Title: Goodbye is the Saddest Word

Author: GEM

Feedback: Please send it good or bad written: 5/28/05

Rated: T

Story Timeline: Pre- Mini

Category: Drama/Angst

Focus: The Adamas and Kara with some minor OFC's

Warnings: Character Death

Summary: We all react differently to the death of loved ones.

Spoiler: Slight Mini and Act of Contrition

A/N: This is an extension of a Dradis Contest fic I did last month. Again a reminder: Chapter 2,3,4, and 5 occur at roughly the same moment in time.

A/N 2: Feeback is welcome. A great big Thank You to my one reviewer. Please don't be shy Everyone if you read please review. Hit the button at the bottom. Good or bad. Thank You.

Chapter 5 Shattered World

The day was perfect the weather was beautiful. Caroline smiled as she poured herself a glass of water from the pitcher on the kitchen table. 'If only Friday could be this way,' She mused. Her youngest son, like his father and brother had joined the Colonial Fleet. He would officially be receiving his viper wings Friday morning.

She was so proud. She didn't always like military life, but both of her boys took their father's comments to heart, 'a man isn't a man until he wears the wings of a viper pilot.' Bill always used to tell them. Now, they would both be wearing those wings. Zac, was already a successful officer and running missions with his viper squadron but, Friday it would be official. Caroline was brought out of her musing by the sound of a car in the driveway.

Caroline looked out of the window. She saw two officers, in full dress uniform, walking up to the front door. Her heart skipped a beat. She left the room and rushed to the door.

She recognized one of the officers immediately. Todd Myers was a close family friend and he was formally Bill's wingman. The families still lived and remained close, even after the divorce. Todd's daughter Lauren was serving on broad the Galactica as a viper pilot. Caroline was also quite certain Lee and Lauren were romantically involved, although she had no proof. The knock at the door brought her back to reality. She answered the door with a warm smile but when she saw his face her smile disappeared and her heart stopped. "Todd?"

"Caroline, may we come in?"

The formality that he used sent a cold fear through her. Something was wrong. She stepped aside and let them inside.

"Todd, what's happened?" She asked as she led them into the living room.

"Caroline, I think you should sit down." They did so and Todd took her hands in his meeting her eyes. "Caroline there's been an accident.

Caroline closed her eyes and breathed in hard. 'Oh, gods, Lee.'

"Caroline, It's my sad duty to inform you…" the room began to spin. Todd continued to speak. The glass she was holding shattered, as did her life.

Her baby, Zac, wouldn't be coming home.

Caroline was overcome she fell into Todd's arms and began to uncontrollably sob. He rubbed her back to sooth her but he knew it wouldn't help much. He dismissed the other officers that accompanied him with a nod as she continued to weep. He was here in an official capacity but it was now time to be a family member. After a long while he lifted her from his shoulder and looked her in the eyes. She was a broken woman. His heart broke for her once more as it had done earlier in the day when he first received word. He wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Lee is on his way. Lauren and Bill are also coming; I know Lee will be in tonight. I'm not sure about Bill and Lauren."

Caroline spoke in a whisper. "I couldn't face Bill, not now."

Todd gathered her in an embrace "I understand."

"I don't even know what to do." She cried into his chest.

"Don't worry, we'll all be here to help."

Caroline sat up and looked him in the eye. "I lost my baby, because he wanted to be like his Dad."

Todd took her hand and squeezed it

"Do you know what happened?"

Todd Myers was in a fog and didn't hear her question "I'm sorry. What?"

"Do you know what happened?" Caroline wiped her eyes. "Was he alone?"

"I know it was a training flight for an upcoming mission and there was an accident. His injuries were too severe. There was nothing they could do for him. Erin was assigned as his doctor, she was with him; he wasn't alone or in any pain."

Caroline fell back into his arms and cried again Zac, was never coming home, her baby was gone.