Echoes of the past- Set post Miniseries. Bill Adama is stunned to find out their is more than one reason why Lee is angry with him.
The cause of this anger will lead them both to examine a strange incident that happened about lee's former Battlestar. Is there any link between this incident and the subsequent war with the Cylons. Characters Lee Adama, Bill Adama, Starbuck etc
Chapter 1- The commander knew all about it.....
He rubbed a tired hand over his eyes and looked at the mountain of work sitting on his desk. This work was all his responsibility as CAG. Opening his desk to get out a pen Lee saw a lighter nestled in the drawer. Suddenly he had to urge to set the mound of paperwork alight. Being a CAG was a job he'd never asked for and being on Galactica was a posting he'd never wanted.
But war with the Cylons had changed everything and he was trapped here, trying to make the best of this situation.
Hearing a slight rustling sound Lee looked up to see Kara looking at him with a trace of mischief on her face. Lee wasn't in the mood for any thing from Starbuck right now so snapped, "can't you see I'm busy". Kara approached and sat right on top of the mound of paperwork, ignoring Lees attitude she remarked "I just came to ask you to join our game of pyramid." Lee rolled his eyes, "how can I", he stated with just a hint of jealousy. Kaka leaned forward, "it is important that the other pilots get to know their CAG. This is one way to do that."
Lee looked into her eyes and saw the ghost of his dead brother, quickly he looked away. "I have so muck work to do Kara. If I don't get this stuff done I have Tigh on my case. Then Tigh will report to the Commander and we'll have words."
Kara looked sympathetic, "I know it's difficult Lee but if you don't make time to get to know your fellow pilots they'll just view you as.." Starbuck stopped because Lee was glaring at her . "As what", Lee demanded angrily. "Well as daddy's boy. It is a bit scary for them that their new CAG is related to the commander. They might feel you are going to report any minor discretion to your father", Kara said soberly.
Lee shook his head, "I can't win can I, he grumped. The commander and I hardly even talk as father and son and still everyone thinks I'm going to run to him every time there's trouble."
Kara leaned forward, "I thought you'd mended some of your differences", she mused. Lee sighed loudly, "oh he gave me the I'm glad your not dead hug and for a minute I forgot that I was angry with him", he told Kara.
Now she looked angry, "Lee you are not only hurting him every time you bring up Zacs accident ,you are hurting me as well". Lee saw the hint of tears in her eyes. Without thinking about it he reached forward and placed his hand on hers.
"I wasn't really thinking about Zac', he said gently. "There was a time when I really needed him and he wasn't there for me. But now I'm forced to be there for him, to work on his ship and follow his orders. I'd rather be anywhere else but have no choice.'
Kara could hear the bitterness in his voice and reflected that the gap between Lee and his father might be wider and harder to bridge than she thought.
"Maybe he had a good reason for not being there for you", she ventured. Lees eyes flashed making her step back slightly, "he didn't care Kara", Lee responded
Kara frowned, "what exactly are you talking about', she asked curiously. Lee looked away from her, "it doesn't matter now", he replied. Kara sighed, "if it doesn't matter Lee then you shouldn't be angry. Tell me what he did". There was a long silence and Kara had the distinct feeling she was not going to get an answer. Lee could be as stubborn as a mule. "Fine, I guess you'll just have to brood about it a bit longer", she snapped at him. Lee have her this glare that would have scared off a nugget but did nothing to frighten her. "I am not brooding", he stated through clenched teeth.
"Yeah right", Starbuck countered. Now Lee looked angry, 'you really have no respect for senior staff", he growled. Kara moved closer, 'not when they act like idiots", she said calmly. Lee stood up slowly, "get out", he insisted rubbing his back.
Kara stood her ground for a minute longer, "get out", yelled Lee.
Starbuck studied him then turned and walked away head held high.
Lee sighed heavily again rubbing his sore back as he sunk back down in his chair.
"That went well', he said ironically to himself as he pulled another file close.
Hours later he was walking toward the sleeping quarters feeling so tired that he could have just fallen asleep in the corridor. He hoped none of the other pilots were snoring loudly tonight. He'd just about reached the hatch when a medical technician interrupted him "ah there you are Captain Adama. Doctor Cottle wanted me to find you and ask you to come to the medical bay for your physical exam". Lee stared at the man, "what physical exam", he asked. "Well sir since your ummm posting here was kind of unexpected and we cannot request your medical records from the fleet the doctors need some base line data about your physical condition. "
Lee looked at the man, "Well I'm not going now", he remarked rather gruffly, "I need to get some rack time." The med tech restrained a sigh, "it is important Captain. Not having medical data may affect our ability to treat you if you are injured."
Lee nodded, "alright, I'll come by tomorrow", he told the man.
The med tech seemed satisfied with that answer and moved away.
Lee finally opened the hatch to the sleeping quarters and thankfully noted that nobody was snoring. He barely stripped off his clothes before falling asleep on his bunk.
He awoke feeling only slightly refreshed. Stumbling down the corridor to the showers he let the warm water wash over him.
