Author's Note: While trying to come up with a fun idea that fit into a Saint Patrick's Day theme, Lynne came up with the (IMHO) hilarious idea of a picture of Pidge dressed as a Leprechaun. The following is a little something that conversation inspired...


**Three friends sit gathered around a large conference table. They all seem far away, perhaps lost in deep, philosophical thought, but, in truth, they're daydreaming. The first is a gorgeous redhead - she sits gazing out a large window, watching as tiny drops of rain play out an almost hypnotic rhythm against the smooth glass. The second is a beautiful brunette - she sits thumbing through a magazine, occasionally pausing to glance at a picture, but not really interested in anything she finds. The third is a short blonde with a penchant for orneriness - she sits busily folding a sheet of paper into some unknown form, occasionally glancing up at her companions.

Before long, the brunette begins to giggle as the redhead is graced with a hastily constructed paper airplane lodging itself amid her locks. Reaching up and quickly pulling the offending aircraft from her hair, she turns to give her two friends a mock glare.

The brunette's giggling grows as the blonde gives her red-haired friend the most innocent look she can muster, but, alas, the rambunctious grin she wears gives her away.**

KittyShannon: (still wearing the unruly grin) "Sorry Lynne... I couldn't help myself - I was bored."

KittyLynne: (mock-glare quickly fading) "Yeah, I guess it is pretty quiet around here today."

KittyCaro: (smiling) "Why don't we get the guys to come over - they're always entertaining."

KittyLynne: (nodding) "Actually, that's a great idea - we could use some help with the March update, too."

KittyCaro: (smiling widely) "I'll go call my Cuddly Bear right now."

**KittyCaro blushes slightly as she quickly gets up and hurries away to place the call. KittyLynne and KittyShannon exchange a knowing smile.**

KittyShannon: (sighing) "So, MP, any ideas for March?"

KittyLynne: (grinning) "Actually, I was thinking... With Saint Patrick's Day and everything, maybe we could get one of the guys to dress up like a leprechaun."

KittyShannon: (laughing) "Oh, that would be priceless! But which one?"

KittyLynne: (grinning wickedly) "Oh, any one of them would do..."

KittyShannon: (snickering) "How about Keith? That would be-" **bursts into a fit of giggling**

KittyLynne: **looks thoughtful as she imagines her favorite Space Explorer dressed as a leprechaun** "Yeah, it would be..." **begins giggling**

**KittyCaro reenters the large room and quirks an eyebrow at her conspiring cohorts.**

KittyCaro: "What loco idea have you two come up with this time?"

KittyLynne: (between giggles) "Keith..."

KittyShannon: (gasping) "...as a leprechaun!"

**KittyCaro's mouth falls open for just a second before she begins to giggle. After a moment, she's able (with a great force of effort) to gain control of herself and clears her throat meaningfully. KittyLynne and KittyShannon exchange one last mischievous look before forcing themselves to quiet down and behave.**

KittyCaro: (trying to remain serious) "Have you two forgotten what the Princess said about Keith and costumes? I've never seen her so angry before..."

**The three Kitties exchange a meaningful look as they try desperately not to begin giggling again**

KittyShannon: (fighting a grin) "Personally, I think she was over-reacting… Keith would have looked adorable in the Cupid costume."

KittyLynne: (grinning) "I think so, too..."

KittyCaro: (shaking her head as she tries to contain a grin) "Be that as it may, she said if we tried to get Keith into any more of our little costumes, she'd make sure Lance got a copy of the Christmas Party picture..."

**KittyShannon and KittyLynne exchange a nervous glance.**

KittyShannon: (clears her throat as she hastily changes gears) "Well, then… Any ideas as to who the lucky guy should be?"

KittyLynne: (grinning wickedly) "How about Lance?"

**They all exchange an amused look and begin snickering.**

KittyCaro: (grinning widely) "That's perfect!"

KittyShannon: (pulling out a sketch pad and pencil) "Well, then, let's get started on the costume before they get here!"

**The three women gather close together and begin speaking in hushed tones, punctuated by an occasional giggle or snicker. They're so caught up in their scheming that when the door swings open, they all quickly jump to attention trying to hide their most recent 'project'.**

Hunk: (exchanging a semi-concerned glance with Lance) "Hey girls, what'cha got there?"

KittyCaro: (smiling widely) "Um... not much..."

KittyShannon: (smiling impishly) "Nothing, actually."

KittyLynne: (smiling innocently) "Nothing at all."

Lance: (looks at the Big Guy and quirks an eyebrow) "I don't like this..."

Hunk: (now looking very worried) "Nothing, eh? Well then, you wouldn't mind if we took a look, would you?"

KittyShannon: (grabs the sketch pad and sits down on it) "Really, guys, it's nothing you'd care to see..."

**Hunk and Lance share a concerned look, but both shrug it off and head for the comfy looking couch. The three Kitties share their own look - one of relief - and KittyLynne and KittyCaro head over to take a seat themselves.

But...

Just as the girls get settled in, feeling sure that their plan is safely tucked away from prying eyes, the two handsome pilots jump into surprise action!

Too bad for the Kitties… It looks like our boys have spent so many a day fighting the cunning likes of Lotor that they're able to come up with an immediate plan for retrieving the material in question...

