Bright, Shiny Futures – Chapter Twenty-One
Author's Note: Thanks to the gracious offer of a friend (JATNJ) I will be able to get the rest of this story posted here. However I am unable to access the site myself directly, so I'm thanking you in advance for reading and leaving such lovely comments for my story. I wish I could thank you all personally!
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"So, have you made your decision yet?" Kara tried to sound nonchalant – never mind that she'd been up all night fretting about how this was going to go down. Michael had come to bed much later than she, but she hadn't been asleep though she'd pretended to be. His even breathing had been the sign for her to get out of bed and head downstairs where she'd spent much of the night pacing.
If he wasn't willing to sign, what would she do? She'd assured Lee full access to his son and she wasn't going to go back on that promise. But that was sure to cause major stress within their marriage if it even survives. Much as she owed Michael for the past eight years, she owed Lee and the Old Man much more. She'd taken love and the chance for happiness away from Lee – she owed it to him to give him the family he wanted and deserved. Worse, she'd taken Zak away from the Old Man and nearly taken Lee away as well. She owed him a debt she could never repay, though a life for a life was a good start.
If Michael did sign … well, that was another story. One she felt sure had a tragic ending. It meant he trusted her and that trust was horribly misplaced. No one should ever trust her around Lee – hell, she couldn't even trust herself. She could make silent vows till the end of eternity but she knew that when it came to Lee she'd break them every time. She just couldn't help herself.
Her heart pounded painfully. She really wasn't sure which answer she wanted him to give.
"Yes I'll sign," he said quietly, eyes forcing hers to stay on his. "But only for you. Because it's important to you. I don't trust his intentions but I trust yours." He walked the length of the kitchen and took her into his arms. "You know if anything goes wrong though, I'll fight to the death for Zach. He's still my son too."
The tears in her voice caused a lump to grow in her throat. Kara you don't know how lucky you are, her subconscious whispered. This man is far too good for you and you're going to end up hurting him.
"Thank you," she whispered, unable to say more lest the tears start to fall.
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Helo shook the other man's hand warmly. "Thank you sir. I was hoping we could stay here." His heart had done several flip flops over the previous hour's discussion, wherein he'd leaned of the plan that would have relocated him and his family because of the first letter of their last name.
The Vice President smiled. "You're a valuable asset to the military Major Agathon. As second-in-command to the Admiral for many years you can bring a good deal to the integration of Galactica and her crew to our ranks. Is it your wife's intention to remain in the military also?"
"Yes sir," Helo replied proudly. "She's served as a pilot for many years and is one of our best."
"And your children?"
Helo hesitated a moment. "I was hoping we might find a place to live near Kara Thrace. She and I are old friends – she and Sharon were very close at one time as well. It would be nice to renew that friendship and have our children get to know one another."
The Vice President shuffled some papers. "She lives in Georgetown. That's a bit of a commute. Perhaps it would be better for you to live on the base … "
"We'll work something out," Helo assured him. "Perhaps some others we know will move into the vicinity and we can do childcare like we used to."
"I'm sure you'll find a way. The experiences you've had in the last decade must have taught you how to be flexible and fly by the seat of you pants."
Helo smiled inwardly. That phrase had been used so many times to describe Kara that it had been pretty much earmarked solely for her. "That they have," he agreed. "If we're about done here for today I'd like to get back to my family. My daughters are a little nervous about all the changes going on in their lives."
The other man smiled sympathetically. "Understandably so. My children are grown and gone but when they were small we moved a great deal for my military career. It's always hard on them. Fortunately children are very adaptable."
"Very true. They're wary now because Galactica is the only home they've ever known, but I'm sure they'll soon get comfortable here and feel like they've been here all their lives."
The Vice President proffered his hand again. "Good luck in your search for a home Major. We'll be in touch soon."
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Kara felt a little hand creep up and hide itself in her own. She looked lovingly down at her son's deep blue eyes, troubled, though still shining with excitement.
"I'm a little scared," he half-whispered, half-mouthed, obviously embarrassed to admit it now that the day he'd been waiting for had come.
She leaned down. "Me too," she whispered into his hair. And she was. The thought of revisiting Galactica was both exhilarating and terrifying. She wished she'd had more time to prepare herself mentally, but Lee had called and delayed her pickup of the custody papers by a couple of days in order to work it in with the visit to Galactica that had been scheduled much quicker than anyone had anticipated it would be.
