Gwen shifted Morgan to her hip. Her baby girl was growing fast, already talking and walking. She would be eighteen months old in two weeks and the thought of it made Gwen a little teary-eyed.

"See Unka Hunk?" Morgan asked, twirling a strand of her mother's chestnut brown hair around a chubby baby finger.

"You bet, Kiddo. He needs a break from all the work he's been doing."

They entered Hunk's workroom to find him hunched over his drawing table, squinting at some blueprints. He didn't look up, too engrossed in what he was studying. Gwen set Morgan down and the little girl toddled up to Hunk, putting her hands on his knee. He yelped and then laughed when he saw who was visiting him. Lifting Morgan easily to his lap, he grinned at Gwen.

"Good timing," he remarked. "My stomach was just starting to growl."

"Nanny kept some food heated up for you," Gwen told him. "Why don't we go get it."

Hunk stood, lifting Morgan to sit on his shoulders. She squealed in delight and Gwen smiled, glad that her daughter still found happiness despite their great loss. She wondered if leaving was really such a good idea. She didn't think she could find a better support group than her brother and his friends. They made their way to the kitchen where Nanny took the plate of food out of the oven without a word. She handed Morgan a cookie and went about her business, preparing dinner.

"What time is it?" Hunk asked Gwen, surprised.

Gwen checked her watch. "Two hours before dinner."

He shook his head. They sat at the table and Hunk set Morgan down beside him.

"Pidge has been keeping me occupied with his new designs. He's been a busy bee."

"Maybe we should tranquilize him."

"But then what would I do without," he thought for a moment, "an original Pidge Enemy Airstrike Radio Warning Command System or EARWCS for short."

Gwen laughed. "Good point. I wonder how long it took him to come up with that name."

"Wait 'til you see his hamsters."

"Hamsters?"

Hunk grinned. He was about to say something else when Morgan took the opportunity to get a handful of his mashed potatoes and smear it on his face. Gwen's mouth dropped open, unsure whether to discipline her daughter or scream with laughter at the expression on Hunk's face.

"Now, Morgan," he said seriously, ignoring the goop, "Is that anyway to treat an elder?"

Morgan only laughed, and Gwen gave in and joined her. Hunk sighed a long-suffering sigh and wiped the mashed potatoes away with a napkin. Then, their respective comm units beeped. While Hunk waved for Gwen to answer hers since his fingers were still covered with food.

"DeSouza," she said, putting out the small rectangular shaped unit.

"Coran called a meeting in the conference room in five minutes," Pidge said. "Is Hunk with you?"

"Yes. I'll bring him along."

Hunk hurriedly swallowed the rest of his meal while Gwen gathered up Morgan. They dropped her off at the castle's daycare and headed for the Conference room. When they got there, they found everyone was already seated.

"What's going on?" Hunk asked, sitting down next to Pidge.

"We've got a situation on Pollux," Coran said, turning on the viewscreen.

They all turned to face it and saw a grided map of Pollux appear. Green and red points dotted the map.

"We have to send some troops there," Allura said. "Intelligence reports tell us that Lotor's quietly building up his forces though he hasn't attacked yet. We need to have a show of force to make him think twice about what's he doing."

"Ve haf no one to send," Sven pointed out. "The Explorer eez nearby and I'f already called dem. They vill be here by tonight."

"We can't let Pollux fall again," Bandor said quietly. "Can't we ask the Alliance for help?"

"I've already sent a priority message to the Senate," Romelle said. "They should be responding within the hour. As it is, I think I should be there as soon as possible to make sure that they're doing all they can."

"We can arrange for you to leave today," Allura said.

An imperceptible look passed between the Polluxian Princess and Sven. Romelle swallowed hard.

"Alright," she murmured.

Allura cleared her throat. "Hunk, can we spare any fighters at all?"

Hunk pulled out a datapad and checked how many fighters he and his mechanics have finished working on. He sighed.

"We can spare one squadron, but none of the Lions is up to fighting condition yet. That squadron will be at eighty percent power at best and won't do much good against all those Doom vehicles."

"We can't use any of the Lions as backup at all?" Lance asked.

"Not unless you want to be blown out of the sky with one laser shot."

"If I may suggest something," Coran spoke up.

They looked at him expectantly.

"Prince Alderain has offered his fleet if we need it. I think we should take him up on the offer."

"Prince Alderain?" Allura echoed, suspicious. "What does he want in return?"

Uncomfortable, Coran replied, "An audience with you."

The Princess blinked. "What?"

"He just wants to speak with you. Perhaps to start a bond between our two planets..."

"I am NOT something to bought, Coran," Allura said angrily, slamming her palm on the table top.

"I know, Princess, and that was not what I was implying. But you have to remember that you are a Princess by birth and one of your duties is to find a suitable...partner who will beneficial to your people."

"Lance, call Doctor Gorma because I think Coran has lost his mind," she said flatly.

"You know this is Allura you're talking to, right Coran?" Lance said incredulously.

Coran threw his hands in the air exasperatedly and looked at Romelle. "Would you please explain to her what I'm trying to say?" he implored.

Romelle shook her head, pressing her lips together.

"Just think about it, Princess," Coran said. "Prince Alderain is heir to a very rich and prosperous kingdom. He could share much with us. And think about Pollux."

Allura's jaw was clenched tightly. It took all she had not to start screaming obscentities at her advisor. She knew he was only looking out for her best interest, but it angered her how being royalty meant trading yourself in for material goods. She wasn't a romantic by any means, but even she would not settle for anything less than love.

But Pollux might fall...

Taking a few deep, calming breaths, Allura glanced at each face around the table. Lance looked disgusted with the whole idea, as did Hunk, Pidge, and Gwen. Sven was watching her with interest and Coran was looking at her expectantly, but Romelle and Bandor refused to meet her eyes. Guilt rose in the pit of her stomach. They would lose their home if she didn't take Alderain up on his offer.

It's just an audience...not a wedding ceremony or a promise of engagement, she told herself.

"Alright," she muttered reluctantly, pinning Coran with a hard look. "Call Prince Alderain and tell him I'll meet him. Make sure he brings his fleet with him or else all he'll see is the back of my head."

"Allura..." Romelle began.

"It's alright. We'll save Pollux."