Chapter 27
"Hi Lee."
Two simple words that shook Lee to his core. He couldn't believe that just a few minutes ago he thought that he was merely flying into a nebula on a recon mission, and now he was within arm's reach of Kara.
"Kara?" he said in disbelief, not knowing what else to say.
"Don't worry, it's really me," she replied with a smile, though she was in complete amazement herself. Kara looked down briefly at the picture of her twins and smiled before looking back up at their father who was still looking intently at her.
"How... how?"
"I could ask you the same question Lee, the Galactica's been living here."
"Flip your viper and you'll see," replied Lee smiling and then spun his ship end on end, which Kara quickly followed. She soon saw what the other blip on her dradis had been, as looming out of the clouds of the nebula she saw the large shape of a Battlestar.
"Oh my gods."
"They found me after..."
Kara quickly turned her head towards Lee, and saw the look of distress that was evident on his face. Flashes of the last time she had seen him flashed through her mind, which she promptly pushed away as their vipers soared closely over the starboard flight pod of the ship, past the letters emblazoned on the side that spelt out PEGASUS.
Lee suddenly heard the familiar voice of Cain in his ear, calling for him to come back on board the Pegasus, but after searching relentlessly for the Galactica for so long he was not about to turn away from her now.
"Pegasus, this is Apollo, I'm having trouble hearing you clearly," he lied with a grin on his face. "I'm heading to liaise with the Galactica."
He ignored the strong voice of Cain telling him to get his ass immediately back to the Pegasus and turned off the comm link. When he turned back to Kara he saw that she was smiling widely.
"What?"
"Nothing," she replied with a small laugh. "Just thinking that I've been a bad influence on you. The Lee I used to know would never flat out lie to a superior officer."
Lee laughed back, "people change, Kara."
Kara nodded, knowing exactly what he meant. Since her captivity at the hands of the cylons her life had changed irrevocably. She took another look at the picture of her babies, their little faces warming her heart. It was time to bring their father back to them.
"Hey Apollo, you think you can remember how to make a hands on landing?"
"Just you try and stop me."
"Race you there!"
Kara kicked her viper into action and spun away to the side, laughing loudly as she heard Lee shouting out "cheater!" before starting his pursuit. Their vipers intertwined over and around each other, looping and spinning, as they happily headed for home.
The hangar deck was a bustle of activity as the deckhands all raced to prepare for two unscheduled landings, one of which was 15 months overdue. The chaos was further heightened by the various crew members who had flocked to the deck, eager to see if the news was true that Apollo had come home. Others just wanted to see the spectacle of the Kara and Lee reunion.
Tyrol was marching about and shouting out orders. He still felt guilty for the part he had played in Lee's disappearance, despite numerous reassurances from Kara. He had also been a witness to a part of the relationship that was about to be finally reunited.
"Alright everybody," he shouted out loudly. "You know the drill; we have two unscheduled vipers and a raptor coming in. The Commander is also on his way to the deck. Now is also the time to show a little discretion about events since Apollo's disappearance, people."
"What events would those be Sir?" asked one cheeky deckhand.
"You know full well Saunders, and I will personally deal with anyone who steps over that line."
Despite not mentioning the "events" specifically, the rest of the deck was in no doubt that he was referring to the lineage of Kara's children. It was no secret on the ship, especially after the rumours from the incident in the brig and Baltar's big mouth. The entire fleet knew that Lee was coming home as an unsuspecting father of two.
Tyrol looked up and saw that Adama had already arrived and was looking out over the hangar, his hands tightly grasping the railings.
A few minutes later the sirens were sounded to indicate that the ships were ready for docking. In quick succession the deckhands ran forward and the vipers were pulled onto the deck one after the other. The canopies pulled back and the cheers started immediately as Lee pulled off his helmet and rose from his chair.
The sensation was overwhelming as numerous hands patted Lee on the back as he descended the steps he had not seen for far too long. The hugs from various deck hands came in droves and Lee had barely time to take a breath.
