Okay; this story has begun to take on a life all of it's own. When I originally wrote it, this was the last chapter - as it stands here. However I was never really happy with the way I ended it. It turns out that decorating is great for my muse as I finally had a better way of ending this story (in my opinion anyway) so as a result this story has now spawned an additional two chapters (at least). Bless! I haven't quite finished it yet but it's almost there... oh and it turns out, I just can't do sweet and fluffy on it's own... Sorry!
Brief Encounter.
Chapter 4.
Kara drove down the road away from the campus and tried to ignore the tears welling in her eyes. She was desperate to look in her rear view mirror and see him watching her drive away but she knew if she did she'd never leave him. The last day had been overwhelming for Kara. She had never before been in a relationship that had developed this quickly. It was intense but at the same time Kara knew it was right. She'd fallen and she'd fallen hard. It was most unlike her. She had no idea whether she was grateful to Zak or not. Part of her was but part of her was furious with him for the presumption by him that she would get on with Lee. Maybe it was fact he was right that made her angry the most. That and the fact she felt a little out of control of the situation; that it had been forced on her. The truth was if she'd met Lee in a bar or somewhere she knew something probably would've happened between them on its own; it wouldn't need any pushing from Zak. She shook her head as she continued to drive and stopped thinking about what Zak had done. Of course that meant her thoughts naturally drifted back to Lee. It had only been a few minutes and it already felt like she hadn't seen him for ages. More than anything she wished they were back in her flat and he was holding her in his arms as they slept.
When she'd woken up this morning she'd realized how much she'd been missing. She'd never thought she was a person who liked being held; certainly she never had in the past but this morning threw all that out the window. She remembered one of her exes had been a touchy-feely person and would always try to cuddle her after they'd had sex and through the night. All he ended up doing was making her feel restricted and claustrophobic. With Lee it was different; the feel of his arms around her waist when she woke up hadn't made her feel trapped and she'd liked it. In fact she more than liked it. His arms pulling her into his body; pressing her up against him in a way that made her regret having to get up and leave him. And now she'd left him for a second time; all in one day and each time she'd felt awful. This time was definitely the worst time though because it was more long term. This time she'd had to see his face just before she left him and it broke her heart. Gods, she was officially pathetic. And she had no idea when she was going to see him again. Her life was about to become all about waiting and hoping.
By the time she got home the tears were running down her face and she parked her car much closer to her flat than she usually would. She pulled her pants back on; she hadn't put them on since leaving Lee and she took the time to try and compose herself a little. It didn't work; it just gave her time to remember why she'd removed them in the first place.
****
Lee stood for a good five minutes after she'd left; watching the road she'd just driven down and wondering if he'd just made a huge mistake. It wasn't what had happened with Kara that he regretted but more the fact he had to leave her and go back to his ship. He wished he could see her more frequently because he knew it would be amazing if they could. And probably a lot easier than it was going to be for the next couple of months.
Eventually he walked over to the cadet's quarters and up to Zak's room. Zak opened the door for him and smirked as Lee walked into the room. "Long time, no see, Lee. I thought I was going to have to send out Search and Rescue."
"Don't start, Zak." Lee wasn't in the mood for his brother to tease him about Kara.
"Do you want a beer?" Lee nodded and Zak retrieved a bottle from the small refrigerator in the corner of the room. Lee removed the top and took a long drink from it. He could feel Zak watching him and he wondered how long it would be before Zak asked the obvious questions. He hoped it would be a long time. He was wrong. "So I take it things between you and Kara worked out?"
"I can't believe you set her up like that, Zak."
"Like what? It worked didn't it. You have to admit the two of you got on. Or you wouldn't have disappeared for more than a day. And come back here looking like you've been frakking the whole time you've been gone."
"You didn't need to try your hand at matchmaking, Zak. It wasn't necessary."
"How else were you going to get together with her?"
"I'm not completely incapable to asking a girl out, you know."
"Look Lee, I didn't mean anything by it. I just knew the two of you were well suited; that there would be chemistry between you. I was right, wasn't I?"
"Yeah, you were." He took another sip of his drink. "You just went the wrong way about it."
"Anyway you go back to your ship the day after tomorrow, don't you? So it's not a problem anymore."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, you can go back to your normal life. You had a good time while you were down on Caprica and now it's over and you can go back to the ship feeling more relaxed."
