Dr. Salik quickly drew blood from Atreus so he could be escorted back to his holding cell. There were a few things he wanted to discuss alone with Adama.
As he inserted the needle and began to draw the blood, Dr. Salik asked, "Do you want to tell me how this whole thing with Athena started? "
Adama let out a deep sigh. "We're not exactly sure when or how Atreus kidnapped her. Athena stormed into my quarters about two days ago when she found out she was the only member of the reserve squadron who would not be going on a two day training mission. She pretty much spoke what was on her mind and then stormed right out."
Sitting up, Adama continued, "When no one had seen or heard from her, we became concerned. Then we received a video-link from Atreus and he told us that he had Athena. He told me how he had had an affair with Ila and that Athena was really his daughter."
"Well, the tests I'll be running are 99.9% accurate. By the time Athena leaves Life Center, we should have an answer," Dr. Salik said.
Adama merely nodded. "Do you think I could see her - just for a centon?"
"Adama ..."
"I promise not to disturb her. I just want to see her and make sure she's okay."
"All right. Just don't wake her."
Smiling, Adama replied, "I won't."
As he walked into Athena's private room, he stopped at the foot of her bed. Aside from the odd machine making a noise to record her heart rhythm, there was complete silence. It was dark, but he could see that Athena was sound asleep. She had an IV in her right arm and a fresh bandage on her forehead. She looked bruised and a bit sore, but she was alive. And for that, Adama was very grateful. Briefly closing his eyes, he gave thanks for the safe return of his daughter.
Opening his eyes again, he fought back an urge to reach out and touch Athena. He desperately wanted to hold her; to comfort her; to make this nightmare disappear. Letting out a deep sigh, Adama resigned himself to the fact that Athena wouldn't accept his comfort right now. With a heavy heart, he took one final look at his daughter and left Life Center.
=============================================================================
Four centars later, Starbuck laid in his billet unable to sleep; remembering the first time he had laid eyes on Athena. He and Apollo had become instant friends at school and Apollo had invited him to have dinner at his house. Athena was all of seven and was helping Ila set the table. Starbuck thought she was a cute kid back then, with her long, black hair and deep blue eyes. He even commented to Apollo how Athena would be breaking a lot of hearts when she got older. Starbuck remembered Apollo glaring at him and then threatened to kick his astrum if he so much as thought about flirting with his baby sister.
But, as time went on and Starbuck's visits grew more frequent, he watched as Athena grew from the cute little girl he once knew into the alluring teenager. He knew that he loved her - even back then. Although at first denying it as more of a 'brotherly' love. After all, Apollo was his best friend and Starbuck considered Athena family. But when he saw her again at her graduation from the academy, he knew he couldn't deny it any longer. Athena had become a captivating, seductive, fascinating woman; and he had truly and honestly fallen in love with her.
And he was still in love with her now. Yes, he did love Cassie, but he was IN love with Athena. *I always have been and I have a feeling that I always will be,* he thought to himself. "Frack this," he muttered to himself as he threw back the blanket. "I gotta see how Athena is."
Life Center
Upon entering Life Center, Starbuck was not surprised to find minimal staff on duty; it was only a few hours into the first cycle after all. As he made his way towards Athena's room, he remembered there was a guard on duty. Dr. Salik had left specific orders that only immediate family, except for Adama and Atreus, would be allowed in. Upon entering her room, he stood at the door for a micron, wondering if being here was the right thing. There were so many things he wanted to say; so many confusing emotions.
What was he afraid of? He truly knew that he was in love with Athena. But what if she didn't feel the same? What if she wouldn't give him a second chance? They had worked passed their differences before and had agreed to stay friends. Would she be willing to resume their relationship after everything they've been through?
Starbuck knew that Athena was still asleep and he had no intentions of waking her. It would be unfair of him to burden her with his revelations after everything she had been through. Just being near her made his love for her deepen and seemed to ground him in some odd way. He knew that he would have to win back her trust and possibly her love. But for now, he'd settle for just being here with her.
Picking up a chair, he quietly placed it down next to Athena's bed. Despite the dark, Starbuck could see the bruises on her face. He had to fight the urge to take her in his arms and kiss the pain away. Sighing, he settled for slipping his hand under hers; taking comfort in the heat generated from her hand.
Starbuck sat there in silence for a few centons, reflecting on the events of the last two days. He was so grateful Athena was alive and he knew that the next few sectons would be rough for her. The security and stability she had in her family, had been shaken to the core. He could only imagine what she was going through; the questions that must be running through her mind. Was her whole entire life just a lie? Was Atreus really her father?
