Meeting post fight on earth and recovery

Everyone is in the main room, when Chief Engineer Holt realizes his daughter is NOT present.

"Katie is not here, she probably overslept, can I please ask for someone to get my daughter here?"

Commander Iverson sighs deeply yet the entire group of Paladins smile, exchanging glances…Pidge is ALWAYS late for meetings. She often works late on her projects and forgets to set an alarm.

Suddenly, James raises his hand, "Sir, I can go get her."

Keith frowns, replying, "I got her."

Everyone looks at Keith, surprised but he quickly stands and moves out of the room. He did not think she would appreciate one of the new people barging in. She liked her privacy and he could understand that. Besides, he did not understand why James would volunteer to get her rather than one the girls. He did not much care for the idea of a stranger waking her up. Which is completely reasonable, right?

Keith strides quickly to Pidge's room, knocking repeatedly to no avail until he finally just uses his master card to open her door. He walks in and sees her tangled in her sheets. For some reason the room is extremely hot and she has her sheet all twisted up around her. He closes the door and walks to her bed. At this point, Keith goes red and suddenly stops. He can see Katie is sleeping in a T-shirt and panties…wtf.

She looks so cute…no I mean…peaceful. Usually Pidge is full of energy, always thinking ten steps ahead. Right now she looks, young and beautiful. No, no, no, not beautiful. Just um, not tired, well rested???

What the heck is wrong with him, why is he so uncomfortable? Keith decides to clear his throat…repeatedly. Nothing. Katie does not budge. Wait, why am I thinking Katie versus Pidge. Pidge is my friend and teammate. Katie,

Is

Not.

Finally, Keith musters all his calm and slowly reaches for Katie…no Pidge. However, just as his hand touches her shoulder, a bright light appears!

"COSMO, what are you doing here?" Keith murmurs, pulling Cosmo off Katie.

Moaning and groaning* from the bed draws Keith's eyes down. His heart stutters and he takes a deep breath. There is no going back is there??? He feels his face warm and his hands are actually sweating!

He thinks, I have faced down enemies without breaking a sweat yet here I am. Katie's messy hair all over her pillow, pillows all around her on the bed and that quiznacking sheet all wrapped around her. I see her hand face up and her fingers look like they are reaching out me, making me want to take them in my hand, kiss her fingertips until she wakes. That darn T-shirt of some meme that I don't know is well worn and why the hell does her legs suddenly look so appealing??? Even her freaking toes are cute…when did she start painting her toenails?? Why is she suddenly looking so beautiful?

I slowly drag my gaze back up to…see her looking at me. Instant heat.

Pidge POV

Ugh, something heavy lands on me, hmmm, must be my wake up call. Cosmo has been waking me up for meetings and such and we usually grab some food on our way. I contemplate skipping the meeting; it is not as if I am the best diplomat we have…why do they even make me come? Why am I so hot? I wonder if my program is done? I did leave it running, right? Why don't I hear anything? I'm so hungry, ugh.

I stretch, move, and slowly open my eyes…to see Keith!!! I blink and then say "Um, like anything you see?" Why, oh, why would I say that out loud? I'm not freaking Lance!

Keith goes red and coughs.

"Um, hey, ya the meeting started, that you are supposed to be at, so yeah" Keith says while rubbing his neck.

Dude his voice sounds so deep, like he just woke up instead of me. Hmmmm…he looks kinda cute all red faced, his eyes are really such a unique color like a...

"What?" I say, "Sorry I missed that."

Keith looks at me for a long minute, making me suddenly remember that I am literally in a T-shirt and underwear. Um, I try to move the sheet back so it covers me which Cosmo takes as a game and suddenly bites the other end. Tug of war ensues and it comes as no surprise that I am not winning.

"Cosmo" we both yell.

I am holding tight when suddenly Keith reaches down to (maybe help me?) when I suddenly lose my grip. Um now I feel Keith's hand on my thigh, we both look down, and then we look at each other. All my senses focus on the warmth of his hand and I end up just staring at him. I swear my heart is racing and my stomach feels so weird, fluttery and anxious. What is going on with me? What is he thinking right now? Why am I suddenly so tingly? I take a deep breath and slowly exhale, hoping like heck this will reboot my brain. I mean, this is just Keith…

Time skip

Pidge races into the meeting, holding her laptop and wishing she had time to grab a coke, she only had literally a couple hours of sleep and her brain is still not fully up. She quickly sits and powers up her laptop. Lance slides over a coke and she glances up at him and offers him a grateful smile. Hunk then slips some peanut butter cookies under the table to her. Gawd, she loves her team! A lieutenant to the right of her father then states, "Is no one going to address the fact that Ms. Holt has come into this meeting late? Just because her father is the" is as far as he gets when shouting starts. Keith's eyes are flashing as he yells at the guy, Lance stands up and is swearing in Spanish?, and even James starts defending her.

