Title: Goodbye is the Saddest Word

Author: GEM

Feedback: Please send it good or bad written: 5/29/05

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

Chapter 7: Fly with Me

William Adama met Lauren "Wildcard" Myers on the flight deck a short time later. He walked across the deck to the raptor she was standing next. He stepped up onto the wing and put his bags on the raptors deck next to hers. He stood next to her as she finished her pre-flight checklist "Are you sure you're up to this?" He whispered in her ear.

Lauren looked up from the clipboard as she signed off on the check. "I'm fine, sir. I know…I know it's what he would have wanted." She finished in a hushed tone. "Besides, Sir, I'm at peace when I'm in the air. I need to do this."

"Shall we then." Adama gestured to the raptor and let wildcard enter first. Wildcard made her way to the pilots seat and began to settle in. She half expected the Commander to take the co-pilot's seat, as he usually did, but he stayed in the back in a seat next to the hatch. He was holding what appeared to be a letter and a picture She assumed the picture was one of Zac. The old man was deep in thought as they took off for Caprica.

----

As he looked at the picture he was sucked in by memories of Zac as a young boy. He had missed so much of his life because of various military assignments. He only had a few memories of his son, as a small boy. The first time he held him after he was born. The first time he played baseball with a five-year-old Zac and 9-year-old Lee. Lee hit him with a pitch that day and he ended up with a bloody nose.

The one memory that was particularly strong was the day Zac got into the Academy.

"Dad, I got in! Zac was running from the mailbox waving the letter triumphantly in the air as he ran up to his father who was on the front porch.

Bill took the letter from his son and read it then looked back at him. "That's my boy! I'm so proud of you. Now you can be a viper pilot just like you always wanted."

"Sir.. Sir" Adama was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of Lauren Myers' voice. He tucked the picture and letter into his pocket and wiped the tears from his eyes. He couldn't let her see him like this.

"Are you all right, Sir." She inquired from the pilots seat.

'Too late.' he thought. "As well as can be expected, Lauren."

Lauren, nodded, "understood, Sir." 'Stupid question, Wildcard.' Lauren thought.

After a few silent moments Adama took the picture from his pocket. He really had not been the model father. He had missed countless event that eventually cost him his marriage and his family.

"You can't keep doing this, Bill. The party ended two hours ago. You just can't keep doing this to him- to them."

"I'm really sorry, Caroline. Something came up and I couldn't get away."

"I'm not the one you have to apologize to. He's eight years old now he's not a little boy anymore. They both know they are things going on between us."

"Caroline, please don't do this."

"Do what? I'm not doing anything. It's all you, Bill. You can frak with us but don't frak with them!"

'I did just that. I fraked with the kids and with Caroline.' Adama thought still looking at the picture. He forced Lee to grow up to fast and become the man of the house while he was on deep space assignments. He continued to push both of them to become pilots from afar. He did get his way they both became pilots. That move had now cost him his youngest son and he would never forgive himself.

He pulled the letter from his pocket and read it once again still staring at the picture of his son.

Dear Dad,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to invite you to my flight school graduation for vipers. It is just a formality since I started the mission rotation three weeks ago. It would be nice if you could come. I've met someone, Dad. Her name is Kara Thrace. I think you'll really like her and I want you two to meet. She was a flight instructor for my group. She is the most talented pilot I've every seen, no offence. She is also the best instructor I've had during my time here. I have a surprise I want to share about her. Hope to see at graduation.

Love,

Zac

There was something about how the letter was written that gave Adama that uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. He was brought out of his musings by the sound of wildcard's voice over the Wireless.

"Caprica, flight control, this is Galactica Raptor, 215 on approach to spaceport. Please advise."

"Raptor 215. Clear for port landing strip. Stand by for hands on approach"

"Copy, that port landing strip hands on approach."

As Wildcard completed the final approach maneuvers, he looked back at the letter. The butterfly sensation in his stomach hadn't disappeared. He needed to find this Kara Thrace.

----

We're all set, Sir. Lauren Myers stepped back to the hatch from the pilots seat.

"Thank You, Wildcard. It was a very nice flight."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Cut it Lauren. How are you holding up?" Adama asked as he got up from his seat and collected both sets of bags.

"As well as can be expected Sir." She said as she reached for her bags that he was holding."

"I've got it, Lauren. Step down."

She nodded and stepped off the wing to the ground. They walked in silence for a few moments to the main building. "Lauren, Do you know a Kara Thrace."

A smile came across Lauren's face. Yes, I do. Lee and I both graduated from…" she paused and Adama stopped. "What?"

Tears began to well in her eyes. "We graduated from fight school together." The tears that were in he eyes began to slowly run down her face. "I'm sorry; it just reminds me about why we are here - about Zac.

"Lauren, Do you know if she is close by?"

"Yeah, she's a flight instructor on base." Lauren walked over to the duty officer and handed him the paperwork he needed the commander followed.

"Welcome home Lieutenant, Commander Adama" The officer saluted. "Is there anything you need arranged?

"Transportation to the on base housing please." Lauren smiled

"Of Course and for you Commander?"

"The same please, Lieutenant."

. "I'm staying at home so I'll be close to Lee and Caroline. I'll check on them. Don't hesitate to call if you need anything, Uncle Bill."

Adama put the bags in the car for her and went to the window. "You do the same. Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything I'll see you tomorrow."

Adama was left in thought as Lauren pulled away. "Commander. The Lieutenant reappeared.

"Yes."

"This way please, Sir, the base Commander would like to speak to you."

The Lieutenant picked up the Commander's bags and led the way. As the Commander followed he dreaded the meeting with the base head flight instructor but it would be as good a place as any to begin in this situation.

A/N: Thanks to all my reviews. If you have come this far please comment about the story hit the review button.