Dr. Salik's face turned ghostly white. "I've never seen anything like this ever before." Turning to Cassie he continued, "This can't be. It just can't be. There has to be some explanation for this!"
"Can't we just check Athena's medical history?"
"The computer files don't contain DNA history! Her hard copy might - IF it was ever transferred from Caprica."
"I'll go look for her file," Cassie offered.
"Okay. I want to run a few more extensive tests. I don't want to say anything unless I know for certain what's going on. I don't want to put Athena through anything more than she's already been through."
=======================================================================
Athena's private room
As Athena rose from the darkness and depths of unconsciousness, she became aware of her surroundings. But she wasn't panicked as to where she was. Without opening her eyes, she could tell by the antiseptic smell and the crispness of the bed sheets exactly where she was - Life Center.
Slowly and gently opening her eyes, she groaned as the dim light filtered through and increased the pounding in her head. Looking around, she realized she was alone. *Where is everyone? Who is my real Father?* she thought to herself. More importantly, had Atreus been captured or would he return to take her? Her thoughts were broken by the sound of the door opening.
Athena was relieved to find it was Sheba. "Hey there, I see you're awake."
"Hi," was the weak reply.
Sheba moved to Athena's bedside and gently clasped her hand. "You had us all pretty worried. I'm so glad that you're okay."
"Atreus?"
Sheba tried to reassure her friend. "Atreus was found. He is currently in a holding cell and is being charged with kidnapping and assault on a colonial warrior. You don't have to worry about him getting anywhere near you. Dr. Salik has a guard posted at your door and the staff has been informed to report any unusual circumstances immediately."
"Where is everyone?"
"Well, Starbuck and Apollo are on patrol along with Boomer and Giles; Cassie is helping Dr. Salik run the paternity tests and Colonel Tigh and Commander Adama are currently on the bridge. I had a few centons before I start patrol with Bojay, so I though I'd stop by and see how you were doing."
Managing a fragile smile Athena replied, "I'm fine. I'll be okay."
Sheba knew Athena too well to believe that. "Athena," Sheba began, "I want you to know that I'm always here if you ever want to talk. Or even if you don't want to talk and just want company instead." Pausing Sheba took a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing. "After my Father disappeared, I had trouble adjusting to life aboard the Galactica. But I always remembered that your Father welcomed me into your family. I was so happy that I had a place where I felt that I belonged. I want you to know that I consider all of you part of my family now."
"Except he may not even be my Father," Athena said.
"So does that mean you would just write him and everyone else in your family off? Do you consider anyone who isn't blood related to you not family? What about Boxey, then? Boxey isn't related to you. Neither am I. Neither is Boomer or Starbuck. Yet all of us are considered part of the same family."
"I didn't mean it that way, Sheba. I just meant that .... oh frack. I'm not even sure what I meant. I'm really confused right now."
Trying to lighten the mood, Sheba said laughingly, "As long as I'm not the one who has to tell Apollo that he can't play "big brother" anymore!"
Smiling, Athena said, "I don't think that will EVER happen! He plays the role so well!"
"It just means that he loves you. He was extremely worried when you were missing. We all were."
"I owe Apollo an apology. I said some hurtful things that I really didn't mean. I was just angry. If you see him, tell him to stop by after patrol."
Getting up from the bed Sheba said, "I'm sure he'll be stopping by anyway, but if I see him, I'll tell him. Is there anything I can get for you? Anything you need?"
"I can't think of anything, thanks. I appreciate you stopping by, Sheba."
"I'll come back again as soon as I can. I promise.
=======================================================================
Dr. Salik's Laboratory.
"Cassie! Any luck finding Athena's file?" Dr. Salik asked.
Dejectedly, she shook her head, indicating negative. "Have you had any luck Doctor?"
"Athena's file on the computer has been wiped and the hard copy of her file is missing. In short, we have no medical records on her. They've simply disappeared."
"Were her records transferred aboard when she arrived from Caprica?"
"I don't know."
"Why are both Adama's and Atreus' DNA present in Athena's blood?" Cassie asked.
"Clearly, one of them was put there artificially. But which one? I'm going to have to do more extensive tests to determine which one doesn't belong."
"How long will that take?"
Sighing Dr. Salik looked up at Cassie, "About 7-10 days for a complete analysis."
"I feel so bad for Athena. She's going to have to wait almost another two sectons until the analysis is complete." Shaking her head, Cassie continued, "She's been through Hades the last few days. I wish we could give her some definite answers."
"So do I Cassie. But the only thing we can do right now is to get these new tests done."
=======================================================================
Atreus' holding cell
Atreus turned over onto his back and stared at the ceiling. It had been over 24 centars since he'd last seen his daughter. It had broken his heart to hear Athena cry out for her Mother. Ila was such a lovely woman; not just in body, she had a beautiful and kind soul, and Athena reflected that beauty in every way.
*You are making my life interesting daughter, but I don't mind,* he thought to himself. *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. I have to find a way to see you, Athena. Without the third and final injection, you'll never be mine. It won't be much longer, Athena. Just hold on.*
Atreus smiled as he thought about Athena's missing files. He knew that without her medical history there was no proof that Adama was Athena's father.
