The Holly and the Ivy - part two
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Please suspend whatever disbelief you may have and realize that this is being pulled from the usual BSG universe for a few moments while I play with it. I know the whole idea of Christmas in their universe is improbable, but I couldn't resist.
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Six Geese-a-Laying
Lee looked around furtively as he opened the fridge to check on his special package. Good, it was still there and apparently untouched. He'd racked his brain trying to figure out how to hide Kara's present from the time he'd acquired it while they were on leave on Cloud Nine till Christmas. He smiled as he looked at the small paper bag. You really are a genius Lee, he thought.
He snuck out of the kitchen, hoping no one would see him in the corridor. Who else would be up and about at 04:00? he asked himself. But you never knew. And if no one else was privy to his little secret, then there was no chance Kara would find out.
He still wasn't one hundred percent happy with her gift - he'd have preferred something a little more personal, but the idea had come to him while they lay out on the perfectly manicured lawns, enjoying the faux sunlight and reminiscing about old times. It wasn't often they spent time talking of their pasts - Kara especially, since hers had been rough, but on the odd occasion they'd managed to find some happy memories of hers to relive, and he'd been amazed at the change in her. He hoped his gift would bring back some more of those happy memories for her. She deserved it.
"Whatcha doing out of bed at this hour?" Kara whispered sleepily, as he entered the dark, silent bunkroom.
"What are you doing awake?" he asked her.
"No, no I asked you first," she taunted quietly, sitting up on the edge of her bunk.
"Sleepwalking?" he answered with a smile.
"Yeah, right. I don't think so," she challenged.
"Your turn."
"You woke me up."
"I don't think so - I was very quiet."
They stared at each other for a moment, each knowing the other wasn't telling the truth but unwilling to call them on it.
"Okay, well, I'm going to bed," Lee said, pulling off his sweatshirt and pants.
"Goodnight. Sweet dreams," Kara whispered, smiling an enigmatic smile. Lee wanted to go over there and throttle her, and make her spill the secrets he could tell she was hiding.
" 'Night Kara, sleep well," he returned instead, laying down under the covers. He sighed into his pillow. Would he ever figure that woman out? Probably not, his subconscious answered. And that's exactly how you like it.
Five Gold Rings
"So are you ready for Christmas?" Kat asked Kara excitedly. It was Christmas Eve and the party was only a few hours away.
"Yeah," Kara answered nonchalantly. "What do I have left to do? Shower and get dressed. How hard can that be?" She smiled.
"You don't have any presents to wrap, anything like that?"
"Nah, I don't do presents. Never really did even before ..."
"I thought you liked Christmas?" Kat was shocked.
"Well I do, but ... I dunno, I just don't really do the whole present thing. Wasn't big in my family." Kat looked surprised. "You've known me for three years Kat," Kara smiled. "You didn't figure out that I had a seriously dysfunctional family?"
"I think everybody's families are dysfunctional. We all just tried to hide it." Kat smiled sympathetically. "Now we are each other's family. Maybe we should think more about that, especially now when we're all missing our families most."
"You're right. We should."
"And in that spirit, I have a gift for you." Kat beamed as she reached in her locker and pulled something out.
"You shouldn't have ..." Kara protested but Kat shushed her.
"Here." She handed Kara a pile of emerald green fabric. Kara opened it and discovered it was a fancy dress. "Kat, I really can't accept this..."
"Yes you can," she said firmly. "We're going to make you look like a girl at least once in your life." She poked Kara in the ribs. "Even if you turn back into a pumpkin at midnight."
Kara's mouth dropped open. "A pumpkin?" she said, in an outraged voice.
"I knew that'd get you," Kat beamed. "Ah, and the piece de resistance." She held out a small jar of pink nail polish. "I've been hiding these things - you never know when you might want to look special."
"I can't keep the dress - you should be wearing it then."
"I'll let you in on a little secret. I hate that dress. I had to wear it as a bridesmaid at my sister's wedding, but I never liked it. Besides, it'll look better on you with your green eyes."
"What are you going to wear then?"
"Presto!" Kat pulled a burgundy dress out from the back of her locker. "This is my 'look like a knock-out' dress. Never fails to get me a date."
"Wow, it's gorgeous. So who are you trying to hook?"
"Not telling. You'll see later."
Try as she might, Kara couldn't get her to say another word about it.
"Go take a shower. When you're dressed we'll do our nails, and we'll be the most beautiful women at the party," Kat preened. Kara made a big pretense of disliking the idea and being forced into it, but secretly she was thoroughly enjoying it. It had been a long time since she'd felt girly. A long, long time.
