Note: Sorry it has been so long between chapters. I was spending Christmas with family, and did not have the opportunity to work on the story. But, fresh off the presses is a new chapter. Thanks to those of you who have been keeping up with the story, and welcome to any new readers.

Chapter Eight:

One month after their visit to Delphi, Lee and Kara had managed to settle into a comfortable relationship of roommates who shared a bed and an intimate relationship with one another. But seemingly every day, the two of them would also get on each other's nerves about something. Despite the passion that existed between them, their differences often got in the way of the more positive nature of their relationship at times.

On this particular morning, Lee was brushing his teeth when Kara walked into the bathroom. "I'll be done in a minute," said Lee with a mouth full of toothpaste.

"I can't wait," said Kara, as she walked over to the toilet, pulled down her underwear, and sat down to relieve herself.

"Oh, KARA!" shouted Lee, spitting toothpaste out of his mouth into the sink. "That's disgusting! You can't wait until I'm finished!"

"I have to pee, Lee," said Kara. "Why should I wait to pee in my own bathroom in MY apartment when you aren't even using the frakking toilet?"

"I'm in here trying to brush my teeth," said Lee, after washing his mouth out with water. "Do you know how gross it is to hear you pee while I have water and toothpaste in my mouth?"

Kara finished, flushed the toilet, and pulled her underwear up. She walked up to him with an irritated expression. "You wanna talk gross," said Kara. "Next time you get the urge to fart laying in my bed, FIGHT IT!"

"When did I do that?" asked Lee.

"Two nights ago," said Kara, "as you were drifting off to sleep. I had to get up for a few minutes to allow time for the smell to go away!"

"Well, that was YOUR FAULT!" said Lee. "You're the one who fixed your fire-breath chili that night! And what's with this MY bed, MY apartment stuff! I thought we were sharing quarters?"

"Whose name is officially on the quarters assignment, huh?" asked Kara. "You want the privilege of hot bunkin with me, but you keep making these objections to how I live my life!"

"All I ask is for some simple accommodations and courtesy, that's all!" countered Lee.

"You want accommodations," said Kara. "Check into a five star hotel, but don't count on the maid to frak you!"

Kara stormed out of the bathroom, slamming the door behind her and effectively ending the argument. By the time Lee came out, Kara was already out for her morning run. As Lee got dressed, wolfed down a donut for breakfast, then went out to his car, he couldn't shake the anger he was feeling from his mind. But as he drove to the War College, Lee started to feel stupid about the whole thing. They got into a huge argument all because of a few toilet-etiquette issues. It got to the point where Kara suggested he moved out, even if just in an off-hand remark. In all of their little spats, it had never gotten to that. Lee resolved himself to try and patch things up with Kara when he got home this evening.

"I just hope I don't come back to find my things on the front doorstep," said Lee to himself.

Later that day, Kara reported to the Senior Flight Instructor's Office to deliver the latest reports on her class of trainees. She was already in a bad mood after her fight with Lee that morning, and this part of her duties only added to her miserable day.

Captain Ellis Paret was a fair pilot who was shuffled into the administrative position of Senior Instructor because of his organizational skills. But Kara hated him because he always acted like he was the best pilot in the service when his piloting skills no-where matched his talk. Their working relationship was also hindered by the fact that he made several strong passes at her, and didn't like hearing no from Kara. Paret was a good-looking guy who was used to having his way with women, but Kara wasn't interested. She had thought about filing a complaint at one point, but Paret backed off and only gave her snide remarks here and there, probably trying to provoke her into getting herself into trouble.

Kara stepped into Paret's office, and came to attention. "Sir, reporting with performance reports."

Paret looked up from his desk. "Good, Thrace, just put them on the pile."

"Sir," replied Kara, putting the report down on a stack of reports delivered by the other instructors. Not having been dismissed, Kara stood there for a few moments. Paret was filling out some paperwork, and did not say anything else to her.

"If there is nothing else, sir," hinted Kara, trying to hold back her impatience.

Paret looked up at her. "Have a seat, Thrace," said Paret. "I have a concern I wish to discuss with you."

Kara said "frak" to herself very quietly under her breath. She sat down, and plastered a fake smile on her face. "I hope I can address your concern, sir."

Paret got up from his desk and looked out the window of his office. "I understand you are sharing quarters, Lieutenant. With a male officer. Is this correct?"

Kara's thoughts turned to Lee, and to the fight she had with him that morning. Not only did she have to speak about him with a man she didn't like, but she also had to do it after having had a fight with him that morning.

"Yes," said Kara, very matter-of-factly. "Why do you ask?"

"Are the two of you in an intimate relationship?" asked Paret.

Now Kara was starting to get irritated. "Why is that any of your business?"

Paret turned to face her. "You live in 'Bachelors Officers Quarters.' Meaning quarters for single officers."

"From my understanding, sir, it means quarters for un-married officers," said Kara. "I'm not married to the man who is living with me. And as long as it doesn't interfere with my duties, it's none of your business who stays in my quarters as my guest."

