Firefly

Chapter 4

Three hooded figures ducked into a dark alley in the small town of Cirrus on a planet called Cassius. The first one went further down the alley as the second scaled a building to check the roof, while the third one made sure no one followed them. A few minutes later when they were sure it was safe, they regrouped down in the alley, pulling down their hoods and taking off their masks. "Kolivan, we have eyes on them." The first one said. "Good work, you three." Kolivan's voice said through the coms. "But how long have you been tailing them?" "Since Realia on Acera, sir." The third answered. "They've stirred up a little trouble, Kolivan." The second added. "That is expected with Keith around. But what kind of trouble?" Kolivan asked. "Bounty hunters are after them." The second answered. "Who's sending them?" Kolivan asked. "Lark." The first spat. "That snake!" Kolivan's voice hissed. "Keep an eye on the paladins. And take care of those bounty hunters." He ordered. "Should we approach the paladins? The first asked. "No, keep your distance. For their safety." Kolivan answered. "You know it won't take long for them to realize they're being followed, right?" The third chimed in. "If they spot you then there's no point in hiding anymore. " Kolivan answered. "One more thing, Kolivan." The first said before he could hang up. "We think there might be a spy among us." "That's quite an accusation. I hope you have proof to back that claim." Kolivan said sounding interested. "Lark keeps calling someone on Arkas's com." The third said. "And whomever he's talking to he never says their name." The second added. "Are you sure it's Arkas's com?" Kolivan asked sounding serious. "We're positive." The trio answered as one. "Arkas's frequency has not shown up in a long time." Kolivan said. "Maybe we finally get to find out who killed him?" The third said barely audible. "Whomever Lark is speaking to is female. That's all we can gather since he never says her name." The first said. "Well that narrows it down." Kolivan scoffed as the second agent rolled her eyes. "If you figure out who it is, let me know immediately. And keep an eye on those two while you're there." He said before hanging up. "Nox, how long do you think it will take for them to realize we're watching them?" The second asked. "Not long, Ilan." Nox replied. That's if he listened to what Antok told him. He thought. "What are we going to do when they figure it out?" The third asked. "Well, we'll question them, and find out what they're doing, Regis." Nox answered. "Right, they're supposed to be headed to Warfang." Regis said as Nox took a few steps forward. "Nox, are you okay? You seem tense." Ilan asked concerned. "I'm fine, Ilan." Nox said cooly as he put his hood back on and started walking toward the street. "He still feels bad." Ilan whispered to Regis as they put their hoods back on and followed.

