Title:Embrace
Author: Amy
Rating:PG
Spoilers: Post Exodus Part 2
Summary: It'll probably take you less time to read the story. Kara/Lee hints
"What do you hear, Starbuck?"
Starbuck allowed a slight lift of her lips before answering. "Nothing but the rain, Sir."
Bill Adama was silent for a few minutes, before he began. "We didn't part on the best of terms, and for a long time I tried to blame that on you. The truth is, I'm also to blame. I sided with Lee because he's my son, but I allowed my anger to hide what you are to me. I knew something wasn't right, and I knew that settling on New Caprica was a bad idea, but I let you go because I was too stubborn to admit how much I needed you here with me, Starbuck. Not only are you the best damn pilot I've got, but you're my daughter. When you left Lee wasn't the only one who went a little bit crazy, who lost his control.
"I don't know what happened to you down there, not really. Tigh told me bits and pieces, but no one knows the true story. I won't pressure you into talking, I'm not sure anyone could, but I want you to know that I'm here for you, whenever you need me. I haven't been a very good father to you the past two years, but I'm planning on changing that, if you'll allow me to."
Kara was silent. After a few minutes Bill let out a small sigh and nodded. "Just remember that." He got up to leave, but was stopped by a small hand on his. Turning back towards Kara, he watched her rise, still not looking at him. They stood in front of each other for over a minute before her eyes finally met his.
They stared at each other for a few seconds. And then she broke. A sob was wrenched from her mouth as tears began to fall, and the Admiral wrapped her in his arms, doing his best to soothe her.
As he rocked her back and forth, he vowed to do whatever it took to keep her safe. He'd failed once already. He'd die before he allowed it a second time.
She was his daughter. It was his job.
Lee "Apollo" Adama stood at the hatch, watching from the shadows as the two people he cared for most in the world reunited. As he watched Kara collapse into the older Adama he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Kara had been a stone since her return to the Battlestar, and he was afraid that the old Starbuck was gone for good, and this shell of a person would forever be in her place.
Turns out she just needed the right person. Lee knew that at one point it would have been him, hands down, but too much had happened. Mistakes were made on both their parts, and both were too afraid to make the first move.
As Lee watched his father comfort Kara, he vowed that he wouldn't give into the fear this time. This time, he'd accept and embrace everything, the good and the bad. He'd get Starbuck back, even if he had to risk a few black eyes to do it.
And once he had her back, he was never letting her go.