Title: Half Life - Prologue
Author: Elise/Ringred
Date: 1/10/07
Rating: T/PG-13 for now
Category: AU, Angst, Drama, possibly with some humor mixed in.
Warnings: some language?
Spoilers: Anything that's been aired in the US. Spoiler speculation for future episodes. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
Pairing: I can honestly say I have no idea who the main pairing will end up if I continue this fic. I'm up for suggestions. Lee/Dee are still married. Sam/Jean are also married (or think they are). Helo/Athena are still married.
Disclaimers: Alas, I own nothing...but we all have our dreams.
Summary: Starbuck died tragically over five years ago. The Fleet mourned and moved on with their lives. What happens when the lost daughter is returned to the Fleet? Will she ever find herself again? Is there anywhere she belongs?

Note: I really did not want to write this fic. I wanted to wait out the end of the season or maybe get that spark of inspiration to finish another unfinished fic I've been working on. But this fic just would not leave me alone. The current spoiler speculation surrounding Starbuck is driving me crazy.

Am I worried they'll really kill off Starbuck for good? Not really. I hope they're not that stupid and if they do then I'll just stop watching the show. Period.

My biggest concern, my worst nightmare, is that the whole Fleet will think Starbuck is dead and then they'll just sweep it under the rug and move on. My worst fear is that Lee and Sam and the Admiral will just go on with their lives and it will be like Starbuck never existed.

That is where this idea came from. What if the Fleet thought Starbuck was dead and they grieved and moved on with their lives? What if Starbuck came back but she didn't really have a place anymore? Dee stood by Lee while he grieved for Kara and they are still married five years later. Jean comforted Sam and they ended up falling in love and getting married. There's a new Top Gun and most of the pilots don't even know who Starbuck is. Would she be able to find herself a place in this new version of Galactica?

This fic looks to be darker than anything I've written before. I'm extremely unsure of it. I am usually die-hard Lee/Kara but in this fic I have no idea who Kara will end up with if anyone. She could end up with Lee, she could end up with Hotdog, she could end up with an original character, or she could just be working toward finding inner peace and not end up with anyone.

I'm really not sure if I should continue working with this idea or not. I would appreciate any feedback that you could send my way. Should I keep this going? Please let me know what you think.

Here goes…

Five years, two months, six days…

She knew it was time. She had foreseen the path before her. She withstood the trial and the tempest. The lost daughter, the chosen one, would return to the pilgrims. The false ones would stand denied and the gods would rejoice as their plans bore fruit. So say we all.

"We will not allow this!" Seven, the trickster, both cunning and wise. He swam through the streams of destiny and yet fought against the current. He saw much and yet could not see. His quest had been doomed to failure from the very beginning. It was not his place to question the will of the gods.

"It has been decided." Six, the mistress, torn by love and loyalty. A heart left torn and bleeding turns cold and bitter with time. She clung to faith for it was all that remained. "It is god's will that we find Earth. The Eye is the key. We were foolish to let it slip through our fingers years ago. We cannot let this opportunity pass us by again. We will offer them their lost daughter in exchange for the Eye."

"She is the chosen one! She sees the Five!"

"She sees nothing. She says nothing." Eleven, the realist, who worships facts and logic. "You Sevens have had the human for five years and she's told you nothing. You broke her time and again. If the information were there she would have given it. No human can withstand such relentless determination. They are weak and selfish beings by nature. She would have sold her soul by now to gain relief from her plight."

"It is her destiny!"

"She is not the one. We were misled. Accept our mistake and move on, Seven." Five, the worker, steady and reliable. "Your objection is noted. You are outvoted and overruled. The proposal will be made."

The voices faded and the corner of her lips tilted up. Momma was right. Suffering was good for the soul.

End of Prologue, but Chapter One should be next door!

Note: For anyone who got confused Model 7 is Leoben, Model 5 is Doral, Model 11 is Cavil, and Model 6 is, of course, Six.