Authors Note: This is the first fan fiction that I ever wrote and I'm posting it more for the sake of nostalgia than anything else. For thos awaiting anupdate to my current fic 'Jennifer Evans' it's been so long between postings that I've decided to finish the story before postingthe next installment. My apologies for the wait, but I hope youenjoy a little glimpse of how I first started out writing stories. Reviews are always appreciated.
Spoilers- season one
Disclaimers-I don't own these characters, Ron Moore does
Summary- set after KLG 2, Kara is trying to put her life back together after returning from Caprica. AU beyond season one.
Chapter 1
"Well, well what do we have here? The mighty Starbuck back from Caprica and sitting on her ass in Life Station once again."
Kara Thrace spared a death glare in the general direction of XO Paul Tigh before countering with, "Yeah you fight a blonde cylon bitch and we'll see how good you look." A marine guard had escorted her to Life Station after she landed with Helo & Sharon, the former was brought with her to Life Station while the later was shackled and dragged off…hopefully to the brig. She was surprised that Lee was not there, but then again they had not parted on friendly terms. No one spoke to her on deck, not that the marine detail gave them a chance to, but in addition no one seemed surprised by the knowledge that Sharon Valeri was cylon. "I suppose you know about Boomer?"
Tigh's face reigned in a powerful emotion, one that Kara recognized as blind hatred, normally directed at her, but he quickly donned a placid look. "Yes, we know. The Boomer on Galactica was the one tagged to run the nuke drop after your little stunt left us high and dry."
Guilt swelled up like bile but Kara swallowed it back, "I'm surprised the CAG didn't take the job."
"Capt. Adama was under military arrest at that point in time. He was arrested after pointing a gun at my head during a mission to relieve President Roslin from office. The Old Man knew that she played a role in your actions and called for her to step down. Apollo disagreed with the commander's decision and 'followed his instincts.' Roslin gave up shortly after that and Lee was arrested on charges of mutiny."
If not for the gravity of the situation Kara would have laughed outright at the mere thought of Lee as a mutineer, but war has the tendency to simultaneously produce the most unlikely heroes and screw ups. Well that certainly explained his absence on deck. Kara returned to the conversation, "And I take it that Boomer's cylon programming prevented her from blowing up the base star and completing the mission?"
The anger Tigh was repressing suddenly reemerged with a vengeance as he all but spat "On the contrary, she did. In fact she did such a bang up job that the Old Man congratulated her and Racetrack personally in front of all CIC, where she politely accepted his praise then swiftly put two into his chest."
Kara's world just lurched like an FTL jump. She struggled to hold back the nausea to ask "Is he alright?" The words came out at a mere whisper and she held what little breath she had awaiting his answer.
"He survived the surgery but he hasn't regained consciousness. Lee's been at his side whenever he wasn't on duty. I think seeing his father get shot was about the last draw." He was quite for a moment, before continuing in a more official manner "But I'm not here to brief you on the events during your absence Starbuck. Nor do I give a rat's ass about that relic you brought back; you can take that up with the President."
She leveled Tigh with a cocky smile, "I take it that I'll be visiting with her in the brig, sir?"
He looked at her smug expression and knew exactly where she was headed with this. Starbuck thought she was invincible. With too many pilots dead and the remaining majority inexperienced, she was betting on being too valuable to be left in a cell to rot. Well Starbuck was in for the shock of her life and a truly decadent smile graced Tigh's lips. "The President and the CAG have been released from custody, but both are on a short leash. You my dear can converse with President Roslin on Colonial One, and during that talk I suggest you see what other uses she may have for you in the civilian fleet. Lt. Thrace, consider this your notification of dishonorable discharge from the colonial fleet for desertion of post during wartime, theft of military property, and mutiny." He leaned in closer to her and whispered, "Its past due that the crew of Galactica remember that we are each responsible for our own actions, no matter who you are. I had to let Lee and Roslin off the hook, but your discipline record coupled with this latest stunt will serve as a solid example that there are consequences for every decision we make. The almighty Starbuck is not untouchable."
Kara fumed at the obvious pleasure that Tigh was taking in this tirade. The pain of her injuries, the trauma of Caprica, the Commander being shot, Lee hating her for being a slut, and now this! It was all about to overflow and Kara was damned if she was going to have a breakdown in front of Tigh. Instead her frustration mounted until she all but screamed "FRAK OFF and get out."
Tigh's smile dwindled down to a grin before he turned on his heels and walked out of her cubicle.
