"Ok, now I'm confused," Pidge said, "I was following along until now."
"He said it was nothing but 'harmless hazing'," Allura seethed, "he refused to say anything about his injuries. He wouldn't even let me ask about them."
"Ok," Shiro stood and began to pace, "we have two trains of thought."
They had made Pidges lab their main meeting place. They would send everyone a message the moment one had news.
"One is that Lance is still covering for those who have him under foot and we're still faced with a horrid social problem. Or, it really was just them being jerks and somehow he got those injuries elsewhere."
"Where the heck would he have gotten them?!"
"How could he have gotten them while we're all on the same ship?" Keith asked, "if it really was the supervisors and other people on the ship, how were they able to not only do that much damage, but were able to break bones and have them magically heal in the mater of days and weeks? Ribs do not heal that fast, and hip bones take months to heal."
"And all of this without us noticing…" Shiro muttered as they all sunk into their own thoughts.
"Why would Lance cover for them?" hunk asked, "Saying the first one is the right one, why would Lance cover for the people that hurt him that bad?"
"Threats, shame, manipulation, fear, brainwashing," Allura said ticking off the possibilities on her fingers, "pick one."
"What about the lions, Allura?" Keith asked, "was there anything wrong with them?"
"I can't find anything different," she said with a sigh, "Red is temperamental, as you know, and doesn't seem to like me very much, but from what I was able to gather there's nothing wrong."
"But there is," Keith said sitting up, "Lance was hurt, and Red didn't react."
"Red is rather protective," Hunk said, "So why didn't she throw a fit?"
"GAAAAAAH!" Pidge grabbed her head, "we have more questions than we have means to find answers!"
Shiro looked to Keith, who in turn looked to Shiro.
"We should hold back," Keith said, drawing everyones attention, "If there is a huge issue in the Hangers, then they are bound to make their move soon and expose themselves. And if there isn't, then holding back will hopefully give Lance the space he needs. So, for now, keep your eyes and ears open, but continue with work as usual."
Shiro nodded, "I agree."
()
"You suck at this," Lance said, shuffling the deck of cards.
"Here I thought I was decent," Willston sighed, "so, what do you want to know?"
They were playing for information. If Lance won, he got a question answered, if the doctor won then he got a question answered. So far it was 8-5 in Lance's favor.
"Are you going to tell the Commander everything I tell you?"
"No," Willston answered, "You are considered an adult so everything we talk about is strictly between us."
"Unless someone is in danger, right?"
"If you exhibit tendencies of self harm or harm to others, then I am obligated to tattle on you, but that doesn't mean I have to tell them everything. Only what is applicable to your harmful behavior."
"Mmm…" Lance nodded, "Then no worries."
"Glad to hear it."
They played another game and this time Willston won.
"Why did you want to join the garrison?"
Lance sat back and let the doctor shuffle.
"I really liked flying," Lance said, "you know, I was just happy being a cargo pilot, but when I was given the chance to fly something faster I leapt at it."
"adrenaline junky?"
"guilty," Lance grinned, "I do like to go fast."
"And the sneaking out at night?"
"you mean you never did stuff like that when you were in school?"
"…"
"un-huh," Lance laughed, "I like exercising the skill I have at being able to sneak where ever I please."
"Yeah," Willston sighed thinking back, "I was just never really good at it."
"Its all about perception," Lance said and watched Willston deal, "Like how I know you are a fantastic card shark."
Willston froze.
"Its no fun when I know when I'm going to win or loose," Lance said picking up the cards he'd been dealt, "ah, so this time you will lose."
"You," Willston chuckled and shook his head, "You are a sharp one."
"Not really," Lance said, "I'm not nearly as smart as everyone else on the ship."
Willston snorted, "Let me tell you something. You may not be the brightest crayon in the box, Lance, but you are the sharpest tool in the shed. You notice things that normal people don't. Hell, in this short time we've known each other alone, you've gotten to know me more than I have you. And this is my job! I'm supposed to get paid for this! Frankly, this is kind of embarrassing."
"Since I called your bluff, you have to show me how you do it," Lance said, blushing at the compliment, but refusing to let it derail him.
"Only if you promise that you don't tell anyone else and you didn't learn this from me," Willston said, "this is the best way I've found that makes people comfortable enough to talk to me."
