Don't You Trust me?

The Mall of Space

Haiethil has been compromised.

The previous check-in missed.

After the second time the personal communicator buzzed under her plump pillow Lance sat up. She eagerly read through the direct messages and practically leaped from her bed. She scrolled to the last message from Jarep.

Last Known Location: The Mall of Space.

They were going there today! If only she could conveniently find some possible way to sneak away for a little bit to get a promising lead or something. Anything to assist them in locating Haiethil. Right now her priority was to find the missing agent and her other mission could wait. She carefully slid the communicator into her pocket and moved over to the wall opposite the desk. It was just a blank wall but this wall had a valuable secret about it.

When the Paladins had first been given their private rooms on the Castle of Lions, Lance had instantly looked for a place to hide her precious duffel that carried her missions and gear. She had efficiently managed to carefully pry off an already loose panel. When the panel was removed, she found that it was just the perfect size for the duffel.

Presently she removed that duffel and instantly pulled out a belt that included small pockets on the band around her waist. She removed that duffel and pulled out a belt that included small pockets on the band around her waist. Once she had removed the belt from the duffel, she carefully replaced the panel.

She slipped on her blue baseball tee and jeans. She properly placed the belt around her waist and adequately secured it onto her thigh. Grabbing her green jacket, she wrapped it around her waist covering the belt and keeping it out of sight. She gathered her lovely hair back into a high ponytail and placed a blue bandanna in her hair having it act as a headband. She grabbed her communicator and promptly sent Jarep a final message before heading out the door.

Headed to the last known location. Finding the missing Agent is the priority.

The Castle of Lions landed just outside the city among the company of vaster ships and battle cruisers that had already landed. A hovercraft approached them at the front door of the Castle. It had several seats more than enough to hold the five Paladins, Allura and Coran. The Paladins followed Allura and Coran onto the hovercraft. Once everyone was seated, the hovercraft took off towards a large building in the center of town.

It realistically was a large circular building that was several stories tall. A hovercraft approached them at the front door of the Castle. The hovercraft pulled up to the curb and halted just a few feet from the door.

Coran inserted a few precious coins into the driver's hand, and he took off again back toward the parking lot.

Lance felt her communicator buzz in her pocket and she reached for it. She practically had it pulled out when Hunk seized her arm excitedly and pointed above them. Above them was an enormous food stand that was hovering above the eager crowd. Slowly some plush chairs descended, after landing gently the seats were promptly deserted from the previous occupant and a new one captured its appropriate place. However much she genuinely wanted to sample the delicious food with Hunk she knew she was unable to. She had to keep the mission at the forefront of her mind.

"I'm sorry Hunk but I'm not that hungry right now," she gently patted him on the shoulder and offered him a faint smile.

"That's fine," He smiled contentedly at her, "How about I save some for you later, ok?"

"Sure Hunk," she laughed as she observed him hurry away to get into line. Now that she was alone, she pulled out her communicator. She pulled up the urgent message from Jarep.

"Lance?"

She nearly jumped from her name being spoken right behind her. When she jumped, the communicator flew from her hand up into the air. She looked up and anxiously watched as it landed right in Keith's hand. Shrill alarms immediately going off in her head, she needed to act carefully if she acted panicked she could raise questions.

"Um, Keith? Could I um? Have that back?" He carefully looked from her to the suspicious device and back again.

"Does this have something to do with the odd place you were at two nights ago?" he examined her face as it went from one of calm to sheer panic. He watched impatiently as she took a deep breath and glared fiercely at him.

"That is none of your business," she said harshly through gritted teeth. She glanced nervously behind him to find Allura, Coran, and Shiro all chatting. Pidge was nowhere to be found and Hunk was at the front of the crowd eagerly watching as the chairs descended towards the ground below. She held out her hand in front of her. "Give it back now."

"Why can't you tell me? Aren't we teammates?" Keith inquired. He was motivated to get an answer out of her, all of this sneaking around and secret-keeping had gone on long enough.

"Keith, please just give it back. I couldn't divulge anything even if I wanted to," her eyes were pleading with him, and he finally sighed and handed it back to her. She snatched it from his hands and hastily turned it on.

The enemy has been sighted at the location. Proceed with caution.

Lance looked up and glanced furtively around the pedestrian mall. Aliens with their innocent children shopping in the local stores. A couple of typical teens lounging on the couches. The immense crowd that was gathered around the floating buffet. A few kids were throwing a fit by a ball pit right next to the marked entrance. The same entrance where four big aliens covered in black cloaks, the hoods pulled all the way up completely hiding their faces.

"Oh. My. god." she uneasily watched as they strolled in and naturally made their way through the crowd to the escalator that led to the second floor.

Keith was about to turn around when she forcibly pulled on his sleeve and gently shook her head. He merely looked at her terribly confused as she untied her jacket from around her waist and instantly put it on.

"I'll explain later," she said as she pulled the hood over her head and jerked him towards the escalator.

Two of the cloaked aliens stepped onto the escalator heading down just as they stepped onto the one headed to the second floor. They were looking at everyone very closely. Lance couldn't have herself recognized whether they knew her or not and she had to think rapidly. What makes people look away in any situation? She blushed furiously as the answer came to her. The sole thing that makes people uncomfortable enough to influence them to look elsewhere is a public display of personal affection. As much as she didn't want to do it, she had no other choice. The Aliens were coming closer, and she had a mission to complete. So desperate times demand desperate measures.

Lance grabbed Keith's hand and uttered the words, "Kiss me!"