Lee stared at his brother and once again was confounded at the differences between the two of them. How could two brothers who'd been raised together have such different morals to one another? Quite obviously Zak assumed last night with Kara was a one-time thing. "It might be best if you don't say any more, Zak. And don't mention this conversation to Kara…"
"Meaning?"
"Meaning, this wasn't a one-night stand, Zak. It was more than that. I like her; I like her a lot." There was no way he was going to admit to his brother that he probably loved Kara. "I'm going to keep in touch with her when I get back to Atlantia. I'm going to see her again." He finished his beer. "I'm gonna call it a night. I'll see you in the morning. We can spend some time together before I head over to see Mum." Zak watched him leave and wondered just what it was he'd started by setting his brother up with his flight instructor.
****
It was probably a good thing for Kara that she didn't see Zak the next day. He was probably the last person she wanted to see. She still wasn't sure how she was going to react to him after what he'd done. It had been bad enough the morning after her date with Lee but by now he would probably know more about what had happened between them and she wasn't sure she could deal with his teasing. Another reason for her not wanting to see him was because he would just remind her of Lee. She didn't need any additional reminders. Lee was already constantly on her mind. He was the first thing she'd thought of when she woke up this morning. The sheets of her bed smelled of him and she knew it would be a while before she changed them. She needed the comfort of feeling like he was around her. He was the final thing she thought of last night and the hours between were just as filled with him too.
It had been a long day. And she wasn't really in the mood to do anything other than go back to her apartment and wallow in self-pity. She'd been snappy with her colleagues today and had tried to restore her balance by taking a Viper up for an hour but that again was just another reminder of the night before with Lee. She stopped at a shop and picked up some groceries. She needed a drink and some chocolate. She made her way to her apartment and walked into the building.
It wasn't long before she was sitting on the couch and watching mindless TV while tucking into the bar of chocolate that she'd brought and a glass of Ambrosia. She wasn't really watching the TV but was thinking of her new favorite subject. Lee. She glanced at her phone; remembering that he said he'd call her. He hadn't yet and she was longing to hear his voice. Although she wasn't sure that was going to make her feel any better.
She pushed away the chocolate and decided she needed to eat something a little more substantial. She dug out a menu from a nearby cupboard and then phoned through her order. Forty minutes until it turned up. She switched off the TV and decided to go for a relaxing bath. Bubbles and steam filled the tub just a few minutes later and as she sank into the water she closed her eyes in bliss. She lay there and felt her muscles relax in the hot water. She didn't lay there too long as she knew her food would soon be turning up. She wrapped a towel around her body and then strolled back to her bedroom. She threw on some comfortable clothes and then went back to the couch. The food arrived and she retrieved it, paying the deliveryman. She was soon in her small kitchen; dishing some of the mountain of food she'd ordered onto a plate.
There was a soft knock on the front door and Kara walked to it quickly; not really thinking who it could be. She opened the door and gasped as she saw who it was standing there. "Are you going to ask me in?" Lee said, softly.
Kara stepped back and he walked past her into the hallway. "What are you doing here?"
"I can go if you want me to…" his face looked worriedly at her.
"NO!" She took a deep breath. "No. Don't go. I just wasn't expecting you." She suddenly felt self conscious as she stood before him. "I look a mess."
"You look stunning."
She blushed and then remembered her food. "Do you want something to eat? I'd just got some food delivered and there's far too much for just me."
"Sure." He followed her into the kitchen, watching as she put some food onto another plate and then carried them both across the room; passing one to him before going over to the couch. He took a seat beside her and leaned over; kissing her softly on the cheek. "Thanks."
They ate the food in comfortable silence. After a couple of minutes Kara broke the silence. "I wasn't expecting to see you tonight. I thought you would've gone back to see Zak or still be at your mother's."
"I wanted to see you. More than I wanted to see Zak. He managed to frak me off yesterday so it didn't take too much deciding who I wanted to see more."
She smiled at him. "What did he do to frak you off?"
Lee looked down at his plate and took another mouthful of food as he wondered how to respond to her question. Finally he spoke, "He assumed you and I was a one-time thing. He can't understand why I'd want to carry on seeing you. He thinks I'm mad."