He grinned up at her, Lee's impish smile when he chose to use it having been passed along to his son. Her heart felt like it was going to burst.
"This is it," she said, a little louder so that Michael could hear. They stopped before Adama's door and she knocked.
"Come in."
Three pairs of warm eyes and smiles greeted them. Kara felt Zach press himself up against her side as she made the introductions – Michael and Sara to Adama and Roslin, saving Zach for last. She knew the Old Man would rib her about it later – he looked as though he was about to burst with anticipation.
"Zach, you remember Lee, right?" she asked, kneeling down to face him. He nodded. "Well this is Lee's daddy, Admiral Adama. He's your grandfather."
Adama walked forward two steps and knelt down with them. "It's good to meet you Zach," he said, gravelly voice filled with emotion. He stretched out a hand. Zach took it.
"Hi," he said shyly, then pulled his hand back and threw his arms around his mother.
Adama smiled and moved to stand beside Roslin. She looked at his watch. "We're being picked up soon Bill. Perhaps we should get business taken care of."
Lee cleared his throat – the first sound he'd made thus far. Everyone's eyes fell to the table beside him, custody papers spread out ready to be signed.
Zach surprised everyone, making the first move. He walked over to Lee and took his hand. "Hi," he said softly.
"Hi." Lee swallowed hard – Kara could see his Adam's apple working as he fought to keep his emotions still. "It's good to see you again. You ready to see the ship where your mom and I used to live?"
The little boy nodded, eyes widening as a smile touched his lips.
Kara turned to Michael and took Sara from his arms. "You go ahead," she said, keenly aware of the importance of him signing first.
"What a beautiful children you have Kara. This little girl is so precious," Adama said to her as Michael bent over to read through the papers.
Kara smiled. "Thanks boss. She is kind of cute. Bit of a mischief though."
"I wonder where she gets that from," Roslin teased.
Kara shrugged. "Beats me." He eyes twinkled though her heart was still pounding in fear. There was still a chance that Michael would change his mind.
Michael rifled some papers. He picked up one in particular. "So it's true. You are his father," he said, almost more to himself than to Lee.
"You doubted it?" Lee asked. Kara saw the antagonism behind his eyes. Don't push it Lee, please. Just take it. Don't make it any harder than it already is, she begged him silently. He must have sensed her feelings because he said no more.
Michael looked at him, gaze unwavering. "You can never be too sure, and given the circumstances … "
Lee nodded. "I suppose in your place I would feel the same way."
Michael nodded back, a silent truce between them, no words necessary. He took the pen in hand and signed the necessary forms in silence, then traded with Kara for Sara so she could do the same.
She did, not bothering to read anything save the paternity test results that showed a one hundred percent match to Lee. A burst of pride hit her. She'd always known it in her heart but now it was an undeniable fact. She almost breathed a sigh of relief.
She put down the pen and straightened up the papers just as Lee reached for them. Their hands touched, eyes met and lingered – a split second too long. Kara felt a flush creep up her neck as her husband watched their interaction. She glanced sideways and met Michael's eyes as she pulled her hand away. They were hot and angry, full of jealousy and fear. Where have you seen those eyes before Kara? her mind whispered.
Dimly she became aware of voices, realizing that Zach, her ultra-shy boy, was carrying on a lively conversation with Adama and Roslin. The unease that had permeated her in the last few seconds abated slightly as she smiled at her son's instant comfort with his family. Maybe he'd been missing the older generation in his life. She'd had no family here till now and Michael was an only child whose parents had died and left him an orphan before he could even remember them. Aside from the babysitter and his teacher at school, neither Zach nor Sara had ever really spent any time with anyone besides herself and Michael. Zach had been a very shy child at school and had only just begun to come out of his shell.
She felt a hand on her shoulder. "Kara, Lee, can I have a word?" Adama's voice was low.
Immediately her eyes flew to Lee's, as did his to hers. They nodded in unison, moving to the opposite end of the room, leaving Michael to contend with the two children whilst making polite conversation with Roslin.
"The Vice President has asked me to arrange a demonstration of the small craft's capabilities. I've arranged to have Helo and Athena fly a Raptor. I'd like you two to take your Vipers and show 'em how it's done." The swaggering pride in his voice would have made her smile if she hadn't been so surprised.
"Dad, I haven't flown in at least five years," Lee protested, getting there before Kara could even open her mouth.
"It's been even longer for me," she added.
