Hearts and Fates Entwined

By: Fairedust

Part three

Chapter 9

When the three entered the Commanders quarters, they were greeted by silence. All three pairs of eyes scanned the room for Tabby. None of them had any success. Adama moved over to his desk chair, with a look of disappointment. He'd been so sure she would obey him. He never even considered she wouldn't. As he sank into his chair he placed his elbows on the desk. What had he done? He couldn't get the look on her face out of his head. Should he leave her alone for the time being? Let her gather her wits about her once more? Or should he have one of his men go in search for her? He couldn't remember when he'd felt so divided. He lowered his head to his raised hands.

Kara decided to ask the guard if Tabby had really come to the Old Man's quarters in the first place. While she was outside speaking to the guard, Lee took it upon himself to actually search the quarters properly. Kara had just re-entered with the news that Tabby must still be somewhere inside, when Lee found her crouching in a ball in the bathroom.

With no thought for his father or Kara in the outer room, Lee quickly shut and locked the door. Tabby was rocking back and forth, murmuring under her breath. Her eyes, though open wide, looked as if they were seeing nothing in this room. He was slightly surprised to know his gut feelings had indeed been correct. She didn't appear to have any physical injuries, but it was crystal clear she was hurting.

Within seconds of his closing the door, Kara was pounding on it. "Lee? She's in there isn't she? Is she alright? …Lee, I know you can hear me. Don't make me piss off the Old Man by breaking thru this door. I've no idea if there are any replacements available."

Lee knew she was perfectly capable to doing what she threatened. Even if she wasn't or she wouldn't, it was best if he got her to stop yelling. It couldn't be doing Abby any good. That decided, Lee called thru the closed door. "Yes Kara. Of course she's in here. You don't see her anywhere else do you? And as for her being alright… I'm not sure yet."

"What do you mean you're not sure yet? How can you not know? She's right there in front of you, isn't she?" Kara jumped at hearing the Commanders voice next to her ear. She hadn't heard him move from his desk.

Lee had noticed Abby stopped murmuring and rocking when he spoke to Kara. She'd also turned her face in his direction. He still thought she wasn't seeing anything around her, if the far off look in her eyes was any indication. When his father spoke, he saw her begin to tremble. "Uh, Dad? You need to stay quiet for a while."

"Lee, I am not only your commanding officer and your father, these are my quarters!"

"Dad, PLEASE!!" Lee cried out. Abby's trembling had increased at hearing his father's outburst. She also began to murmur once again. Leaning closer to her head he was able to make out what she said. "I won't let him control me. Not ever. I'm not a thing, an asset to be used . I'd rather be put out an airlock. … …Please. Not again. Never again. Damitri you will never win. I'll never let you, you evil bastard. May the rest of your flesh rot from your worthless body, as my mother wished. I'll never help you." She again went silent. But she began to rock once again.

Lee wasn't sure, but he thought she was somehow trapped once again in the fortress. But why had she said 'airlock'? He was very confused. Was she combining her experiences in the fortress with the Roganovs and now the Galactica? If so, why?

Adama wasn't used to not knowing what was happening on his ship. By the Gods, this wasn't only his ship but his quarters! After a brief pause, "Lee, you need to give me something here. I demand some answers!!"

Both Kara and Bill heard what sounded like the mirror exploding from inside. When Bill took a breath to call out to his son, Kara put a quieting hand upon his arm. At his questioning look, she said quietly. "Sir. Maybe Lee's right. Maybe just for now it would be best if you stayed quiet. I have no idea what happened up there in the CIC, but…" Bill gave her a resigned nod. "Uh, Lee? Are you ok in there?" Kara called in what she hoped was a calm tone.

"Yeah Kara. I'm fine. Dad, please just … just stay quiet out there for a little while. I've no idea why, but for some reason hearing your voice is terrifying her."

Bill wasn't sure of all the particulars. He realized it must be from his reaction to her abilities, when she told him she could feel these two pilots when they were out in space. But he couldn't understand why she was now terrified of him. He'd never given her any reason to fear him. So why now? "Dad?" Lee asked. Bill looked over to Kara and gave her another nod. "He said alright Lee. He'll stay quiet for now." Kara called out, so Lee would know his father's response. Both could hear Lee's big sigh of relief.

