi, Uncle Hunk, we're calling to talk to my father," Cady said.
Five seconds later, Hunk nodded, "Keith said you were going to call. Hold on a sec, I have to transfer you to his study. How's the vacation going?"
"Good, we're having a good time."
"Glad to hear that. Bring me back some Hershey's chocolate if you think of it."
"We will," she promised with a smile.
"Okay, have fun kids." Hunk punched a few buttons.
Their screens dipped to black and a few moments later Keith and Allura appeared.
"Hi, kids, how are you?" Allura asked.
"Just fine, Mom, how're things going there?"
"All right, considering."
"Do we know what's going on?" Erik asked.
"We were contacted by the Garrison earlier today," Keith explained. "They explained that allegations had been brought up against us, Vinn claiming that he had been mistreated by us as dictated by the Intergalactic Rules of War."
"What does he say happened?" Tristan asked.
"He claims we used excessive force when detaining him, that we held back food and water, and that the conditions in which he was held were not up to Garrison standards. His lawyers are trying to get a hold of Rossbin's attorneys in hopes of proving a pattern of mistreatment of prisoners."
"What are they hoping to achieve with these accusations?" Sky asked.
"Lesser sentences or even a mistrial."
"What's going to happen now?" Erik asked.
"Their sending investigators to check our facilities and question us and some of the guards."
"What do you need us to do?"
Keith smiled reassuringly, "You don't need to do anything right now, just have fun and keep your communicators on you. And I want to make sure that the three of you are carrying your weapons at all times."
"Yes, sir," Erik, Tristan, and Sky replied.
"We will contact you if we need to speak with you. Just keep alert as to what is going on around you and contact us immediately if you hear or see anything out of the ordinary."
"When are you planning to come to Terra?" Cady asked.
"Unless anything else comes up, we're planning to arrive in New York City next week."
"Sir," Tristan spoke up. "I just wanted to let you know that if you need any help at all, legally speaking, I'm sure my father and his law firm would be more than happy to help."
"Thank you, Tristan," Allura replied. "We really appreciate that."
"Yes, thank you, Tristan, but I am hoping it won't come to that. We did nothing wrong and they will know that after they finish their investigation." Keith added. "We don't want to put a damper on your trip. Don't worry about a thing, we'll take care of it all. Have fun."
"Just keep us updated, please," Cady requested.
"Of course we will," Allura assured them. "Have fun kids, and keep in touch."
The four of them snapped their communicators shut and sat in silence for a few moments.
"Well, it's not going to do us any good just sitting here," Sky said, standing. "Let's go get ready to go out."
Cady spent the better part of an hour digging through her clothes, trying to figure out what to wear. She wanted to look good for Tristan, but if Alexis was going to be there, then she wanted to look as good as was humanly possible.
"Cady, are you ready yet?" Sky asked, knocking on the door.
"I think so," Cady called back. She stood in front of the vanity, studying herself in the mirror.
Sky walked in and rolled her eyes at the sight of discarded clothes piled on the bed. "Glad to see you found something."
The Princess smoothed her hands over the pale pink sweater she wore with a dark gray, knee length skirt. "What do you think?"
"I think you're a little overdressed for a bar."
"Really?"
"Here, try these," Sky tossed a pair of black jeans to her friend.
"You think?"
"Yes."
"What about my hair? Up or down?"
"Who are you trying to impress?"
"No one."
"Cady."
"What if Alexis shows up?"
Sky nodded slowly, "I always liked your hair pulled back in a French braid."
"Could you help me out with that? Whenever I try to do that on my own it ends up crooked."
"Sure," Sky picked the brush up off the vanity. "Cady, you know you have nothing to worry about, right? Whatever Tristan and Alexis may have had before is over. He's in love with you."
"I know, I just…" Cady trailed off.
"You just want to make her jealous."
"Does that make me a bad person?"
"No, it makes you human."
"What would you do if you met one of Erik's ex-girlfriends?"
"Probably beat the crap out of her."
"Really?"
Sky chuckled, "No. I'm not worried about any of Erik's exes. He never really had a serious girlfriend other than me."
"They were engaged," Cady mumbled.
"But they aren't anymore and he's with you, so stop this."
"I can't help it."
"Then why are you going shopping with her?"
Cady shrugged, "I don't know, I just want to."
"I still think it's incredibly stupid of you."
"I know you do, but you are coming with us, right?"
Sky stopped halfway through the braid, "What?"
"I can't go alone and I can't take Tristan, so you're going to come, right?"
"Cady…"
"Please, Sky, you're my best friend, you have to come."
She went back to weaving Cady's blonde hair into a thick braid, chewing on her bottom lip as she considered what her friend was asking her. "I can't promise that I'll be able to behave myself and keep my mouth shut."
