Ryan watched his team, Keith, and the red lion vanish over the crest of a hill half a mile away and sulked. He hated his reaction. He should have welcomed Keith. Hugged him and told him how much he'd been missed... but the galra had soured the reunion.

Being saved by the enemy was bad enough and Keith had posed as one of them. Forget had, he still did! Their manerisms and speech patterns filled his every word and movement. He'd asked to go hunting with and told the woman who'd originally kidnapped both him and Lance that he loved her. This whole day felt like a set up.

"I'm glad your leg healed," Ulaz said, interrupting Ryan's inner monologue.

Ryan glared past the medic. "I still don't want you touching me." The hand poised to land on Ryan's shoulder faltered and Ulaz dropped his arm. Ryan shivered despite the warm spring night. "What do you want?"

Ulaz raised an eyebrow at the frigid tone and answered, "You are hurting and it is my nature to heal."

"I don't want your help," Ryan shot back. "This is all your fault."

"By what logic?"

Ryan bit his lip and clenched his jaw to keep from saying any more. How could the medic remain so open and comforting while he verbally attacked him. Ryan folded his arms and muttered, "Leave me alone. You're the last person I want to talk to right now."

"I can take it from here, Ulaz," Sargent Davis said to announce his presence. Ryan stood straighter, saluting on instinct. Davis chuckled and reached out to ruffle Ryan's hair. "At ease, cadet."

Ryan dropped the salute and ducked out of range. "What was that for?"

Davis smirked and turned to watch Ulaz leave. "Because you're being a brat."

Ryan folded his arms and said defensively, "Am not."

Davis's smirk broadened and he leaned into the side of the shed. "Oh yeah? From what I can see, you've been nothing but ungrateful and antagonistic since we arrived. Even your own team refuses to deal with your tantrum."

"It's not a tantrum," Ryan shot back.

Davis reached over and flicked Ryan's forehead. "Is too," he repeated. His smile fell and he stepped closer. "I don't know what you think you're accomplishing here, but it's pointless. The fact is, your friends are upset because you are upset. Keith flew over halfway across the unknown universe just to find you guys. It gutted him to have to lie and hide from you. And this is how you repay him? I thought you were closer than that."

"We were," Ryan argued, "and when he came back, the enemy- ow!"

Davis closed his fist after smacking the back of Ryan's head. "These galra have risked more than you can ever imagine fighting a war we didn't even know about. Coming here, reaching out to the admiral... this is the most danger Kolivan has risked since the emperor murdered his second wife." Ryan furrowed his brow and Davis glared down disapprovingly. "The blades are our allies, and you will show them the respect they deserve. Now come on. Your friends are expecting us."

Ryan followed Sargent Davis with waning resentment. The others watched them walk across the farmyard, taking the same path Keith had twenty minutes earlier. When they reached the top of the hill, the last rays of sunlight glinted off the lion. She'd curled up in a semicircle with her tail tip to her nose. Ryan's team sat inside her protective space with a campfire between them. He could hear low chatter and the occasional laugh from here.

"I never get tired of seeing the two of them together."

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"Keith and Red," Davis answered. "She chose him after all."

"What does that mean?"

Davis smirked sidelong at Ryan. "All the answers you want are waiting down there."

Ryan shook his head and stomped down the hill. "Alright. I get it."

Sunset passed into night. Stars began to appear in the moonless sky. When they were twenty feet away, the lion opened her eyes and emanated a low rumble. Ryan halted, but Davis walked around him into the light cast from the fire. After hesitating, Ryan entered the ring as well. The conversation quieted to less than a whisper as he sat between Rizavi and Ina. It took more courage than he'd admit to look Keith in the eye.

"Welcome back," Keith warmly greeted. "Are you going to stay, Brad?"

Sargent Davis stood from where he crouched and shook his head. "Not tonight, kit. This is your time."

Keith put his chin on his knees and said, "Good night, then."

"See you in the morning, kiddo."

Ryan watched him walk back the way they'd come. So much for support. Then Hunk handed him a stick with a white lump on the end. "Seriously?"

"Mrs. Holt made them for us," James said as he poked a log into the fire.

Keith ran his hand along his thigh and a short pulse of light materialized his red weapon from before. It retained the shape of the hunting knife from earlier in the barn. Keith used it to cut the bark off of another stick for roasting marshmallows. No one said anything else for a while over the crackling of the fire and the occasional flaming marshmallow.

