Rescued Adama:

Summary: Tari and the others are back on Galactica and now they have to live with the horrors of New Caprica.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of BSG and any of the other unfamiliar characters…. Except Tari.

4 MONTHS LATER:
RESCUE OF NEW CAPRICA

Tari Adama sat next to her husband Tony Bastian while Colonial One lifted off of the ground called New Caprica. Laura Roslin was sitting behind the desk and looking more at home than she had in months of being on the ground and teaching. Tari looked to her mom and offered up a smile of happiness to be going home to the Galactica. She knew her father was there waiting and so would her brother Lee Adama who commanded the Pegasus. Not to say Tari was fond of seeing that Battlestar again. The Pegasus still haunted too many of her nightmares but being down on New Caprica, that glorified hell hole, gave Tari new nightmares and new fears about who she was steadily becoming. While in the ground wars she had to become a RAZOR again, she had to become a weapon. Tony was understanding and just listened when Tari managed to talk about what she had to do for the insurgents; for Colonel Tight. If Tari had wanted to she could lay the blame at the Colonels feet, but it wouldn't take away her guilt and shame at what she had done for information. For a moment Tari wondered what that Simon thought before his eyes went dead and his heart stopped. It was the only way for her to get out of there in time for the rescue. She had to kill the Cylon who had passed along information to the resistance and gotten her out of the Detention center. If Tari had been him, she would have seen that move coming from a mile away and been prepared for it. But that Simon had been trusting and he told her he knew what she had to do to survive. Essentially he absolved her in any sin she may had had in taking his life. For a human there was no sin in taking a Cylon's life because they didn't actually die. They just downloaded into a brand new body without a scratch on them. That was not true death and thus it would not have been a true murder, but Tari could still see the blood on her hands and it plagued her nightmares.

Tari looked to her husband as he took her hand went he ship prepared for the jump. When Tony had been a child he had been deeply afraid when ever a ship had jumped. They had been childish fears that had never really gone away but he had learned to deal with them. Now Tony had Tari he could reach over and take her hand in comfort that ever molecule of his DNA wasn't going to be dispersed through out the galaxy. He had remembered the first time he had told her, they were on the Pegasus and Tari had just laughed at him. After a few minutes Tony had joined in on laughter because it was a little ridiculous on his part to be afraid of something that everyone n the Colonies had used for centuries. But on some occasions that small fear had crept into his brain. "It's ok" Tari leaned over and whispered in Tony's ear making him smile but he didn't relinquish his grip on her hand. He wouldn't let go until they were back on Galactica, back on familiar ground.

Laura Roslin glanced over at her daughter and Tony. They looked happy together but Laura could see the shadow's under Tari's eyes and new ghosts that lurked behind her. She had been aware of what Tari had been asked to do but Tigh had never told Laura the specifics. Everyone would have scars of one kind or another from New Caprica and the failed Presidency that was Gaius Baltar. Laura herself would hear the screams of those kept in detention and she would see that Cylon firing squad for many nights to come. But she was back where she belonged, on the Colonial One and she was going back to Bill Adama. It would be good to see her Admiral again and at least he would chase away some of her mental scars just by listening to what she had endured. That hinged on if Laura was ready to talk about what had happened to her on New Caprica.

"Please be prepared for a jump in 3... 2... 1"

Laura looked to her left and saw the inky blackness of space and the twinkling of stars that made her feel relieved. There was no planet, no radiation cloud, and no Cylon Basestars waiting to blow them out of the sky. They had made it; the human race had escaped destruction again. The former President caught sight of the Galactica flanking Colonial One like it had always done and she managed to catch a glimpse of the Pegasus looking a little worse for ware, but both ships had made it. Both ships had saved the lives of humanity and now they could get back on the road to Earth and finally make a new home for humanity.

