Notes: For those who predicted more trouble ahead for Lee and Kara, you are right. But hope also comes, and a destined path is taken by one of them in this chapter. Read on to find out more.
Chapter Thirteen:
Lee sat in the waiting room outside of Commander Watkins' office the next day. Kara was inside now with Captain Paret and the Commander. Paret delivered his memo to Watkins requesting that the charges against Kara be dropped. The Commander insisted that both Paret and Kara see him in his office. Lee came along to give Kara moral support, even though he couldn't be in the office with her.
After an agonizingly long wait, Kara came out of the office, with Captain Paret not far behind. Paret walked through the waiting area quickly, but not before giving Lee a rather sly smile. Lee saw his expression, and then looked at Kara. While Paret seemed pleased, Kara was not. He could tell that Kara was upset.
"Kara, what…"
"Not here, Lee. Outside."
Kara grabbed Lee's hand and they walked out of the Flight School HQ building. When they got outside, they headed for a small park nearby dedicated to pilots who died in the service of the colonies. A large monument of a Mark II Viper dominated the park, surrounded by trees and bed of colorful flowers. But they didn't take time to enjoy the setting. Instead, they stepped over to a secluded area of the park. Kara sat down on the bench, her body language spelling feelings of confusion and uncertainty. Lee sat beside her, and took her hands in his own.
"What happened in there?" asked Lee.
"Paret dropped the charges," said Kara. "But Commander Watkins was not satisfied with the fact Paret didn't want to press charges anymore. Watkins brought me in before Paret and dressed me down in front of him. Cited my history of insubordinate behavior, and that despite my performance as an instructor, striking my CO was too grave an offense for Watkins to overlook. Paret's dropping of the charges saved me from prison time or from a dishonorable discharge. But Watkins has other discretionary powers. He used them. Watkins has revoked by Instructor qualifications. I can't be posted here anymore. He has also removed me from flight status, demoted me to Junior Lieutenant, and has put a 404 letter of reprimand in my file."
"A 404. Kara, with that on your file…"
"Every potential CO at every potential flight posting will look at that, and throw my application for the posting in the trash," finished Kara. "It's a career killer. He might as well have thrown me out because the best posting I can hope for would be supervising the sewage treatment facility at a Colonial Base."
"I can't believe this," said Lee. "I thought…I thought I had been able to help you, and it wasn't good enough."
Kara looked at Lee, and cupped his cheek with her hand. "Hey," she said. "You kept me out of the brig, and risked getting yourself in deep shit for me in the process. Don't short-change that, because I sure as hell don't discount it."
Lee pulled Kara close to him, and put his arms around her. "At least I don't have to hold you through bars. You're right. That's a definite plus."
Kara chuckled slightly, and then just leaned her head on Lee's shoulder. Several moments went by until Lee started to hear quiet sobs coming from his shoulder. Lee immediately pulled her closer, and kissed the top of her head.
"I'm sorry, baby," he said. "I'm really sorry."
"Kara Thrace fraks up again," she said. "I should be used to it. Maybe my Mom was right, you know. I'm a curse. You should run as fast as you can."
Lee responded by kissing her on the lips, and tightening his grip on her. "I'm not going anywhere. I love you. And if you try to run from me, I'll chase you down and tackle you. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," she said with a slight chuckle.
00000000000000000000000000000000000
Two days later, Lee and Kara were sitting in the waiting area of the main terminal at the Picon Fleet Headquarters Space Port. Ships were constantly coming and going from this facility, as colonial officers and dependants made their way from this base to another somewhere in the 12 colonies, or to one of the fleet's many battlestars and support ships. In the hustle and bustle, Lee and Kara just sat quietly while waiting to be called to one of the landing areas used for Raptors.
"He wouldn't tell you why he wanted to see us," said Kara. "He just expects us to jump on a Raptor he sends and fly out to see him. We just have to drop everything."
"Well, we don't have much to drop," said Lee. "You've been relieved of duty. I'm just waiting to take up my new post on the Atlantia, and our wedding isn't for another three days. Besides, he's a battlestar commander. They're used to getting their way with no explanations necessary."
A bell sound came over the intercom, alerting that an announcement was coming. "Captain Adama, Lt. Thrace, please report to landing pad I-4 ASAP."
"Let's go," said Lee.
They walked through the terminal for several minutes and finally got to their landing pad. When they got there, they found a tall Lieutenant in a flight suit waiting for them.
