"He used to come over to the house whenever Adama was away." Looking up at Apollo he continued, "I can't believe that you don't recognize him Apollo."

Apollo was at a loss for words. *Could it be that what Atreus said is true? Athena really is his daughter?* He thought for a micron, trying to force a memory of Atreus, but none came.

"He was at one of Athena's novayahren parties. He gave her an oregg bracelet," Starbuck said, deflated. "I'm sorry. I wish I could say that I didn't remember him. I don't want to make it seem like I'm on his side."

Tigh moved closer to Starbuck. "You were only speaking the truth Starbuck. Besides, I know I've seen his face before too."

"Where?" Adama asked.

"I'm almost positive that he served on the Caprican Council." Pausing, he continued, "Which would explain how Ila and Atreus knew each other since she was a member of The Council also."

"Which means that there would be some information on him in the database," Adama said as he motioned for Tigh to join him at the flatscreen.

Apollo dejectedly sat down next to Starbuck.

"Don't worry Apollo, everything's going to work out. We're going to find Athena. This whole mess will be cleared up real soon."

Apollo shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe this is happening, Starbuck! My sister is being held captive by some crazy person who claims to be her real father." Lowering his voice he continued, "Only the Lords know how badly she's been injured. You saw the tape. You saw how pale she looked. She's my sister and I should've been able to protect her."

"Apollo, you can't blame yourself. There was nothing you could do. You couldn't have seen this coming. None of us could." Starbuck added, "You're not the only one who's feeling guilty."

"I guess we're all guilty of making her feel a little left out," Apollo said sadly. "I wish she were here."

*So do I buddy. So do I,* Starbuck thought, as he put a hand on Apollo's shoulder. "We're gonna find her. I promise you. Sheba and Bojay are already headed back in from patrol. They're going to meet up with us in about one centar. So lets come up with a plan of attack before they get here. This way we can just head out."

Looking up at Starbuck, Apollo said, "Let's break out the holomaps and get to work."
=============================================================================
Athena groaned and tried to open her eyes. Blinking a few times, she was barely able to make out a figure hovering over her.

"Father?" she called out weakly.

She felt someone pick up her hand and just by touch she knew it wasn't Adama.

"Don't be frightened Athena. I'm here," Atreus said.

She pulled her hand back. "No, I want my father!"

"Athena, please let me explain," Atreus began.

It was all coming back to her now. Atreus claimed to be her father. He also caused her to fall down the stairs. By the throbbing in her head, she realized it must've been a hard fall. So why did her arm hurt then?

"Where in Hades am I?"

"You're safe."

Athena tried to sit up, but the room wouldn't stop spinning. As it was, the room was dark and whatever she could distinguish, she saw in double. *Great,* she thought. *Now your family is never going to let you out of their sight again. Apollo's really going to be your protector now! Good going Athena.*

"Why are you doing this to me?" she asked wearily.

"I only want you to know the truth. I didn't make you fall down those stairs!" Atreus shouted. When he saw Athena raise her hand to her head in pain, he realized his voice was too loud. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout at you. I know your head hurts and I'll try not to do that again."

"Why did you kidnap me?"

"I just wanted to tell you that you're my daughter. I want us to spend some time together. We need to get to know each other," Atreus replied.

"I am not your daughter!"

"I know this is hard for you to believe, but it's the truth." Sighing, Atreus continued, "Once you listen to what I have to say, I'll let you go. I promise."

"Fine. Then say what you need to say and let me go!"

Atreus began, "Ila and I met on the Caprican Council 24 yahrens ago. Adama was away so much and she was all alone raising Apollo and Zac. Your mother and I hit it off immediately. At first, we were just very good friends. We would go for long walks, have lunch together or just sit and talk until all hours of the night. Ila and I grew closer together with the passage of time and one day ... it happened. We crossed the threshold and became lovers."

Athena tried to hide her disgust. Just the thought of her mother with this man made her stomach churn. *I know mother wouldn't have an affair. She was an honorable woman who loved father very much. No matter how lonely she was, she would never cheat on him. Right?* she said to herself.