GALACTICA:
4 HOURS LATER

Tari looked around at her billet. Nothing had been moved in the four months she had been down on that hell hole New Caprica. Her uniform was pressed and in the locker as well as her flight suit and everything else she had left here. But she had a few new things to add. Tony had been meaning to put his stuff in the locker after they had returned from getting Laura Roslin for a dinner that had never taken place. Now she looked at her clothes and his side by side and truly felt at home. She turned around and saw Tony sleeping soundly on the rack. He was on his stomach with one arm flung over the edge and his head turned towards the wall. His small pony tail rested on the pillow. Two months ago Tari had wanted to cut her hair because it was down near her waist but Tony had told her the minute she cuts her hair he cuts his as well and Tari had liked the fact that Tony was letting his hair grow out a bit. She now had something to curl her fingers around while he slept. Walking quietly over to him she removed the hair tie that held his wild mane of hair out of his face and she put the tie around her wrist making a mental note to give it back to him later. His dark hair fell around him like a halo. When he slept he looked some dark angel that only found inner peace in sleep. That was the only description Tari could think of for Tony. He took some much time to worry about her and her mental state that the only time he found peace was in sleeps sweet embrace. That made Tari feel guilty but when she tied to tell Tony not to worry about her so he would only smile and kiss her cheek telling her it was what he did.

Tari was tired but she was also energized at the same time. She wanted to run through the halls of the Galactica just for the hell of it, but more than that she wanted to sit in her fathers quarts surrounded by all his books and just watch him sit at his desk reviewing reports. Without thinking Tari walked away form her rack and her sleeping husband to go to her father's quarters. Pilots and other officers looked at her as she passed and some of them even padded her on the back telling her how happy they were to have Ares back on Galactica. These people were her family and all she wanted was to start protecting the fleet again like she was meant to. In her absence Kat had been made the CAG of the Galactica. Tari had heard that Kat had done a fine job, but now Tari was back and ready to fight the Cylon's again. But that decision rested entirely with the Old Man and Tari would respect whatever choice her father made.

Tari rounded the corner she saw two marines outside her fathers quarters. Smiling lightly she walked passed them and knocked on the door. When she didn't hear anything she thought it safe to knock once more before opening the door and walking in. What she saw would make her heart hurt. There in the middle of her father's quarters was the Admiral and former President just holding each other. Bill Adama rested his head lightly on Laura Roslin's head and he wrapped his arms around her. Laura pillowed her head over Bill heart with her arms secure about his neck. Tari watched her parents hold each other with tenderness that made the young Adama want to start crying. Bill looked up at that precise moment to see his Daughter standing there watching them. He only smiled at her and whispered to Laura. The former President turned and also smiled at Tari who still stood rooted to the spot just inside the hatchway. Tari had never seen her parents like that before, well not that she could remember anyway.

Bill let go of Laura and walked the few steps towards his daughter where he pulled her into a hug that let Tari know how much he had missed her. Four Months ago when he had watched Tari board that Raptor to go and get Laura, Bill never thought that the Cylon's would have chosen that day to come back. His daughters, Tari and Kara had been trapped down there as well as Laura Roslin and Tari's husband Tony. Bill still didn't know what to think about Tony; after all he was married to his only daughter. But the Admiral made sure to give the young man a chance for Tari's sake. As Bill held Tari his heart lifted a little bit. Laura was here, and so was Tari and Bill had yet to see Kara. The Admiral surmised that Kara was with Lee at this moment.

Tari let go of her father and looked at her mother who asked, "Where is Tony?"

"He's sleeping. The exodus wore him out. To tell the truth I'm a little bit tired as well, but I don't think I could sleep." Tari replied and walked over to the couch. She dropped down and instantly felt relaxed as the warm leather molded to her body lulling her into a sleep that clawed at her consciousness.

"What are you going to do about Zarek?" Laura asked when she walked back over to his desk.

"I won't support him as President, and he knows that."

"Looks like he will be getting into contact with me soon." Laura laughed. Truth was she wanted to get back to her old life. Being the president was the only thing that had made sense to her when the Colonies had been destroyed. It not only brought Bill back into her life, but it gave her a chance to reconnect with her daughter Tari.

"The sooner the better in my opinion." Bill muttered but Laura still heard him and smiled. She knew that he would only follow her as president.

Bill looked over at his daughter and saw she had dropped into sleep. She was curled into the corner of the couch and some of her hair had cascaded over her face. His daughter was back on Galactica where she belonged. Laura stood beside Bill as he watched Tari sleep. As soon as she had sat down sleep had claimed her battle weary body. "You would have been proud of her Bill." Laura whispered leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, she kept it together down there." Laura replied moving away from Bill to grab a blanket and cover their sleeping daughter. In her sleep Tari gathered the blanket around her and snuggled further into the couch. Laura smiled while Bill walked over to his desk. Roslin looked form the sleeping form of Tari to Bill who was sitting behind his desk watching her. It was good to be back and Laura felt like she had come home. All she would need was to be President again and all would be right with Laura's world.

