It was him. Nova was sure of it. He was the only one who could call her by that name and instill fear in her. The Luiseach was the name given to her by her master. It was meant to be something that instilled fear, but not everyone took it that way. Garbhan was the worst. He took the chance he could to make sure she knew that she was weak. In the alley was only one of the things he would do if he managed to overpower her. The majority of the time it was just her receiving a few bruises, maybe a dislocated limb. This was the first it escalated that far. She shuddered at the thought.

A knock brought her back to reality. She wiped a hand over her face pushing the water droplets away, before shutting the water off.

"Just a minute," she said. Echoing drops of water followed her answer. Lance had been so gentle with her the night before. He gave her the space she needed and even when it was time for them to sleep he offered to sleep in the lounge. She objected almost immediately. He was the one thing she needed right now. She had needed to feel his body against hers, his arms around her giving that unspoken reassurance that he was always going to protect her. Even though she was trained to fight and kill people it was nice to have someone protect her for a change. She secured the towel around her pausing only to look in the mirror.

The girl that stared back in the reflection Lance didn't know like Nova did. What she had to go through at age thirteen. What she watched her own father and mother do to more innocents than she could count. It was only a matter of time before the truth came out about who she really is, and when it did she wasn't so sure that any of the paladins would still be around.

Freshly showered and clothed Nova and Lance made their way to the bridge. The night before seemed not to be forgotten from the empathetic looks on each of the paladin's faces as she entered. She had half a thought to turn back and retreat to her room, anything to get the attention off her. But Lance's hesitant hand on the small of her back was enough to get her to stay.

"We've received information from the Blade about a ship that's traveling not too far from here." Allura said, "The ship itself has important information on board that will be vital to giving us an advantage."

"We leave in thirty." Shiro said stepping forward, "Nova are you up for this mission? I know you had a rough-"

"I can handle it." Nova replied a little sharper than she intended. "It's just a quick in and out, I'll be fine." she said a little softer.

"Great." Coran said, clapping his hands together, "We'll get you as close as we can with the castle but after that it's up to you and your lions to actually infiltrate."

The group nodded. A mission of this importance seemed to have taken the words from their mouths.

Suiting up a few minutes later went by faster than it normally took her. The anger she felt was caused by her thoughts returning to Garbhan. If and when she came across him she was going to make sure he felt as weak as she had. Grabbing her helmet and her thigh sheath, that held her back up weapon she hurried after Lance. Climbing up into blue she found him already waiting in the cockpit.

As was custom for them she placed a kiss on his lips and gave him a hug and him to her. This was war. And in war you lose things you care about, whether you see it coming or not.

Lance snuck one more kiss in stopping her midway from putting on her helmet. He pulled away with a smirk. It still lit up his face as he placed his helmet on and sat in the pilot's chair. She bit back any response other than to stand behind him with a light blush coating her cheeks.

"Nice one," she said, trying to hide her smile from her words.

"Want me to do it again?" Lance asked, tilting his head back with the smirk still there.

"Alright let's move out!" Shiro's voice came over the comms.

"Later." Nova replied as she reached up for a handhold. Lance took off a few seconds after.

Infiltrating the battle cruiser was simple enough. Create a distraction, slip in from the other side unnoticed, and then they were in. Keith and Shiro led the way while Lance and Nova took up the rear.

Every once and a while Nova would glance behind her, an unsettling feeling overcoming her each time. There was something familiar, it was nagging at the back of her mind.

Footsteps up ahead had it being pushed to the back of her mind as she drew a blaster similar in abilities as a pistol found on Earth. Lance was right behind her with his bayard. Their backs pressed together as their ears strained to hear what was ahead.

"Oh shit," Nova whispered. Her weapon dropped from its aim as a shadow appeared on the wall. It was all too familiar. Flashbacks of five years ran through her mind. Years she could never get back.

"Nova what is it?" Lance asked. The click of his safety was heard followed by hers.

"Just be prepared to fight or flee," she replied. It was all she could say as the realization came upon her that they had just infiltrated her master's ship.