Pidge raises a hand and everyone quiets.

"I've been running diagnostics non stop since out of the hospital (yes quiet dig to the asshats who were talking smack about me) and I've discovered that there are actually a series of sleeper cells located on earth and in the surrounding systems. I researched this information late into the night because I believe that this was planted with a greater purpose in mind. We need to investigate immediately to determine how this is going to be used. Until we gather more information, I do not believe we can assume we have time before the next attack. While I apologize for my tardiness, it was for a worthwhile cause. If you could please turn your attention to the data?"

The focus then is redirected towards the large screen where Pidge has mirrored her data. While everyone is scrambling to determine what the next step is, she slowly breathes out a deep breath. She in no way wants the attention directed at herself she felt pretty self-conscious right now and she isn't sure why.

The meeting is full of arguments and possible plans, which she easily tunes out. Right now, she is still focused on trying to fully wake up and not focus or linger on this morning's awkward wakeup call from Keith. She sneaks a glance his way and notices him in deep conversation with Acxa, and immediately looks down. She's not going to lie, she doesn't quite trust her yet and it kinda makes her uncomfortable that she has such strong feelings about someone she barely knows. Meanwhile, the room is getting louder and louder. As she refocuses, she realizes the room is split in two camps: looking covertly into the sleeper cells or an all out attack.

Suddenly Shiro stands up and states, "We need more information. That's the bottom line. We send in a covert group that can determine what is going on and that can relay that back to the base. Once we have all the information we can move forward. No arguments, that's final."

The other head people are all quietly talking when Keith throws his weight with Shiro, as do all the paladins. Chief Engineer Holt for a moment looks sad (in his heart he does not want to risk his daughter) but realizes she is their best hope. He takes a deep breathe and agrees.

Shiro then states who should be going on the task force. Keith, Pidge, Lance, Veronica, James and Ryan. The group looks at each other and stands. Hunk and Princess Allura stand as well, but really want question why they are not included, as do the other members of Griffin's team. Shiro heads off any questions by explaining that Princess Allura needs to stay to build rapport with the other species and individuals on our planet now-diplomatic purposes. Hunk replies he does not have any diplomatic ties when Holt replies he needs to stay to gather the information Pidge relays back. In addition, the base needs a few pilots to stay busy and keep guard of the base. Those who remain are the best defense of the Garrison and people.

Pidge smiles at Hunk and whispers "Catch up with your family while you can, if anyone deserve this its you!" Hunk smiles and states, "Just be sure you come back!" Lance goes to Princess Allura, gives her a wink, and then starts to talk to his sister about how he is in charge! Pidge smirks when she hears Veronica's rapid and detailed response to that statement. Keith then stands and states, "Alright team, let's get ready and come up with a plan." To which Lance replies, "Really you are going to plan!!! Since when?"

Keith drags in a long breath and shakes his head. The room starts to clear out and the Commander states they can use the room for prep and that they should plan to leave at 0700 hours. On his way out, Sam stops by his daughter and whispers something in her ear that causes her to smile. Keith cannot help but notice how much she has grown in these last few years. She isn't a kid anymore, well really none of them are but seeing her hold her own in a meeting full of high ranking officers, just makes him proud.

As the room clears, Keith takes stock. Keith notices everything, and with his advanced Galra senses, he gathers info. He needs to make some assessments about the new people. Yes, they helped in the first battle, but what were there strengths and weaknesses? How would they fit into the group? He knows he doesn't trust easily but how can they meld into a team in a day?

Then out of the corner of his eye, he realizes James is almost stalking Pidge. He is unobtrusively getting closer and closer to her. He cannot help himself from tensing and taking a step forward. Then he forces himself to stop and observe. While he does not try anything, Keith cannot help but feel bothered by his actions. So instead he focuses on organizing the paper work and keeping an ear open.

Griffin eventually comes up to Pidge and pulls the chair out next to where she is sitting. He offers her another Coke, which, she softly smiles at him and accepts. He whisphers something that he can't quite catch but it cause her to laugh out loud. Frowning Keith calls the meeting to attention. All eyes are on him, which he does not mind. Then, he motions Pidge forward. She starts and then moves in. She looks at Keith inquiryly, and he then says "Pidge I know that you are not a fan of being in the center of attention but can you break down what you found and how we can best get started in your opinion?" He then pulls the chair out to his right and carefully watches Griffin who has eyes only on Katie…Pidge.