"What happened to her down there?" Bill asked when Laura dropped down into the chair in front of his desk.

"She was apart of the insurgents, under Colonel Tigh's command. As to what she specifically did, that I don't know. Saul wouldn't tell me. But Tony told me she was gathering information from the inside." Laura responded leaning her head on her forearm. Bill glanced at her and smiled. He had never seen Laura Roslin lean her head on the desk before. This was a welcome sight. Her hair shadowed her eyes much like it did to Tari. 'They are so much a like.' Bill thought which served to widen his smile.

Bill and Laura looked towards the couch where Tari rested to see her tossing and turning in a fit. Without thinking Laura moved over to her daughter trying to wake her from the grip of the nightmares that had taken hold. "Laura don't." Bill warned and pulled back Laura's hand.

"What?"

"You don't wake a soldier like that. She has to come out of it on her own." Bill whispered and looked at Tari.

TARI'S QUARTERS:

Tony woke to darkness. Flipping a switch he didn't see Tari around, but he had a feeling he knew where his wife was. Tari was probably with her father in his quarters. She had told him how she enjoyed sitting on his couch and just be surrounded by his books. Tony rose from the rack and pulled on his under shirts before heading out of his quarters. He headed to the pilots rec room to see which pilots were still up. As he walked through the halls Tony touched the bulkheads where ever he could just to reassure himself that it was not a dream and he really was back on Galactica; back home.

"Falcon?!" Tony turned to see Matt Lensherr coming up to him. He had seen Matt many times on New Caprica and more than he cared to when the Cylon's had come. Matt had been seen with the Cylon known as D'Anna. Lensherr was in love with the Cylon even though she was a machine. The D'Anna model that had stolen Matt's heart was in the brig that until recently had been inhabited by Sharon Valerri, now Sharon 'Athena' Agathon.

"Hephaestus how's the toaster?"

"D'Anna is fine. She knows that the rest of Galactica doesn't want her here." Matt paused and then asked, "How's your wife?"

"Tari is in her father's quarters." Tony replied, "I was just on my way to the Rec Room to see who is still awake."

"Oh, well I was on my way to see D'Anna." Matt commented and parted company from Tony. It was still weird that Matt wanted to be with a Cylon. Tony watched Matt head off down the hall before he headed into the rec room.


PILOTS REC ROOM:

Tony entered to see Helo with his wife Sharon, who was being called Athena now by the pilots who had stayed on New Caprica. He walked over to Karl and sat down looking at the temporary XO. It would be a matter time before Tigh would be back to his old self and terrorizing the pilots before too long.

"Hey Karl, how are you?"

'Good, glad you're back man. Where's Tari?" Helo asked.

"Tari is probably with her parents. She didn't get a chance to see her dad right when she got back so now I would guess that is where she is." Tony replied and looked over at Sharon. He had seen her face everyday for four months and still it was like he hadn't really seen this Sharon in Four Months. This Sharon helped the fleet and she sided with the humans over her own kind.

"Athena, glad to have you with us." Tony said and smiled at her. "If you don't mind I think I will go." Tony muttered and got up.

"Ok Man, see you around." Karl said and turned back his attention to his wife.

"FALCON!!!"

Tony turned and had enough time to register Kara 'Destiny' Fan launching herself at him. On the Pegasus he, Tari, and Destiny had been close and that closeness was transferred to the Galactica, to their new home. Destiny hugged Tony close to her and just relished having her friend back.

"I missed you too, Destiny." Tony whispered and wrapped his arms around her friend. It was so good to see her. She had stayed behind on Galactica and chose to still serve as an officer. The only reason Tari, Kara, and himself were on New Caprica was due to the fact that the former President was down there. Kara had opted to go with them when they had to bring Laura Roslin back to Galactica. It was supposed to be a simple dinner, but the Cylon's showed up and the fleet jumped away.

BRIG:

Matt stood staring at D'Anna, his heart beating a mile a minute. He hated to see her in there but at least she was safe. What Matt wanted most was to reach out and pull her close to him so that he could reassure himself that she was really here and not merely a dream, a dream that had been as precious as his next breath. But his next breath would mean nothing without D'Anna. Again the thought that she was safe made him have a shred of hope in the dark time that was constantly changing.

