A/N: As promised the next chapter is up. Thanks to everyone who left reviews, they still inspire me to write the next chapter as quickly as I can. I hope you all enjoy this latest chapter. There will may be some nasty surprises in the next couple of chapters; so don't hate me. I warned you.
Chapter 11: Oh What A Tangled Web We Weave...
"What did you say?" Lee asked a shaking Kara. He returned to his quarters to find her thrashing and screaming in his bed. He couldn't understand a single word she was saying and it frightened him to hear her so terrified.
"Leoben; who is Leoben Conoy?" She asked. He rocked back onto his heels as if she'd physically hit. He took in shuddering breath and passed a hand over his face. How in the hell had she found out about Leoben?
"Kara he is a cylon. A pretty deceptive and tricky one at that," Lee responded. "He has warned me to stay away from you. Why are you asking me this; what has happened?"
"I dreamed about him at the beach house. He says that I need to walk away from you, before something unfortunate happens," she says looking into his baby blue eyes. "Lee I can't be responsible for you getting hurt," she says as she scrambles off the bed. He watches her stride to her bag and pull out clothes.
"Kara," he calls to her softly. She ignores him and continues to get dressed.
"ARTEMIS!" He bellows in a voice that strangely reminds of her of a thunder clap. She jerks up and stares at him wide eyed and trembling.
"If you walk out that door, I will be as dead as if Leoben walks in here and kills me now. The end result will be the same either way." He walks over to her and pulls her up off the floor. "I won't let him use fear to rule our actions."
"Lee if anything were to happen to you, I would never be able to forgive myself."
"Then we'll need to make sure that nothing happens to me," he says smiling at her. "But if it does, Kara know that I'd never blame you and I wouldn't want you to blame yourself either. I'm willing to take on the whole cylon nation for one single moment with you."
"Keep that up flyboy and you'll never be able to get rid of me," she replies pulling him into a kiss.
"I never want to be rid of you. What do you need to help you forget about your nightmare?" He asks pulling her into his arms.
"A run would be nice Lee," she tells him with a wicked smile on her face. Lee could tell she was up to something.
"If that is what you want, then let me change and I will run you all over Galactica," he replies grabbing shorts and tanks out of his locker.
"Well what I was thinking was that we could work up a good sweat and then come back her for another shower. Then test the comfort of your bunk, and then maybe see of we can round up something to eat," she says to him.
"Then let's go," he replies grabbing her hand and pulling her through the hatch.
&&&&
"Everyone will be here in less than hour," Athos says coming into Cassandra's private quarters aboard the Capricorn. She noted that he had changed out of his military uniform and was wearing a slate grey linen outfit that accented his blue eyes.
"Are you going to have Karl replace Isadora for this meeting?" he asked coming over to her and kissing her lightly on her cheek.
"I don't think that would be wise," Cass responded. "We would need several hours to bring him up to speed and then there is no guarantee that he wouldn't say anything to Kara. For the time being I think we will just continue without The Agathon."
Athos knew that she missed Isadora and that she had mourned the loss of the Libran captain almost as much as the loss of her son. He wished he could erase the pain and burden the last three years had placed on her shoulders; it was never meant to be this way.
"What will the focus of this gathering be?" He wanted to get her to refocus on the task at hand, and not get lost in her grief. She smiled at him because she knew he was trying to distract her.
"We need to agree on how much information to share with the colonial delegation," she replied leading him to the sofa. She motioned for him to sit while she got them both a glass of wine.
"If you are asking for my advice, which I know you are, I'd suggest finding out what they know and then use that as your basis for what you share with them." He reached out and took the glass she offered. He also took her hand and pulled her down next to him. Athos knew that the others would be there soon and this little bit of alone time would come to an end
"Athos we promised the council," she said putting a little distance between them.
"Don't you think I remember that?" He replied with a small hint of sarcasm. "I remember every damn thing we promised that council thirty years ago. How could I ever forget?" He asked. She could tell that she had pushed him too far. He had given up so much; he did not need her to remind him of it.
"Athos, I'm sorry. If I don't constantly remind myself then I'm liable to not care and say to hell with it," she replies. Her desire to move closer to him is overwhelming and she decides not to fight it. He folds her into his embrace and tries to forget everything they gave up.
"I know Cassandra and I'm sorry as well. You'd think that our world ending would have freed us from those bonds, but if anything it made it worse," he replied pulling her closer to him.