Ryan felt responsible for the uncomfortable tension. Unable to take it any longer, he said, "I'm sorry, alright! I was dumb and wrong and-"

"Ryan," Keith whispered, "you're hardly the first person to hold a bias against the tribe. Kolivan told me to expect this kind of reaction and I've already forgiven you. So we can move past the awkwardness, okay?"

Keith's words brought a strange sense of calm and resolution. Ryan exhaled, the tension leaving with the gust of air. "Thanks."

Keith smiled as he speared a marshmallow. "You're welcome."

Logs shifted, throwing up sparks that ascended like fireflies. James went to retrieve more firewood. He returned and conversation was still hard to come by. When Keith threw his roasting stick into the fire, he said, "I know you have questions, but I'm not sure my story is the best place to start."

Rizavi put her head in Ryan's lap and crossed her ankles. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Keith chuckled and reached into a pouch. "It means, it's time for a history lesson." He played with the round object in his hands, twisting it like a strange rubix cube. "What I'm about to tell you may seem like a fairy tale, but every word of it is absolute truth."

He tossed the ball into the fire where it began to tick down, each slightly faster than the last, until the fire lit with green light. James and the girls jumped with surprised shrieks and Hunk gave a nervous chuckle. Keith grinned at all of them and said, "Coleen and Sam are debriefing Marcus, but my rendition has shadow play. I think we all know which is superior."

James snorted and bumped Keith's shoulder with his. "Alright, narrator. What's this bedtime story?"

"Allura and the others will be mad I didn't wait for them, but," Keith waved a hand to dispel smoke that blew toward him, "I don't think this will wait until they're planet side." The fire crackled again with another flash of green light and Keith frowned at it. He stared at it in silent rebuke before starting, "The subjugation of our planet started over ten thousand years ago in a different galaxy far across the universe... on a planet called Daibazaal."

The fire crackled and the flames burned blue before holographic images filled the space above the campfire. A planet, strangely shaped and roughly hewn, orbited its natural path through an unfamiliar solar system. Keith let them all absorb everything before continuing, "Daibazaal was home to the warrior race known as the galra. They lived in familial tribes, bound by blood and honor. Some formed communes where they shared everything they grew and bartered. Others lived nomadic lives, hunting and gathering from the land. They lived in peace for millennia.

"Eventually, others came to their world." The image changed to show a second planet and several people resembling humans with glowing marks beneath their eyes. Keith said, "The alteans were ambassadors of unity and democracy, spreading their message into the universe. That is, until Prince Alfor made a disastrous blunder."

"What happened?" Hunk asked, wide eyed with curiosity.

Keith paused for dramatic effect and the lights changed again. "Alfor, in his naivete, insulted the honor of a great chief. Her son, a noble warrior named Zarkon, challenged Alfor to a blood duel. Alfor accepted. To do any different would prove worse than his initial trespass. Though, he was young. Perhaps there was more than a little pride in his actions.

"The day of the duel arrived. Many tribes came to bear witness. Bets were taken in favor of the warrior. It seemed the altean would meet his end that very day." The lights changed to show two swords clashing. "They fought, neither gaining the upper hand. When one held an advantage, the other would recant. After hours, the chief called for the fighting to cease... and asked her son to welcome the altean prince into their home for the night."

"Oh shit!"

The narrative ground to a halt as James frantically tried to put out his flaming marshmallow. Everyone shared a laugh and Ryan was glad for the reprieve. When had Keith become such a good storyteller? Ryan ran a hand over Nadia's arm. Hunk leaned back on the lion's side.

Then the ball in the fire flashed again and Keith muttered, "Quiznack."

Ina leaned into James's shoulder and asked, "What happened then?"

"The chief of the tribe, impressed by Alfor's skill, gave him an honorary place at her table. Over time, he and her son grew close from enemies to brothers bound by more than blood." Keith's ball exploded again to show an expanded solar system and then further out to many galaxies. "Zarkon joined Alfor, spreading peace through their universe. And while many were glad of it, others were not. They and the friends they made fought tyranny where it existed."

Keith put his hands over the embers. "Daibazaal grew into a strong ally to Altea. The tribes united beneath a single leader. Zarkon, emperor of the galra. He came to love Honerva, a beautiful altean scientist in the practice of alchemy... and therein lies the fall of Daibazaal."

