Hello, I am back with a chapter of Pyramids. It's become a monster to me. I hope you enjoy it. Please note, I am introducing new characters, so I would ask for patience as the characters and back story evolve. As always, I write for fun. I try to avoid mistakes, but don't focus on perfection.

Pyramids 1

Commander William Adama was tired. He'd been in the military for over forty years. He was used to the "normal" grind. He wasn't entirely sure he could ever get used to dealing with all the pressing military issues and now the civilian ones as well. Certainly, the president was in charge of the civilian matters, however, there always seemed to be something needed from the military as well. It wore him down.

The mission to Kobol had been successful to a point. They'd not found an exact location for Earth, but there had been enough evidence to indicate that it did indeed exist and where they needed to head. It had taken him some time to convince Laura Roslin and the Quorum that they couldn't just go directly to Earth. Until they had identified all the Cylons in the fleet, they could still be followed. What good would it do them to find Earth and bring the Cylon menace with them? It couldn't be risked. Not to mention the sheer distance they needed to travel. None of the pressures were going to end soon.

The fleet was back as a whole, working together to keep things going as best they could. It seemed a never-ending pattern of a Cylon attack, quick FTL jump to new region, scavenge for any possible supplies and a Cylon attack to begin it all again. That much he could handle, it was the political unrest, which threatened to do in the commander. He didn't understand how humanity, after surviving a holocaust, couldn't come together to support the common goal of continued existence. It seemed each Colony had its own ideas of what had to be done. Some wanted to go back to Caprica. Some wanted to just find a new home. Others wanted to surrender. He could easily admit one thing. He did not envy Laura Roslin. How she handled it all was a mystery to him.

This morning seemed to be shaping up as most others. CAP was just about to change over. Lee flew the night shift. Adama thought about meeting him when he landed and seeing if he would have breakfast with him. No one would ever describe them as close. Lords knew they still had their share of differences. However, it did seem to Adama that both men were trying to repair the damage done to their relationship over the years.

He pondered his son. Lee had taken on a very somber tone. Kara complained frequently that Captain "Tightass" had disappeared to be replaced by an automaton. He didn't remember the last time he heard his son laugh. Smiles were infrequent. He socialized, but never revealed much of himself. He was never impolite, but always distant. Whatever had been bothering Lee awhile back seemed better, but left a scarred man. Both he and Kara had long given up trying to get Lee to open up. The most he would say was that he was no different then anyone else in the fleet.

Adama's thoughts were interrupted by a warning beep from the Dradis console. Lt. Gaeta was immediately on it. "Dradis contact. Waiting for signal."

"Warn the CAP and prepare the Alert Vipers." Adama gave the order to no one in particular, but Petty Officer Dualla immediately reacted.

A shocked expression came across Gaeta's face, which Adama took for bad news, a base star perhaps. "Lieutenant?"

Gaeta whispered. "I don't believe it." He immediately caught himself. "It's colonial, Sir."

"Colonial?" Adama looked to Dee at the communications station. "Dee, did we account for all ships on the last jump?"

"Yes, Sir. All fleet ships present and accounted for."

"Lieutenant?" Adama turned back to Gaeta as Tigh entered the CIC.

"It's identified as Colonial Battlestar Pegasus." He stuttered as he delivered the news.

A civilian present might have been thrilled, but the well-trained Galactica crew knew better. They knew to look for a wolf in sheep's clothing. "Have they seen us?"

"Sir!" Dee interrupted. "Incoming message from Admiral Cain of the Pegasus."

"Patch it through."

A female voice, distant but clear, rang through CIC. "Battlestar Galactica. This is Admiral Cain of the Colonial Battlestar Pegasus. Do you copy?"

Adama nodded at Dee and then spoke. "Pegasus this is Commander Adama of Galactica. We copy. We're a bit shocked. We thought we were alone out here."

There was a faint laugh. "You took the words out of my mouth. Thank the lords of Kobol. Commander, before we progress to the stories of how we each came to be here, I need to be sure you are secure. Please provide your access code."

Adama smiled, not liking having been trumped, even if it was by an Admiral. "Now you've taken my words. Sending code, now." Adama walked over to Dee's console and typed in several numbers.

"We've received them and are sending ours." After a minute of silence, Admiral Cain spoke again. "Commander, prepare a party to join us. It appears we have a lot to talk about."

Adama coughed slightly. "Admiral, might I suggest the meeting include the president of the colonies?"

