Author Notes: Hope you all like my choice. This is set a few days after my other story Simple Things. And it is set sometime after the episode Tigh me Up, Tigh Me Down. I am in the process of making a sequel to this story but have a question for you. Should I do Tyrol/Sharon or Helo/Sharon?

Pairing: Lee/Kara; Mention of Tyrol/Sharon

Summary: The cylon is revealed as Helo comes home to Galactica.

Disclaimer: I do not own Battlestar Galactica or its characters.

Rate: PG-13

Category: General

A Time to Heal: The Truth Is Out

"It could be a cylon," Tigh said.

"He says he has a cylon prisoner alive…and that it's willing to talk to us," Dee said.

"Let him land tell Starbuck to meet us," William said as he and Tigh walked.

Karl could hardly believe it, he wasn't the only living human alive because right before him was the Galactica in all her beauty. He could almost cry but right now he had bigger and better things to do. He looked over at the cylon wishing he were surprised by it. But she always did act a little different and for a woman in love she didn't act it.

"Permission to come aboard, sir," Karl asked.

"Permission granted," William smiled.

"You said you had a cylon willing to work with us," Tigh said.

"Yes sir," Karl said.

"Hello Saul," Ellen said.

Kara had no idea why they were calling her but right now she would do anything to get away from quarters. She was just in no mood to deal with people. She rushed as fats as she could be told it was important. She nodded at Tyrol who was busy giving orders to Cally.

"Sir you wanted…Helo," Kara gasped.

"Kara," Karl said.

"You alive," Kara mumbled.

"And your out of hack," Karl said.

"Wow…this seems familiar," Kara laughed.

"Take Helo to Life Station…Helo we have a test that can detect cylons," William said.

"I understand sir," Karl said.

Kara did a double take when she saw Ellen Tigh standing in the raptor because as far as she knew she was in her quarters. Cally stood in complete awe when she saw Helo walking with Kara. She smiled at him as did the chief and anyone else who saw him. Cally wondered what Sharon was going to do--how would Crashdown react to this.

"I can't believe you're alive," Kara smiled.

"What did you mean this seems familiar," Karl asked.

"After the attacks we all thought Lee was dead, when he came in I told him I thought he was dead and he said I thought you were in hack," Kara explained.

"Well it's good to see you out…but what's with the cane," Karl asked.

"I hurt my knee…Doctor says in a few weeks I should be able to walk without it," Kara said.

"Does this mean you're grounded," Karl asked.

"Yes but I have enough duties, I'm training new recruits and trying to figure out the cylon raider," Kara said.

"Yes I noticed that when come aboard…where'd you get it," Karl asked.

"Just something I picked up while I was out," Kara joked.

Karl had spent the last months by himself with only a cylon for company so another three hours didn't bother him. Kara was wondering how Karl found Ellen and how he figured out she was a cylon. She was ordered back to quarters when she remembered his box. If he ever knew she went through it, he'd die. He would wish he never found Galactica, but could she lie to him.

"Home sweet home," Karl said looking at his bunk.

"Crash I said…Helo," Sharon gasped.

"Boomer," Karl laughed.

Crashdown stood in complete shocked as a very alive Helo rushed towards Sharon and hugged her. He watched as she giggled and hugged him back. She held on tight for the longest moment before releasing him and looking at him. Crashdown wished he could be disappointed but he wasn't.

"How…when," Sharon asked.

I managed to stay alive on Caprica…a few days ago I stole probably the only working raptor on Caprica…I managed to make it back with the help of a cylon," Karl explained.

"You trusted a cylon," Crashdown asked shocked.

"I had no choice…it was that or die. She said it was all part of gods plans to get me back here," Karl said.

"Who is the cylon," Sharon questioned.

"Ellen Tigh," Karl said.

"The Colonel's wife," Crashdown said.

"Yep I just spent the last three hours in Dr. Baltar's office so they could test me," Karl said.

"Well I take it you are not a cylon," Sharon smiled.

"Nope but Doctor Salik's taken me off duty for a week, says I need to recover," Karl told Sharon.

"That's good because I think you are the only one who can handle Boomer," Crashdown said.

"Hey," Sharon said smacking him.

Kara walked in to find Karl lying on the bunk with a huge smile on his face. He shifted a few times but she could tell he was comfortable where he was. In her hand she had the wooden box that William gave her that she gave to him all those years ago.

"Karl," Kara said.

"Yea," Karl mumbled.

