"Dr. Audric will be with you in a moment," Nurse Jewelia told them as Keith and Allura escorted the Garrison investigators into the hospital wing.

"Is everything all right?" Allura asked.

"Oh, of course. It's lunchtime." The nurse said slyly, winking.

"Oh. Yeah." Keith mumbled and turned back to the others. "Please have a seat."

Allura giggled softly. Even after they had six children, Keith was still a little uncomfortable at the thought of breastfeeding a baby.

"So this is your hospital?" Dinsman asked, looking around.

"Yes it is, we'll go on a tour when Becca is done," Keith said.

"How long has Dr. Audric been the practicing physician here?"

"She trained with Dr. Gorma, the former royal physician, for about eight years. Then she took over officially about eight years ago."

"She is the only doctor now?"

"Yes, but Dr. Gorma has come out of retirement to help when Becca got close to having a baby and to give her some time off after each birth."

Dinsman nodded as he studied the diplomas that hung on the wall.

The door slid open and Pidge walked in. He stopped and saluted, "Cap."

"At ease, Pidge," Keith replied. "This is Major Dinsman and Captains Sodian and Garner. And this is Lieutenant Pidge Audric."

They saluted each other and exchanged pleasantries.

"I just came to pick up my youngest," Pidge explained, stopping in front of the door to Becca's office. "So, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to check on them."

Five minutes later, the door opened and Becca stepped out, followed by Pidge who was cradling their son, Ben. "I'll come get him when we're done here," she told him, giving him a quick kiss.

Pidge grinned at her, "No hurry."

She turned to the people waiting for her and flashed her sweet smile, "Hello."

"Becca," Keith stepped forward. "This is Major Dinsman and Captains Sodian and Garner, they would like to ask you a few questions."

"Oh of course, um, my office is kind of small, it would probably be best if we stayed out here where there are enough chairs."

Major Dinsman nodded, but continued standing, "We'll try and make this quick, Dr, Audric, I understand how busy you are."

Becca nodded and leaned against the edge of the nurse's desk, "What can I do for you?"

"You were the attending physician when Vinn was brought to the castle, correct?"

"Yes I was."

"Can you tell me about the injuries he sustained."

"Yes, he wasn't badly injured at all, just a bruise on the cheek. He claimed to have been injured elsewhere, but I couldn't find anything. If you would like I can get you a copy of his file which includes an intrascan of what he claimed was a broken wrist."

"It wasn't broken, I take it."

Becca shook her head, "No, not even sprained. I truly believe he is a hypochondriac."

"That's your professional diagnosis?"

"Yes it is, but feel free to get a second opinion if you would like. I can even give you the names of some doctors I know on Terra."

Dinsman shook his head, "Thank you, but that won't be necessary, we've spoken to other doctors already."

Becca was dying to ask him what they had said, but she knew he wouldn't tell her. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Did you treat him here?"

"I first met with him in his cell and did my cursory examination there. He was only brought up here for the intrascan and then returned quickly to his cell."

Dinsman made a note on his clipboard and then tucked it under his arm. "Thank you, Dr. Audric, we appreciate you taking the time to talk with us."

"Of course," she shook the hand he offered. "Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you."

"Paton should be waiting for us in Castle Control," Keith said as he and Allura led them from the hospital.

"I was hoping we could speak with her downtown, I would like to see where Vinn was kept after he was taken from the castle," Dinsman said.

"No problem, we'll get a car to take us down to the station."

"Major, can I ask you about your findings so far?" Allura asked.

He shook his head, "I'm sorry, your highness, but you will have to wait until I have finished collecting all the data. I will make sure you receive a full copy of my report."

"I appreciate that, Major."

"Paton," Keith greeted her as they entered Castle Control. "How are you?"

"I'm just fine, Keith, sorry I was held up at the office or I would have been here sooner," she smiled.

"It's no problem, I'm just glad you could find time to get up here. Paton, this is Major Dinsman and Captains Sodian and Garner. Major, Captains, this is Chief Paton Landers."

