Lance stood beside Keith who sat on the island silent and watchful as a cat. Almost an entire day had passed since the food sludge incident and he could tell Keith was growing anxious by the ever more frequent groans. Keith absently raised a hand and scratched the back of his neck where the collar rubbed.

Lance frowned in thought. Were they being conditioned as Griffin had suggested? He didn't know the psychology behind it, but Lance remembered the feral kittens from his grandmother's garden shed. It had taken most of the summer, but he and Veronica had managed to tame them with patience and kindness. Plus their collars had been belled.

Lance shivered and folded his arms. When Keith scratched his neck again, Lance bumped his arm. "Stop." Keith jumped and looked at his hand in surprise. He rubbed his thighs self consciously. Lance blushed and looked away asking, "What's on your mind? You've been distracted."

"I'm fine."

Lance used his arms to boost himself up beside Keith on the island and sat cross-legged whispering, "You're a horrible liar, Keith."

Keith sighed and turned so he was sitting against Lance's shoulder. His mullet tickled Lance's chin, but he waited patiently for Keith to open up to him. After a short time, Keith whispered, "That alien woman came back, but the medic alien is late. I don't know what the hell a 'varga' is, but I get the sense there's something huge going on out there and we're stuck here and I'm worried about Shiro and Adam and everyone else, but it's so selfish. The entire world is changing and all I can think about is the safety of everyone here."

Keith's rambling ended with a frustrated exhale. Lance smiled weakly and turned his head. Keith had let his head fall on Lance's shoulder and his eyes were shut as if he was in pain. Lance whispered back, "You're not alone, mullet. We're all scared for our families, but we can only do so much. The medic said we're going to be moved soon. I know you've already thought up some grand escape, so give yourself a break and allow yourself to be selfish for a moment."

"But-"

"You're only human too, Keith. Everyone has their limits."

Keith glanced sideways at Lance. After a moment, he sighed and relaxed against him murmuring, "Thanks, Lance."

Lance flushed and replied, "Anytime, buddy." He cleared his throat and suggested, "Why don't you try to sleep? You haven't gotten as much as the rest of us."

"Mmhmm," Keith mumbled.

Less than a minute later Keith was snoring and fast asleep. Lance shifted, catching Keith and slowly lowering him to lay on the island. Keith twitched and curled up with his head on his arms. Lance removed his jacket and draped it over their mulleted leader then sat beside Keith watching the door as Keith had all day.

It had taken a while for Lance to tell the aliens apart, but none of their guards seemed to be anyone important. Lance rubbed the back of his head. There had been an almost electric buzz pulling at him for days now. It was nagging and Lance had to wonder if it had to do with what Keith had said. Maybe there was something big going down, but they'd never find out what if they were trapped here forever.

A feminine hum made him notice Rizavi smile at him as she passed. She looked from where Keith was sleeping to Lance and mouthed, "Good job," before tapping the side of her nose and winking. Lance blushed. Was he that obvious? Then he noticed he'd rested his hand on the curve of Keith's waist and silently cursed. When he heard giggling, he glared at the girls. They thought they were so clever. Pidge stuck her tongue out and Lance replied in kind.

"What are you doing?"

Lance jumped at Kinkaid's voice and removed his hand from Keith. "Just sitting. You?"

Kinkaid raised a disbelieving eyebrow. "Mmmhmm. I'm going to get some weird food. Do you want any? Has Keith eaten?"

"Thanks, we're good." Lance looked around the room where the cadets were more relaxed than they'd been since the attack. "Everyone's much better today."

Kinkaid made a sound in agreement. "The kids wouldn't have lasted much longer if Keith hadn't done what he did. When he wakes up, make sure he knows that he made the right choice. Whether James is correct or not, we all agree with Keith's decision. And... thanks for taking care of him, McClain. He needs someone like you."

Lance didn't get to reply before Kinkaid was already walking across the room. Fucking fuckers. Did they all know? At this rate, the only one who was oblivious was Keith! Well, Keith and Griffin. James was easily on Keith's level of brains and tactical precision, but they both shared the emotional observation skills of a blind snail.

The clock struck two pm when the medic alien returned. He carried a large rectangular case and another guard wheeled a slanted bed similar to a dentist's chair into the teachers' lounge. Great. Another thing to make this more uncomfortable than it already was. Lance stood and grabbed a spare blanket to throw over Keith then lined up in front of the island beside the rest of his class.

The medic quickly arranged his things to his liking and glanced around the room. Lance folded his arms and glared when he started their direction. The younger cadets moved out of the way further behind the island, but Lance and his squad held their ground. The medic paused when he noticed that Keith was sleeping on the island. Lance tried to read the blank expression on the alien's face. They blinked at one another.

Lance finally asked, "Can we help you with something?"

The alien tilted his head. "I intended to speak with your leader, but the young one seems to be asleep."

"Brilliant deduction, Sherlock," Lance quipped sarcastically.

The medic sighed in exasperation. "Then who is the next in line of command?"

Griffin opened his mouth, but Kinkaid said first, "That would be me."