But nothing could prepare him for the sensation of seeing Kara pushing her way through the throng, throwing her helmet to the side and running into his arms. They embraced each other tightly, the tears pooling in their eyes. The crowd knew it was time to step back and let the couple reunite.
They didn't want to let each other go even when the memories of the last fifteen months came flooding back to them. The memories of the last time they had seen each other as Lee was dragged away. The last words Kara had said, I love you.
"I missed you," whispered Lee into her ear.
Kara sniffed and then whispered back, "I missed you too."
They knew that they had an audience, but neither cared. Lee suddenly felt another hand at his back and knew immediately that it belonged to his father. He reluctantly pulled away from Kara's warm embrace and turned to see a face that looked liked it had aged. No words needed to be spoken between them as they too tightly embraced.
Kara stood to the side watching the small family reunion, wondering how to tell Lee about his new family. Her stomach clenched suddenly from the nerves, scared that he would panic and walk away, scared that he would reject them.
The sound of the docking bay doors slowly opening abruptly broke through the happy reunion. Everyone was silent and backed away as a raptor was led onto the deck, eager anticipation written across their faces. When the raptor's hatch opened, Cain stepped out, flanked by Fisk and Shaw and a bunch of marines.
Lee felt selfishly relieved that Anders was not one of party, turning his attention to Kara who was now stood at his side. They were both only vaguely aware of the greeting between Cain and Adama, only listening when she welcomed the Galactica back to the fleet.
Back to the fleet?
As far as Kara was concerned the Pegasus and her crew were the ones who should be welcomed back to the fleet. The rest of the deckhands, however, had not seemed to notice the implications of the greeting as they walked up to greet the newcomers.
"Commander," said Cain addressing Adama. "I know this is an emotional time, but I require Captain Adama back on the Pegasus straight away."
Kara was about to shout out in protest but the soft touch of the old man taking her hand, obviously anticipating her reaction, stopped her.
"I also require all of your logs," she continued. "There are a number of issues we need to discuss so I expect you and your senior officers to come to the Pegasus at 1800 hours."
"Yes, Sir," replied Adama. "I'll have the logs ready straight away."
Cain then turned towards Lee, "get your viper ready. I expect you to be back on the Pegasus before I am."
"Yes, sir," replied Lee. He took another look towards Kara before he had to turn away and look for the Chief.
Kara stood on the deck and watched as Lee's viper was prepped and the towed to the launch tube. She was still watching as the tube opened back up for the next ship, desperately willing him to come home again.
Kara should have known that her reunion with Lee would not be as simple as she had hoped. All she wanted to do was be with him, to tell him about the children they had together. But Cain had gotten in the way and sent Lee straight back to the Pegasus, her draconian leadership already coming into play.
Kara wanted to know where Lee had been for the past fifteen months, desperate to know how he had escaped from the cylons. She was now stuck on a raptor that was making its way to the Pegasus with Adama and Tigh sitting opposite her. As the CAG she was considered to be one of the most senior officers on the Galactica. She had now changed into her duty blues, which had luckily just come back from the laundry after Joseph had thrown-up slightly on her shoulder.
Apart from the dim prospect of being in a meeting for what would seem to be a lifetime with Cain, Kara was looking forward to hopefully seeing Lee again.
"Are you okay?" asked Adama in his usual gravelly tone.
"Never better," replied Kara blandly.
"We found him Kara."
Kara smiled and turned to the old man, "I know, it's just..." She paused not knowing what to say. She was overjoyed at having found Lee again but she was also terrified and apprehensive. "How the frak am I going to tell him?"
"You're on your own there I'm afraid, but I do know that it has to be done as soon as possible, before he hears it from someone else."
"I know, and I will, as soon as frakking Cain lets me talk to him."
"Watch out for her Kara, she's not as much of a "soft touch" as I am, and I have a feeling she may be gunning for all of us."
Kara nodded and stared towards the front of the raptor as it entered the belly of the beast. The Pegasus was much larger and everything looked shiny and new. It was completely opposite to the Galactica, which was looking shabbier and more broken down as the months wore on.