"I think it's him that's mad, after all he turned down the prospect of a date with me." He smiled at her and she felt the urge to kiss him. An urge she followed after putting down her plate. His arm wrapped around her back and they leisurely kissed each other; taking the opportunity to re-familiarize themselves with each other. She was leaning against him as they watched the TV; his arm wrapped around shoulder; his fingers brushing the skin on the top of her arm. After about an hour Lee had got bored of the program and began to kiss her neck; intent on leaving a mark at that spot. She sighed and her hand moved to his knee and she squeezed his leg. She moved her legs up onto the couch and his hands pulled on her ankles so she swiveled and they rested on top of his legs. His hands gradually moved up her legs and Kara was struggling to stay still. It wasn't too long before they were lying on the couch when they pulled apart with Kara was draped over him. She rested her head on his chest; wrapping her arms around him. Lee's arms were tight around her as well and one of his hands was brushing her back. "How was your mother?" she asked him softly.
"I think I managed to bore her silly."
"How?"
"She said I looked different when I arrived; I looked more relaxed and happier somehow."
"And?"
"I told her about you. I think I must've spent a lot of today talking about you. I'm sure she was bored by me."
"I'd imagine she was just glad to see you happy." She lifted her head and looked at his face. "You are happy, aren't you?"
"I am. I've never been happier."
"Good. I am too. Well, I suppose I wasn't today. I was really missing you and I guess I wasn't in the best of moods. It's probably just as well I didn't see your brother today."
"I couldn't believe what he was saying last night. He seriously thought I was just going to frak you and never see you again. He seems to think that's the way you should treat a girl."
"That's not how you behave then?"
"Never. One night stands aren't my kind of thing. Having said that I had no idea I was going to feel this way when I left the restaurant with you. This is so much more than I thought it would be."
"Zak said yesterday that you didn't normally rush into making decisions; especially one's that involve you sleeping with someone. He did seem quite surprised when he guessed we'd slept together. He said it wasn't how you normally behaved."
"I have a feeling my brother doesn't really know me that well."
"Maybe he doesn't. He's not the only one that needs to get to know you better."
"Oh yeah?"
"Mmm mmm. I want to know what makes you tick. What you like. What you don't like. I want to know everything about you."
"I want to know you just as much."
"I've told you already, there's not much to tell you."
"I don't believe that, Kara. Why are you so reluctant to tell me about yourself?" She was quiet for some time. "Please talk to me."
"My life wasn't so great when I was growing up, Lee. My father abandoned me when I was a child and my mother was a bad person to be left in charge of a six-year old."
"It must've been tough." He kissed the top of her head. "You don't have to hide things from me, Kara. It won't change the way I feel about you."
"You haven't heard it yet. Maybe you shouldn't make any promises until I tell you."
His fingers lifted her chin so her eyes met his. He could see emotions on her face and her eyes were pools of tears. "There's nothing you could tell me that would do anything to make me feel any less for you."
She stared into his eyes; she wanted to believe him; she wanted to trust him but she felt the tiniest spark of fear that once he knew the truth he would leave her. She closed her eyes; trying to compose herself and she felt Lee brush away a tear from her cheek as it felt from her eye. She felt his lips on her forehead and sighed softly as the touch of his lips removed the worry that had built. She looked at him and licked her lips; trying to reintroduce some moisture to them. "My mother is a drunk and used to abuse me when I was a child. She's always told me I was a mistake; one she wished she'd never made and that I would never amount to anything. The last time I saw her was the day I got made a lieutenant and assigned to a battlestar. She told me I was going to be a disgrace to the Fleet and everyone would soon know the truth."
"You don't believe that, do you?" She shrugged her shoulders; her eyes not quite meeting his. "Never believe what she said. Kara, if the Fleet thought you were a disgrace you'd never have been offered a position at the Academy. They don't ask just anyone to be a lecturer to cadets. They must really respect you or you wouldn't be where you are now."
"I know you're right but sometimes it's difficult to believe. Sometimes I let what she said get to me."
Lee leant forward and kissed her on the lips gently; hoping to prove to her that she was wrong. His hand brushed down her back and cupped her ass; pulling her up so she was closer to him. His other hand went into her hair and she felt him pull the tie from her ponytail so her hair fell around her face. Their kiss deepened; tongues meeting in a passionate duel. Kara was now lying almost completely on top of him. "Let's take this to your room…" he whispered.
She smiled against his mouth and nodded. She sat up and rose off the couch; holding her hand out towards him. Lee looked up at her and took her hand in his. He walked behind her as she led him to her bedroom. She flicked on a lamp near her bed and the faint glow from it emanated around the room. They stood in front of each other and then moved at the same time; slowing removing the other's clothing; their movements only broken by shared kisses and caresses. They climbed into the bed and Lee pulled her into his arms; not realizing how much she'd been wanting this moment since she'd seen him last. His hand took hers in its grip; his fingers laced with hers and he held them in front of them.