"Take comfort in the fact that Chiron was right and what we did had the desired results," she whispered. So many people had been hurt by the sacrifice that was demanded of them, yet no one seemed to have cared about how it would ultimately affect them.
"I will tell you that I still wish that we could have told them. I have lost the opportunity to tell my son; to look at him and for him to know that he was mine from the beginning."
"Let's not dwell on that Athos. Regret will never bring him back. Just know that you'll see him again in Elysium, and there will be no bonds of commitment to keep you silent any longer," she says looking into his eyes. She reaches up and cups his cheek and brings his mouth down to her's.
"Ananka-I d'oude theoi machontai," she whispers to him.
&&&&
Lee walked into his quarters to see a very different Kara fussing over the table that had been set up for their dinner with his father and the president. She was wearing a form fitting black dress that barely came to her knees and black high heel sandals that made her almost as tall as him. He knew that she had food supplies delivered to Galactica, so he was willing to bet that she had more clothing delivered for herself as well. The table itself was an elegant affair set with a pristine white table cloth and what appeared to be china. He hoped he managed to get through dinner without breaking anything.
"Hey gorgeous," he said coming up behind her and pulling her into his arms. When her ass came into contact with his groin, he had to fight back the urge to rip the dress from her and toss her onto the table.
"Hey yourself mister," she sighed rubbing her ass against his growing erection.
"Stop it Kara or we're not going to be available when they get here," he replies in a chocked voice. She laughs at him, but moves out of his embrace.
"Where did you go?" She asks. When she had gotten out of the shower, she had found a note from him saying that there was something he had to take care of and that he would be back shortly.
"I needed to talk to someone," Lee replied. He tried not to think about the conversation he wanted to have with Dualla. He had been unable to find her so he decided to shelve the issue until tomorrow.
Kara looked at him and he had the distinct feeling that he was being dissected. He almost began to fidget under her unblinking gaze. "Went to look for the pretty young woman who showed up in life station this morning?" She asked him matter-of-factly. She had accepted that Lee had a life before she had dreamed about him and that life very well could have contained another woman. The question is what were they going to do about that now.
"Her name is Anastasia Dualla, and I couldn't find her," he replied looking for something to wear. Everyone had agreed to forgo military attire for dinner in hopes of a more casual atmosphere. Lee unfortunately had very little to select from, so he was surprised when he looked in his locker and found clothes hanging on hanger. He had remembered the dream in which he was wearing the soft blue linen outfit and looked to Kara for an explanation.
"The first time you called me gorgeous, you were wearing that outfit. I want to see you in it again, only thing this time can you please wear the shoes that are in the bag?" She asked him sweetly.
"Anything for you gorgeous," he replied with a grin.
"And Lee, this discussion of significant others is not over. Just temporarily put on hold," she told him.
Before he could reply there was a gentle tap on the door. He walked over and opened the door to let his father and the president in. It had been awhile since Lee had seen his father dressed in anything other than his military uniform, or the president in something other than a power suit. He had to admit that she was quite stunning in a white silk pant suit; and it was the perfect contrast to Kara's black dress.
"Close your mouth Lee and let us in," his father said with a slight chuckle.
"Sorry Dad," Lee replied moving from in front of the door. "Madame President you look lovely."
"Lee please call me Laura. I don't wish to be the president right now," she replied giving his arm a light squeeze. She had begun to think of the younger Adama as the son she never had.
"Something smells absolutely divine in here," Bill said looking at the young woman standing beside the table.
"Kara spent the better part of the afternoon down in the kitchens," Lee said smiling slyly at her. "I'm hoping it was showing the cooks what she wanted for dinner, instead of charming them all into a mutiny."
"I can't help it if the young men down there find me irresistible; the older ones too. And just so you know, I prepared dinner; the cooks watched and took notes," Kara replied handing Lee a bottle of wine to open. "You two be seated," she said pointing to the older couple.
As Bill pulled out Roslin's chair, his hand brushed across the sensitive part of her neck. When she turned to look at him in surprise, he had a small secretive smile on his face. She noticed that Lee was too busy with the bottle of wine to notice, but Kara had been paying attention to the whole exchange.
"You prepared dinner? Don't you mean heated dinner?" Lee asked. Bill was in shock as Kara walked over to him and grabbed his jaw and kissed the smirk right off of his face.
"I'm a woman of many talents Lee Adama. If you wish to continue to explore those talents you'll give me my props and any adulation that I demand," she replied putting some distance between them.