Cain was on deck to greet them as they disembarked from the raptor, but Kara hung back as they were led through the large ship towards the conference room.
She felt Lee's presence before she saw him, as he walked into step with her.
"Fancy seeing you here Captain," he said quietly so only she could hear. "When did you get the promotion?"
Kara felt the hairs on her neck stand up as she felt his breath against her skin, "at our funeral."
"Oh," replied Lee taken aback. "We had a funeral?"
"Yep, apparently it was very moving, lots of tears," Kara said sarcastically. "You were promoted to major by the way."
"Oh. What else did I miss?"
Kara felt her heart quicken at the question, knowing that now was not the time to tell him about their children, seen as they were walking closely behind the Admiral. "Quite a lot actually."
"I wasn't gone that long was I?"
"About fifteen months."
"Really? Are you sure?" asked Lee, his grasp of time had gotten completely muddled since his capture.
"Positive," replied Kara, enough time for me to have twins that are now six months old. "Baltar's now the new President."
"What?!" asked Lee, loudly enough that Cain looked over her shoulder briefly. "How the frak did that happen?"
"He won the election, claimed to make this place our new home, people seemed to want that."
"So we've settled here and all the Galactica's does is orbit the planet now."
"Pretty much. The old man only allowed a few crew members to leave, seemed to really want to keep his crew together, which probably had something to do with your disappearance."
Lee understood, without him the crew of the Galactica were the only family that his father had left. "What's the planet like?"
"Cold, but liveable, reminds me a bit of Aerlon."
Their conversation was rudely cut off as they reached the conference room. As Kara had predicted the meeting seemed to last forever as Adama and Cain updated each other about everything that had happened since the cylon attack. Kara couldn't help but feel Cain's eyes glaring at her frequently, which made her feel decidedly uncomfortable. Either the Admiral didn't like her by sight or she had read her career profile. Kara guessed the latter, hence the look of disapproval.
Instead of contributing or listening, Kara thought about her babies back on the Galactica. After Lee had been ordered away she had gone to see them in the nursery.
"Hey there kiddoes," Kara cooed as she sat on the floor next to where they were playing. Toys on the Galactica were scarce but Adama had managed to obtain enough to keep the young occupants of the growing nursery occupied. Prior to the attacks, having that number of children on a Battlestar was unheard of and certainly there had been no nurseries to speak of. The new facilities were a blessing from the gods as far as Kara was concerned.
Joseph and Lena looked up with glee to see their mother's unexpected visit and both held out their arms seeking attention. Kara scooped them both into her lap and gave them both a kiss on top of their heads.
"You're here early," stated one of the attendants. "Is it true they found another Battlestar?"
"Yeah," replied Kara and then addressed her children, "and do you know who else? I found your daddy." It was easy to tell her children as it was unlikely they understood anything she said. Lee, on the other hand, would be an entirely different situation.
"Oh my gods," said the nurse evidently shocked. "Lee Adama is still alive?"
Kara had been the only one left in the fleet that had held onto the faith that Lee was still alive. It hadn't just been a hope for her, she had really believed it, felt it to be true, a sensation that she doubted she would ever be able to describe.
Finally Cain ordered them all out of the room, demanding to speak to Adama alone. Tigh glanced over at Kara and then led Fisk away, obviously to give her some time alone with Lee.
But now the moment had come, Kara could not find the words to even begin.
Lee looked at her intently as she paced around the room. He wanted nothing more than to walk over and take Kara in his arms, but there was obviously something weighing on her mind, and he was scared to find out what. There was so much to be said between them about what had happened. As he looked over at the woman he longed for, Lee couldn't help but notice that there was something about her that looked different, but he couldn't quite work out what it was. Lee had expected Kara to change due to her mistreatment at the hands of the cylons. He looked down at her hand and suddenly saw flashes of her screaming in agony, the memory so powerful that he had to look away.