The fire exploded and a giant hole was cut into the planet. Keith was the only one not to flinch. He continued, "A meteor crashed into the planet, but the immediate destruction was nothing compared to what came after." The fire shifted, zooming in on the crash site. "The fabric of reality tore, unbalancing the natural ebb and flow of quintessence. Altean alchemists and galra druids worked together, studying this strange new energy source and the comet that came with.

"Honerva told Alfor of the incredible opportunities before them. Enthralled by the prospects, he used the comet's minerals to create five lions." Keith looked over his shoulder as Red nudged him from behind. He smiled lovingly at her and said, "Alfor and his friends piloted the lions of voltron as paladins while Honerva slowly began to lose her mind. No one saw the dangers until far too late."

Keith sighed and palmed his knife. Ryan watched, breathless. What was he going to do? He flipped the blade into the air and caught it before flicking it into the dirt. "Quintessence is at the heart of everything in the universe. All life contains it. In minor amounts, it will heal. Almost all imperial medicine relies on this. As well as their ships, their weaponry, anything they depend on for their way of life. And quintessence is what corrupted Honerva. Exposure to unfathomable amounts of it poisoned her, warping her mind with a power craving mania. Then she died." Keith took a deep breath and hugged his knees. "This is where the fantasy becomes a nightmare."

"You've already started, Keefy," James said and reached out to rub Keith's shoulder. "We can handle what comes next."

Keith half smiled at James before jumping when the next burst of color went off. He gathered himself and continued the story. "When Honerva died, something in Zarkon broke. He believed the key to bringing her back rested in the dimension between dimensions. He tricked his fellow paladins into joining him in suicide. They entered the space outside of every reality to be attacked by the dark beings that defended it. Death came for them. Only Alfor managed to bring them to safety... but Zarkon was lost. All of the galra mourned the deaths of their leaders and then they lost their home. To seal the rift between dimensions, Alfor was forced to destroy the planet, but Zarkon and Honerva didn't stay dead."

Ina cursed, earning a look from James. Keith bit his lip and nodded in agreement. He looked away and wiped at his eyes. "I have a hard time talking about the last part of the story." Ina reached forward and deposited the kitten in his lap. He spent a few moments coddling it and then told them the horrors of the universe.

Ryan listened as Keith first told them about how many planets the empire had destroyed and how many people had been killed. He spoke of being a prisoner aboard the cruiser and the all consuming fear. Then he smiled fondly. "I didn't know then, but the tribe was protecting us. Though I couldn't see them, their eyes never left me. When the time was right, Krolia, Thace, and Ulaz extracted us and two of the lions in the empire's possession. We crashed on a planet called Arus and it became our home for the next two months."

The fire burned low by the time Keith finished telling them about the things he'd seen and been taught by the assassins. Keith ended by staring up at the stars. "It's nice to see familiar constellations... though the blade has become my family."

Ryan met James's eyes across the fire. Hunk said before they could, "Your family? We're here for you. Ohana, remember."

"Yeah, Hunk. I remember," tears traced down Keith's cheek and he smiled sadly, "but my mission comes first. Guys, I'm not here to stay."

Rizavi quickly sat up and reached for Keith's hand, gripping hard as though she could prevent what he was saying with her strength alone. "Yes, you are. You are home, Keith. Why would you want to go back to that?"

Keith shook his head and wiped his face with the back of a hand. "I have no choice, Nadia. I... I've seen the destruction first hand. What happened to our planet will keep happening to other people unless the empire is destroyed. I will not stop until Zarkon is dead." The logs shifted and the darkness increased. "The lions have sent us here to find the missing paladins. Once we have them, we take the fight to the empire. I don't know how long we'll be here. It could be days, possibly weeks or months."

"Then we'll help you," Ryan surprised himself by saying. His friends all looked at him as though he'd grown a second head. He shrugged and said, "If killing Zarkon is the only way to free our planet, and finding these paladins is the first step, then we have no choice but to assist."

Keith wiped his nose and kissed the kitten's head. "Thank you."

Ryan laid down in the grass facing away from the fire, his friends' stares still prickling his skin. "We should try to sleep. The admiral will have a lot of questions in the morning."

Keith whined and said, "I'm so nervous about that."

"Don't be," James replied in firm confidence. "Ellen will be happy to see you. You don't need to hide from her."

