Title: Faoi Dheireadh
Part: 20
Rating: PG, maybe PG-13 later
Pairing: A/R
Summary: The survivors of the Holocaust have finally reached Earth, but they find out that's not the end of their problems
Beta: Mariel
Note: I do want to thank Vi, Marta, Axelrajr, Moggie, and AlbertG for their expertise. Without their input this story would not be what it is today. Be warned, this takes place sometime near the end of season two. Anything after Epiphanies are conjectures from the author's warped mind. . .

Disclaimer: Battlestar Galactica and its characters are creations of Glen Larson and copywrited by Universal Studios. I make no money off of this.

Colonial speech: " "
English speech: ' '

Chapter Twenty

Gaeta looked at the reflection in the mirror. Through it he could see Kara up and moving around his incredibly small quarters. Seeing her brought his mind back to the previous evening and how she had kept asking where his "girlfriend" was. He had denied that he had one then, and he continued to. Deep inside, however, he had an odd feeling. It was one he couldn't explain, even to himself.

"I do not have a girlfriend," he muttered while shaking his head.

"Of course not," Kara's voice came from behind him. Focusing on the reflection again, he could see she was already dressed and looking at him with a smile on her face. "So, are you going to the gym?"

"Yeah," he answered while leaving his cramped head and retrieved his workout clothing. When he was ready, they both left the small, but private, quarters and moved towards the gym, still 'arguing' about his personal life. "You know, no one has had any time to devote to anything remotely resembling a private life." He felt like he was attempting to justify his previous evening's actions.

Kara raised her eyebrows while asking, "Are you sure about that?"

Gaeta pushed her against the wall and leaned in while lowering his voice, "You know that is an unspoken rule. It would not be good for word to get out."

She pushed him back, then continued on down the corridor. "But everyone already knows."

"That's not the point, and you know it," he answered while easily catching up with her.

Before she could answer, they had turned another corner and reached their destination. Stepping inside, they watched for a minute or two the informal class. This time Glennan had the marines that had shown up all out in the boxing area and lined up doing set movements. For a few moments they watched the lesson then went over to the weight machines.

The class dismissed sometime during his workout, but some had asked Glennan to stay. She did so, but only for a short time. When Gaeta was, finished he collected his things and left for his quarters.

What the Terran was doing was completely different from anything they had ever known or had been taught. He thought about what she was teaching and finally decided that it would be something good to learn more about over breakfast.

After he was cleaned up he ran into Kara on the way to Glennan's quarters. "What are you doing?" he asked as he brushed past her.

"Nothing," she answered with a smile on her face as she turned and followed the tactical officer.

Instead of having the possibility of incriminating himself, Gaeta remained silent. Soon enough, though, they were standing outside Glennan's cabin.

"Anything you want to ask her?" he asked as he raised his hand to knock. "And if you're wanting to know, I'm going to ask her more about her fighting style."

For a moment, Kara had a thoughtful look on her face then she nodded. "Same here."

When there was no answer after the initial knock Gaeta turned his attention back to Kara, "See if you can find out from one of the marines if Glennan's here."

"Right," the pilot answered and slipped quickly around the corner. Moments later she came back and nodded. "She is. Dugan's sure about it."

Gaeta nodded and knocked again. There was still no answer. Finally he twisted the handle and pulled the door open then stopped in shock. The normally immaculately clean cabin had papers and items thrown all over the deck. Letting his eyes sweep across the room Gaeta found the Terran sitting on her rack holding what looked like a pillow close to her. Anger competed with despair on the Terran's face. "Glennan?" he asked as he took another step into the cabin.

After a moment, Angela looked up and pointed over to the wall. "Left."

For a moment Gaeta was completely confused. When he looked where she was pointing he realized immediately what she had meant. Her pda was not in its cradle. Frowning, the tactical officer turned to look at Starbuck, "Her pda is gone, and I have a good idea who took it."

"Frak me," she muttered while shaking her head.

"Not quite," Gaeta muttered while moving across the cabin to the comm. unit. Picking it up he called Adama's quarters directly.

"Adama."

Gaeta took a calming breath before answering. "Sir, Lieutenant Glennan's pda has been stolen."

"Baltar."

"Yes, sir."

"Find him."