There was clear disbelief in the Admiral's voice. "You have President Adar in the fleet of ships you're escorting?"

"No, I'm afraid President Adar died in the attack. Laura Roslin assumed the Presidency according to the Articles of Succession."

"Very well, please bring her." There was a pause. "Commander, I know this might be a rough question, but is your son with you?"

"My son? He is currently on CAP." Adama couldn't help but wonder what interest the Admiral would have in his son, much less know of his presence on the Galactica prior to the attack.

Cain's smile was evident in her voice. "Please include him in your group."

"I shall of course be bringing a security contingent as well."

"Of course. I'll see you shortly."

"Yes, Sir. Adama out."

Lee hadn't heard much of the conversation. He was simply too stunned to see the second battlestar before him. Of all the ships, it was the Pegasus. His heart compressed into his throat and he wondered if he'd stop breathing. Dee broke his thoughts when she ordered him to fly escort for the raptor to Colonial One and then the Pegasus. He waited until he saw the raptor leave Galactica and followed suit.

They landed on the massive landing bay of the Pegasus. The deck crew swarmed Lee's ship and got him out quickly. He jogged over to his father and the rest of the group who were just stepping out of the raptor. Across the bay, the gang doors swung open and Admiral Nelina Cain strode confidently into the bay.

Commander Adama and President Roslin lead their group forward to meet Cain. Roslin spoke first. She didn't even wait for introductions. "Thank the Lords for this miracle. How on Caprica did you find us?"

Admiral Cain laughed. "Actually, we stumbled across you. I assume you are President Roslin?"

Roslin laughed. "Yes, I'm sorry. This is just so extraordinary. Are there any other survivors with you?"

"No, I'm afraid not. We haven't seen a human alive since the destruction. We've been jumping around trying to stay one step ahead of the bastards. We'd heard rumors that there was a surviving fleet. We had no idea where to look. We were evading a Cylon fleet when we jumped here."

"You heard rumors? How? How large was the Cylon fleet?" Adama asked concerned how they would hear rumors when they'd had no contact.

The admiral smiled at him. "First things first, Commander." She looked past him and stared at Lee. "Captain Adama?"

Lee stepped forward hesitantly. "Yes, Sir?"

She looked him over top to bottom. "You're not looking very well."

Lee was stunned. He was too caught up in emotions to catch on to what she was saying.

"You look pale…"

Adama cut her off. "Admiral, I can assure you he is fit."

She smiled at the father. "No. He is definitely pale. I think he needs to report to my ship's doctor this instant."

At that moment, as Lee's dreams could be possibly coming true, the reality of her words hit him. He stumbled over his words. Both Roslin and his father looked at him concerned and confused. "Yo… your.. ship's… doctor?" Lee felt for sure his heart was about to explode. He did need medical attention.

"Yes. She's quite competent. A civilian, but in these days we have to be grateful for what we have, right Captain?" She smiled brightly, obviously enjoying the moment.

"Yes, Sir. I do think I need to see her."

"Badly?"

"Very, Sir." Lee had enough presence to turn to his father. "Requesting permission to see the Pegasus' doctor, Sir."

"Lee?" Adama had no idea. The only guess he had was that Lee somehow knew this doctor.

For a moment, Lee thought his father was going to say no. He cringed at the thought of another mutiny, but knew he'd do it nonetheless.

"Go." Adama had no idea why he said it.

Admiral Cain indicated to one of her junior officers. "Show Captain Adama to life station." He saluted and left. He had to run a bit to keep up with Lee's pace.

The admiral turned back to the confused group from the Galactica. "I'd love to go see this, but we have business to discuss. Follow me and we'll figure out what has happened to everyone and what we're going to do about these damn Cylons."

Adama knew he had no choice but to assume a professional mode and ignore this strange event in his son's life. He knew one thing for sure; he saw a gleam of hope in Lee's eyes that he didn't think he'd ever seen before.

BSG…BSG…BSG

Lee kept taking wrong turns because he insisted on going faster then the lieutenant who was to be guiding him. Finally, Lee saw the signs for himself. He stopped at the hatch. He waved off the Lieutenant and stood composing himself. He could hardly breath. The last thing he wanted to do was see her and pass out. He raised his eyes toward the ceiling and sent a prayer to the Lords as well as his gratitude. His hands were shaking and he was sure his flight suit had shrunk two sizes. He tugged at the collar in a vain attempt to increase his comfort. He ran his hand through his hair and took a few more deep breaths. He talked to himself the whole time, finally berating himself for being nervous to see the woman he loved, the woman he thought was dead all this time, the woman who increasingly haunted his dreams.

