Hope everyone's still enjoying the story. There have been some pointed PM's telling me that it's to focused on Liz, there isn't enough action and demanding to know if there's romance coming and between which characters. I'm sorry those people feel that way, however the story comes out the way it comes out, and I simply write it as I see and feel it. That said, if you don't like the story you don't have to read it I respect your opinion and your choice.
Also I've been told and realize that I've been lacking in a disclaimer, though I thought it was rather obvious I don't own Voltron or it's characters. The only thing that is mine is the character of Liz and the story idea. Also this story doesn't directly follow any version of the show, though there may be elements of those sprinkled throughout.
Happy Reading!
Chapt 3: Second Thoughts & Second Chances
Still standing in the training room the four original team members regarded each other silently, and Pidge found himself wondering why Keith hadn't asked him to track Lance's voltcom or made any moves to leave the room.
Watching as his commanding officer held up a hand to stall whatever comment Allura seemed ready to make, Pidge took note of Keith looking down at his watch and then nodding sharply, before turning on his heel and heading for the hallway.
It took less than a minute for Pidge to make the decision to follow, knowing instinctively that Allura and Hunk were only steps behind. He was following close enough that when Keith suddenly stopped in the doorway of the fitness gym, he nearly ran directly into his commander's back. Only a swift side step saved him from the collision leaving him with a clear view of the interior.
On the far side of the gym Lance was swinging his fists furiously at one of the punching bags, with words like 'bitch', 'cocky', and, 'stupid' being grunted out between each punch. Pidge shook his head as he watched Keith cross the room to take a bracing stance on the opposite side of the bag.
Hearing another string of curse words, he took a seat on a nearby bench knowing it was going to be a while before Keith could calm Lance down. Putting Lance's legendary temper aside, Pidge knew full well that his friend was also beating himself up for his own mistakes.
Bracing his elbows on his knees and removing his glasses, Pidge let the hand holding his glasses dangle while he pinched the bridge of his nose with the other, vaguely he noted that Allura had joined him on the bench, but that Hunk had opted to lean against the wall, his big friends arms folded, chin dipping to his chest and brow furrowed in thought.
The sounds of fists had stopped but the heated discussion between Lance and Keith was still going on.
"She doesn't belong here Keith, if she can't show respect to a superior and not try and make us all out to be fools, she's not force material!"
"And you'd have done the same," Keith replied a raised eyebrow and slightly disapproving frown aimed in Lance's direction, "and you did when you were at the academy."
"That's different, and you know it!"
Pidge missed Keith's reply as he tiredly rubbed his eyes and then started massaging his temples. A massive headache was forming, things just weren't adding up, and he hated when things didn't make sense.
"You okay there pipsqueak," Lances voice pulled him away from his inner thoughts, and Pidge nodded slightly
"Fine Lance" Missing the exchange of worried looks between his friends at his allowing the hated nickname to pass, Pidge slid his glasses back on and pushed them up his nose.
Allura's soft clearing of her throat had attention turned to her "Has anyone read her file?"
"I don't care about the stinking file," Lance snarled, "There's nothing in that file that could possibly make a difference."
"Orphaned at four, no living relatives leading to foster homes, top 10 in technology, top 5 in flight, passing grade in Physical Education, but failing Martial Arts" Keith's no nonsense tone summarized the file giving a unidentifiable glance in Lance's direction.
"So, on her own no outside financial aid and making do on Garrison scholarships." Pidge stated noting the look of confusion on Allura's face.
"Garrison scholarships only cover course materials, lodging, limited meals and uniforms Allura" Keith said quietly.
"Explaining why all she has luggage wise is her Garrison Duffle." Hunk added a thoughtful look across his face matching the gentle tone of his voice.
"And Foster Care would've dropped her like a hot potato the minute she was enrolled." Lance added in an even tone and Pidge noted that the hostility Lance had been showing until this point had dropped marginally.
The hostility hadn't disappeared Pidge knew that, Lance wasn't one to let slights against himself or his teammates slide that easily, but there was a possibility for him to allow the person to right the wrong with time.