Bill and Laura sat back and watched the younger couple feed off each other as they served the meal. No words were necessary between them as they each anticipated the other's every move. They moved in total sync, and Bill began to wonder what they would be like in the sky together.
"So Kara tell us about yourself," Laura said after most of the meal had been eaten.
"Do you want military Kara or personal Kara?" She asked getting up from the table to retrieve dessert.
"If that is what I think it is, I'm stealing her from you son and keeping her for myself," Bill said to Lee as Kara placed a dish of creme brulee in front of him and a shot of espresso.
"Which ever Kara you are comfortable talking about," Laura replied.
"You can't have her dad. She is a handful and would have you wrapped around her little finger within a hour," Lee responded. He pulled Kara down into the chair next to him and lightly kissed her shoulder. Once again Bill and Laura were stunned by Lee's displays of affection.
"Well you know I'm from Earth, but more specifically I was born and raised at the UAG compound near Venice Beach, California. Actually that isn't completely correct; my brother and I were born at the UAG facilities in Greece and later moved to Venice Beach. My parents wanted to be closer to their respective families which were stationed in California."
"Were both of your parents in the UAG?" Bill asked her.
"Well first let me explain that there were two aspects to the UAG organization. There was the UAG military and then the UAG colonists sector. The military controlled every aspect of planning and scheduling, as well as served as the government. Although the UAG had not actually country of it own, it was recognized as it's own nation. The colonist sector only screened applicants, then those that were accepted were sent to a UAG military facility to be evaluated and trained."
"My mother was in the UAG military and my father, well he wanted nothing to do with the whole thing. That of course is just the impression I've gotten from the people around me since I've not seen my father since I was six." Kara stopped to let the lump that had formed in her throat pass. Thoughts of her father always led to her feelings of being abandon and betrayed.
"You have a brother?" Laura asked trying to steer the conversation away from what was obviously a sensitive topic for the young Captain.
"Had," Kara whispered.
"I'm sorry," Laura apologized knowing that they had hit upon an even more taboo subject. She watched as Lee took her hand in his and kissed the back of her knuckles. He leaned over and whispered something into her ears that they couldn't hear. She shook her head no to whatever he said and gave him a watery smile.
"No, it does his memory no justice if I'm not willing to talk about him," she replied cupping Lee's cheek. "Devon and I were twins and he was probably the best person on Earth. Everyone loved him, you just couldn't help yourself. I don't think a single person who knew him didn't like him. He had so many friends and fans, but I was by far his biggest; and he was my champion. There were many times that he refused to let me fall or give up. He often told me that I was heading for something bigger than what this life had to offer me. He died with the billions of others who were stranded on Earth when the nukes were deployed. The universe lost a good man that day and I'll miss him every single day of my life," Kara said smiling at finally being able to remember her brother without the mind numbing grief.
"To say I am sorry is simply not enough," Laura said reaching across the table to lightly squeeze Kara's hand. "It seems as if the whole universe is conspiring against humanity right now."
"That is something I would like to talk to you about," Kara said looking at Bill. He raised his eyebrow in question and gave a slight nod for her to continue.
"We have been looking for a new home now for 3 years, but we haven't been doing so while being chased across the cosmos," she stated.."Your fleet has been struggling and scratching for everyday of survival. I'm sure that morale has been a problem that has plagued you from the beginning, and I'm sure when these cylons show up people's state of being takes a tumble. What I would like to suggest is a party I guess," she stops for a minute to take a sip of wine.
"That would have to be one hell of a party," Bill says winking at her.
"Well we have several luxury liners, hell we even have an amusement park," she chuckled. "A gathering were your people can let their worries go for even a few hours can be nothing short of therapeutic. We have enough fighters to help keep both fleets covered to give everyone a chance to attend, and it would give both fleets a chance to get to know each other in a casual environment."
"I agree that my people could use a break. Would you be the one to plan this?" Bill questioned.
"I would like to," Kara replied.
"Then I'll let it be announced that you are throwing the largest party this universe has ever seen and that everyone will have a chance to attend," Bill replied smiling broadly at her.
"See I told you she would wrap you around her finger," Lee said shaking his head. "And it took less time than I thought."
"The president and I will be meeting with two representatives from your fleet starting tomorrow morning," Bill told Kara. "They have requested some time with you before we meet."
"Let me guess, the Fleet Admiral and the Commodore of the Capricorn," she said smirking at him.
"Yes and a young pilot who they said you would love to see."
