Title: Break in Routine
Author: Sentra Aquila
Pairing: Kara/Lee vs. Kara/Anders
Rating: PG
Summary: Today he's not waiting for her at the base of the stairs.


In the bunkroom, there's one rule to live by if you intend on seeing your next birthday: Don't wake up Starbuck when she's sleeping. The last pilot to find that out spent two weeks in sick bay.

But in the dark, Kat watches Apollo rustle his hand through Starbuck's hair and involuntarily winces in anticipation. But nothing happens.

No punches are thrown. No shots are fired.

Sure, Starbuck's cursing up a storm, but the thin curve of her lips holds a less menacing meaning.


When she steps out of the Viper, Lee waits for her even after an exhausting 12 hour CAP. She expects the adrenaline will wear off soon and sleep will come to claim them. Beside her Lee's eyelids are already drooping.

She musses up his hair, memorizing the texture.

"Come on flyboy, let's hit the rack. If you're lucky, I just might tell you a bedtime story."


Kara drags Lee into the locker in search of deck gang's still. He needs to pull the stick out of his ass and relax. As the hatch opens, they don't acknowledge that the locker has a history of sheltering Sharon and Tyrol.

Two hours later, Jammer finds them wasted in the corner. "Damn stuff doesn't deserve to be called alcohol so we disposed of it ourselves." Just at Lee finishes he lets out a very audible hiccup. Kara clutches her stomach doubling over in pain from laughter.


She's filled with dread the second her cockpit opens. They lost a nugget today. Her stomach tosses about in turmoil.

He's there even when she doesn't want him there. She doesn't want his pity.

"I ordered to you back to Galactica not to hurl your frakking ship into a wave of Raiders."

When she finally looks into his eyes, she knows why it's easier to be angry.


In the Mess Hall, Kara swipes a bite of his sandwich. Lee retaliates by bumping her off the bench. Then, he makes the mistake of offering his hand in help.

They land as a pile of entangled limbs on the floor.

Their laughter rivals the vibrations of Galactica herself.


Today, he's not waiting for her at the base of the stairs.

Across the crowded hanger bay, she sees them. Specialists and crewman flush right past her frozen in fixation. He holds out his hand to the other man as a gesture of friendship.

She blinks her eyes rapidly trying to erase this all away. She wants Lee to hate him. But instead, the idiot's sucking up like some frakking groupie, laughing at some stupid joke. Probably, asking for a damn photograph.

Her life's never been simple. She wonders why she thought it would be this time.


"Kara."

Her breath hitches. Lee shifts his feet.

"Sam."

His name sounds insecure as it leaves her mouth.

He responds by tossing his arms around her, enveloping her in the warmest hug she's not worthy of receiving. Over Anders' shoulder, she sees the slump in Apollo's shoulders, the awkwardness of his movements as he excuses himself to no one in particular.

When Anders pulls back to gaze into her eyes, he mistakes the disappointment for bewilderment.

"Gods. I never thought I'd ever see your face again," he says, running a thumb over her cheek.

She says nothing, but forces the biggest and hopefully, the most realistic smile in the world.

Weaving her fingers through his, she wonders if Lee will want to greet her after her next patrol.