Cady pushed down on the top of her suitcase with one hand while she tugged at the zipper with the other. She let out a frustrated groan as the zipper fought against the strain of too many new clothes.

"Need help?"

She blew her hair out of her face and looked up to see Tristan leaning against the doorframe, his hands in his pockets, watching her with a small grin on his face. "What makes you say that?" She retorted sarcastically.

He crossed the room and patted the top of the new suitcase they had to buy for all her purchases. "Hop on."

"Excuse me?"

"Sit on the suitcase."

"What are you…" She yelped when he picked her up and plopped her down on the suitcase.

Tugging sharply, Tristan pulled the zipper around and quickly locked it shut. "Okay, get up very slowly, I've never seen a bag so stuffed. If it doesn't explode when you get up, we're in good shape."

Cady stuck her tongue out at him but held out her hand so he could help her down. Tristan made a big show of tugging her down and pulling her aside, shielding her body with his own.

"Okay," he said breathlessly, "We're safe, as long as we don't make any sudden moves."

She stuck her tongue out again, but any retort was lost when he leaned down and kissed her quickly.

"If you're looking for something to do with that, I can come up with a few ideas."

Cady cocked an eyebrow and licked her lips, "Oh yeah? Like what?"

"Well, like this," he leaned down and captured her lips in a long, drawn out kiss, deepening it as she pressed against him.

"Ahem."

The two of them broke apart quickly to see Keith standing in the open door way, his arms crossed over his chest. "I take it you're all packed."

"Yes, sir," Cady said quickly. "All ready to go."

Keith's eyes swept the room, taking in the two trunks, the big suitcase, and three duffle bags. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Like mother, like daughter I suppose."

"We still have time to stop by the hospital, right?" She asked.

"Yeah, we're going to load up the truck, Henry is going to drive it over to the space port where I've arranged for everything to be loaded onto the ship. We'll head there right after we say good bye to Erik."

"Good, I want to see them all again before we go."

"It won't be long before Erik heads home," Keith said.

"So he is going back to Pollux?" Tristan asked.

Keith shrugged, "I don't think they've brought it up to him yet. The last thing they want to do is put added pressure on him. But I do know that Sven is going to be the one to talk to him about it so neither of the women in his life can make him feel guilty."

"Sky wouldn't try to guilt him," Cady defended her friend.

"Neither Sky nor Romelle would intentionally try to guilt him into anything."

"What would Sky do if he went to Pollux?" Tristan asked quietly.

Keith looked at him, "What do you think?"

"So I guess you want him to come back to Arus I take it?"

"I want whatever is best for Erik," Keith said, hefting two of the duffle bags. "Come on, let's get this stuff loaded into the truck."


"You seem so much better," Sky whispered.

"I'm feeling better," Erik croaked, his voice dry and hoarse.

"I'm so glad," she gently kissed his temple.

Sven had taken Romelle and Delora down to the cafeteria to get something to eat, or rather that was the excuse he had given so Erik and Sky could have some time alone. He knew his son had a few things to discuss with his fiancée. Darcy had gone to call Arus and fill Lance in on what was going on.

As soon as his family had left, Erik had brought the bed up to a reclined position and shifted over to make room for Sky to stretch out beside him.

She gently brushed her fingers over his exposed scalp. "You're getting a little peach fuzz up here."

"My Sky," he whispered, taking her hand in his as she rested her cheek against his shoulder.

"What's on your mind?" She asked quietly.

Erik swallowed hard, "I spoke with my father earlier." When she didn't say anything, he continued. "He told me how you and my mother have been worrying about where I was going to go when I was released from the hospital."

"We just want what's best for you."

"I know, Sunny." He swallowed again, his throat was still raw and sore as it healed. "I want to go to Arus."

She lifted her head and looked at him. "Are you sure? You know you don't have to just for me, I understand if you want to go to Pollux, I'll go with you, I've already talked to your parents."

"When Dad asked me where I wanted to go, I immediately thought of Arus. I want to be able to help Declan."

"You know about that?"

"Yeah," he said lowly. "Keith told me yesterday. I want to be able to help him out and I want to be with you."

Touched, she bent her head and kissed the corner of his mouth, "I will go wherever you go, Erik."

"I know, and I will eventually have to go back to Pollux. But you also need to remember your responsibilities to Voltron and to Arus. If Voltron is needed, then you have to be on Arus. We have the rest of our lives to be together, but right now you are needed on Arus."

