Author's notes:
Chapter 1 had our two pilots finally admit their feelings, Chapter 2 removed the obstacles in their way, now Chapter 3 throws in some angst (Lee's turn to worry about Kara) and some L & K loving. And of course they have to butt heads a bit too!
Please remember to review if you have time.
Chapter 3
Lee wasn't the only one having trouble concentrating.
Kara kept relishing her recent memories with Lee. She was definitely hoping to pick up where they left off.
So far CAP duty had been routine. Boring actually.
Then suddenly, there was a change.
The hairs on the back of Kara's neck bristled. She had an eerie sixth sense when she was flying.
She didn't know why yet, but she immediately went on alert.
"Kingston, Kat. You see anything out there?"
"Nothing Starbuck."
"Me neither."
"Just keep your eyes open," she warned. "I have a feeling we're about to run into something."
Kat had flown with her enough times to know, that if Starbuck felt something was coming, you could count on it to happen.
xxxxxxxxx
Lee had given up on paperwork.
He had found out that rank often brought with it headaches, but it could bring you a privilege or two on occasion.
He was trying to pull a few strings and secure a more private place to welcome Kara back from CAP duty. His office seemed like it was never off limits.
He was working on a few details, when the alert alarm rang and stopped him in his tracks.
"ACTION STATIONS! ACTION STATIONS! Set Condition One throughout the fleet!" came out over the intercom.
His heart sank. He knew the only thing that the alert could mean.
Cylon contact.
And she was still in the air.
xxxxxxx
Kara had been right.
Their mundane routine had been broken by the arrival of ten cylon raiders.
Kara loved the intense adrenaline rush that came with a dog fight. Once she engaged the enemy there was never fear, just pure unabashed excitement.
"Galactica, Starbuck. Looks like ten incoming. We're gonna need some assistance out here. Will be within weapons range in thirty seconds."
"Starbuck, wireless check."
"Kat, gotcha."
"Kingston, copy that."
"Targets in range. Prepare to engage."
"Alert vipers launched," reported Dee. "Galactica to all vessels. Prepare for an emergency FTL jump to escape coordinates alpha. Repeat, escape coordinates alpha. Clock will start on my mark. Mark."
Lee had gotten to CIC just in time to hear the battle unfold.
"I've got visual on two."
"Roger that Kat, need help?"
"No frakking way, they don't stand a chance."
Kat managed to destroy one raider on her first shot. Kara's mentoring was paying off.
The second raider managed to break formation and evade her shots. But she managed to roll and match the raider's every move.
Starbuck was feeling the high of becoming one with her viper as she honed in on two of the enemy craft.
"Engaging two cylon raiders. Hah! Make that one." Starbuck howled as she obliterated her first target with ease.
Lee was front and center in CIC. He was leaning on the command console nervously rocking back and forth. He had his head down and his eyes closed. It made it easier to concentrate on the wireless communication of his pilots.
Her wireless communication.
"Kingston close formation. You have one on your tail," Starbuck instructed.
There was urgency in Kingston's voice, "He's right on me. I…I've lost visual."
Kara broke from the raider she was engaged with, and focused her sights in on the raider bearing down on Kingston.
"On my mark pull up ninety degrees, you got that?"
"Copy that Starbuck."
"Mark."
Kingston pulled up and out of her line of fire.
The raider didn't stand a chance.
"I owe you one Starbuck"
"Just blow these frakking bastards out of the sky."
Lee was still focused on her voice.
Helplessness started to surround him.
It was hard listening to the fight, when all he could do was stand on the sidelines.
"Come on Kara," he whispered to himself.
"Only one civilian ship left to jump, sir," Dee directed to Adama. "Colonial One reporting a problem with their FTL drive."
"How soon before they're ready to jump?"
"Colonial One reporting ready for jump in two minutes."
Kat had finally managed to take out the raider that had evaded her.
Kingston had destroyed one of the others.
By the time the alert vipers were within range five of the raiders had been destroyed.
Four of the remaining raiders were destroyed as the alert vipers joined in the battle.
That left the raider Kara had to abandon to assist Kingston.
The remaining raider was heading for the one civilian ship still left to jump.
"DRADIS contact. One ship. Getting recognition signal. It's a cylon basestar, sir," Gaeta's voice was anxious.
"All vipers return to Galactica. Repeat. Return to galactica. Prepare for emergency jump," relayed Dee.
"Starbuck, orders are to return home."
"I've got one more target to destroy, Kat."
"You'll never make it back in time."
"No frakking way I'm leaving a civvie ship defenseless against a raider we let get through."
"Starbuck, this is Galactica, turn your ship around and come home. We have less than a minute before a basestar will be within striking range," ordered Adama.