Whatever the outcome, Starbuck realized that he would be there for her. Whether she was Adama's daughter or not, it didn't matter. It wouldn't change how he felt towards her.
His thoughts were interrupted when he saw Athena's eyes try to open.
"Star ... ," she tried to say.
"It's me. I was just leaving. You need your sleep."
Curling her fingers around his hand, she whispered, "Stay...."
Smiling he replied, "I'll stay. But only if you go back to sleep." She began to say something, but Starbuck interrupted. "I mean it 'The. You have to go back to sleep." Sitting on the bed next to her, Starbuck gently cupped her cheek and began to caress it in a soothing, circular motion with his thumb. Placing a soft kiss on her forehead, he whispered in her ear, "Sleep now. I'll stay with you. I promise."
Athena let out a contented sigh upon hearing her childhood nickname and quickly went back to sleep.
When he was satisfied that Athena was sleeping, Starbuck sat back in the chair and promptly fell asleep - still holding her hand.
=============================================================================
5 centars later
As Cassie entered Life Center to start her work cycle, she briefly thought about trying to contact Starbuck again. She had tried three times before leaving her quarters, only to find that he wasn't there. She knew he had patrol in one centar and wondered where he could be. Maybe something had come up with Apollo or Atreus and he was called away? Sighing to herself she resigned herself to the fact that she would just have to wait and see Starbuck at dinner.
Before starting her normal rounds, Cassie wanted to check in and see how Athena was doing. Although the two of them never had the best relationship, she would never wish harm on Athena. Things were definitely uncomfortable between the two women, especially when having dinner at Adama's. But eventually they had found neutral ground and had become as comfortable as was possible around each other.
Cassie knew that Starbuck would always care about Athena. That would never change. Athena played a major part in his life and, whether Cassie liked it or not, there was a part of Starbuck that would always love Athena.
As she reached for the knob on the door, Cassie smiled at the guard outside of Athena's room. As she walked into the room, there was no way she could've prepared herself for what she was seeing. Starbuck had pulled a chair over next to Athena's bed and was sound asleep - and holding Athena's hand. It was clearly obvious to her that Starbuck had spent the night here.
Gently shaking his shoulder she said quietly, so as not to wake Athena, "Starbuck?....... Starbuck wake up!"
"Huh? What?" he began to mumble. Suddenly he jerked himself awake, "Athena?"
"Shhh ... relax. She's still sleeping."
"Cassie," he said, as if seeing her for the first time. "Is she okay?"
"She's going to be fine. Just keep your voice down. Athena needs her rest. And you, have patrol in 50 centons so you'd better get moving." Crinkling her nose she added, "You definitely need a turbo-shower."
Starbuck jumped up from the chair. "It's that late? I gotta go. I'll talk to you later, Cassie." Extricating his hand from Athena's, he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek as he whispered, "I'll be back to see you again after patrol."
As he ran out the door, Cassie stood there wondering what exactly had just happened.
=============================================================================
Later that afternoon, in Dr. Salik's laboratory.
After Dr. Salik had finished running the required DNA tests on Athena and Adama's blood, he turned his attention to finishing Atreus' sample.
Cassie had wandered into the Lab wanting to see how everything was progressing.
Looking up at her, Dr. Salik realized that Cassie probably had never administered a test like this before. So he encouraged her to come closer so that he could explain the test process to her.
"Cassie," he began. "As you know, DNA is extracted from a few drops of blood, cheek cells, or cultured cells. Enzymes are used to cut the DNA sample into fragments, which are then placed into a gel matrix. An electric current drives the fragments across the gel - the smallest fragments move the farthest, while the largest move the least distance. The separated DNA fragments are transferred to a nylon membrane, which is exposed to a labeled DNA probe, a short piece of customized DNA that recognizes and binds to a unique segment of the tested person's DNA. This nylon membrane is placed against a film which, when developed, reveals black bands where the probes are bound to the DNA. The visible band pattern of the child is unique - half matches the mother and half matches the father. The process is repeated several times, with each probe identifying a different area in the DNA and producing a distinct pattern. Using several probes, greater than 99.9% certainty about paternity or identity can be achieved."
"But we don't have Athena's mothers DNA on record," Cassie said.
"It's not necessary. DNA technology is so powerful, we will receive accurate, reliable results with or without Ila being tested."
When Dr. Salik had finished, he held up the three DNA results together expecting to finally put and end to this matter. But instead of a clear result as to who was Athena's father, it just further complicated things.
"This isn't possible," he said outloud. "This can't be."
"What? What is it?" Cassie asked.
