"Two men?" Shiro asked. "You killed two?"

Kassy nodded. "Mmhmm."

"You feel like elaborating on that?"

Kassy cleared her throat. "First time in space, a Galran went for Ulaz, so I killed him."

"Second?"

She paused, looking away for a moment. "It wasn't a Galran soldier who killed Iverson." she murmured. "It was me."

He took her hand. "When?"

"Literally right as those Galra soldiers came in. He found me in the kitchen, started talking shit. Telling me how much he missed me and stuff and how horny he was. He tried undressing me, so I took my gun and shot him dead. They just assumed it was a Galra, so perfect timing on their behalf."

"Did you feel better for it?"

"It gave me closure. If it had been a Galra who had killed him, I think I'd have gone the rest of my life knowing I could never get revenge for what he put me through. And I know revenge isn't mature... but goddamn it, can't I be immature for once? It felt fucking good seeing his body hit the floor. Then, the panic set in."

"Yeah?"

"I had just committed treason. If I was caught, I'd get a life sentence. I ran from the kitchen, thinking, the cameras saw it, I'm dead meat. Then, I saw the Galra soldiers. The cameras were down. There was no point distinguishing Galra bullets from Garrison bullets, surely nobody would betray Commander Iverson. I got away with it because of the Galra."

He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do you ever feel guilty?"

"I heard he had 2 daughters. Little younger than Pidge. That's when I felt guilty. But... well, I don't know what kind of father he was. If he treated strangers' kids the way he did, who knew how he was with his own? I don't regret it in the slightest."

"Thanks for telling me about this. I'm glad you got some closure from all this."

"I couldn't be touched like that again, Shiro. I still feel sick every time I think of his hands on my body."

"You deserved none of it. I'll admit... I got the wrong impression of you at first. I saw how he looked at you in meetings. And there were rumours you had slept with him to get on the mission. I... I won't lie, at first, I thought... this isn't the Kassy I remember. But I was young, and dumb, and didn't understand the whole power dynamics thing."

"Anyone in a higher position than another who uses sex to award them is in the wrong every time. I was 22. Even if I had initiated it... why did he allow it to happen? It makes me wonder... how many others did he do this to?"

Shiro nodded. "I love you, Kassy."

"I love you too. And I'm going to make an memoir on that place. I'll expose every little gritty detail. Me Too is becoming big again. I need to show anyone else he harassed or assaulted like he did me that... they aren't alone."

***

"Sorry about Lotor." Rora said quietly to Elrine.

"He's a prick head who I'm not wasting anymore time crying over." Elrine replied.

"Good for you! But..."

"But?"

"I can't help but get the feeling... there's more to this."

"What do you mean? He made it quite obvious how he felt. Why would he ever love me? His words."

"I don't know. I could be wrong. But... well, Romelle found out about you two, and she told Coran. Is it too far fetched to think... maybe one of them had something to do with it?"

Elrine thought for a moment. "Wouldn't my dad want me to be happy?"

"Well, Lotor did a lot of bad stuff. He probably thinks he's protecting you,"

Elrine frowned. "This is so messy if that's the case."

She nodded. "Look, I doubt your dad did it from malice or because he wants to control you."

Elrine sighed. "I need to think."

"Alright. Well, I'm going to my parents now, I'll see you."

Rora arrived at her parents' house with Pidge. Matt was there with Daisy, in deep conversation with Sam.

"Hey, dad." Rora called.

"Hey, Rora, hi, Katie." Sam called.

Rora headed to the kitchen. "Hey, mom."

"Hi, sweetheart." Colleen went over, kissing her cheek, then Pidge's.

"Hey, Kassy." Rora said.

"Yeah, whys Kassy always here?" Pidge asked.

"Because she's part of the family too." Colleen replied.

"I only came for a coffee and a chat. I'm going now, anyway." Kassy replied.

"You can stay for dinner, honey." Colleen said.

"I'd love to, but Veronica's dropping Selena off tonight. And Shiro's having drinks with Keith, so I need to be home."

"Alright, then, Kassy. See you soon, drive safe."

Kassy left, and Rora took a seat.

"Where's Axca?" Colleen asked.

"She felt unwell. I tried to stay home with her but she insisted I came."

Colleen nodded. "Poor love. Would you two like some garlic bread?" she pulled it from the oven.

"Smells delicious, mom." Pidge said as she cut into it, sharing it around.

Matt came into the kitchen with Daisy and Sam, who sat at the table.

"Mom, dad. Rora, Pidge. My family. My wonderful people who I am genetically related to."

"What did you do now, Matthew?" Colleen asked.

"So, uh, Daisy's pregnant, isn't that cool?"

***

"Father." Elrine stared at Coran.

"Yes, my star? Is all alright?"

"Dont you my star me." she stared at him. "What happened with Lotor?"

Coran shifted uncomfortably. The realisation she was catching on sank in. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, what did you say to him?! Why did he leave?!"

Coran frowned. "I have to protect you, Elrine! He hurt our people! He hurt your cousin!"

She frowned. "He's changed!"

"We cannot prove that."

"What does he gain now from pretending to be good? There's no war to win. There's nothing he would get from betraying us now! Did you or did you not tell him to say those things?"

Coran looked down. "I did."

Elrine glared at him. There was a shattering moment of silence.

"I'm sorry, Elrine."

Elrine shook her head. "Where is he now?"

"His shuttle is being prepared."

"You drive me there now if you're truly sorry." She glared at him.

Coran took a breath. "As you wish."

They ran out to the Palavan on Shiro's drive, and Coran sped like Lightning McQueen. Lotor was stood sadly, and Elrine ran out over to him.

"Elrine! What are you doing here?"

She threw her arms around him. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I know what happened. I'm so sorry, I-"

"Shhh, shh, it's okay." he held her tightly, his hands on her back as he buried his face in her hair. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't want to, I-"

She cut him off, pressing her lips against his, tears falling down her face as he reached up to cup her cheeks.

"I love you, I love you, I love you so much, I need you." he whispered breathlessly.

"I love you too, please, I do."

He rested his forehead on hers, eyes closed, breathing deeply as he caressed her face.