No words were needed as they began to make love; Lee pushing into her slowly as his hands still held hers tight. The pace was slow and tender; neither of them in a rush but eager to ensure they made this special. His body was top of hers and Kara could feel the strength in his actions even though he was being so gentle with her. Again Kara was already close to coming but she hoped to make it last longer. Lee looked into her eyes and seemed to realize how close she was and he slowed down his movements even more. "I love you, Lee." She whispered; each word punctuated with a kiss. "I love you so much."
"I love you too. I've never felt like this before; not about anyone. I never realized I even needed someone."
"Me neither. I thought I was happy; that my life was sorted out but now I know how much I was missing." She paused as she took a deep breath. "I was so miserable today but now that you're here I haven't got anything to be sad about." He kissed her again. "Not until tomorrow anyway; not until you leave."
"I'm sorry, Kara."
"It doesn't matter."
"Yes, it does. I hate the fact I've got to leave you tomorrow. I don't want to; I'd much rather stay here with you, believe me." He'd stopped moving in her now; needing to reassure her. "I wish I could do this every night; be here with you like this; make love to you so you fly all the time." She smiled at him and kissed him softly on the lips.
"I want to remember this every time I lie in this bed. I want to be able to imagine you here with me; making love to me all night long."
"All night?" he smiled at her.
"Of course."
"I'd better make sure you remember it accurately then."
A thrill went through her at his words and she smiled at him as he renewed his movements. His hips thrust against her sharply and she gasped softly. Just seconds later she came; a soft pulse meandering through her. Her hand clutched his; her nails digging into the back of his hand. Her high faded and still he moved within her; his movements becoming slightly more frantic as he edged nearer. When he thrust into her he heard the soft intake of breath she took; felt the gentle exhale against his shoulder as he pulled back out of her. "Lee…" she gasped. He looked at her and she kissed him; her tongue pushing into his mouth. "I believe you. I believe what you said earlier. About what my mother said."
His kiss was deeper and he held her face as his tongue explored her mouth. "Always remember that I believe in you. There's nothing you can't do, Kara."
"With the right motivation."
"No. Always."
For a long time they both climbed to their peaks; taking their time to enjoy the closeness and share the experience. Lee fell first but Kara was close behind him. Neither of them stopped moving although they slowed slightly back to their original pace. They continued this routine over and over; neither of them feeling as tired as they should be.
****
Lee held Kara in his arms; her back was to his chest and he was spooned behind her. It was the early hours of the morning now and he smiled as he remembered his promise to make love to her all night. He'd lived up to his promise and she'd not long fallen asleep. Lee was beyond tired and yet he couldn't sleep. This moment was what he wanted to remember; holding her in his arms; a breast in one hand and his other holding one of hers.
He wasn't looking forward to the morning and he knew both of them would hate the moment he had to leave. If he was brave he'd leave now; spare them both the pain of saying goodbye but he couldn't do that to her either. He wanted to at least be able to say goodbye to her; even if it was the most painful thing either of them had to do.
****
Kara woke and felt Lee pressed up against her back. His arms were holding her and she smiled into her pillow as she shuffled back slightly; trying to get closer to him. This was what she wanted to remember when he left. That thought made her smile disappear as she realized it would be a couple of hours before he left and this time he wouldn't be turning up at her door. Not for a long time anyway.
His mouth moved to her neck and kissed it softly. She turned in his arms to face him and her mouth met his in a heated kiss. Quickly he entered her and rolled them so he was lying on top of her. This time he was more frenetic with his thrusts into her; he wanted her to enjoy this because it'd be a while before they'd do this again.
He pulled her legs up towards her chest and the angle he had in her changed; his cock brushing against her in such a way that left her gasping. She began to move beneath him and smiled down at her. "Stop," he whispered. She froze beneath him and he saw the fear in her eyes when he pulled out of her. "Turn over." He said; his hand brushing her cheek.
Kara paused for only a second before doing as he asked. He gripped her hips and pushed back into her in one smooth thrust. Her head fell forward as she felt him fill her; his cock pushing deeper than it had done before. He groaned softly as he felt her tighten on him. His groin pressed against her ass and he reached his hand round to touch her clit; his fingers brushing across it until she tightened on him further.
