Circle of Fantasies - chapter 7

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Apollo and Starbuck were nowhere to be seen until lunchtime - not a big surprise given that they'd had the midnight shift. Apollo came wandering into the rec centre with a tray of unappetizing-looking food, a smile on his face.

"Whoa, you look like you're in a good mood there Apollo, considering you had the graveyard shift," Hotdog said with a smile, as Lee sat down at his table.

"It was a good night," Lee said simply.

"Really?" Hotdog's eyebrows raised and he gave Lee a knowing look.

"Any night you don't encounter cylons is a good night," he replied, flushing slightly. Hotdog stared at him a moment, then looked across the table at Crashdown, who winked.

Halfway through lunch, Starbuck came in, hair still dripping wet. "So, what slop are they masquerading as food today?" she asked sarcastically, picking up a tray and heading over to get some food. She came back a few minutes later and joined them at the table, sitting in the only free spot - right beside Lee.

"Morning," he said glancing at her briefly.

"Morning," she replied, making a nasty face at her food. "What a disgusting breakfast."

"Uh, guys, in case you hadn't noticed, it's after twelve," Crashdown put in.

"When you've only gotten five hours sleep, it's still morning," Kara retorted.

"So, why were you up so late?"

"Midnight CAP."

"Yeah, but that finishes at three thirty. What were you doing up till after six?"

Kara flushed and suddenly seemed awfully interested in her previously untouched food. "Working on my Viper," she lied, hoping no one would ask. Lee too, suddenly seemed very interested in his food.

Crashdown gave Hotdog a look, eyes flicking back and forth between Lee and Kara. It was as if a light had been turned on in his brain suddenly. He got it! He'd heard the rumours about Apollo and Starbuck but hadn't believed them to be true.

"Ahem, I believe the LIeutenant was working on Apollo's Viper actually," Tyrol said slyly from the next table. Lee and Kara's heads both spun around. They hadn't noticed him there. "It was rather ... ahem... dirty. Especially the canopy."

The nuance of his words wasn't lost on Crashdown, who suddenly smiled widely. "I knew it," he announced.

Lee suddenly stood up and grabbed his tray. "I gotta go - things to do," he said in a somewhat strangled voice.

"Me too," Kara said a moment later, flushing furiously and following him out.

"Good one," Crashdown said, high-fiving the Chief.

"Thanks," he said modestly.

"So ... I think another round of cards is called for tonight. What do you think?"

"Oh absolutely," Tyrol agreed. "Count me in."

"You got the night off Costanza?" Crashdown asked him.

"Yeah," he answered a little hesitantly.

"Come on then and you can see how the big dogs play. Time you grew up boy." He slapped Hotdog's back.

"Okay, sounds ... interesting."

"That's one word for it," Tyrol said out of the corner of his mouth.

Crashdown stood up. "Meet you guys back here at 20:00. Invite Cally and Gaeta again if you see them." He smirked. "They should be here for this."

"What about ...?" Tyrol pointed in the direction Lee and Kara had gone.

"Leave them to me," he answered proudly, a wicked grin on his face.

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Crashdown kept a close eye on Apollo and Starbuck all afternoon. They'd both been rather quiet and hadn't even teased each other once, which was highly unusual. Apollo had kept his eyes down during their pre-flight briefing, and the few times he raised them, Crashdown noticed he'd been careful not to look at Starbuck.

"Hey Apollo," he said as he fell into step with the CAG as they headed back to the ready room after their shift. "You up for a game tonight?"

"Uh, I don't think so, thanks," Lee answered.

"Come on, this will be a very special game. You don't want to be missing it." He winked at Lee.

"Really," Lee said dryly. "I think I've had enough specialness lately."

"Well, if you don't show up tonight, I might just have to let the XO in on the special activities you've been up to lately." He grinned mischeviously.

"You wouldn't!"

"I would. Be there. 20:00." Crashdown walked away, thoroughly satisfied with himself. Now to find Starbuck ...

