Before Keith went to the Council Chamber, he swung by his room for a quick shower and change of clothes. He urged Cliff and Crick to go without him, he'd catch up. Deciding against his uniform, Keith pulled on a pair of pants, and struggled to get his shirt on one handed. He finally succeeded and glanced in the mirror. He was pale, and his eyes were sunk in his face, with dark circles under them. Since he had chosen not to shave one armed, he had a weeks worth of beard along his jaw line. At least it hides most of the bruises. He turned and left for the Council room.

Keith paused at the door, then knocked once and went in. All conversation died as he limped into the room. Everyone was assembled. Sven and Romelle, representing planet Pollux, Commander Richard Hawkins, Jeff, Cliff, and Crick, Pidge, Hunk, and Lance, half of Alliance Command, including the Admiral. Even Coran and Allura were there. Keith nodded, and slowly made his way to an empty seat next to his Team. Lance and the Admiral sent him identical dirty looks. Keith wisely avoided looking directly at the Princess. He took a deep breath. "Well, I am assuming we are discussing Lotor and the rest of the Druhle Empire?" He asked.

Coran nodded. "Keith, we need to know what happened out there. Are Lotor and Zarkon preparing a counterattack as we sit here?"

The Admiral spoke up. "If you feel up to it," he glared at Keith. "We need you to tell us your story."

Keith took a deep breath. "I do not believe that the attack on Arus was sanctioned by Zarkon. It was purely a plot to kidnap the Princess, and force her to surrender herself and the planet. It almost worked. Haggar used holographic technology to attack the planet. We went after them, just as they wanted us to. Lotor managed to separate the Team, and capture the Princess. Luckily we were able to damage his ship, so that he couldn't get very far." Keith paused.

"Why did you think you and the Lieutenant could rescue her by yourselves?" One of the Alliance officers asked.

Keith glanced at the Admiral, who nodded slightly. "I am-was a member of a special assault team, called Shadow Corps." There was a gasp from around the room. Keith continued. "We are trained in covert operations, especially dangerous ones. I merely did as my training dictated. We had a hostage situation and I was the only operative here at the time."

"You were badly injured from the battle, Keith." The Admiral told him sternly.

"I was not hurt that bad Sir. With help from Lieutenant Harrison, we found Lotor's ship, and managed to rescue the Princess."

Lance interrupted. "You went after Lotor. You should have left with us." He said angrily to Keith.

Keith nodded. "I know that. But Shadow dictates to never leave an enemy behind. You and the Princess were safe. I had to finish my job."

"And, what became of Lotor?" Asked Coran.

Keith closed his eyes, remembering. "We fought. He threatened to come after the Princess and Arus again. I made sure that couldn't happen." He said quietly.

"So, Lotor is dead, then?" Allura asked hesitantly.

Keith shook his head, and looked her directly in the eyes. "I swear to you Princess, I did not kill him. When I left the ship, he was still alive, but not in a position to do anything for a long time." He told her.

"But how did you get off Lotor's ship? Admiral Harrison told us it exploded." Commander Hawkins asked.

Keith looked puzzled. "I'm not sure. I remember blowing the cargo doors open, so I could get out. Everything exploded, and…There was some one…." He went pale. "I...I can't remember."

There was an uncomfortable silence. Sven spoke up. "Vhat happened to Haggar?"

Keith shook his head, and his eyes cleared. "She tried to kill me with that staff of hers. Somehow, I managed to get my knife and threw it at her. She disappeared."

"So she might still be around then. Along with Lotor?" Harrison asked.

Keith nodded. "I suppose so. But, we did manage to deliver them a crippling blow. They'll think long and hard before they come after Arus or the Princess again."

Harrison cleared his throat. "Hunk, what have you discovered about the holographic device on the ship Lance brought back?" He asked, taking attention away from Keith.

Hunk started to explain the schematics of the enemy ship. Keith sat back and closed his eyes. A small hand crept under the table to squeeze his. He opened his eyes, and saw Pidge looking at him in concern. Keith smiled at him, and gave him a wink.

The meeting went on for hours. Keith had to repeat his story many times. His back and shoulder had gone from a dull ache, to intense pain. His vision clouded as he told his tale for the sixth time. Questions on Lotor's apparent death came from all sides. At one point, Keith was asked to name other members of the Shadow Corps. Before he could answer, the Admiral interrupted. "That is highly classified material. Even Shadow Members do not know anyone outside their own squad. Keith is forbidden to mention any names or references to his unit. The subject only came up in this unique situation. I trust no mention of this will EVER leave this room."

Everyone grew quiet a moment, then the questions and discussions began again. I can't take much more of this…Keith tried to shift a bit to lessen the pain in his back, without drawing attention to himself. Allura watched out of the corner of her eye. She bit her lower lip in worry, then turned her focus back to the meeting.