"You're the best pilots I've ever worked with, bar none. You know it's like riding a bike – once you're out there it'll all come back to you."
"Yeah but … "
"Do you want to do it or don't you?" Adama always had a way of getting straight to the point.
Kara looked at Lee. Lee looked back at her. They both turned back and nodded simultaneously. "Yes!"
He nodded his approval, a small smile hovering behind his Commander's eye … just visible to both of them. "Let's go then. They'll be here to pick us up soon."
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"He's asked me and Lee to fly today."
Michael forced a smile at his wife's obvious joy and tried to be happy for her. "That's wonderful Kara," he said softly, touching her elbow. "You must be thrilled."
"I am."
She was. He could see it in every line of her body. She was radiating energy like a beacon. He glanced at the rest of the group ahead of them. Lee had an identical look about him – as if he was ready to break right out of his skin.
A dull ache began to take hold of his chest – a painful throbbing that made him feel as though she was moving further and further away from him with every beat. His first instinct was to grab hold of her and never let go, but he knew her well enough to know that would have exactly the opposite effect he wanted and just end up driving her away. He couldn't just let her go though.
"Enjoy yourself," he said, smiling weakly. "Just don't fly away on me."
She studied his face carefully. "I won't," she said seriously. She hugged the girl in her arms tighter. The ache in his chest eased up a notch – Kara would never go and leave them. She wasn't like that anymore.
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"So you're going to get to fly again Captain Apollo. It's been too long."
Lee smiled at Roslin's tease. "It's been a long time since anyone's called me that," he countered.
"Captain or Apollo?"
"Yes."
She laughed. The sound was immensely infectious. Lee felt himself bubbling up with laughter. It's not her, it's the thought of flying with Kara again that has you so giddy. His subconscious was right. He was giddy at the prospect of flying with Kara again. They'd had their ups and downs for sure, but it had never seemed to matter in the cockpit. All was forgotten and they were two halves of the same soul out there. It was how they'd always mended fences and gotten close again when they'd fallen out. Until you forced her to fly against her will, assured you you'd be there for her and then let her die. Lee flushed a deep pink. Time had healed some wounds and forced him to move on but the one thing he'd never been able to do was forgive himself for his complicity in her death. Because of it, her ghost had been with him ever since. Except she wasn't dead, his mind whispered. So does that mean you're as crazy as Baltar? Seeing women who don't really exist in your head? Perhaps he was. No matter – she was alive, here with him and they were about to fly together again. It was the best gift the Gods could have given him, aside from his son. No matter what else happened or didn't, he would be thankful for those things.
Too late, he realized Roslin was still talking. "I beg your pardon?" he said, somewhat embarrassed.
She smiled indulgently. "Doing mental flight prep already?"
He returned the smile. "Something like that. I'm sorry, I got a little lost there. What were you saying?"
"I was asking if you were looking forward to resuming your rank and callsign, even if only for a day."
Lee chuckled. "It'll definitely be odd. When I first left I found it hard to get used to being called Mr. Adama. I preferred 'sir' just because it was more familiar. Now I'm so used to 'mister' that I think I might forget to answer if someone called me Apollo."
"It's not like Kara ever remembered to anyway," Adama put in, attempting to sound grouchy though he was obviously as excited as they were.
Lee instinctively looked back at Kara to find her smiling at him. Obviously she'd heard what Adama had said. With an effort, he pulled his eyes back to focus on Roslin. It wouldn't do for him to be rude to her again. Particularly not now that she was his stepmom.
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The first glimpse of Galactica nearly knocked the wind out of Kara. She was so big! In her mind's eye she'd pictured the ship many a time since she'd been stranded here, but the sheer size and solidity of her was something her imagination just hadn't managed to conjure accurately.
"Frak" she said wonderingly, the word slipping out without thought.
Adama reached across the truck's aisle and squeezed her hand.
She continued to stare at the huge ship as they approached it, so many feelings swirling around within her that she could barely name them. Some were buried so deeply that she wasn't even aware of them except as an ache in her chest. It was all so familiar – leaving Galactica for a time then returning. She'd done it each and every time she'd gone out in her Viper. She'd done it when she'd gone back to Caprica. She'd done it when she'd tried leaving to live on New Caprica but found she couldn't resist the pull to come home when they'd been forced to evacuate the planet.
Home.
That was it. All the feelings gelled suddenly and she understood.
She was coming home.
TBC