The day was not starting out well, Kara thought, not well at all. "She's where!"

Lee cringed inward. He had known Kara would not take the news well. "Half the remaining crew and squadrons are sick. The cause was traced back to the galley and what they consumed there. The dish in question was directly linked to Lieutenant Harris. Sergeant Hadrian believes Lieutenant Harris acted intentionally to incapacitate the ship and lower our defenses. She believes Lieutenant Harris is working in collusion with the Cylons."

Kara steamed. "And you believe…"

Lee met her gaze. "When you asked me yesterday if I'd actually looked at the cooks I went to the galley to see what it was you were insinuating. I saw Lieutenant myself and she told me, with some coaxing, the situation. I arranged a meeting with my father for earlier today to discuss what changes needed to be made concerning our supply of rations as well as our missing galley crew."

Kara's hands clenched into fists but remained at her sides. "But what do you think?"

"I think Lieutenant Harris and her fellow crew members in the galley have been done an injustice. I believe she was exhausted and starving and had no intention whatsoever of poisoning the pilots or anyone else. I believe Sergeant Hadrian is still continuing with her witch hunt."

"But Jenna's still in the brig." It was an accusation.

"No. She was in the brig but I mentioned to the doctor that he might want to have a look at her and now she's in Life Station. As a matter of fact, the other galley crew have been taken into the doctor's care too. We'll all be living off emergency rations packets until they're healthy enough to return to duty."

"And the Tribunal's witch hunt?"

"Is being investigated but since the Tribunal has been removed from the Galactica and isn't overseen by the Commander, there's not a lot we can do about the hearing itself. President Roslin was informed of our predicament as soon as the Commander was notified this morning. Both she and my father intend to argue in Lieutenant Harris' defense but at present Sergeant Hadrian is unable to even begin preliminary questioning with Lieutenant Harris. The doctor refuses to allow any of the Tribunal into Life Station and he refuses to allow Lieutenant Harris to leave until she is well. Your presence has been requested. The doc wants to check on your progress."

"Yes, sir." She allowed a sly grin to flicker before Lee raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"You don't have any excuses to try to avoid Life Station?"

"Nope, I've been showin' up there regularly ever since I left on those frackin' crutches."

"You'll report to him right away?"

"As ordered, sir."

He pressed a hand against her forehead and narrowed his eyes. "Okay, no fever. Why?"

"Why don't I have a fever?" Despite the circumstances her friend had fallen into, Kara's mood had lightened perceptively. Jenna was at least temporarily protected from the harm of the Tribunal and she was being fed and allowed to rest.

Lee shook his head. "You're expected as soon as possible. Give Lieutenant Harris my regards."

She nodded and almost clicked her heels together but a stabbing pain in her leg changed her mind. She hobbled slightly all the way to Life Station and answered the doc's questions. She even let him prod her knee with a minimum of muttered curses and threats of violence. Free of his ministrations, she went straight to Jenna's bedside.

"Hey, Jenna," she called softly. She was rewarded with the opening of her friend's eyes and a weak smile. "What do you hear?"

Jenna chuckled lowly. "Nothing but the rain thanks to your friends in high places. Lords, Starbuck, the president herself called to say she would personally see that this never happened again. President Roslin!"

"Yep, she would be our president." Kara flashed a cocky grin. "I always did know how to make friends with the right people. Must be my winning charm."

A shadow flooded Jenna's eyes. "Thank the Lords you didn't eat any of that stew. I never meant to hurt anyone, Starbuck, you have to believe me. It was just a stupid mistake – I mixed up the spoiled provisions with the good. It was an accident."

No, this was not going to work. Pointless remorse was not conducive to healing and recovery. Kara pulled her deck of cards from her pocket and waved them at Jenna. "How about that game?"

Jenna blinked. "But I don't have any cubits with me."

"Doesn't matter." She snagged a chair and sat down. "This way I don't have to feel guilty for winning 'em all anyway."

Jenna's eyes widened. "Who told you I was a lousy hand at Pyramid?"

"No, you're good," Kara assured her, "almost as good as me. But I get the feeling your concentration wouldn't be completely on the game."

"We'll see about that." With some difficulty Jenna scooted into a seated position. "I think I'll let you deal though."

They played several hands. Kara had been right. While Jenna was ordinarily a fairly slick opponent, she was still too weak to keep track of the game's more subtle complexities. After her sixth win, and she had not even tried to win the last two hands, Kara stacked the cards neatly and slipped them back into her pocket. Jenna's eyelids were heavy and she was obviously having to fight to stay awake.

"You get some rest."

Jenna's eyes sprang to life again. "You're going?"

Kara nodded. "You need to sleep. If I find out you've been giving the doc a hard time, I'll come back and kick your ass." She grinned broadly.

"I believe you would," Jenna said with a barely suppressed yawn. "I'm too tired to give anyone a hard time anyway. Come back again though, will you?"

Kara nodded and stood but waited at Jenna's bedside until the slow rhythm of sleep evened out her friend's breathing. She would actually have to swallow some of her infamous pride and thank Lee. Jenna never would have made it through the Tribunal's inquiry. They would have found her guilty on the spot and sentenced her without any qualms. Yep, she owed Lee for this.

to be continued...