He pushed the door and stepped into the room. It was virtually empty. One medic walked by and asked if he needed help. "Doctor Davis?" was all he could say. She smiled and pointed over her shoulder. He advanced a few steps and froze at the sight. She was sitting in the corner on a rolling stool. In typical fashion, she had her headphones on and her foot tapped to the music in her ears. She had no clue anyone had come into the room. He continued to watch her. A different med tech handed her a folder and she spun around a few times on the chair and stopped with her back to him. She took that moment to remove the headphones. Lee could hear the music still playing and smiled, very typical.

"Um…" Lee coughed. "Admiral Cain ordered me to see a Doctor Davis."

The woman's shoulders froze and her foot settled onto the floor. She didn't move.

"Hello? I was looking for this incredibly sexy, smart, beautiful woman doctor I've been hearing about." Lee was nervous. He didn't understand the reaction. He moved a few steps closer. She still said nothing and refused to turn around. "Mali? It's me. Aren't you even gonna look at me?" He was now terrified.

"No."

"No? What?" He didn't understand.

"No, I am not going to turn and look at you."

"Why not?"

"Because it hurts too much."

"Why?"

"Do you have any idea how long I have dreamed about that voice? Do you have any idea how many times I thought I saw the man attached to that voice? I'd run after it only to find out it was just a dream and I was still all alone." She sniffled and wiped at the tears that must have been streaming down her cheeks.

He smiled. He knew he would feel the same way if the roles were reversed. He walked closer and with each footfall, he saw her body shake more. Her head hung low and her trembling became more intense. When finally he stood right behind her, he said, "Look at me."

She couldn't talk now and simply shook her head "no." He rested his hands on her shoulders and her head snapped back. In a voice barely above a whisper, she cried. "This is too real. I won't survive this if it's a dream again."

"I'm no dream. Please look at me. I need you to look at me." As if pulled by his words, she slowly turned. She wouldn't raise her eyes to him. He reached his hand down and lifted her chin gently to look into her eyes. "I'm here. I'm real."

She had no idea how she found the strength to stand but she did. She slowly moved her hand to his cheek and stroked his face. Tears continued to roll unfettered down her cheeks. Lee moved his hand from her chin to wipe at the tears with his thumb. "No more tears, my lady. No more tears."

"You're really here?"

He smiled and nodded.

"You're not a dream?"

"No dream."

"Oh gods, please don't ever leave me again, Lee." With those words she collapsed into his open arms. He enveloped her and continued to hug her tighter to him.

She pulled back from him and looked into his eyes. "I can't breath." They laughed. "It's really you!"

"I could say the same thing."

She smiled, now calm and strong. "I told you we were meant to be together."

He laughed. "I will never doubt you again, my lady. Never!" He pulled her to him again but this time lifted her chin and they met in a crushing, passionate kiss.

The two workers stood behind the couple and applauded. It didn't immediately halt the kiss, but soon the reunited lovers broke for air. "What? Where? How?" Questions began to spill from Mali's mouth too quick to catch. Lee laid a single finger on her lips and she stopped.

"Where can we talk?" He asked in earnest.

She pointed over her shoulder to a door that seemed to lead to her office. They moved quickly and shut the door behind them. Once inside with the door shut, Lee again pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply.

Mali pushed him back and broke contact with him. "Time for that later. Time to do it properly, anyway. Tell me everything."

Lee feigned a brokenhearted puppy expression, but pushed her back into a chair. He pulled one up for himself and sat across from her as he recounted what had happened since the day he had left her.

When he finished, she sat stunned. "48,000 survivors on ships?"

"Yep."

"And everything you've been through, oh my lords, Lee. I should have been there."

He smiled. "You were. It just took me a while to figure that out."

She returned his smile, once again mesmerized by those stunning blue eyes that had instantly won her heart so long ago. Her expression told him he needed to explain his last statement. "You were always in my heart. I just lost you for a while. When I finally knew you were with me still, I began to hear your voice again in my mind and I could handle things again."

Mali nodded. "I understand. Battleaxe wanted to have me committed. I would talk about you as if you were just out on CAP. He finally yelled at me that you were dead and I needed to get on with life."