"I hope you're right." There was a scuffling sound and then Keith said from higher up, "I'm going to go for a walk. My circadian rhythm is still a little off from the twenty four hour day/night cycle."

His footsteps left the circle of the campfire, though the red lion didn't move. Ryan asked when he couldn't hear him any longer, "Do you think Sanda will welcome the galra?"

Ina yawned. "If Keith's friends did contact the admiral, then she will know what to expect. Though, it's not like we have a way to repel them there. These galra are very well trained and the weapons we've stolen are still beyond our knowledge."

"So what you're saying is we might be the last line between Sanda and Keith?" Hunk asked, voice low with concern. "I don't want anything to happen to him or the others. He's been through too much as it is."

Ryan rolled onto his back and stared at the sky. Would he stand with Keith or the admiral? The answer wasn't cut and dry. Keith was a friend, family. Ohana. But the admiral and everyone she protected needed more than that. They needed strength and planning. She needed soldiers. They were those soldiers. Could he really stand against her if she threatened Keith and his allies?

"Knock it off, cadets," James sternly instructed. "We can trust the admiral. She's an experienced woman. She knows when to take an opportunity, which is exactly what Keith is bringing to the table. Let alone the fact that she practically raised him when he came to live at the garrison. She loves him. Ellen won't turn him away."

Rizavi laid down beside Ryan and cuddled into his side. James and Ina curled up together and Hunk banked the fire. Ryan listened to his friends and the early season crickets. The difference from how they'd camped twenty four hours earlier and now was exponential. He fell asleep forgetting to even mention posting a watch.

Keith stood on the far side of Red listening as his friends fell asleep one by one. His walk had been just an excuse to give himself space to breathe. It made him feel stupid. Two years since he last saw them and he'd run away at the first chance. Of course, he wasn't the same person as back then, but they were different too. James had done exactly as he'd asked before fleeing the garrison. They'd grown so much as a team and he was proud of them.

But their conversation after he'd left worried him. The last thing he wanted was to put the blades in danger. When he'd told Kolivan what he'd done and the lion had shown him, he'd been sent to his room while the others discussed it. He'd waited anxiously for hours knowing why they'd excluded him this time unlike so many others. When Krolia finally came to him, he expected her to let him down easy. Of course they wouldn't go to earth. The risks were too high. He knew that too. And then Thace said they were ready.

He'd been excited to return, overriding the anxiety. Now, that all came back in every stomach twisting way. Sanda would do everything in her power to protect her people from every perceived threat. Keith took a deep breath and sat against Red. She didn't move as he pressed into her. Instead, she curled into his mind.

It was a strange trick, but only added to the comforting effect of the kitten purring against his cheek and neck inside his hood. He hadn't expected it to warm up to them so quickly. It helped solidify his decision to keep it. Both Coleen and Thace had been skeptical as he'd struggled to hold it when it threw another hissy fit. He'd almost immediately changed his mind before Krolia scruffed it and held it at eye level. His mom may claim not to be sensitive to energy, but the kitten had calmed beneath her stare. Now, it returned the favor.

Keith shuddered and reached to his belt to unclip the super special talkie box, as Matt had trademarked it. He put one hand under the other and stared at the ornate transponder in his palm. It was what Matt had been so intent to finish before they left the castle. In effect, it acted as an intergalactic cell phone, giving Allura a way to call them in an emergency that didn't set off the lions again. Then they'd decided to come here and Matt had rushed to make a set of four.

He'd claimed he needed something to do since his mother insisted on bed rest while he and Lance recovered from rescuing Yellow. Keith knew he'd stayed up multiple nights finishing them, but hadn't told Coleen. He suspected Krolia knew as well though she hadn't mentioned anything. Now he felt prepared to stare at it all night. Red teasingly paced through his mind and he hissed under his breath, "I don't need this right now."

She warned him and let him feel the others' heartbeats as she did. One increased slightly and Keith held his breath until it slowed back down. He said lower, "Fine, alright. Now shush." Staring at the transponder, he took a deep breath and dialed Lance.

Matt's voice came on as the cheesy ringtone and then Lance started adding percussion with his hands and voice. After twenty seconds, Allura said in the background, "What are you two do-"

Her last word was cut off as Lance answered, "Mullet? What's wrong?"

