Epilogue

"You have got to be kidding me."

Lee was doing his best not to laugh at Kara's expression, but he couldn't help the big grin on his face.

"This is a wind up right?" She said waving the piece of paper in her hand at him.

"No, it's perfectly genuine."

"You mean you didn't write it and then just put his name on it?"

"Nope, he did it all by himself."

"But Lee, he's used my name and the words 'enormous contribution' in the same sentence!"

She started laughing as she read her promotion citation, penned by Colonel Tigh, further.

"…..diligent officer…..credit to the service…Was he drunk? Did Ellen find another store of ambrosia?"

"Not that I'm aware of."

"Well I'll be frakked." He took her in his arms.

"Yes you will be," he replied conversationally, "but not until after my dad has pinned that Captain's insignia on you. So get that beautiful ass of yours into your dress uniform and down to the hanger deck asap. Congratulations, Captain Thrace," he said, with a wicked grin, as he bent to kiss her. When they came up for air the grin was still there. "Of course this does mean that I'm going to expect even more of a contribution from you, even though it's been enormous already, and there are certain tasks that I think will require extra diligence if you're to continue to be a credit to the service."

"Like keeping the CAG happy?"

"That will be your number one priority goal, Captain."

−

The crew were all gathered in the hanger bay for the promotion ceremony. Kara's, the most senior promotion, was the last to be given. She smartly saluted her father-in-law as the admiral pinned her new insignia on to her sash.

"I didn't think that I'd be doing this Kara," he said quietly to her.

"Why, because you thought that I would get myself killed first or because I've spent half of my career in the brig?"

"A bit of both." He smiled at her. "Anyway, you deserve it. I'm very proud of you."

−

Later, the party was getting into swing in the rec room. Kara was sitting with Alex on her lap, glad that he seemed to be the centre of attention instead of her. Lee came over and sat down next to her, draping an arm over her shoulders. She had only been back on her feet for about a week and he still didn't seem to want to let her out of his sight. She knew that it was going to irritate the hell out her soon, but at the moment she was rather enjoying his attentiveness.

"How did this happen?" she asked him, a puzzled look on her face. "I always used to be the one who was the drunkest and loudest at parties; the centre of attention. Now I'm deliberately sitting far away from the cigar smokers, drinking nothing but water and wondering when we can get out of here without appearing rude."

He put a hand to her forehead.

"Nope; no signs of fever so you can't be sickening for something. Maybe the almighty Starbuck might just be growing up at last."

"Yeah! When did that happen?"

"I'd say it started about the time that we knew this little one was going to be coming along, and when you said some pretty powerful words to me in front of a priest."

"So it's all your fault then?"

"Guilty as charged, ma'am!"

His lips descended on hers in a sweet kiss. There was some cheering and wolf whistles around the room.

"Keep that up CAG and she'll be grounded again."

Lee decided to give them a good show and deepened the kiss, especially as Kara didn't seem to be objecting. The crew responded with more wolf whistles.

"Hey, get a room already you two!"

He pulled back and stood up, taking the baby from his wife.

"We have one and if you don't mind we're going to retire there so that this little chap can be put to bed and I can give the captain some close, personal instruction on her new duties."

There was ribald laughter and cheering all around as they left the room arm in arm.

−

Author's note: there's some extra sugary fluff to round it all off. Hope you enjoyed!