Thank you so much for reading my story so far, I had never dreamed of that kind of positive response to what I am writing!
To Starbuck: They will see each other again. More or less soon. :)
Please let me know what you think about this chapter.

Disclaimer: I only own my own characters and my storyline.

May 1803

In the Aftermath

William Adama

During the whole night, William Adama couldn't get her out of his mind, her being Laura Roslin. The way she danced, talked, looked at him… he knew he should not behave like that, but he could not help it. The memory of those grey-green eyes and her real, genuine, radiant smile would not vanish.
"Papa, can I call on Miss Agathon?", Kara asked at breakfast the next morning, making him raise an eyebrow. "Miss Agathon? Why her?", he wanted to know. After the events from the night before that was the last thing he had expected to hear from his daughter. Karolina shrugged her shoulders. "At first, I thought she was horribly awkward, but I think she is just shy. Maybe she won't be so bad if I get to know her. Papa, I want to get out of the house a bit more! And also, Miss Agathon is the only person I have met who would discuss Turner with me!"

The commander shook his head slightly. Maybe he had to be grateful to Ms Roslin after all. Maybe. Unfortunately, Kara was right, she had to meet more people eventually. He knew that he would not be around forever and with Lee being a Navy officer his son's future was anything but certain. "Alright, if you want we can go this afternoon", he agreed, still a bit reluctantly. The young woman gave him a grateful smile before resuming eating her breakfast.

As usual, they spent the whole morning with the horses, riding out over the meadows around Kensington. It was something they had always done, even when Carolanne had still been alive and complaining about it. Other families might go to church on Sunday mornings but they rather let the wind blow through their hair, free from any restrain that others might want to put on them. Although Bill had the slight suspicion that Kara would have liked to go to a church service from time to time, she had never brought it up in conversation, so him and Leopold hadn't mentioned it either.

"And another win for me!", Kara hollered when she reached the old oak that marked the edge of their property first. "I still don't think it is fair!", Lee argued as usual, "you are much lighter than me, of course Starbuck is faster then!" "Or I am simply the better rider brother dear!", the girl sassed back, "after all, Apollo is taller than Starbuck and has longer legs!" Adama had to grin at his children's' petty arguments, it had been that way since they had first started riding. Kara was undoubtedly the better rider but Lee had a hard time accepting it." "Leopold Adama, being a grudging looser does not make you look like a gentleman!", he chastised his son, though with some amusement in his voice. When he heard Karolina snicker he turned towards her. "And bragging is not something a lady should do!"

Frowning, she held his gaze. "Now you sound like Ms Roslin!", she commented, rolling her eyes, "like a totally sensible adult!" Suddenly very interested, he tilted his head. "So that is what you think about her?", he inquired. "I think, that you think that there is something about her", she responded dryly, bringing her chestnut gelding to stand next to his grey stallion. William Adama looked at her severely. "You know very well that any other father would not allow their child, especially their daughter, to say something of that kind." Totally unimpressed, she looked back at him. "It doesn't make it less true, does it? After all, you danced. I have never seen you dance at any ball we ever attended." Sometimes the father wondered whether he had been too loose concerning his children's upbringing. Perhaps if he had been more conservative, Kara would have an easier time fitting in into society. But it was too late now, wasn't it? Or maybe not? After all, Laura Roslin had not hesitated pointing out flaws in his daughter's behaviour on the spot, apparently leaving a lasting impression. The same could probably be done for Lee, big time. However, did he really want this? No, he did not want somebody to constantly criticise his offspring. The life in the Navy would teach Leopold enough, as it had done for himself all those years ago and the girl would learn eventually. At least he hoped so.

"What about a race back?", his son asked, already urging Apollo into a fast trot. Not wasting a second, Starbuck went after him. As he did not want to be beaten by either of the two again, the commander set Husker into a canter. He knew he could never pass them by now, they were already too far away, so he changed his direction, using the path on the other side of a little group of trees. Not too surprisingly, his tactics payed off and he reached the gate before the others, a satisfied smirk playing around his lips. It was good to win from time to time, he could admit it to himself.

That afternoon, Kara needed a lot longer to get ready than she usually did. Bill knew she was not a vain girl, but apparently she wanted to make a good impression on Miss Agathon. Or maybe rather on one of her brothers? After all, he had seen her talking quite animatedly with the older one of the men. He decided not to ask her yet but rather observe her behaviour, that would probably be more revealing than blunt confrontation.

When Lee announced that he would stay at home, William was not surprised, after all the father had quite a clear idea of what his son would be up to while they were gone. He did not entirely approve, but neither could he say that he disapproved. That was why they kept it an open secret, everybody knew about it but nobody mentioned it.

Random historical fact:
William Turner (not from Pirates of the Caribbean) was a British artist, one of the most important of the Romantic period in England. He is mostly known for his paintings of scenery and water. He was especially good at capturing mood and light.

Well, Apollo, Starbuck and Husker ended up being horses and there will be more. Anyway, I am not telling you their names yet! :)
And what is Lee doing while they are away? Maybe you can guess…

Up next: Laura's feelings and thoughts