Author's Note: I own nothing except my characters.

So...I'm finally back on vacation for FIVE glorious days. Expect these updates to come rolling out.

To everyone who was hating on Aidan at the end of "Someone Like You" - I think he's finally starting to redeem himself. That's my boy. ;)

To Craze - Glad to have you! Hope you enjoy. And be careful; as some of my readers can attest to, I can do (and have done) some very not-so-nice things with these characters...

To Sally On - Have you noticed that Lance gets all the great one-liners? Gosh, but he's fun to play with, and I mean that in EVERY sense of the word.

To Emie Mac - HOORAY! A book starring your boy Jeff! I'm glad you thought it was worth the wait. I am totally and completely enjoying this book already. And since I'm on vacation, watch for the first few updates to be coming in succession.

To Wade Wells - Girl, it's good to BE back! I missed you too! You wanted to know Keith's backstory, so I'm throwing it out at ya. In pieces, of course. SPOILER ALERT: No characters are to be killed in the making of this book.

Title Song: "Not Over You" by Gavin DeGraw

Maahox hated to admit it, but he was growing rather fond of the Sky Marshal. That was a bad thing, considering that his lord was King Lotor. But the problem with Lotor was that he was...sigh. There were not enough adjectives to correctly describe the king's temperament.

He was impatient, that was for certain. Careless. Thoughtless. Belligerent. Tempestuous. Narrow-minded. Short-sighted. Maahox couldn't imagine if he didn't like the Drule king. What words would come to mind to describe him then?

Sky Marshal Wade was different. He was disciplined and careful. Every facet of every plan was properly thought out and mapped out. He had the patience of a man with enough experience to know better. He was waiting for the perfect time to execute his game plan.

And what an ingenious game plan it was.

"This is the most recent surveillance of the girl," Wade informed Maahox, Lotor, and Cossack as they conspired at the table in the recently-named Strategy Room. Though Castle Doom was not yet finished in construction, the Sky Marshal had insisted that they designate a Strategy Room. Other generals or marshals might call it a War Room - and he was sure that Lotor would, too - but the Alliance was still too deeply ingrained in him to resort to that title.

Lotor's eyes narrowed at the holographic image; the vision did not displease him. "She is striking."

No one could disagree with Lotor's assessment. The female's pale, creamy skin served as a backdrop for luscious pink lips and vibrant turquoise eyes. Her long hair fell in blue-black waves down to her mid-back. Her lithe, toned body was dressed in her red-and-white Albegas flight suit.

Wade nodded with practical detachment. "This is Technical Sargeant Christiane Kogane of the Galaxy Alliance's Albegas Team. She rides in the Red Mecha with Taye Benton."

"So that explains how to take down Albegas," Lotor muttered. "But what about the two Voltrons? How is she intrinsically tied to them?"

Pleased with himself, Wade flashed a triumphant smile at the Drule king. "Ah, King Lotor, this is why I told you that all of my intelligence would come in handy. Tech Sargeant Kogane is romantically linked to Jeffrey Aki, the captain of the Voltron Vehicle Team."

"And what about the lions?" Lotor had a one-track mind when it came to Arus, Princess Allura, and those blasted lions that he could not seem to conquer. "How is she linked to them?"

If Maahox could roll his one eye, he would. He could not believe that King Lotor was missing that one vital piece of information. For someone who was as determined to overthrow Voltron as he was, he did not know much about the team members who made up the giant robot. He waited patiently for the Sky Marshal to inform Lotor of the girl's link to the lions.

Shaking his head, Wade replied, "She is the younger sister of Keith Kogane, captain of your Voltron Force."

"Ah." Lotor nodded. "I thought she looked familiar. Now that I know that she's Keith's sister, the resemblance is quite remarkable."

"As I said before," Wade stated ominously, "she is the key. If you destroy her, you destroy all three teams."

"So you're going to destroy her? As in kill her?" Cossack asked, incredulous at the very thought. Not that the general wasn't accustomed to battle and killing. But to kill one girl outright? He didn't think he'd be able to do it. Perhaps Lotor or Maahox could, but Cossack was sure that he couldn't.