Feeling more alert he made his way to the hangar deck to begin his patrol with Starbuck.
After launching Lee relaxed in the seat of his viper. He liked space, it was a place you could think and it generally didn't talk back, unless there were Cylons up here. Lee kept a watch full eye while only partially listening to Kara's inane chatter.
After a while he got a little stiff sitting in his cockpit so changed position. That caused his back to spasm and he had to suppress a yelp of pain. Breathing in a few times helped lessen the spasm and he began to relax again.
Lee banked and looked over at the Galactica. She looked so old, it was so amazing she'd survived. Thinking of the Galactica made Lee think briefly of the Atlantia , his former battlestar home. It was a place he'd had many friends who didn't see him as Lee Adama the Commanders son. He missed them all.
Landing again on the deck Lee watched as Kara leapt down from her viper and approached him. "Come on fly boy, get out of there and we'll go play some pyramid".
Lee slowly exited his own viper and walked sedately out of the hangar. It wasn't until he got to the corridor that he stopped to rub his back.
"Sore muscles", queried Kara stopping to look back at him. "Yes", Lee agreed.
Well here", Kara moved in close and began to rub his back. Lee allowed himself to rest against the wall while Kara continued her massage. "It'd feel better if I touched your skin", Kara remarked as she began to lift his shirt. She jumped seconds later as Lee took her hands and pulled them away. "Stop that Kara", he hissed, all relaxation gone. Kara looked frankly astonished pulling away from him rapidly. "Hey it was just a friendly rub, don't get all uptight". She shook her head and stalked in front of him.
Lee restrained a sigh and followed behind.
Upon reaching his quarters Lee found the same med tech waiting for him. "Captain, Doctor Cottle wants to see you now", he stated forcefully. Lee ignored the attitude, "later", he said. "No now Captain. Every time you're out on patrol you run the risk of injury. We need your base line data. Now if you don't want to come now I could ask Colonel Tigh to schedule a visit for you", the med tech said firmly. Lee knew a threat when he heard one. But he didn't really want the Colonel notified. "Alright", he agreed.
At Med bay he met the cigar smoking Doc Cottle. "So we have yet another stubborn Adama", the doc grunted. "Well your attitude won't work with me son, now strip down to your underwear for your exam.'
Lee made no move to start stripping. Cottle looked at him with a slight smirk, "are you shy Captain", he goaded. "That would definitely be a first where a pilot is concerned". Lee bit his lip and slowly began to unbutton his shirt. Soon he was sitting on the bed with nothing on but his boxer shorts .Doc Cottle looked him up and down professionally as he began to walk slowly around the bed. "Well everything looks fine but we'll take your blood pressure, some blood samples then we'll…." He stopped talking as he reached Lee's back.
Lee closed his eyes briefly, knowing exactly what the Doctor was looking at; he waited tensely for a comment to come. "What the heck is this Captain", doctor Cottle was looking at the wide dressing that covered Lees lower back. "Nobody mentioned you had an existing injury", Doc Cottle stated angrily as he carefully pulled the dressing away. What he saw was a wide scar with sutures still present. From a close look at the scar he noted it was even, indicating the likelihood it was caused by surgery. "Yeah well I guessed the Commander would not say anything", Lee remarked scornfully. "He knows about this", Cottle remarked his own voice sounding angry. "I'm not even sure you should be up in that damn ship flying about Captain.'
Lee shrugged, "there's a war on Doctor and every pilot is needed, even ones who had surgery awhile ago", he stated with a hint of scorn. The doc was probing the scar, "well I'll need to know exactly what you had surgery for Captain".
He pressed on a spot on the scar and Lee jumped. "Hmm, seems like it's still sensitive, Captain I'll want to…" Cottle didn't get a chance to finish his sentence because the klaxon went off and the Commanders voice boomed "all pilots to their vipers". Lee leapt off the bed and grabbed his clothes, "you can ask my father what happened", he shouted back to Cottle as he ran.
Cottle watched him go in amazement. Obviously the Commander had cleared him for flight status. But Cottle still felt like he should have been consulted.
With a determined stride he headed for the bridge intent on talking to the commander.
He had to wait while they all rushed around as the vipers engaged with some stray cylons fighters.
It was over quickly and the order given to return to the Galactica. "Maybe we should jump to be on the safe side", Commander Adama was saying to Tigh.
Tigh seemed to agree. The Doc stepped forward quickly hoping to snatch a minute.
"I need to talk to you Commander", Doc insisted. Adam raised his eyebrows at the tone. "Can't it wait Doctor", he asked. "No, it can't", Doc informed him firmly.
Commander Adama turned his blue eyed gaze on the Doctor, 'so what is it", he inquired. "It is about Captain Adama, you've obviously given him clearance to fly.
But I still need to know about why he has had surgery recently".
Commander Adama stood still his eyes wide and shocked. Doctor Cottle looked at his reaction and made the determination that the Commander had no idea what he was talking about.