She waited to answer. She wasn't turning around and quite frankly she wasn't going to argue.
"Too late to turn back now. I'm taking out this raider and I'll hitch a ride with Colonial One."
The despair welling up in Lee was unbearable. His body was tense.
He knew she would never turn around.
Starbuck was going full throttle toward the final raider.
"We have to jump and we have to jump right now!" Tigh insisted.
Adama knew he was right. They couldn't wait to see if Kara made it or even if Colonial One's FTL drive was going to work. If they waited a moment longer the basestar would destroy them.
"Execute jump," Adama choked out.
The silence in CIC was deafening.
Adama saw the devastation on Lee's face.
He placed his hands on his son's shoulders. "Lee, I…..I'm sorry. I really had no choice."
"I know," is all he could manage, shaking, fighting to contain his emotions..
"Son, if anyone can pull this off she can."
"DRADIS contact. One ship," announced Gaeta. "Getting recognition signal. It's Colonial One, sir. She made the jump."
Dee confirmed, "All ships present and accounted for."
The mood changed from nervous anticipation to relief.
Except for Lee.
He still didn't know if she'd made it. If she destroyed the raider and landed on Colonial One before the jump.
He knew she could do it, but he wanted to hear her voice.
Know that she was okay.
He would only have to wait a few moments before he would know one way or the other.
It was agonizing.
There was movement and communication within the confines of the CIC, but they seemed far off, at a distance. He couldn't concentrate on what was happening around him.
All he could do was wait.
Wait to hear her voice.
Fear and panic began building within him until…
"Galactica, this is Starbuck, requesting clearance to come home."
Finally.
Relief washed over him.
"That's affirmative." Dee added, "Good to hear from you Starbuck."
CIC erupted in cheer, but Lee was already on his way to the hangar bay.
xxxxxxxx
He was pacing, waiting for her viper to land.
She arrived in true Starbuck style. She was getting a hero's welcome from the ground crew and the rest of the pilots. All waiting for her safe return.
She was searching through the crowd of well wishers looking for him. She knew he would come to greet her.
She smiled when she caught site of him. When she got closer she was taken aback.
She saw the emotion on his face, the tears welling in his eyes. She knew what he had been through. She had been through it with him not that long ago on Caprica. Wondering if he would be okay.
They moved toward each other. Never breaking eye contact.
Spontaneously, he embraced her. Then kissed her.
He held her face in is hand, "Kara," his voice breaking, "I thought…" He couldn't finish his words.
"I know. I'm okay. But, umm, Captain, we have a bit of an audience here."
Lee suddenly became aware of the ground crew and pilots watching their very public reunion.
Kara was amused at how awkward and embarrassed Lee had become. He had never been one for public displays of affection.
"Why don't I grab a shower and meet you in your office," she suggested.
Lee agreed and made a hasty exit out of the hangar bay.
xxxxxxxxxxx
"Permission to come in."
Adama glanced up from his desk.
"Saul, come on in. Have a seat."
Colonel Tigh was agitated. Quite furious actually.
"What's wrong Colonel?"
"I hate to be the one to tell you this, but, but we appear to have a problem with our CAG and lead pilot."
News of Lee and Kara's affectionate reunion had spread fairly fast and Adama knew where this was going.
"What kind of problem?"
"It has become apparent that an inappropriate relationship seems to have developed between the two."
"They have been good friends for a long time, Saul."
"It seems that there were several witnesses to…"
"Colonel, I already know about the relationship between Apollo and Starbuck."
"Then you know it's against Regs."
Adama sighed, "Seems like some of our Regs may need to be redefined since the cylons decided to destroy our worlds."
"I don't believe this. You're condoning this aren't you! You're just going to look the other way with these two again!"
"Colonel, with all due respect, if our people can find hope, something to believe in, something to hold onto in this mess we call life now, then who am I to impose…."
"This is frakking insane Commander," Tigh's anger growing. "You are not objective when it comes to Lee. Or Starbuck."
"Tigh it's my command. My decision. I can push this or I can…."
"So, you're just going to look the other way? Unbelievable!"
"Funny Colonel," Adama's own anger began to surface. "It wasn't too long ago I was being accused of looking the other way with you! What would you like to discuss first? The bottle? The Gideon? Your wife?"
"Justify it however you want Bill, but.."
"But what? If your advocating we have the time and opportunity to enforce each regulation to the letter of the law, then I highly recommend you clean up your own house first before laying down the law elsewhere."
Tigh stood there holding back his anger.