"If it comes down to it." Wade didn't flinch.

Cossack shook his head. "I won't do it."

"Nobody asked you to do it, General," Lotor shot out, irritated. "Personally, I wouldn't want to see her killed. She would make an excellent addition to my harem. I think," he continued, excitement growing and gleaming in his eyes, "that if this girl were made to be my plaything, it would destroy our enemies' spirits that much better."

Maahox and Wade exchanged a glance, and the occult scientist sighed.

The first wedding guest had arrived, and Sven was the only person on hand to greet him. Everyone else was too busy with last-minute preparations. Not that he minded, of course. It was his obligation as royal consort. And as a member of the Voltron Force, he always felt that it was his duty to be the first line of defense for his planet.

Not that he ever felt like Pollux was home. It wasn't - and never would be - New York.

When the ship's hatch opened, a familiar-looking prince stepped out. Sven vaguely recognized the man's auburn hair and olive-green eyes. He couldn't place him from anywhere, despite recognizing him. And the prince looked back at him with the same expression.

He extended his hand to the prince. "Welcome to Pollux, your highness. I am Sargeant Sven Holgersson."

The prince looked at him curiously for a moment, then burst out laughing as he finally recognized him. "Well met, Sven Holgersson. Officially, anyway." He shook Sven's hand. "I am Prince Erimar of Planet Tyvel. A childhood friend of Princess Allura's." He paused to let the information sink in. "And if I remember correctly, you were the man who swept the lady in the backless dress off her feet at Allie's ball."

Sven felt his skin burning up in horror. "I'm sorry, you must be mistaken," he offered politely. So what if he was lying? "I am the royal consort of Princess Romelle."

"Ah. One in the same. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." He gave a conspiratorial wink. "I do remember Romy being quite the tempest, coming to Arus the morning after the ball to claim you and your child."

Romy? Did he just call Romelle Romy? Sven wasn't quite sure what to make of Prince Erimar, but he didn't think he was a bad guy. He just didn't know what think to think about him yet.

"This way, Prince Erimar. Let me show you to your room."

Castle Pollux was as large as it was beautiful, with enough bedrooms to accommodate even a thousand guests. The walk to Erimar's guest room was long, and Sven appointed a task force to ensure that the prince's trunk made it to his room in a timely manner. When they were on the elevator and safely out of earshot of everyone else, Erimar asked, "Have you heard from the Space Marshal since the ball?"

Sven shook his head. "I chose my wife and son over my old fiancée, Prince Erimar. I had to. It was the only choice that made sense."

"Ah. Duty and honor before all else." The prince nodded in approval. "I met with the Space Marshal in New York some three months ago. Tyvel has joined the Alliance, so I went to the headquarters for two weeks to make everything official. Mrs. Hawkins is a lovely hostess."

Sven steadied himself against the side of the elevator. "Did you just refer to the Space Marshal as Mrs. Hawkins?"

Erimar grinned wickedly. "Well, her friends were all having a great time teasing her about her newlywed status, and I think I may have joined in on the revelry a few times. Especially after a few shots of that blasted Ciroc vodka."

"Which friends of hers did you meet?"

"Oh, quite a few. I met her husband Jon, of course. I met that enchanting best friend of hers, Morgan Rackens, and her husband David. Quite a charming couple, really."

Rackens? Sven thought, perturbed. He remembered how the older cadet had always murdered Lance, metaphorically speaking, in every shooting match the Academy held. He definitely hadn't seen that match-up coming. Morgan married David Rackens?

"I met two of the captains from the Voltron Vehicle Team, Cliff and Jeff, as well as Jeff's girlfriend - blast it, what was her name?"

"Lisa?" Sven offered.

"No, not Lisa. Lisa's with the Albegas captain - Aidan - I remember that much." He paused, trying to come up with the name for Jeff's girlfriend. "Chris? Christine? Something like that."

