Earth-New Beginning

Dragonlots aka Dana Bell

Chapter 21: Morning Journey

As Rae and Apollo stepped outside, rain began to fall. They stood just under the roof watching the storm. She waited for the man she thought of as her big brother to speak, not minding the centons he took to do so. From experience, she knew he'd say what he needed when he was ready and not before.

"Sorry to intrude," Starbuck apologized, closing the door behind him. He made a face. "Forgot about the rain."

Apollo chuckled. "We don't have any aboard the Galactica."

With a grin the warrior hurried off, the rain plastering his blondish brown hair to his head, his uniform soaked.

"So Starbuck got sealed." Rae still found it difficult to believe.

"To Cassie."

"She'll keep him sharp." She'd gotten to know the med tech when they'd rejoined the fleet just after the battle of Gamoray.

"She's a doctor now."

"Suits her."

Her fellow captain took a deep breath. "I wanted to talk about Dillion."

She closed her eyes feeling a hotness behind the lids. Leaving the child behind had been her greatest regret and she'd worried he'd been returned to the orphan ship. "How is he?" she managed to force out through her tight throat.

"Cassie took him in."

His answer surprised her. Given Boxey and Dillion had become good friends, she wondered why Apollo hadn't taken the boy. "Not you?"

His eyes traveled out watching the rain before he answered. "I'd intended to. Cassie volunteered before I could."

Images of Starbuck being a father flashed through her mind and she giggled. "How are they as parents?"

"Learning, like I have." Apollo grinned. "We trade off sitting with the boys or Athena takes them."

Athena had always been a good aunt. She watched the rain fall harder, drenching the ground. She'd be soaked like Starbuck by the time she got back to her hut. Luckily there would be hot water to warm up and dry clothes.

"How is Dillion?" she finally asked.

"He's going to want to see you."

"I have a daughter," she blurted out.

"What?" Apollo's face reflected his surprise.

"I fell in love." Her husband Don was the only other person who knew the entire truth. "He died during a trade mission." She paused, allowing her emotions to settle before she continued. "He never knew about the baby."

"Should I ask how Cain took the news?" His tone was gentle.

"Commander Cain didn't ask a lot of questions. He grounded me. Don took over leading the squadron."

"How did you and Don become sealed?"

"He offered." She carried a mixture of joy and sorrow at the memory. "I found out later he'd been in love with me for yahrens and hadn't wanted to ruin our friendship." She sighed. "Eventually I came to love him too. Luckily he was very patient." She smiled. "He loves our daughter and has been a wonderful father."

"Sheba and I want children too."

She cast a shrewd look at her big brother. Everyone could tell from how they snipped and fought that they cared about each other. That had changed after the last battle with a Cylon basestar and just after Gold Squadron had left. "How did she convince you to become sealed?"

He laughed. "Boxey told me he wanted her for a mother."

"Precocious."

"Always has been. Speaks his mind." His attention turned again to the rain and she waited for him to continue. "I had to make certain it would work with the three of us before I agreed." He shook his head. "Boxey never called Sheba mom and neither of us pushed him to."

"I'm happy for all of you." She honestly was. After all the tragedy, Apollo, Sheba and Boxey all deserved happiness.

"Thanks. Don seems to be good for you."

"Always has been." They'd grown up on Caprica together despite being in different foster homes. Their group had included two others who'd died during the surprise attack at the supposed Cylon peace talks and Starbuck who always seemed to be favorited by Lady Luck.

"You never talk about your childhood." Apollo placed his hand on her shoulder.

"It wasn't a happy one." She dared to ask. "Has Starbuck ever talked about it?"

"No details."

"Sounds like him." She decided to head back. With any luck Don would be home along with the rest of her squadron. They had enough room the six of them could bunk together. "I'd better go."

"You're going to get soaked."

"I know. At least here I can get a hot shower unlike aboard ship."

"One of the things I'm enjoying about being here." Apollo gave her a hug. "See you in the morning." He kissed her forehead. "I missed you little sister."

"Missed you too."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"You're going out again!" Benton glared at Laura while his coat dripped water on the floor. The sun had just risen most of the light blocked by the gray clouds.

"Shhh. I have a houseguest." She motioned toward the second bedroom where Alona slept.

His manner softened. "Heard what happened last night."

The story must have spread about the dinosaur that had broken in and Sheba's swift action saving Alona Jackson's life.