"Oh God they are bringing Helo with them," she said chuckling.
"That's not a bad thing is it?" Lee asks looking a little confused. He knew the two of them were good friends.
"I have known Helo since my first day of elementary school. He has taken a liking to one of your pilots. I believe her name is Racetrack." Kara said looking at Lee. "He'll spend the whole time pushing for information about her. You are going to want to throw him off the Galactica within a hour."
"Well I am charging you with keeping him line," Bill said to her. We really should be leaving as we have a very busy day planned tomorrow," he said standing up from the table and then turns to help Laura to her feet. "My dear Artemis you have provided us with a wonderful meal as well as the hope that all will be well in the end," Bill says while kissing her cheek lightly. "And quarters have been arranged for your stay while on the Galactica," he tells them with a pointed look at Lee.
Lee gives his father a sheepish smile and escorts them to the door. He gives Laura a hug and a light kiss and before he can bid his father a good night the older man reaches out and gently grasps his shoulder.
"Make sure you know what you're doing Lee. There are things you need to do and I don't wish to see anyone get hurt around this," he says. Lee knows exactly what his father is referring to and he shakes his head.
"Right now I'm just trying to keep my head above water," Lee responds. "I'll come and talk to you while Kara is with our guest. There a few things that you need to be made aware of." The two men look at each other and then Bill turns to go down the corridor, his hand resting lightly on the small of Laura's back. Lee sighs and closes the hatch.
&&&&
Lee walked towards the room Kara had been given for her stay. There were two marines stationed out front of the hatch and when they saw the Major approach they snapped to attention. Lee rapped on the door first before punching in the access code and letting himself in. The room was bathed in the soft glow of two candles burning close to the bed that Kara was sleeping in. He could tell that she had no clothes on and the thought of her sleep warmed body got him stripping out of his uniform and laying down next to her.
He watched her sleep for a few minutes, just enjoying having her there whenever he wanted. He reached out and gently traced small patterns on her shoulder and down her back. She murmured in her sleep and turned into his warmth. Lee smiled as she pressed herself into him.
"Artemis," he whispers into her ear, taking the lobe between his teeth and biting down.
"Apollo if you don't fuck me quickly, I'm going to chuck you out of the nearest airlock," she growled flipping him onto his back and straddling him.
"As you command," he replies. He takes hold of her hips and enters her one hard surge. She is already wet and takes him in easily, riding him like her own personal mount. "Some one woke up a little feisty," he says.
"I woke up from a dream in which I was fucking your brains out. You interrupted, your duty to finish the job," she replies as her eyes flutter close.
"No you don't; open your eyes Artemis," he commands. Her eyes snap open and she looks into his dark blue eyes. "That's better. I want to see the surrender in you eyes when you come." They had set up a fast and furious pace, and their breathing became labored as they both neared release. Lee slowed his thrust and reached up to bring her down closer to his chest. He kissed her lightly on the mouth, pumping into her slowly. He felt her clench around his cock as she slowly tumbled over the edge, and after a few more thrust he followed her.
Lee held her against his chest until Kara's tremors subside. "We need to shower and go meet the Admiral's shuttle," he says hugging her gently, then moving her beside him.
"Can't we just let her wait on the hanger deck so I can get a quick nap?" She asks.
"I'm not going to be the one to explain that. On your feet Thrace," he barks at her while dragging her out of the bed, and leading her to the small shower. He quickly showers and goes back into the room giving her some time to pull herself together.
After Lee gets his uniform back on, he tumbles into a chair. His mind won't rest as he contemplates the predicament that he has found himself in. His relationship with Dualla had started to take on the prospect of becoming permanent when he had his first dream of Kara. Now he had no idea how to approach her and explain this situation.
A magazine on the top of Kara's duffle bag catches his attention. Lee pulls it out and sees Kara and a dark haired man he recognizes on the cover. She has her back to him and he has her wrapped in his arms. The caption on the cover reads "The Captain and The CAG." He flips to the page that indicates it had the full story. Sam Anders, Captain of the championship Capricorn Bucks and Kara Thrace, CAG of the UAG Capricorn announced their engagement last week in a private press conference aboard The Monterey.
"I told you we would talk about significant others later," Kara tells him, taking the magazine and placing it back into her bag.
"You're engaged?" He asks stuns.
"And you have a girlfriend. We'll deal with this later Lee, I promise," she says, bending down and kissing him. "Now let's go and meet the UAG delegation. As they exit the room and the guards fall into step around them, she reaches over an entwines her hand with his. Lee looks over at her and can't help but smile.