"What's wrong?" asked Kara, walking up concerned. The pain that had flashed across his face was evident. She placed her hand on his arm, which Lee gently took hold of, stroking her palm softly, "it's fine now," she added, realising what Lee must be remembering. It had been a moment in her life that Kara also wished to forget, the unbearable pain as her hand was snapped apart.
Lee looked up at her intently, the blue eyes that she saw reflected in her children every day, bored straight through to her soul.
"What the frak happened on that baseship Kara?"
"I don't know, all I remember is being dragged away and then everything else is black. Next thing I vaguely remember is waking up in lifestation and finding myself..." Kara stopped herself before she said the word pregnant.
"Found yourself what?"
Kara avoided answering the question and instead just looked at him, at his obviously thinner frame. She suddenly felt stupidly self-conscious about her own appearance. She was still trying to lose some of her baby weight, but knew that her body would never quite be the same again. Kara's focus suddenly rose to Lee's neck where she saw a long scar, curving in a long line from the side around to the back. The tears pooled in her eyes as she reached up and touched it gently, remembering the suffering and torment they had shared together.
"Lee, there's something I need to tell you," began Kara softly.
Lee looked at her, the look of puzzlement playing across his face. But fate was not on Kara's side as the conference room doors abruptly opened and Cain exited followed by a disgruntled looking Adama. It did not seem to go unnoticed that Kara and Lee were standing close to each other.
"I hear that in your absence the Commander saw fit to promote you to major," said Cain addressing Lee. "It would seem unfair to demote you, so make sure you procure your new insignia as soon as possible."
"Yes, sir," replied Lee saluting sharply.
Kara was then led back to the raptor along with Adama and Tigh whereas Lee had been sent to the ready room, so he wouldn't have the opportunity to say goodbye.
Once back on the Galactica, Adama had sent a marine to summon Kara to his quarters. It was getting late but she attended straight away.
"Sit down," he said as she entered, with her arm wrapped around her twins who were gurgling happily and kicking their little pudgy legs. Adama walked over and took hold of Joseph so Kara could sit down.
"So what did Cain want to talk about in private? That is what you wanted to talk about isn't it?"
"The Admiral has ordered all crew members that were discharged to live on New Caprica, to be recalled."
"But you only allowed a few individuals to go didn't you?"
"The Admiral has also discussed a merger of our crews."
"Reassignment," said Kara, stating a fact not asking a question. "Has she already made her choices?"
"Yes, which is why I've asked you to come here."
"I'm being transferred to the Pegasus?" said Kara angrily, causing Lena to squirm slightly in her lap, obviously aware of her mother's annoyance.
"You're to report there tomorrow morning."
"Frak," muttered Kara before adding. "Did you tell her about these two?"
"She didn't give me the chance."
"Great, that's just frakking great. So I'm to turn up there tomorrow with two kids in tow?"
"Or you'll have to leave them here."
"No way, she'll have to deal with it."
"That should be worth seeing."
"She really is gunning for all of us isn't she?"
"It would seem so. Be careful Kara, I have a feeling that the young Admiral can be unpredictable and dangerous."
Just like me, thought Kara.
Lee played over the reunion again and again in his head, and hadn't slept at all that night. Cain seemed determined to keep him away from the Galactica at all costs and he had been banned from calling his father. He was currently sitting in the mess hall eating some slush that was trying to pass as lunch. The room was loud as normal, especially as the Pegasus crew was in extremely high spirits.
Lee still couldn't get over how, in the space of fifteen months, Kara had seemed to change so much. She was still the same old Starbuck in a viper, but she seemed softer somehow, like something had taken some of her edginess away.
His attention was suddenly drawn away by Lieutenant Sykes storming into the room laughing with two other officers. He was a young pilot, barely out of flight school and had only been on his first assignment when the cylons attacked. In Lee's opinion he was still pretty green in the cockpit.
"Why are you so happy?" asked another pilot who had tattoos covering one of his arms.
