"He's coming around"
"Keith? Can you hear me? Keith?"
Keith dimly came aware of his surroundings. He slowly opened his eyes. Dr. Gorma and Allura were standing over him. "Welcome back." The doctor said with a smile. "We were starting to worry about you."
It took Keith a moment to figure out where he was. As his memory came flooding back, he struggled to sit up. "Lance! The Robeast!"
Allura eased him back down. "Relax. The Robeast has been destroyed. You're safe." she said, softly.
"Listen to her Keith. You've got a concussion. Nothing serious, but I want you to lay down for a bit longer." Said Dr. Gorma.
"What about Lance? Is he all right?" Keith asked. The doctor and Allura exchanged glances. Keith's blood ran cold. "He's not…" He couldn't finish the sentence.
Dr. Gorma shook his head. "He's alive, but badly hurt. The Admiral is on his way here as we speak."
Again Keith struggled to his feet. "I want to see him." He managed to stand, only to have the room spin around him.
Dr. Gorma grabbed Keith's arm and eased him back down on the bed. "You're going nowhere Captain."
Keith glared at him. "I want to see him." He said again, more forcefully this time.
Allura sighed. "It's no use Doctor. He won't stay put until he sees Lance." She told him.
"Very well. But only for a moment. Then back to bed." The Doctor walked off.
Allura held out her hand. "Come. I'll take you." Keith looked up at her. Once again he sensed something in those blue eyes. He took her had and stood up. Instantly the room began spinning. Keith closed his eyes and tried to steady himself. "Easy Keith." He slowly opened his eyes. The room slowed down to normal. "This way." Allura led him into the next room. Sven, Hunk and Pidge looked up in surprise as he entered.
"Keith!" Sven hurried over to his friend, and embraced him.
"Where's Lance?" Asked Keith. The team moved over to show Keith the figure lying on the hospital bed. When Keith saw his friend, the room began to lose focus again.
"Sit him down!" Said Allura quickly. Sven and the others helped Keith to a chair next to Lance's bedside.
Keith could hardly believe what he saw. Lance had bandages wrapped around his head. Both eyes were black, and an oxygen tube was connected to his nose. Both arms were swathed in bandages and IV's. Lance's body was so covered in bruises, it seemed to Keith to be more Druhle than human. He seemed to be barely breathing. "Is he going to be all right?" Keith's voice sounded faint, even to his own ears.
Allura spoke up quietly. "Dr. Gorma said he is not out of the woods yet. He has many internal injuries. Admiral Harrison is on his way here." She put her hand on Keith's shoulder. "Let's get you back to bed."
Keith shook his head. Big mistake, he thought as he winced in pain. "I'm staying here."
Sven glanced at the others. "Dat is not really a good idea Keith. You need rest to get vell. Ve need both of you."
"I don't give a damn what you need, I'm staying here."
The others looked at each other. They knew it was fruitless to try and change Keith's mind. One by one they slipped out of the room. All except the Princess. "I'll stay with you." She said softly. Allura slipped into a chair next to Keith. After a moment, she took his hand in hers.
Keith looked up into her eyes. When he saw the compassion in them, his own eyes filled. "He's the only family I have. I can't lose him Allura. I can't." He said desperately.
And I can't lose you. "You won't lose him." she replied. Keith shuddered and laid his head in her lap, his body shuddering with silent sobs. Allura stroked his hair, as if he were a child. "I promise."
A few hours later, Keith awoke to a hand on his shoulder. "I thought you were supposed to be in bed."
Keith looked up into the weary face of Admiral Alexander Harrison, Lance's father. "Admiral!" He struggled to his feet.
"Relax Keith, at ease." The Admiral looked to his son. Except for breathing, Lance was motionless. Admiral Harrison took his son's hand in his own. He sat down next to Keith. "I'd like to be alone." He told Keith quietly.
