Okay so here we are. Admittedly, this was the toughest chapter to write because of the stuff happening in it and Hunk gave me a bit of trouble in it as well and Pidge made me cry. So fun stuff going on here, that said I hope you enjoy it!

4. Crash and Burn

Keith had listened to Hunk's words with patience but once he had reassured his friend, he sat deep in thought. When they were Voltron, he felt a sharp, searing pain overwhelm him and he knew it had been coming from Pidge. She was his left hand after all but the thought of anyone raising their hand against her or hurting her in any way made him see red. He exhaled, counting to ten in his head, reminding himself that he didn't have any proof. I hope Hunk is wrong. He knew it wasn't likely that his friend was wrong because he had a good intuition about these things but it didn't necessarily mean he was wrong about Pidge being hurt, but about James being one to hurt her.

"Keith, are you ok?" Shiro's voice brought him out of his thoughts and he hadn't even realised when the other had entered his room. "What did Hunk want?"

Keith hesitated. He knew he could trust Shiro and also was certain he wouldn't mention it to Lance but he had also promised Hunk he wouldn't mention anything to the others until they had some solid proof.

"Hunk just wanted to discuss something," Keith said, which wasn't exactly a lie, it just wasn't the complete truth. "I'm sorry Shiro, I kind of promised him I wouldn't say anything until we had some solid proof about things."

Shiro smiled at him. "If you promised him, I won't make you tell me. I was just surprised because Hunk is careful not to interrupt unless it's really something that can't wait."

"It was important," Keith admitted softly. "I just hope we can get some answers soon so we can tell you." Of course, he also hoped James Griffin had nothing to do with Pidge's unusual behaviour or the fact that his friend was injured somehow because he didn't think he would be able to be patient if that happened. Not that Shiro would expect him to if he ever found out what Hunk's fears were in the first place. Shiro considers Pidge to be like his daughter and if James had hurt her then…

Shiro placed a hand on Keith's shoulder, squeezing it. "Don't worry, Keith. We'll work everything out together."

Keith nodded. Somehow, when Shiro put it like that, it made him feel like things would work out in the way that he hoped they would. He had no idea how yet but it would all be okay.

Even though she had taken a shower, Pidge still felt dirty as if she had taken a shower in swamp water, instead of clean, filtered water. If having sex was supposed to be romantic, then why did she feel as if she had drained all her energy? Maybe everything was hitting her at once. Sweat beaded down the side of her face and she didn't know why but her whole body began to tremble as if she hadn't slept for a whole year. Her lips felt dry and she licked them to try to get the dryness to go away even though she knew it wouldn't work. How long had it been since she had drunk a glass of water? She had to get it together. Maybe she could make herself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich because it was her favourite after all so it should give her some energy. Come on Pidge, move! I can't let any of the others see me like this. But as soon as she took one step out of bed, her legs gave way as she collapsed to the floor, hitting it with a hard thud causing her to wince as she pressed against a bruise on her back.

What in the world is wrong with me? It wasn't like it was mine and James's first time for me to be so out of my element. As she tried to lift herself off the ground, she heard a knock on the door.

"Pidge, are you okay?" Hunk's voice called out, causing her heart to race, which somehow made the trembling of her body even worse. She tried to call back that she was fine, but her voice caught in her throat and she was unable to say anything. She coughed weakly, trying to bring herself to talk but her throat felt too dry, stinging her throat every time she attempted to open her mouth. This was clearly not the response Hunk was looking for because she heard the door click open, entire body trembling even more and this time, she knew it wasn't just because of exhaustion but the thought of what would happen to her once James find out. He'll kill me – he'll be so furious – oh god, no. I can't let Hunk find out.

"Pidge!" Hunk knelt beside her in an instant, picking her up. "Oh my god, you're heating up. Hang on Pidge."

"Hunk, stop," Pidge managed to say, trying to push herself out of his grip. "I-I'm fine, just a little…" She would have said more but her voice was so weak and small, her vision beginning to blur. No, no, not now. She couldn't lose consciousness right now – she couldn't let Hunk take her to the Med-bay. Her breathing began to quicken. "Hunk please!" She had forced her voice to become louder even as she was slowly losing energy. "You can't take me to Med-bay! Please! Don't please…" That was all she could get out before everything faded to black and she knew no more.