"Deal," Lance nodded.
()
"Lance is getting discharged today, right?" Pidge asked and Hunk nodded.
"I went down to talk to him, but was told in no uncertain terms that he'd not come out of the room if any of us were there."
Hunk was depressed and Pidge also became moody.
"Rude," Pidge muttered and sat back in her chair.
()
"You do know I have other patents," Willston said fiddling with a Rubix Cube. Lance lay on the floor as he fiddled with a puzzle ring.
"Gee, first day out of the joint and all of a sudden you don't wanna talk?" Lance asked not looking over.
"If its your first day out, why aren't you at work?" Willston asked, putting the finished puzzled down on the ground. Lance glanced over at it and clicked his tongue.
"Fine, I don't…remember how to work in the hanger…"
"…how so…"
Lance was silent for a while. Then he got up and, teetering for a moment to find his balance, he began to pace.
"I don't…well, its like…"
Willston waited for a while longer, but when it was clear that Lance was stuck, he prodded.
"Its not that you don't remember how TO work, but that you don't remember how YOU worked."
"I don't like riddles or word play," Lance groaned, flopping down on the couch.
"Think of this," Willston said, "when you left and joined Voltron you had various experiences and when you came back to Earth, nothing was the same. Of course when you came back there was a fight with the Galra, which had become familiar to you. But how do you think you would've felt if you had just come back and everything was normal? Do you think you could've just gone back to class at the garrison and gone back to everyday life?"
"…no…"
"the things we go through change us. We are fully capable of doing everything we did before, but after events in our life our views change."
"Soooo…how do I fix it?"
"Fix what?"
Lance rolled his eyes, "I need to go and work, how to I fix…me…"
"Let me give you another piece of advice," Willston grinned, "You don't fix what isn't broke. You're fine. Change is normal. What isn't normal is what brings about that change. And you said yourself, you 'need' to work. You have a good work ethic, even if you like to goof off."
"I don't want to 'need' to work," Lance said, "I want to 'want' to work. I used to enjoy work, but now just thinking about it makes me sick."
"Well," he said leaning back, "that could be depression. Its not uncommon for changes to make one feel depressed or anxious for a while."
"But it will pass?"
"Depends on how serious the cause of the change was," Willston sighed, "Do you mind if I stop tip toeing around the issue?"
Lance shrugged one shoulder, "Fine, just say it."
"It is clear that something traumatic happened. Now it could be depression, or it could be PTSD of sorts. Until you talk to me, I will not even mention medication because I refuse to play ring-around-the-pharmacy. Now. I do want you to take your time. There is no rush for this. I've talked to many soldiers who have had horrible experiences and didn't know if they could return to civilian life."
"…did they…in the end?"
"Some managed to," Willston said, "some did not. But their success says nothing about how you will succeed. So long as you're moving forward and accepting the help available to you, I'm sure you can find that 'want'."
Lance let that sink in. Then he nodded and stood.
"Thanks."
"Anytime."
"Next time you get the puzzle ring," Lance said walking toward the door.
()
The next day Lance snuck into the hanger and glanced at the job listings.
"McClain!"
Lance nearly jumped out of his skin.
"GUYS! MCCLAIN IS BACK!"
Wide eyed Lance watched as others ran up to him and hugged him. A few slapped his back and welcomed him back.
"Hey, hey, so what happened?"
Lance blinked, "what?"
"the commander just said you were sick and you were going to take some time off," a cadet said, "we know the flu had been going around, but you were gone for a while!"
"did it turn into bronchitis or something?"
"Dude, are you still contagious, cause I can't afford to get pneumonia again."
"Are you sure you're ok? Cause you're a red as a tomato."
Lance grinned, "yeah, I'm fine. And no, I'm not contagious anymore."
"Alright, break it up!" Brad called, coming over, "everyone back to your stations!"
The cadets and personnel scattered, leaving Lance standing by the job board.
"You are under Supervisor Jacobs," Brad shrugged, "so hurry up."
"Yes, Sir," Lance said turning to go.
"Coward."
Lance kept going. The Pillons were no longer his number one problem.
()
It took a few days to get back into the swing of things, but now that he had a supervisor and, essentially, a direction to go in, he found that his worries were slowly easing. He still woke up everyday sick to his stomach about going to work, but once he was there, it was much easier. Supervisor Jacobs was a stern, yet fair man and someone Lance didn't mind working under.