"You are DISMISSED, Colonel!"
xxxxxxxxx
Lee was still weaker than he cared to admit, and the emotional toll of the day had worn him down. Waiting for Kara he managed to drift off a bit.
"Well, I see you're so excited about meeting up with me that you can't even stay awake."
His eyes fluttered as he started to wake up.
"Great for a girl's ego," she giggled.
Lee winced as he managed to pull himself up.
"Lee, you look like crap."
"What were you saying about egos?'
"Seriously, you look like you could use some rest."
"I'm fine. And I have no intention of resting this evening."
"Oh really, what did you have in mind Captain?"
He leaned down and kissed her softly and grabbed her by the hand. "Follow me."
xxxxxxxxxx
They were winding their way through the corridors of the Galactica.
"Um Lee,……this is really sweet and all, but I had other things in mind for this evening other than a walk."
"Be patient ."
They finally stopped at the doors of the Observation Lounge. It was one of the only places aboard the Galactica that you could get away and forget you were actually on a warship. If you didn't have time to shuttle to another ship in the fleet, this place was nice for a little peace. Only problem was the waiting list to get in was long, and you shared it with 40 or 50 other members of the crew.
"What are you up to?"
"Just thought I would find us a more secluded area to spend some time together."
"So we're going to break into the Observation Lounge? Breaking and entering is an interesting choice for foreplay Lee."
Smirking Lee punched in a code on the security pad and the hatch to the lounge unlocked.
"How did you manage this?"
"Rank brings a few privileges."
They stepped into the lounge and Lee secured the door behind them.
Kara was surveying the room. There was a large observation window with a view directly into space. It was actually one of only a few windows within the entire ship.
The sight of the stars was breathtaking. She was always amongst the stars in her viper, but then she was always busy controlling her ship. Here, she could just enjoy the beautiful expanse of space.
Lee had obviously been here earlier. There was a makeshift bed of blankets and pillows in front of the observation window.
Pointing to the blankets Kara teased, "I guess you made a few assumptions about the direction this evening was going to take."
Lee pulled her close to him. "Nothing will happen you don't want to, Kara."
She leaned in and began kissing him. Slow. Sensual.
"You know Lee, I appreciate the trouble you went to, but I would have been happy with a storage closet if it was private."
"A storage closet? That sounds a little uncomfortable."
"Well, I guess you've never been in a closet with me. Maybe you should try it."
He laughed. Then he pulled back so he could look at her. Take in the beauty of her eyes , her face. She took his breath away.
She always had.
"Kara, I will gladly take you up on your closet offer tomorrow. But not tonight. You deserve something more special than that."
He sat down in front of the window and pulled her down beside him.
She pushed him back and began moving her lips across his neck.
She had managed to coax him out of his military issue tees. She was eliciting soft moans from him as she explored his finely sculpted chest and arms with her hands and warm, soft lips.
She began tugging at his sweatpants. Then he shifted. Kara was suddenly on her back with Lee above her.
"Hey! Who says you get to be in charge here?"
"I do. Besides, I out rank you."
"You're really gonna try and pull rank on me….right now?"
"Just trust me….and relax."
It wasn't long before he had enticed her out of her tees and sweats along with his own.
Slowly, methodically he began to explore her body.
"Ohh, Lee," he was driving her insane.
He could feel the heat of her body beneath his.
She felt the warmth of his breath, his arms, his hands.
He had waited for this moment.
Dreamed of this moment.
They both had.
Finally, they were together.
Their bodies in sync with each other. In perfect rhythm.
In perfect harmony.
xxxxxxxxx
She woke up wrapped in Lee's arms.
Gods I could get used to this, she thought.
She managed to turn and face him.
She kissed him lightly, "Come on Captain, we better get moving before the morning crew comes in and gets an eyeful."
Last night had been incredible for both of them. They both had many lovers before, but they had never experienced anyone with the same intensity that they had experienced each other.
His eyes opened and he was a bit groggy. Then the memories of last night flooded back and a smile came across his face.
"What are you smiling at? Now get moving. I'm hungry."
She was sitting up wrapped in a blanket.
"You're always hungry. By the way, do you still have a sweet tooth?"
Lee fumbled around through a bag he had brought.
"I actually brought these for last night, but we never managed to get around to it."
"Oh gods, is that what I think it is?" she asked.
"Where did you managed to get this?"
"I have my ways." he grinned.
She bit into like she hadn't eaten in days. "Oh, I haven't had chocolate in…I can't remember when."
"Oh gods this is good. If I hadn't slept with you already, I would sleep with you for this."
"Great," Lee grimaced.
"Never underestimate the power of really good food," she laughed.
"Remind me to make sure you eat all your meals with me."