All too soon it was over; they both collapsed to the bed; a tangle of arms, legs and sweaty bodies. Lee kissed her shoulder blades as he rested against her. Kara chuckled and turned over so she could kiss him. Her mouth was soft against his and her tongue brushed against his. "What time does the shuttle back to Atlantia leave?"
"At noon. We have a little while yet. Do you need to get to the Academy?" She shook her head and silently stared into his eyes as she lay facing him. Lee reached for his dogtags and pulled them over his head. Kara watched him as he undid the chain and took one of the tags off it. He held his hand out to her, offering her it. "I want you to have this; wear it round your neck so I'll always be close to your heart." Her hand gripped the small disc tightly in its grip.
She reached for her own chain and pulled it over her head. She undid it and slipped his tag next to hers. She looked up at him and then pulled one of her tags off and held it out towards him. "I want you to have this to remind you to come back to me and to remind you what's waiting for you on Caprica."
Both of them pulled their chains back in place and Kara fingered the tags as they lay side by side around her neck. "Can you do me a favor while I'm away, Kara?" She looked up at him and nodded her head. "Can you keep an eye on Zak for me and make sure he's okay."
"Of course I can. I'll even promise not to make his life too miserable." Lee laughed and Kara soon joined him.
"You won't pass him if he isn't good enough, will you?" he asked quietly.
"Absolutely not."
"Okay." He kissed her softly. "I'd better get up and start getting ready to leave. I've got to go back to Zak's before I catch the shuttle." Lee moved away from her and got out of the bed. Kara began to move with him but he soon pushed her back to the mattress. "Stay. You don't need to get up."
"I want to."
"It's early; Kara and we had a late night. Get some rest."
She stared at him. "Okay." She finally agreed. Her eyes drifted shut but quickly opened. "You won't leave without saying goodbye, will you?"
"I'll come and say goodbye, don't worry."
She fully intended to go to sleep like he'd suggested but she just couldn't do it. She lay on the bed; her head on the pillow that smelled of Lee and watched him as he disappeared into the bathroom. Her eyes were beginning to drift shut when he walked back into her room; a small towel wrapped around his waist. Her eyes widened as they roamed down his body; opening further when he dropped the towel to the floor and stood in the middle of the room. She appreciated the sight when he bent down and picked up various bits of his clothes. Unfortunately he'd soon pulled his clothing on and removed his beauty from her view. He walked over to her and sat on the edge of the bed. His hand came up to caress her face, "I don't want you to go."
"I don't want to go either."
"Can't we just stay here and pretend it's just us?"
"You know we can't. I'd get in trouble and we don't want that."
"I know." His thumb brushed across her lips and she licked it with her tongue and then pulled the tip into his mouth. He bent forward and replaced his thumb with his mouth. His hand moved to her face as the kiss deepened. He felt tears fall down her cheeks and he felt awful. "Please don't cry. I'll never be able to leave if you do."
"You said that the other night…"
"I meant it."
"I'm sorry."
"This is just as difficult for me."
"I know."
"I'll call you. As much as I can. I'll call you so much you'll be sick of me."
"That could never happen." Their lips met in a passionate but brief kiss. He stood as he pulled his mouth from hers and backed across the room; staring into her eyes. She sat up and got to her feet; pulling the sheet from the bed and wrapping it around her body. They both walked to her front door and Lee opened it.
She looked over his shoulder and saw Zak sitting in his car down the street. "He's taking me to the shuttle. I called him when I was in the bathroom." His hands reached for hers and he tugged on them and pulled her against him. He kissed again; neither of them losing the novelty of their passion. "I'm going to go now. Take care, Kara." He took a couple of steps from her and looked at her over his shoulder.
She could feel her throat tightening and knew it wouldn't be long before she was crying. She hoped she could hold it off long enough for him to leave. She didn't want the last thing he saw before he left was her crying her eyes out. "I love you, Lee." She whispered; her voice quivering slightly as she said his name. He paused and then strode back to her and kissed her; backing her against the wall behind her; his hands cradling her face. This time when he walked away; he backed away from her; maintaining eye contact with her all the time. He smiled at her and then winked; making her laugh softly and momentarily forget her tears.
"Love you too." He said; as much emotion in his voice as there had been in hers. "Don't forget me."
"I won't be able to." Her hand reached for the tags hanging between her breasts. "You're right next to my heart."
"And mine. I'll come back to you soon."
"You'd better."
