Ch 5
The night wore on and Zak and Kara were well on their way to being drunk while Lee and Lauren spent more time talking than drinking. They discovered that they both liked the same kinds of music and they had a mock argument over what movies were better than others. By the end of the night Lee felt like he'd known Lauren his whole life. He felt comfortable with her like an old sweater that makes you feel safe and happy. When last round was called they paid their tab and Zak and Kara staggered out of the bar. Lauren found them on the sidewalk in an argument over whether they would walk home or take a cab. Zak won and a cab got hailed.
As it pulled to the curb, Lee pulled Lauren back before she got in the cab and called out to the others, "you two go on ahead. It's a nice night so we're gonna walk home."
After the cab left Lauren looked up at Lee and asked, "What was that all about? I thought you wanted to get home."
"I do but I also want to keep talking to you. You are leaving tomorrow so I've got to get in as much embarrassment as I can tonight right?"
"Do I really embarrass you that much?"
"Oh absolutely!" Lee couldn't keep his face straight and he broke into laughter. "Seriously though, I don't think I've ever blushed as much in my entire life as I have tonight."
Lauren huffed at him and crossed her arms across her chest. "Lieutenant Adama, I will have you know…"
Lee stopped her by grabbing her arm and jerking her towards him. She ran into him and he wrapped his arms around her and leaned down to kiss her. "I'll have you know, I enjoy when you make me blush." His lips met hers softly and when she pressed back against him he deepened the kiss. Lauren's arms snaked around his waist and she molded her body to his, the heat from their bodies warming the cool night air. Lauren began to shiver a little and Lee pulled back from the passionate kiss.
"Guess we'd better head back before you freeze huh?"
"I don't think that's possible right now. I'd say I'm definitely on the warm side. But I do have to get up pretty early so yeah, we should go."
They walked back to her building holding hands and occasionally stopping to indulge in another soul searing kiss. By the time they'd gotten to her building Lee knew that he wanted to spend more time with Lauren but how could he do that when she was headed for Geminon? He held her tight in the doorway of her flat and an idea popped into his head.
"How hard would it be for us to stay in touch with you on Geminon and me on Caprica?"
"Probably not that hard, the comm system on both bases is pretty good. Why?"
"Lauren, I really don't want to let you go. There is something about you that is making me crazy and I've got to find out what it is."
"Well Lee, from what I've seen these past few days, you're pretty crazy without me. Why would you want to add to the insanity?" Her smile shone in the dim light and he knew that her sense of humor was a key point to his attraction.
"You know what I mean. I've really enjoyed spending time with you. In fact I've had a better time with you than I've had in a very, very long time. So I want to keep in touch with you and see where this goes."
Lauren thought for a moment and was seeming to choose her words carefully. "Lee…I'm not going to lie to you and say that I don't feel something because I certainly do, but do you really think something can happen between us when we're so far apart?"
"I don't know, but damned if I'm not going to try to find out. If nothing else I want to stay in touch with you because you are one hell of a woman and I'd like to keep talking with you."
Now it was Lauren's turn to blush. She laughed nervously and looked around for something to save her from her embarrassment. Lee wasn't going to take no for an answer and he lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. He was touched to see there was a tear forming on her cheek and he wiped it away and leaned in to kiss her once more.
When he finally walked away from her flat some time later, he felt as if there was suddenly a large piece of himself that was missing.