When they were done, they looked at themselves in the mirror in Kara's locker. Both women were stunning. Kara blushed as she stared at the picture stuck in the door. I hope Lee looks happier to see me for real than he does in that picture.
Four Calling Birds
Lee looked around, admiring the decorations for about the tenth time. Well that's what he appeared to be doing so the group of friends around him wouldn't suspect he was looking for Kara. The party was in full swing - had been for a good hour already, and despite himself, he was beginning to worry. It wasn't really like her to be late; sure maybe three or four minutes, but not this late. Especially not when his father made it a requirement to attend the party. Lee looked over at his father, deeply engrossed in conversation with President Roslin. He looked relaxed and happy (for a change) and Lee was glad of it. He knew how much the authority of commanding the fleet weighed on him. And how much each loss hurt personally. Lee sympathized with him in that. He sometimes found the duties of being the CAG weighed him down to the point where he wished the job was someone else's. And the loss of every pilot hurt him too, even though the only one he knew well was Kara. How much more it must hurt his father who knew every soul on this ship personally.
Suddenly a hush came over the room and Lee snapped out of his daydream to follow everyone's eyes. A vision of beauty met his eyes. Kara and Kat stood in the doorway, pausing for full effect, and smiling mega-watt smiles. Lee felt his heart lurch painfully in his chest. Any feeble effort he was making to convince himself he wasn't desperately in love with Kara flew out the airlock in that moment. He loved her, body and soul. There was no question about that.
Kara stood in the doorway, smiling with much more confidence than she actually felt. It wasn't often she felt vulnerable, but now with every pair of eyes in the room on her, it was definitely one of those times. Her eyes scanned the room and found the pair of blue ones she was looking for. For a moment it was as though nothing else existed but those deep, dark blue eyes.
She took a deep breath and walked over towards Lee, joining the group but deliberately not standing beside him. There had already been enough speculation about them, especially since her return from Caprica and rumours of 'the kiss' had spread like wildfire.
"Wow, Starbuck, you look amazing!"
"That's some dress."
"Hey, you do know how to shower after all."
"I've never seen you look so good."
Well, this is one way to dominate the conversation, she thought.
"I have," a quiet voice piped up. Lee's. Of course. She looked over at him and saw a vast array of emotions trying to hide behind his liquid blue eyes. But Lee had never really been good at hiding his feelings. And the admiration and desire in his eyes was plain for all to see, if anyone had looked. But all eyes were on Kara. She blushed furiously. Being the centre of attention was nothing new to her, but it being because of her looks was a twist she was unused to. Especially the last few years serving on Galactica, where men and women all looked alike.
Eventually the conversation drifted and people wandered off to dance or get refreshments, leaving Kara and Lee alone.
"You wanna dance?" he asked, that same boyishly enthusiastic look on his face as he'd had at the Colonial Day Celebration when he'd asked that same question. Kara's heart melted. She couldn't say no.
Three French Hens
- Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos -
Lee and Kara swayed to the song, bodies moving perfectly in unison as though they were made for each other.
"Good thing I gave you those dance lessons," Lee murmured in her ear.
"Mmm," she agreed, knowing that the dance lesson were irrelevant to how their bodies worked together.
- Everybody knows some turkey and some mistletoe
Will help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow will find it hard to sleep tonight. -
One song melded into another as Chuckles, the DJ for the evening, noticed more and more people enjoying the slow songs. Before long, the dance floor was packed and Lee had to pull Kara very close against him to prevent her from bumping into the other dancers. He breathed in the scent of her shampoo, and it, combined with the gentle pressure of her body against his in all the right places, was enough to send him into ecstasy. But he knew it had to end soon, or she would be realizing the extent of his desire for her. He was trying to keep himself under control, but the longer he held her, the more he wanted never to let her go. Ever.
"Can I take you away from all this for a few minutes?" Lee breathed in her ear.
"Wha ...?" she answered, eyes opening suddenly. They'd been closed and she'd been off in a fantasy where only the two of them existed, and they danced and danced, never tiring. She'd felt the pull grow stronger between them and knew where it was going to lead. She smiled happily, ready to say yes ... and then Lee interrupted her daydream to say almost word for word what she'd been imagining. For a moment she was certain it was real, then everything around her came back into focus and she realized that that wasn't what Lee had in mind.
"Why?" she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
"I have something for you, but I have to give it to you in private."
Kara's eyes widened even further. "Okay," she said hesitantly. Lee grasped her hand and led her to the doorway, unnoticed by the rest of the party-goers.
