Everyone chatted at the table while they munched on the lunch that Hunk had prepared. That is everyone except Keith. Keith was quietly munching on his food, which was a typical occurrence, while everyone talked around him.
Lance sat next to Hunk and chatted with him excitedly. Pidge had her nose stuck in her tablet working ceaselessly on some recent upgrades for the lions, and Shiro, Allura, and Coran were all talking quietly at the end of the table. Keith observed them for a dull moment before turning back to his food and solemnly taking another bite.
"Hey!" Pidge's outburst echoed through the ample room and everyone looked up suddenly. Keith froze halfway to his mouth with another delicious bite when he glanced over.
"I need everyone's attention, and I don't want you distracted," Shiro said, gently setting the tablet down next to him out of Pidge's possible reach. Pidge slumped back in her seat and glared fiercely at him from over the top of her glasses.
"What's up Shiro?" Lance asked as she picked up her glass and took a drink of water.
"Allura, Coran, and I have come up with a new training schedule for each morning. It's partner training so just be prepared."
"Sweet!" Lance lightly punched Hunk, "Looks like we could be potential partners!"
"Uh Lance, not so fast, we have already selected your partners," Lance went quiet. "Pidge and Hunk we have decided to place you together, so you can work on your technical skills as well as your combat skills. Keith and Lance, we figured prominently you could challenge each other and push each other to your ultimate limits."
"Great!" Lance's gentle voice appeared cheerful, excited even, but when she looked over at Keith there was a small flash of abhorrence in her fierce eyes. Keith promptly broke the stare first and turned back to his plate.
"Why did you partner me with her?" Keith earnestly asked Shiro as he looked over a map. They were the only ones on the bridge, and Keith thought it was the best time to ask. "She hates me," Shiro sighed impatiently and looked up at Keith.
"Because she would challenge you the best in your necessary skills as a paladin."
Keith stood defiantly across from Shiro, a fierce scowl on his face. "you aren't listening!" he carefully placed his hands on the table and leaned in close to Shiro. "She detests me!"
"Well, that will give you even more of a legitimate reason to do your best," Shiro turned from Keith and headed out from the bridge, "I'm not changing my mind, Keith."
"Oh my god!" Lance laid sprawled out on her bed, "why him? First, he follows me in the middle of the night and now I'm partnered with him in training,"she closed her eyes,"I don't want to think about this right now," she said bitterly as she rolled out of bed.
Crossing the room, she brushed her hair out of her face as she picked up the duffel and set it on the desk. Unzipping it, she pulled out a solid black long sleeve shirt, along with a pair of black pants that fit like leggings. Setting her shoes to the side, she removed the false bottom of the duffel. Underneath remain a sole piece of paper with a picture printed onto it. "I genuinely need to focus on the mission."
Keith walked down the hallway not quite sure where he was headed. All he undoubtedly knew was that he desperately needed to clear his head. So naturally being Keith he intentionally walked to the training deck to 'clear his head' Taking off his red jacket he dropped it on the floor.
He dropped down to the floor and started with a few push ups. His luxuriant hair swung into his puzzled face each time he surfaced. Every once and a while he would stop and take a short break then it was back to push ups.
Surely Lance has a reason for hating me...besides the undeniable fact of me following her. I had a good reason to do so, though. What was with that building, though? And who were the people? Were any of them Galra?
Keith slipped on the metal from his sweaty hands. His shirt was soaked, and his hair stuck to the back of his neck.
"Time for a shower." He said to himself as he grabbed his jacket and headed out the door.
Across the cavernous room behind a pillar, Lance slowly let out the calming breath that she had been nervously holding. Keith had come in unexpectedly, and she had panicked. She had thrown herself behind one of the pillars and stood extremely still her ocean eyes clenched shut. The personal communicator that she held steadfastly clenched in her hands promptly began to vibrate silently. She unhesitatingly responded.
"Sorry Jarep, someone walked in on me," Lance kept an eye on the door just in case someone else impulsively decides to walk in.
"Did they identify or overhear you?"
"No, I was quiet as a mouse."
"Excuse me?"
Crap she had conveniently forgotten that Jarep was an alien and had likely never had heard the specific term. "Oh, it's just an Earth term," Lance bit her glossy lip. She fervently hoped she hadn't offended him in any possible way.
"Hmm, interesting term. At any rate, have you got any more information?"
"No, it's hard to perform any sleuthing while there are so many people around, and I think someone's on to me."
"What? If someone's on to you, you need to either get him off your trail or get rid of him. And instead of snooping, why don't you talk to the person?" He waited silently for her to respond.
"Come on Jarep you know I'm no good at that. We both know Haiethil is better at talking to people then I am. I merely act like a fool and hope I get a few laughs and even then that's all just a front."
"Don't knock it till you attempt it," and with that, he hung up.
Lance looked down at the now silent communicator in her hands. It lit up for a second, and a message was on the screen.
Oh and keep me posted -Jarep
Lance laid her head against the same pillar that had concealed her from Keith earlier. "Great, just great."