Lance shared a look with Hunk. Then Leifsdottir and Rizavi crowded Griffin out before he could say any differently. Kinkaid held the stare of the alien who clearly doubted anything any of them would say. The medic finally agreed, "Very well. One quintant ago, I informed you I would be collecting samples of genetic origin. Have you decided whether to comply with this order?"

Lance desperately wanted to look at Kinkaid, but he was afraid he'd give away something. Still he was surprised when Kinkaid asked, "What does it entail?"

The alien nodded as though Kinkaid had said something of sage philosophy. Reaching into a pocket, the alien removed a small vial. "All I need is a minuscule amount of blood and a way to identify which patient the sample came from."

Kinkaid clarified, "That's it?"

"Indeed."

Kinkaid shrugged. "Seems fairly standard. I'll go first."

The alien gestured toward the corner where he was set up. "This way."

Lance and the others followed. Only Pidge stayed near Keith. Lance watched uncomfortably as Kinkaid settled into the chair. The alien gently lifted Ryan's arm onto the contoured cushion and rotated his forearm to see the veins. Then he used the small vial. With practiced skill, he lined up the vial to the bulging vein and pressed. A flash of blood flooded the vial and the whole thing was done in less than a second. The alien removed the vial and sprayed the injection point with a fine mist. The alien placed the vial at the top of a screen of some kind and then instructed, "Place your hand here to receive identification."

Kinkaid slowly placed his hand on the flashing screen. There was a small blip and Kinkaid quickly removed his hand. The alien settled the vial into his container and said, "There. All done. Now, will everyone comply?"

Kinkaid looked at his wrist where the injection point was already healed. "Yes, though needles and blood make some squeamish. We'll help the process go smoothly so you can leave."

The alien raised an eyebrow at Kinkaid's tone of voice. "Very well. Who's next?"

Lance stepped up. "Let's get this over with."

Lance settled in the chair, refusing to look at the vial. Instead, he watched as his classmates went around the room speaking with the other cadets. Quickly a line was organized. By the time Lance had his hand scanned, the entire junior class was waiting. He went back to the island and folded his arms. If this was what it took to finally get out of the base, they'd just suffer through it.

Within two hours, the only cadets left were Pidge and Keith. The medic looked expectantly toward the island. Lance advised under his breath, "Don't make a scene, Pidge. It's not that bad."

Pidge sulked, "I'm tempted to do just that on principal alone."

Hunk put his hands on her shoulders and steered her over, her grumbles following in her wake. Leifsdottir said quizzically, "Now all we have to do is wake sleeping beauty."

"Isn't he more of a snow white?" Rizavi replied with a smirk. "James, you be Prince Charming."

Griffin lifted his hands and backed away. "I'm good, thanks."

Kinkaid snorted and suggested, "He likes you better, Nadia."

Lance raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you guys roommates? Just wake him like you normally do."

"We don't," James and Ryan answered in harmony.

Rizavi whispered, "You do it, Lance."

Lance rolled his eyes and went to Keith shaking his head. What was so difficult about waking him up? Lance stared down at the angelic face of their leader and sighed. Tilting his head, he hesitated. Okay, now that he was here, he actually didn't know what to do. Rizavi and Leifsdottir snickered behind their hands and Kinkaid gave a smug knowing smile. Griffin shot them a look of complete bafflement.

Lance blushed and poked Keith's shoulder. "Hey, mullet. You have to wake up now." No response. Lance frowned and shook Keith's shoulder. "Keith, buddy."

Keith sighed in his sleep and stretched. His hair fell over his face and he hugged the sleeve of Lance's jacket with one arm. His shirt had risen to reveal an inch of his stomach. Lance narrowed his eyes. Why did Keith have to be so pretty... and such a heavy sleeper? Lance bit his lip. He desperately wanted to push Keith's hair out of his eyes.

Then the girls' barely restrained giggles got to him. Fine! They'd asked for this! Leaning over Keith, he brushed the hair behind Keith's ear and the giggles stopped. Lance lowered his face and looked sideways at the girls in victory then licked his lips. He was close enough to feel Keith's breath on his neck.

Fuck. Was he actually this brave? He hesitated imagining how angry Keith would be. Ten seconds passed. Thirty.

"You going to kiss him, or what?"

Lance screamed at Hunk's voice in his ear. Keith jumped up shouting with a raised fist. His head slammed into Lance's by accident. Lance screamed again and dropped into a crouch holding his head and moaned. Keith rubbed his head and snarled, "Lance? What the hell, man!"

Lance accused from the floor, "Blame Hunk!"

"Lance, how dare you accuse a pure cinnamon roll of something so cruel," Rizavi chided.

Lance sputtered unable to call them on their bullshit without incriminating himself. Keith gave them a confused look then stretched and yawned. "Whatever. James, report."

Griffin raised an eyebrow at Kinkaid and answered, "The medic needs a sample of your blood. Everyone else is already accounted for."

Keith grimaced and looked around the room. He groaned and deflated when he realized the medic was watching him. Lance frowned and leaned close to whisper, "It's quick and painless."