Two Turtle Doves
"Where are you taking me?" she asked for the third time.
"Patience isn't one of your virtues is it?" Lee asked.
Kara gave him one of her famous stares. "You should know that by now."
"Yeah, I guess I do. Doesn't mean it isn't annoying though."
"You're not going to tell me, are you?"
"She's smarter than she looks folks," Lee said sarcastically, earning himself a punch. "Ouch! Remember that lump of coal you're supposed to be getting?" He smiled widely.
"Yeah, and we needed to be somewhere private for you to give me a lump of coal."
"Wouldn't want everyone to know what a bad girl you are, now would we?"
"They don't already?"
"Touche." Lee chuckled. "Here we are." He led her into the galley.
"You brought me here to give me a present?" she said disbelievingly. "How romantic Lee," she added sarcastically.
"Shut up, will you?" Lee reprimanded good-naturedly, reaching into the fridge for his precious package. "Merry Christmas Kara," he said, almost shyly, handing the brown paper bag to her.
Kara stared at it for a few seconds, taking in the label. 'Property of Commander Adama. DO NOT TOUCH'. Kara raised her eyebrows questioningly.
Lee shrugged. "I had to make sure no one peeked." She smiled tentatively. "Go ahead, open it."
Kara slowly unfolded the top of the bag and peered inside. The look of surprise and utter delight was worth every moment of concern he'd had about her liking the gift.
"Strawberries! Where did you get strawberries?" she demanded, the largest smile Lee had ever seen on her face.
"My little secret," he answered smugly. She picked one gingerly out of the bag and took a bite, eyes closing in pure pleasure as she savoured it slowly.
"Oh. My Gods. Lee, this is amazing! I LOVE strawberries!" She opened her eyes suddenly. "How did you know I love strawberries?" she asked curiously.
"Unlike some people," Lee nudged her gently with his elbow, "I pay attention when people talk."
"People really do underestimate me you know," Kara said, mouth full of strawberry. A little juice leaked out the side of her mouth and it was all Lee could do to stop himself from grabbing her and licking her chin.
"Want one?" Kara held out a particularly large and juicy looking strawberry.
"No, they're for you."
"But I want to share." She proferred it. "With you," she added, making sure he knew she wasn't going to allow anyone else to touch them.
"Are you sure?" Lee asked.
"Positive. Here," and she placed it in his hand. They each ate their strawberries in silence, relishing the almost forgotten taste of fresh fruit. Kara resealed the bag and put it in the fridge.
"Aren't you going to have any more?"
"No, I'm going to save them. Every night we can sneak in here and have couple. Then we can enjoy them longer."
"We?" Lee asked.
"I told you, I want to share them with you." She clasped his hand and squeezed it. "Thanks Lee. I love them. They're perfect," she whispered. Lee savoured her touch and the look of uncomplicated joy in her eyes.
"Now, I have something for you. Come on," Kara said, linking her fingers in his and pulling him across the galley.
And a partridge ...
She opened her locker and stuck an arm deep inside, pulling out a small, rectangular box wrapped in brown paper. Without a word, she handed it to him. Now that the moment was actually here, she was terrified he would blow up at her. They seemed to be awfully good at miscommunicating, beating each other up over it, and then having to work at healing their rifted friendship.
Lee unwrapped the package and opened the box. The colour drained from his face at the sight of the delicate diamond necklace inside.
"Kara..." he whispered, unable to find the right words. His mouth kept moving but no sound came out. Kara's heart leapt into her throat and she tensed for the volley of unkind words she was sure would come out of his mouth any second now.
"I can't take this. It's yours," he whispered huskily.
"No, it isn't. It shouldn't be mine. You deserve it."
"Zack gave it to you, it's yours."
"I've never even worn it," she sniffed, beginning to choke up at the memory. "I didn't even know he'd told your mom about us, but then he gave it to me one day and explained the story."
"Kara, I have something for you," Zack sang out, as he knocked and entered her apartment. She met him at the doorway with a big hug and a kiss that seemingly went on for hours.
"I brought you a present." Zack grinned like a little boy at Christmas, and Kara's heart melted. It was one of the things she loved best about him - his complete and utter unselfishness and joy in giving to those around him.
Kara opened the box, the blood draining from her face instantly. "Zack," she said wonderingly. "Where did you get this?" The room began to spin, and she stumbled a few steps back to fall on the couch. "I can't let you spend what little money you have on me."