"Adama took Ila from me. I will take you from him."
END PT 9
"Can't we just check Athena's medical history?"
"The computer files don't contain DNA history! Her hard copy might - IF it was ever transferred from Caprica."
"I'll go look for her file," Cassie offered.
"Okay. I want to run a few more extensive tests. I don't want to say anything unless I know for certain what's going on. I don't want to put Athena through anything more than she's already been through."
=======================================================================
Athena's private room
As Athena rose from the darkness and depths of unconsciousness, she became aware of her surroundings. But she wasn't panicked as to where she was. Without opening her eyes, she could tell by the antiseptic smell and the crispness of the bed sheets exactly where she was - Life Center.
Slowly and gently opening her eyes, she groaned as the dim light filtered through and increased the pounding in her head. Looking around, she realized she was alone. *Where is everyone? Who is my real Father?* she thought to herself. More importantly, had Atreus been captured or would he return to take her? Her thoughts were broken by the sound of the door opening.
Athena was relieved to find it was Sheba. "Hey there, I see you're awake."
"Hi," was the weak reply.
Sheba moved to Athena's bedside and gently clasped her hand. "You had us all pretty worried. I'm so glad that you're okay."
"Atreus?"
Sheba tried to reassure her friend. "Atreus was found. He is currently in a holding cell and is being charged with kidnapping and assault on a colonial warrior. You don't have to worry about him getting anywhere near you. Dr. Salik has a guard posted at your door and the staff has been informed to report any unusual circumstances immediately."
"Where is everyone?"
"Well, Starbuck and Apollo are on patrol along with Boomer and Giles; Cassie is helping Dr. Salik run the paternity tests and Colonel Tigh and Commander Adama are currently on the bridge. I had a few centons before I start patrol with Bojay, so I though I'd stop by and see how you were doing."
Managing a fragile smile Athena replied, "I'm fine. I'll be okay."
Sheba knew Athena too well to believe that. "Athena," Sheba began, "I want you to know that I'm always here if you ever want to talk. Or even if you don't want to talk and just want company instead." Pausing Sheba took a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing. "After my Father disappeared, I had trouble adjusting to life aboard the Galactica. But I always remembered that your Father welcomed me into your family. I was so happy that I had a place where I felt that I belonged. I want you to know that I consider all of you part of my family now."
"Except he may not even be my Father," Athena said.
"So does that mean you would just write him and everyone else in your family off? Do you consider anyone who isn't blood related to you not family? What about Boxey, then? Boxey isn't related to you. Neither am I. Neither is Boomer or Starbuck. Yet all of us are considered part of the same family."
"I didn't mean it that way, Sheba. I just meant that .... oh frack. I'm not even sure what I meant. I'm really confused right now."
Trying to lighten the mood, Sheba said laughingly, "As long as I'm not the one who has to tell Apollo that he can't play "big brother" anymore!"
Smiling, Athena said, "I don't think that will EVER happen! He plays the role so well!"
"It just means that he loves you. He was extremely worried when you were missing. We all were."
"I owe Apollo an apology. I said some hurtful things that I really didn't mean. I was just angry. If you see him, tell him to stop by after patrol."
Getting up from the bed Sheba said, "I'm sure he'll be stopping by anyway, but if I see him, I'll tell him. Is there anything I can get for you? Anything you need?"
"I can't think of anything, thanks. I appreciate you stopping by, Sheba."
"I'll come back again as soon as I can. I promise.
=======================================================================
Dr. Salik's Laboratory.
"Cassie! Any luck finding Athena's file?" Dr. Salik asked.
Dejectedly, she shook her head, indicating negative. "Have you had any luck Doctor?"
"Athena's file on the computer has been wiped and the hard copy of her file is missing. In short, we have no medical records on her. They've simply disappeared."
"Were her records transferred aboard when she arrived from Caprica?"
"I don't know."
"Why are both Adama's and Atreus' DNA present in Athena's blood?" Cassie asked.
"Clearly, one of them was put there artificially. But which one? I'm going to have to do more extensive tests to determine which one doesn't belong."
"How long will that take?"
Sighing Dr. Salik looked up at Cassie, "About 7-10 days for a complete analysis."
"I feel so bad for Athena. She's going to have to wait almost another two sectons until the analysis is complete." Shaking her head, Cassie continued, "She's been through Hades the last few days. I wish we could give her some definite answers."
"So do I Cassie. But the only thing we can do right now is to get these new tests done."
=======================================================================
Atreus' holding cell
Atreus turned over onto his back and stared at the ceiling. It had been over 24 centars since he'd last seen his daughter. It had broken his heart to hear Athena cry out for her Mother. Ila was such a lovely woman; not just in body, she had a beautiful and kind soul, and Athena reflected that beauty in every way.
*You are making my life interesting daughter, but I don't mind,* he thought to himself. *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. I have to find a way to see you, Athena. Without the third and final injection, you'll never be mine. It won't be much longer, Athena. Just hold on.*
Atreus smiled as he thought about Athena's missing files. He knew that without her medical history there was no proof that Adama was Athena's father.
"Adama took Ila from me. I will take you from him."
END PT 9