"I think this belongs to you," Kara said handing him his box.

"Did you go through it," Karl said.

"Yes," Kara said.

"Did you read my letter," Karl asked.

"Yes," Kara admitted.

"Oh…great," Karl said looking away.

"You should tell her," Kara said.

"I can't," Karl said.

"Karl this doesn't change anything about us…so don't go acting weird on me," Kara ordered.

"No problem," Karl laughed.

"Get some rest," Kara said kissing his cheek.

It all made sense now, the fire in the empty room, Crashdown and Cally getting locked in a room and some more small stuff. All this started happening over a week ago when Ellen Tigh came on board. But the problem was Dr. Baltar looked at them and told them she wasn't a cylon.

Was his cylon detector wrong or did he purposely tell them she wasn't a cylon when she was. Of course he wasn't in a good position that day with The President, himself and Tigh yelling at each other and him. He set up a meeting with the doctor for the next day, so they could all figure this out.

"What do you mean you made a mistake," Tigh said.

"I kind of tested the wrong blood sample," Baltar said.

"Excuse me," William said.

"Well with you three yelling and screaming at me I was kind of nervous," Baltar said.

"Dr. Baltar, how did you realize this," Laura asked.

"I took a sample of blood from the second Ellen Tigh and it came up a cylon, so I redid the first Ellen and it came up as a cylon so what I am thinking is that I actually tested Commander Adama because his blood samples were next to hers," Baltar explained.

"Let's see if they buy this," Six said putting her chin on his shoulder.

"Next time doctor make sure you have the right blood sample," Adama stated.

"I will sir, I am extremely sorry about this," Baltar said.

"And once again god looks out for you," Six mumbled in his ear.

"We'll leave you to your work…but I would like to set up another meeting for a week from today," Laura smiled.

"Of curse Madam President," Baltar said.

Tigh didn't like or trust this doctor, something about him made him think he was lying. But why would he do that, why would he lie about Ellen being a cylon. Walking out Tigh wondered if the stress of the job and finding out the woman he loved and was married to was a cylon was starting to get to him.

They all agreed to meet in one week for another meeting; he made an excuse to go back to CIC. He needed to get to work and get his mind off of this. And if he went back to his quarters he was afraid he was would finish of the bottle she left there. And he would not do that as much as he wanted to; he needed to keep a clear head.

Running her fingers through her wet hair she wondered how Helo stayed alive all these months. She looked at her mirror and smiled softly when she saw the picture that was there. It was the only real thing she had left of Zak; the only thing that made sure she never forgot he was alive. Looking to the side she saw Lee, looking so like Lee. Standing up straight, totally composed like he always was.

Touching the photo it was almost like she could travel back in time to when this picture was taken. Like she could seize that moment and live it forever. Truth was, if she could she would because that was the last happy moment between them. It was taken just a few weeks before Zak died, before Lee started to hate his dad, and she started to hate the world even more.

"Kara," Lee said.

"Hey Lee," Kara said shutting her locket door.

"So I hear Helo back's," Lee said.

"Yea but the doc wants to keep him off duty for a week or so," Kara said.

"That's a good idea…after all he's been through and all," Lee agreed.

"Something up," Kara asked.

"No…just getting ready to hit the showers," Lee answered.

"Come on Lee," Kara said.

"Are you seeing Dr. Baltar," Lee asked.

"What," Kara asked.

"Well it's going around that you two are a item and I don't remember you mentioning it," Lee asked softly.

"And you believe all the rumors going around," Kara asked.

"Usually I wouldn't but you have been spending a lot time with him," Lee answered.

"So that automatically means I'm sleeping with him," Kara said.

"Kara," Lee said.

"Hope you enjoy your shower Apollo," Kara said walking off.

Lee watched as Kara walked off mad, and he knew if he went after her she would do something to him. Something that Tigh would use to get her thrown in hack for a few days. Why he even brought it up was beyond him, it wasn't his business. If she wanted to date someone like Dr. Baltar that was her business even if she was too good for him.

Walking down the hallways, she knew she lost her temper for no reason. He was her best friend, and he probably felt hurt that she didn't tell him. Not that she would ever see him anyways, but she knew Lee thought they were together. She was almost temped to go to him and take him up on one of his offers. But she couldn't her heart wasn't with Baltar and she refused to use someone as a warm body for a night. Plus there was Lee she could never hurt Lee like that.