"Just saw one of the new arrivals from the bucket being carried down to the brig," replied Sykes laughing, which caused Lee's heart to hammer in his chest. "Screaming and cussing on the way. Hey Jeffers, remember me telling you about the sweet flight instructor I had at Delphi?"
"The one that told you to frak off and made you run circuits for the next week when you came on to her?"
"The very same," replied Sykes and threw himself into a chair before starting to dig into his lunch. Lee's stomach was now lurching; it definitely had to be Kara. What had she done now?
"Why was she being taken down to the brig?" asked another pilot.
"This is the best part. She comes on board and Cain's waiting for her, all serious as always. What happens? According to Gibbs she turns up with a kid in tow."
Lee couldn't help spitting out the rest of his drink as he started coughing. Kara has a child?
"You okay Apollo?" asked Sykes before continuing. "Anyway, apparently Cain goes crazy, tells her to send the kid back, which she refuses to do. Guess Cain didn't like having her authority questioned, next moment she orders her kid to be taken away and sends her down to the brig. The Captain kicked off like crazy, ended up being dragged down there."
Lee had gone numb from the shock. When the frak did Kara have a child? He felt the anger bubble inside him the more he thought about it. All I've thought about for over a year is you, whilst you've been shacked up and having a kid with someone else?
The anger was still keeping him going as he heard his name being called over the comm system, ordering him to report to Cain's quarters.
"Careful Apollo, I hear Cain's in a bad mood," shouted out Sykes as Lee walked out of the mess hall. Ignoring the rookie pilot, Lee made his way towards Cain's quarters, various thoughts still flooding through his head. He also ignored the various looks coming his way down the corridors as he stormed through, and ignored Anders who approached him asking about the rumours.
When he entered Cain's quarters Lee was shocked to find that she was seated on the floor in front of a small child. He was playing with a small ball, which he chucked with a giggle. It landed at Lee's feet, which he picked up and gripped tightly in his hand before placing it on the nearest table.
"Didn't know you were deciding to open a day-care centre sir," he said, unable to take his eyes off the small child, Kara's child. He didn't look very old, more like a baby. His short dark hair was starting to grow into little ringlets, his little chubby arms bouncing up and down with joy. Lee sucked in a breath as the child smiled widely, Kara's smile.
Cain stood up, leaving the child playing happily. "I'm afraid I've had a bit of trouble with a certain Captain."
"I heard," replied Lee, still looking down at the child.
"As you already know, I don't like people questioning my orders."
Lee nodded, "so what are you going to do about the child? Colonial Fleet rules do state that the parents have the right to have their child accompany them on board a Battlestar."
"Which is exactly what the Captain said, and you know how that ended."
"You can't keep her from her child."
"Are you also going to question my authority, major?" asked Cain strongly, her voice cutting.
"No, sir, I'm just concerned about the child."
"Which is where you come in,"
"Wh...what?" asked Lee, clearly shocked.
"As you rightly stated, a child of military parents has the right to be housed with at least one of them, so congratulations."
Lee felt the blood drain suddenly from his face, "Lee, there's something I need to tell you."
"I guess by the expression on your face that she hasn't had the chance to tell you yet."
Lee wasn't really listening, he was quickly doing some arithmetic in his head, the only conclusion of which he could come to was oh frak. He had just found out from Cain of all people that he was a father, and his son was sitting playing happily at his feet completely unawares. Lee felt winded as if he had been kicked in the gut.
"I've had some quarters prepared for you."
"No," said Lee sternly, noticing that his son had stopped playing and was now looking up at the spectacle.
"Care to repeat that major?"
Lee swallowed before building up the courage to talk, "I won't take Kara's child away from her."
"I didn't say it was going to be a permanent arrangement major, the captain just needs to cool her heels for a while."
But Lee didn't respond, his attention was completely focused on his son, who was still gazing up in wonder. It was as if he was looking at a reflection of himself at that age, with bright blue innocent eyes.
Cain was getting impatient and had no intention of continuing the discussion any further. She leaned down and took the infant in her arms, balancing him on her hip. "Now, your mum and dad think that they can question my orders," she said dangerously sweetly to the child as he gripped at her hair with his pudgy little hand. "So what do you think I should do?"
