Disclaimer: I don't own Battlestar Galactica or any of the characters used in my story...

The timeline for this would be sometime before the events of the miniseries/show...hope you guys like it!

"So then 'Buck gets the bright idea to drink what's in the flask and pours vinegar in it."

Sharon looked from one to the other. "Vinegar?"

Starbuck grinned, "Oh yeah, Tigh was pissed."

Helo nudged Sharon and she leaned in to listen to him. "Even more pissed 'cause he could never pin it on her."

Sharon laughed and shook her head. "Gods Starbuck, no wonder Tigh hates you so much." She glanced at the clock on the wall and stood up. "As much as I'd love to stay and hear all the other ways Starbuck has tried to drive Tigh crazy, I have to go. I'll see you two later."

Something told Helo not to let her go and before he knew what he was doing; his hand was wrapped around her wrist. "Aw come on Valerii, it isn't past your bedtime just yet."

She gently peeled his fingers off and leaned over to give him a hug from behind. He tilted his head and she gave him a friendly kiss on the cheek. "Maybe, but it's definitely past yours mister." Giving him a final pat on the shoulder she left.

Helo winced as Starbuck sprayed her beer all over him. He watched as she wiped her mouth on the back of her hand and raised his eyebrows. "What?" He knew something was coming and from the look in her eyes it was definitely not good.

"Well frak me." She grinned her typical Starbuck grin and burst out laughing.

He couldn't help but laugh along with her. "I thought we established that no matter how drunk I get, I will never frak you…again." No doubt she would use it as some sort of blackmail. Besides, the last and only time they had ever slept together, they had both concluded that it just felt…wrong.

"Aww, come on Helo, you know you love me."

"For some reason I doubt that, especially when you give me that look." He had known her long enough to figure out that the particular look she was giving him meant she was about to attempt to pry information out of him.

She pushed her bottle aside and leaned over the table. "You, my friend, totally want Sharon."

Honestly he hadn't thought that he had been that obvious. Weeks had gone by with secretly wanting her. The way that she smiled when he talked, the way that she hugged him after a particularly good run. The way that she made him smile. He could tell her anything and he knew that she told him everything. Gods, he felt like he loved her and it scared him. "No I don't. Come on, Sharon?"

Leaning back in her seat Starbuck's eye's glinted. "You know, maybe you're right, I mean…she thinks of you like an older brother. That could be awkward."

This caught his attention. "Does she really?"

Starbuck shrugged. "That's what she told me."

Helo couldn't tell if she was trying to wind him up or if she was serious. "But really, she thinks of me like a brother?"

"Would that bother you?"

"Yes." He blinked, "I mean no."

Clapping a hand over her mouth Starbuck attempted to stifle her laughter, of course it didn't work. She waved a hand, "I'm sorry Karl, really. You so love her."

Pained, Helo tiredly rubbed his face. "If you really must know Kara…yes…yes I love her."

Starbuck sat up straight in her seat and looked him in the eye, all trace of mirth gone. "I won't tell anyone, ever. But you know Karl, she probably left to go see the Chief."

Sighing he stood, grabbing his bottle. "Yeah Kara, I know." Downing the last of it he slammed it down on the table. "I know, but it doesn't change how I feel."

Starbuck watched as Helo walked away. She had to admit that she felt bad for him, but she had a feeling that one day, somehow, Sharon and Helo would end up together.