Oooooooooooooooooooooo

When the mirror shattered behind Lee's head, he ducked to the ground at record speed. Looking back behind him, he realized with some shock he need not have bothered. The shattered mirror bits hung suspended in the air around where he had been standing. As he watched, the pieces slowly settled into the sink.

He'd known for quite some time she had an ability to help heal people. That's what lead him to bring her to the observation deck in the first place. He knew she had the ability to read most peoples thoughts or emotions when she wanted to. He also had witnessed her walk into a room where mayhem was about to erupt at any moment, only to restore the calm with a few words or a touch of her hand. This however was something new. "Dad?"

When he heard Kara, "He said alright Lee. He'll stay quiet for now", he released the breath he didn't even realize he'd been holding. Looking back at Abby's face he realized she had not only shattered the mirror, but had managed to protect him from the shards. All without ever returning her focus to the room.

"Abby? Can you hear me, Abby?" It gave him hope that she turned her blank face to his once more. "That's right Abbs. Come back to me. I know you can find your way, just follow my voice. I'm right here, waiting for you. That's my girl. Come back." Slowly her eyes began to focus on his.

As her eyes became clear once more, she took in a great gulp of air. "Lee? What are you doing here? Are you alright?" Lee couldn't help himself, his face split into a beautiful smile and he began to laugh softly. At seeing her crinkled brow, "I was gonna ask you the same thing Abby? Are you alright? What are you doing sitting on my father's bathroom floor."

At seeing her reaction to hearing him mention his father, he silently cursed himself. After she took a deep breath, she seemed to control her fear; outwardly anyway. When she stood and moved toward the door and those waiting for her outside, he couldn't have been more proud of her. He knew she was still terrified, why he had no idea. But he was impressed she was willing to face her fear head on.

"Abby? Are you sure you're ready to go out there? We can stay right here for a while, if you need to." He wanted her to know he would wait for her as long as she needed. When she first hesitantly reached for the handle, he held his breath. When he saw her square her shoulders and grip it firmly, he felt the need to reassure her. "I'm right here, Abby. I've got your back. I'm not going anywhere."

She looked over her shoulder to give him a grateful smile. When she did, she saw the broken shards in the sink, causing her to turn around fully. She looked directly into his eyes. "I'd never hurt you Lee. Never. I need you to know that." She looked once more at the mirror shards, then turned to open the door. She almost ran over the two waiting outside. Both had been leaning in on the door, in an effort to hear what was happening inside.

She managed a small, warm smile for Kara. When she looked directly into the Commander's eyes, hers were cold as ice. Both Lee and Kara could feel the tension in the room as if it were a living thing. Lee moved up behind her and placed his hand on the small of her back. Although Abby held herself proudly, Lee could feel her tremble beneath his hand. Thinking it best to get her seated before her knee's gave out, he led her over to his father's couch. Once there though, it seemed as if she wouldn't sit. It wasn't until Kara sat on her far side that she relented. Leaving Lee to sit on her other, effectively flanking her on both sides.

Adama chose to sit in the chair, facing the three. He noted how close both Kara and Lee sat to Tabitha. It looked to him as if both were there to protect and support her. The father in him was relieved and proud they were all three united. The Commander in him hoped it wouldn't become an obstacle.

………………………………

The small group gathered in the Commander's quarters talked for several hours. It started out slow and stilted. At times it even got heated. But in the end they all seemed to be in accord. Adama managed to reassure Tabby he had no intention of putting her in a cell, lining her up to be shot against one of the bulk heads, or jettisoned out an airlock. It took more effort on his part and the help of the two pilots, to reassure her he had no intention of using her. Both he and Lee began to understand being used was what she truly feared. This was why Lee heard what she'd said in the bathroom.

After Tabby felt safe once more in Bill's presence, he began asking her questions regarding her ability. At first she instinctively wanted to retreat, or at the very least hold her silence. This was where their conversation grew heated. She accused Adama of only wanting the information to serve his own agenda. He argued back that that wasn't the case at all. But as the Commander of the Fleet and because he cared for her well being, it was his responsibility to know what she could do. What may become necessary to protect her. Both Kara and Lee agreed with him. They reassured her it wasn't for some ulterior motive to use her; but to ensure she received what she needed.

