Chapter 43

Kiera found Pidge in the cryopod room. She was leaning against one of the pods, having already set it up. It was open and ready to heal.

"Alright, sir, you'll need to put on this suit." Kiera put the Commander down and picked up one of the healing pod suits.

He looked at it in disgust "Ugh. Well, must be better than these prison rags." He grabbed the suit and went to change. As soon as Kiera couldn't see his eyes, his shoulders slumped a little.

Pidge walked up next to Kiera, watching her father walk "You okay?"

"It's him we should be worried about." Kiera's eyes were focused on the Commanders back "He's been acting kind of distant. He's really sad. I mean, he's happy that he's back with you and Shiro, but I think that reminds of Matt even more." She looked down at Pidge from her couple inches more of height "It's probably doing the same thing to you."

Pidge's eyes filled with tears "I-I..." She wiped her tears and forced a breath "You shouldn't worry about me."

"But I do worry about you. Despite the fact that you are a total badass Paladin of Voltron and hero of the universe." Kiera said "I never will stop worrying about you. Or Keith. Or Shiro. Or Allura. Or Hunk, Coran, your father, Matt, heck even Lance. For the first time in years, I actually care about people. I can't let anything happen to you guys." She paused and put a hand gently on Pidge's cheek "It's okay to cry for your brother, Katie."

That struck a chord. Pidge seemed to crumple. She leaned forward and Kiera caught her before she fell. Pidge wrapped her arms around Kiera's neck and buried her face in Kiera's chest, crying.

Kiera gently wrapped her arms around Pidge's small body and put her face in her hair. She rubbed gentle circles on Pidge's back.

"It's going to be okay, Katie." Kiera whispered "When I leave, I'm going after those rebels that took Matt and finding him. I'll bring him to you. I promise."

Pidge sniffled "Thanks." She stepped back and wiped the tears off her face "And thanks for letting me cry. I kind of needed that."

Kiera smiled warmly at her "You're welcome."

Commander Holt came back into the cryopod room, limping heavily.

Kiera smacked her forehead "Oh, I'm an idiot! I should've carried you. Sorry."

The Commander smiled "Not to worry, Kiera. After this I'll be healed. Right? I wasn't told how these things work."

"Well, they're basically sleeping pods that heal you when you're inside." Pidge said "Some sort of crazy Altean magic or something." She hugged her father tightly "See you soon, dad."

He hugged her back "See you soon, Katie."

When they pulled away, Kiera saluted him "Later, sir."

"Goodbye, Kiera." The Commander smiled almost sadly at her and climbed into the pod. It's screen shut and he closed his eyes. The pod did its thing and soon, he was asleep and vital signs were popping up on the screen.

Kiera breathed out slowly. If this pod didn't work, they would have to use earth healing methods. And, well, she wasn't at all good at those.

She grabbed Pidge's hand "So, now what?"

"I don't know." Pidge shrugged "Check in with Allura, see what she needs to get done?"

"Weren't they going to a nearby planet to gather stuff?" Kiera asked "Nah, let's stay here. Oh! I have an idea! We should fight!"

"What?" Pidge blinked at her.

Kiera smiled "We should spar. You know, like fight each other with weapons. Or a fist fight! I haven't had a fist fight in so long. I'm getting way too excited about this aren't I?"

"Probably." Pidge said "I wouldn't mind a fight though. Sounds kind of fun. Plus, you could teach me a few things."

"Well, that's debatable, but sure! Let's go." She dragged Pidge from the room and down towards the training deck. She stopped about halfway there "Wait, wouldn't it make more sense to fight while you're in your armour? That's what you'll be using in a fight."

Pidge nodded "Yeah, that makes sense. I'll go put it on." She ran off down a hallway.

When she was gone, Kiera's smile vanished and was replaced with a look of sadness and longing. Not because Pidge was gone, but because she didn't really want to leave. Yes, she wanted to find Matt and travel, but she feared she would actually miss the Paladins. Especially Keith and Pidge. She'd never missed anything before. How did you deal with it?

She shook her head and walked to the training room.

It was quiet when she entered. So quiet that she could hear the quiet clinking sounds when her wrist knives hit her blasters. Every sound echoed.

