Kara sat at a table in the corner of the officer's lounge, slowly sipping on a bottle of water. The muscles in her jaws began to tingle as she enviously spied Colonel Tigh playing triad with some of the pilots. Her parched throat ached as she watched a cup of the Chief's special brew make its way to the XO's lips.

Lowering her eyes, she took another sip of her water, hoping to kill the increasing sense of thirst. She wouldn't give in. The day she'd found out she was pregnant with Billy was the last time that alcohol tainted her flesh or her spirit.

The increase in voices meant the room would be full soon. Time to make your exit. Kara wanted to be far away from prying questions and prying eyes. She stood up and began to quietly make her way through the throng.

"Going somewhere?"

Frak. Kara looked up to see the gentle eyes of her husband staring down at her. He had been the reason she'd retreated to the lounge. For three days he'd been hounding her about Lee, the Admiral, and the brig. Kara knew what Sam was looking for…. But I'll be damned if he'll get a word out of me.

"I've got to go pick up Billy, Sam. Sharon said she'd watch him until 18:00. It's 18:22 now; frak I'm late."

She groaned as she saw the time on the wall clock. Sam reached down and took one of her hands in his two, cupping and covering it at the same time.

"Don't worry; it's already taken care of."

"So what do you want, Sam?"

Kara temporarily let her guard down as she watched his grin broaden while she bit the inside of her lower lip. Sam had always had the ability to make her feel like a schoolgirl when he wanted to. Bending down toward her, he got to within an inch of her ear before he spoke.

"Cally is watching Billy until 23:00 hours. That gives us about four and a half hours to play a game of Pyramid and then figure out whatever else you want to do."

"What I want to do? Well, come on."

Colonel Tigh watched the couple as Starbuck tugged on her husband's arm, trying to get him out the door. Gods help us all. The gesture made him think of Ellen. He tipped his cup upward, drained it, and then slammed it down on the table.

"Fill 'er up."

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Gods this is exhilarating! Kara hadn't felt like this in ages. She was gasping for air, having just scored another goal against her husband. Only right now she didn't look at him as her husband. He was just another opponent, and she was determined to win. She grinned as she saw him coming out of the corner of her eye, trying to stealthily steal the ball from her hands.

"Oh-ho-ho! I don't think so, mister."

"What, you don't think I could take you?"

"You wish!"

Sam flashed a brilliant smile of his own. Playing the game had brought his girl out of her shell for a bit. He stood still as Kara faked to the left, and then swiftly moved to the right. They were playing no-holds-barred. She wanted it that way. So he didn't feel a bit guilty when he heard the air whoosh out of her lungs as he slammed her against the gym wall.

"Whoa, easy there, tiger."

Kara laughed, trying to shake it off as she felt a familiar ache begin in her knee and her shoulder. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to gauge Sam's body language. He's trying to take it easy on me. She decided then to blow him away on the next pass.

But Sam knew when she was going to do it. He saw the flicker in his wife's eyes as they were hunched over in the center of the circle. Uh-uh; no way. He watched her eyes again and listened to her breathing.

Kara took what she thought was the next window of opportunity. She didn't see it coming when he slammed her down to the floor, flat on her back.

Sam was grinning as he held her there, arms pinned to the sides of her head. He was completely and utterly aroused, leaning in to kiss her as he felt their bodies, every place they were touching; hers beneath his.

Kara froze.

"Sam, get off."

He laughed, having no intention of letter her get away with trying to play dirty like that.

"Uh-uh. I've got you right where I want you to be."

She began to squirm beneath his weight. The feeling of him on top of her was beginning to suffocate her. She felt like she was being crushed, and trapped.

"Sam, get off of me! Get the frak off of me! GET THE FRAK OFF OF ME!"

Her words came out in a sob as Kara jerked her arms free of his grip. She scrambled backwards until she felt the wall against her shoulders. She was shaking with fear.

Sam's eyes grew wide as he saw the look in hers. He noted the pale tint of her skin and the violent trembling of her body. Realization hit him like a brick.

"My gods, Kara! What the frak did he do to you?"

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Think she'll tell him? I'm not telling. You'll have to wait for the next installment – which I know what I'm going to do with it…I just haven't written it yet. Have a fun weekend, and please review!