Without saying a word, Keith got to his feet. He paused in the doorway, then sighed and walked out of the room. He paused outside the door, looking for the nurse or Dr. Gorma. No one was in sight, so Keith took the opportunity to leave sickbay, and head for his own quarters. He ran into no one on the way. Once in his room, he headed to the shower. After undressing, Keith paused to look at himself in the mirror. You look like hell, Montgomery, he thought to himself. Bruises covered him. The greenish-yellow of old ones, and the bright purple and red of newer ones. He carefully removed the small bandage on his forehead. A two inch gash was surrounded by more purple. Keith sighed and stepped into the shower. He winced as the hot water hit him, then started to relax. When he stepped out a half hour later, Keith was feeling almost human again. He got dressed and set off to find the rest of his Team. His first stop was the kitchen. If I know Hunk, that's where he'll be. As he opened the door, one of the cooks looked up in surprise.
"Captain Montgomery! What are you doing here?" She asked.
Keith gave the girl a wry smile. "Just looking for everyone. Apparently they're not here. Sorry to bother you." He started to leave the room.
"Wait sir! Let me get you something to eat. You must be starving."
Keith shook his head. "No thank-you Dreena, I'm not hungry." He paused, "But I would kill for a cup of coffee."
The girl smiled. Everyone knew about the Captain and his coffee addiction. "Sit down here, I'll get it for you." Keith sat down at the table. A moment later, Dreena set before him, a steaming cup of coffee. "I know you said you are not hungry Captain, but you have to eat something." She handed him an energy bar.
"Thanks." Keith took a sip of coffee. Ahh, that's more like it. "Dreena, have you seen the Team?" he asked, munching on the bar.
The girl looked thoughtful for a moment. "I believe the Princess, Lady Romelle, and Lt. Oleson are escorting Admiral Harrison's delegation. Pidge and Hunk were down in the repair bay last I knew." She replied. Dreena was about to say more when they heard a loud voice coming towards the kitchen. "Nanny! Quick Captain! She'll be angry if she catches you out of sick-bay. Take the back door. Hurry!" She ushered Keith towards the door. He took one final gulp to finish his coffee and bolted out the door. Once in the hallway, he headed down to find Hunk and Pidge. As he entered the repair bay, he spied Hunk holding a welding torch over Black Lion. The Red Lion seemed to be in pieces, scattered around the room. Keith didn't see Pidge, but Pidge saw him, and came running over to greet him.
"Keith! You're up!" Pidge exclaimed.
Hunk shut off the torch and came over to greet his Captain. "Skipper, good to see you up and around." he told Keith.
"Good to be up. What's the damage?" Keith gestured to the Lions.
Hunk shrugged. "Black Lion has mostly body damage. Nothing a welding torch can't handle. I should have him up and running by the end of the day. Red Lion, now that's another story."
Pidge spoke up. "All the navigation and weapons systems are gone. I'm working on reprogramming them now. It's a mess."
"Thrusters and main engines are off-line too. Don't get me started on the body work. Lot's of parts to find and put back together. Probably take about a week."
"We don't have a week Hunk. We'll be lucky if we have a day." Keith paused and looked at them both. "Lance is still out. What can I do to help?"
Hunk looked closely his Captain. Keith was very pale, but had a clear, determined look in his eyes. "I could use some help with the welding. Feel up to it?"
"I'm here aren't I? Pidge, I'd just as soon leave the computers to you. Try and get those systems up and working as fast as you can." Keith told them.
"Aye, aye sir!" Pidge dashed off towards Lance's lion.
Hunk nodded towards the Black Lion, "All right Captain, let's get to work!"
It was hot, sweaty work. Hunk was a hard taskmaster. But, five long hours later, Black Lion was back to normal, and Hunk and Keith were able to turn their attention to Red. At one point, Harrison's delegation passed by the observation window. Allura did a double take when she saw Keith. A murderous look was all she had time to give him before she hurried after the group.
"You're in trouble now Skipper." Hunk told Keith grinning.
"No kidding there." Keith sighed. Hunk laughed. "It's really not that funny." He glared at Hunk.