:Keith?:Keith looked around startled. That voice came from inside his head. Glancing up, Crick caught his eye. Belatedly, Keith remembered his friend was a telepath. :Hang in there a bit longer. I told Commander Hawkins that you are not well. He will end this soon.: Keith shot a grateful look in Crick's direction. Crick nodded, then whispered something to his Commander. Hawkins looked up at Keith and narrowed his eyes. He then stood up. "I think that is all we can accomplish today. I suggest that the 'Explorer' and our Voltron Force stay here and provide protection until the Lion Force is at full capacity."

Admiral Harrison nodded. "I concur."

"I also agree. Thank-you Commander. This meeting is adjourned." Allura said.

Everyone started to speak at once. Most got up and left the room, still deep in discussion. Keith sat for a moment, closing his eyes and waiting for everyone to leave. No such luck. Lance, Pidge, Hunk, Jeff, Cliff, Crick, Allura, Commander Hawkins, Coran, and the Admiral all came over to him. Keith cracked them a weak smile. "Can I do anything else for you?"

"You can march your ass back to sick bay." Lance told him.

"Sounds like a good idea to me." The Admiral agreed.

Keith shook his head. "Not sick bay. I will go back to my quarters and rest." Jeff helped Keith to his feet. "Thanks Jeff. And thank-you Commander for sticking around for a while."

Commander Hawkins smiled. "No problem Keith. Go get some rest. We're here to take care of things. Cliff, Crick, Jeff, back to the 'Explorer'. I want to get some patrols started."

"Yes sir! We'll see you soon Keith." Cliff and Crick followed their Commander out of the room.

Jeff looked skeptical. "You sure you can make it all right?"

Keith nodded. "I'm fine. Go." After a minute more, Jeff hurried off to join his Teammates. Keith looked at his friends. "Really, I'm going to my quarters to lie down. I don't need a babysitter."

Hunk grinned. "Of course not Skipper! C'mon Pidge, let's find your brother, and see how he made out with those weapons scans." Pidge gave Keith a quick hug, then followed Hunk out the door.

"Coran and I have some more things to discuss about leaving the Space Force here permanently." Harrison glared at Lance and Sven. "I'm counting on you two to get him to bed." He ordered.

"Yes Sir! Right away Sir!" Lance saluted smartly and got a smack on the head by his father. The Admiral and Coran headed for a smaller meeting room.

Keith eyed his friends. "You aren't really going to follow me around are you?"

Sven nodded. "You heard de Admiral. Let's go."

Keith looked pleadingly at Allura. "Are you going to let them treat me like this?"

She grinned. "Of course I am." She turned to Sven and Lance. "I'll meet you at his rooms." She hurried out the door.

Keith glared after her. Romelle laughed. "Come Keith, let's get you to bed." Keith shook his head in defeat, and started down the hallway. Lance walked at his side, and Sven and Romelle walked hand in hand behind him. They paused at Sven and Romelle's room. "Romelle needs to rest. Take care of heem, Lance." They went inside.

Keith looked Lance squarely in the eye. "Shoulder or no shoulder, I can still kick your ass."

"Sure you can Cap. I'm really scared!" Lance grinned. Keith walked on without waiting. As he turned the corner, his vision went dark. Keith clutched the wall with his good hand, trying to keep from falling. Lance was instantly at his side. "Easy Keith. Sure you don't want to go to sick bay?"

Keith shook his head. "No, get me to my room." He said weakly. Lance slipped his arm around Keith's waist, and guided him down the hall. He punched the security codes to Keith's room, and led him inside. "Remind me to change that tomorrow morning." Keith muttered. He sank onto his bed, moaning softly in pain. The door chimed, and Lance went to answer it. Keith could hear him talking to some one, but was too weary to care. Dr. Gorma came in the room.

"Hmmm. Since you won't go to sick bay, I want the Lieutenant to stay here with you. Take these." He handed Keith a couple of pills. It was a testament of how Keith was feeling that he swallowed the pills without question. Dr. Gorma sighed as Keith lay back down. "Stay with him. I don't want him left alone." He told Lance as left the room.

Before Lance could walk back to his friend, the door opened again. Allura was there. Lance grinned. "I'd wondered how the Doc knew to come here."

"Where is he?" She asked.

Lance pointed to the bedroom. "Doc gave him some kind of pill, and he lay right down. He shouldn't be alone."

"He won't be. Go ahead Lance, I'm staying here with him." Allura told him.

Lance squeezed her hand. "Call me if you need anything." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, then left the room.

Allura locked the door behind him, then went to find Keith. She saw him lying on the bed, seeming to be asleep. Keith was paler than death, with dark circles under his eyes. Allura covered him with a blanket and sat down by his side. His eyelids flickered open. She smiled. "Can I get you anything Keith?" She asked quietly.

He shook his head and closed his eyes, taking her hand in his. "No, just stay with me." He whispered.

She brushed a lock of hair from his forehead. "Always."