"I know that, Erik, but I want to be with you, especially while you're recuperating. When you're all better and back on your feet, then we'll talk about what happens next, where you're going next."

"I'll be on my feet before long."

"Your mother isn't going to like this."

"She'll blame you."

Sky scowled, "Yeah, thanks for that."

He chuckled hoarsely, "Dad is gently breaking the news of my decision to her now."

"Okay, if you're coming back to Arus, you are not going to lie around on your butt all day."

"Excuse me?"

"You will work out and build up your strength again, you will do everything Becca tells you to do and you won't complain, and you will let me take care of you."

"You know I love it when you get all pushy and dominating."

"Well, get used to it, I am going to go buy a whip to use on you."

"Promise?"

Sky cuddled down, resting her head against his shoulder, clutching his hand in both of hers, "Let me know if this gets uncomfortable for you."

"Don't worry, I will."

"What did your father say when you told him your decision?"

"He didn't seem too surprised, not happy, but not surprised. I also want to finish at the Academy on Arus."

"You're going back to school?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I?"

Sky lifted her head, "I'm very proud of you Erik."

"For not quitting school?"

"For that and because of all you did and how well you're doing. I am very proud of you."

Erik studied her for a moment before bringing his hand up to tuck her hair behind her ear and touch her cheek. "Thank you for sticking with me, Sunny."

"Yeah, well, I had to. This whole love thing, you know."

"Yeah. I know. I'm, uh, I," he stopped, swallowing hard as he fought for words. "Dr. Woodhall said I will never completely be the same."

"What do you mean?"

"There will always be some physical scarring."

"It adds character."

"Character?"

"Yeah, sexy character to your sexy face," she teased lightly, touching his bandages. "And we'll have to get you an eye patch."

"An eye patch?"

"There is just something inherently sexy about a man with an eye patch."

The corner of Erik's mouth twitched like it does whenever he tried to smile. "Is this some kind of strange pirate fantasy you never shared with me before?"

"I thought I told you about that."

"Nope. Does this mean you'll be my saucy wench?"

"Aren't I already?"

"True."

Sky pressed a careful kiss to the side of his mouth again, "I love you."

"Love you too, my Sky."

"Whoa, Erik, you should have left a bedpan on the doorknob if you were with a girl."

Sky lifted her head to glare at Tristan who was peeking around the slightly ajar door. "Couldn't you knock?"

"How was I supposed to know you guys were fooling around in here?"

"They're fooling around?" Cady's head appeared around Tristan's shoulder. "Is he up for that? Shouldn't he be resting?"

"I'm always up for that," Erik quipped as Sky sat up and threw her legs over the side of the bed.

Tristan laughed as he entered the room, "I guess you are feeling better."

"Yeah, Dr. Woodhall said she was impressed with how quickly I'm healing," Erik bragged.

"Did she say how long before you can go home?" Cady asked, sitting on the edge of the chair.

"She still says two more weeks, but I'm hoping to be out long before then."

"Two more weeks? But you seem so much better." Tristan said.

Erik shrugged his left shoulder, "I think I'll be free to leave the hospital in another few days, but she wants me to stay on Terra for a while so she can monitor me before I head back to Arus."

"You're coming to Arus?" Cady asked.

"Yeah, that's where I need to be right now."

Wordlessly, Sky slid her hand across the blanket and took his hand in hers, squeezing gently.

"I want to help Declan," Erik continued, his voice a mask of determination, hiding his pain at losing Black. "I want to finish up my classes on Arus and Becca has already started looking into specialists."

Cady smiled, "I am so glad you're coming to Arus."

"So am I," Tristan added. "When you're back on your feet, I am taking you out for the biggest beer we can find. I owe you, man."

Erik lowered his eye, "You don't owe me anything."

"Yeah, I do," Tristan stepped closer to the bedside so Erik could see him better. "I know we've all avoided talking about what happened that night, but I have to say something. Thank you, Erik. Thank you for helping Cady, we have her now because of you and I don't know if I can ever thank you enough or tell you how much it means to me."

"I only did what I had to do," Erik mumbled humbly.

Tristan held his hand out to Erik and waited until the other man dropped Sky's hand and took his. "Thank you, Erik."

"Yup," Sky said, kissing her fiancé's cheek. "That's my big, brave, sexy man."

"Knock, knock," Allura called out as she knocked on the door.

"Come on in," Sky invited.

Keith and Allura entered the room, followed by Sven, Romelle, and Delora.

