Three days went by, and Jeff still hadn't woken up. Lance had managed to bully Keith into getting a shower and some food halfway through the second day; otherwise, Keith hadn't left his partner's side. He was slumped between Jeff's bed and his chair, napping fitfully, when he felt something move in his hair. He started awake to find Jeff looking down at him, stroking his hair weakly. "Jeff! Oh, thank God!" He jumped up and kissed Jeff.

"Hi, sweetheart," Jeff whispered. "You look like hell. Been here the whole time?"

"I couldn't leave you." Keith sat on the edge of the bed and held Jeff's bandaged hand. "God, love, I was so scared."

Jeff covered their hands with his good one. "I'm not going to leave you, Keith. I love you; I'm always going to be there for you." He managed to lean forward and kiss his lover, then fell back on his pillows. "What have I missed?"

Keith considered. "Well, we all resigned from the Garrison and joined the Arusian armed forces. Garrison is horrified by what Graham did, and is backpedaling as hard as they can. 'No, no, we never had any designs on Voltron, of course he belongs to Arus,' and 'We have no intention of splitting Commander Kogane and Lt. Commander Dukane up, so long as their relationship doesn't impact their mission.'"

Jeff rolled his eyes, then winced at the motion. "I can believe the part about us; that was Graham's personal little vendetta. But Voltron? Come on, how stupid do they think we are?"

"You got me, koibito." They heard a noise at the door and looked up to see Princess Allura standing there.

"Commander Dukane! So glad to see you awake! How are you feeling?"

Jeff smiled and beckoned her into the room. "I'll be fine, Princess. Back on my feet in no time."

Allura took the chair Keith had vacated. "That's good to hear. I wish this were a social visit, but sadly it isn't. I've been going back and forth with the Garrison and the Alliance over the unprovoked attack, and I have to tell you that Marshal Graham has decided to come here personally to 'mend fences' as he put it."

Jeff couldn't get any paler, but Keith did, and they both swore. "When, Princess?" Keith finally asked.

"He'll be here in the morning. I'm sorry, Commanders. Coran and I both made it clear he was not wanted here, but he insisted."

Keith picked up his COM unit. "Lance, Pidge, Hunk. Meeting in Jeff's room, five minutes." He listened to the acknowledgements, then put the COM back down and looked at Jeff. "Sweetheart, I'm sorry, I didn't even ask. Are you up for this?"

Jeff had closed his eyes, but managed a smile. "As long as you aren't your usual long-winded self, Kogane. I'll live, and you need all of us in on this."

The other three members of the Force soon arrived, high-fiving Jeff when they saw he was awake. "You didn't call us here just to show off Jeff with his eyes open," Lance finally said. "What's going on?"

"Marshal Graham will be here tomorrow." Everyone started talking at once; a piercing whistle from Keith finally cut through the chatter.

"What does the old bastard want now, Keith?" Lance paced, hands shoved in his jacket pockets.

"He claims he's coming to 'mend fences'. I don't trust him as far as I could throw Black." Keith looked around at his teammates. "Keep your keys on you at all times; don't let them out of your hands. I can see him trying to steal them."

"And what about you two, aniki?" Lance turned from the window. "Jeff's in a pretty vulnerable spot; I wouldn't put it past the old SOB to get you two out of his hair permanently."

Keith's eyes went flat and cold. "I won't let that happen." He turned and walked out of the room without another word; a wide-eyed Jeff struggled to get out of bed and follow him.

Lance put a hand on Jeff's shoulder. "You out of your mind? Stay put!"

Jeff shook his head, face white. "He needs me, Lance. I know that look; he had the same one when he got the letter from his parents. Let me go!"

"Jeff, you won't make it three steps, assuming you can get up at all." Lance was almost as pale as Jeff, but grimly determined. "I'll go talk to him; he listens to me almost as much as he does you. Trust me, Jeff, please."

Jeff gave up and lay back against his pillows, exhausted. "Hurry, Lance. I don't know what he's thinking." Lance nodded once and left the room at a run.

Hunk cleared his throat and looked at Pidge. "Well, we got to get back to work. You made a heck of a mess out of Blue."

"Sorry," Jeff whispered with a faint grin. "I'll do better next time."

That left Allura sitting alone with Jeff, and she was dying of curiosity. "Jeff, can I ask you a couple of things?"

The grey eyes fluttered open. "Long as they're quick and easy, Princess. I'm pretty much done in, I'm afraid."