When did she start caring about feelings, she remembered her days in the academy. She didn't sleep with every guy but she didn't hold out either. Lee was the same way he left his trail of broken hearts just like she did. But hers ended the moment Zak asked her out. That was when emotions came into play, when she started caring about what some guy thought. But Zak was dead, why did she care now.

"Helo," Sharon smiled sitting next to him.

"Man I've missed this," Karl said.

"Missed what," Sharon asked looking around.

"You, Galactica, people," Karl answered.

"You missed me," Sharon asked.

"Of course I did," Karl said.

"Then why did you have me leave you," Sharon asked.

"It all worked out and I got some pretty good information," Karl said.

"Yea," Sharon agreed.

"Sharon what's wrong," Karl asked.

She looked at him and didn't know really what to say to him. She knew he knew about her relationship with Tyrol, but then again who didn't know about it. It seemed like their so-called secret relationship wasn't so secret. But him kissing her in the middle of the hallway when he first saw her all those months ago didn't help either.

"Boomer," Karl said.

"You know about me and The Chief right," Sharon smiled.

"What about you guys," Karl said looking away.

"Helo," Sharon said.

"Yea I know you two are involved," Karl mumbled.

"He broke it off with me a little over a month ago," Sharon said.

"I'm sorry I know how much he meant to you," Karl said.

"We were sneaking around and this explosion went off, one of his men is in hack because of it. He was covering for him and me. He got angry and said we had to stop and I understand but it doesn't mean it hurts any less," Sharon said.

"Is the guy still in hack," Karl asked

"No they proved he wasn't a cylon…that he was covering for someone. He was kicked out of the fleet he's now on one of the civilian ships," Sharon said.

"And he doesn't want to take the risk," Karl said.

"No he's tired of sneaking around he wants someone he can be with in public and that's not me," Sharon said.

"It'll be okay," Karl said.

"I knew the day would come Helo…I just didn't know it would hurt so much," Sharon confessed.

Tyrol watched from afar as Helo moved closed to Sharon bringing his arms around her shoulder and holding her tight. She wasn't crying but she did lean into his embrace. He looked away both jealous and understanding. Part of him wanted to walk over there just to break them up, but the other half knew this was best. He broke it off because to many people were getting hurt. The price was too high for his happiness he couldn't let another innocent man loose every thing so he walked away--again.

"You came back," Lee said drying his hair with his towel.

"I am not interested in Baltar," Kara muttered.

"Kara," Lee said softly.

"You're my best friend Lee…maybe my only friend so if I were to get involved with anyone I would tell you," Kara said.

"I know that I was just afraid you were making a mistake…he's no good for you," Lee said seriously.

"Then who is Lee," Kara said.

"He uses women like they're his toys…I don't want that for you," Lee told her.

"Thanks for looking out for me but I can handle myself just fine," Kara answered with a smile.

Lee didn't say anything he was too afraid that he would say too much, say something he couldn't take back. So he smiled at her and nodded as he got ready for his day. Kara watched him hoping he would say something else, but he never did. Lee always did play it safe, but that was one of the things she loved about him.

She walked away knowing that right now wasn't a time to get into it. They had too much to do and not a lot of time to do it in. With Helo back it gave them an extra pilot and they could use all the pilots they could get. Lee watched her limp away and smiled. She was starting to walk without her cane even though the doctor told her to wait another few weeks but Kara never did listen.

William walked the halls of his ship listen to the sounds of his crew. Over the last few weeks thing had been hard for everyone. Saul got his wife back only to lose her again this time in a worse way then death. But at least they had two cylons, both it seemed were willing to talk. The one Helo brought back had changed her name to Helen, saying it would be easier on them that way.

He smiled when he thought of Lt. Karl Agathon. Helo had proven himself a hero beyond words. He had survived on his own on Caprica that was over run by cylons. He went months with barely any food or water and just relied on what he was taught to survive. If ever a man deserved a medal it was Helo and one day he would get it. William would make sure of that.

"So this meeting with president next week, what's it about," Tigh asked.

"I think it might be about the senators that are being elected today," William said.

"Elected today start arguing tomorrow…do we know what they'll discussing," Tigh asked.

"Nothing that we need to know about," William answered.

President Laura Roslin looked around her office with a smile. Today was the best she had felt in a long time and she hope that feeling went on for awhile. Looking down at the papers she knew the next week was going to be a hard time and she needed her strength. Because a lot of changes were about to be made and she knew she was in for quite a battle.

"President they are about to announce the new senators," Billy said.

The End