She smiled and shook hands with all of them, "Welcome to Arus."

Major Dinsman studied the tall, raven haired woman with piercing blue eyes. She did not look like any police chief he had ever seen, she seemed nice, but there was an obvious strength about her. She carried herself an air of authority that made her both approachable and intimidating.

"We were hoping to take a tour of the police station and see where Vinn was held," Dinsman explained.

"Keith is calling for a car now," Allura spoke up.

"That'll be fine," Paton said. "We only have one cell in use at the moment, the one used to house Vinn is free."

"Good, good. I'd like to see that. Now, can you walk us through what a normal booking procedure would be?"

"Of course, would you like me to tell you about it now or wait until we get down to the station?"

"We can do it when we get down to the station. Now, Chief Landers, how long have you been chief of police here?"

"Since Keith started the Arusian Police Department, just over twenty years ago."

"Which would have made you a young chief."

Paton smiled, "I was twenty-three."

"What were your credentials to become chief?"

"I had actually studied law enforcement at the Jalson University on Planet Idilan, where I graduated at the top of my class. My family was originally from Arus, but they had left just as the war with Doom was starting. I always wanted to come back and when I learned that Queen Allura and her husband were rebuilding, I came and applied for a position on the police force. Keith felt I was qualified enough to be chief of police."

"And it was one of the best decisions I ever made," Keith said, joining them. "We can head down to the garage now."

The trip and tour of the police station was over in half an hour. Paton patiently answered all of Dinsman's questions and showing him the small cell that had held Vinn and where food was prepared. Several of her officers were questioned while Sodian and Garner did thorough searches of the cells.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?" Paton asked as she walked them to the door.

"No, thank you, Chief Landers, I believe we have everything we need right now," Dinsman told her.

Paton handed him one of her cards, "If you need anything else, feel free to contact me."

"I will, thank you."

Keith and Allura piled into the car with their guests. It had been a long day and they were both looking forward to this whole interrogation to be over.

"Are there any other people you would like to speak with?" Allura asked.

"We have spoken with everyone we need to," Dinsman answered.

Keith nodded, "We have made up guests rooms for you all."

"Thank you, Commander, we'll only need to stay one night, we're planning on leaving first thing in the morning."

"That's fine," Allura said. "We'll have dinner at seven and you are more than welcome to join us, if you'd rather not, we can have something sent to your rooms."

"Thank you, your highness, we appreciate your generosity."


Cady snapped her communicator shut and looked at Tristan. "The Garrison investigators have left," she told him. The two of them were on their way back to his parent's house.

"What did they say?"

"Nothing yet, they questioned my parents, Nanny, Becca, and Paton, but they wouldn't tell them their findings. Mom said they promised to send a copy of their report when they finished it."

Tristan took one hand off the steering wheel and laid it on her knee, "I'm sure everything went fine. What else did they have to say?"

"Mom liked my hair but I don't think Dad is too sure about it."

He chuckled, "Well, as long as you discussed the important things."

"I told them we were heading to Grandma's house tomorrow."

"Did they tell you when we can expect them to arrive on Terra?"

"A week from tomorrow."

"So, maybe," he trailed his hand up her leg. "After we visit your grandmother, we can sneak off and…"

"And what?" She asked, innocently.

"And have a day or two of wild, passionate sex."

"Maybe. We'll have to see."

"What if I promised you more cheesecake?"

"Depends on the cheesecake."

Tristan chuckled, "Honey, I am going to take you to a place you could only imagine in your wildest dreams."

"Where?"

"It's a place that once you step foot in it, you are going to want to move in."

"Where?" She repeated excitedly.

"The Cheesecake Factory."

"A whole factory?"

He laughed, "I love you so much, Cady."

"What?"

"It's a restaurant, but they have several different flavors of cheesecake."

"And you're hoping that if you take me there, you'll get lucky, huh?"