"Are you..."

"I'm fine." D'Anna replied. Truth was she was going out of her mind in here. There was only space to bound and pace like a wolf in a cage. She wanted to be out of here, with Matt. But in the brig is where she must be because she is a Cylon and in the minds of humans Cylon's are not meant to be trusted.

"I wish I was in there with you, holding you, sleeping next to you." Matt whispered into the receiver. He placed his hand palm down on the glass and smiled when D'Anna mirrored his action.

"I wish I was with you too." D'Anna replied and smiled in return.

ADAMA'S QUARTERS:

Tari woke on the couch in her father's quarters. She had been dreaming of New Caprica during the Cylon's Occupation. It was a time of struggle. She was reminded of Simon, the Simon model who had gotten her out of the Detention center. It had been Col. Tigh's idea to get one o the Cylon males to notice her the way a man noticed a woman and it had worked. Before she had been tossed into a cell she had seen a Simon hanging around the square, and he had been watching her. When Tigh set this up, Tony would be her only connection to the insurgents. It had to appear that she had become a collaborator for the sake of information. Every time Tari gained information from him she would meet Tony and give him what she had obtained. Always there had been the question in his eyes but he never dared asked. She would reassure him by pulling him close and kissing him hard and long. If there was time before she had to get back they would make love in a heated frenzy that left them both quivering, but it would hold them over till next they met. It was hard on Tony, Tari could see that and she yearned to make him feel better. She also remembered the night Simon had told her that he knew she was an insurgent. He had done nothing to her, and when the time came for her to escape he let her.

Tari had waited for him to come 'home', waited for him behind the door. There had been no knives in the apartment because he still didn't trust her. So Tari had smashed her fist into the mirror in the bathroom and the best shard was what she was going to use, tearing a strip of cloth from the pillow case so she wouldn't cut her hand when she killed Simon. She told herself that it wasn't a sin to kill him because he would download into another body with out a scratch.

When he had come through the door Tari launched herself at his back and quickly cut the shard across his neck. The skin gave so easily and the blood coated her hands in a warm thick liquid. Simon had fallen forward on his knees and Tari walked around his dying body to look him in the eyes. There was no hate or rage, but understanding and an absolution. It was almost like he had known this was what she was going to do and he let her. She dropped the shard and ran out. Tari made sure to head to the underground bunker to wait for Tigh or her mother. More than anything she wanted to see her mother.

"Tari, baby, you ok?" Her mother came over to her and set down a glass of water on the coffee table. Tari only held her arms up and Laura walked into embrace. Laura ran her fingers through Tari's hair as her daughter wrapped her arms around the former Presidents waist and pillowed her head on her mother's stomach.

"I am now." Tari breathed out.

"Kara and Lee will be here soon for dinner, why don't you go and find Tony and join us?" Bill Adama walked over and looked at Laura and Tari hugging. It did his heart good to see this.

"Really?" Tari looked up at her father from under her mothers left arm and smiled. Pulling back she stood up and walked over to him and hugged him.

"Yes, we should have the family together for dinner considering..." Bill said and Tari pulled back smiling at him. When she had married Tony Tari had thought her father didn't approve of him, but now she knew he was just being Admiral Adama. But he was also her father he loved her in his own way and family was important to him.

"Ok, I'll be back soon." Tari said and nearly ran out of her father's cabin.

PILOTS REC ROOM:

Tony had been sitting with Destiny and Roadkill when he had felt Tari coming closer. He was never sure why he knew she was coming but it as something about her. Tony got up out of his chair in enough time to catch his wife as she jumped up into his arms and plundered his mouth with ruthless possession that told people he was hers and hers alone. It was a primal need to claim him that made him happy he had married her six months ago. Best choice he made in his life, Tari was his world now.

"Missed you baby." She whispered and slid down his body.

"Missed you too." Tony.

"Dinner is in ten minutes, in my father's cabin. It's a family dinner, all the family." She smiled at him and he kissed her back.


FLIGHT DECK:

Kara and Lee had just arrived from the Pegasus to have dinner in the Admiral's cabin. When she had come back from New Caprica Starbuck had immediately fallen into Apollo's arms. Being trapped in that doll house had made her feel like a kept pet. Leoben had been obsessed with her. Lee had wanted to know what happened to her but Kara hadn't wanted to tell him. At least not yet, not while it was still fresh in her mind and not while she could feel the blood on her hands. Spilling a little bit of Cylon blood hadn't been anything to her, but she had spent nights awake thinking about Lee and when they were coming back to get them. But more importantly she wanted to be with Lee again. It had always been Lee.