When she calmed down once again, she looked first at Lee and then at Kara. It was Lee's hand on her shoulder and Kara's nod of encouragement, that gave her the courage to reveal what all three were itching to know. That night the three learned a lot more of what Tabitha was truly capable of. However, Tabby was no fool. As much as they all cared for her, she thought revealing ALL she was capable of would be to much for them. Besides, Tabby herself had yet to discover her true limits.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Once again, things fell back into a regular routine. Adama began to relax, realizing no one besides the two of them had been privy to their conversation in the CIC. That many were curious was evident. Somehow the rumor mill churned out nothing but drivel. Most ran the gauntlet of him trying to reassure her not to worry in regards to the test flight. To her being chastised for not using Adama's rank when addressing the man. All in all, it proved no one had actually heard a thing.

When the Commander had learned Lee was sneaking Tabitha into the observation lounge in the middle of third shift and why, he made a decision. Knowing his son and Tabitha needed to catch all the shut eye they could scrounge, he told Lee to bring her there where ever it fit their schedule best. But asked them to be as discreet as possible. Both nodded their understanding. That area was closed to the general population. It wouldn't do to let the rest of the crew feel favoritism was at play.

Both Kara and now Lee were taking out the Blackbird. Kara had explained to the Commander that realistically, they were the only two pilots capable of flying the back heavy bird. Lee felt it best for the fleet and possibly his ego too, for there to be more than just one pilot able to fly it. So the two of them would rotate turns in the Blackbird, while flying their individual caps.

It was on a day like any other in the CIC, when suddenly someone called out "dradis contact. It's something really big too. Doesn't show as a Base Star. Scanning."

"Range?"

"Just beyond missile range. At the edge of the Fleet, Sir."

"Contact the Fleet. Give them all the updated jump co-ordinances. Tell them to spin up their FTL drives and stand by. And somebody tell me just what we're looking at." Adama commanded.

"Yes Sir. …Sir? I think I'm getting Colonial readings here." said Dee.

"Well you better make sure petty officer! " barked Tigh.

"Send hostile confirmation codes, Dee. I want to know exactly who is out there. Do you understand?" The Commander added.

"Yes Sirs. Right away." Dee said to both men. With her head bent over her control panel, she began to do as requested. A moment later. " Sir, its legit. It's a Colonial signal. It reads …the Pegasus." She said with disbelief and awe.

"Open a channel. Send out the challenge." came Adama's firm response. Could it really be? Had another Battlestar actually survived? If so, how had they found them all the way out here? Until he could know for sure, he held back his hope.

"Sir. All challenges answered correctly. It really is the Pegasus, Sir." said Dee

"Pegasus Actual, requesting to speak to ship claiming to be the Galactica. Respond." Came the undeniable voice of Cain.

"This is Galactica Actual. It's good to have you with us, Admiral."

"Adama? Is that really you?"

"Yes Admiral. This is Adama"

"It's good to hear your voice, Commander." came her quick reply.

In no time the crews of both ships were cheering. They were no longer alone out here. The only defense against the Cylon force. Cain made arrangement to come aboard the Galactica, to speak with Adama personally.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

In the first few days things ran smoothly. Smoothly for the two crews that is. There was some tension between Cain, Adama and the President pretty much from the beginning. Adama was initially relieved Cain had no intention of meddling with his crew or ship. Even so, after being in complete charge for so long, it was hard to hand over the reins.

When Laura asked him if he was going to be alright, he gave the standard answer. "I've been taking orders most of my life. She's my Superior Officer. Of course she would assume control. It's just the way things are done. So of course I'm alright." She responded with how she would feel if President Adar had suddenly appeared. Both shared a look of understanding, before she departed to head back to Colonial One.

Bill, meanwhile, returned to his quarters. He had a bad feeling about all of this. It wasn't just because he was reluctant to step down. There was something else going on here. He knew Cain was his superior. It wasn't that she was the youngest person to ever be promoted to Admiral, and therefore was his junior by decades. It was something else. He knew her track record. She was definitely focused, that he was sure of and respected. She was known to be tenacious, an other admirable trait. She was known to be lethal in battle, something they all needed in this fight.