"I don't remember a Christine." Lisa's with Aidan Dalloway now? And what was that about Albegas?

"Well, she is four years younger than Jeff, if I remember correctly. Who else did I meet? Oh, yes, I met that adorable Ginger Ellington. What a charming woman." He smiled. "I can see why your friend Lance was so taken with her. Between her pretty face and her bubbly personality, it was hard for me to resist her."

As the elevator came to a stop, Sven muttered, "It sounds like you had a good time in New York, Prince Erimar."

"Why yes, I certainly did." Erimar stepped out of the elevator and waved Sven on to go first. "Your old Academy classmates are really a remarkable group of people, Sargeant Holgersson. I would enjoy returning to New York in the future and spending time with them again."

Trying to keep his temper in check, Sven punched in the override code to the guest room. The door opened, and he ushered the prince into the room as courteously as he could. "Here you are, your highness," he said stiffly. "Your trunk will be along shortly."

"Thank you, Sargeant." Erimar grinned at him, then lowered his voice considerably. "Man to man, Sven, as much as I like that wife of yours, I think you did yourself a huge disservice by letting the Space Marshal get away. If she had ever been my girlfriend, I never would have let her go." With those parting words, he closed the door behind him.

Sven couldn't move. He stood in the hallway, shaking, for a solid minute. It was true; he never should have let Lenora get away. He was not over her and he never would be, and Erimar's words were like a slap in the face to a man who was never going to have the object of his desire.

Once his breathing returned to normal and he could move again, he headed straight for the nursery, where he would find his only source of solace: his son.

Lance only sighed when he heard Keith's suggestion - or rather, order. "I knew it was gonna come down to this, Crankypants, but do I really have to do it? And do I have to take Danny-boy with me?"

Keith only cracked a grin in reply. "Hey, Moody, you were the one who said that Prince Luthcar was Red Lion's soulmate. Put your money where your mouth is and establish an alliance with Planet Brann. And yes, you have to take Daniel - he'll enjoy seeing it."

"I swear, some days you hate me."

"Not some days. Every day."

"You wound me."

Keith turned his head towards Hunk. "Hunk, you and Yellow Lion will establish an alliance between Arus and Planet Scilos. I want you to take Larmina with you."

"Why me?" Larmina asked, not maliciously.

Keith shrugged. "I feel bad for Prince Xandre. I was thinking that if we sent the Lady of Arus to Scilos, the king might soften his anger towards his son, at least while the two of you are there."

She nodded. "Ah. Political pawn."

"At least you accept it."

"I've learned a lot of things lately."

"I can see that." Keith was proud of the cadet once again. Larmina was really growing up fast. She was learning, and she was working to better herself. He only wished that Daniel and Vince would pick up a little of that attitude for themselves.

"So that takes care of Red and Yellow," Pidge noted. "What about the rest of us, Keith? Where would you like me to go?"

Keith inclined his head. "I've given this one some thought, Pidge. I still think that the best thing you can do is go back to Balto and help repair any damages there. You can take Vince with you." He thought about the ninja zombie fiasco. "If there are any ill feelings, it's best to address them and repair them so that we can make our alliance even stronger than it was before."

Lance rolled his eyes. "Great. What about you and Allura, Crankypants?"

"Well, fortunately for us, we're leaving for Pollux with Larmina this afternoon. As you know, Bandor is marrying Princess Emmaline, and her sister, the reigning monarch of Planet Exxus, will also be there to forge alliances. If I remember correctly, Allura mentioned that Prince Erimar of Planet Tyvel will also be in attendance. There will be ample opportunities for us to gain and strengthen alliances this weekend." He glanced over at Larmina. "Speaking of, are you almost ready to go?"

She shrugged. Normally, she would have scowled. Keith noted the improvement in her temperament. "I guess so. I packed my dress from the ball for the wedding." She cracked a smile at him. "Hey, I might have changed some since the Space Marshal's visit, but I haven't changed that much. I still don't like getting all dressed up."