"Oh but it is!"
A few hours later, Admiral Harrison made his way down to the repair bay. As he entered the room, he saw Pidge concentrating on a computer control panel. He looked around and heard rather than saw Hunk and Keith.
"No, dammit! The other wrench! Hurry up before I lose this connection! Forget it, I'll get it myself." Hunk threw an angry glare at his Captain, as he reached around Keith and grabbed the correct tool. "Damn monkey would be more help than you." Hunk muttered.
Admiral Harrison smiled. "Do you always let your Team talk to you that way?" He asked Keith.
Hunk looked up, startled as Keith laughed and replied, "Only when they know more than I do Admiral."
"I knew you were a smart man Keith. How are the repairs going?"
"Not bad, Black Lion is up and running. Couple more days and Red will be back too." Hunk told him.
"How's Lance?" Keith asked.
The Admiral smiled. "That's why I came to find you. He's awake upstairs and asking for all of you."
Pidge and Hunk whooped and ran out the door heading for sick bay. Keith closed his eyes and leaned back against Red Lion. "Keith? Are you all right?" Asked the Admiral. He took in Keith's exhausted features.
"I am now." Keith put out his hand, and the Admiral helped him to his feet. Instead of letting Keith go, Harrison pulled him into a bear hug. His heart clenched as he thought of how close he had come to losing both his "sons."
"Come on." He told Keith. "Let's not keep Lance waiting."
They made their way to sick-bay. Everyone was gathered around Lance's bedside. Lance was awake, but pale and groggy. Keith said a little prayer of thanks, and went to his friend's side. "Lance. If you wanted time off, all you had to do was ask." Keith said jokingly.
Lance gave a weak smile. "Got me there Captain. How's my Lion?"
Hunk answered. "A sorry wreck, like you! Hurry up and get well. I could use some competent help." He said winking at Keith.
Everyone laughed and Lance gave a weak chuckle. Dr. Gorma came in the room. "All right. Everyone out, the Lieutenant needs his rest. You can come back later." He started ushering everyone out of the room. Allura bent over and kissed Lance on the forehead.
"Get well, my friend." She whispered, and followed the others. The Admiral gave his son's shoulder a squeeze, then he too left the room.
"Are you sure you're all right?" Keith asked quietly.
Lance glanced at him and smiled. "Do I look as bad as you?" He asked, taking in Keith's bruises, the gash on his head, and the grease on his cheek.
"No, much worse." Keith replied with a grin. "Rest. I'll be back soon." But Lance had already fallen back asleep. Keith watched him for a moment, then turned and went out the door. As he expected, he had a group waiting for him. Before he could say anything, Dr. Gorma pushed him to an exam table, and began cleaning the cut on his head. "And who gave you permission to leave?" He asked Keith.
"And who told you to go work on the ships?" Demanded Allura.
"I think this is where we came in. Let's get out of here." Whispered Pidge. He and Hunk practically ran from the room. Sven, Romelle, and Admiral Harrison followed close behind.
Like rats deserting a sinking ship, Keith thought. "I'm fine, really."
Dr. Gorma grumbled as he applied a fresh bandage. "There's no sense trying to keep you here. You might as well go. But take it easy. Enough for today, or I WILL have you back here faster then you can say Voltron!" He turned and headed back into Lance's room, still mumbling about terrible patients.
"Are you going to yell at me too?" Keith asked Allura.
She took his hand. "Not here, I'll wake Lance." She replied, icily. Still holding on to his hand, Allura led Keith out the door and down the hall. They came into the empty Rec-room. Allura dropped Keith's hand and whirled on him, anger making her blue eyes bright. "What did you think you were doing? I thought you were in sick-bay, and I find you helping Hunk with repairs! You're supposed to be resting. Are you trying to kill yourself? Or just piss me off!"
"Piss me off!" Wonder where she learned that one. Keith sat down in the nearest chair. Now that he knew Lance would be all right, a huge rock had rolled off his shoulders. He hadn't realized how much he ached until now. "Princess, please..."