"Hi, sweetie, how are you feeling," Allura asked as she crossed to the bed.

"Much better, Aunt Allura, thank you."

"Your father just told us you're planning on coming back to Arus," Keith said, smiling down at his nephew.

"Yeah, I figured that would be best all around, at least for now."

"I don't know about that," Romelle huffed.

Allura looked up at her cousin and smiled, "And, of course, your family will be staying at the Castle of Lions for as long as they like."

"When are you guys heading out?" Erik asked.

"Our ship takes off in two hours," Keith said, checking his watch.

"And you'll be joining us before you know it," Allura added cheerfully. "And Sky, I spoke with Captain Jowarl, the dean at the Academy, and he said you can make up what you've missed over the summer, so there is no hurry for you to return."

"Thank you, Aunt Allura, I really appreciate that," she replied.

"Everything is going to work out just fine."

Erik brought his hand up to cover his mouth as he tried to hide a yawn.

Seeing this, Sky stood, "Don't fight it, Erik, if you're tired we'll go and let you sleep."

Keith stepped closer and took Erik's hand, "Get some rest, son, we'll see you when you get back to Arus."

"Thank you, sir, have a safe trip."

Keith hesitated a moment before squeezing the young man's hand, "Thank you, Erik…for all you did."

Erik nodded slightly.

Allura was next in line. She took his hand and bent to kiss his cheek, "Take care, sweetheart, we'll be in touch and we'll see you real soon."

Cady had tears in her eyes as she stepped up to bid her cousin farewell. "Feel better, Erik, I can't wait until you're settled back on Arus."

"Me too, Cady. Good bye."

Tristan was the last one to take Erik's hand and flash him a grin, "When are you going to stop lying around like a bum? We all know you're just doing this to get attention from a pretty lady."

"Hey, whatever it takes," Erik retorted. "Have a safe trip."

"See you around. Thanks again, Erik."

The Polluxian prince waved to them, "Have a safe trip everyone, please let us know when you get back safely and…and let me know how Declan's doing."

"We will," Keith promised. "And if there is anything at all that you need, just let us know."

Sky walked out into the hall with Cady and Tristan as Keith and Allura stayed behind to speak with Sven and Romelle. "Have a safe trip," Sky whispered, hugging her best friend tightly.

"I hope you guys can head back soon," Cady said. "I'm going to miss you terribly."

"I'll miss you too." Sky turned to Tristan. "Take care of the Princess, she's a bit of a handful."

"A bit?" He teased, returning her hug. "And you take care of the Prince, he needs it."

"I will." Sky looked at her two friends. "Thanks guys, for, you know, being so supportive and helping me out."

"That's what friends are for, Sky, and if you need anything at all, don't be afraid to ask," Cady said, wiping the back of her hand over her wet cheek.

"Can you cheek in on Figment for me?"

"Yeah."

"Oh good, I was so afraid I'd miss you all," Darcy said as she hurried down the hall. "I was hoping to be able to say good bye to you all before you left."

Cady hugged her, "Good bye, Aunt Darcy, take care of yourself. If there is anything we can do, just let us know."

"Have a safe trip," Darcy turned to hug Tristan. "Watch out for each other and take care. We'll be back on Arus before you know it."

When Allura and Keith walked into the hall with Sven, Romelle, and Delora, the good bye hugs started all over again. They spent a good fifteen minutes wishing each other good luck, hugging, shaking hands, and promising to keep in touch. For such a close-knit group of friends, being apart for so long was going to prove more difficult than they all realized. And when one of their own was lying in a hospital hurt and recovering, the distance was going to seem even longer.

"How's Erik?" Darcy asked after the travelers had left.

"He's doing better," Sky told her. "He's feeling better, but he's still tired."

"He's sleeping now," Romelle added.

"Well, then I think, if you don't mind, I am going to take my exhausted daughter and force her to eat something," Darcy announced.

"I'm really not hungry," Sky protested.

"I am, so you can keep me company while I eat," Darcy said, taking her arm and turning to her friends. "We'll see you guys later."

"Mom, really I just…"

"Want to sit by his bed until he wakes up?"

"Well…yeah."

"I know you do, honey, but you haven't been eating much or getting much sleep, that isn't healthy. You aren't going to do yourself or Erik much good if you let yourself get run down. You need a good meal and some sleep."

"Mother, I'm…"

"I know, I know, you're fine," Darcy interrupted as they rode the elevator down to the main floor. "But you're not really, Sky. You're exhausted, don't try and argue with me, I know you. And you've probably lost five pounds in the last week, its showing."

