Athena stared at the stranger in disbelief. "What?"
Atreus repeated, "I am your father."
"What kind of felgercarb is this? You are NOT my father!" she yelled. "I am the daughter of Commander Adama!"
"I'm sorry you had to find out this way." Extending a hand towards Athena he continued, "I can prove it. Come with me; let's talk for a while."
"NO! I'm not going anywhere with you. I don't believe a word you've said!"
Sighing, Atreus said, "You can yell and scream all you want Athena. We are so far down in the ship, that only robotic maintenance crews come through here. You will come with me. Now."
"NO!"
As he descended the last few steps, Athena made a move and tried to bolt past him. Atreus grabbed her by the arms and spun her around to look him in the eyes. It was then Athena noticed that his eye coloring was the same as hers - a soft, piercing blue. Quickly she realized that no one else in her family had her eye color. Not her father or her mother. Not Apollo or Zac. Come to think of it, she'd never seen a family member who did have blue eyes.
Pushing those thoughts away, Athena reached out and slapped him as hard as she could, forcing him to release her, then turned and started to run up the stairs.
Recovering quickly, Atreus caught Athena by her legs and she fell face first, instantly hitting her head against the step. Dragging her back down, he turned her over only to find her unconscious. Her forehead was cut open, causing blood to trickle down the side of her face. Pushing back her hair, he also found a lump on the side of her head.
"I didn't want to do it this way daughter, but you've left me no other options. We will do this the hard way," Atreus said aloud. He quickly picked Athena up and headed down the corridor to a deserted room and sealed them in.
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Adama's quarters.
"Father," Apollo started, "I'm really worried about Athena."
Adama walked over to his son and put a hand on his shoulder. "So am I Apollo. She was so hurt and angry when she left here. But your sister has a good head on her shoulders. So I have to believe that she is fine and that she's just taking some time for herself."
"Athena usually goes to Sheba's when she's upset about something. But Sheba hasn't seen her." Worried, Apollo turned to face his father. "I think we should put out a ship wide alert for her."
"Don't you think that's a little extreme considering what your sister said about us not interfering in her life?" Adama asked.
Apollo looked his father in the eye. "I know what she said father. Believe me, I heard every word loud and clear, but better safe then sorry. I'd feel better knowing she was okay. Please?"
Sighing Adama nodded. "Agreed. Go ahead Apollo. But tell security to observe her and report back. They are not to approach her."
"Understood sir."
=============================================================================
Atreus quickly dumped Athena onto the cold steel floor of the barren room. He began talking aloud to no one in particular. "You're making my life difficult, daughter, but I don't mind. It'll be nice just to have you in my life. I'm going to show Adama that I'm a much better father then he's been to you. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you. "
Walking over to a small trunk in the corner of the room, Atreus began to set up a video-link; one that would bypass the usual comm system and would be untraceable. "Even though he doesn't deserve it, I'm going to let Adama know that you are safe here with me. Just a quick note though, okay honey," he paused to look back at Athena. "Then we can spend some time catching up. I'm sure you have a lot of questions for me."
After a few centons, the video-link was ready, "Patch me through to Commander Adama...."
Adama and Apollo were in the Commander's quarters when the video link chimed.
"Receive," Adama said, walking over to the comm unit.
"Hello Commander Adama."
"I don't believe I know you. Is there something I can do for you?" Adama asked. Apollo approached his father and stood close enough to him to see the monitor but out of site of the caller.
"My name is Atreus." Pausing he added, "You don't remember me do you?"
Adama shook his head. "No, I'm sorry. Am I supposed to know you?"
"You don't remember me from Caprica?" Atreus asked.
Adama thought for a micron and replied, "I'm sorry sir, I really don't have time to play guessing games. We are in the middle of a family emergency."
"That's what I'm calling about."
Adama became concerned. "What do you mean?"
"Athena is with me," Atreus stated as a matter of fact.
Struggling to keep from raising his voice Adama asked, "What do you mean Athena is with you? Where exactly is she?"
Apollo moved to confront Atreus, but Adama held up a hand to stop him.
Smiling Atreus continued, "You don't have to pretend anymore Adama. Athena finally knows that I am her father. I told her today."
"What do you mean 'pretend anymore'? What have you done with my daughter?" Adama demanded.
Atreus yelled back. "I told you, *I* am Athena's father!" Running a hand through his hair he continued, "You can't possible tell me that Ila never told you about our affair?"
Adama stared blankly at the screen. He managed to choke out, "I don't believe you."
Impatiently Atreus said, "Well wake up old man because it's the truth! All you have to do is look me in the eyes and you can see for yourself. Athena has the same eye coloring as I do. None of you, including Ila herself, had blue eyes."
Adama didn't want to argue with this man right now. All he wanted was to know that his daughter was safe. "Please ... let me speak to Athena," Adama begged.