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After a few hours of troubled and drug induced sleep, Kara woke to find that she had a visitor, though not the one she'd hoped for. Dr. Gaius Baltar was standing with a broad and arrogant smile at her bedside. Frak, she thought. She couldn't deal with this right now. What she needed was to talk to Lee and visit his father, but her knee was preventing her from getting out of bed to do either. Though, now that the pain killers had worked their magic, Kara was considering giving it a try. There was the added bonus of escaping from 'Dr. Worst Mistake of My Life'.
"I heard that you were back and since I'm also under Major Cottle's care, I decided to check up on you." Six placed a firm hand on Gaius' neck and warned him, "Don't make the same mistake twice. She'll only cause you more pain. She's not worth it."
Kara decided the direct and brutally honest approach would be best here, especially since he didn't seem to get the message that she had no interest in him beyond Colonial night. Hell he hadn't even kept her interest that whole evening! "Look Doc, I'm not the best company right now so if you don't mind…" her voice hitched as her gaze was drawn over Baltar's shoulder to the piercing blue of Lee Adam's eyes. His face was stoic, a mask of indifference but his eyes revealed hurt, exhaustion, and anger…definitely anger. FRAK, she thought, this is not going to go well.
Gaius followed her line of sight and his smile vanished into a bitter grimace.
"Sixty seconds, a new record for rejection, wouldn't you say. Definitely a personal best for you Gaius" Six taunted. Yet, her next inquiry was laced with pity and frustration, "She obviously doesn't return your love so why do you continue to let her hurt you?" She traced his jaw with her pinky as she spoke and he saw in her all the things he wanted from Kara but would never have. The promise of unconditional love and acceptance shown from Six's eyes and he could resist the offering no longer. Six smiled broadly and whispered to him, "She needs to suffer for what she's put you through" she cooed. "She used you. Manipulated your emotions and took away your self-respect. With a woman like her" she tilted her head in Kara's direction, "the only way to hurt her is to attack her pride. She runs from her feelings…expose her and you'll reclaim your dignity. Hurt her Gaius and I'll know that you truly love me." He nodded in reply.
During his mental discussion with Six, the room had lapsed into uncomfortable silence, but accusations flew with the speed of each glance.
Gaius locked eyes with Lee and said in his most cordial tone, "Captain Adama, how good of you to join us." His gazed settled back on Kara "Is it alright if I call you Lee? It is Lee, isn't it?" Kara's face seemed to tighten in response to Baltar's question.
"That's fine Mr. Vice President" Lee replied while staring at the doctor in confusion. Although he was addressing Lee he refused to break eye contact with Kara and she seemed to be reciprocating this stare-down. Lee slowly walked to stand on the opposite side of Kara's bed, at which point she finally looked at him. Lords he had missed those eyes! He was about to inquire about her health but was interrupted by Baltar.
"Oh, no need to be so formal, Lee. Not when we're all on such intimate terms."
"Stop it" Kara commanded. She'd pulled her eyes away from Lee to Baltar and her body was shaking with a mixture of apprehension and anger. What the frak was he playing at?
As if channeling her thoughts and emotions, Lee inquired "What the frak is going on here? What did I miss?"
Baltar shrugged nonchalantly and directed his answer to Kara, "Nothing spectacular."
Oh no, he did not! Concussion, cracked ribs, busted-knee be damned Kara was going to kick Gaius Baltar's ass! She was sitting up with her legs hung over the side of the hospital bed before you could blink an eye, but before she could get in a good punch she felt the mattress behind her sag. Lee's strong arms were securely wrapped around Kara's entire torso, preventing her from mounting a successful physical attack. Her voice was steeled with venom as she ground out the name of her prey "Gaius."
Most people would tuck tail and run when Starbuck addressed them in a tone like that, but instead Gaius Baltar did the unimaginable and burst into hysterical laughter. Lee had suspected that the V.P. was out to lunch on several occasions but this was irrefutable proof of dementia. His previous comment was an obvious reference to what transpired between him and Kara on Colonial night. Anger and jealously swirled in Lee's veins and he was sorely tempted to just let Kara go and teach this pompous prick a lesson.
Baltar gasped to regain control of his faculties, and looked at the pair. "Oh come now Lt. Thrace, surely you must see the humor in this situation. I mean you," he failed to suppress a giggle, "in bed, in the Captains' arms, and calling out my name? It's the very pinnacle of irony." He looked Lee Adama straight in the eyes and lamented, "I suppose this makes us even." Gaius promptly walked out into main Life Station leaving a devastated Kara and dumbstruck Lee in his wake.