Keith felt a calm warmth spread through him, a bit like when Shiro's family officially adopted him. "Can I get you anything?"

Keith shook his head again, not wanting anything, "No. Thanks though." Katie smiled happily to be free and she talked to Keith. They talked for a good long while before Keith went under again. Katie took a deep breath and decided to play a game of solitaire with the cards. Shiro came in later that afternoon, "How is he?"

"He is doing pretty good. I told him I was Katie and he smiled. Then he seemed surprised I considered us friends."

Shiro smiled, "I thought that would throw him for a loop." He sat down on the edge of the bed, "Did he eat or drink anything?" She shook her head, "Didn't want anything." Shiro frowned, "That's not good, I don't think."

"We need to make him eat. His body needs nutrients." Shiro nodded, "Next time he wakes up we'll have him eat." Katie nodded and then bit her cheek, "He wanted me to promise something..."

Shiro looked back at her from where he was regarding Keith, "Promise what?"

"I don't know but he started by saying, 'If I don't get better..." but I cut him off before he could finish. I don't want him thinking like that. And... he asked about you." Shiro leaned back a touch in shock, 'Does Keith really think that he won't make it?' He looked down at Keith, who looked pained, even in his slumber, "He asked about me?"

Katie nodded, "Yeah. He wanted to know how you were."

Shiro sighed, a rueful smile on his face, "He's too weak to even stay awake more than a couple hours and I'm the one he worries about?"

"Yeah. You know this already but he really cares for you. Have you checked in on the scan?" Shiro nodded, "They've scanned six more planets so far, but none of them have what we need." They both frowned at this, "Well, we can do what we can here and whatever they need help with I guess."

Shiro nodded, "Thanks for watching Keith today, I needed the break. But you should get going. Hunk saved some dinner for you." Katie nodded and smiled, "Alright Shiro. My pleasure but I will be back tomorrow at some point. Okay?" She stood and went over to him.

"Okay." Shiro gave her a brief hug, feeling they both needed the comfort. "I don't like hearing him talk like that Shiro." She confessed and released the hug. "Neither do I Katie. Neither do I."

Katie let out a breath and nodded before leaving. Shiro settled down at the end of the bed to watch Keith, pondering over Keith's words to Katie.

'He will get through it. He will'

Shiro repeated that phrase to himself over and over again throughout the night as sleep evaded him. He watched Keith intently but Keith didn't wake. It wasn't until past the next morning that Keith's eyes slid open once again.

Shiro was dozing lightly in the chair next to the bed. Keith stared blankly at Shiro, wanting to say something but not having the strength to do more than breathe in and out. And even that was difficult. Instead he rapped on the bed, making Shiro awaken more, "Hm? Oh, you are awake." Keith nodded weakly, his eyes slightly glazed over with a look of illness. Shiro's face paled at how sick Keith was and Shiro moved closer, "Can you talk? At all?"

Keith opened his mouth, a hoarse whisper wheezing out, "N-Not really..."

'Oh no.' Shiro thought and he brushed back Keith's hair, "You might need water and food."

Keith nodded again, though thinking he didn't have the strength to eat. He wasn't sure when he had started feeling so bad, but at the moment he felt worse than the time he got sick and broke his arm in the desert and had to set it himself. "I can get Katie to bring food. Not much but enough." Shiro reached for the communication device. Keith closed his eyes partway, waiting for Shiro or was he waiting for Katie? He wasn't sure. Hunk? No, that wasn't right.

"Ah ah aaa, do not close those eyes. It takes too much to wake you up." Shiro admonished and soon Katie appeared with food. Keith made a small noise and opened his eyes again, refusing to admit to himself how much of a struggle such a simple task had become.

"Hiya Keith." Katie smiled brightly and gave Shiro the tray, "Here is what you asked for." Keith's lips twitched a bit for Katie, but not enough for a real smile.

"Can you talk?"

Keith shook his head the tiniest bit. "Oh no" she frowned, "Well, we have food for you!" Keith tried to smile a little for her in thanks. Both Shiro and Katie looked at the food on the tray to figure what is best to start with, "I asked Hunk to make something familiar." Shiro smiled, grabbing what looked like a muffin of sorts off the tray, "Thanks Pidge." She nodded solemnly, bummed for Keith.

Keith drifted as the two had this side conversation. "Keith? Ready to eat?" Shiro asked gently and passed the muffin in front off Keith's eyes. Keith came back into focus and nodded, trying to struggle into a sitting position. Once again Katie helped him sit up and supported him there and Shiro began breaking off bits of muffin for Keith. Keith opened his mouth and slowly chewed the small bits of muffin. Shiro smiled that Keith was going along with this without putting up a fight.

After about a fifth of the muffin, Keith shook his head. Shiro frowned a little, "One more small bite Keith?" Keith frowned, looking back at Shiro, hesitating. Shiro showed him how small the bite was. Not as big as the others he had fed Keith. Keith parted his lips with a small sigh and nodded weakly. Shiro smiled and gave him the small piece. Keith barely managed to chew and swallow it. "Good job buddy. We will try more later." Shiro brushed Keith's bangs back comfortably. Keith nodded and closed his eyes.

"Should I lay him back down Shiro?" Katie asked beginning to move. Shiro shook his head, "Not yet. He needs to drink some water first."

She nodded and stayed where she was. Shiro gently patted Keith's shoulder to wake him up again with the water pouch in his hand. Keith blinked his eyes open, but frowned at the sight of the pouch. He shook his head. Shiro nodded, "Keith, you need to stay hydrated. Come on."

Keith rolled his head to the side listlessly. "Just until you can't take anymore." Shiro tried to coax Keith but Keith didn't move. He kept his mouth shut and refused to turn towards Shiro.

"Just try Keith. Don't make it too hard on us or yourself." Katie piped up and patted his shoulder. Keith pinched his eyebrows together and nodded reluctantly. Katie smiled a little and helped Shiro as best she could. Keith opened his mouth and sucked on the straw slowly. Shiro smiled a little and helped him finish as much as he could. Keith pulled back after a few sips, breathing harshly. He shook his head shakily.

"Okay, all done for now." Shiro pulled the pouch back. Keith went limp in Katie's arms, not asleep, but completely spent. "Poor Keith, he is so spent." Shiro sighed. Katie nodded, tenderly brushing Keith's hair out of his face.

"I wish there was more I could do for him." Shiro raked a hand through the shock of white hair, stressed. A small disapproving noise came from Keith as he struggled to keep his eyes open and glared at him. "What? Is it wrong for me to hope that Keith?" Shiro frowned at the noise. Keith made a gesture with his hand, meaning Shiro shouldn't stress so much, but it just looked like a few fingers wiggling.

"Keith... how can I not be stressed? Now you are bedridden."

Keith made a face for a split second, but didn't really have an argument.

"Exactly Keith. I don't know what to do now. And.... how will I know you will listen?"

Keith blinked slowly at Shiro as his words started to mix together, sounding muffled and slurred like he was underwater. Suddenly a rushing sound like an intense wide filled his ears and he blacked out.

"Keith? Keith?!" Shiro shook him slightly.