He spent every other evening with Willston. Sometimes they would talk, sometimes they just sat in silence for an hour or two.
The Atlas was nearing its destination and everything had to be ready for the Olkaries to come in and do what they needed to do.
Lance and Jamie were doing inventory in Hanger 3 one day when blue lights began to flash. A voice on the com informed them that Hanger 1's bay doors were opening to allow a ship to doc.
"I heard that the guys showing up today are bigwigs," Jamie said, tugging her gloves off so she could retie her hair, "any idea who they might be?"
"Nope," Lance said grinning, "depending on who they are I might just want to stay down here and out of their sight. Some of them just didn't latch on to my sense of humor."
She laughed, "Like who?"
"like these guys whos faces come out like this," he pulled a face and pressed his fingers into his cheeks, "I tried to help Allura out with diplomacy stuff and it all seemed to be going well until we reached that planet. It really didn't end too well. Hunk had to come in a save my skin."
"I bet it wasn't that bad."
"oh, but it was," Lance said and chuckled at the memory, "the problem we sometimes had was that some races don't understand that human skin isn't as thick as theirs, so when they get upset and sentence us to a 'mild-punishment' we had to explain to them that that would actually kill us."
"Uh-oh," Jamie grimaced.
"I know-"
"No, we're five boxes short," she said pointing to the pallet in front of her.
"Quiznack," Lance muttered, "did you count twice?"
"three times," she said, "we are five short."
"Think it might be in Hanger 2?"
"Spare me,' she sighed, "we'll do that one last. I'll just add five boxes of rivets to the ever growing list of misplaced items that may or may not be in Hanger 2."
The second Hanger, specifically its supply closet, had gained the reputation of somehow being the end portal of where all missing items ended up. Can't find the screwdriver you set down five minutes ago? Check Hanger 2. Can't seem to remember where your lunch went? Check Hanger 2. Lose your left shoe? Hanger 2.
"its going to be like that swamp of lost random junk," Lance said not really expecting his movie reference to be understood, but was pleasantly surprised when it was.
"We'll just call you the bag lady from now on," she shrugged.
"Oooh, how cruel," Lance wiggled his fingers in her direction as he mimicked the bag lady character, "I believe you have something of miiine~"
She laughed and they quoted the movie back and forth as they finished up their work. They were just heading out to start work in Hanger 4 before dinner when they ran into an officer diplomat, his tie pin buffed to a shine.
"Cadet," he said to Jamie and turned to Lance, "Paladin."
Lance didn't correct him, and he didn't salute the way one should a foreign dignitary.
"I was wondering if you could-
"PALADIN!"
Lance winced and the officer jumped a little. Storming down the corridor was Kolivan, his white braid swaying back and forth as he walked. His frame seeming to fill the entire hall.
"Cripes, Kolivan!" Lance clutched his chest, "I nearly DIED!"
"It is good to see you," Kolivan said in his bland manner that totally belied the force he'd previously called out to them with.
"Really?" Lance asked. He'd thought the Blades had little to no patience with him. Lance would have put the Blades in the category to 'avoid' unless he was with Shiro or Keith who were much closer with them.
"Indeed," Kolivan replied.
"Are you who just came in a while ago?" Jamie asked, a little too excited as she got a good look at an alien for the first time.
Kolivan nodded.
"I am Kent," the officer replied sticking his hand out to introduce himself. Kolivan just stared at him, then nodded a greeting before turning back to Lance.
"I have a request," he said.
"you know Keith is just up stairs, right?" Lance asked, "I'm sure he'd jump at the chance to go running off with you guys."
Lance grabbed Jamies arm and turned her to head back down the hall, but Kolivan put a hand on Lances shoulder.
"Perhaps," Kent said putting his hands up, "I could help you? These kids are rather busy at the moment."
Kolivan let out a long sigh and Lance cringed a little.
"Listen well, human," Kolivan said to Kent, "this is a paladin of Voltron, not a youngling. Beside him I see a female who is old enough to fight her own battles, not a youngling."
"I like him," Jamie said grinning up at Lance, "I really like him."
"What do you need Kolivan?" Lance asked for some reason still not bothering to correct them. Kolivan seemed to gather himself for a moment before responding.