"Nine months after that night, you were born. Adama knew he wasn't the father of Ila's child. He loved Ila and agree to take her back on the condition that he raise you as his own child. I tried to fight for custody of you, but Adama is a very influential man and he blocked my every attempt. We finally came to an agreement which basically stated that I would not interfere in your life in exchange for the chance to visit you from time to time. I would also receive pictures and updates on your accomplishments."

"Then why don't I remember you?"

"Do you remember receiving an oregg bracelet for your eighth novayahren?"

Nodding, Athena said, "Yes. Mother said it was from ...," she stopped in horror as she recalled her mothers exact words. "She said it was from my father."

Atreus looked down at Athena and smiled.
=============================================================================
Adama's quarters.

Apollo, Boomer and Starbuck sat around the table looking at a holomap of the Galactica.

"Why don't we start by eliminating where we know Athena isn't," Apollo began.

"Well," Starbuck began. "Cross off the OC, the Rejuvenation Center, and the Launch Bays."

"You can also cross off any public or private place Officers would hang out, on duty or otherwise," Boomer added. "Besides, Athena hasn't been back to the Rejuvenation Center since the fire."

Apollo looked up at Boomer. "I didn't know that," he said softly.

"She didn't want anyone to know."

Looking away Apollo thought, *That's just one more thing I couldn't protect her from.* Apollo with renewed determination to rescue his sister, looked at the holomap. "If you wanted to kidnap someone, where on this ship could you hold them without being discovered?"

"If we're stating the obvious, I'd want some place private; off the beaten path. Some place I knew like the back of my hand," Starbuck said.

Boomer nodded. "You would need some place where you could come and go easily without raising suspicion."

Apollo had an idea. "What about the old storage compartments below deck? Sections Alpha 52 to Delta 38?"

"Can civilians get down there?" Boomer asked.

"They can if they know what they're doing. And this guy certainly does," Starbuck said.

Apollo sighed. "That still leaves us ten decks and over two hundred compartments. It would take days to cover the whole territory." He slammed his fist on the table in anger and walked out to the living area. "Damn it Athena, where are you?" he whispered to himself.

The door to Adama's quarters slid open to reveal Sheba and Bojay. Bojay immediately walked over to Boomer and Starbuck to get the latest update. Sheba debated whether or not to approach Apollo. He was leaning against the wall with a distraught look on his face. She knew Apollo was never forthcoming with his emotions. Right now though, she could read him like a book. Apollo was afraid he'd just lost another member of his family and was blaming himself. Sheba knew he would refuse any comfort she tried to give him at the moment, but she still felt she should let him know she was here for him.

Walking over to him she said, "Apollo?"

"Hi Sheba."

She lightly put a hand on his arm. "I know you're worried; we all are. We are going to find Athena."

Silently, Apollo nodded at Sheba.

"How's your father taking all this?" she asked.

"As well as can be expected considering Athena's been missing for 20 centars."

Sheba opened her mouth to reply when Commander Adama walked into the room. "Sheba," he said extending his hand towards her.

Sheba took his hand and then warmly embraced him. "Commander. How are you holding up?"

"I'm worried, but I'm doing okay." Moving closer to her he whispered, "I'm more worried about Apollo."

"So am I. I promise to keep a close eye on him."

"Thank you," Adama replied.

"Father, did the database reveal anything on Atreus?"

Adama shook his head no. "Just the basics. Born and raised on Caprica; parents died when he was twenty four; no siblings. He was a biochemist and philosopher and joined the Caprician Council when he was thirty. His name is on the register as being a survivor from Caprica. It just doesn't say what he's been up to the last 1 1/2 yahrens."

Apollo mumbled, "Another dead end." As he moved away from the wall, he shifted into warrior mode again. "Now that everyone is here, lets split up into two teams. Sheba, Starbuck and I will take decks alpha and beta. Boomer, you and Bojay take gamma and delta. Everyone has a porta-link so the teams can keep in touch. If you find anything - even something remotely suspicious, contact me. Everyone understand?"

They all nodded in agreement.

"Good. Lets go find Athena."

END PT 3