Cady stood and examined her hair in the mirror, "This really means a lot to me, Sky."
"All right, all right. I'll go, but if you do anything stupid, I don't know you."
"Thanks, Sky," Cady hugged her.
"Does Tristan know you're going shopping with her?"
"No."
"Are you going to tell him?"
"Of course I will," Cady picked up her purse and jacket. "I'm not about to keep that from him."
"You going to tell him tonight?"
"If, uh, if it comes up."
"You girls ready yet?" Erik called, knocking on the door.
"Yeah, come in," Cady called back.
The door opened and the two guys walked in, looking ready for a night on the town. Tristan wore a pair of khakis and a black sweater, his coat draped over his arm. Erik followed him into the room wearing a pair of blue jeans and a dark red button down shirt beneath his black leather jacket.
"I'm going to have to keep a close eye on you," Sky teased. "You're looking pretty hot, I can't let some cheap floozy try to steal you away from me tonight at the bar."
"Oh, Sunny, you're the only cheap floozy for me," he assured her, slipping his arm around her shoulders.
"Hey! I like to think I'm more expensive than your average floozy."
Tristan took Cady's coat from her hands and held it up so she could slip it on, "You look beautiful, Cady."
"Thank you, Tristan, you look great."
"I just talked to Owen," he told her. "A couple of my other friends are going to be there, John and his girlfriend, Dory, and Ian and his wife. A few others might stop by if they have time."
"Good," she grinned at him. "I can't wait to meet your friends."
"Come on," Erik called to them. "I am starving."
O'Reilly's Pub was already crowded by the time they arrived. A couple of older gentleman, one completely bald and the other with a thick gray beard, sat on a small stage with a guitar and a fiddler playing Irish music. A thin haze of smoke and the smell of fried bar food swirled around them. Laughter and shouts surrounded them as they forced their way through the throng of people, past the bar and to the room in the back.
"Tristan! Over here!" Owen sat at a large, round table with a handful of other people. "I thought you could use one of these," he said, pointing to a tall mug filled with a thick, dark liquid.
"Oh, man, I have been craving a Guinness," Tristan said as he pulled out a chair for Cady. "One of the things I miss about being on Arus."
"You can't get Guinness on Arus? How can you stay there?" One of the other guys asked.
Tristan laid his hand on Cady's shoulder, "Believe me, there are other, better, reasons to stay there."
"Still the charmer, I see," the girl sitting next to Owen said.
Tristan winked at her, "As always. Everyone, this is Cady and Erik and Sky. Guys, that's John and his girlfriend Dory, Ian and Gina, and of course you know Owen."
"It's nice to meet you all," Cady said kindly. "And it's nice to see you again, Owen, how are you?"
"I'd be doing a lot better if you decided to dump that jerk and run off with me."
"Um, not tonight, sorry."
"My family has a house on the Cape," he offered.
She furrowed her brow, "The Cape?"
"Cape Cod," Tristan told her, sitting in the chair beside her. "And my family has a bigger house there, maybe, if you're good, I'll take you there."
"If I'm good?"
He leaned over and whispered, "You have to stop teasing me."
"That goes for you too," she whispered back.
"Hey now," Owen interrupted. "Leave that behavior for the bedroom."
Cady felt the heat rise to her face at his insinuation.
The conversation flowed easily as Cady, Erik and Sky got to know Tristan's friends. Like Owen, John was in law school and Dory was a third grade teacher. Ian worked in banking and was married to Gina who was a housewife and three months pregnant with their first child.
"So, Erik, Sky, what do you do?" John asked as a waitress delivered their meals.
"We're both pilots," Erik told him.
"What? You work for an airline?" Dory asked.
Sky shook her head, "No, I fly Red Lion and Erik flies Black Lion in the Voltron Force."
"Oh. So you're military."
"Yes." Sky felt her defenses start to rise.
"That must be terribly exciting," Gina said in a forced voice, obviously trying to keep the peace.
"You'll have to excuse John and Dory, they're pacifists," Owen explained. "They don't think a military is necessary."
"What about defense?" Sky asked.
"That's just an excuse for power hungry war mongers to lead innocent men and women to their deaths." Dory said. "Every problem can be solved if both sides just sit down together and discuss their issues."
"Are you serious?"
Erik laid a hand on Sky's knee beneath the table, "Let it go, Sky."
"You're lucky to not know what it's like to need defense," Cady said softly.
There was a moment of silence before Dory spoke up again. "I have seen this man, Vinn, that Arus claims led an attack against them. How did that pathetic dough-boy lead an attack against what is considered the greatest military defense system, this Voltron?"
"You have no idea what you're talking about, Dory," Tristan said sharply.