"Would you hate me if I said yes?"

"I would think you were a dirty-minded pig," she leaned over and kissed his cheek. "But I'd be even more disappointed in the fact that you think you have to bribe me with cheesecake when you could have me any time you want."

He grinned, "Really?"

"Sure."

"There's a rest stop ahead, he can pull over and…"

"Okay, maybe not any time."


Sky glanced up at the clock and sighed. It was almost 9:00 and she knew someone would be knocking on her door soon to get her up. She and Erik had been at her grandmother's house for four days and she had been having a great time. They had gone sightseeing, hitting museums and stores. They had gathered with her extended family for picnics and get-togethers. It had been a lot of fun. But they had been on Terra for almost two weeks and had been going non-stop.

Now, Sky was curled up in the guest room at her grandmother's house, just enjoying the chance to relax. Precisely at 9:00am, there was quick rap at the door.

She groaned and turned her face into her pillow.

"Time to get up, Sunny," Erik said as he knocked.

"Go away," she called back.

With a smile on his lips, he turned the knob and slowly pushed to door open. Sunlight filtered in through the blinds and cut across the lump beneath the blankets. He crept into the room and paused for a split second before jumping and landing on top of her.

Sky groaned as he rolled off her and laid on his side, grinning at her. "I think I told you to go away," she mumbled.

"I couldn't help myself, you're just so cute," he teased, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

She cuddled closer to him and closed her eyes.

"Your grandmother is waiting for you."

Sky grunted.

"Come on, Sunny, what's your problem?"

She opened her eyes, "Don't you just want a day off?"

"What do you mean?"

"We're on our vacation, Erik, and we haven't even had any time for R&R. Think about it. I mean I love my family and I am so very happy that I get to spend this time with them, but, well, even when we're at home and working, we get at least one day off each week."

"So, you want to sneak off somewhere and make out?"

She smirked, "That's certainly one way we could get a little R&R."

"Maybe next week…"

"Your parents and Aunt Allura and Uncle Keith are coming in for the trial and your grandparents are flying over."

"Hm," he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Tell you what, Sunny, when we get back to Arus, I'll see what I can do about us getting a day off to recoup."

She snorted, "A vacation from our vacation?"

"Sure."

"Schuyler! Erik! Time to get up!" Molly Collier shouted from the foot of the stairs. "Come along now, Lawrence will be here in an hour and I want you to eat breakfast first."

Sky whimpered and pulled the blanket over her head, grumbling, "Why did you let him talk us into speaking to his classes?"

"Because he picked us and your cousins up at the bar the other night and didn't tell your grandmother."

She giggled.

"Yeah, you laugh now. Get up, Sunny."

"Okay, okay, but you have to leave so I can get up and get dressed."

"Why?" He raised his eyebrows. "Are you naked underneath that blanket?"

"You wish."

"You're right."

"Go," she shoved him off the bed.

After sharing a ridiculously large breakfast, the two of them climbed into Lawrence's SUV.

"You guys ready to face my students?" He asked.

"I think we can handle it," Sky told him.

"I told them you were coming and to make sure they had plenty of questions."

"You realize, right, that there are some questions we can't answer?" Erik asked.

"I know, only answer the questions you are at liberty to. Feel free to squelch their desire to learn by refusing to answer any other questions."

"Nice to know our options, Uncle Lawrence," Sky mumbled.

………………………………………….

Just over an hour later, Erik and Sky stood in front of a crowded classroom, answering the questions of Lawrence's students at the Academy.

"So you're telling us, that the Voltron Lions are magical?" A cadet in the front row asked sarcastically.

Erik nodded, "You don't choose to be a Voltron Lion, you are chosen. The Lion has to accept you as its pilot. We all received a calling of sorts, either through dreams or visions or both."

"A calling?" Another cadet said. "I find that hard to believe."

Sky shrugged, "It's true. There's a magic on Arus that you have to experience to understand, I could try and explain it to you, but you're obviously too cynical to believe me."