Allura blushed at the gentle admonition. "You boys use some words I've never heard before when you talk to each other. I've looked all through my English texts and can't find them. You and Keith call each other something odd, and Lance does too."

Jeff smiled. "Those aren't English words, they're Japanese. Keith taught them to us. He and I call each other 'koibito'; it means sweetheart. Lance calls Keith 'aniki' and me 'ani', which means big brother and brother; we swore blood brotherhood at the Academy, and Keith's older than both of us." His voice faded on the last words and his eyes closed; Allura stayed and watched him sleep.

Lance caught up to Keith in his room. He was sitting on the bed, staring down at the katana in his hands. "I'll kill him, Lance. Jeff almost died once because of him; I won't let it happen again. I'll kill him."

"Not like this." Lance knelt in front of Keith and put his hands on top of his brother's. "You told me when you first showed me this that it was a weapon of honor, not to be used in anger. Keith, don't get it dirty with Graham's blood. He's not worthy of it."

Keith looked down at Lance. "So, I just let him go?"

"Didn't say that." Lance shook his head. "Protect Jeff, kill Graham if that's what it takes, but there are other ways. Use this, and you're headed to Garrison prison for premeditated murder. THINK, Keith, damnit!"

Keith sat silently, his shoulders shaking. Suddenly, the katana fell from his fingers into Lance's hands. "I just want to know why he hates us so badly," he whispered. Lance was startled to see tears in the dark eyes. "Why, Lance? What did we ever do to him? All Jeff and I want is to live together and love each other. What's so wrong with that?"

"Oh, aniki." Lance sat on the bed and put an arm around Keith's shoulders. "It's nothing to do with you; it's all Graham." He took a deep breath. "Graham is gay, and years ago was in love with one of his classmates. When Graham made an advance to the guy, the boy rejected him, then went out and hung himself."

"How do you know that?"

"One of the old gate guards at the Academy told me." Lance handed Keith his handkerchief. "So, it's not you or Jeff. Graham's just a bitter old bastard." He grinned. "Now, go keep your boy toy company. We'll cover your shifts while Graham is here." He held the smile until Keith left the room, then let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding. Too damn close, he thought.

Marshal Graham arrived as scheduled the next morning; the entire Force, including a rather wobbly Jeff, was on hand to greet him. He ignored them and went straight to Allura. "Highness, a pleasure. Thank you for allowing me to come."

Allura inclined her head graciously. "Good relations with Garrison and the Alliance are important to Arus, Marshal. We do what we can to accommodate them." Her smile was sweetly poisonous.

Graham turned his attention to Keith. "Commander Kogane, your resignations were disregarded as being in the heat of the moment; you will be pleased to know that you have all retained your ranks and salaries."

Keith stiffened. "We will be resubmitting them, Marshal. Those resignations were very carefully thought out, and we all stand behind them."

The marshal snorted, then his eyes fell on Jeff. "Lt. Commander Dukane. I am surprised to see you here, given the nature of your injuries."

Jeff was pale, but managed to stand steady and hold the Marshal's gaze. "My place is with my team, Marshal. I'll be fine."

"Good man. That's the attitude I like in my soldiers." Graham clapped Jeff on the shoulder, then followed Allura and Coran into the castle, not noticing Jeff collapsing in his wake.

Keith and Lance both swore and caught Jeff. "I'm fine," he gasped. "Son . . . of a . . . bitch! He hit my bad . . . arm . . . on purpose!"

"Come on, let's get you to MedTech and see if he did any damage." Keith draped Jeff's good arm over his shoulder and headed into the castle, Lance following behind him.

Unfortunately, Graham had knocked the newly-set arm out of alignment. Jeff got a lecture from Gorma as it was re-set, and reluctantly accepted a sedative to help him rest. Keith settled in the chair next to him, checking his blaster and putting it within easy reach. Lance watched from the doorway, and was about to say something when Keith's COM beeped. "Kogane."

"Commander, this is Control. Marshal Graham is requesting your presence." That was an understatement; the pilots could hear the man bellowing in the background.

Keith sighed. "On my way. Kogane out." He stood up slowly, taking a long look at Jeff.

"He'll be fine, aniki." Lance crossed to the bed and sat in Keith's chair. "I won't let him out of my sight until you get back here, and I won't let anything happen. Go pacify the raging bull before he breaks something, preferably his head." He pulled his own blaster from his jacket and laid it in his lap; Keith leaned over and kissed Jeff, then turned and quickly left the room.

