Rene smiled, pleased with herself as Starbuck draped an arm around her and led her off to the front desk for the accommodations. She hadn't accomplished all she had meant to get done that evening, but she had known it would be a long shot to actually get away from the Colonials and explore the fleet. At least she had found out how to get where she needed to go, and she learned a bit more from those she spoke with about the conditions in the fleet. It had helped to confirm some of what Starbuck and Colonials were telling her. Not many went hungry, and that was better news than she expected. Working conditions seemed to be better, or at least the hours were less than anyone on Dilmun was used to. Eight centaurs instead of sixteen would seem like a perpetual vacation to most Zakar pilots. Everyone got paid and on a pretty regular basis, not there was much to spend those cubits on, but Rene suspected by the way most of the women were dressed that there was a booming black market somewhere far away from the Galactica.
Things were looking up, especially since it was mission accomplished as far as Starbuck was concerned. She had pushed it pretty far with him. She expected him to snap back in the lounge when she started dancing, but he had stayed good-natured, solving the problem by dancing with her. She expected a bit of anger when she went to flirt a drink out of a guy at the bar, and she could tell Starbuck was definitely perturbed with the situation, but still, he hadn't gotten angry at her. It took her disappearing for a long while before he finally showed his anger, showed her where the line was, and still he'd kept his cool, unless you counted him holding her wrist a little tight, but in a way that was actually enjoyable. How far would she have to push him before he really snapped? What would it take before Starbuck hit her? She was starting to believe that maybe he wouldn't, ever. It was hard to keep her heart contained with that revelation. She wondered if she should keep pushing it this evening, but the smile he cast her as they were given a key to a room was just too delicious to frack with. Whether she deserved it or not, she intended to enjoy that smile. Besides, she was beginning to realize from all the gossip about Starbuck, that if he was pushed too hard, he may just walk away for good, and she needed him right now. She needed him committed to her, locked on target and not letting her out of his scanner. She knew what to do. She was on familiar territory now. She'd learned his tricks, a little damsel in distress, a little sweet seduction, a little hard to get, mix well with ambrosia, add a little fumarello smoke for flavor, and let bake alone under the sheets. She knew the recipe now. The final trick, let him think it was all his idea, that he is the man and in charge. Easy to do with Starbuck. He was in charge in a way. The more she believed it, the more it was true. The more she believed it, the more Starbuck thought it was true.
"We don't have the room for long, since we have to make curfew," Starbuck said putting the key in the lock, "and we don't have a view, but…" Starbuck opened the door and ushered Rene in, "we will be alone."
Rene reached for Starbuck's cape and pulled him into a kiss and into the room. She pulled away as she realized that Starbuck was fumbling to get the door closed behind him. Once she heard that satisfying click, letting her know the world had been locked away, she reached behind her neck and undid the tie to her dress, letting it drop to the floor.
Starbuck's eyes widened, "Oh, seems I was wrong about the view."
Rene smiled seductively before slowly bending over to undo the ties to her sandals.
"I thought we were going to talk?" Starbuck teased, reaching to undo his cape and tossing it aside. He fumbled with the clasp to his dress uniform's amulet.
"We are, but you are overdressed for this conversation." Rene stepped out of her shoes and walked towards Starbuck. "Let me help." She reached her arms around his neck and easily undid the clasp. Starbuck didn't let the opportunity pass to put his arms around her and pull her into a deep kiss.
"Mmmmm," Rene said, pulling her arms from around his neck. She plucked at the bottom of his tunic, sliding her hands up over his skin, pulling the shirt up as she went. "I like what you have to say."
Starbuck let Rene undo the fastening to his shirt, and bent over so she could pull it over his head. Rene let it drop from her hands as she spread out her fingers to trail down his chest. She leaned in planting a few kisses where his amulet used to be.
"Seems you are doing all the talking here," Starbuck said, "but this isn't the conversation we were supposed to be having."
"It isn't?" Rene looked up, smiling shyly as her hands trailed down to the button of his pants. She pursed her lips and kissed his chest again, as her hands nimbly undid the button and the fly. She softly brushed her fingers against him.
"Mmm," he sighed, closing his eyes and giving in to her attentions. While for the moment he had her full attention, he felt he should enjoy it. Lord knows the sight of her in that dress had had him a bit agitated all evening, and her sweet touch was welcome relief.
"Then what should we talk about?" Rene purred before laying a trail of kisses down his chest to his abs as she lowered herself to her knees, pushing his pants lower.
Starbuck knew that he should probably be doing something at this moment, something important that he should be asking her, but feel of her lips had his brain packing its bags and taking off on a furlon. It took a few moments more before he realized he needed her with him on that trip as well.
