Chapter Six

He has been in there forever, she thinks to herself as she jogs past the commander's quarters for what must be the fourth time this morning. She knows they have a lot to discuss, but gods, he's been in there for hours. Leaning against a bulkhead to catch her breath, she stares at the closed door, trying to will it open.

She and Lee had talked late into the night the previous evening, mostly about Paya and Raisa's concerns for her. They skillfully avoided discussing Kara's confrontation the day of his accident, except for their combined obligation to the little girl. Kara had been vague in her description of the girl's abilities, she didn't want to alarm him, but she did fill him in on her talents for knowing things. They had decided together that Lee should talk to his father alone, both to tell him of Paya's existence, and also to see what could be done to protect her. She jogs in place to keep herself warm in the cool air, then turns towards quarters to seek a shower, hoping the two Adama men will have emerged by the time she is finished.

Lee is waiting for her, sitting on her bunk, when she emerges from her shower. She goes to her locker and digs out fresh clothes, slipping them on under the towel she has wrapped around her.

"Well?"

"How do you feel about a new home?" He asks, grinning slightly. "I don't think regs allow four year olds to stay in officer's quarters. Dad arranged for you and Paya to have one of the family suites. You can move in today. Raisa can stay with you for as long as she wants, to help Paya get settled."

"And teach me something about four-year-olds while she's at it." Kara laughs, tickled and scared shitless at the same time. She recites a prayer silently to herself that will become her mantra. Lords of Kobol, please, please, please don't let me frak this up. She hugs him, without thinking. He only pauses a second before hugging her back. "Thank you, Lee. And thank your dad." She kisses him lightly on his cheek and pulls away.

He takes her hand in his good one. "Thank you. For everything." He smiles at her, and for the first time in weeks, she sees a glimmer of the old Lee. Her Lee. "They'll be here on Friday, by the way."

"Shit. Uh. I mean um, shoot! I have so much to do. First on the list is to stop swearing." She winks at him. He laughs. She notices he is still holding her hand, so she squeezes his gently. "You're going to love her, Lee."

………………………………………………………………………………

Later that day she is sitting cross-legged on the floor of the living area of her new quarters, looking through a box of goodies gathered by the crew when they learned a little girl was about to join the crew. A box of colored pencils, a few pads of paper, a teddy bear with a viper patch from the gift shop-that-wasn't, a handful of picture books; Kara looks through the contents with interest. Feeling inspired, she doodles a sign for Paya's door, complete with flowers and butterflies. Kara giggles at the girlieness of the result. Who'd of thunk it? She looks up from her masterpiece when she hears a knock at the door.

"Hi." He grins. "I brought you a housewarming gift." He holds out a scraggly plant.

"Lee! I love it! Is it dead?" She takes the sad little fern and sticks a pinky in the dirt. "Nope, just thirsty. Come on in, you're my first guest." She stands aside so he can hobble in. "I haven't found much in the way of furniture yet, but you're welcome to the folding chair." She carries the pot to the small bathroom off the back of the living space and gives it a burst of water from the sink. She places it ceremoniously in the middle of the makeshift table. "I think the little fella is perking up already." She returns to her seat on the floor.

"This isn't bad," he says, looking around the small space. "I have to say, it's nicer than your place on Caprica." He chuckles.

"Amen to that." She laughs with him. "I like it. There are two bedrooms, our own bath… I feel like a queen."

"Kara, I, uh, wanted, to, um… apologize…" She doesn't think she's ever seen him stammer. "For that night. In my office." He looks up at her and his eyes are pleading.

"Are you sorry we…"

"No." He answers very quickly, and there is a slight tremble in his voice, remembering. "I'm sorry I was such a prick." His voice lowers. "Every time I thought I was going to fall in these past weeks, you were there to catch me. And no matter how hard I kicked and screamed ... you just held on. Kara, I don't deserve you, and if I were you I'd never speak to me again."

"Good thing you're not me." She stands and moves behind the chair where he sits. She wraps her arms around him, careful to avoid his broken arm, and holds him tight. She whispers in his ear, " And when are you going to realize that we save each other?" He turns to her and kisses her. He melts. When their lips part, she rests her forehead against his and strokes the side of his face. "Face it, Adama. You're stuck with me." She holds his face for a moment longer. "Okay, mister. Out. You need your rest and I need to go get in on a game of triad will I still can. I only have a few more days of utter irresponsibility." He grins and she laughs.

………………………………………………………………………

Kara feels about as nervous as a cylon in a magnet factory, waiting for Raisa and Paya's shuttle to arrive on Friday afternoon. When she finally gets the call, she darts through the corridors at a sprint. Turning into the landing bay, she sees Paya hopping from the last step of the ladder. The little girl grins and looks over at her, then runs toward her at full tilt.

"Karrrrrra!" She leaps and lands with her arms tightly around Kara's neck. Kara spins the girl around. "Weeeee!" On the ground again, Paya looks up at her friend. "I'm so glad I'm going to stay with you." Kara notices something pass over the little girl's face, before she whips around as Lee enters the bay, followed by his father. "Lee! Grandpa!" The older Adama looks momentarily shocked at his new moniker, but his face soon breaks into the grin of a man besotted. Paya skips over to charm the two men and Kara turns to find Raisa grinning behind her.

"You ready for this, Thrace?" Raisa asks, hugging her friend.

"I think I might just be." She turns back to watch Paya, who is giggling as she plays with Lee.

"Bet that scares the shit out of you."

Kara laughs. "You have no idea."

………………………………………………………………………

As grateful as she is for her friend's help, Kara finds herself a bit relieved when Raisa decides to return to the Dionysian a few days later.

"Substitutes are hard to find these days. Mine is 87 and could seriously go at any minute. I can't imagine what my students have done to the poor old woman." Raisa hugs Kara tightly. "You're gonna do great, kid. Call me anytime." She turns to Paya and Kara notices tears in both of their eyes. "I'll miss you, sugarplum. Take good care of Lee and Kara for me." She hugs the little girl tightly and turns quickly to board the shuttle.

Kara and Paya turn and look at each other, and Kara's panic sets in. Frak, she thinks. It's my first moment as this child's guardian and I already can't think of anything to say. A moment goes by, Paya shuffles her feet and looks up expectantly at Kara. She ponders yelling at the deck crew to cancel Raisa's flight for just a few more days when Lee enters the bay.

"Hello, ladies." He chivalrously kisses Paya's hand. Paya cuts her eyes at Kara and raises an eyebrow until he kisses Kara's hand as well, trying very hard not to laugh. "I was wondering if you two would like to join me for lunch?" Kara is amazed at the change in him. Paya has done something for them both that she can't put a finger on, but Lee is a new man. He smiles, he laughs; she even caught him whistling while he was doing paperwork. He is completely enchanted with Paya, and the feeling is mutual.

"Great idea." Paya takes Lee's good hand, and one of Kara's, and leads them to the mess. She feels the love growing between them, and she is very happy. She knows they will need each other soon. Things are about to get really scary. Unconsciously, she squeezes both hands. They look down at her simultaneously, matching worried expressions on their faces. She beams up at them. Now is not the time to tell them what is to come.

TBC