"Yes, sir." Gaeta nodded and placed the receiver back in its cradle then turned to Starbuck. "We need to find Baltar."

"Is there any reason why you knew it was him?" Starbuck asked, her voice already hard with anger.

"Because he had attempted to take it on two separate occations. The second time, there were five witnesses."

"He is soo going to get it," Starbuck fumed then turned around and stormed out of the cabin.

"I go," Angela answered with cold fury. Before Gaeta could do anything, Angela had slipped past him and was closing fast on Starbuck. For a moment he stood there in surprise, then quickly left, closing the door behind him. He caught up with the two very angry women, not quite sure what they were going to do once they met up with the vice president. The first place they checked was his cabin, but it was empty. On the way to the lab Gaeta managed to catch the attention of two marines and had them come with him. If anything was going to happen, he wanted to make sure they were present.

Just as they opened the door to the lab there was a pop and feedback sound coming from the computer speakers.

"What now?" Baltar asked himself. "You said this would work!" he exclaimed as he looked into space while indicating the small computer.

The sound of the Terran's slightly raised voice startled everyone. Pushing between both Colonial officers, the petite woman started a gibberish sounding tirade while pointing to the computer he had been trying to get to work. It became quite obvious to both Gaeta and Thrace that she was cussing the vice president out. Just as well that he didn't understand one bit of it, but her actions were another story. She stormed across the room and yanked the small computer out of the makeshift connection Baltar had created bringing delicate components from the host computer with it.

With the pda now in hand, Glennan calmed down, somewhat. Backing away from Baltar, she started checking it. Her earlier tirade was one thing, this time her voice turned cold while holding the pda up. 'What have you done, you bastard.'

Baltar nervously looked to the two officers and marines, "Please! You've got to help me. I didn't do anything!" he backed up in panic as she came towards him, tossing the pda on the closest table. It landed in with a muted clatter as she slowly neared him. When she came close, he held his hands out in front to protect himself, not realizing his mistake. Glennan grabbed both wrists and squeezed as she brought one hand up and around his back, forcing him to turn around. With a quick kick, Baltar yelped in pain as he fell to his knees.

'You will pay for this,' she whispered menacingly in his ear.

With a sharp jerk, he cried out in pain. "She's killing me! Please you've got to stop her! I'll do anything. Anything!"

Gaeta's eyes widened in shock at Glennan's cruelty and apparent blatant disregard for life. He knew she was beyond fury and had to be stopped, somehow. She had already proved in the gym that it was damn near impossible, but he knew he had to somehow. "We all have to stop her. On my signal I want each of you to hold an arm while I'll pull her back. It could take as many as all of us to stop her." The others nodded.

With a quick move Gaeta came up behind her and grabbed her by the waist and started pulling her back. "Now!" They had to be quick or he'd be injured from her hands or elbows.

'Let me at him! Bastard! Let me go!' Angela cried out while struggling to free herself from her restraints. But they would not let go.

"Angela," Gaeta spoke calmly into her ear. He took a chance and used her first name, hoping it would bring her back around to rational thought. Baltar, once freed of her vice-like grip, crawled away and leaned up the bulkhead, whimpering as he cradled his arm cradled in his lap. After a moment the Terran stopped fighting, but was still breathing hard. Feeling her relax, Gaeta nodded to the marines to let her go. When her hands were free she collapsed and put her face in her hands while weeping.

Gaeta released his hold, but kept one hand on her shoulder. He could easily feel her gasping sobs. "Thrace," he started quietly, "Call the Admiral and tell him what's happened, and that we are both going to escort Lieutenant Glennan back to her cabin."

"What about him?" Starbuck indicated the vice president.

"He's not going anywhere."

"Right," Starbuck nodded while going over to the comm.

"Angela." Gaeta came around and knelt in front of her. "We are going back to your quarters," he said very slowly, not sure if she was in a position to understand anything anymore. He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Guest quarters."

"Gaeta, the Old Man wants to see you when we get back," Starbuck said as she came around slowly while keeping her hands in full view.

"Right," he nodded while standing up. "Come," he addressed Angela while holding out his hand. When she finally took it, he pulled her to her feet, all the while making sure she did not have a clear path to the vice president. When they passed the table Angela's hand reached out and snagged the pda and held it close while she tried in vain to control the tears that threatened to fall.

