Hello everybody. Especially two aspects of this chapter are completely based on my own imagination, but I hope, they're fitting in.
Aspect one: I have no clue, how detailed the series has worked out the Galran language and culture. Like the aspects of the furneal ceremony in the first chapter, the "Galran" words, I introduce here are my very own creation. I hope it's fitting and no one minds a missmatch, if one should exist.
Aspect two: I have no clue, how much Galran Keith might be able to speak or understand in the cartoon. In this story here, he will have some basic knowledge of the language and the culture. More than the others, beside Acxa, of cause, but still only basics. I also hope, that nobody minds this missmatch, if it should be a one.
Until now, I'm happy, that no one has screamed in shock about a total messed up universe, so I'm relieved so far, that this story seems to fit in a bit in the universe.

In this chapter, Acxa has to face a task, which seems to hold up a lot of trouble. For everyone. I wish all of you a lot of fun with this new chapter.

Treatment

"Acxa, you're alright!"

Veronica rushed in the treatment room and pulled the half-Galra in a squeezing hug. Hunk, Keith and Allura also came through the door. Veronica kissed Acxa with tears of joy in her eyes. The Galra placed a hand on Veronicas neck and after their lips finally parted she pulled the head of her girlfriend at hers, receiving the warm comforting touch of her hands on her blue cheeks.

"The others?"

A shadow rushed over the faces. Acxa noticed, that the arrival of these children had shocked the team. As they had received unusual signals from the planet, they were send out to check it. As they arrived, they had found Haggar's troops at the final phase of the harvest. Nevertheless, they had sneaked through their defense to get more informations. They hadn't expected Galran presence in this sector and they had no clue, that a harvest was already finished. They also hadn't expected to find any survivors. Pidge had received some strange thermal signatures from the valley, so she had checked them further. And now they were back with this strange group of refugees.

"The medical team is checking the kids. They seem to be in a good condition, due to the circumstances. Ronan and Freyda are with them to help."

Alluras voice was weak and sad.

"Who are they and why were they down on this dying planet?"

Hunk's voice was filled with worried curiosity. Allura's face darkened even more.

"I haven't talked much with Ronan and Freyda, yet. All they had told me is, that the six human kids were orphans, they had rescued form the destroyed colony. They haven't left their side, since they have set a foot here on the Atlas and they observe every step, the medical staff does, pensively."

"They don't trust us."

Keith was leaning with his back at the wall of the treatment room. He had crossed his arms before his chest and his chin was resting on it as well, while he shared his suggestion with the group with closed eyes.

All looks were on him now and Acxa nodded at him.

"That's right. And especially Ronan doesn't trust me."

All eyes switched on Acxa now. Veronicas face was full of surprised shock, but then bitterness and sadness replaced her former expression. She pulled Acxa in another hug. The Galran cursed herself silently. It seemed, that her face had shown signs of hurt, caused by the former shown hate from Ronan.

- I haven't done it for you. -

These words were ringing in her head. She kept quiet, that the mistrust seemed to be the minor problem for her. He had saved her and protected her with his own life, but not for her. He had done it for the kids. And for Freyda. And Tjaàl. His wife and child, Acxa assumed.

"But it doesn't make sense. His partner is a Galra. I would understand, if he would mistrust Galras in general, but in this case…?"

Hunk was scratching the back of his head. He blushed a bit and looked embarrassed to the ground.

"Sorry Acxa, no offense, really."

She nodded at him. She couldn't blame him. It was a logical suggestion and it made only more obvious, that this must be something very personal. She was sure, that she had never seen this man before. But he had remembered her. And Acxa was sure, that he had classified her as an enemy. Suddenly the door opened again and Freyda entered with Kathy at her hand. The child smiled happy at Acxa and rushed to the half-Galra to hug her with a joyful smile. Acxa noticed the surprised looks of the others. Especially Veronicas eyes had instantly seemed to double their size. But one face after another melted into a teary touched smile. Freyda also smiled a little.

"She had asked for you."

Acxa's eyes got a wet glitter. She pushed the child back, gently and returned the warm smile of the kid. Kathy carefully stroke over her former hurt leg.

"Outchy gone?"

Acxa nodded with a smile at her. The child stayed focused on her renewed skin. The half-Galra scanned again the deep scar on the kids face. She placed her hand on the side of the kids head and Kathy turned to her, facing Acxa's look with her green eyes.