What bothered him was how she ruled those under her. She was known to rule with an iron fist. He himself was strictly a by the book type man. But he had been commanding men for decades. He understood there were times it was best to bend the rules for the well being of the crew. His leadership style had always tended to be more paternal than dictator. Since the fall of the Colonies this was even more apparent.

Cain, he knew, didn't feel the same. She too was a by the book commander. But whereas he would take into consideration his crews feelings, he meant it when he said they were all a family on his ship, Cain did not. Where he himself took the responsibility of control with a fatherly grace, Cain reveled in the power. Whereas he felt comfortable to let Laura lead the civilians, leaving him to be just in control of the military and therefore their defense; he was unsure how Cain would handle it. Put bluntly, he couldn't bring himself to trust her completely as he knew he should. He decided to have Tigh be his hunting dog. Have Tigh sniff around her XO for more information.

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

It wasn't long before the meddling with his crew started. The first to be ordered over to the Pegasus, were Kara and Lee. He was relieved she hadn't reassigned Helo too. Kara and Lee were going to have a hard enough time as it was. Putting Helo on that ship was the equivalent of a death sentence. He wouldn't make it a week on that ship. Here at least, there were people who knew Helo from before this all began. There were more who had come to accept him after his return with the new Sharon. Also Adama believed in his crew. His crew knew he himself had accepted Helo, so they in turn either did or at the very least posed no type of threat to the man.

Cain had also demoted the Chief. She put one of her men in charge of the deck crew. Adama was highly agitated by this. Adama knew he could count on the Chief's expertise in maintaining his fighters. He had no such confidence in this newcomer.

When Cain made inquiries regarding Tabitha, Adama finally put his foot down. He wasn't even sure how Cain had learned of Tabitha's existence. When Cain was on board, Tabitha seemed to make herself scarce for some reason unknown to him. But it was clear she'd learned of Tabitha somehow.

"Commander. It has come to my attention that you have a woman working in your Life Station, that isn't on any personnel roster. I've been informed she is highly skilled. I would like to have her transferred over to the Pegasus also. We are in need of some additional personnel in our Life Station. We lost several during the opening hours of the war and are now short staffed."

"No."

"Excuse me? What do you mean no? I am not only your superior officer, but hers as well. If you won't obey my order and send her over, I'll just give them to her myself. I'd really hate to have you disciplined for such a trivial matter, Commander."

"Well you see Admiral, there is a reason you couldn't find her on any personnel file. She's not in the military. She's a civilian." Little did the Commander know, her being a civilian meant very little to Cain. She used the people around her as she saw fit.

With eyes full of curiosity and calculation she asked. "So Commander, if she isn't in the military, may I ask what she is doing on this Battlestar? And why you refuse to assign her over to mine." She wondered if she had miscalculated this man. Perhaps he too had pressed the civilians into his service. Or was it some other reason that tied this woman to him.

Adama was nobodies fool. He saw the calculation in Cain's eyes. He took a moment to decide how best to answer. He knew he was walking a tight rope. One wrong step could either have Tabitha shipped over to this woman or him in the brig. At the moment he was about to respond, they heard a knock on his door.

Glad for the distraction, Bill gave Cain an apologetic look. "A Commander's duties are always in need, I'm afraid. If you will excuse me, this should only take a moment." he said as he rose to answer the door. Cain nodded her consent, but also rose to see who would dare intrude on their meeting. Much to Adama's dismay and Cain's delight, it was Tabitha herself at the door.

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Ever since her arrival aboard the Galactica, Tabby had made an effort to eat lunch with the Commander in his office several times a week. It was her way to ensure he had some much needed company and actually sat down to eat a decent meal. She had sensed his loneliness when they were still on Kobal. For some reason, Kara's love for the man had transferred to Tabby as well. Perhaps it was due to Kara's letters. Kara would go on and on about the Commander, in the letters she sent. Perhaps it was from witnessing his tightly concealed pain at Zac's funeral. Whatever the reason, it had happened. She was just thankful her feelings seemed to be returned. Since her arrival to the Galactica, her feelings had only grown with the more time she spent with the man, himself. She really did feel for him as she would a real father.