"Can you explain your rankings to us?" A girl in the front row asked.

"Well, the Voltron Force is a separate entity from the Arusian military," Erik explained. "I am the Commander of the Force, but we all report to Commander and Prince Consort Keith Whitaker. Schuyler is my second-in-command, followed in order by Blue's pilot, Declan Whitaker, Yellow's pilot, Gideon Whitaker, and Green's pilot, Brina Morrigan. All four of them are attending the officer school at the Arusian military academy, when they finish, they will be 2nd Lieutenants with the ability to move up through the ranks. I have had more military training than the others and I am a 1st Lieutenant."

A young man near the back of the room raised his hand, "What about the allegations recently made about the Voltron Force and the Arusian military using excessive force on a prisoner?"

"All I can say is that they are not true. I cannot go into detail because the investigation is underway."

A few more hands shot up just as the bell rang.

"All right, gang," Lawrence stepped forward. "Class is over, but I believe Commander Johasson and Ms. Collier are going to hang around for a bit, so if you have a free period next and would like to hang out, feel free too."

Most of the class filed out, but a few stragglers hung back. Sky soon found herself separated from Erik, surrounded mostly by girls.

"Have you found it difficult to succeed in a field dominated by men?" One of the female cadets asked her.

Sky shook her head, "No, I haven't, but then understand that my situation is different from yours. I have been destined to be Red's pilot since I was six years old. And I pretty much grew up with the team. I've known Erik, Declan, and Gideon my entire life, so we have a great relationship with plenty of respect for each other. I work hard, I am good at what I do, and I know it. I don't allow any of them to let me believe otherwise. You are all just as capable as any of these guys in this room."

"How did you know you were destined to be Red Lion's pilot?" Another cadet asked.

"I had received a calling, through dreams. My parents thought I was nuts, but Queen Allura believed me. I grew up with Red, my father was her original pilot, and I've been flying in her since before I could remember. My dad said I was six months old the first time he took me up, my mother said she was ready to leave him because of that."

"Do you see yourself doing this in ten, fifteen years?"

"Yes. I actually don't see myself as anything but a Voltron Force pilot."

"So you didn't have any formal training to fly Red Lion?"

Sky shook her head, "What Erik said earlier about there being magic involved is true. When you're accepted by the Lion, flying becomes almost second nature. Not to mention the fact that Red was pretty much my second home."

"If you hadn't received this calling, what would you be doing?"

"I would like to think that I would still be flying, probably in the Arusian Air Brigade. But thank goodness I did get my calling."

The next twenty minutes were spent with Sky answering questions about her training and the missions they had been on. She found that she was really enjoying this. Sky loved her job, her life, and she really loved having the opportunity to share it with people who were interested in learning about it.

The group began to thin out and Sky found herself alone after saying good bye as the last in her group left. Erik was still speaking to two stragglers as Lawrence came over and slung an arm around his niece's shoulders.

"How're you holding up, Schuyler?" He asked.

"Just fine, Uncle Lawrence, thanks."

"So, what do you think?"

"I think this is great. I actually had a lot of fun today."

"Are you guys going to hang around and have lunch in the mess?"

She looked over to see Erik shaking hands with the last student in the room, "I think we can. We'll have to see what Erik thinks."

"What I think about what?" He asked, joining them.

"Do you want to have lunch in the mess?"

Erik shrugged, "Sure. I wouldn't mind seeing more of the Academy."

"I'm free this period," Lawrence said. "I can give you a tour now and then we can head on to the mess."

He took them through the three classroom buildings, the firing range, the garages where the vehicles were kept, the hangers, and the dormitories. It was a large campus, housing over seven thousands students. Lawrence had been teaching military tactics there for twenty-five years, he had even been teaching when Sky's mother had attended.

"Now the food isn't that great, but it's pretty decent." Lawrence explained as they filed into the mess.