Time skip ~ Meeting over-everyone gathering what they need to head out

Lance is talking to his sister about a dinner they are going to tonight. Keith makes sure to be close to Pidge and when she turns to make a joke, he is already looking towards her. She stops suddenly, and gets close, in an undertone, "Hey Keith, do you have plans for tonight??" He cannot help but turn red, replying, "No, why?" She then smirks and states "You have gotta come to dinner with my parents!! You can regal them with the stories of your Marmora days! Plus we can play video games and kick Matt's butt! You should invite your mom too!! I know that my dad would love to talk more to her and they both knew you dad so maybe you can hear some stories of your dad in his heyday!"

Keith cannot help but notice the frown on Griffin's face and instantly agrees. Griffin then raises his voice and says, "Hey Katie, we found a supply of some electronics the last time we went out on patrol. Do you want to come and take a look at it?" To which, Pidge of course replies "Sure thing, see ya later Keith." Why does he insist on calling her Katie and not Pidge or better yet Officer Holt??

In addition, what's with the smirk on James' face? He starts to follow the newbies and Pidge out when Lance grabs his arm and pulls him to the side.

"Dude, did you see that? I think James has a crush on our Pidgeon!!! Do we approve or not???"

Keith stares at Lance, and quietly says "Not."

Lance raises an eyebrow, and says "ok, meeting in your room, I'll get the guys."

Keith pauses, is he really doing this?, "yeah sounds good"

Keith now finds himself in his room with Hunk, Shiro, Matt, Lance and Coran. Thank goodness, he does not have a lot of junk in here because they barely all fit. Matt and Shiro are lounging on the bed (with their shoes on), Hunk is sprawled on the floor, Lance is leaning on the door (to keep them all here?) and Coran is literally touching what little stuff he has in his room. Lance begins by stating, "I called you all here because it appears that James Griffin…likes Pidge!" Matt immediately sits up and shouts, "What, the, what now?!" (Thank you Matt!)

All eyes are on Lance and he almost seems to drag out this announcement, he's totally enjoying the moment. He continues, "Ok guys, what do we really know about him? I think we need to get some Intel and decide if we approve this or not."

Keith frowns, he already said no, what is going on?!? This was not happening, how could he stop it though? He doesn't have any say in who she dates. Luckily before he can say anything stupid, Matt says "nope, not gonna happen". At least he had some luck!

Matt said, "She just got back to Earth, my parents just got her back and now I am supposed to just let some random guy come in and steal her away again?" Agreed.

Shiro replied, "Matt I don't know that's fair. Pidge deserves to be happy and she should be able to determine for herself if she wants to…date."

Matt looks at him and replies, "Nope, she doesn't know him and he for sure doesn't know her."

Shiro counters with, "Well with this mission they can get to know each other."

Coran, adds, "I think Number 5 has proven she can make the best decision for herself. She is not going to be easily duped and she should be trusted, after all she is a paladin of Voltron."

Hunk suddenly looks around nervously, "I don't feel comfortable talking about this without Pidge here. She is gonna kill us and I really want to stay alive. How about we let her decide and if she asks for an opinion, we can give it to her. Please, you know how she gets!"

Matt replies, "Ya if ya wimps want, that's a good plan, I'm her brother, she doesn't scare me!"

Shiro smirks and says, "That's not what I remember" when Matt suddenly throws a pillow at him. Keith takes a deep breath and states, "We leave tomorrow, let's just keep an eye on things?"

Lance looks excited and says, "ooohhhhh covert mission!" Everyone laughs and agrees to share info, as it becomes known. Secretly, Keith has decided he is not leaving Pidge alone with Griffin. He just doesn't care about what they have supposedly decided. Shit, he needs to find her soon. Before you know it, the guys are distracted and Pidge knocks on the door. She calls out "C'mon Matt and Keith, we gotta go to dinner! Dad is waiting!"

The group disperses and the trio leaves, picking up Krolia on the way to the Holts, to get a family dinner and game night going. Tomorrow is coming fast and with so much unknown, they just decide to enjoy the moment. Yet, Keith cannot help but admire the Holt clan. (Secretly, Pidge thinks that Keith fits right in)

Keith actually talks and laughs. He just feels comfortable with these people he doesn't have to act or pretend here. At some point, Colleen snags Krolia and questions her…is something going on with Keith and Katie? Krolia looks at her, and really considers, she replies, "I'm actually not completely sure. I feel like I have picked up on some…tension? I don't know if that is the right word, but I am not opposed…how about you?"

Colleen replies, "As long as he treats her right, I have no complaints." They talk about their fears for their children and bond over how hard it is to be mother's to almost adults. While this is going on, Sam drifts off and just enjoys sitting on his porch, leaving the women to talk. He knows Colleen isn't happy that Katie is going on another mission and secretly he's hoping that Krolia helps her come to terms with this. The Blades, while tough, seem to accept the danger.

Conversely, Matt, Keith and Pidge are enjoying their gaming and smack talking. Unfortunately tomorrow comes sooner than any of them would have hoped.

Time Skip*