Keith exhaled the breath he didn't know he was holding and said, "Nothing. Just wanted to hear your voice."

"That's sweet, but you shouldn't have called. Fifteen vargas isn't past."

Keith ran a hand over his face and replied, "You didn't have to pick up."

"Heh," Lance said, "you're probably right. When I saw you calling, I guess I got worried. Are you sure you're alright? You sound different."

"I'm tired," Keith deflected.

Keith could hear Lance roll his eyes as he responded, "Yes, but this is more. Different," Lance insisted. "I knew going there was a bad idea."

Keith bit his lip, trying to decide what to say. "Honestly, it's not coming home to the farmhouse. Krolia and I were here last week for a few days and we worked through the emotions together. It was therapeutic. Cathartic even. Kolivan told us to meet him once he had the intel we needed. This... this anxiety I'm feeling, I mean," Keith let out an exasperated breath and admitted, "I feel kind of foolish, but... you know what, never mind."

"Keith," Lance drew out, "you know you can't hide things very well from me." His voice grew flirty and he asked, "What is it? I-" His voice paused when the kitten pressed up against the receiver and he asked curiously, "Is that a cat purring or are you just happy to see me?"

"Lance," Keith sputtered, "I don't- Just because- I can't purr!" Lance started laughing on the other end, the sound slightly echoing. Keith groaned and tipped his head back against Red. The kitten stretched and then slid to the back of his neck before falling still again. It's front feet kneaded his skin, tiny claws out, as the purring resumed with it's nap. Keith finally said, "When we brought the cadets to the farm, I found an orphaned kitten. No one's said I can't keep it, so I have. I've only had it for a few hours."

Lance's laughter died to a few chuckles and he said breathlessly, "That's really cute. And so like you. Though I'm not sure I believe that you can't purr. Maybe you just haven't tried hard enough."

"I'll get right on that," Keith shot back sarcastically. "Anyway, thanks for picking up. I really needed to hear your voice. This is the longest we've been apart since the coma."

"You didn't say anything about a coma."

Keith jumped and looked over as Lance asked, "Who was that? Is someone with you?"

Hunk looked around Red's haunch rather sheepishly for being caught. Keith offered a half smile and gestured beside him for Hunk to sit. Into the transponder, he said, "It's just Hunk. I thought he was asleep. Want to talk to him?"

"Yes!"

Keith laughed and held out the small box. Hunk still stood where he'd been, so Keith encouraged, "Come on, then."

Finally coming closer, Hunk asked, "Is that Lance?" Keith nodded and raised an eyebrow. Hunk finally took the box and held it up to his ear. "Hello?"

"Hunk!"

Keith flinched from the sheer volume and enthusiasm in Lance's voice. Hunk covered his mouth and sat, so close that if he were closer, he'd be sitting in Keith's lap. Hunk reached for his hand and Keith let him take it. "Lance, I never thought I'd hear your voice again."

"You'll make my friend there jealous with such heartfelt words, cadet. You know I love a man in uniform." Hunk managed a weak laugh and Lance said more seriously, "I missed you too, Hunk. I missed everyone so much. I can't wait to see you and the others. Vanessa fell asleep talking to me, or I'd probably still be on the line with her."

"Hold up," Keith interrupted. "You're coming here?"

Lance cursed and admitted, "Allura convinced Coran to let the three of us roll out the red carpet for you and the blades."

"Lance," Keith scolded sharply. "It's not-"

"Safe?"

Keith exhaled through his nose. "I was going to say Kolivan needed to approve it first. When we found the cadets, the situation escalated unexpectedly, and yeah, it's not safe. Did you read through my report?"

Hunk looked at him, a question in his puppy dog eyes. Keith squeezed his hand with a nod in promise to explain and waited for Lance's answer. Lance said, "Just a moment. I scanned through it earlier when Pidge had a few questions. Something about a galra soldier they'd wired."

"They what?" Keith asked in alarm, struggling to contain anger.

"Here it is," Lance said, ignoring Keith's tone. "She said they'd heard through the bug on his armor that he'd seen the cadets. Then there was silence for about twenty minutes before another patrol came by to see what'd happened. What was his name?"

"Tretok," Keith answered.

"Yup. There he is. Sort of cute, in that alien next door kinda way." Lance clicked his tongue a few times and then said, "Only survivor of a brutal ambush from unknown attackers. He was picked up and stabilized before being taken to the nearest base in Houston for treatment. He woke up briefly, but they put him back under for observation."