Several tables long enough to comfortably sit ten people filled the room. A long line had formed along the wall opposite them and led to a big window in the wall where trays were being loaded with food and passed through to the cadets waiting.

"Mm, mm," Lawrence mumbled. "Meatloaf. If I had known, I would have offered to take you off campus for lunch."

"Oh stop it, this is fine," Sky assured him.

The three of them joined the line and Erik and Lawrence quickly fell into a conversation about basketball, the one sport Sky had no interest in. So she occupied her time scanning the room. She noticed the noise level was low, everyone speaking quietly and the gentle scrap of utensils against metal plates. It seemed strange to her. A regular dinner at the castle produced twice as much noise as was going on in the mess hall.

"Hello."

Sky turned and looked at the man in front of her, "Hi."

He looked her up and down, taking in her casual appearance, "Are you touring the Academy? Thinking of joining?"

"No. I…"

"Give it some thought, we could use some more beautiful women here to brighten the campus," he said with a smile.

Sky fought the urge to roll her eyes, "I appreciate that, but I am not interested in attending the Academy, I'm…"

He looked over her shoulder, "Are you with him? Please tell me he's your brother."

This time she gave into the urge and rolled her eyes, "No, actually, he's my big, easily angered boyfriend."

"Easily angered?" The cadet raised an eyebrow. "Is that a threat or a cry for help?"

Lawrence leaned close to Erik and whispered, "I think your girlfriend is being hit on."

Erik glanced over and smiled, "Sky can handle herself."

"You're not going to charge in all chivalrous?"

"If I need to."

"But if she…" Lawrence stopped, shocked at what he saw as Sky grabbed the cadet's arm, twirled him around and forced him, face against the wall, onto his knees.

Silence fell as everyone watched this woman bring a man who outweighed her by about fifty pounds to his knees.

"I said, I wasn't interested," Sky hissed.

Biting back a smile, Erik laid his hand on her arm, "Let him go, Sunny."

"Is there a problem?" Lawrence asked in his best teacher tone.

"No sir," the cadet stood straight. "Just a misunderstanding, sir."

"Misunderstanding my a…"

"Sky," Erik interrupted.

Lawrence turned to his niece who smiled sweetly in response. "All right, cadet," he sighed. "Get your lunch and leave the young lady alone."

"Yes, sir."

Erik shook his head, "You just had to make a scene, didn't you?"

"He wouldn't leave me alone and you weren't exactly coming to my rescue," she retorted.

"I knew you could handle it yourself," he replied, accepting a tray passed through the window to him.

"I see you take after your father," Lawrence quipped.

"Was Dad a troublemaker?" Sky asked as she and Erik followed her uncle to a table.

"Oh, I don't know if I should tell you about Lance's younger years."

"Oh, I think you should."

Lawrence chuckled, "Lance was always getting in to trouble. There was underage drinking, I had to pick him up from the police station. He was quite popular with the girls, or rather, he thought he was. He would never tell you this, but your father was such a dork, he was shot down time after time." He stopped, laughing. "Seriously, you'll have to ask my mother to see the photo albums from when he just entered the Academy. He thought he was suave and cool, but he was such a dork."

"But Uncle Keith said he dated quite a few girls." Sky pointed out.

"Oh he did, eventually. He became cool by association with Sven and Keith. By then he had grown into his looks, his braces had come off, his face cleared up, he calmed down a bit, believe it or not. Keith was a good influence on him, he was able to get Lance and Sven to actually crack down a bit and study. Lance was one of the best pilots to ever come out of the Academy, he just needed to take it more seriously. But just as Keith helped rein the other two in, Lance and Sven corrupted Keith. Did they ever tell you about the time they mooned the Admiral's house?"

"Yeah, we've heard that story. What was that about underage drinking and the police station?"

"Lance was caught stumbling around off campus. He told the cops he was accosted by an onion vendor and was being chased by ostriches. They took him in for public drunkenness. And of course he called me to come bail him out."