"Sheba handled it." With the least amount of mess thankfully. Just a broken window and a back door knocked over.

"I understand her housemates fixed the door and covered the window with a tarp." He shook his head. "After they'd worked a longer than normal day."

Thunder echoed causing the house to rumble. Heavy drops hit the roof draining off the sides in torrents.

"We stayed in caves during the storms," Benton shared. "I have no idea how you manage being out in them, Laura."

"Perch in a friendly tree." They offered plenty of protection both from the elements and predators.

"And the cat?"

"Sheba manages." Laura smiled. "Like most cats she doesn't like getting wet."

"Yet she goes with you."

"She does." Laura finished stuffing some items into her backpack, laying it on the table. "We shouldn't be gone more than a few days."

"I still don't like it."

She put her hands on her hips. "I've been going OTG since I got here. Believe me Benton Quest, I can handle myself."

"Morning," Alona mumbled stumbling out the bedroom. "Did I oversleep?"

"No and good morning." Laura shot Benton a warning look. "Hope we didn't wake you."

"Not really." Thunder sounded again. Alona grimaced. "When did you want to leave?"

"Soon as you are ready."

"Good thing I packed last night." Alona stretched. "I'll take a quick shower if that's okay."

"Water's hot." She'd taken hers a couple hours ago. Plenty of time for the solar panels even with little sunshine to reheat the tank.

Her guest disappeared into the bathroom.

"Be careful," Benton warned.

"I'll be fine." She opened a drawer and added purification tablets plus her first aid kit. It didn't contain the usual supplies. Hers held supplies she'd made from her garden.

Benton frowned. "How much weight can your dinosaur carry?"

She started wondering what he might be thinking. "At least three or four when he was younger plus Sheba."

"Fine." He headed for the door, pulling the hood of his raincoat over his head. "I'll meet you at the gate." The door slammed.

"Fine," she fumed. Last thing she needed was an overprotective male.

Sheba padded in the back door leaving wet paw prints.

"Hope you enjoyed your meal," she said to the Sabre cat.

She got a yawn for an answer before the cat came over and sniffed her pack, making a chuffing noise.

"Yeah, we're traveling."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Bola's head bumped Laura's chest. She patted his wet neck. "Morning," she greeted, climbing the fence while he backed away from the open gate, moving as close to as he could without doing any damage. She climbed onto his back, thankful her hood covered her head and her cloak the pack she carried. Her knife rested in its sheath attached to her belt.

Alona crawled up carefully and Laura noticed she didn't look down. Reaching out an arm she helped the other woman take a seat behind her. The scientist wore the standard issue plastic rain coat and hiking boots.

Benton hurried up tackling the fence as if he'd been doing it his entire life. The man continued to surprise her. He had his own rain gear and a waterproof pack. He settled behind Alona, shifting to make himself more comfortable.

Sheba hissed before leaping to take her usual spot in front of Laura. With a growl the cat settled in, her tail flicking her displeasure.

"Easy Sheba," Laura soothed. "We'll be under the canopy soon enough." The thick branches and large leaves would protect them from most the rain. "Home Bola," she called.

Obediently he shuffled past the fence and set a fast trot to clear the open expanse as quickly as possible. His large feet confidently trudged through the mud and his head swung from side to side mindful of any potential predators.

"How does he know where to go?" Alona asked her.

"Not sure. I'm guessing it's because we've taken the same route numerous times."

Overhead several ships flew past. They veered in a different direction heading toward a distance mountain peak.

"Interesting choice," she heard Benton say.

"Why?"

"Not one I would have picked."

His answer told her nothing. "Maybe they have different ideas on what is best for them."

"No doubt," he agreed.

"Maybe I should move so you two can talk," Alona suggested.

"We'll talk when we camp." Laura huddled down in her cloak as the rain splattered them.

The tree line came in sight and Bola picked up his pace. Sheba snarled not liking the bumpier ride.

He ducked under the large leaves giving them relief from the downpour. Bola huffed and slowed, reaching his long neck up to snag a tasty snack.

"Do they always eat this much?" Alona's tone held curiosity.

"How else is going to maintain his bulk?" Laura patted his neck. "Home," she repeated.

Bola complied still munching on various trees.

After a few hours they exited the large forest into the plain where the lake stood. The rest of the two herds either swam or ate, completely ignoring the containers and the downpour.

"Any idea what is in them," she asked Dr. Jackson.

"Nope. I can't wait to find out."