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Adjusting the strap of the duffle on her shoulder she fell into step with Lady Larmina as they trailed down the hallway in the wake of the two male cadets. Liz mentally slapped herself repeatedly for her lack of restraint. Lieutenant McClain with his brash, and snarky attitude had pushed all of her buttons. Making her chalk him up mentally as one of many of the bullies she'd dealt with over the years and she'd reacted without thinking of the consequences.
Bringing her attention from her inner turmoil to the present she found herself studying the two young men in front of her carefully. Chandler seemed brash and unrestrained, a veritably huge explosion waiting to happen. The other cadet seemed a much calmer and more dependable sort, and Liz frowned slightly as she realized she didn't even have his name.
The boys seemed lost in their own discussion and Liz wasn't truly in the mood to interrupt and turn the attention to her and the multitude of questions she knew would come afterwards. Not to mention she could always look it up later on.
A soft cough brought her attention to the young woman beside her and she smiled sheepishly, "My apologies Lady…" the cross look and hasty hand waving making her wonder vaguely if she'd gotten the wrong title.
"Larmina, no Lady, no ladyship, grace, highness or whatever, those titles are my Aunts" came the surprisingly vehement reply.
Nodding and tucking away the observation that Larmina was not only incredibly loyal to her aunt but was determined to be 'just one of the girls' Liz glanced around to find the boys had disappeared and she and Larmina were the only ones in a corridor that was unfamiliar.
Casting a questioning look at her companion, Liz couldn't help but grin slightly as Larmina shrugged
"They're always running off, they'll show up for dinner, they always do!"
Watching as Larmina turned away from her and punched a set of numbers into a keypad Liz wondered what exactly the relationship was between Larmina and the boys.
"This is your room, the lock code is 17319, but you can change it if you want." Nodding Liz stepped through the door and was immediately taken by surprise.
Used to the sparse décor of her Garrison dorm room, the sight of the large bed and desk in one corner, balanced by the small sitting area in the opposite corner was slightly intimidating. Two doors one of which she assumed led to the bathroom, the other leading to the balcony and a large window overlooking the lake in the distance complete with window seat had Liz's head spinning.
"You're the only other girl, and my room is in the family wing. Aunt Allura figured you'd enjoy your own space." Larmina shrugged her shoulders in a 'what can you do' way, "Do you need help unpacking or would you like to rest before dinner?"
Shaking her head softly and knowing instinctively it would do no good to argue, at least not at the current time, Liz found herself giving Larmina a tentative smile.
"I can handle it, and a rest before dinner is fine."
Watching Larmina nod sharply and head out the door Liz wondered if she'd said something wrong. Chalking it up to not really knowing Larmina that well, she pushed it to the back of her mind.
Sighing softly and setting her duffle onto the end of the bed, Liz regarded it for a moment then recalling the less than stellar impression she'd made earlier on, decided against unpacking. Moving over to the window seat and tucking her knees under her chin Liz stared unseeing out the window towards the lake, mentally going over the events from the last few hours.
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Hunk Garret plodded along the corridor with a weary stride, a contemplative frown etched deeply into his usually cheerful big face. It had taken an hour and a half of Keith and Allura arguing with Lance along with some small comments from himself and his 'little buddy', to get Lance to agree to give Cadet Kemuri another chance.
His frown deepening Hunk winced inwardly as he recalled Lance's snide comments about the next 'overbearing bitch' incident by Kemuri being his ticket to packing her up and shipping her back to earth. Hunk knew his friend demanded a lot from his students, he was fair in that if the cadet gave their best he'd help them in any way he could. However, Lance had high standards and very limited patience when dealing with raw cadets, and Hunk often wondered if Lance realized he came down harder on the cadets that mimicked his own younger self.
Letting out a heavy sigh Hunk looked around and shook his head. His mental wanderings, had led to physical wandering as well, and he was half way across the castle from where he actually wanted to be.