"Ouch." Lee was angry with his best friend for speaking to her this way, but also relieved to hear that he had been here to help her through the times.

"He was right. I was pretty pathetic." She paused. "We always knew losing one another would be possible. I promised I'd handle it. I needed to be reminded of what you would have wanted me to do and that was pick up and carry on."

Lee nodded. "So, tell me what happened to you."

She drew in a deep breath. "You mean after we said goodbye at the hangar bay?"

"No, yesterday at lunch."

"Oh, that's easy, we…" She stopped, leaned forward in her chair and captured his lips once again. "I still can't believe you're really here."

He felt his emotions threatening to overwhelm him and he didn't want that again, so he changed the topic. "So, lunch yesterday?"

She pretended to slap him, but stopped her hand short of his cheek and ran her fingers down his jaw line. "Don't be flip. We left you and got to the Pegasus, just as the Cylons began the attack on Picon. We literally landed as they made the jump."

"Jump?"

"To escape, the Pegasus made a blind FTL jump. We had no idea where we were."

"And since then?"

"Just jumping around, trying to stay one step ahead of the Cylons." As if an afterthought, she added. "Did you know that the Cylons have evolved and now look exactly like…"

He cut her off. "Humans."

She chided herself. "Duh. One shot your father. Sorry. This is just so…"

"Unbelievable?"

"That's one way to describe it."

He leaned his head in again. "What's another way?"

She leaned in to meet his. "Perfect." They met in another kiss.

Again, Mali pulled back. "So, you ended up on a ship with Kara Thrace and your father. How's that going?" She knew all about the tempestuous relationship with his father. She also knew that he'd been disappointed when Kara was assigned to the Galactica. He once admitted that it felt like his father had taken his brother and his best friend from him.

He smiled, scrunching up his lips. Still the same Mali, she never pulled any punches. "It has its good days and bad days."

"And being CAG? That's a huge responsibility, Lee. I'm so proud of you."

He laughed and the blush spread across his cheeks. "I don't know how good I am, but someone had to do it and I was ranking pilot."

Mali grew sober. "So many people died that day… I can't get a good grasp on it."

"Don't even try. It's too hard."

"You'd be so proud of the goofballs. They've been fabulous."

Lee looked stunned, as if his day could get any better. "They're all here?"

She smiled. "You didn't see them in the bay?"

He shook his head.

"We'd better go find them. They are gonna be so happy to see you."

Lee stood and offered his hand to Mali. She took it and pulled him out a different office door. As they walked through the empty halls of the Pegasus, Lee asked where everyone was.

She wrapped her arm around his, while keeping their fingers laced. "Most of the crew had been released for extended leave. Ya know, Axe was supposed to meet up with his friend, but he'd already left the ship."

"So you just jumped with whoever was on board?"

"Yep."

"That's how you became ship's doctor?"

"Well, it's not like I wasn't going to help out. Doctor Carsten was already on leave since I was going to oversee the medical refit."

Soon the two found themselves back on the bay. Across the large space, Lee saw his father, the President and the Admiral inspecting Pegasus's vipers. They looked in far better shape than Galactica's and Lee found himself hoping they'd get an influx of additional ships.

"NO FRAKIN WAY!" The shout was undoubtedly heard throughout the entire bay. "CAPTAIN LEE ADAMA!"

Lee turned to face the shout. There stood his three best friends. "I can't believe the Cylons haven't shot your pathetic asses out of the sky by now… How did you luck out?" Lee shouted back at them. The four men rushed together and exchanged a litany of high fives and hugs.

"Damn, Lee. I can't believe it." Ben "Battleaxe" Custer hugged Lee and held him at arm's length.

"I don't believe it myself sometimes." Lee looked over to the other two men who had taken positions on either side of Mali, sharing in her happiness.

Dennis "Ying" Martin leaned in to Mali. "Can you believe this? Captain "Wonderful" himself is sitting on our little bay." An elbow to the ribs greeted his sarcasm. "Hey!"

Tommy "Yang" Bescotti chimed in to defend his partner. "Yeah, after all, he did imply that the Cylons would have blown us out of the skies by now. That's not nice either."

Lee laughed. "Yeah, no one's explained that yet."

Battleaxe punched his friend. "That's because we didn't have to worry about trying to make your sorry ass look good."

Lee laughed. "Oh yeah. That's right."