With a soft groan he took her by the shoulders and guided her back up to her feet, a preposterous image of him falling over while still trapped with boots on and pants around his knees intruding on his pleasure.
"But Starbuck?" she murmured, looking at him in confusion. He answered her with a nod of his head to the big comfortable bed that was waiting for them.
"I have something to say," he said as he gently nudged her towards the bed and leaned down to disengage himself from his boots and pants.
She waited for him with open arms before welcoming him to their own little island of escape.
It seemed like cycles later when they found themselves entangled in the sheets and each other's arms. Starbuck could feel Rene relaxing and starting to drift off, when he shifted to check his chrono, hoping there was more time left.
"Noooo," she groaned softly. "Don't look. I don't want to know. I don't want to leave."
"I know, I know," he said stroking her hair, pulling her tighter into his embrace, "but Apollo said if we make curfew tonight, he'll look the other way tomorrow night."
"But this is so much nicer than a landram," Rene said, burrowing into Starbuck's neck.
"Anywhere is nice with you," Starbuck said, feeling that the time was right to really talk, not just pillow talk. "Rene, I want you."
She giggled into his neck, snuggling seductively closer. "Hmm, you're insatiable. Remember, you just had me."
Starbuck chuckled, "I think it's more like you had me, but no, what I mean is, I want you in my life. Forever."
Rene started to say something, but Starbuck silenced her. "Hear me out, I want you, all of you, and I want to know everything. I am here to help with your plans and phases, or whatever. I'm willing to deliver on my promises." Starbuck slowly moved away from her, looking to the floor to find his pants.
"No, don't go away," Rene moaned.
Starbuck laughed, "I'm not, hold on. I have something for you." Starbuck found his pants and dug in the pocket where he'd been keeping the ring he couldn't seem to find time to rid himself of. Now he knew why. He'd been saving it for someone else.
He came back to the covers, holding up the ring for Rene. "I want you to have this."
Rene's eyes widened in surprise, "Starbuck? No, I don't want her ring."
"It was never her ring. She didn't even know I bought it. I never showed it to her and now I know why. I didn't buy it for her. I bought it for you. See…" Starbuck held the ring so she could see the little white stones were set in the shape of a star. "She never liked the view in the dome, it scared her, but you…you understand."
Rene didn't know what to say. This was more than she had planned for and she could feel herself sinking deep into her own plans. For a moment the sheets entangling her legs and body felt like ropes binding her. The impulse to run was strong, but when she moved slightly, the sheets felt too silky and soft. Being caught wasn't so bad.
"Please wear it. I want you to know you're mine. I want everyone to know you're mine. I want you to trust me, to let me in. That's all, and when you don't want to wear it anymore, that's okay too," Starbuck added hastily, afraid he may have gone too far. "I just want you to know, I'm willing to go the distance. I'm willing to pay the price to be let in."
"Oh Starbuck, you don't have to."
"Don't I? Then take it to fund your plans. Use it to get your friends here. I want the people you care about to be here too. I'm not just being selfish ... well, okay, maybe a little bit. But I want in on the plan. This is how committed I am."
Rene sighed and nodded. "You deserve that much, okay. Phase one, I'm here. But we need to let others know that you, I mean the Galactica and the fleet, are here."
Starbuck smiled. While he still held the ring in his hand, he knew this was acceptance. "I can help with that, I can. I will fly a whole squadron over the skies of Dilmun with fireworks if need be."
Rene nodded, her heart melting at that smile. "I know Starbuck. We just have to be careful okay, because…" She took a deep breath, swallowed hard, and offered up her heart. "Because there's something I want to give you."
"Sweet Lady, you've already given me more than I probably deserve. Just wear my ring, that's all I ask."
Rene closed her eyes to block out the vision of heaven before her. It was too much, the glow of it nearly burned. She reached out and pulled Starbuck to her, burying herself deeper into his protective arms, hoping that they could block the blows and make her safe.
"Shhh, it's okay," Starbuck cooed, feeling Rene begin to shake.
"I know. It's just…," Rene took a deep breath, calming herself. She knew at the moment she was safe. She may not be sure of many things, but she was sure Starbuck would keep her secrets. She leaned up and whispered in his ear, "I want to give you the Zakar."
Starbuck pulled back, confused. "What?"
"The Zakar. Phase Four, we bring the fleet the Zakar."
Starbuck smiled even wider, "Wow, I've never had anyone give me a battlecruiser before. You must really like me."
"I do." Rene whispered.