"Sir?"
"I know. How about some time in the brig with your mum?"
Lee watched horrified as his son sensed that Cain was not the friendly lady he had been playing with earlier and began to cry, his little sobs cutting at Lee's heart. He quickly paced forward and took him in his arms, the wails deccreasing as he nervously held him against his side. Lee hadn't held a baby since his brother was born and had no idea if he was doing it right.
"Good," said Cain. "I'm glad we've got that problem sorted. Chalmers get in here," she called to the marine that usually stood outside her room. "Please escort the major to his new quarters."
"What, no more surprises?" asked Lee rhetorically.
But he should have learnt never to tempt fate as he suddenly heard another cry.
"Ah yes, I nearly forgot," said Cain, looking as if she was thoroughly enjoying herself. She walked back towards her bedroom area, and it was only then that Lee noticed a small gathering of pillows on the bed. If he thought he had been shocked before, it was nothing compared to how he felt when Cain picked up another child who looked decidedly annoyed at being woken up, and was not afraid to show her displeasure. "There are two of them."
Lee swallowed but his mouth was parched. We have two children together?
Cain handed the little girl, his daughter, to the marine who looked nearly as dumbstruck as Lee was. "Get out of my sight," Cain said with authority and walked away towards the other side of the room.
Lee didn't need asking twice and immediately spun around to follow the marine down the corridor. His focus stayed on his daughter, who he could see over the marines' shoulder, sucking on the shoulder pad of his uniform. He saw Sykes out of the corner of his eye, seeing the delight in the rookie's face at the scene walking down the hall.
When they finally reached the family quarters the marine gently placed the little girl on the floor and left as he wiped the drool off his shoulder.
Lee just sat numbly on the bed and stared at the wall. He had naively thought that if he found the Galactica again, then everything would go back to normal, and that he and Kara would start again from before they were torn apart. But now Lee knew he couldn't go back to that time, because during that week, they had both changed their lives forever.
Lee's attention was suddenly drawn to his chest as he felt something snagging at his dogtags, he looked down and saw his son pulling on the end and examining them closely. Lee felt his heart melt as he watched his enthralled son and then peered over at his daughter who seemed happy to play with her feet on the floor.
Lee pulled back his dogtags as his son started to suck on the end, "hey, you don't want to eat them, they probably don't taste very nice." But his son seemed to disagree and reached out again before starting to cry when Lee pulled them away.
"Frak, hold on," Lee said and walked into the adjoining bathroom to quickly rinse his tags under the faucet. "Knock yourself out kiddo," he added letting his son grab at them again and start sucking on the end.
Lee was just about to start thinking that he wasn't doing too badly with two children, when he walked back into the main room, which was empty.
"Frak," he called out and started rapidly searching the quarters for his daughter, holding his son flush to his chest as he went. Finally he found her under a table in the adjoining room happily gurgling away to herself. "Well, I guess you can crawl."
It all went downhill from then on.
A few hours later and Lee found himself wanting to scream along with his crying children who seemed determined not to settle down. After shouting at a marine, he had been given a bag full of baby things, which obviously belonged to Kara. He had finally managed to clean and change the twins when they started screaming again. Figuring they must be hungry, Lee had sent the marine out again to go in search of powdered milk or mush.
As he awaited the marine's return, Lee surveyed the room. He had completely trashed the place in the space of a few hours. Mercifully the marine quickly returned as the babies started crying loudly. They were still wailing as Lee attempted in vain to mix up the formula, but all he managed to do was slip and send the powder exploding across the room.
"Frak!"
As the babies screamed louder at their father's outburst, Lee spun around to leave the room. He would spring Kara out of the frakking brig if he had to.
But he didn't need to bother.
As Lee looked up there she was, standing in the hatchway looking contrite and slightly flushed. As if on cue the noise in the room suddenly dulled as the two parents looked intently at each other, neither knowing what to say.
To be continued...