"Oh come on, Tristan! He can barely hold his head up in court, how could he lead…"
"I was kidnapped the first time when I was six months old," Cady said, staring Dory directly in the eye. "Last summer I was shot and I was kidnapped again this past Christmas Eve. My mother had been kidnapped and abused in countless ways while the most evil, vile man tried to force her to marry him, so he could control Voltron and take over Arus. Erik's father was injured so badly he had to give up his career and he met Erik's mother after she had been tossed into a pit and left to die, the same way he had been months before. Sky's mother almost died when she was eight months pregnant with her. I could spend the rest of this evening telling you stories about my parents and their friends and that wouldn't even begin to scratch the surface of the evil they've faced. All by power hungry war mongers trying to get their hands on the greatest military defense system, Voltron. Arus has never, in all it's history, ever declared war or attacked anyone. Voltron has only served as a defender of Arus and her neighbors. Like I said, you're lucky to not know what it's like to need defense. It's so easy to sit all the way back here, in your big house on the hill, and pass judgment on something you know nothing about."
Sky grinned at her friend, proud of the Princess.
Tristan laid his hand on top of Cady's, squeezing gently. He had not meant for this to happen, his friends were good people, but he knew that Dory had a hidden agenda and he would have a word with her later.
Owen broke the heavy silence, "So, Tristan said you guys went on the Freedom Trail, what did you think of this fair city of ours."
"It's amazing," Erik replied, helping him steer the conversation. "The history here is just astounding."
"Are you planning to go to The Museum Of Fine Arts?" Gina asked. "They have the second largest art collection in the country."
"I would love to see that," Sky told her. "When we go to Chicago we always hit the Art Institute, I love Impressionism."
"Then you have to go. They have Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas."
The conversation was steered around their visit to Terra and what all they had to do and where they were going to go. Cady stayed quiet and poked at her Shepard's Pie, barely making a dent in it. She felt angry at Dory and a little insulted.
Why would she say those things about Arus and Voltron? Cady thought. She has no idea what she's talking about.
Tristan noticed Cady's silence and tried to reassure her with gentle touches to her hand or her shoulder, flashing her quiet smiles.
"If you'll excuse me," Cady stood. "I'm going to visit the little girl's room."
Sky set her fork down, "I think I'll go with you. I need to powder my nose."
"What the hell is your problem?" Tristan asked Dory as soon as Cady and Sky were out of earshot.
"I'm sorry, Tristan, but I won't change my beliefs because your new girlfriend believes in war," she said.
"No, Dory, you're causing trouble and I would appreciate it if you would stop it."
"I can't pretend to be something I'm not."
He narrowed his eyes, "Dammit, Dory, Alexis and I are through and we have been for a long time. I don't care if she is your best friend, all you are doing tonight is putting a strain on our friendship."
"Come on guys," Owen spoke up, trying to keep the peace. "Let's just forget the earlier conversation and start over when Sky and Cady get back, okay?"
"That sounds like a good idea," Erik agreed.
John elbowed his girlfriend in the side, "Let it go, hon."
"Fine," Dory shrugged. "Whatever."
"I mean it," Tristan warned, starting to regret this whole evening.
She sighed and set her fork down, "I know. I'm sorry, Tristan, I was out of line. I had no idea what she has gone through."
"Then I hope you learn to think before you speak."
"I said I was sorry, what more do you want?"
"I want you to apologize to Cady when she comes back."
"Fine."
Erik watched this exchange with interest. He had figured from the beginning that Dory had it out for Cady for some reason, he just hadn't known why. Now he realized that some of Tristan and Alexis' friends were not ready to accept his new girlfriend into their clique.
Cady and Sky returned to their seats, both looking a little more at ease. If anyone could bring Cady out of a funk, it was Sky.
Tristan cleared his throat.
Taking the hint, Dory smiled shyly at across the table. "Cady, I want to apologize for my earlier comments. I was out of line and insensitive. I hope you can forgive me."
Cady nodded and smiled sweetly, "Of course, Dory, no harm done."
"Good," Owen clapped his hands together. "Now we can all go back to be friends."
It was after ten when the group broke up and went their separate ways home. After Dory's apology, the entire atmosphere surrounding the table had changed. They all talked loudly over the sound of the growing crowd within the bar and laughed over some of the antics Tristan and Owen had shared when they were younger. And laughing even louder at the scowling expression on Cady's face when she had her first taste of Guinness.
Erik and Tristan were waiting by the table while Sky and Cady returned to the ladies room one last time before heading home.
"Tristan, I don't know what happened between you and Alexis," Erik said when they were alone. "And it is none of my business, but I think, if you are going to introduce Cady to people like Dory, you should fill her in on what went on."
Tristan nodded and looked down at Cady's white coat that he held in his hands, "I know and I plan on it. Just let me do it my way."
