DISCLAIMER: I am not the owner of Battlestar Galactica nor anything affiliated with the program. I'm merely a writer trying to weave a tale for personal enjoyment. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
PREMISE: This is the sequel to Apollo and Daphne.
When we last left our characters, Kara and Sam had tried to end a hostage situation started by Sesha Abinell in retaliation of the death of her husband by the Cylon Sharon. They had taken out the hostage takers, but Kenzi had been hit by a bullet meant for the woman kidnapping her, Dee Dualla. Kara had fired her weapon just as Dee pushed Kenzi in front of her. The bullet struck Kenzi and she's near death. Kenzi reveals to her husband before she passes out that she's expecting their child. Doc Cottle takes Kenzi to surgery and her friends and family sit and wait for the outcome.
Lee sat in the chair facing their bed. He stared into the dark, thinking of the events of the last five days. He realized in less than a week, his entire life had taken a complete turn.
He'd started the week on day 20 since he'd last made love to his wife; (Frakking sounded so dirty now that they were married); day 18 since their fight; 17 since she'd returned to Galactica for their 'break'; 15 since he'd last laid eyes on her and 7 since they'd last had a personal conversation. They talked regularly about ship business, but usually with the buffer of his father or Kara between them.
He remembered the day in a haze. Certain events were vivid and ran in his mind with such detail it was like watching a movie. A nightmare of a movie. Other events he wasn't aware of until he read the report of what had happened from those involved.
The only thing he could swear to was what happened when Doc Cottle came out to speak with him. Lee tried not to look at the blood on his protective gown and his gloves, knowing it was Kenzi's. He focused on the look in the man's eyes. It seemed almost like resignation. Like he dreaded what he was about to say, but knew it had to be done.
"I've done everything I could," Doc Cottle had said.
Lee's world stopped after those five little words.
He didn't hear anything except the beating of his own heart. He was certain he was going to die of a broken one after hearing those words.
FLASHBACK – FIVE DAYS AGO
Doc Cottle came out to see him. The normally gruff doctor looked exhausted and his eyes held a tenderness Lee swore he'd never seen before in his life. His shoulders slumped like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. He looked at Lee and his father and said, "I did everything I could."
Lee had glanced at his father, hoping he could provide comfort. He looked at his father and registered the smile and tears on the man's face. 'Odd, when my wife has died,' he thought until he realized what the doctor was saying.
"What," Lee said, unable to believe what he'd heard.
"I did everything I could and managed to save both of them," Cottle said.
"She's alive," Lee said, not believing what had happened.
"She is. It was pretty touchy there because she lost a lot of blood, but that woman's a fighter. And she's stubborn. She's definitely Starbuck's sister," Cottle said.
"Kara," Lee had said, kneeling next to Kara, who was being supported by Sam. "Daphne's alive."
Doc Cottle put his hand on Lee's shoulder. "She's asking for you," he said, looking at Lee.
Lee didn't need to be told a second time before he rushed to the area that held his wife.
Her stark white appearance scared him, but she had lost a lot of blood. Lee noticed more blood running into her arm. She had her eyes closed. Her long eyelashes fluttering slightly.
"Kenz," Lee said, leaning over her.
Kenzi stirred in the bed, turning her head to face him.
"Lee. I've missed you," she said.
Lee took her hand. "Not as much as I've missed you," he said, kissing her knuckles.
"Sorry for scaring you," she said.
"Guess we're even which means you can't do it again," Lee said, teasing her.
"I'll be more careful. Promise," she said, licking her lips and closing her eyes.
"I love you, Kenzi Adama. I can't believe how I've behaved," he said, regret in his voice.
"Apology accepted. Now promise we won't fight anymore. I can't take the distance. I love you, Lee Adama," she said.
Lee kissed his wife's cheek and smiled at her. "I promise. If we do, next time I'm leaving with you," Lee said, resting his head next to Kenzi's.
FIVE DAYS LATER – PRIVATE QUARTERS
Lee leaned over the bed, watching his wife sleep. She'd been home from sick bay for a few hours. Doc Cottle had wanted to make sure Kenzi was stable before he let her leave sick bay. He had wanted to keep her for a week, but Kenzi promised Doc Cottle she would stay in her quarters on Galactica and Lee promised to watch her.
Doc Cottle warned them that he couldn't promise their child would make it. The shock to Kenzi's body wasn't good for the baby and there was a chance Kenzi could lose the baby. "If she makes it to 24 weeks, I can counteract whatever problems the blood transfusion does, but until then I can't do anything except advise bed rest and limiting stress. Saying stress-free doesn't exactly work in this environment," Doc Cottle said.
Lee was so glad to have Kenzi in the same room with him, that he couldn't bear to sleep, fearing he'd awaken to a dream. His father had allowed him to take some personal time to take care of Kenzi. He'd transferred back to Galactica, leaving the Pegasus in the hands of several qualified officers. Lee would confer with his crew if a situation arose that needed his attention. He just hoped their present position would keep the Cylons away and allow him to spend time with his wife.
Kenzi turned her head in his direction. "You're doing it again," she said, her voice heavy with sleep.
Lee sat on the bed and leaned down closer to her. "What," he asked.
"Watching me. I'm not going anywhere. I'm on bed rest, remember," she said, laughter in her voice.
Lee smiled in the dark. Leave it to Kenzi to keep that wit about her. "I know. I just can't believe it. I can't believe how I nearly had everything taken from me in one instant," Lee said, kissing the top of her head.
"Will you stop and come to bed with me. I've been in that frakking hospital bed and all I've had is you kissing and holding my hand. I'd like to feel my husband's arms around me. I've missed that so much," Kenzi said.
Lee carefully got under the blankets and Kenzi slid easily into his arms. Her fit was perfect. She curved in the right places and felt so right to Lee that he knew he'd never feel for anyone what he did for Kenzi.
"I love you," she whispered to him, kissing him.
"I love you, too," he said, kissing her back.
For the first time in nearly a month, he slept beside his wife, with her in his arms, in the same bed. The gods had smiled on him.