I should have noted. I don't in any way consider myself an expert on the technical details. I am engrossed with the characters of this show. All typical disclaimers apply. Thanks!
Two
Lee spent the rest of the day dozing in Life Station. Kara seldom left his side and whenever he awoke, she hovered over him, determined to keep him safe. He had to admit, the extra sleep felt good. His body was craving the break. He slept through the night and woke to find his father reading a book at his bedside.
"Morning, Sir." Lee's sleep filled voice croaked. He glanced to the side table and reached for the glass of water.
His hand was slapped away. "I'll get it."
"I'm fine." Lee was uneasy with the care he was receiving from his father. He tried to remember a time when he'd been sick and his father had been there. He couldn't.
"Indulge an old man." He refilled the glass with cool, fresh water and offered it to his son.
After satisfying his thirst, Lee looked his father in the eye. "What happened to my ship?"
William Adama smiled at his son, who was nothing, if not direct. He didn't like not having an answer for the boy, no man. "We don't know yet. Hadrian is checking the bay security tapes."
"A hundred people could have been near my viper." Lee no longer looked at his father; he played with the edge of his bedding.
"I know."
"When will she be ready to fly again?"
Adama laughed. "She'll be ready long before you will."
Lee was annoyed at the implication. He sat up, before his father could stop him. "I'm ready now."
"So says the doctor?"
"I'm fine. I was ready yesterday."
"That's why you slept through the night?"
"So, I was tired. I am more than ready for patrol."
Adama was becoming annoyed with his stubborn son. Didn't he realize how close he had been to dying? He didn't think to monitor his words. "You think I'm going to put you back in the cockpit when someone is trying to kill you?"
"Kill me?" The impact of the event hadn't really hit Lee until that moment. It overwhelmed him and his stoic reserve fumbled. "Why me?"
"We don't know, but we'll find out."
Lee shook his head. "No, you won't."
Adama knew his son was planning on finding his attacker. "WE WILL. I won't have any of my pilots in danger. Until we find the responsible party, every pilot is under security."
"You've got babysitters for Colonial Warriors? They aren't going to stand for that."
"Yes, they will."
"No way. I may not have flown with these guys long, but I know they won't stand for it. I know I wouldn't."
"You will."
Lee read the message in his words. He shook his head angrily. "I am the CAG. I can't have a babysitter following me. My men need to respect me. You can't do this to me."
"I can. I have and I will. You are the CAG and that is all the more reason to make sure you're safe. Besides, all the pilots have extra security, so you're not alone." Lee's pride was speaking. He knew his son had been working harder than ever to try and be the CAG the fleet needed. Under normal circumstances, he'd have had more training prior to assuming the job.
Lee pounded his fists into the bed on either side of him. He struggled to regain his mask of control. He hated appearing weak in front of his father. He pulled the blankets back and pulled his legs over the opposite side of his bed before his father could stop him. He stood still for just a moment to gain his bearings and then bent down to open the cabinet at his bedside. It was empty. "Where is my uniform?" Lee dared a glance at his father, who was sitting back in his chair with a smug look on his face.
"You haven't been released."
"I'm releasing MYSELF! Where is my uniform?" That grin was infuriating him.
"They had to cut it off."
Lee's blue eyes flashed dark. "No one thought to bring me another?"
"Not until you are released. Stop being a spoiled child. Lay back down, have some breakfast and wait for the doctor."
Through gritted teeth, Lee spoke tersely. "As you can see, I am fine and I want out of here."
"Then you'll have to leave in that very fashionable and quite revealing life station gown." Adama stared directly at Lee's exposed derriere. "I'm sure the ladies in the hallway will appreciate the view."
Lee seethed with anger and embarrassment. Why did his father always have to win? Grabbing the back of the gown, he held it tight and walked around the bed to the stand near his father. He picked up the phone and dialed a few numbers. "Get me Starbuck."
He was silent for several moments. "Starbuck, I'm free, but I need a uniform. Will you bring it down? Yes! Hurry. I want out of here."
William Adama stared at his son. Part of him was angry at the boy's stubborn refusal to be patient. The way he was behaving, he was going to get himself killed without any help from an assassin. Of course, the other part of him was laughing at the determination and fire his Captain was showing. He debated taking the phone from him and belaying the order, but he decided to relent. If his son had this much fire, he must be fine.
Lee held onto the receiver with all his might. His body was tense as he expected his father to pull it from his grasp at any moment. As soon as Kara had committed to coming, he dropped the phone back into place. He brushed past his father with false bravado and dropped back onto the bed to wait. He refused to look his father in the eye.
Adama pursed his lips in a tight grin. "You may be walking out of here, but you haven't been returned to flight status. Not even I can do that, so you'll be back soon enough. If it makes you feel better to walk out of here now, that's fine." He picked up his book and turned to leave. As he reached the edge of the curtained off area, he turned back to his son. "I…" He stumbled over his words. He always did when he tried to express his emotions with Lee. He changed his words. "Be careful. Keep your eyes open." He cursed himself. Why couldn't he tell his son he loved him?
He met Kara on the way out. They acknowledged each other but said nothing. Watching them, Lee suspected they had already hatched a plan to smoother him. "It's about time." Lee refused to credit the speed she had obviously used to get here.
"Well, Thank you, Kara." She mocked him. "It was nice of you to hop out of the rack and haul my frakin' uniform to my sorry ass."
Lee groaned. "Thanks." He turned and started to dress. He paid no heed to Kara's presence. Pilots were used to tight quarters. Privacy was a mute point. He bit his tongue to hold in the mild aches his body reported as he contorted to dress. He growled over his shoulder. "You enjoying the show?" He could feel her eyes on him and she was too quiet.
"Where's the paperwork?" She knew Lee was lying to her, but she also knew he wanted out.
"It's being processed."
"Frak! You have been spending too much time with me."
He turned to face her, leaving his uniform jacket off, he walked quickly toward the exit. He wasn't willing to risk anyone getting in his way. "Coming?" He called over his shoulder.
"Sir, Yes, Sir." She easily matched his stride.