Rushing across the room, the pilot of the Red Lion pulls KittyShannon out of her seat and into his arms, lifting her off the ground so she has no possible way of protecting the questionable documents. Never one to give up, she struggles frantically, hissing at him and threatening to bite him if he doesn't put her down post haste.

Lance grins wickedly and laughs at the outburst as the pilot of the Yellow Lion moves in, skillfully snatching the sketch pad.

KittyLynne and KittyCaro quickly jump to their feet, but upon hearing the Big Guy's hearty chuckles, realize it's too late to keep him from seeing their design. Never one to miss a beat, KittyLynne turns her attention onto her captured friend.**

KittyLynne: (drolly) "Ya know, Lance, you can put her down now..."

Lance: (looking a trifle flushed, quirks an eyebrow) "Yeah, I know..." **He carefully replaces KittyShannon on the ground and quickly steps back.**

KittyShannon: (glaring at Lance) "That's right! You better put me down you... you..." **She moves over to stand between her two friends.**

**KittyLynne and KittyCaro share a mirth-filled look as they take in KittyShannon's flustered appearance, as she continues to mumble and glare at the now sheepishly grinning Lance.**

KittyLynne: (leans toward KittyShannon and whispers just loudly enough to ensure that KittyCaro also hears) "Ya know, Shanshan, that's why he loves to pick on you..."

KittyCaro: (giggling) "Yeah, he likes to get you all riled up."

KittyLynne: (giggling) "But I don't think he's the only one..."

KittyShannon: (sniffling indignantly) "I don't know what you're talking about..."

**Just as KittyLynne is about to make another witty rejoinder, Hunk calls out to Lance, telling him he's got to see this... The Kitties share a wide-eyed look before hastily attempting to implement a little damage control.**

KittyLynne: (quickly stepping in front of the pilot of the Red Lion) "Ya know, Lance, you don't want to see that..."

KittyCaro: (looking pleadingly at the Big Guy) "Yeah, he doesn't want to see it, right Hunk...?"

**Hunk wavers as he looks into the soft brown eyes of KittyCaro. Lance, seeing the exchange, makes a quick grab for the papers. Once he has them in hand, he turns away from the group to take a look...**

Lance: (spinning around with a horrified expression on his face) "NO WAY!!"

KittyShannon: (pleadingly) "Awww… Come on, Lance..."

KittyCaro: (sweetly) "Por favor..."

KittyLynne: (with a wicked grin) "If you don't want to help us, there's always the picture..."

Lance: (shaking his head) "No way, not even the picture is gonna get me to dress up like this."

**The three women share a disheartened look that quickly changes to one of furtiveness as they all turn charming smiles onto the Big Guy himself...**

KittyShannon: "What about you, Hunk?"

Hunk: (chuckles and shakes his head) "Sorry, girls."

KittyCaro: (smiling shyly and batting her eyes) "¿Oh, por favor, mi tipo grande y fuerte...?"

Hunk: (smiling warmly) "I would do anything for you... Except that."

**KittyCaro pouts a little.**

KittyLynne: (sighing in exasperation) "Then what are we gonna do...?"

Lance: (moves over to stand next to KittyLynne, placing a reassuring arm around her shoulders) "Don't worry... I think I've got someone who'd be perfect for the job..."

KittyLynne: (hopefully) "Really?"

Lance: (grinning) "Yep. Now, you gals get back to making your plans and we'll head back to Arus..." **pauses to look at his watch** "Give us about two hours and we'll have your leprechaun here."

**And so our two Space Explorers depart, leaving the Kitties to continue their planning and await the arrival of their victim - er- volunteer...

Two hours and fourteen minutes later, the three women are beginning to wonder if they've been hoodwinked when they hear the front door slide open...

A minute later, to their surprise, in walks a very pleased looking Pidge...**

Pidge: (with a bashful pride) "Lance and Hunk said you needed my help..."

**The three women look at one another with concerned eyes. It was one thing to pick on Lance, Keith or even Hunk, but Pidge was such a sweet, shy youth... It just didn't seem fair.**

KittyLynne: "Well..."

KittyCaro: "Um..."

KittyShannon: "Hmm..."

Pidge: (looking a bit disappointed) "I really would like to help..."

**The Kitties all sigh and KittyLynne carefully explains the plan, adding that Lance and Hunk (although all three women were quite certain it was more Lance than Hunk) had sent him to play the part of the 'little man in the green suit'... Pidge looks crestfallen at the information, and the Kitties decide that they'll be adding a new picture in the HRH foyer.**

KittyShannon: (suddenly brightening) "Hey... I've got an idea..."

**And so the group gathers close together, and listens closely as a new plan is hatched… Before long, everyone is wearing huge grins, especially Pidge...**

And so concludes our Saint Patrick's day tale...

Oh! So, you're probably wondering about the plan, eh?

Well, you see, KittyShannon had an idea for a picture that would be quite favorable for Pidge, even while he wore the leprechaun costume...

If you'd like to see that picture, it's in the fanart section - along with a picture that Pidge sent the Kitties... One he took after handing Lance and Hunk a copy of the picture of himself wearing the leprechaun suit...