"Athena's blood contains both Adama's and Atreus' DNA! This isn't possible!!"
END PT 8
As he inserted the needle and began to draw the blood, Dr. Salik asked, "Do you want to tell me how this whole thing with Athena started? "
Adama let out a deep sigh. "We're not exactly sure when or how Atreus kidnapped her. Athena stormed into my quarters about two days ago when she found out she was the only member of the reserve squadron who would not be going on a two day training mission. She pretty much spoke what was on her mind and then stormed right out."
Sitting up, Adama continued, "When no one had seen or heard from her, we became concerned. Then we received a video-link from Atreus and he told us that he had Athena. He told me how he had had an affair with Ila and that Athena was really his daughter."
"Well, the tests I'll be running are 99.9% accurate. By the time Athena leaves Life Center, we should have an answer," Dr. Salik said.
Adama merely nodded. "Do you think I could see her - just for a centon?"
"Adama ..."
"I promise not to disturb her. I just want to see her and make sure she's okay."
"All right. Just don't wake her."
Smiling, Adama replied, "I won't."
As he walked into Athena's private room, he stopped at the foot of her bed. Aside from the odd machine making a noise to record her heart rhythm, there was complete silence. It was dark, but he could see that Athena was sound asleep. She had an IV in her right arm and a fresh bandage on her forehead. She looked bruised and a bit sore, but she was alive. And for that, Adama was very grateful. Briefly closing his eyes, he gave thanks for the safe return of his daughter.
Opening his eyes again, he fought back an urge to reach out and touch Athena. He desperately wanted to hold her; to comfort her; to make this nightmare disappear. Letting out a deep sigh, Adama resigned himself to the fact that Athena wouldn't accept his comfort right now. With a heavy heart, he took one final look at his daughter and left Life Center.
=============================================================================
Four centars later, Starbuck laid in his billet unable to sleep; remembering the first time he had laid eyes on Athena. He and Apollo had become instant friends at school and Apollo had invited him to have dinner at his house. Athena was all of seven and was helping Ila set the table. Starbuck thought she was a cute kid back then, with her long, black hair and deep blue eyes. He even commented to Apollo how Athena would be breaking a lot of hearts when she got older. Starbuck remembered Apollo glaring at him and then threatened to kick his astrum if he so much as thought about flirting with his baby sister.
But, as time went on and Starbuck's visits grew more frequent, he watched as Athena grew from the cute little girl he once knew into the alluring teenager. He knew that he loved her - even back then. Although at first denying it as more of a 'brotherly' love. After all, Apollo was his best friend and Starbuck considered Athena family. But when he saw her again at her graduation from the academy, he knew he couldn't deny it any longer. Athena had become a captivating, seductive, fascinating woman; and he had truly and honestly fallen in love with her.
And he was still in love with her now. Yes, he did love Cassie, but he was IN love with Athena. *I always have been and I have a feeling that I always will be,* he thought to himself. "Frack this," he muttered to himself as he threw back the blanket. "I gotta see how Athena is."
Life Center
Upon entering Life Center, Starbuck was not surprised to find minimal staff on duty; it was only a few hours into the first cycle after all. As he made his way towards Athena's room, he remembered there was a guard on duty. Dr. Salik had left specific orders that only immediate family, except for Adama and Atreus, would be allowed in. Upon entering her room, he stood at the door for a micron, wondering if being here was the right thing. There were so many things he wanted to say; so many confusing emotions.
What was he afraid of? He truly knew that he was in love with Athena. But what if she didn't feel the same? What if she wouldn't give him a second chance? They had worked passed their differences before and had agreed to stay friends. Would she be willing to resume their relationship after everything they've been through?
Starbuck knew that Athena was still asleep and he had no intentions of waking her. It would be unfair of him to burden her with his revelations after everything she had been through. Just being near her made his love for her deepen and seemed to ground him in some odd way. He knew that he would have to win back her trust and possibly her love. But for now, he'd settle for just being here with her.
Picking up a chair, he quietly placed it down next to Athena's bed. Despite the dark, Starbuck could see the bruises on her face. He had to fight the urge to take her in his arms and kiss the pain away. Sighing, he settled for slipping his hand under hers; taking comfort in the heat generated from her hand.
Starbuck sat there in silence for a few centons, reflecting on the events of the last two days. He was so grateful Athena was alive and he knew that the next few sectons would be rough for her. The security and stability she had in her family, had been shaken to the core. He could only imagine what she was going through; the questions that must be running through her mind. Was her whole entire life just a lie? Was Atreus really her father?