Commander Adama had seen Lee enter with a beautiful woman on his arm. He assumed this was the mysterious doctor. They would be leaving soon and he walked across the bay to gather his son and meet the mystery woman. He hadn't been willing to ask the Admiral, as he wasn't willing to admit to anyone that he knew nothing about her.

Yang picked at the CAG patch sewn onto Lee's flight suit. "What frakin' moron thought you could be a CAG?"

"That would be me." Adama had entered the group unaware. "And he's earned that patch, Lieutenant."

Lee fumbled at the compliment from his father and again he flushed. Mali squeezed his hand and smiled at him.

Adama looked at Mali. "This must be the infamous doctor?" He held out his hand, "William Adama."

Mali let go of Lee's hand and accepted the Commander's. He brought her hand to his lips and planted a small kiss. "Mali Davis, Commander. It's very nice to finally meet you."

"Doctor Davis, I'm sure the pleasure is all mine."

"Please call me Mali."

Ben had met the commander on a few occasions and felt a bit bolder then the others who were still embarrassed by their previous blunder. "Calliope, you should introduce yourself properly to your future father-in-law."

She blushed and through gritted teeth, told him to shut up. "It's my first name, but only people with death wishes call me that, Sir. Ignore him."

"Ignore Calliope? I can't. She was the greatest love of the god Apollo. It seems the fates put you two together for a reason."

"Dad…" Lee knew his father was covering his anger. "I…"

Adama looked at his son. "What Lee?"

"I… I was bringing Mali to meet you."

"I cut you off then." He turned to Mali and made a small bow, pouring on the charm. "It's not exactly the right time, but I look forward to getting to know you Mali." He turned back to Lee. "We're heading back now."

"Yes, Sir." He hesitated to push any buttons, but he had to try. "Um, Sir?"

"Yes?" Adama knew what was coming and he was prepared.

"I have my viper here. May I stay awhile longer?"

"No. Chief Tyrol will need to get your viper serviced and you've just come off CAP. You'll need to do your reports."

"Yes, Sir." Lee veiled his disappointment well. He knew this was his father's revenge.

Adama turned to Mali once again. "Doctor Davis, I'd be honored if you'd join us for diner tomorrow night."

She offered the imposing commander a disarming smile. She was famous for them. "On one condition."

"Name it."

"You'll call me Mali."

He laughed. "I think that's worth it. Until tomorrow then."

"Til then."

Adama turned and left. Lee reclaimed Mali's hand. "Like I said, it has good days and bad days."

With one look from her, the three other men begged off with promises to catch up later. Mali turned to Lee. She knew better than to embrace him. No matter what, Lee had always kept public displays of affection to a minimum. She was excited to continue to hold his hand. "What day is this?"

He smiled, pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it. "The absolute best day of my life."

She smiled. "Mine too."

They began to walk over to his Viper, which was already moved to the launch tube. He held her hand until the last possible moment. He glanced over his shoulder and saw that the President, his father and the Admiral were now watching them. He shrugged and slowly released her hand, one finger at a time. She grabbed his hand back, unwilling to let him go. "I can't do this already."

He dropped his head and considered his options. "I'm here now."

Tears welled up in her eyes and she tightened her hold on his hand. "No, you're leaving me again."

Lee shook his head. "I don't want to go either but it's just for a short time. I promise."

He tried to pull his hand away, but she didn't relent.

"I can't do it. I can't let go."

Lee looked over her shoulder and saw Ben approaching. Ben nodded to him and Lee knew he would help the situation. Ben came up behind her and placed his hands under her arms and picked her off the ground, pulling her back. Between the surprise attack and Lee's own backward step, their hands came free. She knew she'd lost and she slumped into Ben's firm arms. Lee looked from her to Ben. "Thanks for takin' care of her, Ben."

"Always, Lee."

Lee turned to go. Ben called out to him. "Lee!" He stopped. "Thanks for not becoming a Cylon casualty." Lee smiled.

Ben turned and walked away again. Mali stood alone now and watched Lee go, as she so often had. Lee was just about to step onto the ladder to his viper, when he was overcome. He ran back, pulled her into a hug and kissed her passionately. The deck crew burst into spontaneous applause and it seemed like forever before he released her. She said nothing. He looked into her eyes and said simply, "I love you. I always have. I always will. I never stopped loving you."

She smiled. "I know. Same here."

Lee gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and ran back to his ship before he got into more trouble.