"Wait," Erik interrupted. "An onion vender and ostriches?"

"He was totally wasted. It was two hours before he could even remember the number to dial."

"What did Nana and Pappy do?" Sky asked.

"I had an apartment and I took him back there. They didn't know about it until years later, one of the detectives who was at the station when Lance was brought in knew my dad and at a Christmas party a few years later, he told them."

"Okay, I have a question and I want you to be totally honest with me."

"Shoot Schuyler."

"Is it true that my father learned how to drive a standard car in five minutes one day when he had to pick Aunt Leslie up from school?"

"What?"

"When Dad was trying to teach me how to drive stick, he said he learned how to do it in five minutes going to pick up Aunt Leslie."

Lawrence laughed, "You have got to be kidding me! I was the one who had to teach him to drive stick. Lance was the only one who was able to break our father's patience. It took forever for him to get the knack of it, which is really pathetic when you think about it, considering the ships he has flown. And then he drove the car into a ditch the first time he took it out alone."

"So you're saying, that in reality, my father was not the suave, sophisticated, man-about-town, he always claimed to be?" Sky asked.

"That is exactly what I'm telling you," Lawrence told her. "That and he's full of hot air."


"Where's your young man?" Isabelle Whitaker asked her granddaughter as she sat across from her at the breakfast table.

Cady smiled, she loved that her grandmother referred to Tristan as her 'young man'. The two of them had been in Albany for two days, visiting with her family. Today was just a day to relax before they met her Aunt Dana and her husband for dinner. "He was in the shower, he should be down any minute now."

"He's such a nice boy. The two of you remind me so much of your parents."

"You're not the first person to tell me that."

"He is so polite, so nice. You're really in love with him, dear, aren't you?"

"Yes, Grandma, I am. He is the best thing to ever happen to me."

"I'm so glad to hear that," Isabelle leaned closer. "I'll be honest with you, dear, I never really approved of the way they tried to force men on you with those balls and parties. I knew, I knew, you would find the right man for you. You are such a sweet, beautiful girl, just like your mother."

Cady smiled softly, "Thank you, Grandma."

"Sweetie, I will need your help getting dinner ready tomorrow night."

"No problem," Cady stood and carried her bowl to the sink. "Who all is coming?"

"Well, your Aunt Dana and her husband, Harry, and their two kids, Tracy and Dougie. And Gerald and Allyson are coming with their three kids, Adam is bringing his fiancée, Christy, and Ben is going to come later when he's done with work, and Susan will be there."

Cady smiled at the thought of the big family get together. She hardly ever saw her cousins and it was a very rare occasion to have them all together at once. "This is going to be so much fun."

"I know, I just wish your parents and brothers and sisters could be here."

"Dad said he and Mom are going to try and visit after the trial before they head back to Arus."

"Oh, I do hope they can, I would love to see them."

Cady kissed her grandmother's cheek, "I'm going to go see what's keeping Tristan."

"Okay, dear."

Cady jogged up the stairs and nearly ran into Tristan as he walked out of the bathroom. He was dressed in jeans and an old UMASS sweatshirt, his wet hair falling over his forehead and a small scrap of toilet paper was stuck to the side of his chin.

"Did you cut yourself?" She asked.

"Yeah, my blade was dull, we'll have to stop off somewhere so I can pick up a new razor," he muttered.

Cady stepped closer and hugged him tightly, "Thank you, Tristan."

"For what?"

"For being such a good sport. I know this isn't exactly the most fun way to spend your vacation, hanging out with my family."

"No, Cady, I've had fun, really. This has been the most relaxing part of our trip so far and your family is great, your grandmother is so sweet."

She tilted her head back and smiled at him, "And here I thought I had to work overtime to keep you entertained."

"You don't have to entertain me, honey, I enjoy just being with you."

"Me too," she agreed, pressing a kiss to his lips. "I just have to grab my coat and we can go shopping."