Whatever the outcome, Starbuck realized that he would be there for her. Whether she was Adama's daughter or not, it didn't matter. It wouldn't change how he felt towards her.
His thoughts were interrupted when he saw Athena's eyes try to open.
"Star ... ," she tried to say.
"It's me. I was just leaving. You need your sleep."
Curling her fingers around his hand, she whispered, "Stay...."
Smiling he replied, "I'll stay. But only if you go back to sleep." She began to say something, but Starbuck interrupted. "I mean it 'The. You have to go back to sleep." Sitting on the bed next to her, Starbuck gently cupped her cheek and began to caress it in a soothing, circular motion with his thumb. Placing a soft kiss on her forehead, he whispered in her ear, "Sleep now. I'll stay with you. I promise."
Athena let out a contented sigh upon hearing her childhood nickname and quickly went back to sleep.
When he was satisfied that Athena was sleeping, Starbuck sat back in the chair and promptly fell asleep - still holding her hand.
=============================================================================
5 centars later
As Cassie entered Life Center to start her work cycle, she briefly thought about trying to contact Starbuck again. She had tried three times before leaving her quarters, only to find that he wasn't there. She knew he had patrol in one centar and wondered where he could be. Maybe something had come up with Apollo or Atreus and he was called away? Sighing to herself she resigned herself to the fact that she would just have to wait and see Starbuck at dinner.
Before starting her normal rounds, Cassie wanted to check in and see how Athena was doing. Although the two of them never had the best relationship, she would never wish harm on Athena. Things were definitely uncomfortable between the two women, especially when having dinner at Adama's. But eventually they had found neutral ground and had become as comfortable as was possible around each other.
Cassie knew that Starbuck would always care about Athena. That would never change. Athena played a major part in his life and, whether Cassie liked it or not, there was a part of Starbuck that would always love Athena.
As she reached for the knob on the door, Cassie smiled at the guard outside of Athena's room. As she walked into the room, there was no way she could've prepared herself for what she was seeing. Starbuck had pulled a chair over next to Athena's bed and was sound asleep - and holding Athena's hand. It was clearly obvious to her that Starbuck had spent the night here.
Gently shaking his shoulder she said quietly, so as not to wake Athena, "Starbuck?....... Starbuck wake up!"
"Huh? What?" he began to mumble. Suddenly he jerked himself awake, "Athena?"
"Shhh ... relax. She's still sleeping."
"Cassie," he said, as if seeing her for the first time. "Is she okay?"
"She's going to be fine. Just keep your voice down. Athena needs her rest. And you, have patrol in 50 centons so you'd better get moving." Crinkling her nose she added, "You definitely need a turbo-shower."
Starbuck jumped up from the chair. "It's that late? I gotta go. I'll talk to you later, Cassie." Extricating his hand from Athena's, he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek as he whispered, "I'll be back to see you again after patrol."
As he ran out the door, Cassie stood there wondering what exactly had just happened.
=============================================================================
Later that afternoon, in Dr. Salik's laboratory.
After Dr. Salik had finished running the required DNA tests on Athena and Adama's blood, he turned his attention to finishing Atreus' sample.
Cassie had wandered into the Lab wanting to see how everything was progressing.
Looking up at her, Dr. Salik realized that Cassie probably had never administered a test like this before. So he encouraged her to come closer so that he could explain the test process to her.
"Cassie," he began. "As you know, DNA is extracted from a few drops of blood, cheek cells, or cultured cells. Enzymes are used to cut the DNA sample into fragments, which are then placed into a gel matrix. An electric current drives the fragments across the gel - the smallest fragments move the farthest, while the largest move the least distance. The separated DNA fragments are transferred to a nylon membrane, which is exposed to a labeled DNA probe, a short piece of customized DNA that recognizes and binds to a unique segment of the tested person's DNA. This nylon membrane is placed against a film which, when developed, reveals black bands where the probes are bound to the DNA. The visible band pattern of the child is unique - half matches the mother and half matches the father. The process is repeated several times, with each probe identifying a different area in the DNA and producing a distinct pattern. Using several probes, greater than 99.9% certainty about paternity or identity can be achieved."
"But we don't have Athena's mothers DNA on record," Cassie said.
"It's not necessary. DNA technology is so powerful, we will receive accurate, reliable results with or without Ila being tested."
When Dr. Salik had finished, he held up the three DNA results together expecting to finally put and end to this matter. But instead of a clear result as to who was Athena's father, it just further complicated things.
"This isn't possible," he said outloud. "This can't be."
"What? What is it?" Cassie asked.
"Athena's blood contains both Adama's and Atreus' DNA! This isn't possible!!"
END PT 8