Title: Goodbye is the Saddest Word
Author: GEM
Feedback: Please send it good or bad written: 7/18/05
Rated: T
Word count: 1682
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 15 Healing Process
Lauren Myers spent the remainder of her leave with Lee and Caroline. Their healing process had begun, albeit slowly. Lee leaned on Lauren, Lauren on Lee. Caroline became the mother, in this instance; watching from afar and leaning on her own friends for support namely Erin Myers.
"I just hope they can both move on from it? Caroline said while watching them both cuddling in the living room.
"They will, I'm sure of it. How about you?" Erin said reaching for Caroline's hand.
"I'm fine. Erin. The pain will never go away. It'll just become different. Mark is helping a lot."
"What does Lee say?
"He hasn't said much."
"I think it's still new for him. Mark wasn't around much for the past month. He's been away on business he wasn't at the funeral and I think that bothered Lee."
"He might think that Mark, was putting you second like Bill and Todd used to do to us."
"We're taking it slow. We're really just friends and he tried but couldn't get away when it happened."
Erin smiled as she collected the cups and followed Caroline into the kitchen.
----
Lee looked up to his girlfriend. "When do you leave?"
"0800." She replied burying herself deeper in his embrace "You?"
"0700." He replied holding her tighter "I don't know if I can do it though.
"What?'
"Fly, I don't know if I can get in a Viper again."
"Lee, let me say something to you Okay? Lauren sat up and turned to look him straight in the eye. "Stop beating yourself up. I know you blame your Dad I remember that conversation, trust me, but I also know you blame yourself as much as you blame him. He wanted to fly remember that Lee. Your childhood was no different than his. You weren't brainwashed, or told this is it." You both made a choice. You'll be able to get back in that Viper because Zac would want you to, and you know it. How many times do I have to make this speech because we're running out of leave time?
Lee smiled and tackled her to the floor and kissed her "What would I do without you Lauren "Wildcard" Myers.
"I honestly have no idea and I don't know what I would do without you. It has affected me too Lee, Don't forget that He was like a brother to me. I'll love him always and I'll miss him just the same."
----
Kara sat in her room staring at the same photograph of Zac, tears staining her face. "She couldn't do this anymore. She couldn't teach. She couldn't stand the pain. She had nothing left. She had to get out of here. Kara got up and grabbed her overcoat and left her room.
She walked in the rain for what seemed like hours until she reached his door. She knocked and waited.
William Adama came to the door a few minutes later. "Kara." Adama immediately noticed she was shaking and crying again. "Come in before you catch cold, Starbuck." He reached out and put his arm around her and guided her inside.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, Sir." She said as he placed a blanket around her.
"I told you anytime."
"Bill, I can't do this anymore. I can't teach. I can't stay here."
"Kara?"
"I went to work today and the nugget I was training fracked up a 360 degree combat turn and I froze. All I think about is Zac and what happened to him. I know it could just as easily happen to any of the new nuggets. I've lost my focus. I thought I would do fine I thought I was moving on."
"Kara you don't move on in three days, it isn't humanly possible."
"I'm afraid… I can't do this alone… When you leave. I won't have anyone to confide it. What do I do then?"
Adama was silent for a moment thinking about her words. "Try and get some sleep Kara." He helped her to settle in on the couch and left the room.
----
Adama made a few calls that night and by the next morning was satisfied that Kara would be just fine. He walked out into the living area of the temporary housing. "Good Morning Starbuck."
"Good Morning, Commander. Thank you for last night sir. I guess I need a friendly face. I should be going. Kara got up and collected her coat after slipping on her shoes.
Kara, Thank you for everything, I'll see you soon. Just remember you can do it Lieutenant." Adama walked over to the door a placed a kiss on her forehead before she left.
----
Kara returned to her bunkroom to find an official letter from the Admiral of the fleet. 'Wonderful', Kara thought. 'Now, there's a formal inquire.' She ripped open the letter and read the contents.
Lieutenant Kara Thrace is officially transferred effective as of this date to the Battlestar Galactica, Battlestar Group 75, William Adama Commanding. Please report to the Commander and Commander Air Group as of 1400 hours
Signed Admiral Negalla, Picon Fleet Headquarters
Kara was astonished the Old Man really was amazing. She began to pack immediately and the Shore Patrol arrived with Colonel Terry at about 0900 to help her log in her stuff for transfer.