"Captain Adama, sir," he said, coming to attention and saluting Lee. Lee returned the salute. Kara then saluted him, since the main was a senior lieutenant while Kara was now a junior lieutenant. "Lt. Thrace," the officer continued. "I'm Lt. Karl Agathon of the Galactica. You can call me Helo. Commander Adama sends his compliments. My pilot and I are to take you to the Galactica. If you'll follow me."
As they walked out towards the Raptor, Kara tried to probe the Lieutenant for information. "Any idea why the Commander has asked to see us?"
"Not my department, Lieutenant," said Helo. "I'm just one of your chauffeurs."
As they climbed in the Raptor, Helo introduced the pilot. "Captain, Lieutenant, the guy in the front seat is Flat Top. He'll be doing the driving."
"Welcome aboard," he said. "Please make sure your tray tables are in the full up and locked position, and extinguish all smoking materials. We are about to take off."
Kara smirked. "You must be the ship's comedian."
"No, he just thinks he's funny," said Helo, working at his console.
"Hey, hey, I'm not taking that kind of guff from a back seat wanna be," said Flat Top.
"Dad must have sent these two to cheer you up," said Lee, to Kara.
The flight to the Galactica took about an hour. Once the Raptor left Picon's atmosphere, they performed a hyper-jump to get to the Galactica, which was patrolling in the sector near Caprica. During the flight, the four officers in the Raptor engaged in congenial conversation.
When they arrived in Galactica's landing bay, Lee and Kara stepped out of the Raptor and were greeted by a young female crewman. "Captain Adama, Lt. Thrace. I'm Crewman Dualla. I've been ordered to escort you both to Commander Adama's quarters. Please follow me."
They followed the young woman through the corridors of the Galactica. Lee had been on board once before, but Kara never had been. She had been on battlestars before, but they were the new ones built since the Cylon War. This was one of the originals, the last still in service. Kara couldn't help but feel the sense of history permeating the walls of the old ship, as she thought about the battles she learned about in the academy's military history classes. She learned about this ship's exploits in classes. Now, she was walking down its corridors.
"Gods, Lee, remember reading about this ship at the Battle of Sagitaron," said Kara. "This ship fended off three base ships and protected the colony until the Columbia and Versaria arrived to support it."
"I never knew you were such a history buff," said Lee.
"Lee, this ship is a legend," said Kara. "Then again, so is your father, so you are probably used to being around all that history."
"Yeah," said Lee, with less than an enthusiastic reply. "You kind of get tired of it after hearing it all your life though."
Dualla left them at the door of the Commander's quarters after knocking to announce they were there. A gruff sounding "come in" came from the inside. Lee and Kara stepped through the door. Commander Adama was working at his desk when they walked in. He stood up and reached out his hand to Lee.
"Son," said Adama. "It's good to see you."
"You too," said Lee.
"Those Captain's insignia look good on you," said Adama, with a smile. "I wish I could have been there for your promotion ceremony, but I damned proud of you. I hope you know that."
"Thank you, sir," said Lee.
Adama looked at Kara. "And my future daughter-in-law. Its good to meet you once again."
"And you, sir," said Kara. "I must say I'm glad you ordered us to come here. I've never been aboard the Galactica before, and…well, this ship is a legend."
"Yes, I guess it is," said Adama. "Well, I didn't ask you here because I just wanted to see you or to give you a tour. If you two will sit down."
After sitting back down, Adama offered them glasses of water. They both took them, and the Commander leaned back against his desk. "Kara, I'm aware of your current situation. Your demotion and the 404 now in your file. Do you feel Commander Watkins was hard on you?"
"I sure as hell do," said Lee.
"What about you, Kara?" asked Adama.
"Well, sir," said Kara. "I guess I deserved something for hitting Paret. But I was provoked, sir, although I couldn't really prove it."
Lee and Kara both knew that last part was a lie, but they also knew Lee's little secret taping of his conversation with Paret could not be spoken of to anyone. That was part of the deal, which Paret had kept his end of despite Watkins' later action.
"I gathered that," said Adama. "I know your record makes you look like a hot-head, but hitting a superior officer in public for no good reason would be sheer stupidity. You don't strike me as being a stupid person. Besides, from what I know of Paret, including the time I meet him at the Colonial Day Ball, the man strikes me as being a first-class prick."
Kara chuckled. "Perfect description, sir."
