Disclaimer: The Characters are not mine; I'm just tweaking them for a minute.
Warnings: Spoilers sort of, for the second half of season two – some are confirmed, some aren't, but there is some important stuff in the stories that came from spoiler speculation.
Rating – M, adult situations.
A/N – Reviews make me smile. Thank you!
Lynnmichelle – Thanky! My mind is twisted – I think this chapter may surprise you. I'm glad you like it so far.
Ria – You are so nice! Thanks for taking the time to drop a review.
Abelard – I'm trying to pull the curtain back slowly. I've worried about the story being confusing myself, – I forget that you all don't know what's still in my head, lol. I hope the story straightens out for you. I really appreciate your comments. Keep 'em coming!
Emily – Aw, shucks. I blush. I'm new to fanfic, and I wanted to put my own spin on things. I'm glad you like it.
Lilrebelgirl – Thanks! I'm glad you like the twist. I hope you like where it's going…
Chapter Three
"Excuse me?" He sputters. He wonders if this is some kind of sick practical joke. He pushes away from the table, his flight instincts humming under his skin.
"Major. Lee. Please hear me out." She looks at him and he searches her face for any hint of deception. He bristles at her use of his first name, but stops his withdraw from the table. "Gianne was a charismatic woman. She could get the attention of a room full of people with a bat of her eyelashes. She thrived on it. Even when we were kids, she always had a boyfriend who would do everything for her. She was a spoiled, pampered, brat who thought the world revolved around her. You knew this. You lived with her."
He nodded, remembering the way she could manipulate him to do just about anything.
"You know she wasn't faithful to you. You had to know." She's looking down now, twisting a napkin between her fingers. She looks up at him briefly over the edge of her glasses.
"I had my suspicions." That wasn't quite true. He knew she ran around on him. She practically bragged to him about it. She flirted shamelessly with every man she met, including his father. The only reason he was with her in the first place was because Zak had asked Kara…. He won't let himself finish that thought. "But, Zak? No. He wouldn't do that. Not to Kar…."
"I can't think of many men who could resist Gianne's charms. I don't know how it happened, but knowing Gianne like I did, I image she was trying to get back at you for something. I know you'll want some proof. She reaches into her bag and removes an envelope and hands it to him. "It's a blood test. Performed by your very own Doc Cottle. Paya is undeniably an Adama, but her blood type matches Zak's. There's no way she can be your daughter. I'm sorry I had to spring all of this on you, Major. Like I said, we have some mutual friends. One of them contacted me and told me how worried they were about you, and knew I could help." She pauses, and pushes another envelope across the table. "I can see you are a good man, Major, and I can see that you are hurting. Pardon me for being so bold, but I think knowing this little girl can help you. I have to go, and I know you need to get back to the Galactica. I know I'll see you again." Raisa rises from her seat and squeezes his shoulder lightly on her way out of the lounge. He tucks the photo and the medical envelope into his pocket and eyes the second envelope the young teacher had given him. He slides a finger under the seal and a single, folded piece of paper falls out. He reads it, and smiles slightly, figuring out the mutual friend he shares with Raisa.
Go talk to Kara.
She is waiting for him when he lands. The moment he steps from the last rung of the ladder into his ship, she is hugging him. Before he thinks, he is hugging her, too.
"Lee. I'm so sorry. I was an ass." She whispers her apology into his ear.
"Kara, I need you."
"I'm not going anywhere. Let's move this to your office before we both fall apart in front of the whole damn ship." She grins at him, and he returns her smile.
In the safety of his office, with the door closed, he slides to the floor. Kara slides down next him and wraps her arms around him. He leans into the warmth of her and feels his tenuous hold on his emotions starting to slip. He tries to speak, but barely chokes out her name.
"I know, Lee. I know everything Raisa told you. I know about Paya." She stokes his hair and holds him. They sit like this for what seems like hours, arms around each other, tears flowing, clinging to each other. Slowly, they separate. She reaches up and brushes away the tears on his cheeks tenderly. "It's going to be okay, Lee. We're going to figure this out. Together." She takes both of his hands in hers and squeezes.