Divided Loyalties - chapter 2

ooooooooooooooooo

It was Lee's birthday in two days. Kara didn't know why she was still keeping track of time, since it didn't matter anymore - every day was pretty much the same, and now, ten months later, all the calendars had long expired. But for some reason she still kept count of the days that passed, writing in her journal every day.

She was beginning to get nervous. The plans she'd formulated for him were well underway, and she desperately hoped he'd appreciate them and not be upset at her continued interference in his life. Which is why she was trying to hide the fact that it was she who'd planned the party and come up with the dinner menu. It had been damn near impossible to get a hold of the ingredients for the lasagna she knew was his favourite dish, but she wasn't Starbuck for nothing. She had contacts. And more than a few admirers - she was part of the 'Apollo and Starbuck' team that was rapidly becoming legend within the fleet after all.

Everything was ready. Except for Lee himself. The party was planned for Galactica, but Lee ... was on the Pegasus. Swallowed up into the belly of the beast where his duties must be overwhelming him, judging by his lack of visits. His girlfriend was here as well, and she hadn't made many visits there either.

Somehow she had to find a way to get him here - and that would require the Admiral's cooperation. Normally an easy task - he rarely refused her anything. But she didn't want Lee finding out she was responsible and his father was more than likely to let that secret spill. She had to find someone else to ask him. Helo. He was her friend - sometimes co-conspirator. He'd be likely to agree.

"Hey Helo," she called, walking into the gym where she knew he'd be, and thankfully finding him nearly alone. Only one other person was there - someone she didn't know - and he was at the other end of the room.

"I need to ask you a favour."

"Go ahead," Helo grunted, lifting the dumbbell with obvious effort. He was sweating and Kara figured he was near the end of his workout.

"Could you ask the Admiral something for me?"

"What?" He looked curious.

"Well, I'm planning something for Lee's birthday, day after tomorrow, and I need the old man to request him to come to Galactica."

"So why don't you ask him? He likes you, he's not likely to say no," he asked, lowering the dumbbell to it's holder and sighing.

"I can't. He'll be likely to tell Lee I'm planning something."

"And that's bad?"

"I don't want him to know," she said firmly.

"I'm sure the Admiral will keep it a surprise if that's what you want."

"I don't want them to know I had anything to do with it. Understand?"

He looked at her narrowly. "I take it you two still aren't getting along?"

"Well, that would be the understatement of the year - like saying the cylons are a wee bit of a nuisance," she answered dryly.

"Um ... I don't get it. If you two are still fighting, why are you planning something for his birthday? Why should you care?"

Tears began to form in her eyes. "Because I do." She blinked them back with an effort. "He may not want me to be a part of his life anymore, but he's still a part of mine. I can't just stop caring because he's mad at me."

"Okay, okay," he said soothingly. "I hope you guys work something out soon. It's a real pain in the ass when you're fighting."

She threw him a half-serious glare. "So, will you ask the Admiral or not?"

"Yes I will," he said with a smile, patting her on the shoulder as he walked past. "Just let me shower and then consider it done."

"Thanks - you're a lifesaver." she threw him a grateful smile.

He looked back and gave her a mischevious smile. "You know I'll call in the favour sometime though, right?"

"Anytime."

ooooooooooooooooooo

Helo knocked on the Admiral's office door, butterflies beginning to form in his stomach. It hadn't worried him at all through his shower, after all, this was Kara's errand not his. But now that he was here, all the uncomfortable moments between them regarding Sharon rushed through his mind, and the nerves began to appear.

"Come in," Adama called.

Helo pushed open the hatch and entered.

"Lieutenant," Adama said, sounding surprised. "What can I do for you?"

"I need to ask you a favour sir." Helo shifted his weight back and forth uncomfortably.

A knot formed at the pit of Adama's stomach. There's no way I can let her go, you have to know that, he thought, waiting for the blow to drop.

"Could you ask Apollo ... I mean Commander Adama to come here the day after tomorrow?"

"For what?" Adama was totally confused.

"Well ... some of the pilots have planned a celebration for him," Helo improvised. "A little bird told us it was his birthday, and we just wanted to show our appreciation for him, even though he's not our CAG anymore."

Adama's face softened and broke into a smile. "So it is. I'd almost forgotten." He sat lost in thought for a few moments. How nice, he thought. Obviously he had a positive effect on them and won their respect. Not that he'd ever thought Lee wouldn't, but he knew what a tough position he was putting his son in by making him CAG, and was proud to see that he'd earned the respect and liking of those who served under him. Good to know I made the right choice for Pegasus.

"I'll make sure he's here. Unless there's a disaster of course - then we'll all be busy."

"Thank you sir, we really appreciate your cooperation. Oh, and by the way, you're invited of course. 18hrs in the pilots rec."

"I'll be there," Adama assured him. "And say thanks to all the others who helped put this together. It means a great deal to me, and I know it will to Lee too."

oooooooooooooooooooo

"Put me through to Pegasus actual," Adama said, smiling briefly at Dee as she smiled in anticipation of talking to Lee, even if it was only a few words. He was happy to know his son was happy with her.

"Pegasus, this is Galactica. Requesting to speak to Pegasus actual."

There was a pause while she was put through.

"This is Commander Adama."

"Good day Commander," she said formally, a smile lighting her face.

"Hello Dee," Lee said, sounding a little surprised. He knew he was safe being this informal with her - most of the Galactica crew was informal with each other, and the Pegasus crew was coming to expect that from him as well. He wished he could be more forward though - it had been over a week since he'd seen her last and he was really feeling the distance between them. Wonder if I could request her to transfer here, he thought. "It's nice to speak to you again. Is there something in particular you need?"

"The Admiral would like to speak with you," she answered, wishing she could tell him what she needed from him. Soon, she told herself. Soon he'll be here and though he's coming for the party, I'll make sure we spend some time alone. For the invitation to Lee's surprise party had spread like wildfire once Helo and Hotdog had been given the okay to mention it to the rest of the crew.

"Hello Lee," Adama said, dropping the formalities since it wasn't an urgent call.

"Hello dad, how are you?" Lee responded, following Adama's lead.

"Very well. And yourself?"

"Good. Definitely different here but I'm getting used to it."

"Good to hear. I'm calling because I need you here Wednesday evening for a meeting."

"Okay. What's it all about?"

"Not entirely sure, but the President requested us both to be there."

"Alright then," he said, sounding more formal. If the President was involved ... "What time?"

"18:30hrs. She's planned a dinner meeting."

"Okay," Lee said slowly, and Adama could imagine the gears in Lee's head spinning furiously, trying to figure out what Roslin had on her mind.

"Thank you so much Commander, I'll see you in two days then," Adama said, hoping to end the conversation before things became sticky. He hated lying.

"Thank you Admiral. I'll see you then. Pegasus out."

And Lee figured something was fishy. He decided he'd try to get to Galactica early to find out what was going on. If he had time that is; this command thing was really taking up a lot of his time. And I thought the CAG's job had a lot of responsibility and work! It was nothing!

TBC