"I'm sorry. I can't," Atreus replied.
"If she won't talk to me then at least let me see her. Please, I'm begging you!" Adama asked.
Reluctantly Atreus stepped away from the camera. Adjusting the camera with his hand he tilted the lens downward to where Athena lay on the floor.
Adama motioned for Apollo to quickly stand next to him before Atreus returned. Father and son both gasped with horror at what the camera revealed. The room was dark, but they could clearly make out Athena. It looked as if she had been haphazardly thrown to the floor of a cramped, barren room. She landed on her back and her face was tilted towards the camera. They could see a bad laceration above her left eye which was oozing blood, leaving a trail down the side of her face. She also had some bruises and looked very pale. But what worried them more was that she was unconscious.
As the camera moved, Apollo took up his position off to the side. His blood boiled with anger, but he had to keep calm for the moment.
When Atreus' face appeared on the screen again, Adama tried to remain in control and asked, "What did you do to her?"
"She wouldn't willingly come with me, so I had to .... persuade her."
"She needs medical treatment," Adama was quick to point out.
"Athena will be fine. I know how to take care of my daughter!" Atreus yelled back. "I'll contact you later. Right now I need to spend some time with Athena. You've kept us apart long enough." With that, he ended the connection.
Adama just stood there staring blankly at the screen.
Walking over to his father Apollo put a hand on his shoulder. "We'll find her."
"Oh Athena," Adama mumbled.
Leading his father over to the living area, Apollo made him sit on the sofa. He hadn't seen his father this devastated since the destruction of their homeworld. "I'm going to contact security and put out a fleetwide search for her. Then I'm going to find Colonel Tigh and Starbuck." Apollo hated leaving his father like this, but the longer they waited to act, the chances of finding Athena grew slimmer. "I'll be back as soon as I can." He ran out of the room thinking, *Please hold on Athena. I'm going to find you. I promise.*
Adama sat in the silence of his quarter and let the tears fall. "By the Lords of Kobol, please protect her."
=============================================================================
After powering down the video link, Atreus returned his attention to Athena. Walking over to her, he picked her up and placed her on the cot he had set up earlier that day in preparation of their arrival. Atreus gently tried to shake her awake, to no avail. He noted that Athena's head wound was still bleeding. Getting up, he opened another bag, took out the supplies he needed and returned to her side. "Don't worry about the cut, honey. Daddy's going to make it all better. I promise."
He awkwardly placed a sterile bandage across the laceration and then taped it into place. Digging through the bag again, Atreus produced a hypodermic needle. Then, rolling up Athena's sleeve, he injected her. Leaning in, he kissed her on the side of her cheek. "That'll make you feel much better."
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Adama's quarters 45 centons later.
Apollo replayed Atreus' message for Tigh and Starbuck. "The message is untraceable and there are no distinguishing background noises or clues to help us narrow down where he is holding Athena. We believe that she is still somewhere on the Galactica, as no one has reported seeing her on any of the transports heading off ship."
Apollo continued, "I have security checking the Officers Club, the Rejuvenation Center, etc. I want to do a ship wide search for her, but we have to limit it to only a few people that we can trust. So Starbuck, it'll be you, me, Sheba, Bojay and Boomer."
"I hate to interrupt," Starbuck began. "But I have a question that may be a little ... awkward to ask."
Adama nodded in understanding. "You want to know if there is any chance that Athena is not my daughter."
Starbuck looked down into his hands and nodded, embarrassed for even asking such a question.
"Starbuck ...," Apollo started to say.
But Adama held up a hand. "No, Apollo. It's alright. This is a question that needs asking and it deserves an answer. There is always a chance that she's not Starbuck. As much as I don't want to believe that Ila would have had an affair, I have to admit that it is a possibility. I would be lying if I said otherwise. I've always believed in the love that Ila and I shared and as far as I am concerned, Athena is my daughter. I know in my heart that she is my daughter. I know that Ila never had an affair with another, we were that deeply in love. I know that she wouldn't take her vows made at the Seal lightly. But we are only human. And we aren't perfect." Pausing, he continued on. "I can honestly say that Ila never mention anyone by the name of Atreus to me. And if she did have an affair, I believe that I would've found out."
Apollo approached his father. "Mother loved you very much. And I know that she never would've had an affair. Athena is your daughter."
"But you have to be realistic also. I was often gone for up to a yahren at a time. Maybe Ila got lonely and needed some companionship. Tell me, did he look at all familiar to you Apollo?" Adama asked.
"No, not at all. What about you Starbuck?"
Starbuck groaned. This wasn't a question he wanted to answer. He was afraid that answering it would lend credibility to Atreus' story.
"Starbuck?" Apollo repeated the question.
"Don't hate me for this, buddy. But the answer is yes. I remember him."
END PT 2