She felt guilty when she realized it had been almost a week since she'd had lunch with the man. She knew he'd been under a lot more stress lately, especially since transferring Lee and Kara over to that overbearing woman. So after she finished her work out, she quickly cleaned up. With a quick stop in the mess hall for two lunch trays, she made her way to his quarters. At this time of the day, she knew that was where she would find him. That he wasn't alone caught her completely unawares.

0ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

When the Commander opened his door, to see Tabitha standing there, his mind went into overdrive. He knew Tabitha had purposely been avoiding the Admiral on her visits to the Galactica. She even managed to not be in Life Station when Cain paid Cottle a visit. That she'd shown up now of all times, stunned him. When he heard Cain's voice behind him, he did his best to warn Tabitha with his eyes. When Tabby heard Cain's voice, she almost dropped both trays, in her surprise. Quickly looking into Adama's eyes then wisely reading Cain, she stepped into the room.

"Well isn't this a pleasant surprise. We were just talking about you, and here you are." came Cain's voice. She sounded anything but happy. She sounded victorious. "Come in, come in. I see you managed to bring your commanding officers lunch." Both Adama and Tabby noticed her usage of rank.

Adama's shoulders slumped slightly, but he kept his gaze steady with Tabby. When she gave a slight nod, he moved aside so she could get by with both trays. She quickly brought them over to the table, "Here you go Ad… " She wasn't sure how best to direct him, while in front to this woman so she stopped mid word. "As you requested, lunch for the two of you. I'll just be leaving you both, so you can continue your meeting."

She moved as if the beat a hasty exit. She had noted the calculation in the woman's eyes as soon as she'd entered the room. It made her decidedly nervous. She had no fear the woman could do her any real physical harm, regardless of how good a shape she was in. What she wanted to avoid was putting Adama into a sticky situation. She felt it was in hers and his best interest to get the hell out of there. Why didn't that foolish guard tell her Adama and Cain were in a meeting. She really wanted to give that man posted outside a piece of her mind, she thought angrily.

"Nonsense. You are going to stay right here. We were just discussing you and your position here on the Galactica." came Cain's insincere pleasant voice.

Tabby wasn't sure what exactly was happening here. Although Bill was hiding it well, she was able to feel his growing unease. What was this woman after? How should she play this out? Should she continue to appear docile or should she allow this woman see her aggressive nature? The more distressed Bill became, the more aggressive Tabby felt. As far as Tabby was concerned, this woman had already ripped Lee and Kara away from her. Now she seemed to be cornering her father figure. Without conscious thought, Tabby took a seat next to Bill and reached for his hand.

Bill was proud of himself for not reacting to Tabby taking his hand. Tabby's behavior, her coming to sit next to him and reflexively taking his hand were giving him conflicting emotions. On the one hand he was very pleased she would feel comforted by him. On the other, he was afraid how Cain would try to use this against them both. He wanted to be able to comfort and reassure Tabby, but not draw any more undue attention to her natural reaction. Bill kept his face blank.

Cain had always been a very observant woman. It had served her well thru the years. She had a gift of noticing the little things around her that most would miss. Like she noticed the slight heated flare of the tiny woman's eyes, before they became blank once more. She noticed how natural it looked when the tiny woman sat right next to the Commander and took his hand. She also noticed the Commander's well concealed reaction. His eyes momentarily flared in surprise, only to close off again. Cain also noted how carefully he held the woman's hand. Not with any shame or possession as one might think. But like a reassuring father. She was curious how this gambit would play out. She never did like not getting her way, now was no different. She wanted the woman transferred and that was that.

"I was here requesting the Commander transfer you over to the Pegasus, due to our shortage of medical personnel. But he just informed me, you aren't actually part of this crew. It appears you are a civilian. Be that as it may, I still have the authority to have you brought to my ship. As a matter of fact, I think that's exactly what I will do. I'll have you brought over with me, on my return trip. Now would be a good time for you to go pack up your things. I want you to meet me on the hanger deck in two hours." Cain said, her eyes were all but glittering in anticipation of Adama's or the tiny woman's response. Even though the woman wanted to appear docile, Cain could sense the woman's iron will. This could be very interesting.

Upon hearing Cain's words, Adama's hold on Tabby's hand tightened considerably. But it was Tabby who spoke up first and not the Commander. "No." Tabby said with an edge of steel.

