I do not own the characters.

After the joint operation and the aborted secret mission, Captain Kara "Starbuck" Thrace sighed with relief. She was waiting at the BattleStar Pegasus, Command In Control (CIC). She wanted nothing better than to get off the Pegasus and see how Lee was doing. Admiral Helena Cain was proud how her Commander Air Group (CAG) had conducted herself professionally, the mission had been very successful.

"I am really proud of you. Tomorrow, let's start planning for the rescue mission for the survivors back at the Colonies," stated Cain. "You should go celebrate, you've earned it."

"Thank you Sir," Starbuck responded.

Starbuck quietly sighed in relief and quickly made a beeline, jogging to the hangar deck. She felt freer when she boarded a viper and headed towards Galactica. She needed to see and talk to someone; that person was Lee.

Cain was very pleased how the operations of the mission went despite the different command styles. Both ships had worked together and fought against the Cylons winning a major battle. However, a certain detail nagged at her; the unfinished business of the two men from the BattleStar Galactica charged with murder of one her officers. The dispute had almost escalated to a shooting war. Then there was Gina, she didn't want to deal with that. She blotted her out of mind.

Picking up the receiver, "Give me Galactica Actual," commanded Cain.

She wrestled what she said next.

"Bill, I've decided to cancel the orders of execution but instead conduct a military trial with civilian oversight."

"Admiral, thank you for reconsidering … that's a wise decision," said Adama. "I have the President; she would like to speak to you."

* * *

Starbuck was walking fast in Galactica's corridor when she bumped into Kat. She pulled Starbuck aside.

"Have you heard?"

Starbuck growled, "Not now I . . ."

She ignored Starbuck's surly behavior. "The Quorum had a meeting; Commander Adama has been promoted to Fleet Admiral."

"What the frak are you talking about?"

"The Quorum voted on it and the President approved the promotion," added Kat.

Starbuck was pleased but then looked concern. She just realized if Adama becomes in charge she would never be able to go ahead with the rescue mission. Cain was the only one who shown interest in the plan. Earlier Cain had encouraged her to start planning the mission. She was her champion. Starbuck recalled the meeting she had with Adama and the President, and how she failed to convince them. She suddenly felt queasy.

"What's wrong?" asked Kat.

"I'm alright, I'm just exhausted," lied Starbuck.

* * *

"You must be joking," replied Cain as she shook her head in disbelief.

"I assure you I'm not," replied President Laura Roslyn.

"I'm not amused," said Cain as her expression changed, she looked shocked. "Madame President, I'd to like to see the official document," said Cain, tersely.

"I am sending my aide over with the document."

Roslyn knew full well that Cain would want proof; she had already given Billy the sealed document to deliver to her.

"And before you hang up on me – your presence is required on Colonial One," ordered Roslyn.

Cain bristled and clenched the phone; she was about wrench it from the socket. She was appalled. Frak this can't be happening thought Cain after she hung up. Of all the things that could happen today, this had to happen. She was starting to feel tense and her temples were beginning to throb.

Cain wanted to hit something or else explode. Instead, she held her hands outstretched on the command console while waiting patiently. Where the hell is this aide? She tried to relax by breathing slowly but the longer she waited the more she seethed. Her staff at CIC could see the Admiral was in a sour mood and gave her some space.

* * *

On the Galactica officer quarters, Starbuck arrived where Lee was recovering but stayed back when she noticed someone was already talking to him. She listened to the ongoing conversation while remaining hidden.

"Lee don't worry we're all safe now," consoled Dualla. "Admiral Adama is in charge now."

"When did this happen?" asked Lee.

"Apparently, the Quorum held an emergency meeting this morning, they voted on making your father Fleet Admiral. The President approved and signed the measure," stated Dualla. "I think they were nervous about Admiral Cain."

"Phew, we're all better off," agreed Lee. "I hope my dad can work with her?"

"I hope so too."

"You watch, things are going to be better, Dee. I wish I could party right now but the doctor says I should take it easy. Anyways, shouldn't you be having fun with Billy?" asked Lee.

"I don't love him anymore," blurted Dualla.

"What happened? Did he do something to you?"

"He feels like a brother to me and it didn't feel right," declared Dualla. "I don't love him the way I feel about you. I love you Lee."

"Oh! Dee, I never knew you felt this way," whispered Lee as he held Dualla's hands.

Dualla cradled Lee's hands in hers.

"Come closer and let me show you how I feel," said Lee as he sat up and kissed Dee.

Starbuck hung her head and slipped out. Why couldn't she have said that? She had imagined saying those same words. Yet those words never seem to surface and she had so many chances. Instead she always ended up arguing and fighting with Lee. Defeated Starbuck left; she wanted to get drunk.

Starbuck wasn't interested in going to the makeshift still and hanging around the joyous partygoers. She would probably start a fist fight. Starbuck heard the Pegasus's galley had better liquor and she could be alone. Good hard liquor . . . if one knew how to find it.

* * *

It had been awhile since Admiral Cain had to stand tall and say "Sir" in front of a superior officer. Having the President present at the same time did not help matters either. Roslyn had ordered a meeting at Colonial One and Cain mustered all her strength to be steady and still.