"Why Captain, would it bother you for me to …ummm, have dinner with someone else?"
He pulled her close and brushed a lock of hair from her face. "Definitely. All future meals are to be strictly shared with me."
"Is that an order?"
"Does it need to be?" he asked moving his lips across her neck, then her shoulders.
"No, uhh, sir," she answered. " And if you don't , ummm, stop that, we're not getting out of here anytime soon."
Neither of them wanted this moment to end, but they were running out of private time, so they had to dress and get going.
Before they left Lee stopped her. He held her face in his hand and brought her lips to his. Softly. Sweetly.
His eyes were fixed on hers and he was having trouble forming what he wanted to say. The events of the day before had left him a little shaken.
"Yesterday was so," his voice beginning to waver, "so hard Kara. Waiting and wondering. Wondering if…if you…."
He fumbled for the right words.
He needed to tell her.
"It's just that, ….I have never loved anyone like this before, and…..and I can't think of trying to go through life without you. "
She was moved by his declaration. She wrapped her arms around him tightly and laid her head on his chest. "I know. It's the same for me. It scares me how muchyou mean to me. How much………. I love you."
They stood there in silence for a few more moments. Embracing each other, before the reality of duty sank in.
xxxxxxxx
Over the next few days Lee managed to get the mound of paperwork updated and resolve any scheduling issues that were left in the flight plans. Unfortunately, being grounded opened up more opportunities to concentrate on the administrative duties of his position.
Kara was in the Pilot's Ready Room reviewing the log for the upcoming mission. Since Lee wasn't cleared to fly, it meant that it would be her baby. She was looking forward to a mission after days of monotonous CAP duty.
"What the FRAK! Lt. Katraine is leading this mission?"
Surely it was an error. Lee must still be a little out of it.
She stormed off to find out what the hell was going on.
xxxxxxxxx
Throwing open the door to Lee's office Kara bellowed, "Captain Adama, sir! Requesting permission to have a word with you, sir!"
Lee looked up from his desk and let out a deep sigh.
He knew this was coming.
"I believe there's an error of omission on this roster!"
"Actually, no there isn't Lieutenant. Lieutenant Katraine will be heading this mission ."
Her anger was growing. "Lee, what the hell is this about. I am the best pilot in the fleet. No one can touch me and you know it. You can't fly yet, so why isn't this my mission?"
Lee stood to meet Kara's stance.
"No one is debating your abilities Lieutenant," his own anger starting to rise. "But you're sitting this one out."
"Why is that Lee? Is it because of our personal relationship? ….. Because that could change."
"You really think I would jeopardize a mission because of us?"
"You said it, not me" she vented.
" By the way Captain, if you've got it in your head that you need to protect me, keep me from danger, then you're sadly mistaken."
She went on as her fury grew, "I don't need a savior and I'm not looking for a hero. I'm quite capable of performing my job without you looking out for me."
She added bitterly, "I think we just found another reason the two of us is a bad idea!"
There was a long, tense silence while Lee tried to contain his rage.
"So you think that's it. That I can't make a clear decision."
"Doesn't look like it to me."
"Lieutenant Thrace, why don't you try ," His voice becoming deeper and more aggravated, "Why don't you try to look past your own arrogance and realize that there are other pilots competent enough to complete a mission other than the Almighty Starbuck."
"I'm the best. I should get the call."
"As far as missions go this is routine. Fly in behind the asteroid field, take a look around , fly back. Kat has earned this opportunity. "
"Bullshit. I deserve it, you are only doing this to…."
Lee laughed mockingly "You know Kara, how did the Colonial Fleet manage to survive before you decided to grace them with your presence?"
"You sit this one out."
"We'll see about that."
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Lee had a feeling why he was being paged to the Commander's quarters.
He was ready for a fight .
"Commander, you wanted to see me sir?'
"Lee, have a seat. How are you feeling?"
"Fine, but I have a feeling you didn't summons me here to ask me how I'm doing."
"Very well Captain, it's been brought to my attention that Starbuck isn't leading the recon mission. Like to tell me why?"
"Lieutenant Katraine has earned the opportunity sir."
"Are you sure that's your motivation?"
Lee let out an aggravated sigh. "Well apparently you and Lieutenant Thrace seem to think I have ulterior motives!"
"Lee, it's just that you can't keep Kara off missions to protect her. She is leading this mission."
" End of discussion, Captain."
Lee slammed the roster on his desk. "You know what Commander, sir, you command the air group. Or find someone else, because it's obvious you don't think I'm capable."
Lee started to storm out.
"Lee….after the other day I understand why you want to keep her from…"
Lee wouldn't let his father finish. "Sir, did you ever think to come to me and ask me why I put Kat in charge of this?"
