Every Stray Child

Part: 4
Rating: PG, maybe be PG-13 later on
paring: ensemble cast
Summary: Several years later someone from Felix's past shows up. This is a sequel to Training Wheels.
Disclaimer: Battlestar Galactica and its characters are creations of Glen Larson and copywrited by Universal Studios. Stargate and its characters are creations of MGM. We make no money off this.

Chapter Four

Sam walked into the newly renovated house carrying a bag of groceries. Even though the fridge and pantry were well stocked, there were still some things that had been missing, namely spices and extra little things. She looked around the corner and into the living room. The house was quiet, but it already had that lived in feeling once again. It was good that the house was being used. She set the bag on the counter and started pulling the items out of it.

"Do you need any help, ma'am?"

"No, but thanks," she said as she looked back to one of the guards. "Don't worry there'll be enough for you and Simms."

The guard smiled at the thought of getting a good meal as he went back to the garage. When she was alone once more, she looked up to the small camera Felix had installed several years ago, and waived.

Being familiar with children, especially Cassie, Sam knew that the younger Agathons will be up and clamoring for breakfast the moment they started smelling the food. The two adults might be slower in making their appearances. Sam may not be the one to make breakfast for a hungry family every day, but this was their first time to wake up in a house.

"You know, you don't have to do this," Sharon said as she moved into the kitchen.

"I know." Sam smiled as she handed the Cylon a fresh cup of coffee. "It's your first morning in a new place, so why not? Just don't expect me to do this for you every day." The last sentence Sam emphasized slightly. The look on Sharon's face told her that she knew she and Karl were expected to learn how to operate the appliances in the kitchen.

"Don't worry," Sam came back over and patted her arm, "The appliances are pretty easy to learn." The blonde indicated the countertop clearly trying to tell Sharon to come over. "You can also help Karl become more comfortable."

Seeing her chance of learning more how the kitchens on Earth worked she came over beside Sam and watched how breakfast was prepared. Sam remembered Janet's comments from several years ago how Felix was able to catch on fairly quickly. Hoping it was the same with the Cylon she started explaining what she was doing.

"This is almost the same as what I remember," Sharon said with more confidence. "The controls are the only thing that's different."

"Good," Sam said under her breath.

Breakfast was completed by the time the rest of the family began to emerge from their bedrooms. They all had sleepy but wary looks on their faces not quite sure what the official protocol would be.

It almost made Karl cry, it was that kind. He didn't know if Samantha Carter even understood how nice she was being. The kids had been raised to be happy if a meal happened every twelve hours and they had also been raised to not balk at how food tasted since there was so little food to begin with. He could smell just how tasty the meal Sam had prepared was, and he wanted the children to appreciate it.

They had been so lucky after all. The kids, in their brand new pajamas and robes seemed almost startled by a set breakfast table and he knew, almost instinctively, that it was time to shake off the shock and go back to his favorite role, being a dad. "Ok, I want everyone to take a seat at the table, now." He peaked into the kitchen. "Nick, Hera, go into the kitchen and be helpful. The rest of you, in seats."

Cafeteria style life was fine in short bursts, when it was necessary, but they were in a house now and he intended for things to be different. He smiled as Hera, and Nick came out of the kitchen with heaping bowls of scrambled eggs and homefried potatoes, and smiled more as Sharon and Sam entered with bacon, sausage, and buttered toast. The children squirmed in their seats as the food was set down, the dog, Neville, taking up position by little Felix.

He looked at Sharon. "This is our first morning in our new home and we are going to start it right. Everyone sit down." He waited until everyone took a seat at the table. He felt awkward but… "Everyone hold hands." He waited until Sharon took his hand on the left and Hera on the right. "Zeus, we thank you for your gifts, Hera, we thank you for our safety, Hestia we thank you for our new home…."

"Peresphone we thank you for your bounty," Sharon added with a smile. "We thank you all for bringing our family to safety, and for returning friends to us and for bringing us new friends like Samantha who helped prepare this meal." She waited a long moment. "Ok, let's eat."