"Hey! What about me?" Baltar called out, pain still evident in his voice. "I can't move my arm!"

"Don't worry, we'll have a medic come," Starbuck answered with sarcasm as she closed the door. "Do not let anyone in or out until Lieutenant Gaeta or the Old Man says otherwise," she ordered the marines.

"Yes, sir," the two answered.

The journey back to Angela's cabin seemed to take forever for all involved. The two Colonial officers had to steer the Terran in the right direction since she was not paying any attention to where she was going. "Can you stay with her?" Gaeta asked quietly when they reached Angela's cabin. "I don't think she's in any condition to do any more damage," he finished as he spun the handle on the door.

"I can," Kara answered while watching the petite Terran closely.

Moving to the side, Gaeta nodded. "Good. I'll be back."

Once the two women were in the cabin and the door shut Gaeta sighed and moved down the corridor to Adama's quarters.

oOoOo

Adama set the comm unit back in its cradle and closed his eyes. The outcome was not what he expected. This was a diplomatic incident and O'Neill needed to know about it. If word got out, the Terrans could easily overwhelm them, added to the fact that four ships still could not use their FTL computers. Picking up the receiver once more, he jabbed a few buttons while waiting. "Laura, something's happened. . .I need you here." When finished he set it back in its cradle then took off his glasses and rubbed his face with his hands.

"What is it?" she asked as she pulled the door closed behind her.

"Baltar was found in his lab trying to hack into the Terran liaison's hand translator."

Laura shook her head. "This is not good." She moved across the room to Bill's office and sat down in one of the chairs.

"No, it's not. We could have a diplomatic incident on our hands here." He hesitated then turned around. "I wanted you here when I contact the Terrans."

"How?" Laura's confusion easily showed on her face.

"The shuttle that came over yesterday brought one of what they call 'subspace transceivers'. It's fairly easy to operate."

"It's here?" Laura got up from the chair and moved around his desk while he moved charts from the shelf behind his desk. Underneath the oversized pieces of paper sat the gleaming piece of advanced equipment. It looked out of place in the well worn decorations of Bill's quarters.

Bill turned back around and retrieved a small piece of paper that had a short list on it. After glancing over it he leaned over and pressed a few buttons on the transceiver in a set sequence. Less than a minute later, the lights across the board shown green. "That's done," he muttered while turning his attention back to his list.

"Bill, have you ever done this before?" Laura asked with some amusement in her voice.

"I wrote it down," he glanced back then turned his attention back to the transceiver once again. "Glennan said the microphone it is equipped with is supersensitive."

Laura nodded, but was still smiling.

"This is Admiral Adama from the Galactica. I need to speak with Captain O'Neill," Bill said as he turned his chair around and sat in it.

There was a moments hesitation, then a heavily accented voice on the other end answered, "Hold, please."

"This is O'Neill. Perfect timing, Admiral. I was just about to contact you."

Adama closed his eyes and leaned his head back. What now, he thought.

"Several pallets of supplies have gone missing."

"Captain, this is President Roslin. How do you know? I assumed we have received most everything."

"That's the problem. It's scanned in at the hub destination and scanned out, but never makes it to its intended ship. Madam President, this isn't hurting me, what it is doing is hurting you and the ships they were destined for."

"Everything is tracked?"

"Everything."

"Captain, this is a problem that we've only just become aware of in the last few weeks."

"Looks like you've got yourselves a black market on your hands."

A knock at the door drew the two's attention away from the transceiver. "Captain, I wish to continue this later. There's something I have to take care of right now," Bill spoke as he stood up.

"All right. Admiral," Mair acknowledged him then cut the transmission.

Bill was part way across the room when the door opened, admitting his tactical officer. "Where is he?" he asked as he stopped in front of the younger officer.

"Still in his lab, sir."

"And the liaison?"

"In her cabin. Lieutenant Thrace is with her right now." Gaeta paused before continuing, "Sir, um, I don't know if a medic has been called. In my haste to get Glennan out of there I forgot to do that."

Bill stopped and looked at Gaeta for a moment before answering, "Was he given a life threatening injury?"

"It didn't look like it, sir. He couldn't move his arm."

"I want you to have a medic report to Baltar's Lab." Bill nodded then turned around and left his quarters, leaving both Gaeta and Laura to look into the now empty corridor.

