Lose A Little, Gain Plenty

by Ioanne

Pairing: Kara / Lee, my favourite couple and my inspiration

Summary: Lee has a lot to think about, and a lot to learn about himself, Kara makes a decision of her own and William Adama of course already knows everything

Spoilers: Set after Kobol's Last Gleaming Part I. Starbuck has just left, this is my version of Lee's reaction after he gets back to Galactica

Disclaimer: Battlestar Galactica belongs to it's creators

Feedback: would be nice, thank you

1

"What the frak did she think she was doing? When I specifically told her that I can't afford to lose any of my pilots! And what was the President thinking sending my best pilot on a suicide mission? Why doesn't anybody feel the need to fill me in with these kinds of plans which concerns my pilots?" Lee was shouting in anger in the commander's quarters after his return to Galactica.

William Adama was watching his son trying to reign in his anger. He knew Lee was mad that Kara took off but there seemed to be something else in this too. He saw fear and hurt in Lee's eyes.

"What's going on? Why are you so furious?"

"Why? Why? She should have told me, that's why! I'm the CAG, I should know if she plans on bailing out on me. I should have known if she had some secret mission", Lee cried.

"Would you have let her go if she had told you beforehand?"

"No! I needed her here so of course I wouldn't have let her go!"

"Well, at least now you know why she didn't tell you. Look, I'm not trying to justify her actions but the reality is that she's gone with the raider and we have to make a new plan as soon as possible. She might be out of this fight but we aren't so get your head back together. We have an attack to plan."

"But she didn't even….", Lee paused and looked down at his hands. He knew he was acting childish. He needed to find reasons for his father why he felt so much anger and hurt burning inside him because he was sure that it was showing like a radiant heat wave around him. He wasn't going to tell his father the truth that he and Kara had had an ugly fight earlier and what the fight had been all about. He was sure his father wouldn't understand why he felt so hurt and betrayed because he sure didn't understand it himself. Back then at the hangar bay it had been very clear to him why he had felt he had the right to be very angry. Crystal clear. He just needed to find that clear place again, it seemed to have disappeared somewhere in the last few hours.

"Say goodbye? Kara's not one for saying goodbyes, is she? Besides, I don't think you have to worry, she'll be back. She's a survivor and she always finds her way back home."

Lee wasn't feeling very assured yet.

"Still, if something happens and there'll be nobody to..."

"She'll be fine, she's that stubborn."

William Adama had an idea what the real problem here was. He had heard the rumor mill talking about a confrontation between his son and Kara concerning a certain Vice President. His son was jealous and he had no idea how to handle the feeling. If he guessed correctly Lee had confronted Kara by shouting at her and pulling rank because that's how he could try to keep in control. Of course the shouting and anger only showed how much he cared but then again knowing Kara she had probably tried to show that she couldn't care less.

Lee looked sharply at his father hearing the slight amusement in his voice not knowing what to make of it.

"Yeah, well she's stubborn alright, I'll give you that. I just don't know if I can ever trust her again" Lee said feeling the sadness from that statement starting to crawl inside his heart.

"Look, I suggest you sort it out why you are this upset and I recommend you do it fast because we have a situation on and I need you sane and concentrated. Just remember son, you need to let yourself lose that control of yours a little and the answer will be right there in front of you. Now take a break and be back in CIC in half an hour with a clear head." Adama escorted his son to the door and with a pat on his back sent him on his way to do some thinking. He himself had some discussing to do with the President.