After their escape from Acera, the two paladins decided to stop for the night on a planet called Cassius. They changed into their normal clothes so they would blend in with the tourists and decided to stay at a hotel/club in the small city of Cirrus so it wouldn't look suspicious. But right now, Keith walked to the window of the room they were staying in and peered out. Expecting to find bounty hunters standing out in the rain, but the street was virtually deserted, except for a hooded figure that stood under a street lamp. Keith looked down at the figure, who seemed to be staring back at him. Suddenly the figure glanced to his left, like his name was being called. The figure looked up at him one more time before bowing his head and disappearing out of sight. Okay. Keith thought as he shut the curtains, before walking back over to the couch and laying down. He stared up at the ceiling listening to the sounds of the hotel, debating on weather or not to go down stairs and check on Pidge. He didn't trust this Vespar guy that claimed to know something about Pidge's dad and brother. He just seemed to just appear out of no where. And because of the fact that Keith didn't trust him, he was very hostile towards him. Enough to where Pidge had practically shooed him back upstairs to their room. Suddenly there were loud footsteps on the stairs. Keith sat up, hoping it was Pidge finally coming back up to fill him in. But then he realized that it sounded like more than one person or alien. Then something slammed against the door as the lock was being fiddled with. Instinctively Keith positioned himself to where he could launch himself off the couch if he needed to. He waited for the door to come flying off the hinges but it never did. But the sounds of giggling and moaning did come from the other side of the door. Keith scoffed and relaxed, hoping the couple would realize they had the wrong room. When it went on for a few more minutes, he was just about to yell at them to go away but they started talking. "Wait, until I get the door open." A guy said. "Let's just make out right here, Vespar." A woman said. Vespar. Keith thought sitting up wondering if he heard her right. But if he's out there where ... Keith got up quickly and marched over to the door. Someone's getting their evening fucked up! He thought as he pulled the door open with so much force that the couple nearly fell on the floor. Standing before him was in fact Vespar, with a women Keith had no idea what Vespar saw in her, because all he saw was tentacles. "Sorry, wrong room." Vespar said apologetically. "Where's my friend?" Keith demanded. "Who?" Vespar asked angering the red paladin. "The one who shooed me away!" Keith snapped. "Oh, he's still downstairs." Vespar answered calmly like this conversation was normal. "You left him down there alone!" Keith growled his blood running hot as the red v around his neck glowed briefly. "What, he asked to be left alone after what I told him about his family." Vespar explained with a puzzled expression. "You dumbass!" Keith roared unintentionally breathing fire, causing Vespar and his date to stumble backward out of the flames way. "For your sake, you better hope he's down there. Oh and ma'am, you should know that Vespar here has five other women waiting for him, and after he's done with you. He'll move on to them." Keith lied as the women slapped Vespar and walked off angrily with Vespar chasing after her trying to explain, while Keith headed downstairs. Once he was at the base of the stairs, he paused for a moment to let his eyes adjust to the dim lighting before diving into the crowd of dancing aliens. Keith weaved through the crowd, headed to the last place where he saw Pidge hoping that she hadn't moved. Thankfully she hadn't. He found her at the same table with her head in her hands. "Pidge." Keith said almost having to yell over the loud music, while he nudged her gently. "Oh hey Keith." Pidge answered looking up at him, with tears in her eyes. Keith had to throw up his mental wall to sever their link because of all the fear, and sorrow that rolled off the green paladin was all too fimilar. "Are you okay? He didn't hurt you, did he?" He growled. "No not at all, he told me what I want to know." Pidge answered sniffling. "Hey, it's going to be okay." Keith said hugging the small paladin trying to comfort her. "I know." Pidge answered. "I'm just really tired." Keith wasn't going to force her to tell him what Vespar told her, he knew that she'd tell him when she was ready. "Then you should get back to the room." He said releasing her. "Keith, can you carry me? I don't think I can walk up those stairs." She asked. "Sure." Keith answered crouching down noticing an empty glass on the table. Oh Quiznak, please don't be alcohol of any kind. He prayed as Pidge hopped on his back. As they weaved through the crowd Pidge rested her head on his shoulder and Keith was sure she had fallen asleep before he was even halfway up the steps. Once they were back in the room, Keith laid Pidge down on the bed and pulled the blankets over her, before heading over to the couch and laying down himself hoping that the rest of the night would be peaceful. Man, was that short lived.
Keith woke up to Pidge jumping on him. "What are you doing?" He asked her. "I'm hyper! Do you have food? I'm hungry? Do you know what day it is? What time is it? Aren't you supposed to be purple?" You're have Galra, right?" Pidge said quickly as she got off him. "Wait, slow down." Keith said. "I can't slow down! I feel like running around the hotel! Am I talking too loud?" Pidge said quickly as Keith just looked at her not sure what to do. "Can we go fly the lions? Let's go fly the lions! I miss my family!" Pidge said collapsing on the floor. "Alright Pidge, time to go back to bed." Keith said getting up and putting her back on the bed. "Just go to sleep. I'm sure whatever it is will wear off in the morning." He said as he went to walk away. "I want a piggy back ride!" Pidge suddenly yelled launching herself on his back, knocking his balance off to where he had to stumble to stay upright. "Giddey up, horsey!" She yelled. "What did you have?" Keith asked. "Ow!" He yelped as she pulled on his hair. "Fly bitch!" Pidge yelled. I swear if I see Vespar tomorrow I'll burn him to ashes! Keith thought as he growled and flipped Pidge over his shoulder onto the bed. "That was fun. Do it again!" Pidge yelled as she started to get up. "No, you lay down and sleep!" Keith snapped. "Nope!" Pidge yelled as she took off. "Pidge!" Keith yelled as he grabbed her and put her back on the bed. "Stay!" He said sternly. "NNNNEEEEVVVVEEEERRRR!" Pidge yelled. "You think so huh?" Keith said as he took off his jacket.

Keith sat on the couch and looked at Pidge who glared back. Honestly he couldn't blame her since he did use his own jacket sleeves to tie her up. "Are you tired yet?" He asked. "Ooga booga, someone stole your dick." Pidge answered. "Excuse me?" Keith said. Half of him wanted to laugh, but in this situation she didn't need encouragement. "Sorry for tying you up." He apologized. "Its okay, Pidge still fucking loves you." She said. "Quit cussing." Keith said sternly as Pidge rolled over with her back facing him. He stayed up a little longer to make sure she was asleep. When he was certain she was he was about to get up and untie her, but then he thought better of it and decided to leave her like that just in case she woke up again.

It must have been around five am when Pidge woke up shivering violently even though she had five blankets over her. She looked over at the couch where she could see the dark outline of Keith's side rising and falling peacefully. She tried to get up but couldn't as she realized that her wrists and feet were tied together. What the quiznak is ..? She thought as she awkwardly moved the blankets so she could see what it was. What is..you've got to be kidding me. She thought when she recognized the white stripe that ran down the sleeves. With a violent shiver she started to loosen it enough to where she could maneuver her hands to untie it. Once she was free from the jacket she put it over she shoulders, got back under the blankets and tried to go back to sleep. But she still couldn't stop shivering, and it seemed to get worse every minute. "Keith." Pidge called trying to wake the red paladin. "Keith!" She tried again a little louder this time. Still no response. "OH SHIT!" She suddenly yelled as Keith jolted awake, nearly falling of the couch. "What the fuck was that all about?" Keith demanded as Pidge bit her tongue trying hard not to laugh since she had scared him. "Are you okay?" He asked when he realized that she was shivering. "I'm cold, and I can't seem to stay warm." Pidge explained as a violent shiver wracked her. Keith got up and walked over. "You have five blankets and my jacket." He pointed out. "I know." Pidge answered coldly. "But they're not helping." She whined. "Okay. I know there aren't any more blankets and I can't think of anything else." Keith said as he laid down on the bed. Instantly Pidge climbed into his arms and snuggled close to him. Keith was a little uncomfortable since he'd never laid in the same bed with a girl before. But he wasn't going to scoot slowly away because it was evident that Pidge needed all the extra heat she could get. And before long Pidge fell back asleep and her shivering slowly dying away, and not long after Keith fell back asleep too.