Quietly, Kiera tested out the acoustics. Not bad. The echoing gave her voice a spooky, gentle feel.

She took a deep breath and began to sing.

"Well I heard there was a secret chordThat David played and it pleased the LordBut you don't really care for music, do you?Well it goes like this: the fourth, the fifthThe minor fall and the major liftThe baffled king composing Hallelujah

HallelujahHallelujahHallelujahHallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proofYou saw her bathing on the roofHer beauty and the moonlight overthrew youShe tied you to her kitchen chairShe broke your throne and she cut your hairAnd from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

HallelujahHallelujahHallelujahHallelujah

Baby I've been here beforeI've seen this room and I've walked this floor I used to live alone before I knew youAnd I've seen your flag on the marble archAnd love is not a victory marchIt's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

HallelujahHallelujahHallelujahHallelujah

There was a time when you let me knowWhat's really going on belowBut now you never show that to me, do you?But remember when I moved in youAnd the holy dove was moving tooAnd every breath we drew was Hallelujah

HallelujahHallelujahHallelujahHallelujah"

The last notes of the song faded into silence. Kiera smiled wistfully. Who needed therapy when you could sing?

Someone jumped on her back, hugging her tight "Kiera, that was beautiful."

"Thanks, Pigeon." Kiera blushed. She hadn't expected Pidge to be back so soon.

Pidge climbed off her back and drew her bayard "We still fighting?"

Kiera smiled devilishly and drew her knives "Why, of course."

Pidge ran at her and swung her bayard. Kiera blocked easily and used the pommel of her other knife to knock into Pidge's stomach. Pidge coughed and backed up.

"You expect me not to hurt you?" Kiera asked.

"No." Pidge said and threw her bayard in grappling hook form at Kiera. It wrapped around Kiera's legs faster then she could move out of the way.

Kiera fell face first into the ground and rolled onto her back, nose bleeding. Pidge leaped on top of her and pressed her hands to Kiera's throat.

Kiera got an idea and pretended to go limp. Pidge loosened her grip on Kiera's neck. Fast as a shot, Kiera leaned up, kissed Pidge on the nose and flipped them over.

She leaned down and whispered in Pidge's ear "Fight isn't over until one of us taps out."

Kiera shook the rope of the grappling hook off her legs and stood near Pidge who stood up. Her bayard retracted the rope and became its usual arrow shaped blade. Kiera dashed forward and flicked her knives around Pidge's body. She deflected some of them, but Kiera had two knives. She moved her hands faster, moving in a circle around Pidge. Her blades left little scratch marks on her Paladins armour.

Unfortunately, she wasn't moving fast enough and Pidge landed a solid punch to Kiera's nose resulting in a sickening crack. Nose bleeding even more now, Kiera stumbled back.

When she smiled, blood ran into her mouth and she tasted the saltiness "Well, Pigeon, you're better than I thought. But it's not over yet." She spat a mouthful of blood onto the floor and it splattered.

She lunged at Pidge, grabbing her and pressing her backwards to her body, one knife at Pidge's throat, one at her stomach and one of her legs wrapped around Pidge's.

"Give up?" She asked.

"Haven't tapped out yet." Pidge grunted and kicked the back of Kiera's standing leg. Kiera fell forward, landing on top of Pidge who kneed her in the stomach. Kiera flipped off and rolled away. She quickly stood, sheathed her knives and wiped blood off her face. She raised her bloody fists and smirked at Pidge.

Pidge ran at her, bayard raised. She lifted an arm to block where the bayard would be, but Pidge instead kicked her in the stomach. Kiera went flying backwards. Pidge leaped on top of her, straddling her stomach and held both of Kiera's wrists above her head with one hand and pressed her bayard to Kiera's neck with the other hand.

Kiera spat some blood at her, earning a scowl.

"What?" Kiera demanded "I'm only ladylike when I have to be."

Pidge snorted "So, I win, right."

Kiera rolled her eyes "Fine, you win." and tapped the floor twice. Pidge climbed off her and offered her a hand to stand up. Kiera gladly took it and stood.

"Good fight, Pigeon." Kiera offered her hand to shake. Pidge took it and they shook hands.

Then, together, they walked back to the cryopod room.