"Yes." She rubbed gently and carefully with her thumb over the part of the scar, which was to be found on the kids forehead. "But I also wouldn't mind, if a part of it would still be there."

Tears came back to the eyes of the child, but her smile remained. She pulled Acxa in another hug.

It was the final signal for Hunk to burst out in tears resting his head on Allura's shoulder. The Altean woman didn't mind it. Her tears were also running down her cheeks. Keith had turned away to hide his own teary eyes. Freyda also seemed to be touched. She observed the scene with a gentle smile. Veronica also had wet eyes and she took Acxa's hand to squeeze it. Kathy recognized the gesture and turned her head to Veronica.

"Who are 'ou?"

Veronica smiled warm at the kid.

"I'm Veronica. And you are?"

The kid tended her head to one side.

"Kathy." A sparkle came to her eyes. She shared looks between Acxa and Veronica. "Amarzzaries!"

A warm chuckle escaped the little mouth and she beamed joyful at Acxa and Veronica. The woman, Hunk and Allura looked at each other with a lack of understanding, but Acxa had taken a surprised gasp and also Keith's eyes had widened in surprise. Freyda seemed to be amused of the reactions, Kathy had caused. She smiled at the child.

"What does she mean?"

Veronica had noticed the look on Acxa's face. The half-Galra was still watching the kid with surprise. She turned her head to Veronica and her mouth stood still open a bit.

"It's a Galran word. The translation for it is 'Lovers' or 'Partners'."

The kid nodded, still smiling at both. Freyda walked over to her and rested her hand on the head of the child.

"Come Kathy. The others are waiting. You see, Acxa is alright."

The little girl looked up to Freyda and nodded. But she turned back at Acxa and Veronica.

"'ou look happy, like Ronan and Fre'da."

For the first time the Galran woman blushed a bit. Acxa noticed it instantly and she looked at Veronica. She smiled at her girlfriend and turned back to Kathy.

"I am."

The kid nodded again and turned around with Freyda to leave the room.

"When can we talk with you and Ronan about everything?"

Allura's voice was gentle but also filled with a little impatience. The fact, that Haggar's troops were harvesting quintessence in this sector still bothered her and the team as well. Answers were needed, but also some rest. Freyda stopped in the doorway. She didn't turn around but her head dropped a bit down.

"Later, when the kids are sleeping."

She finally turned her head back and faced Allura's look.

"With me, not with Ronan."

Her face was deeply worried.

"He needs rest. A lot. He hasn't slept since..."

She hesitated and signs of grief rushed over her face.

"He needs to sleep a lot."

"You're worried about him."

Acxa's quote brought a warning shine in the eyes of the Galra. She faced Acxa's look and it seemed, that her eyes started to melt a whole through her skull.

"More than you may realize. Fazzum voz vocaz."

Acxas blood ran cold at this quote. The color faded from her face. The others shared questioning looks between the Galras. Acxa nodded weak at Freyda.

"Aszivi."

The woman nodded back and left the room. The complete focus returned to Acxa, who was pale. Her hands trembled and it took a moment to realize the worried looks.

"Okay, this was even too much Galran for me. What has she said to you?"

Keith looked worried at Acxa, but the woman ignored the question. She stood up and headed to the door as well. She addressed her answer to all of them, while she left the the treatment room.

"Nothing of your business."

The others shared worried looks and the eyes rested finally on Veronica. The woman was shocked as well. She didn't know either, what Freyda had said to Acxa, but her reaction had tightened her chest.

"I'll ask her this evening."

She only hoped, that Acxa would talk with her, when they were in private.

Acxa has stormed to hers and Veronicas room. She rushed to a closet and pushed the button on the side of it, to open the doors. With a hissing sound, the closet opened. She got down on her knees to open a big chest. Under a lot of clothes she finally found, what she was looking for. A Galran dagger. She placed it carefully at her belt. It has took months to left this one finally behind. To dare to make her way through the Atlas without fearing an attack. To trust the team around her. But now, she needed it again.

- Fate is calling. -

She was thankful for this warning. Within the last years, a lot of Galras seemed to have forgotten to honor the old rules of demanding rightful revenge. But it seemed to her, that Ronan and Freyda knew the Call very well. And they respected them. Just like she did. She didn't knew why, but she had acknowledged the Call to Freyda. She had bought herself time to find answers for some questions. But she had also accepted the challenge. Within the next days she had to talk with him about the terms and circumstances, otherwise the hunt on her would be opened.