Sky sigh, resigning herself to her mother's fussing, "Where do you want to go?"

"We can go someplace nearby, there was a diner just up the road."

"How's Dad doing?" Sky asked as they walked out into the cool early afternoon.

"He's restless, worried, and lonely."

"Really?"

"He won't rest easy until we're all back on Arus safe and sound. And, well, this is the longest and farthest apart Lance and I have been in twenty years, it seems strange not being with him and I know he feels the same way. He's alone in the house for the first time."

"But you stayed on in Toronto after Grandpa passed away to help Grandma out."

"Yes, but I only stayed a week, now I'm staying for a couple of weeks."

"You don't have to, Mom, if you want to go home…"

Darcy stopped and took Sky's arm, "I want to be here with you. And like your father, I won't rest easy again until we're all safely back on Arus."

"Thanks Mom."

"Now then," Darcy threaded her arm through her daughter's and led her to the restaurant on the corner. "We have some things to discuss."

"Like what?"

"Like you're getting married."

Sky smiled, "Yeah, I am."

"I'm happy for you, honey, I am, but I have to admit that I am very glad you guys are planning on waiting a couple of years."

"We both still have a lot to do and we want to finish school."

"That's very mature of you both," Darcy commented as she accepted a menu from their waitress with a smile.

Sky shrugged, "I don't know what the plan will be now. We'll just have to wait and see what Erik needs to do and how he feels."

Darcy reached across the table and took Sky's hand, "Sweetheart, how are you, really?"

"Really?" Sky thought a moment before responding with intimate honesty. "I'm tired, nervous, worried, relieved, and in some kind of pain I can't really describe."

"It's the feeling of watching someone you love more than anything else in the universe experience a pain that you can only imagine and wishing there was some way you could take all the pain away from him."

"Exactly."

"Are you ready to order?" The waitress asked, her pen poised over her pad.

"Uh yeah," Sky glanced down at the menu. "I'll start with some potato skins, then I'll have a bacon cheeseburger, medium well, and an order of fries and I'll have a large soda."

"I'll have the Cobb salad, dressing on the side, and an iced tea," Darcy requested, handing the menu to the waitress before turning to her daughter. "So you're not really hungry, huh?"

"Maybe I'm a little more hungry than I thought I was."

"I'm glad to see you're eating, I have been worried about you."

"Don't, Mom, I'm fine."

"Have you thought about what you'll do if Erik goes back to Pollux?" Darcy asked, almost afraid of what the response would be.

"He's already decided to return to Arus, but if he wanted to go to Pollux, I would have gone with him."

"I was afraid of that," her mother sighed.

Sky narrowed her eyes, "Mother, I couldn't leave Erik. He's been through so much, no matter where he went, I would stay with him, at least until he was back on his feet."

"I understand, Sky, but you have responsibilities to Arus and to Voltron. I didn't tell you this before because I knew you already had a lot on your mind but your father told us that Red was acting strangely, almost restless. He was sure that she was worried about you."

"If I had to choose between Red and Erik, Red didn't have a chance."

"I know you love him, Sky, but you have to keep your responsibilities straight. I'm glad to hear you're both coming back to Arus, but you can't use this as an excuse to not fulfill your duties."

"I know that, Mom, and I don't plan on not fulfilling my duties. I will go home, get back into training with Red and get back to my classes. I also spoke with Uncle Keith and he is going to work with me and my schedule so I can help Erik out while he recuperates."

Darcy thanked the waitress as she set the plate of potato skins in front of them. "Has Erik given any thought about the long run?"

Sky nodded, "We've talked about it. He doesn't want to make any definite plans until he has exhausted every avenue with surgery. He is still hoping to get his eyesight back and he wants some more reconstructive surgery. He's feeling very self-conscious about his appearance right now."

"How are you handling his injuries?" Darcy asked carefully.

"It doesn't change how I feel about him," Sky insisted. "I just want him to get better and to…to be himself again. The scars don't bother me, it's how he feels about it that bothers me. Did you know that for the first few days after this…this incident he thought I was going to dump him because of his injuries. I just want the sweet, wonderful, easy going, happy man he was before."

"He's going to need some time and a lot of patience."

"I know," Sky mumbled, dipping one of the appetizers in sour cream. "And I am not exactly a patient person."

Darcy smiled, "I know, sweetie, but it will get better, he will get better."