"It is my job to make sure my pilots are trained to not only fly, but to become leaders. I'm grounded until I get medical clearance. What do we do if something happens to Kara too. Who's going to be able to lead the squadron? How do you suggest we protect the fleet? It's my job to make them ready".
"If you could pull your head out of Starbuck's ass for a minute, maybe you could see that."
"You're out of line, Captain!"
"Oh excuse me, sir! If you could pull your head out of her ass, SIR!"
He turned and left.
Adama was already regretting getting in the middle of this one.
Lee's anger was building with every step he took.
xxxxxx
The walk had not eased his tension.
All three pilots were being briefed as he entered the room.
"Lieutenant Thrace. My office. NOW!"
Hotdog chuckled, 'Uh, oh Starbuck, looks like your in trouble."
Kat giggled and Lee shot them a look that made it clear this wasn't a joke.
"Be right back nuggets. Gotta see what's up our CAG's ass."
Once his door was closed . Lee let his frustrations out on her.
"I can't believe you went over my head to get yourself on this mission ."
"You were being unreasonable, sir" she spit out.
He moved toward her, just inches from her face. His jaw clenched.
"I'm the CAG. You follow my orders."
The rage in his voice was building. "You can lead a squadron Kara. Tell me how any of these pilots are ever going to learn how to do that it you or I take the reins of every mission?"
Kara turned her back to him. She was so angry, but she hated the idea of fighting with him before she had to fly.
Again, there was a long period of silence between the two.
Finally Kara started to leave. "Is that all, sir?"
Lee came up behind her. He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close to him.
She resisted for a moment before letting him embrace her.
His voice softer now, "Kara, this conversation is far from over, but I don't want to fight with you right now."
She leaned her back against his chest, "Neither do I," she whispered.
"So we'll fight when I get back?"
He held her tightly, "You can count on it."
"By the way, be careful out there."
"Good hunting is what you say."
"No, Kara that's what you would say. I would say be careful out there."
She smiled and turned to him as she left his office, "You are the worst CAG in the history of CAG's."
After she left he fell back into his chair . Shaking his head he sighed, "Gods help me."
xxxxxxxx
Lee was taking advantage of his pilots being on Cap duty and the recon mission. The showers were usually empty midshift, and he preferred the solitude. Gave him time to think.
He had both hands braced against the wall as he let the warm water run over his body. It was relaxing and helped relieve stress.
And after today he could use a little less stress.
But his solitude was interrupted.
"Well, sir, looks like your spending your time working out when the rest of us are playing cards."
Lee was startled to turn and find Kara standing behind him in only a towel.
"I see it's still easy to make you blush. Mind if I join you?"
She dropped her towel and stepped into the shower.
He stood in awe, and she enjoyed the way his eyes moved over her body.
"Like what you see, sir?"
"Very much.," Lee's grin was widening. "But weren't you on duty with two other pilots? Aren't you afraid they may, uh, walk in on us?"
"Are you kidding, after your little welcoming back display the other day, they're too terrified of walking in knowing the two of us are in here alone."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his. "Captain, I do believe you owe me a fight."
"You really want to fight, right now?" He began kissing her neck. " I can think of better things to do with you than fight."
"Lee, before you make me forget what I want to say,…..I 'm sorry I went over your head on this . You were right, Kat has worked hard and she would have been fine leading this one."
"Well, I probably should have told you before hand, instead of letting you find out from the roster. We could have probably avoided a lot of grief if I had. Forgive me?"
"Maybe."
"So, does that mean we can skip the fight?"
"This time. But there's nothing wrong with a good fight, besides I have a feeling we haven't had our last little disagreement."
"You're probably right, Lieutenant."
"Besides," she teased. "The make-up sex makes it worth it."
"Oh, yeah," he smiled . "Prove it."
xxxxxxxxx
Tigh was in his quarters. He poured himself another drink.
"Well, Starbuck and Apollo are getting away with whatever they want again."
Ellen furious, "Starbuck has been disrespectful and insubordinate from day one. Bill continues to let her walk all over you. And his precious son pulled a gun on you, and made a fool of you breaking Madame School Marm out of the brig. And now, now he turns his head while they break another rule!"
"Saul, you're going to have to tell Bill…"
"It's Bill's ship. It's his call. I can't do anything about it."
"Get a backbone Saul," she hissed.
"Ellen, It's not my command."
"This is unacceptable."
She stormed out of their quarters muttering to herself. "Well Saul, if you're not going to do anything, I will. I'm going to see to it that those two regret everything they've done. It's time to call in a favor……"
TO BE CONTINUED……………………………