Author's Notes: Ok so this is the last chapter of part one. The name of part two is at the bottom of this chapter. I've said it before, but thank you to all who have read my story. I had a blast writing it.

Chapter 6: Sleepy Hero In Rare Occurrence

It had been a long quintant. The Paladins had just freed a bunch of prisoners, so Maz was in the med bay helping Simac. All of the healing pods were being used by those with the worst injuries. There were still about 10 refugees that needed medical attention. Simac and the medical team took the more serious injuries while Maz took care of small scrapes and burns. During the many vargas helping, she caught movement of four tiny creatures scurrying about the room. It seemed odd, but Maz didn't give it much thought.

Instead, thoughts of her home planet filled her mind. Seeing so many refugees at once always brought the buried sadness to the surface. Dinner had passed by the time all of the refugees had been taken care of. Despite being exhausted, Maz was not going to sleep that night. She knew what nightmare would greet her. So, she headed towards the only place she could be alone with a bowl of goo in her hands. Maz entered her lab not knowing what to work on next.

Any distraction would be welcoming, but Maz was having a hard time focusing. An idea would probably come while she ate so she pulled out a chair and froze. Two boxes occupied the chair. Both had notes resting on top. She picked up the larger box and opened the note.

Maz,

We wanted to thank you for helping us out a while back. You really

have many impressive talents. Keith told me that you were training

with a staff. This is our gift to you. Feel free to make any modifications.

Thanks again.

Hunk & Pidge

Maz stared at the words. It took a few dobashes to completely absorb the information. Shaking her head, she opened the box to reveal a one-foot long metal rod. Nothing about it seemed special, until she lifted it out of the box. The smooth white surface shone in the artificial light. Maz turned it over to reveal a small button no bigger than her thumb. Curiosity over-shadowed any fear of what the button would. With slight hesitation, she pressed it. Immediately, the rod expanded into a staff similar to the one she uses in training. The weight and balance of the weapon was even the same. Maz pressed the button again and the staff collapsed back to its original form. Maz smiled as she found a way to hook it to the back of her belt. The weight of carrying the weapon would take some getting used to, just like the blaster that's now always strapped to her thigh.

She reminded herself to thank the Paladins as the second box drew her attention. It was no bigger than the palm of her hand. The note was written in the most elegant handwriting Maz had ever seen.

Greetings Maz,

The Paladins have been telling me about your incredible progress in

your many fields of study. I know you have been asking questions on

why you are receiving such attention. Everything will be revealed in

due time. For now, keep this on you at all times. The Paladins know

nothing about this, but I have a feeling they'll will need you.

Princess Allura

It frightened Maz. She wanted to help in the fight against the empire, but was she ready? Maz doubted the Paladins would ever need her help, but…. if the princess wanted this then she really couldn't say no.

Inside the box was a small white device. It was the same thing she saw in Lance's ear her second quintant of training. She placed the communicator in her ear and it immediately hummed to life. Nothing came through so Maz figured she would be called when needed. After fixing her hair to hide the device, Maz headed towards the secondary training room to test out her new staff and to go through her busy thoughts.

"I'll stay until I get things sorted," she thought.

It was a long night.

Nothing. For four movements there was nothing.

The ear piece was silent since Maz received it. Part of Maz believed the whole thing was a prank. Only the possibility of it being true kept Maz from disregarding it. She wanted to ask Lance and Keith about it, but the Princess's note suggested that wouldn't be a good idea.

Late one night (more accurately what is considered night on the ship), Maz was sitting in a hallway next to one of the few outside windows of the ship. She contemplated whether or not to mess with the device. Twisting it between her fingers, studying it, quickly deducing the outside didn't show much. Instead she memorized every seam and curve.

Sighing, Maz looked out into the vastness of space. So many stars and planets, yet none would ever be like her home. A tear raced down her check as exhaustion started to take over. Her eyes half closing. This was going to be rough night.

"You should get to bed."

Maz turned to the deep voice, suddenly wide awake, hand instinctively reaching for her staff hooked to her belt.

She noticed three things right away. A shock of white hair floating in front of a forehead. A scar across the bridge of a nose. A gray, cyber prosthetic in place of a right arm.

The man noticed Maz's movement and raised is hands, taking a step back. She relaxed immediately, releasing the staff. "Sorry. I didn't mean…"

"No, it's my fault. I assumed you heard me coming." He interrupted. He lowered his hands. "Mind if I join you?"