Keith rubbed his nose and asked, "Was he interviewed about the attack?"

"No," Lance answered, earning a sigh of relief from Keith. Lance said in a concerned voice, "There's orders to start an investigation once he does wake up. Depending on what he tells them... If you're putting yourself in harm's way, it makes sense for me to be there to watch your back. What is it about this soldier, anyway? Pidge wouldn't tell me why he's important."

"I'm still figuring that out, loverboy."

"Mullet," Lance deadpanned. "What did I say about hiding things from me? You can't sweet talk me into compliance, Keith."

Keith tried not to glare through the box, ignoring Hunk's curious expression, and said, "I don't have all the information. Anything I tell you could be wrong and frankly, it'll be a lot easier to tell you in person."

Lance moped, "You've been spending too much time with Antok."

"It's what Kolivan expects, Lance." Keith exhaled as Hunk leaned closer, his curiosity making him bite his lower lip. Finally giving in, Keith asked, "What is it, Hunk?"

"The way you talk about these galra... you were serious earlier? About your family?"

"Keefy? Did you tell them that-"

"No, Lance," Keith interrupted. He could feel Hunk's curiosity increase exponentially, but now wasn't the time. They'd barely begun to accept these galra as possible allies. Dropping the mom bomb would only create more friction. He made direct eye contact with Hunk and squeezed his hand. "I was serious, Hunk. These people, the blades of marmora, have history with my dad and I."

Hunk nodded. "James told us he overheard Krolia and Antok talking to you about your dad. There were pictures from after your mom left."

Keith tilted his head. They'd heard that and thought Krolia wasn't his mother? He couldn't exactly blame them. He'd balked at first as well. He cleared his throat and said, "Yeah. Um... She, she came here to find the blue lion and she did... and she met my father. I know they loved each other and that's why she felt responsible when the empire threatened to kill me. She wanted to protect me."

Hunk nodded again and looked into the desert. "That makes sense. So your dad and Krolia were together. I'm sorry she couldn't stick around to take care of you." He reached over and rubbed Keith's knee. "I guess it makes sense for you and her to grow close, and I know she and Antok are the tribe leader's children. And this other guy, Thace, what's with him?"

Keith noticed how quiet Lance was on the other end. For a moment, he thought the call got dropped, but the little green light continued to pulse. Keith ran a hand over his face. "It's complicated. Krolia has always been a blade. An assassin. Most of the tribe is not related by blood. We find soldiers, galra like us who doubt the empire's methodology. Thace and Ulaz defected when they were young, barely older than Tretok, that soldier from today."

Hunk yawned and nodded. "I'm listening. Keep going."

Keith leaned into Hunk's shoulder. "Kolivan asked his daughter to train them in our ways. At first, they struggled to get along. Krolia is almost ten deca-pheobs younger than them, so mutual respect was lacking. Thace used to call her daiyak. It's a galra word for governess, but they're really more like nannies. He didn't mean it kindly. Over time, they became less frigid toward one another. Thace even realized he harbored feelings for her, however, their relationship could never advance that way. So they finished their training and became double agents, and Krolia began her search for the lions."

"And she met your dad." Hunk yawned again and wrapped his arm behind Keith's shoulders. "Do you consider yourself one of them?"

Keith closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Yes. The tribe and I are one and the same."

"That must be nice," Hunk murmured, sleep taking him once again.

Keith smiled and waited for Hunk's breathing to level out before whispering into the talking box, "Lance? You still there?"

"Yes," Lance immediately answered.

Keith felt Hunk's heart beat against his side and said, "I need you to bring one of the full body scanners. One that gives a complete physiological reading."

"Something happened."

Keith reached up and lightly ran his fingers through Hunk's hair. "Hunk passed out. We did what we could, but something still bothers me about it. I was going to ask Kolivan to take him to the castle for treatment. If you're coming here, though, we can get him the help he needs much quicker."

"Understood. I'll do that and have it waiting for you at the base." Lance hesitated and added, "I know why you didn't tell them the whole truth, but I'm glad you didn't hide everything from them. In time, you'll be able to talk openly about your mom and her people. Thanks for calling, mullet."

Keith smiled tiredly and replied, "Thanks for listening. Good night, sharpshooter. Love you."

"Love you, too."