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He finally found her after an exhaustive search, in the head, showering.

"Hey Starbuck," he said to her soapy head. The walls of the shower weren't ceiling-high and unless you were particularly short, like Gaeta, your head tended to stick out.

"What do you want?" Kara was notoriously grumpy after her shifts, and interrupting her mid-shower wasn't a smart idea either.

"There's a game on tonight in the rec."

"So?"

"So, you should be there. It's going to be an interesting game."

"I repeat, so?"

"So, you need to come."

"No, I don't." Kara turned off the water and pulled the towel into the stall to dry off.

"You might miss something."

"Aw like the chance to clean you out Lieutenant?" She stepped out of the shower, towel wrapped around her torso.

He leaned in conspiratorially. "I hear Apollo's got something up his sleeve." He dropped his voice to a whisper. "It's supposed to be a secret, but I've been hearing things ..."

"What kind of things?" she asked, intrigued. Lee - a man of mystery?

"Naughty things." He grinned wickedly. "I can't say any more, but I expect to be surprised."

Kara's heart pounded. Maybe this whole fantasy thing had released a secret side of him that no one had suspected existed. She tried to act nonchalant. "I'll drop by if I have time," she said.

"20:00. Don't be late - you might miss some interesting action." He smirked and left the head.

Frak? What is Lee up to? She had no idea, but there was no way she was going to miss it.

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Kara entered the pilots rec at precisely 20:01 to find the table full, save one seat. She took it, glancing up at Lee who was sitting directly opposite her.

"So ...?" she began, eyebrows raised, waiting.

"So, we're all here again, except Cally who couldn't make it. Costanza has generously consented to fill her spot here tonight. Perhaps in order to bring him up to speed, we should all share the events of last game and give an update on who's fantasies have been realized." Crashdown grinned at the sea of wide eyes surrounding him.

"I don't think so," Lee said firmly.

"Okay, how 'bout this then. Whose fantasies have come true? No specifics." No response. "Aw come on guys, spill it. It's not like we don't know Apollo's did." Lee coloured.

"Are we sure about that?" Gaeta asked, cocking an eyebrow at Crashdown.

"Positive," Tyrol answered for him.

"There you have it folks, I'm convinced. The only thing we don't know is who he convinced into a crazy stunt like that." All eyes turned to Kara, who flushed furiously.

"What? So I like a challenge. Is that news to anyone?"

Crashdown stroked his chin thoughtfully. "A challenge. Hmmm," he mumbled to himself. "I've got it!" he announced triumphantly.

"Got what?" Lee asked, glad the heat was off him and Kara.

"The stakes for our card game tonight."

Hotdog looked vaguely worried. Gaeta cocked an eyebrow his way.

"Uh oh," Lee said. "If I recall, you were the one who suggested the stakes to the last game," Lee reminded him.

"Yeah, and look where that got you," Tyrol pointed out, grinning wickedly. Lee felt his cheeks get hot again.

"Good point chief."

"So, let's hear 'em." Kara finally joined back in. Hotdog looked at her in confusion. "The stakes," she added, rolling her eyes. Nuggets!

"The dealer makes up a dare - the person with the worst hand has to do it." There was silence for a minute while everyone contemplated the idea. "Well?"

"Sounds good," Tyrol said. Hotdog nodded nervously. Lee rolled his eyes. Kara laughed.

"Afraid you'll lose Apollo?"

"Is that a challenge Starbuck?"

"It most certainly is," she replied with a smirk, cheeks colouring lightly.

"You're on," he said, staring at her hungrily.

Crashdown shuffled the cards. "First dare? Kiss the XO. Full on the lips." Mouths dropped open as eyes widened.

Kara was the first to speak. "Well, what are you waiting for? Deal up the cards."

THE END

A/N: Thank you dear readers for reading and reviewing and being willing to stick with this story though it's taken so long to complete. I'm sorry I just have too many ideas and can't stick with one at a time! This one has been a real joy to write, and I hope you enjoyed it. :)