Hello! Welcome back!

Again, a late update. (So sorry) I'm hoping to update again later this week or over the weekend.

On another note-

Season 7 is almost upon us! I'm very excited (and also very scared) about what will happen in this new season. And its gonna be thirteen episodes?!

Just...wow.

Anyways...

Enjoy this next chapter! :D

Keith hated hospitals. It wasn't just the smell of disinfectant, or the uncomfortable chairs and blank walls. The atmosphere was always cold, still. Silent. He enjoyed silence, but not this kind. This was the kind that seemed to weigh down on a persons lungs, making it hard to breathe. It was uneasy, like a calm before the storm. He didn't like the look that people had on their faces as they waited for news about their loved ones. There was always a hint of that emotion, even on the calmest face. Just the tiniest traces of fear. Anticipation. Uncertainty. Keith hated it.

That's why he asked that every one leave during his examination. He knew they were only worried about him, but he didn't want them to. He didn't want to see that kind of expression on their face. Just seeing it on Coran's face was enough to make him feel guilty.

Keith sat quietly on the examination table as Coran ran various test on him. With each one, the Alteans face grew darker with worry, and Keith's stomach filled with dread. "All done." Coran's usually cheery voice was strained. Keith slid off the table, a little unsteady. "Thanks Coran."

"Ah, wait. I don't think you should be walking around in your condition." Coran gestured to the wheelchair in the corner.

"Really Coran, I feel better. I can walk now."

"I'm afraid I must insist."

Keith griped the edge of the table. Though he hated to admit it, his legs were already beginning to slightly tremble. He bit the inside of his cheek. Was he really this useless already? Coran must have seen his face darken, because he gently put his hand on Keith's shoulder in a reassuring gesture. "Just give your body a chance to rest."

Keith reluctantly agreed. Coran smiled, satisfied. He brought the wheelchair over and once the teen was settled, he handed him a bottle of pills. "These are Altean pain killers. They're quite potent, so only take two a day. "

Keith was relieved that they had any in the castle. "Thanks Coran."

"No problem." He turned the chair sharply towards the door, a smile on his face. "Now, off we go!"

The teen griped the armrests of the wheel chair as Coran sped off at an alarming rate.

"Isnt this fun?" The alteans cheery voice echoed as they raced down the hall.

The atmosphere in the sitting room was uncomfortable. Hunk shifted uneasily, glancing at Keith in worry. The red paladin was turning over a small bottle in his hand, making a point not to make eye contact with anyone. He was hunched over in the wheelchair, and Hunk couldn't help but think that Keith looked small and vulnerable in that moment.

He turned back to Coran when the Altean began explaining what he had found. Which turned out to be...nothing.

"What?" Disbelief was written all over Lances face.

"Are you sure?" Shiro leaned away from the back of the couch.

Coran nodded grimly. "I'm not sure whats wrong, but whatever it is, the scanners aren't picking it up." He twirled his mustache in thought."It didn't appear that he had any Altean virus."

"Are you suggesting he has an illness from earth?" Pidge frowned. How would Keith have gotten something like that? A cold or fever she could understand, but the red paladins symptoms didn't match.

"Or perhaps something similar. We don't have much information about Earth illnesses." Allura clasped her hands in front of her, looking at the team hopefully.

"Pidge and I could run some tests." Hunk offered.

The green paladin nodded eagerly. "I'll go set up my equipment."

"Wait." Shiro motioned for her to stop. "Keith, are you up for it?"

Hunk felt guilty. He should have asked before deciding for the teen. Man, Keith really didn't look that good. "We can wait until tomorrow. You're looking a little pale."

Keith shook his head. "Lets just get this over with." He struggled a bit to get out of the wheelchair. The team didn't miss the wince of pain that passed over his face as his feet hit the ground.

"I really think you should-"

"Hunk, I feel fine."

The team wasn't put at ease.

There it was, the expressions that Keith hated so much. Though his legs were protesting, the teen put on a brave face. He made sure to smile to back up his words.

"I promise."

Keith relaxed in relief as the pain killer kicked in, leaning his head back against the couch. It was his second one that day, and it was only mid evening. He should have stayed in the wheelchair the other day, then maybe his feet wouldn't be so sore. Then maybe he wouldn't have had to take those stupid-thank goodness Coran had them- pills. He had quickly found out that they made him drowsy, hence his unwillingness to take them.

Keith bit the inside of his cheek. He hated that he was so weak that he couldn't handle some discomfort.

The teen clenched and un-clenched his hand, swallowing hard. His fingers were starting to get pins and needles now. He exhaled shakily, the backs of his eyes burning.

Keith startled when Lance walked in.

"Hey, Keith-" The smile faltered slightly on the blue paladins face. It had been a glimpse, but Lance was certain he saw fear pass over Keith's face, though he hid it quickly.

"Whats wrong?" He approached slowly, sitting opposite of his teammate.

Keith shot him a glare, but it lacked its usual intensity. Lance waited patiently.

Sure, Keith could be stubborn, irritating, and frankly, rude, but Lance considered him a friend. And as a friend, the blue paladin was worried about him. So he would wait until Keith was ready to speak. He didn't have to wait long.

Keith massaged his hand, eyes downcast. "Its getting worse."

The air seemed to grow heavy.

"Its spreading to my hands-I can feel it." Keith's voice broke. "I don't-" The teen fisted his hands over his knees.

The blue paladin frowned in concern. This was definitely serious.

Lance was surprised he was telling him this of all people. He was grateful though, that Keith seemed to trust him enough to confide in him. Either that, or Keith was unsure about what to do, and he was scared. Lance liked to think it was the first one.

"Pidge and Hunk should have the results soon." He said as calmly as he could. Dread filled him even as he said this. Whatever the diagnosis was, it couldn't be good.

"Guys!" Hunk came running into the room, out of breath. His face was pale, worry across his features.

Lance swore he had the worst luck in the universe.

"We have a diagnosis."

Time seemed to stop for an instant.

Somewhere, the countdown that had already begun sped up, shaving off days, hours, minutes.

Keith could feel it. The strange sensation of being drained of time.

In that moment, he had never been more scared in his life.

Thanks so much for bearing with me! I feel like this chapter was a little slow, but now we get to find out what Keith has! Yay! (throws confetti)

Also, thank you so much for all the follows and faves. (Not to be pushy or anything, but if you could drop a review, let me know what you think about this story, that would be so great. I would love to hear what you have to say! )

I'm very excited about a couple of scenes that will appear in the next few chapters, and even more excited for the ending! (Yes, I already have it planned out :D )

Not quite sure how many chapters this story will have, but if I were to guess...maybe around 8? 10?

I tried to get everyone in character. I really hope I did them justice.

Please review, and stick around for the next chapter!