WARNING : Some mild mature content.

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Dragonlots aka Dana Bell

Chapter 10

His eyelids seemed to be very heavy and Lee had to force them open. Groaning he managed to sit up and put his whirling head in his hands while he vaguely wondered what time it was. When the world steadied he glanced at the rumbled bed sheets beside him.

Lee frowned. Now why had he done that? All he'd done was lay down for a brief nap after working on his paperwork. Or had he? There were burry images in his brain and a soft, husky voice he could almost recognize.

"Hope I was good," he muttered as he unsteadily got out of bed. The room tilted before settling back down. His stinky body told him he needed a shower and a glance at the time piece on his desk informed him he had less than an hour before the party he was supposed to attend.

Grabbing his robe, Lee left his quarters and went down the hall to the communal bathroom. He bathed and stood before the mirror to shave the stubble on his face.

"Interesting mark on your neck," one of the other representatives remarked as they too started to shave.

"Huh?" Lee turned his head to look. On the side of his neck was a red welt and when he touched it, it stung. "Probably a bug of some kind." He shook his head. "Seems no matter where humanity goes, the pests follow."

"Maybe you should have Doc Cottle look at it."

"Nah. I'll be fine."

"Hope so." The man gave Lee an odd glance. "But from what I hear, that," he pointed to the mark. "Is something new."

"What do you mean?"

"Started about the time we left New Caprica."

"We could have picked up a new insect and brought it with us." Lee was almost finished shaving. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about."

"Maybe."

"Anyone died from it?"

"No. Just weak for a couple of days. Seems to clear up on its own."

"Thanks for telling me."

"Any time. See you at the party."

"Yeah." Lee finished and pulled on his shirt and the matching suit. He looked responsible and respectable. After a quick trip back to his quarters to put his bathing gear, he went to the area on Colonial One where the party was being held. His father saw him and gave him nod before the commander returned his attention to whatever President Roslin was saying.

Their guest of honor, Jessica Collins, chose that moment to make her entrance. The young woman stood in the door, her low-necked gown in shimmering gold hanging on her trim figure. Her red hair she'd piled up attractively on her head and adorned it with matching glittering combs. At her ears hung some sort of strange flying creature with red eyes that flashed in the light.

He snuck a look at Roslin. The older woman scowled before putting on her diplomatic face and smile. Laura moved forward and greeted Jessica. "Welcome."

"Thank you." The red head's eyes caught his and she gave him a seductive smile.

Lee felt a tightening in his pants and hoped no one noticed. He edged over to the table laden with a few delicacies not available to most people of the fleet. Taking a sample from the fruit tray he tried to discreetly watch their Earth guest.

Jessica stood with many of the representatives around her. Her soft laugh seemed to fill the room and he wondered why her usually pale face glowed. Her eyes darted up as she caught him staring at her.

He glanced away trying to look anywhere but at her.

"She grabbed all the attention with that dress." Baltar's thin lips creased into a smile. Lee hadn't noticed the scientist earlier. "Rather striking isn't she?"

"I'm surprised Roslin allowed you to attend."

"Call it a pay off, since I threatened to tell the entire fleet about our Earth guest if I wasn't allowed to attend."

"Blackmail."

"You could call it that." Gaius sipped his drink. "I prefer to call it political maneuvering."

Lee laughed in spite of himself. "Well played," he complimented.

"I thought so." The other man placed his empty glass on the edge of the table. "I think I'll go reintroduce myself." Baltar slipped through the group around Jessica and spoke to her. She motioned for the scientist to join her and the two retreated to chairs on the far side of the room.

"I'd like to hear that conversation," the older Adama said as he came to stand beside his son. Bill was decked out in his dress uniform and held a glass of ambrosia in his hand.

"Somehow, I doubt Baltar is going to say anything Jessica hasn't already heard." Lee rubbed his eyes. Frak! He hoped this weakness didn't last overly long. He had duties to perform.

"You alright, Lee, you look pale."

"Fine."

"You sure?"

"Yes!" He hadn't meant to snap. There were times his father got on his nerves.

Adama gave him a look, but didn't press.

Deciding it was time to sit for awhile, Lee muttered, "Excuse me." He filled a glass full of punch, piled a plate with fruit and found himself a chair.

Several minutes later he noticed Jessica serving herself at the table, still in deep conversation with Baltar. Her brown eyes raised to meet Lee's. She winked at him. Lust filled him and he hastily rose and nearly ran to the nearest exit.

Outside the door he sagged against the wall and took several deep breaths. What was it about Jessica Collins that filled him with such burning, needful, desire?

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"Daniel, have you seen this view?" Vala called to him from the balcony.

"Just a sec." He finished putting away his clothes in the dresser and glanced around their cozy quarters. Against the pale wall stood their queen sized bed they'd brought from Earth with them. It had taken calling in a few favors, but Daniel had managed it.

Next to the bed was a night stand with a plain lamp, on his side of course, for those late night emergencies the archeologist and new leader of Atlantis was certain would come. Next to light was the head mic he hadn't yet put on.

"Daniel," Vala stuck her head in. The balcony door was just off the small sitting area, complete with a table, two chairs and a love seat.

"Coming." Daniel joined his wife. His breath caught. "Oh. Wow."

Crimson, yellow and orange danced against billowy clouds as the sun slowly sank at the edge of the deep blue ocean.

Vala leaned her back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, resting his head on the top of her dark, flower scented hair.

"I know it's an illusion caused by the curvature of the planet," Vala said. "But it does make the ocean look like it's endless." She sighed happily. "I hope I never tire of this."

He leaned down and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Me, too."

"Are you happy, Daniel?" Vala turned in his arms and slipped hers around him.

"Very."

"Her finger traced his ear. "You should have your mic on."

"Not just yet."

"But what if you're needed?"

"I am where I'm needed." He kissed her and gave his new wife a warm smile. "Enjoying the sunset with my beautiful…"

He didn't get the chance to finish his sentence because someone was pounding on their door.'

"Told you," Vala teased with a smug grin.

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The strange ship was not a configuration familiar to Natalie. As she watched it stopped in the debris field and seemed to be gathering scrap from broken bits of their ship.

"God protect us," she murmured, frightened at the sacrilege.

Bright light flashed into the area as another ship dropped out of hyperspace. She gasped. It was Colonial!

Plunging her hand into the goo she tried to listen for any type of passing communication between the two ships. It was better for the Cylon survivors if the neither party knew they were there.

"This is the Demetrius to the unidentified ship. Who are you and why are you here?"

She recognized Starbuck's voice and again wondered why one of her kind had such a fascination with the woman.

Static whistled in response. Starbuck tried again. "This is Kara Thrace. Respond or you'll be fired upon!"

Crackling answered. Natalie held her breath.

A firm clear voice finally answered. "We mean you no harm. We come in peace."

"Then why are cannibalizing Cylon spare parts?"

"What are Cylons?"

A long silence followed.

"I repeat, who are you and why are you here?"

"And please, stop taking our ship parts. It's…disrespectful."

Natalie recognized Leoben's voice and wondered how he'd come to find Kara Thrace.

"I'm sorry. We didn't know."

Thrace chuckled. "Understandable, I guess. Look, I like to know who I'm talking to."

"My apologies. I'm Dr. Elizabeth Weir."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: My apologies to those of you who are also reading 'Time to Begin'. I have this habit of writing AU's to my own stories. I've done that with 'Saga of Gold Squadron' and 'Before It's too Late' and with my 'A Father's Love' Series and 'Sisters of the Night'.