Marshal Graham was pacing Castle Control, fuming, when Keith arrived. "I don't like being kept waiting, Commander," he barked. "Where the hell have you been?"

Keith kept his expression neutral. "Lt. Commander Dukane collapsed after you went into the castle, sir. Lieutenant McClain and I had to carry him to MedTech and see to his care. Sorry for the delay."

Graham scowled. "Well, you're here now. I'm ready to fly Black Lion; give me the key." He held his hand out imperiously.

"With all due respect, Marshal, no." Keith folded his arms. "You are not flying Black, or any lion, solo. Not while I'M commander of the Voltron Force."

"Be reasonable, Marshal." Allura came to stand beside Keith, making her support clear. "Zarkon attacks at random; Arus would feel terrible if you were caught in Black Lion and injured during one of his attacks. I'm sure Commander Kogane would be happy to take you on a reconnaissance flight."

Actually, that was the last thing Commander Kogane wanted to do, but Keith managed a nod. Graham grumpily agreed, and they were soon in the air. Keith put Black through a restricted version of his paces, mindful of his passenger's long inexperience with combat maneuvers, then headed across Arus, showing the marshal some of the sights. Graham sulked in silence the entire trip; Keith was grateful when they finally returned to the castle and the older man stomped off to his quarters to rest before dinner. Keith himself made a beeline for MedTech.

Lance met him at Jeff's door. "Thank God you're back. He woke up while you were gone, is in real bad pain, but won't let the doctor give him anything."

Keith swore and ran to Jeff's side. "Koibito, I'm here. Why won't you let the doctor give you anything?" He took Jeff's good hand and stroked it.

"Woke up. . . you weren't here." Jeff's eyes were closed, and his teeth were clenched. "Don't want. . . to go. . . to sleep again."

Keith bowed his head. "I'm sorry, love. I won't leave again. Please, let the doctor give you something; I can't stand to see you hurting like this."

"Promise. . . won't leave?"

"Not unless Zarkon attacks," Keith vowed, and Jeff allowed the waiting nurse to put the pain meds in his IV. They took effect almost immediately; Jeff relaxed and was asleep in minutes.

"I'll bring you some dinner," Lance whispered, slipping out the door. Keith barely acknowledged his departure; all his attention was on Jeff.

Late that night, Keith was asleep in the chair next to Jeff when he heard a noise at the door. He was instantly awake, knowing one of the nurses wouldn't have disturbed him. A shadowy figure crossed the room and stood at Jeff's side, holding a syringe to his IV. Keith jumped to his feet and leveled his blaster. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?" The figure didn't answer, but stuck the needle in the IV tube. Keith fired, hitting the intruder dead center. As the figure slid to the floor, Keith reached for the bedside light and turned it on. "Holy Mother of God!"

Space Marshal Graham lay dead on the floor, an empty syringe in his right hand.

Later that morning, Keith, Allura, Lance, and Coran were in a video conference with the new acting Space Marshal. Jeff had wanted to be there, but Gorma had put his foot down and Keith had backed him up, promising a full report to his lover later. "We're grateful to you, Highness, and to you, Commander Kogane, for not making a fuss over this," the new Marshal said. "Commander Kogane killed Marshal Graham in self-defense, there will be no charges and this matter is closed."

Keith inclined his head graciously; Coran cleared his throat. "What about Voltron, and the status of the Force?"

"Voltron is the property of Arus, of course, and Garrison renounces any intentions of acquiring him. As for the Force," the Marshal paused. "Garrison hates to lose pilots of their caliber, but we understand their logic in remaining on Arus. Their resignations have been accepted as of the date submitted."

Lance whooped; Keith rolled his eyes at him, but grinned and thanked the marshal. As soon as the call terminated, he ran for MedTech.

Jeff opened his eyes at the sound of Keith's footsteps. "Well? Are we going back to Earth in chains?"

"No, we're staying, and I'm not being charged for killing Graham." Keith sat on the edge of the bed and held Jeff's hand. "There's just one more detail I have to take care of." He slipped to one knee; Jeff watched him curiously. "Jeffery Michael Dukane, will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

Tears welled up in Jeff's eyes, and he threw his arms around Keith, ignoring the pain. "Yes! Yes, gladly."