Cain had to admit, she wasn't expecting such a blunt refusal. Non the less, she wasn't ready to accept a 'no' answer. When she responded back it was laced with her trademark 'no nonsense' tone. "I beg your pardon? You did understand I wasn't ASKING you to transfer over to the Pegasus, I was ORDERING you to. What you want has no bearing on the situation at all."

Tabby realized her attempt to appear like a docile kitten would do her no good, as soon as she heard Cain's initial request. That's why she'd said 'no' in a firm but respectful manner, hoping that would be all that was required. But having this woman actually believe she could COMMAND her to do something she didn't want to do was pushing Tabby too far. Tabby knew she couldn't allow Bill to step in. This overbearing woman was HIS commanding officer, NOT hers. She realized to avoid Bill getting into hot water it was all up to her, herself.

Sitting up straight and looking Cain directly in the eyes, Tabby's were pure fire and ice. While keeping her volume at a moderate level, she all but growled, " You may very well be in control of the MILITARY side of this fleet, but you are NOT in control of the CIVILIANS. That falls directly under the prevue of the President, I believe. Or have you conveniently forgotten that? The President herself has granted me permission to stay aboard the Galactica, with my family. I have absolutely no desire to leave the Galactica or my father." Here Tabby took a meaningful pause. Then with even more force in her tone, it truly did become a growl. "And quite frankly, it would be unwise of you to make me. I don't like you. I trust you even less. I assure you, I will not be an asset to you or your crew." By the time she had finished, it was Tabby squeezing Bill's stiff hand.

Cain had to admit, it had been a very long time since anyone had challenged her in such a way. At the same time it annoyed her, she found she respected the tiny woman for her spunk and tenacity. Then something she had heard struck her. "Father?" Cain looked at Adama with question. This man was known for his by the book ways, for his code of honor. If this tiny woman were really his daughter, it was proof of some long ago transgression. Something she really didn't believe he would've ever been capable of. No there had to be some other explanation. "Adama, care to explain?"

At first Bill was shocked at hearing himself referred to as her father. But at second glance it made him feel warm and proud. When Cain questioned him, his answer felt natural. "She's my adoptive daughter, Admiral. She has been for quite some time." He felt it best not to inform Cain, it was only since her arrival to the Galactica. A little subterfuge could go a long way.

"I see." She wasn't totally convinced of the accuracy of his statement, but decided to accept it for now. Besides, there was something in the tiny woman that didn't feel right. Somehow, for the first time in a very long time, Cain was afraid. She was afraid this woman was someone she wouldn't be able to control. Maybe for the time being she would concede.

If this woman really felt the Adama's were her family, it would only be a matter of time before she had her over on the Pegasus. Captain Adama was already there, after all. Maybe all she really needed to do was push the younger man enough, and this Tabitha would come running. Yes, that seemed like a very good idea. Besides, if she came under those terms, it would be a simple matter to keep her under control. Use the younger man as leverage. Thus decided, she stated in her commanding tone, "Very well, since you both prefer your current arrangement, I'll just have to select someone else from your medical staff."

Adama gave Tabby's hand a firm squeeze. She then stood to exit the room. Looking back at the Commander, "I'll come back to have lunch with you in a couple days." she said with a warm smile. Then looking over to Cain, her face once again went blank. Tabby had never been mistaken for a fool. She was well aware the woman had not relented out of respect for Bill. Tabby didn't even think she had truly relented. It seemed more as if she were biding her time. Reminding Tabby of a house cat she once owned. The cat liked to play with the mice it would catch, before it would finally kill them. She gave the commanding woman a small nod of acknowledgement then left.

Once outside the closed door, Tabby paused and heaved a huge sigh of relief. Then she began to move away from the door with purpose. As she walked by the guard posted outside, she never even broke stride or looked in his direction, she reached out and smacked him on the back of the head. She never said a single word. Neither did she hear his startled comment. Her mind was churning by the time she made it around the corner. What she really needed was a way to release all her pent up tension. Perhaps another stint in the gym would work. Helo should be back in the bunk room by now, he always enjoyed their time spent there. This time, however, she realized it should only be with her working with the 'porcupine'. She didn't want to damage Helo, by sparring with him right now.

TCB