Sky looked up and returned her mother's smile, weakly, "Thank you, Mom, I really needed this."

"We're here for you, Sky, myself, your father, all of us. If you ever need to talk or just a shoulder to lean on, we're all here for you."

"Thanks Mom."

"Eat up, Schuyler, you need to keep your strength up."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Your father and I were talking and we decided that if you're going to stay here on Terra until Erik can return, you're going to work on your class work," Darcy announced.

"What do you mean?"

"Lance is going to speak with some of the professors at the school and put together some projects for you to work on while you're here. I know you want to be with Erik," Darcy said, holding up her hand before Sky could interrupt. "And you can, but you have to keep your priorities and responsibilities straight. If you want to continue with your education and flying, you have work to do. We can't let you fall too far behind."

Sky opened and closed her mouth, ready to argue, but she knew it would do no good. So instead, she nodded and took a bite out of her burger. She knew her mother was right and it would be helpful to catch up on some of the work so that she wouldn't have to spend the entire summer in classes. There was plenty of time while Erik was resting and maybe he could help her out a bit.

"We're trying to help you, honey," Darcy added. "We just want what's best for you and Erik."

"Yeah, I know, thanks Mom, we really appreciate it. I don't know what I would do without you guys."


Keith let out a breath as their ship put more distance between them and Terra. He was glad to be heading home. After all they had been through with Cady and Erik and worrying about Declan, he wanted to be back where he felt most comfortable so he was better prepared to deal with it all. He looked over to where Cady, Tristan, and Allura were playing a board game set up on a fold away table. Tristan moved his piece a few places and picked up a card. Keith couldn't hear what he read, but by the way Cady and Allura giggled, he knew it couldn't have been good for the young man.

Allura looked up and caught him watching them. She smiled softly and gestured for him to join them.

He stood and walked over, turning a chair to face the table, "Are you girls ganging up on poor Tristan?"

Cady giggled again and patted her boyfriend's arm, "We can't help it that he's bad at this game."

"I can't help it that you cheat," Tristan grumbled.

Keith raised an eyebrow, "You're accusing my daughter of cheating?"

"Yes, sir."

"I am not cheating," Cady insisted. "I am playing the game just as the twins taught me to."

Allura and Tristan groaned in unison.

"You're cheating without realizing it," her father laughed.

"You know, the boys aren't always cheating," Cady stuck up for her brothers.

Allura smiled at her daughter, "Then explain to me how they always win?"

Keith shook his head, chuckling, as he flipped open his beeping communicator. "Whitaker."

"Hey, Cap," Hunk greeted him.

"Hi, Hunk, how's it going?"

"I take it you guys are in the air?"

"Yeah, we left Terra three hours ago."

Hunk nodded, "I just wanted to let you know that the Garrison sent us a response to your request about Vinn."

Keith's good mood plummeted, "And?"

"And they have taken your request into consideration, but at the moment it is not feasible to move him to another prison or containment center. They will look into other options in the near future and keep you posted of any decision." Hunk recited from the report that had been faxed to the Castle a few minutes earlier.

Keith sighed, "All right, thanks Hunk for letting me know. I'll see what I can do when I get home."

"Okey doke, Cap," Hunk saluted the monitor. "Have a safe trip."

"Thanks, we'll see you tomorrow."

"Which won't be soon enough."

Keith raised an eyebrow, "Is everything all right?"

"Oh, yeah, it's just that Lance isn't dealing well with both Sky and Darcy being away. He's full of energy and doesn't want to be alone. I figure when you get back, he can start calling you at two thirty in the morning."

Keith laughed, "Thanks for the warning, man."

"No, prob, see you later."

"Bye, Hunk."

"Is everything all right?" Allura asked.

He nodded, "Yeah, nothing we can't handle."


Author's Note: Well, this is the end of another story. As with all the others, I've enjoyed writing it.

Thank you so much for your reviews. RedLion2, MustangAce - Thank you guys so much! I really appreciate your reviews! It really means a lot to me.

And to everyone els who reviewed, Thank you! I would name you all, but it is late and I'm tired :) But know that I appreciate all the reviews I have recieved!

I know that some of you didn't like the direction this story took and I was sorry to hear that. But what can I say, I had to keep you on your toes and throw you a curveball. I also wanted to stretch my legs as a writer, try an angle I never have before. I am as proud of this story as I am of my others in this series. This is not the end. It will be continued in a sequel set a few weeks after this story ends.

Until next time!

Failte