Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Voltron characters.

As always, thanks for Dawn for proofing!

Setting & Rating: DotU in nature, but AU in that none of this (or events leading up to this) ever occurred in the series. I think it's possible to read this one without reading the previous stories, but it will make more sense as past story events are referenced. The order of my related stories is: Mistletoe & Valentines (1), Hidden Hearts (2), and Retaliation (3). Has a rating of Mature for most chapters for physical violence. Lotor is not kind or nice anywhere in this story. Be warned that torture is a part of this arc but none in this chapter.

A/N: This is my original work. There are a number of stories out there that deal with torture, but any similarities are coincidental.

** This chapter doesn't have torture in it, but Keith is in it – but don't freak out, remember, no torture.

Chapter Thirteen: Questions and Answers

The lights were dimmed again when Keith woke up. He was cold and ached all over. Sitting up, he looked around to see what his cell looked like. It was small, barely five feet all around. There was no way he could stand all the way up or lay all the way down. It was meant to keep him cramped up and uncomfortable. There were no furnishings. There was a recessed light in the ceiling that had a grate so he couldn't reach it and there was a small hole in a back corner for him to relieve himself. The floor was black tiles with three stainless steel walls and ceiling. The fourth wall was his door to the torture chamber, and it was a grid made of heavy black metal. He felt for a locking mechanism but couldn't find one. It was probably electronic and it could be wall mounted or hand-held. He would have to watch how they opened the door. It could be an opportunity for him.

Having learned as much as he could about his accommodations, he turned his attention to the bread and water that had been left outside his cell. They had given him a small bottle of water with a lid and the equivalent of two slices of bread. He was happy to have received anything. Knowing they may have drugged the food, he ate it anyway, not having much choice. After eating and drinking everything, he kept the water bottle inside his cell. He'd see if they made him give it back.

Keith leaned back against the cell wall and assessed his injuries. He had more contusions than he could count and the myriad of colors on his body made it look even worse. If Allura saw him now… Well, he'd be happy for her to see him now if this was as bad as it was going to get.

Something had happened to derail the rescue plan, but he knew they wouldn't give up. He needed to stay of the same mind. With the multiple druggings, he had no idea if it were night or day or how long he had actually been here. Hearing the door click open, he knew that Lotor must have this medicine timed precisely or some monitoring device in here that alerted him to movement. Looking for cameras would give him something to focus on during his next session.

"Well, well, Commander. Are you enjoying your stay?" Haggar's voice grated harshly on his ear.

Keith's blood ran a little cold as she came into view. "Yes, they are lovely accommodations. And just look," he pointed to his side which had turned black, blue and purple, "Lotor's trying to make me the same shade as you. He just hasn't perfected the color yet. Don't worry though; I'm sure he'll keep trying."

Narrowing her eyes at him, she cackled, "The prince won't be happy that you still have your sense of humor. I'd hide that from him if I were you."

Keith found it odd that Haggar was giving him advice, and advice that he agreed with at that. "Why are you here, Haggar? Are you just checking on me or have you come to torture me in your own way?" Keith noticed that there was a smell of smoke that flavored the air around her. Was it from her lab or just the smell the witch had? Now was not the time to ask.

"Unfortunately for you, Commander, it's a little of both. I wanted to check on you, and Lotor wanted me to ready you for your next session."

Staring at her with open surprise and concern, Keith asked, "Lotor wants you to prep me?"

"Why yes, Commander. After that foolish guard almost came near you with a gun, Lotor will only allow him in here after your sessions or if you are restrained. He has asked me to ready you for your sessions until he deems you weak enough to allow the guard to assist." Haggar shuffled about the room moving things about and changing the light levels.

"I'm flattered." Keith watched her move. He wasn't sure what she was doing. "Where am I, Haggar? I'm not in the castle."

"No, Commander, you are not. Keep asking questions, I may answer them."

Keith thought for a moment. If Haggar were here with Lotor and Drule guards, perhaps they were on Doom. "Am I in your compound?"

"You have very good deductive reasoning, Commander."

He wasn't sure why she was answering him, but he would continue to learn what he could. Of course, she may be telling the truth about some things and providing false information about others. He would have to figure it out as he went along. "How long have I been here?"

"Now, now, Commander. Yes or no questions only." She turned now to face him. "You have time for only one more question."

"Have my friends tried to rescue me?" Perhaps it was telling that he had asked. Maybe he gave her something he shouldn't, but he found that question to be more important than the time he had been imprisoned.

"Yes." Haggar watched as the commander leaned his head back. He didn't open his eyes as she began an incantation. When she finished, he heard his cell door click open and slide back. "Open your eyes, Commander, and come here."

Having placed a spell on him, he had to follow her orders. Groaning as his body moved to comply, Keith moved slowly to the place she indicated. He gave her a questioning look.

"For the spell to work, the subject has to be weakened emotionally and physically. The knowledge that your friends had come and not found you, well, I thought that may help weaken you some. I'm not sure that it had the effect that I wanted, but the spell worked none-the-less." She moved to shackle him as he had been yesterday. "You are wondering why I told you. I have other spells I can use. This is only one of many." She walked over to the wall and touched a few buttons; his arms began to rise as the chains lifted.

Keith tried to steel himself against the pain, but he was unsuccessful and let out a sharp hiss as his arms lifted above his head. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes as the pain mounted when his full weight hung once more from his arms.

Looking at him without remorse or feeling, Haggar gave him the grim news. "The prince will be here within the hour."