"I seem to have misplaced the guide and can not find the bridge."
Lance's hand flew up to his face and he covered him mouth.
"You're lost?" Jamie asked and Lance snorted as his shoulders shook. He was having such a hard time holding it all in, but he knew the proud Kolivan wouldn't be able to handle it.
"It seems I am," Kolivan nodded, "I was finding my own way when I saw the Red Paldin. We both would be needed with the others soon."
"I doubt it," Lance said, sobering, "I'll give you a tour of the Hangers while I find someone to take my place and help out Jamie, then I'll show you how to navigate this place."
"I can find a helper on my own," Jamie said, "You go on."
"I'm the one leaving you out to dry, I'll find my replacement," Lance insisted, "just hurry up to 4 and get started."
"Right-o," she said and then smiled up at Kolivan, "hope to see ya around~!"
As she ran off Lance gave the galra a sneeky smile, "I think she likes you~"
"I don't understand what you mean," he replied, "can we go now?"
"Sure, sure," Lance sighed and turned to the officer, "Anything I can do for you Sir, while I'm at it?"
"No, it was nothing. Have a good day," he said, an unassuming smile never leaving his face. As he disappeared from sight Lance shuddered.
"You are scared of him?"
"Warry, Kolivan, I'm warry of him," Lance said, "And don't go mentioning this to the others, promise?"
"…"
Lance found someone to take over for him while he showed Kolivan the way to the bridge. Of course then everyone had to be introduced to him and that took a while. As they made their way up the stairs Lance explained.
"So the ship was built by military engineers which means it wont make sense to anyone its not supposed to. They took designs from aircraft carriers and all those models so that if the ship is boarded by hostiles, they will have one hell of a time trying to find their way."
"And your allies?" Kolivan growled as he hit his knee against one of the rails.
"You get the benefit of knowing how it works first hand," Lance said, "can you imagine Galra forces, though, trying to get to the bridge or the other hangers and finding them selves in the laundry room? Oh man, hunk and I laughed about that for hours!"
"It seems to be a rather simple security measure."
"Simple, but effective," Lance added, "it might not give us much of the advantage in strength or anything, but if we know the battle field better than they do-"
"-then even an inferior force will come out on top," Kolivan nodded, "simple, yet effective."
Lance taught him how to follow the numbers on the head boards.
"Head boa-" Kolivan smacked his head along the metal protruding from the ceiling for the tenth time.
"The head boards," Lance nodded, this time not bothering to hide his grin, "called that for a reason. The numbers tell you where you are on the ship and how far you have to go."
When they got to a certain point Lance pointed to the head board nearest and asked Kolivan if they should go right or left.
The Galra pointed to the left and Lance shook his head.
"Then it is straight, because I know it is not to the right."
Lance grinned, "See, you got it already. Took me months to be able to narrow it down to two."
"You explain things clearly," Kolivan replied and Lance stopped in his tracks.
"What?!"
Kolivan was confused at the boys reaction.
"You explain things clearly. Maybe a little patronizing at times, but you have a talent of simplifying complicated matters."
Lance blinked, "was…that a compliment?!"
"…"
"Wow," Lance laughed, "I thought you guys hated me."
"we do not hate you," Kolivan said, "your energy is incomprehensible."
"Huh, interesting," Lance said, trying to think back. Had he been acting out before?
They made their way further through the ship and when they reached a pair of doors Lance stopped.
"this is the bridge," Lance said, "I have to get going, but I hope you guys-"
"You are required to be here as well," Kolivan replied.
"Ah, about that," Lance said backing away, "I'm really not a paladin anymore. Red kinda kicked me out, so I'm just going to go back to work."
"I see,"Kolivan said, "has the Red lion accepted another paladin in your place?"
"…I don't know," Lance shrugged, "Not that I know of."
"Then you are still a member of Voltron," Kolivan said, "I may not understand your out bursts, but I am aware that the others feed off of it."
"...you make them sound like vampires…"
"We have been called by Keith and Shrio for our expertise and knowledge, I'm sure your input would be required as well."
"I highly doubt it…"
"How high?"
Lance laughed, "Very high. You see they-"
The door opened and Hunk practically launched himself on top of Lance. Wrapping his arms around his long time friend, Hunk wasn't going to let go any time soon.