She nodded and he obliged, leaning against the smooth wall. Maz let her gaze wander back to the window. They sat in comfortable silence for a few doboshes. The man broke the silence. "It's so mind blowing how many galaxies can be seen through such a small window."

"It's pretty crazy. Makes you feel like a speck of dust."

The man looked at her with soft, gray eyes. "Yeah, but even dust settles sometimes. Everything in the universe needs rest. Even you."

"You can't really judge someone for being up in the middle of the night when you are too," she countered.

He chuckled. "Can't argue with that." He paused, a look of worry flashing across his face. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Maz didn't think she was being that obvious. Staying up to avoid nightmares wasn't something she did often, but enough to make her constantly tired. Of course, she wanted to talk about it. And to be honest, Maz didn't know how to describe what was going on. Instead of trying, she stayed silent.

"It's okay if you don't want to," he said, noticing her hesitation. "I've learned it helps to find one person who will listen. Lifts some of the burden, I guess."

"And you've found your person." It was more of a statement than a question. Maz might have been exhausted, but she was still able to process information.

A small smile graced the man's features as his eye grew momentarily distant. "Yeah. It's Allura. Who knew being a diplomat made someone such a great listener?"

Maz laughed. But then it hit her what exactly he just revealed. She slowly turned to him, eyes wide. "Wait, Princess Allura?"

"The one and only," he confirmed.

"So, you… you're…uh…"

"A Paladin?" He showed no signs of uneasiness. No signs he said something he shouldn't have. The trust the man was displaying was incomprehensible.

Maz nodded in response.

"Guess I've been caught, huh?" The joke did nothing to curve Maz's surprise.

It was pretty easy to do the math. Lance and Keith were Red and Blue. Pidge was Green and Hunk was Yellow. That left only one lion.

"The Black Paladin," she whispered.

The Paladin narrowed his eyes. Obviously, he didn't think she knew his specific color. "What gave you that idea?"

Well, there's no turning back now. Maz opened her hand, revealing the white communicator. He looked at the device with a confused look before removing his own from his ear. He compared the black piece with Maz's.

"The Princess gave it to me about four movements ago," she explained.

His eyebrows raised in realization. "You're Maz. Allura and the others told me about you."

Maz blushed. "Didn't realize I was a topic of conversation."

"Oh, no. It's nothing like that," he stammered. "Keith has been telling us non-stop how well you're progressing with training and he rarely gives compliments. All though Pidge seemed disappointed that you haven't contacted her yet."

"I didn't want to bother."

"I can understand that."

The silence returned. The pair enjoying the star's company.

"Hey," he whispered. "If you think this view is cool, you haven't seen anything yet." The Paladin stood and offered his gloved hand. Maz took it and they walked to the Security Doors. As the pair walked down the corridor, Coran turned the corner.

"Oh, hello Shiro. Hello Maz. Late night walk, hm?"

"Hey Coran. Yeah, just talking." Shiro said.

"Don't stay up too late," the Altean advised. He quickly disappeared through a door.

Shiro started laughing. "You know, I'm pretty sure he sleeps less than I do."

Maz decided not to push for an explanation. The Paladin stopped in front of a very large door and turned to Maz. "You ready for the best view on the ship?"

"Yeah, sure." She didn't really know what to say at this point.

The doors opened and Maz had to remind herself to breathe. The room was circular with a blue crystal hanging from the ceiling. A platform graced the center of the floor with two chairs on either side. A fifth chair was located at the front with a control panel. Floor-to-ceiling windows covered most of the walls offering a view like no other. Thousands of dots spread across the endless black background.

Maz found herself drifting to the window and sitting down. Shiro soon followed.

She could've stayed there for the rest of her life, given the chance. The comfortable silence acted like a personal particle barrier, keeping everything unwanted far away.

Drowsiness was creeping in like a shadow. Her eyes were almost half closed when a hand was placed on her shoulder.

"Let's get you to bed," he softly suggested.

Maz nodded and slowly stood. Taking one last look into the darkness, the pair walked back to Maz's room. Shiro wished her a good night and left with silent footsteps. Did she thank him? She'd have to remember that next time they met. Well, that was a big if, but she'd try anyways. Especially since that night offered the best sleep Maz had in a long time.

Part 2 Minds Melding (couldn't get a link to work, sorry.)