Keith nervously rubbed his neck and replied, "Come with me?"

When their almost fearless leader hopped off the island and walked to the aliens, Lance was a step behind him. The medic gave Lance a look, but Lance folded his arms and cocked a hip. "I'm not leaving."

The medic ignored him and said, "Take a seat, young one."

Keith was twitchy as he settled into the sloped chair. He gripped the armrests and focused on his breathing. Lance slid between the chair and the wall and reached for Keith's hand. "You okay, buddy?"

Keith looked from the ceiling to Lance. "Never better."

Lance instructed softly, "Then let go. He can't do his job with your death grip on the chair."

Keith looked at his other hand in surprise. The medic moved to cradle Keith's arm and he jumped. The medic reassured, "Easy, little kit. I will not hurt you."

Keith shifted more toward Lance in the chair. "Hey," Lance murmured. Keith's distrusting eyes were starting to glass over when he looked at him. Lance squeezed Keith's hand in both of his and absently traced patterns on his palm. "I'm here, so you can relax. Look only at me, Keith, and breathe. Squeeze my hand as hard as you need to." Lance watched as the medic slowly moved Keith's other arm into position. Lance insisted, "Squeeze, Keith."

Keith tensed as the vial was pressed against his wrist. Lance reached out and physically stopped Keith from looking by cupping his cheek. Keith exhaled and squeezed as hard as he could. Lance bit his lip and smothered a grimace, never breaking eye contact. Then the medic removed the vial and Keith flinched when the mist sprayed him. Keith looked at his wrist suspiciously.

The medic gestured to the scanner. "Place your hand here, kit, and my task will be complete."

Lance squeezed Keith's hand to draw his attention and nodded encouragement. Keith nodded back and lifted his chin. The medic tapped an icon on the screen just before Keith scanned his hand. The screen flashed purple. Odd. The screen had flashed white for him. Then the medic shut off the scanner and pocketed the last vial. Wait, he hadn't scanned Keith's sample like theirs'. Red flags went off in Lance's head.

"Wait," he called as the medic started packing.

The medic spared Lance a pensive look. "Is something wrong?"

Keith looked at Lance in confusion with the urge to be as far from the aliens as they could be clear in his eyes. Lance hesitated. He really didn't want to create problems. Instead, he stepped in front of Keith and said, "Take that thing off," pointing at the strange device collaring Keith.

"Lance, it's fine," Keith whispered.

Lance shot Keith a defiant look. "No, it's not. You're getting a rash. There's blood on your shirt's neckline."

"Let me see," the medic insisted.

Keith tried to pull out of Lance's grip and denied, "No. Leave us alone."

The alien paused, an expression of wanting to help, but being unsure how to do so clear on his face. Finally an obvious response. The medic took a step back and said, "There is nothing I can do to remove the vocal suppressor. I simply do not have the clearance. However, if there is injury, it is within my jurisdiction to provide relief."

Keith said, "You've done what you came for, so leave. We don't want anything to do with you."

The alien considered Keith's response before straightening to his full imposing height. "Very well. I was only trying to help."

Lance didn't move out of the way as the alien collected his box of samples and walked toward the door. Keith finally managed to pull out of Lance's grip and made his way unhappily back to the island. Lance watched him go with sudden insecurity. Had he made the right choice? Keith didn't seem in a mood to forgive him anytime soon. Lance sighed and took a step before he noticed a small object left on the chair.

Lance grabbed it and tentatively pressed the indented top. A fine mist clouded and dispersed. Frowning, he looked toward the door where the medic had left. Had he intentionally forgotten his spray? Shirking off the odd feeling that thought brought, Lance followed Keith determined to use the healing spray if he had to hold him down.

Ulaz set the samples to complete their tests automatically and grabbed the final vial from his pocket. He'd silenced the scanner's alarm and set it to read as galra blood as a precaution, but the scanner hadn't picked up anything from the kit's hand print and he'd kept the sample in his pocket just in case. He frowned. If only he had a sample of his teacher's DNA then he'd know for sure, but there was no way to test it without tripping the entire security system. Taking care to disarm the cameras, he set up a deeper set of tests that would isolate specific genomes within the DNA sequence. The ticker began to count down the time until the results would be ready for viewing.

Rubbing his brow, Ulaz booted up the console and started sieving through the data they'd hacked from this planet's worldwide information network for information pertaining to this strange kit that consumed all of his spare thought. After a varga, he'd finally found the identification section that held everything the military base knew about the alpha child. Ulaz bit his lip. Male. As he'd suspected right up until that other kit had been so intimate. Pushing those thoughts aside, he quickly read everything else he could find. He had just discovered the article about the death of a male during a domicile fire when the ticker went off.

Ulaz looked over and tapped the screen. 'Incomplete' was emblazoned across the top of the results. As a description, 'Contamination' was given as the reason. Ulaz looked closer at what had been found. Galra DNA. Ulaz immediately deleted the results and leaned over the console. It was as much confirmation as he needed. The only confirmation he needed. The child was one of them after all.