Paret walked around to the front of his desk, and stood over Kara. "I've done some digging into your houseguest," said Paret. "Lt. Lee Adama is a student at the War College. Fast track to promotion for him. Not to mention he is also the son of Commander William Adama of the Galactica. I must say, as far as connections go, you have good taste in the men you sleep with."

Kara stood up to face him, an expression of restrained anger on her face. "No, my taste just leans more towards a real man. Which is what Lee Adama is, and which is why I never took you up on your offer."

Kara winked at him sarcastically, then walked towards the door.

"I didn't dismiss you, Lieutenant," said Paret.

Kara stopped, but didn't turn around. "If the only concern you have is who I'm frakking, then we're done here."

She opened the door and stepped out. After she closed it, Kara let out a sigh. "Frakking prick," she said, before walking away from the office as fast as she could.

When Kara got home that night, she found Lee sitting at the kitchen table working on one of his assignments for school. He looked up when she walked in. "Hi," he said. "There's a pot of stew on the stove ready. I'll serve us up some if you want."

Kara stood there and looked at him for a long moment. "He always does this after we fight," she thought. "Just greets me like it didn't happen, hoping we would just make up with a quiet dinner, followed by hot sex. Smart guy, because it always works. And it will this time, too. With one difference."

"Go ahead and sit down," said Lee, walking over to the stove and turning off the burner.

"Lee," said Kara, walking over to him in the kitchen. She put a hand on his shoulder, causing him to turn around and look at her.

Lee saw something in Kara's eyes that immediately made him put his arms around her. "Kara, what…"

"Can we skip dinner and just go straight to the part where you make love to me?" asked Kara.

Lee considered asking her why she looked so downtrodden, but decided to go ahead and honor her request. He began to kiss her, and then after a few kisses led her to the bedroom, not taking his arms off of her the whole way there.

After making love to Kara, Lee held her close to him in his arms, feeling her relax as she rested her head against his shoulder. He held her quietly, but finally decided to find out what was bothering her.

"Kara," said Lee. "Are you okay?"

"Are you kidding me?" asked Kara, with a smile. "I feel frakking fantastic. Not to make you any more full of yourself, but you managed to always put a smile on my face."

Lee chuckled. "You weren't when you came in," said Lee. He lifted her chin with his finger so that her eyes met his. Then, stroking her cheek with that finger, Lee kissed her forehead and again gently pressed her. "Please tell me. What's wrong, baby?"

Lee only called her "baby" in their most tender moments or their most energetic bouts of sex. This time was one of the former, and it always seemed to touch Kara's soul to hear him call her that. He didn't say it in a demeaning way, but one filled with affection and concern for her welfare.

"I just had a bad day," said Kara. "It started with our stupid fight, then just got worse from there. I had a little confrontation with my CO."

"What kind of confrontation?" asked Lee.

"He knows about us living together," said Kara. "He confronted me about it in his office, and wanted to know details."

"Well, we are kind of on the edge of bending regs here," said Lee. "I still keep official quarters at the War College Officer Barracks just to avoid any breaking of regs."

"Lee, he didn't confront me as a CO," said Kara. "He did it as a jilted man. You see, that prick came on to me a while back, repeatedly, and I turned him down. Ever since then, well…he finds ways to get under my skin. He implied I was sleeping with you because you were an up-and-coming officer and son of a Battlestar commander."

"If he steps over the line with you, just file charges," said Lee.

"He's crafty," said Kara. "He knows just how to stay on the edge. Our conversation could very well seem like a CO expressing concern about the possible breaking of regulations. Besides, filing charges would just make big trouble, probably for me. I mean, I don't exactly have the best rep for following regs, and Paret has his lips planted on the asses of a few higher ups. Really, Lee, it bothers me, but its nothing I can't handle."

"You sure?" asked Lee, bringing her closer to him with his arms. Smiling, he joked. "I could beat him up for you?"

Kara laughed. "I'd love to see that. But I'd rather do it, and I don't want you involved. I can fight my own battles. I just liked the idea of coming home and having you hold me. Being close to you…just makes me feel better about all of it. Because I know in my heart that you are ten times the man that Paret could ever be, and that I'm not with you because of the reasons Paret says."

"I'm glad I make you feel better," said Lee. He looked at her face for a long moment, and just gently brushed a lock of hair from her cheek to behind her ear.

"What?" she asked.

"You are so beautiful," said Lee. "Without even trying, you are gorgeous."

Kara smiled, and kissed Lee tenderly on the lips. "Thank you," she said. "For not only the compliment, but for making me feel beautiful."

A while later, Kara was asleep in Lee's arms. He was laying on his back, his arm around Kara as she lay half on top of him, her head resting on his chest. Lee lay awake, stroking her hair gently, watching her smile as she slept. Then, Lee dared to quietly say the words he was afraid to say to her when she was awake, for fear of shaking her up to much and moving too fast with their relationship. But the words expressed how Lee Adama now knew he felt about Kara in his heart and soul.

"I love you."

End of Chapter 8. Chapter 9 coming soon. Feedback/reviews are always welcomed.