While looking at both the President and Admiral Adama, Cain focused herself eyes beyond them to calm down. She conceded she hadn't seen this coming. Cain also admitted it was brilliant how she had been outmaneuvered and now outranked. And no one got hurt or killed in the process. She had been so embroiled in recent events that she had yet to meet the new civilian officials that made up the Quorum.

Cain kept her mouth shut and let the Roslyn talk on. She could not believe she was being lectured by a former schoolteacher. She chaffed from this rebuke but she let it roll it off her shoulders. Cain was partially listening to Roslyn describing the legality of the Quorum voting process and the President's responsibility in military matters. Cain wished she hurried up, as she shifted her stance impatiently. What Cain really cared about was where she stood in the new power structure.

Roslyn had the distinct feeling that Cain was giving the appearance of listening while being silently being defiant with her smug attitude. Roslyn wasn't sure if she preferred her pacing about like a wild animal and her explosive voice or her quiet insolence. It was infuriating. She could be such a pain in the ass.

"Admiral Cain, do you have anything to say?" concluded Roslyn.

"Yes I do," stated Cain. "Admiral Adama I want to congratulate you on your promotion to Fleet Admiral."

She extended a hand to Admiral Adama for a handshake.

"Thank You," responded Adama as he shook hands with Admiral Cain.

Adama had observed Cain trying to maintain a cool detachment when the President had spoken. He could see it was a struggle for this young Admiral now that the roles were reversed since his promotion to the top spot. Adama knew this officer had risen rapidly in rank by accomplishment, connection, determination, and tough grit – a rising star.

Adama recalled almost being burnt by this rising star. His reaction had been to try to snuff it out. In the end, he changed his mind; he felt the whole world had gone mad. He could see the fire in this rising star and hoped to capitalize on Cain's strength. He saw her as a peer who could provide insights. He wondered though if she would be a team player. Adama mused; he much preferred a fireball than an ice princess.

"If I knew where Laura hid the liquor we could have a toast and have a good talk," half-joked Adama.

On cue, Roslyn gracefully stepped out of the room. Roslyn speculated how Adama would get her to cooperate. Cain wondered what kind of reprimand she would receive from Adama.

* * *

At the galley, Starbuck finally found what she was looking for, a nice large bottle of premium, top shelf liquor. She reached out for the bottle in the concealed compartment. One of the crewmember had spilled the beans after a little 'persuasion'. With the bottle in her hands she popped off the cap. Starbuck was alone; it was just her and her bottle. She was hoping for a slow, mind numbing buzz.

* * *

Getting to the point and assuming the worst, Cain asked despondently, "Sir what is you want from me?"

"I'm not going to take away your command or judge you. Tomorrow, you and I start with a clean slate," said Adama, calmly.

"I want you on my team – we need to work together."

Cain wondered if it was possible to work 'together' as a team. She winced. Cain had been on her own since surviving the Cylon attacks. She also was use to a having it her way and giving orders. Moreover his command style was so different than hers.

"I need your military skills and cunning to destroy the Cylons but I also want you to help protect the civilian fleet," emphasized Adama.

Exasperated, "Sir, You ask a lot," said Cain.

"I want your cooperation," stressed Adama. H looked sternly at Cain as she briefly closed her eyes in frustration.

"I know this is hard to accept but we're all that remains of humanity. I do not have the luxury to conduct military campaigns," said Adama, firmly. "Trust me if I could I would."

Cain disagreed. Be on the offensive now that they dealt the Cylons a major blow. Strike while they had the advantage, instead of running off scared. Always fleeing, no wonder morale was so low. And this nonsense about wandering in space looking for some fairy-tale place called Earth. She'd rather fight for twelve planets that exist than go on a quest for a single mythical planet.

"Then I say institute a draft if we're not recruiting enough solders. Militarize the civilian fleet; make humanity stronger," retorted Cain.

She could see trouble, two battleships with a small complement of military personnel and odd assortment of civilian ships with over forty-thousand civilians. It would strain if not break the back of the military.

"It is one thing to unite our forces but expecting me to hand-hold these helpless civilians while they enjoy a free ride . . . that's too much. The civilians need to pick up the slack," argued Cain.

Adama knew it was not easy for Cain. He understood her. Adama remembered when he also wanted to strike back at the Cylons after they attacked the 12 Colonies. Instead, he was held back when he had to shepherd the civilian fleet to safety. Adama needed her help and hope she would cooperate.

"I'll keep your suggestions in mind. However, the choice is yours. Tell me your intentions at the next staff briefing," concluded Adama as he dismissed Cain.

On the way back to the Pegasus in her raptor, Cain mulled over what had been said. What choice was there? Be a team player and take orders or be benched. She couldn't defy Adama. He now enjoyed a vote of confidence and had the support of the civilian fleet.

When Cain arrived on the Pegasus, her crew members were still celebrating. She couldn't get into the festive mood. Instead she sought to be alone and vent. Cain considered the firing range but passed the gym room first and noticed it was unoccupied. Locking the door, she took off her jacket and put on some punching gloves. Cain let loose her anger on the large, heavy punching bag.