It had been a very long and exhausting 24 hours, Felix Gaeta numbly thought. The only good thing that came out of it all was that everyone was going to be all right. "I haven't been this worn out in a very long time," he muttered as he pulled into the driveway. After sliding the car into park, he rested his head against the headrest and closed his eyes. All he wanted to do was to close his eyes and sleep.

Tapping on the window eventually caught his attention. He had no idea how long he had been possibly asleep. "Are you okay, sir?" the guard asked cautiously once he lowered the window.

"Yes, I'm just very tired." Gaeta rubbed his bloodshot eyes. "Who's in there?" indicating the house in front of him.

"Major Carter is the only one so far, sir."

The former Colonial tactical officer finally looked at the name tag on the guard's uniform. "Thanks, Sutton," he told the marine as he slowly climbed out of the vehicle. For a moment he hesitated at the front door, but only for a moment. The car would be all right, plus he knew the neighborhood, and the neighbors knew that he and Janet still owned the house.

It was nice to see the house used once again, he mused. Over the past year they had discussed the possibility of renting it out, but nothing ever came to fruition. He pushed the door open and stepped inside. Muffled conversation wafted through the seemingly empty house. From what he remembered of the layout, he had a good idea of where the noise was coming from.

Reaching the stairwell that descended into the basement, he slowly worked his way down to the bottom floor. The sound of dramatic music made him realize that whoever was down here was watching a movie. He couldn't tell which one it was, and at the moment he really didn't care.

"Felix?" Karl asked as he stepped into the large room. The Agathon kids were spread around the room either watching the movie, or working on a puzzle over at the game table. Sam was with that particular group. She had smiled and waved at him then went back to what they were working on. Nodding, he moved towards a free sofa. Once he had moved from the basement and up to the master bedroom, they had converted this space over to a recreation type of space, and was decorated accordingly. As soon as he sat down, Neville came over and hopped onto the cushions beside him, then laid half of his body on top of him.

"You like that, don't you," he muttered as he started scratching the akita's ears. The dog sighed in absolute contentment and rolled onto his back exposing his soft underbelly. Letting out a grin, Gaeta reached down and found that spot on the dogs belly that made his leg kick uncontrollably.

A whimper caught his attention and he looked up. Karl's youngest was sitting in his father's lap, but squirming to get down. He clearly wanted to go over to the dog. Neville seemed to be ignoring the child for him. Neville probably smells how stressed out I've been, he thought. He knew when he was ready Neville would go over to the child. Maybe later, he thought as he finally let sleep overcome his weariness.

This day was a long time coming, Felix thought as he looked out the back door and into the yard. Ever since his two youngest had arrived he started planning the celebration. Even if Karl and Sharon hadn't shown up when they did, he still would have planned for it. He did it two other times and both turned out good, except for Jack moping around about not being allowed near the grill. It was all in good natured fun. And he knew Jack was just doing it all for show.

The pattering of feet on the hardwood floor alerted him to the fact that at least one child was awake. Hearing the noise come closer he turned around and kneeled down just in time to be barreled into by a small moving form. "Karl, no running in the house," he said with mock sternness. Getting a hug, the small form turned and raced into the kitchen area.

"Felix, he's only three. Give him some slack," Janet said as she came into the room. Yesterday had been a very long day for both of them, but it had been worth it. Their two youngest had finally come home from the hospital.

"Which one?" he asked as he took the infant and cradled the child against him.

"Kara. Billy is still asleep." Janet yawned as she turned and went back into the nursery to retrieve the other baby.

Felix nodded absently as he moved over to one of the chairs. Morning was always the best time, especially before the kids were awake. It was like the calm before the storm. Not that he didn't mind it. He found it refreshing in an exhausting way. The kids helped keep him young.