"Yes, sir." Gaeta nodded then turned back to Bill's office and picked up the comm. When he was finished he turned back around and started to leave.

"Lieutenant?"

"Yes, Madam President," Gaeta turned around to address her.

"How is she?" she asked as she got to her feet.

"I'm not sure, ma'am. Lieutenant Thrace is with her right now." He flexed his fingers for a moment before finally turning back around and leaving the Admiral's quarters.

When he reached Angela's quarters he slowly pulled the door open, not really sure what he was going to find. He blinked in surprise at the sight of one of the medics taking Angela's vitals while Kara was sitting at the table and watching.

"What happened?" he asked as he moved over to the CAG.

Kara turned and answered with amusement, but her eyes showed something completely different, "Since Baltar wasn't around, she turned to trying to beat up the ship. Didn't do as well."

"Sir," the medic began packing her equipment. "She's only bruised the bones. It'll be painful for a while. I mixed a mild sedative along with the pain killer. That should help even out her mood swings." Just as she was leaving Kara spoke up again, "Wait!"

"Not necessary, Thrace. One's already on his or her way," Gaeta responded before the medic could. "You're dismissed," he addressed the medic.

"Thank you, sir," she answered then gave a quick salute and left the quarters.

Once the medic had left Angela scooted to the bulkhead and leaned up against it while curling up in a ball. After a moment she uncurled herself and went over to her locker and pulled out some gray clothing. She had not changed at all from her workout clothing, and went to the head to get cleaned up.

When she came out five minutes later the clothing had somehow changed to a green pattern. Nearing one of the walls, she raised her bruised fist and almost struck it again, but this time her heart wasn't into it. Moving back over to the rack, she sat down and closed her eyes. With all that had happened, and the sedative, she felt her brain was scrambled and couldn't even remember the simplest of phrases. "I. . .come. . ." she slowly forced out.

"Do you want me to come?" Kara asked once she realized what Angela really meant.

"No. Thanks, though."

"She's lost."

"More tha you can imagine," Gaeta answered softly.

oOoOo

Adama stepped inside Baltar's lab, noticing that the medic was already there and taking care of the vice president.

"I demand that woman to be removed from the Galactica! She is a menace!" Baltar blurted out then hissed in pain when the medic touched his shoulder. "She's ruined my arm! I'll never be able to use it again."

Adama strode over and leaned down. "I've seen a dislocated shoulder before." Not letting the temporarily incapacitated vice president answer, he straightened and walked over to the wall for the comm. unit. "Sergeant Hadrian, I want you to report to the vice president's lab," he said into it then placed it back in its cradle.

"Sir?" the medic asked while standing up.

"Yes?"

"Sir, I need to have him moved to Life Station."

"Have the marines help you," he indicated the two, who, during the time he had arrived, had moved inside the lab.

"Yes, sir," she answered while backing away to give them room to help Baltar to his feet. Along with his immobile arm, he moved with an obvious limp.

For a moment he seem to want to say something, but wisely kept his mouth shut. When he was gone, Adama looked around the lab. There were still thousands of blood samples that needed to be tested, but he wasn't sure if the cylon detector worked at all.

"Sir."

Turning, he saw Hadrian taking a step inside the lab. She had two marines with her. "Sergeant, I want you to catalogue everything here. If there is anything missing I want to know."

"Yes, sir," she answered. "I'll get right on it."

"Good, and until further notice, Baltar is to remain under guard until I or the President say otherwise," he answered. Leaving for his quarters, he shook his head. It was like everything decided to come to a head at the same time.

"So, how is our esteemed vice president?" Laura asked when he stepped back into his quarters. Bill closed the door almost all the way, then moved across to the table she was at. "Lieutenant Glennan dislocated his shoulder and it also looks like she hit his instep pretty hard." He leaned over and gently brushed her cheek with his lips and continued, "But acted like he was mortally wounded."

"You know," she started slowly, "You're going to have to contact Captain O'Neill again."

Bill pulled away and sighed. "I know. This is something I am not looking forward to. Lieutenant Glennan needs to be here. Even with this, I want her to stay."

"Same here," Laura looked up at him for a moment before focusing her attention back to the shelf of books she had been eyeing before Bill had come back.

TBC...