&&&&
"I can't believe that Fleet Admiral Cassandra Thrace is nervous about seeing her daughter," Helena says watching her friend pace around the very small space in the shuttle.
"I'm not nervous," Cass growls.
"Sure, anything you say," Helena replies as the shuttle touches down.
"Sirs we are aboard the Galactica," Helo informs them.
"Good flying Lt.," Cass says to him.
The hatch opens and the ramp descends to the floor of the hangar deck. The small contingent of guards that Cass allowed to accompany them marches out and meets the marines that are assigned to Kara. Cassandra and Helena descend the ramp behind them and get their first good look at the Galactica.
"Admiral Thrace, Commodore Cain," Kara snaps to attention.
"At ease Captain," Helena tells her CAG. Kara stance relaxes and she eyes her mother. She could be in so much trouble for disobeying a direct command. Cassandra could easily have her stripped of rank and confined to the brig until a court martial could be convened.
"Kara are you well?" Her mother asks in a voice laced with concern. Kara's head snaps up and she looks towards her mother in confusion.
"Yes Admiral I'm fine," she responds. "I would like to personally introduce you to Major Lee Adama, CAG of the Galactica."
"It is a pleasure to meet you Major," Cassandra replies thrilled at the opportunity to meet the young pilot.
"Please, call me Apollo," he says flashing her his best smile. Helena tries unsuccessfully to contain a laugh as Apollo charms the Admiral. No wonder Kara was enthralled with this young man with the call sign of a god.
"Unfortunately there had to be a slight change to the plan and your time with Kara will be after your meeting with President Roslin and Admiral Adama. So if you will follow us, we will escort you to the conference room," Lee said indicating that everyone should move off the hangar deck.
The large group of people drew stares from everyone they passed in the corridors. Helo used the moment to sneak up beside Kara and nudge her.
"I get to stay with you while the big wigs have their little pow wow," he says grinning foolishly at her.
"Yes and I hope that the Wolf Pack manages not to blow the Capricorn out of the skies while you're vacationing over here," she scolds him for shirking his duty.
"They have been warned that any behavior not becoming of an officer would result in them being grounded until you could come back to the Capricorn and deal with them personally. Oh yeah and if one of them gets in trouble they all will be punished."
"They are so going to hate you," Kara replies laughing.
It does no take them long until they reach the room that had been set aside for this first meeting. Kara and Lee had seen to the security of the room personally and had breakfast delivered. Lee knocked once and opened the door allowing the Admiral and Commodore to proceed him into the room. Bill and Laura who had been standing on the other side talking quietly looked up when the small party entered.
"President Roslin and Admiral Adama, Admiral Thrace and Commodore Cain," Lee announced snapping to attention.
His father saluted him and Lee left knowing that he had been dismissed. He closed the doors on his way out and told four marines to guard the door allowing no one to enter unless approved from Admiral Adama. He looked at the guard that had accompanied the UAG delegation and realized that they had received similar orders from Kara.
&&&&
Bill had guessed that Admiral Thrace and Kara were related but he had not been informed that they were mother and daughter. He had no doubt that the woman standing before him was Kara's mother as the resemblance went beyond uncanny. Kara Thrace was a younger copy of the Admiral.
"I can see that you have deduced that Kara is my daughter," Cass said addressing the Admiral.
"I wonder why she felt a need to keep that little tidbit to herself?" He asked.
"My daughter is not happy with the fact that I'm her mother and she tends to disregard the fact unless directly asked," Cass replied. Bill shook his head in understanding. He knew there was a time that Lee had felt the same way about him.
"I wish we were meeting under different circumstances," he says to the two highest ranking women in the UAG.
"Actually we wish we were meeting you on Earth as that had been our destination," Laura says interrupting him. Cassandra and Helena exchange a look and Cass inclines her head slightly.
"You were never meant to find Earth," Helena says to Bill and Laura.
"Why not?" Laura asks stunned. "We know it was well hidden but clues had been left. All that was needed was the right incentive."
"It was never the will of the Gods for their children to find the thirteenth colony," Cassandra replies. "Afterall it was because of the thirteenth Lord of Kobol that all hell had broken loose on Kobol in the first place.
"What do you know about the Lords of Kobol?" Bill asks the two women.
"More than you realize," Cassandra replies, placing a large worn book on the table between them.
TBC