Eventually Felix started getting things ready for the barbeque picnic. It really didn't take that long, he had organized everything the day before. He found out the hard way at the first party. He hated running around in a panic, when all he had to do was to make sure that he had everything the day before.

There was a knock and then "Hey!" from the front of the house.

Felix smiled, only Jack would do something like that. He heard Janet address him in what sounded like irritation. When the older officer came in, he was carrying a bag of groceries and a 12 pack of beer. The look on his face was slightly sheepish. "I heard Janet grilling you," Felix gave him a wink.

"Well yeah, I kinda forgot." Jack shrugged as he put the plastic bag on the island then went over to the fridge and looked for a place to put the beer in it. "These should be cold enough in a few hours, and if not, there's always the ice chest."

"If you're going to grill the ribs, you need to help me get this stuff ready."

"Captain, ordering me around?" Felix looked over and found that Jack really didn't mean the comment.

"When you're on my property? Of course, and you're not on duty either." The former Colonial gave him another wink before turning his attention back to the vegetables he was preparing. "The meat is in the fridge. I took everything out of the freezer a few days ago to let it all thaw out."

Jack nodded as he opened the door once again and looked around. He found what he was looking for in the drawers at the bottom. "Think you have enough here?"

"There's always leftovers," Felix said as he finished what he was doing for the moment. "If you could put that there, it'll be great," he pointed to the island with a knife then went back to putting all the different grilling vegetables on several platters. "And leftovers mean sandwiches for at least a week at the most." He paused, "Or stew in the slowcooker."

Jack grinned as he put the wrapped packages on the counter. Soon enough the meat would be washed and prepared for grilling.

"Is any of this going to show up in the cafeteria?" He looked over to the older man and sighed. There was going to be enough people at the celebration that there might not be any leftovers. That was something he didn't mind at all. As long as everything was cleaned up afterwards would he consider it a good day. The babies were going to make their first official outing, even if it were to the backyard. He never considered their trip home from the hospital to be an "outing". This afternoon was going to be different.

With a grin, he accepted the mug of coffee Jack had offered. Taking a swallow, he went back to preparing the rest of the vegetables. As soon as he found out what barbeque meant he started experimenting with vegetables. If one could roast the roughage in the oven, who's to say it couldn't be done over an open fire. Although this would be gas powered instead of using coal. It made things easier, too.

The sound of small feet running through the house to the kitchen alerted both adults that they were about to be joined by one of kids. Even though Felix had been getting the food ready for the cookout, he didn't forget that his oldest children needed breakfast.

"Good morning, Danny," he heard Jack greet one of his oldest.

"Hi Uncle Jack!"

"Cereal is in the pantry," Felix said automatically.

The answer he heard was the sound of the pantry door opening up and then Jack's voice once again, "Let's see what we have here."

"I don't want that!" Danny said petulantly. For a moment Felix glanced back to the two and caught his son with arms folded imitating Janet when she was extremely irritated. It took considerable effort not to grin at the whole sight.

"You know, we can always put some sugar on it," Jack attempted to mollify the child.

"No!"

Knowing the child was pushing his luck, Felix turned and looked at him, "Daniel, Uncle Jack is getting you breakfast."

In a flash, the petulance disappeared and was replaced by a sullen realization that he wasn't going to get his way.

"If you don't want the cereal, there are some waffles in the freezer." Felix glanced to Jack and gave a slight nod. He understood the motive behind Danny's behavior. The child felt like wasn't going to get the attention he was used to and this was the only way he could get it. He knew all too well and planned on giving his two oldest just as much, maybe even more attention than they received on a regular basis so they would know that he loved them just as much as the younger babies.

Pointing to one of the cabinets, Felix let Jack retrieve the toaster and the rest of the things needed to prepare the frozen waffles. Soon enough, Danny was seated at the kitchen table and pouring on as much syrup as he could. Moments later, his twin brother made his first appearance in the kitchen. Karl was still wearing his pajamas with matching booties. When he saw Danny getting waffles he started jumping up and down squealing and begging for the same breakfast.

