Chapter Nine

Lee was one of those people who considered themselves realists, but whom everybody called an optimist. Idealist, even. He wasn't too fond of the term. Lee Adama dealt in cold, hard facts. Yet he did believe that everyone deserved a chance to better themselves, to turn their lives around. It was that belief that had led him to suggest the work release conditions for the prisoners when President Rosilin had called a meeting with Lee and his father that morning.

His father had thought he'd been off his rocker and tried to tear down the idea but luckily, the president had backed him up. Then she'd come up with the damn suggestion to bring Jess along to weed out Cylons. Lee was reminded of his childhood when his mother would insist he took Zak along everywhere with him. Well, look what that had cost them.

Zak had followed Lee all the way into the flight academy and was now dead because of it. Lee fought a shiver at the guilt that surged up into him with burning intensity when ever he thought of his brother.

Lee did not need another tag along to follow him around until he got her killed too. Again, he shivered. Someone walking on your grave. That's what Kara called it. Lee zipped up his flight suit and then picked up the smaller one where he'd set it down on the bench, for Jessica. He didn't believe in that superstitious crap. He would bring Jessica along, they'd do what they had to and then she'd be locked back up in her room. Safe and...well, safe anyway.

Lee was about to close the locker door while he slipped into his boots when he caught sight of his face in the mirror. His lips were slightly fuller, redder than usual and his body stirred when he remembered why. He slammed the locker door purposely, shutting the door on the damned inconvenience that was his physical reactions to Jessica Talbot. He was a grown man for frak sakes. And for all his father's unsolicited opinions, the man was right. Lee had no business messing with a mentally incapacitated seer.

"Figures. The first time in ages I get randy and it's over a nut job." Lee said out loud with a derisive snort. Now how to get her into the raptor without having a melt down? Lee headed towards sick bay next.

"You give her two of these about a half hour before you take off. It'll calm her nerves and another two when you come back." Dr Salik assured him. "Keep her talking to get her mind off the travel."

"Talking does not seem to be a problem with her." Lee said with a small smile. "Okay. Side effects?" He asked as she handed him the small silver tube. He saw Salik hesitate.

"I can't really say. She's scheduled for an examination tomorrow so I'll know better how well her brain is healing but as for right now. She seems to be getting somewhat of a grasp on her emotions, thanks to Elosha, that could mean the torn membrane's healing, or it could just mean her therapy is strengthening her mind. These will calm her, but they could make her physically ill, or drowsy. And after they wear off, she could be worse off than when she started.

Lee stared down at the silver tube, about the size of his palm. "Should she even take them then?" He asked in concern.

"If you're back here before they wear off she should be fine. We can put her to sleep 'till the worst of it's over." Salik explained.

"When will they wear off?" Lee asked. Maybe he should have another talk with his dad. Try and convince him that bringing Jess along was a bad idea.

"Couple of hours, 4 at most. Then she'll start getting really jittery."

"We'll be back before then." Lee replied, feeling somewhat eased.

His assurance was disturbed when Jeffrey came rushing up to him in the middle of the corridor. Lee's stomach clenched in a nervous knot at the panicked look on his face. What now?

"It's Miss Talbot, Sir." Jeffrey whispered.

"Of course." Lee thought gritting his teeth. "What did she do now?"

"She's handcuffed herself to your bed, Captain." Lee stopped walking and stared at the guard.

"She what?" He asked, glancing quickly to make sure nobody had heard the guard's words.

"She said there was no way she was getting in that raptor and that you'd have to chop her hand off to do it. I thought you'd rather I came straight to you as opposed to your father."

Lee grimaced at the lecture he would have gotten from his father if the commander had been the one to have been informed of the woman's latest stunt. "Good call. Now tabling the discussion of how she got a hold of your handcuffs, why didn't you just unlock her?" Lee stormed into his room. Sure enough there the little brat was. Cross legged and glaring up at him defiantly, with one arm raised, wrist fastened to the metal arch of his bed. Ignoring the rather sensual misinterpretation of having this particular woman handcuffed to his bed, Lee crouched down in front of her.

"I'm impressed." Lee admitted, resisting the urge to slam her head into the metal arch, repeatedly.

"Good." Jessica with a lift of the corner of her mouth.

"Alright, give me the key." Lee said, extending his hand towards Jeffrey.

"I don't have it, Sir. She does." Jeffrey explained, his young face red with embarrassment. Lee ran his hand over his face in frustration and then looked back at Jessica. The little bitch was smiling at him!

"Hand it over." Lee seethed.

"No can do, Cappy." Jessica explained with pure triumph in her eyes.

"You're going to hand over the key, Or I am going to chop your hand off and then tie you to the frakking raptor. How's that?"

"Sorry, can't. If you want the key, you'll have to wait for it." Jessica grinned at him.

"Wait for- what are you talking about?" Lee demanded, losing the last of his patience. Jeffrey coughed uncomfortably behind him. Lee straightened his legs and faced the guard.

"She swallowed it, Sir." Jeffrey explained.

"What?" Lee asked curtly.

"Swallowed it, Captain. As in ingested. As in, it is currently making nice with this morning's toast and bad coffee." Jessica explained. "I suggest you get a move on, Captain Tightass. There's ice to be melted."

"Jeffrey, you're dismissed." Lee said glaring down at Jessica. She threw a nervous glance at the guard.

"Uh, maybe you ought to stay. He's likely to very well chop my hand off." Jessica said trying to look at Jeffrey but Lee was blocking her way. The guard saluted Lee and then left. "Well, damn. I guess chivalry really is dead."

"What did you hope to accomplish by doing this?" Lee asked sitting on the mattress.

"I would think that was obvious." Jessica pointed out.

"Your orders were to accompany us to the Astral Queen. Do you think the commander wouldn't notice you didn't leave with us?"

"I figured if I handcuffed myself to your bed, you'd be the last one to go tell him."

"Hmm, good point. There's only one problem. Even if I have to stick my hand down your throat myself, I will get that key." Lee threatened.

"You're welcome to try." Jessica shot back, smiling a wide, all teeth, smile.

For good measure, she made a few snapping motions with her jaw.

A.N: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter!

Mae: (giggles) You are too funny. I just may use that character someday. Glad you're enjoying this and Oi! Much misbehaving in this chapter. I really think Jess is gonna give Lee his first grey hair.