Keith laughed. "That part's okay, Larmina. You don't have to enjoy getting all dressed up, just as long as you do it."

Allura entered the control room, looking like a woman ready to hit the getaway car. "Keith, Larmina. Are you two ready to leave for Pollux yet?"

"Wow, you're not jumpin' the gun or anything, huh, Princess?" Hunk teased.

She placed her hands on her hips in an intimidating stance, but there was a smile on her lips. "Let's just say I could use a change of scenery."

"Yeah, and it'll be good to see your cousins too, I suppose," Pidge added. "Make sure you give the newlyweds our congratulations, and say hi to Sven for us, okay?"

"Yeah. Tell the Viking I'm thinking of getting another beanbag chair for my room," Lance added.

Keith's eyebrows furrowed. "Another beanbag chair? What happened to your old one?"

Lance scowled. "Let's just say I have a sneaking suspicion that it's on the Explorer right now. In a certain Captain Aki's room..."

By the way the light was fading in the sky, Aidan could tell that it was nearing 1700 hours. Not that he cared; he hadn't left his apartment in two days. Come to think of it, he'd barely gotten out of bed, barely gotten dressed. The only time he pulled on any semblance of clothes was when the delivery guy came to the door with food.

"You," he whispered to his girlfriend as he cuddled with her, "are amazing. I've missed you. And I love you."

Aside from her ruby pendant, she wasn't wearing anything except the sheets twisted around her body. Her long, almost-black hair was damp and tangled; it hadn't seen a hairbrush in as many days as they hadn't left the apartment. Her dark eyes sparkled in the recessing sunlight.

"I love you back," she told him dreamily.

A year. Aidan had never, ever dated a girl exclusively for a year. It just wasn't something he did. But now that his thirty-second birthday was rapidly approaching, he was coming to the realization that he wouldn't be young forever, and he didn't want to grow older and still be single. And not just single, pathetically single, foolishly thinking he could still pick up any young chick he wanted.

Lisa was perfect, and Lisa wanted to get married. Lisa wanted a family, though Aidan wasn't quite sure how he felt about being a father. He did know that raising a family would be a huge change in his life. Lisa would have to leave the Voltron Force, and he might need to step down from Albegas. There was no way they could stay in his one-bedroom apartment, they would have to find somewhere else to live. Unlike David Rackens, he didn't have wealthy British parents to buy him a house as a wedding present. And unlike Jon Hawkins, he didn't inherit millions of dollars in assets, including a glorious triplex on Fifth Avenue.

Speaking of Hawkins, Aidan found it ironic that while the Explorer was on its last mission, he had hung out at the commander's triplex with his wife nearly every night. Lenora and Aidan had a running joke that the doorman thought they were having an affair, he was over so often. Even though he knew that part of him was never going to get over the Space Marshal, the bigger part of him was accepting of the fact that she was married. He truly enjoyed just hanging out with her, watching the Giants game and knocking back a few bottles of Guinness - purely for nostalgic reasons, of course.

"Hey Lis," he whispered to her, "you think maybe we should get out of bed and get dinner?"

She wrapped her arms around his torso. "No. You wanna get Chinese takeout again? With chopsticks?" She winked at him. "That way I can show you how good I am with chopsticks."

"Man, you have been on a Chinese takeout kick since you got off the Explorer. What's that about?"

She laughed. "Have you ever tasted Sammy's cooking?"

"Who's Sammy?"

"The chef on the Explorer."

"No."

"Pray you never do."

In spite of himself, he smiled, then pulled a pillow over her head. Giggling like a teenager in response, she wriggled her way out from underneath the pillow and jumped on top of him, placing kisses all over his beautiful face. With a satisfied sigh, she laid her head on his chest and held onto him.

"Hey Lis?"

"What's that?"

"You know I'm gonna marry you someday, right?"

She buried her face in his chest. "Ask me properly, Aidan Dalloway, and I'll say yes."

He stroked her tangled hair as he contemplated the idea of a proposal. Soon. It would be coming soon enough.