"Don't you 'please' me." Allura interrupted. You order everyone else around, and now you'll take orders yourself for a change. You will not be going ANYWHERE but bed until Dr. Gorma gives you the OK. Do I make myself clear?" Allura said angrily.
Keith looked up at the Princess. At times like this, she proved she was the strong, confident ruler of Arus. Confident and annoying. "Are you finished?" He asked. "First off, I am fine. I don't need a babysitter. Second, Zarkon could be back any second and we need to get those repairs done. Third, stop yelling, my head is killing me." He put his head back and closed his eyes. He opened them in surprise when he felt the Princess's hands across his forehead. "Do I really piss you off?" He asked with a smirk.
Allura scowled. "Keith! Why do you do this to yourself?" And me. Her eyes softened in concern.
Keith shrugged. "It's a gift." He sighed. "He's really all right? Doc said so?"
Allura nodded. "He's really all right. What about you?"
"I've had better days." He got to his feet. "In fact, I think I'll take your advice and head for a nap." Allura looked surprised. He gave her hand a squeeze and turned towards the door.
"Keith?"
Keith turned. "Yes?"
Allura stood for a moment. "I…Nothing…just…Get some rest." She stammered.
Keith walked back to her and took her hand again. "What?" He asked quietly.
Allura met his brown eyes fearlessly. "I…I just worry about you. That's all."
"Are you sure that's all?" He asked, bending closer to her. She's so beautiful.
"Keith…." Allura leaned forward, closing her eyes, her heart pounding.
Suddenly, alarms blared throughout the castle, startling them both. "What the hell!" Keith turned and ran out the door, Allura following at his heels. They met up with the rest of the team in the Control Room. Admiral Harrison was there also. "What's going on?" Keith demanded.
A Space Force soldier spoke up, "Sir, we just picked up a group of unknown objects. They appeared suddenly, with no advance warning."
"What are they?" Asked Admiral Harrison.
"Not sure Sir. Looking at the radiation signatures, I would guess they are ships of some kind. They are still too far away to get a complete identification,"
"How long until they reach Arus?" Asked Keith.
The soldier did some quick figuring on the computer. "They are moving at minimum speed. About three days Sir."
Three days…Keith switched into "Officer Mode" and faced the group. "Hunk, you heard him. You've got three days."
Hunk nodded. "Then I'd better get to work. Let's go Pidge." They hurried out of the room.
"Romelle, tell the castle staff to prepare for an invasion. We don't want to be caught off guard if civilians have to bunk down here for shelter." Romelle nodded. He turned towards Allura. Her face was composed, but he saw the concern in her eyes. He forced himself to ignore it. "Princess, you might want to prepare a statement to the planet. Tell them we have everything under control. We don't want to start a panic. Coran help her. Sven and I will be down in the repair bay if anything changes."
"Captain, the only place you're going to be is bed." Admiral Harrison interrupted.
"Excuse me Sir?" Keith questioned warily.
"You heard me Montgomery. You are going to bed and rest until further notice."
Keith's face went red with anger. "This is my command Admiral."
"And I am your Commanding Officer. This is not a request Captain. You either follow orders, or I'll have you brought up on insubordination charges. You'll be grounded so long, your children will be in space before you. Is that understood Captain." It was not a question.
Keith glared at the Admiral. Brown eyes met green. The Admiral didn't back down. Keith narrowed his eyes, then snapped a quick salute and marched out of the room. Everyone looked at each other. "I hated to pull rank on him." Harrison sighed.
"You had to Sir." Said Sven. "It vas de only vay he vould listen."
"Voltron is only as good as his Team. We're already missing Lance. Without Keith, we're helpless." Said Allura. "I'll try and talk to him."
Sven shook his head. "No offense Princess, but he von't listen. You vould get more response from a rock right now."
Harrison sighed. "I agree Your Highness. Well, we have a lot of work to do. We'd best get started."