Adama reached over to pick up a file from his desk. He opened it. "I've read your record thoroughly, lieutenant. I started to after you flunked Zack out of the flight program. I wanted to make sure your judgment was from sound experience as a pilot and instructor. When I found it was, I was just going to close your file, but your record had me curious. You set several records when you were a flight cadet that still haven't been broken. I requested copies of some of your flight tapes. I watched you pull of some magnificent aerial maneuvers in simulated combat. You may be a little rebellious, but you are also one hell of a pilot. Perhaps the best I have ever seen."
"Thank you, sir," said Kara. "I appreciate that coming from you. But, unfortunately, I don't see how that helps my current situation."
"Normally a 404 on your file would keep any commander from considering an officer for a field posting," said Adama. "But it doesn't prohibit a commander from overlooking the 404 and chosing the officer anyway. It's just not done very much. However, I feel that the service might just be losing a good officer and a damned fine pilot because she was provoked into an error in judgment. So, I am offering a flight billet on the Galactica."
"Wha…what?" asked Kara, in complete shock.
"Dad, you want Kara on the Galactica?" asked Lee. "Can you do that?"
"Of course I can," said Adama. "I have a few openings. Most young pilots want to fly on the newer battlestars, so they don't exactly flock to this old bucket. Kara is a qualified candidate for the position."
"Sir, I have to ask," said Kara. "Are you offering me this just because I'm engaged to your son?"
"No," said Adama, immediately. "I wouldn't offer the position unless I wanted you here as one of my pilots. I think you could be a real asset. Plus, I was once in a similar position to the one you are in now. Out of the game, with scarce hopes of a second chance to get back in it. When that chance came, it was pure luck and right timing. Now I'm offering you another chance. You fly well for me here, you could earn back your senior lieutenant rank. If you excel here, then your past transgressions might be overlooked when it came time for you to transfer to another billet."
"Dad," said Lee. "Not that I don't think this would be a great opportunity for Kara, but I can't believe fleet command would approve of her being posted here. She is, after all, going to be your daughter-in-law in a matter of days."
Adama put down the file on the desk, took off his glasses, and looked pointedly at the two officers sitting in front of him. He looked at them for a few moments before finally responding to Lee's statement. "You're right, Lee. It wouldn't be allowed. Which means that you two are going to have to make a decision. Kara could refuse the billet; end up in some dead-end post where she'll eventually be forced out. But she would be married to you, and the two of you could start that part of your life together. Or, Kara could chose to accept the posting here. But in order to do that, the two of you could not get married. At least, not until Kara's tour on the Galactica was done."
"That would be at least a year," said Kara.
"Correct," said Adama. "Maybe longer, depending upon whether or not the tour would need to be extended according to the needs of the fleet."
Kara and Lee looked around the room, trying to find answers in the air or the walls, but would not look at each other. Adama just watched them contemplating their options, a feeling of sadness deep inside him for what they were going through. Finally, it was Kara who broke the silence.
"We wouldn't be together much after the wedding anyway," said Kara. "With you on the Atlantia."
"I guess," said Lee. "And I know your career is important to you. It's important to me, too. This is a great opportunity for you."
"I would remind you two of something else," said Adama. "You might not be married, but when you do get opportunities to see each other; well, what one of my officers does off duty is her own business."
"We could still see each other," said Kara. "If you still wanted to."
"Of course I would," said Lee, finally looking at her. "We would be together. Maybe not legally yet, but the two of us would still be committed to one another."
Kara looked at him with an expression of sadness and happiness. "I hate having to postpone our marriage, Lee. But at the same time, I want to do this. I want to serve here. To take this chance."
Lee nodded, took her hands in his, and kissed her on the cheek. "Then you had better accept," said Lee. "But know this much. Our wedding is not cancelled. Just postponed."
"You're damned right it's only postponed," said Kara. "You can't get rid of me that easily. Someday, I am going to marry you, Captain Adama. You are stuck with me."
"Lucky for me," said Lee, leaning in to kiss Kara on the lips.
After a few moments, Adama made a coughing noise, reminding the young lovers he was still there. "Oh, sorry, Dad," said Lee.
Adama smiled. "It's okay. I can see grandchildren coming in my future if you keep that up."
Lee and Kara looked at each other and chuckled with disbelief. The old man actually had a sense of humor.
"Lt. Thrace," said Adama, "return to Picon, collect your gear. Report to the Galactica tomorrow."
Kara stood up, came to attention, and saluted. "Yes, sir."
Adama held out his hand to Kara. The latter took it in a firm handshake. "Welcome aboard the Galactica, Starbuck," he said.
End of Chapter Thirteen. Chapter Fourteen coming soon. As always, feedback/reviews are welcomed and appreciated.