"Kara," Zack began, sitting down beside her and putting an arm around her. "I didn't spend my money on it. It's something special. " His voice softened. "My dad gave it to my mom as an engagement present. She took me and Lee aside a few years ago and told us that she would give it to whichever one of us got engaged first to give to the woman we loved." He turned to face her and took her hand in his. "I love you with all my heart Kara. Will you marry me?"
A parade of emotions flashed through Kara, not the least of them being doubt and uncertainty. Did she really deserve someone so good? So kind? So loving. NO. Her mother had told her love wasn't real. Never trust men. But she'd tried to turn her back on everything her mother had told her. It had all been lies.
So Kara trusted her heart. And her heart told her she loved Zack Adama more than anything. That he was a good man, and she deserved to be happy. "Yes, I will," she said, smiling, as tears ran down her face. They hugged and kissed some more, as Kara clutched the necklace in her hand tightly.
They'd spend the rest of the night talking about how to tell their families, and when, and had decided that Kara would first wear the necklace on Zack's graduation day - the day his whole family would be together - the day they would announce their engagement to the public.
But that day had never come. Zack had died one week before it, and Kara had tucked the necklace away in a drawer, along with all the things that reminded her of Zack, and her guilt and shame. She hadn't deserved him after all.
"Yeah, I remember what mom said." He smiled sadly. "We always figured I'd be the one to get married first - Zack was far too wild to settle down. Or so we thought."
"Well it seems you were right after all," Kara whispered. "You will be the first and only one to get married."
"Kara," Lee took her hand in his. Deja vue?. "I never knew you were engaged, but as you were, and Zack gave this to you, it's yours. I can't keep it . I love that you're willing to give it to me, but I can't take it."
"Yes you can. I'm never going to wear it. That time in my life is past. It's your turn to find someone to love, and give it to her." She squeezed his hand and smiled through her tears.
Lords Kara, if you only knew - I'd die to be able to give it to you. Lee smiled weakly, tears in his eyes. "Thank you," he whispered, then pulled her into a hug.
The hug lasted a long, long time, but neither of them were aware of anything, more than the feel of their raw emotions, and the need to comfort one another.
"We should probably get back before someone notices we're gone," Kara said, after she'd regained her composure and put her feelings back in their tightly-sealed compartment inside.
Lee let go of her finally, and smiled. "Yeah, my father notices everything doesn't he?" He opened his locker and carefully place the box inside on the top shelf. "Kara I ..." he began, but she put a finger to his lips.
"Shh, I know." And in that moment Lee made a vow. He would give that necklace back to Kara somehow. She was the only woman he could ever envisage being with - the only woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. And if it took the rest of his life for him to get her to see that, then so be it. He would never give it to anyone else. Never.
Kara took his hand and laced her fingers with his. "Come on, let's go."
... in a pear tree.
As they slipped back into the makeshift ballroom, everything seemed as it was before they left. A sweet song played and the dance floor was packed. Lee took Kara into his arms and they began to dance.
"You two still dancing?" Kat asked a moment later, as she and Bulldog danced close by.
"Practice makes perfect," Lee smiled. "And considering where we started..." Kara slapped him playfully. Kat smiled and turned back to her dance partner.
Instead of going back to Lee's hand, Kara's slipped up around his neck to join the other one, lacing them together in the hair at the nape of his neck. Lee's hand joined his other one at the small of her back, pulling her close against him. Their eyes locked and a myriad of emotions swirled between them. It was as if an unspoken boundary had been crossed this night, and neither of them was quite sure how to take it farther.
"Hey, Apollo, Starbuck, you're under the mistletoe," someone shouted, and a bunch of whistles ensued. "Come on, let's see some action!"
They both looked up, then back at each other, Lee as if asking for permission, Kara granting it. It seemed they were each going to get another gift that night - a gift from the gods. Opportunity. Lee wasn't about to waste it, so he leaned forward and kissed Kara on the lips, gently and lightly. No pressure, no demands, just a small beginning. Kara held the kiss though, and deepened it further, allowing her feelings to come to the surface for the second time that night.
They kissed as they had danced, oblivious to to everything and everyone around the, and Lee's heart swelled with hope. Perhaps there was a chance that he'd be able to give Kara the gift he'd wanted to give her after all - himself.
Fin
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Well, this is it folks. Happy, merry, fantastic Christmas to you all, however and wherever you celebrate it! I doubt I'll have much more posted before January, though hopefully I'll catch up on a few chapters of my other stories and get around to typing them in in the New Year. Peace to you all, and my thanks for reading and leaving your comments. They are always muchly appreciated. :)