"Kara, hey slow down." Lee said and grabbed her arm.

"Sorry, I just want to get to dinner and see the Old Man." Starbuck said and cracked her knuckles.

"Yeah, but his quarters aren't going anywhere, relax." Lee said and pulled her into his arms. Kara had been jumpy since she had come over to the Pegasus and now it seemed to have gotten worse. New Caprica was a wound and it needed to be healed.

ADAMA'S QUARTERS:

Bill and Laura sat on the couch together watching the four people at the table having a fun conversation. They had talked about a lot of things. The subject of interest right was what Lee and Tari were like when they were kids. Laura and Bill knew but Tony and Kara didn't.

"Tell them about the time I tricked you into walking into Caprica City when you were seven." Lee said and Tari flushed.

"Yeah, it had been raining that day and I was feeling particularly... well me. So I go outside and it's pouring down rain. Lee looks at me and says that if am too chicken to do it then he would forget it. I stick out my tongue and set foot out side getting soaked as I walk up the road." Tari said and threw a small piece of bread at her brother laughing in the process.

"Wait you actually walked to Caprice city in the rain?"

"I dared her. Laura had gone into the city for something and Dad had gone to pick her up. It was just Tari, Zak, and I in the house." Lee said but failed to answer Tony's question.

"Like I was saying, I barely make it a mile before this car pulls over and who should get out but Dad. Man he looked mad at me but he said nothing. We get in the car and he drives home not saying a word. When we get home Dad has me stay in the front hall while he goes and gets a towel because I am looking like a drowned rat, I'm that soaked."

"Well little miss red head over there gets me back by locking me out of the house that night. We had to spend two weeks with Laura and Dad because my mother was staying on Picon wit a few friends." Lee said and tossed the piece of bread back at his sister. It hit her in the head and she laughed at him.

"It's not my fault you believed me that there was something on the front porch for you." Tari said and the four of them laughed together. Another hour had passed before the four of them all said good night and headed back to their respective quarters.

GALACTICA CORRIDOR:

Tari walked with her arm around her husband's waist while his was tossed over her shoulder. They had had a nice time at dinner and Tari inadvertently strayed down memory lane with her brother. It had been good times when she was a kid and when her father had lived with them. Tony had just sat back and watched with a curious humor as they related what they had done to each other. But their antics weren't limited to that day. Lee and Zac had stayed two weeks with Tari and her mother while Bill Adama had been there.

"It was nice hearing my wife take a stroll down memory lane tonight." Tony said and kissed the top of her head.

"Oh yeah, what did you like about it."

"I can't believe you locked Lee out of the house."

"Well he got back in. I left the back door unlocked." Tari laughed and hugged Tony closer to her. It was nice that he was here with her and he took a leap and married her.

"I think I would have had a nicer evening if your father hadn't been giving me a look all through dinner." Tony commented and Tari stopped.

"What look?" Tari asked.

"He was giving me a look like I should cut my hair or something. I know it sounds stupid to you but he is still the Admiral and well I have an in bred sense of duty." Tony answered and shrugged. He really couldn't explain it because the Admiral was still his wife's father and that made him his father-in-law. Not that you would ever hear Tony refer to Adama in such a manner.

"Turn around." Tari said and before Tony could reply she turned him so his back was to her. She slipped his black hair tie off her wrist and gathered his hair into a messy pony tail. When Tony turned to face his wife Tari just smiled at him. Some of his bangs were shading his eyes and he looked good.

"Thanks." Tony whispered and gently laid his lips against hers. His hand came up to caress over her hip and Tari groaned in pain. Tony had moved his hand over her knife wound. She had gotten that about a week before the exodus and it still hadn't healed to the point where the stitches could come out.

"I should go see Doc Cottle, but not till he gets settled." Tari said quickly because she knew what Tony was going to say. Well something to that effect anyway.

"I was really surprised that the Admiral would want me there tonight." Tony commented and smiled at is wife.

"He said he wanted the family there for dinner, the entire Adama family." Tari looked up at him and she had tears glistening in her eyes.