"I'm going to miss you, Starbuck, you were a damn fine instructor. If you ever change your mind."
"Thanks, but I need a change of scenery."
Terry smiled as he picked up one of the boxes. Kara picked up her last set of bags before taking a last look around. There were so many painful and pleasant memories here but she needed to do this.
---
"Welcome back Wildcard."
Lauren saluted "Thank You Sir." She replied stepping down from the Raptor. "I can't wait to get back in a Viper."
"Ripper" Spencer smiled "I bet you can't. You'll get your chance inspection is two weeks from tomorrow.
"Great." Wildcard replied as she carried her duffle off the flight deck Captain Spencer Continued to follow. "Something else, Sir."
"Actual there is. We're getting a new pilot today, The Commander gave me specific instructions to have her report to him and he said you were to show her the way."
Lauren looked perplexed "No problem."
"She comes in at 1400 I'll meet you on the flight deck at 1350."
"Yes, Sir."
---
Wildcard returned to the flight deck and met up with the CAG at 1350 just as instructed.
"Sir."
"Wildcard. The raptor just touched down."
"Once Lieutenant Thrace has reported to me you are to take her to the Commander."
Lauren smiled. 'It would be just like Uncle Bill to get her reassigned.'
"Something funny Lieutenant? Ripped asked as the Raptor hatch open and Starbuck stepped out. "No Sir."
Kara stood at attention once she reached the deck. "Lieutenant Kara Thrace, Starbuck, reporting for duty Sir."
"Lieutenant, Captain Jack "Ripper" Spencer, I'm the CAG aboard Galactica. Welcome aboard. This is Lieutenant Lauren "Wildcard" Myers. She will show you to the Commander"
"Hey Wildcard, long time no see."
"You know each other?"
"Yes, Sir." Lauren replied, "We went to flight school together."
Ripper smiled.
Myers turned to the CAG "With your permission Sir."
"Of Course. Carry on Lieutenant"
Lauren extended a hand to show her the way. "Welcome aboard. I'm glad you're here." She led Starbuck thought the maze of corridors to the Commanders quarters.
"How's Lee?" Kara asked as they walked down the corridor.
"He's had a rough go of it.. He's improving though, it will never be the same." Lauren looked to Kara sympathetically "How about you?"
"I can't stand to teach anymore. I went to the Old Man last night before you left this morning just to have someone to talk to and I ended up joining you. Lauren smiled.
"You knew." Kara asked.
"He said something about it possibly happening."
"How is Lee dealing with…? Kara stopped "I wish there were something we could do to fix it between them."
Lauren walked passed her and then back again. "Listen, if there is one thing I've learned out the Adama men is that you can't talk them out of… or force them to do anything."
They continued to walk down the corridor Lauren then stopped at a Marine guarded door. The Marine Saluted Kara and Lauren, they Saluted back and then Lauren knocked on the door and stepped in, after dismissing the Marine guard.
"Hello, Wildcard, Starbuck."
"Sir." Wildcard saluted, Adama saluted back.
"You're dismissed, Lieutenant. She saluted once more and then turned to Starbuck. "I'll see you later."
Adama smiled at the ladies exchange. He knew this would be good for all of them. "Hello, Kara. "
Kara stood at attention and saluted "Reporting for duty, Sir." She said handing him her orders.
He saluted back, "at ease. Have a seat."
He sat behind his desk Kara sat on the other side. "How are you doing, Kara?"
"I'm happy to be here, Sir. Thank you"
Adama knew exactly what she meant by that statement and he smiled. "It wasn't me."
Kara smiled. She had only known him for a short time but she knew this was his way of telling her not to say a word. Life would never be the same again for William Adama or Kara Thrace. The days ahead would be different not easier, some would be extremely difficult, but they would not face it alone. They would have each other and in that way life would become easier to get through. It was the beginning of a long perhaps everlasting healing process but somehow they would survive.
The End
AN: Thanks to all of those who reviewed this story. You all kept me going :)