Turning to glance back the way he'd come Hunk glanced at his watch and decided he had the time to wander back. It would give him more time to figure out what to say when he got there. He'd already cleared his idea with Keith and Allura, and they'd seemed happy with it. Though he didn't think Keith was entirely certain he'd be very good at connecting with Cadet Kemuri, and it was a fair thought; a family of brothers didn't give someone good insight on girls.
First he'd planned to take Liz and Larmina into town for dinner. His reason being girls would talk to other girls before anyone else. Then when they'd forgotten he was there, he'd just sit back and listen. The problem was he knew Lance would have complained about 'special favors' to the new cadet, and so soon after recent events Hunk didn't feel like creating more problems.
He'd finally decided to ask Pidge and Larmina to meet him at Cadet Kemuri's room and they'd go to dinner as a group in the kitchens. When Pidge had asked him why the kitchens, he'd simply shrugged and said it seemed like a good idea.
His thought was that maybe the less formal setting, and not having to deal with Lance in one of his moods would be best for everyone. It also seemed more comfortable for getting to know someone
Turning the corner Hunk brought his thoughts back to the present and noticed Larmina and Pidge had beaten him there.
"Hey Hunk, I've chimed twice and no answer, Pidge doesn't want to just walk in," Larmina stated rolling her eyes.
"You could go first, make sure she's ready!" Hunk replied and watched as Larmina punched in the code, as the door slid open Hunk could see that Liz was sitting on the window seat, apparently so lost in thought she hadn't heard the chime.
Waiting near the door as Larmina crossed the room and got Liz's attention Hunk took a quick glance around and noticed her duffle sitting on the end of the bed still fully packed. He glanced at Pidge to find his friend had noticed as well. Putting on a smile as the two girls walked towards them, chatting quietly, Hunk decided to wait on making any comments.
"So Hunk and Pidge are going to join us in the kitchen for dinner." Only catching the end of Larmina's explanation Hunk wondered what she'd told Liz and then decided it really didn't matter as long as they all got to go and eat.
Motioning for the girls to go ahead of them, Hunk frowned slightly as he saw Liz's lips move in a mutter to low for him to hear, and Pidge's eyebrows come together in confusion.
Waiting for the girls to get a few steps ahead and then falling into step easily with his shorter friend, Hunk coughed lightly to get Pidge's attention.
"What's bothering you 'Little Buddy'?"
"She's expecting to be sent back to earth," Pidge frowned slightly, "you saw, her bag is still packed and I'm sure she didn't expect either of us to hear, but she muttered 'condemned's last meal!' as she went by us."
Shaking his head sadly and placing a large hand on his friends shoulder for a gentle pat Hunk sighed, "Guess we'll just have to show her that it takes more than a rough start to make us give up on someone, right?"
The rest of the walk to the kitchens was spent in semi comfortable silence as the girls had waited for them to catch up and Hunk wondered for a moment if he should've tried to spend the time with Liz one on one. Watching as Larmina pointed out interesting Arusian paintings and such along their path he decided he'd made the right choice. Liz seemed to be relaxing and somewhat enjoying Larmina's chatter.
Entering the kitchen, Hunk smiled as cook waved at him and motioned off to the side where meals had been placed on a small table out of the way of the staff, and far enough out of traffic to be able to talk without shouting. Making his own motion for his companions to take their seats Hunk was happy to see Larmina pointing out her favorite Arusian dishes and Liz asking questions. Sharing a nod with Pidge, Hunk gave himself a mental 'well done' and settled in to eat and try to start a friendly conversation.
Just as he was about to ask a question, Hunk groaned loudly as he was interrupted by the harsh sounding of the Castle Alarm.
"Why is always at meal time?" he asked as he pushed away from the table and followed Pidge and Larmina from the room, hearing a soft snort from his right, he looked over and gave Liz a faintly sheepish smile, glad to see she'd decided to follow along.
A huge load of thank yous going out to SallyOn and White Tiger for their patience and invaluable advice. You guys are the greatest.