Hunk paused for a moment at Pidge's desperation but pulled her closer into his chest, even as she fell unconscious. Her whole body was still trembling and it wasn't natural for someone to be this warm. He would normally listen to her wishes, but he couldn't when she was this bad off. She needed medical assistance, whether she wanted it or not. He sped up as he walked over to the Med-bay. "Help, someone help!" He made sure to be as loud as possible, which was a good thing because Pidge's father Sam Holt was also nearby as he came running as two workers came and put Pidge on a bed, wrapping a purple blanket around her smaller, frailer body.

"Hunk, what happened to her?" Sam asked, face growing pale as he saw the workers examine her.

"I guess we'll find out," Hunk said, eyes concentrating on his unconscious friend, wiping sweat off his forehead. I was too late, I can't believe things got so far. I promised Keith and yet I… "I found her crashed on the ground when I went into her room." He knew he should probably tell the others but he couldn't bring himself to leave her. Still, his friends deserved to know. He exhaled, coming to a quick decision. "Commander Holt, I need you to stay at Pidge's side in case she wakes up. I'm going to bring the other Paladins here. Please, don't leave her side, no matter what. She shouldn't be left alone with the workers right now."

Sam nodded, face set in determination as he sat beside his unconscious daughter, taking her hand in his own.

Hunk didn't reply to his friend's father, instead hurrying towards the main room of the Atlas even though the only people there were Shiro, James, and Veronica. A scowl filled his face at the sight of James there, but he ignored him, focusing on Shiro since there was no time right now.

"Shiro, you need to find a way to contact Matt," Hunk said immediately. "Also, Pidge is in the Med-Bay. Can you send all the Paladins there? I need to talk to them right away."

"I'll come too," James said immediately. "She needs me more than she needs the other Paladins. I'm her boyfriend, after all."

"No," Hunk said so firmly that even Shiro looked taken aback. "She may be your girlfriend but she's our friend first." His expression was harsher than anyone had ever seen him but he had a feeling Pidge would be too scared to open up to any of them if James was there. He saw the MFE pilot about to protest when Shiro cut in.

"I'll get the other Paladins then find a way to contact Matt," Shiro said softly, face morphed over in concern. "Is Pidge alright?"

"She will be," Hunk said firmly, sending James a look. "It's better if you don't come there right now. I don't want her overwhelmed." He softened his voice as he said this since he knew losing his temper wouldn't be helpful.

"Keeping her from her boyfriend isn't overwhelming her," James said heatedly. "She's mine, I have the right to see her. I'm coming." He made to go anyway but Shiro grabbed hold of James, tightening his grip around his arm.

"As your Captain, I order you to stay here, James," Shiro said calmly. "Let the Paladins handle this."

"But Captain Shirogane, she needs me, not them," James said, eyes flashing as his fist clenched. "I'm her everything now."

"Let them handle it," Shiro said firmly. "Go on, Hunk. I'll send the Paladins to meet up with you in the Med-bay."

Hunk's shoulders slumped and he sent Shiro a thankful look. He was glad Shiro had managed to stop James even though the MFE pilot looked rather put-out by this but he headed back to the Med-bay to where the workers were, seeing the looks on their faces and seeing Sam sit on a chair, holding his unconscious daughter's hand, face pale and looking like he was about to collapse.

"Who did this? Who hurt her?" Sam was mumbling softly. Hunk frowned a bit at that, placing a hand on the Commander's shoulder.

"What happened?" Hunk asked, wondering if the workers had found anything which looked like it from the sounds of how Sam was sounding right now.

Sam looked up at him. "Don't you know? You brought her here."

Hunk shook his head. "As I said before, I just found her collapsed in her room, she was burning in fever and protesting not to bring her here. What happened? I don't know the details beyond what I saw."

Sam sighed. "It's a long story…"