****
It had been a long few weeks. Kara had missed Lee a lot but she'd spoken to him as much as she could and he called her and wrote to her all the time. They'd really got to know each other during this time and were closer now than they'd ever been. For a long time she'd been wishing she could see him; to hold him in her arms; to make love to him all night long. She sat on her couch and stared at her hands; knowing she was shortly going to be getting that wish but now wishing more than anything that she wasn't. Today was going to be a difficult day; she only hoped the two of them would be able to get through it intact.
She heard a car pull up outside and knew it was him. She never thought she'd dread seeing him so much. She walked to the door and opened it. He was getting out of a cab and had his back to her but she could see the tension in his shoulders. She bit her lip as she watched him struggle to get his bag off the backseat. He slammed the door shut and the driver drove off. Lee turned to face her; picking up his bag and then walked towards her. She stared at him and saw the strain in his face. She stepped back and he walked into her apartment; neither of them saying anything.
She stood against the door after shutting it and watched him in the center of the hallway. He was just standing there and she felt the stress emanating from him. She took a few steps forward and pulled the bag from his hand; putting it on the floor behind her. She stood behind him and her hand ran up her back. He stiffened slightly as her hand climbed up his body. She tried not to take it personally; she knew it wasn't her; this was nothing to do with her. Her hands slipped round his waist and she kissed the back of his neck; her body pressed up against his. A gasp escaped from him and she breathed a sigh of relief as she realized he was finally reacting to it all. Over the next couple of minutes she held him as he gradually began to fall apart before her. She held him in her arms; having turned his body to face her. His arms came round her and held her tight in his grasp; his strength initially overwhelming her. She wanted to help him and she had no idea what she was doing.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He shook his head against her shoulder. "I'm here for you, Lee."
He pulled away from her and stared at her; a heat in his eyes that scared her. "I asked you to look after him. You told me you wouldn't pass him. You lied to me; you must've done or he wouldn't be dead now."
She felt like she'd been punched in the gut and she stared at him. "In different circumstances I'd probably have hit you by now but I know it's just the grief talking." She could feel the lump building in her throat and part of her hated that he could have this effect on her. "When you want to talk to me about it, I'll be here but you need to be ready to listen to what I'm going to say." She stepped forward and cupped his face with her hand. "I love you, Lee and I'd never do anything to hurt you. Let me help you, please."
He didn't say anything; just stared at her; anguish written all over his face. She backed away from him; hoping he wouldn't notice how much he'd hurt her with his words. "Please stay." He whispered; his voice harsh in the silence. As soon as he spoke she stopped moving away from him; but she didn't move to him either. His fists were clenching and she was sure he was desperate to punch something. She hoped it wasn't her he chose.
She watched as he turned away from her and slammed his fists against the wall behind him. His shoulders were shaking and she longed to reach out and comfort him but knew he still had some anger to work out. She was right because it wasn't long before he was hitting the wall repeatedly with his right fist; finally he lost the fight and slumped against the wall; his head resting against the surface. She saw him break completely before her and knew it was time for her to go back to him.
Her hand brushed through his hair as she stepped closer to him; his whole body was shaking now. She dropped to her knees beside him and wrapped her arms around him; pulling him against her body and brushing her hands up and down his back; feeling him try and bury himself into her. "I'm so sorry, Lee." She whispered to him.
For a long time they sat in silence; Kara let him cry himself out; adding some of her own tears to the mix. Finally he spoke. "Can you tell me what happened?" he said softly.
"I'm not that sure, Lee." She brushed her lips against his face in a gentle kiss. "I don't understand what he was doing there." She swallowed the lump of guilt that was increasing in size. "I failed him, Lee. He didn't pass his flight test. He shouldn't have been in that Viper. I don't know why he was there."
"My dad." Lee growled.
"What?"
"Someone at the Academy must've told him Zak failed; he probably pulled a few strings."
"Even if he'd passed there's no way he should have been up in that Viper. The results only got posted yesterday afternoon."
"Zak was probably so pleased he'd passed he tried to get a flight as soon as he could."
"I'm so sorry, Lee. I feel like it's my fault. I should've made sure the results that were posted were correct."
"It's not your fault. This is my dad's fault; not yours."
"I wish things were different. I wish he was still alive."
"So do I." he whispered.
"He was too young to die, Lee. He had so much life in him." He pulled her into his arms and they offered each other the comfort they both needed.
TBC
A/N: Please review and let me know what you think. What do you think this means for Lee and Kara now? Can you guess? :-) I bet you can't. (Is that wicked?)