A/N: So, the ending ofthis little tale didn't go over well with a lot of you. I was expecting that - you can't always please everyone. :)

I love Lee, despite the imperfections and faults the show's writers feel the need to impose upon him. I'm ok with that, nobody's perfect, but I wanted to show him as hero, too. What bigger sacrifice can a person make than to give his life for the people he loves?

Anyway, I felt the angst needed to be carried on a little further.

What happens when Kara returns to the Galactica?

Nothing momentous here. Just drabble.

Epilogue -

The raptor door opened onto the hangar deck of the Galactica. The Commander, the XO and a marine guard were all present to welcome the party along with the usual deck crew and on duty pilots.

Starbuck had mentioned when she radioed that she was bringing back survivors. He was concerned that she didn't specifically mention Lee, but Adama knew that if Kara went there for Lee, she would come back with him. She was a determined young woman.

Adama watched as people started to file off the ship. So far no Lee. He was probably making sure everyone got off safe before him.

Kara was the first person to exit, assisted by Lieutenant Agathon. She had been shot in the leg but besides that, she looked as if she had been through hell. Her eyes were red and swollen, her hair plastered against her sweaty forehead, the smudges of dirt on her face were streaked.

Adama didn't have time to process the fact that his top pilot had been crying before Sharon Valleri stepped onto the deck. He heard the Chief swear under his breath and Boomer let out a scream before he ordered the marines to arrest both of them and take them to the brig. Adama heard Lieutenant Agathon tell him that Sharon was pregnant with his child but he ignored him. That would be dealt with later. He had to talk to Kara.

He told Colonel Tigh to begin processing the survivors, and get them situated within the fleet. There was still no sign of Lee.

He made his way over Kara who was being attended to by paramedics.

He noticed that she didn't meet his eyes when he walked up to her.

"How is she?" He asked one of the medics.

"She'll be fine, sir." The paramedic replied. "It's a clean wound."

After the medic finished bandaging Kara's leg, Adama asked if they could give him a minute alone with her. The medic nodded respectfully and walked away.

"You found him, didn't you?"

She had finally stopped crying right before they landed on the Galactica, but now she started again, her face crumpling in agony. She was unable to speak, and only nodded in reply.

Adama sat down next to her and put trembling hand on her shoulder, his own tears burned his eyes.

"How did it happen?" He asked.