"Is this normal?" Jack asked as he retrieved the milk from the fridge.

"Welcome to the madhouse," Felix answered with an amused tone to his voice. It was then he realized that Jack had never been present when the kids first got up in the morning. So far, it was fairly normal, though he knew he had to watch the two oldest to make sure they didn't act out more than normal 4-year-olds.

Several hours later Felix was seated in a comfortable lawn chair and holding little Billy while watching everyone that had come to the party. It never ceased to amaze him that the members of Stargate had readily accepted him and made him one of their own; a valued member. They didn't care where he was from, they just accepted him the way he was. Their actions reminded him greatly of his parents. Even though they were older, they had welcomed him and all his problems with open arms.

Karl and Sharon had been ecstatic when they found out they were invited to come. It was also good to see Neville once again, though the Akita was acting more like a pet than a service animal. Little Felix stuck like glue to the large dog. The first time Danny saw Karl and Sharon's youngest they immediately started playing together. It was good to see the children running around and enjoying themselves. Neville didn't fully participate in the antics, but he did watch carefully what was going on.

Hearing the back door open, Felix glanced over his shoulder and saw both Janet and Sharon emerging from inside the house. The lone remaining Cylon was cradling his youngest daughter carefully. Having had experience with her own children, she knew to make sure that the infant wasn't injured in any way. Turning his attention back to the grill he smiled. He had specifically told Jack that the grill was off limits. But when Janet had first emerged with Billy he quickly relegated the cooking duties to the older individual and settled himself down to watch over everything. On the ground beside the chair was a baby bag.

The next person to emerge from the house was Cassie carrying another tray of vegetables ready to be grilled. Early on in his growing relationship with Janet he deliberately gave her as much attention as he could. He didn't want her to feel that he was taking Janet away from her. Even though she was in her teens, he knew she still needed the guidance only a parent could give. It also helped that she understood the feeling of being a complete stranger in a strange new world.

Felix couldn't help but notice the teen glance towards Nick and then quickly bring her attention back to what she was doing. It was like she was trying not to be noticed, but the more she tried, the more obvious it had become.

Nick seemed to blush for a moment before shaking himself out of it. Karl and Sharon's oldest had seemed to grow like a weed once he had nutritious food inside him. All of the Agathon's seemed to have grown substantially. It was a testament to what healthy food and a healthy environment will do for growing children.

The whole situation was amusing, and something he needed to talk to Janet, and then Karl.

The sliding glass door opened again. At first, Felix ignored what was going on, but after a moment, his curiosity got the better of him, and he glanced over his shoulder to see whom it was. Karl emerged from inside the house with a bag in hand. For a moment, he wondered if his hair was supposed to be as gray as his old friend was. Eventually he decided that it wasn't that important. His people were still alive, and that's all that mattered. It did grieve him that his parents were gone, but that was something he didn't have any control over. The members of the premier Stargate team had made him one of their own. The group had become his only extended family. It reminded him somewhat of the first years after the Holocaust. The disaster brought everyone together on the battlestar.

At first he thought the bag was for the kids, until he came over to him and put it down beside the baby bag. "Is that for me?" he asked as he glanced down.

"Yes, sorry it took so long," Karl apologized.

"Don't worry about it," Felix grinned as he shifted Billy to his other shoulder.

"Let me hold him. I want you to look at what I brought," Karl grinned.

Felix rolled his eyes then handed his youngest to his old friend. Dipping his hand into the bag he pulled out what looked like a somewhat thin book. The sight of the beveled corners made him grin. It had been a long time since he had seen books that looked right. He still had a hard time looking at books and paper with square corners. "What's in it?"

"Just look."

Felix looked up and realized that several people had come over, wanting to see what he got. Opening it up, he couldn't help but tear up when he realized that someone had lovingly taken care of his precious few pictures from his life on Caprica. "You have no idea how much this means to me, Karl," he said in a whisper then wiped his eyes.

finis