Note: This chapter is short, but get ready for a surprise.
Chapter Twenty-Four:
Captain Lee Adama had been a busy man of late. He led a successful mission that destroyed a Cylon fuel base and secured enough fuel to supply the fleet for at least two years. He had returned to a heroes welcome from the crew of the Galactica, and from his family. Lee would never forget the look of pride on his father's face when father and son saw each other on the flight deck. Despite all of their differences of late over Kara, Lee and his father had been able to put that aside to celebrate the victory together in their own quiet way.
Commander Adama was not the only one who gazed upon Lee with pride that day. During the whole public celebration, Lee could tell that Kara had to hold back the urge to grab Lee and shower him with kisses. Instead, she hugged him once, shared one of her precious cigars, and kept her congratulations on a professional level. Of course, that stopped when they met each other in private later, and Kara treated Lee to a more private celebration in a storage room in the bowels of the ship.
Since then, he and Kara had worked together on security for the first meeting of the new Quorum of Twelve on Cloud Nine. When Adama gave Lee the assignment at the President's request, Lee asked for Kara to be assigned to assist him. The Commander was concerned about putting the two of them together, but Lee convinced his father that he needed Kara's out of the box thinking just as the Commander had with the attack plan for the refueling base. In reality, Lee's reasons were mixed. He wanted her insights and help, but he also wanted an excuse to have her near him for a time.
Together, Lee and Kara had ferreted out an assassin, interrogated him, but met with limited success due to the suspect's murder. In the meantime, a new Vice President was elected, the democratic system was functioning, and the President was safe. Lee was commended once again by his superiors for a job well done.
Now, Lee was performing another duty as the CAG and as the President's military advisor. He was making an appearance at a formal party celebrating the coronation of Vice President Gaius Baltar. Lee stood at the entrance to the ballroom for a moment in full dress uniform and looked at the scene before him. Members of the Quorum were rubbing elbows with leading citizens, while officers and crewmembers from the Galactica were taking the opportunity to have a good time. Lee smiled as he watched a couple of his pilots laughing it up on the dance floor while they tried to dance while intoxicated.
Lee exchanged pleasantries with a few of the guests and made his way to the bar. He smiled as he recognized the woman standing in the blue dress that Lee had only seen her wear twice before. The last time had been the day he married her.
As if sensing his approach, Kara turned and smiled at Lee. He always had felt that Kara was the most beautiful woman in the universe, but when she was all dressed up, Lee couldn't help but feel that she was even more gorgeous. She confidently turned and faced Lee.
"Hey there, handsome," she said.
"Hey," he said. "So, um…that bum knew of yours is looking pretty good."
Kara chuckled and gave him a look that said, "Is that the only stupid remark you can make?"
"And the other one's not looking too bad, either," said Lee.
"Lee, if you wanna dance, just ask me?"
Lee walked up to her, took her hand, and kissed it gently. "Wanna dance?"
"Should we? I mean, others will…"
"I don't give a frak," said Lee. "We're both here, at a dance, and I want to have you in my arms in front of other people for once. We're both dressed to the nines, here. Let's go with it."
"I love it when you get all bold on me, Captain," said Kara. "Besides, me in a dress is a very rare opportunity for you."
He took her arm and led Kara out onto the dance floor. Their minds flashed back to the last time they danced together at a ball, how happy the two of them were. Now, they were still happy to be together, but it was now mixed with the knowledge of the horrors they have experienced since the war began. They weren't the same people they were two years ago on Colonial Day. They couldn't even publicly share the burdens of war publicly as husband and wife. But they did have those special moments, like now, to have each other for a little while.
"Excuse me," said a voice, interrupting their dance. "May I cut in?"
The couple looked to see the new Vice President looking at them with a friendly smile. "With all due respect, Mr. Vice President," said Lee. "Lt. Thrace's dance card is full."
Baltar, not expecting such a rebuff from the Captain, stammered slightly. "Oh, well, um, Lt. Thrace, do you agree with the Captain's suggestion that you are not free to…"
"Get lost, frakwit," said Kara, barely giving Baltar a glance.
Lee looked back and forth between the Vice President and Kara nervously. Calling the Vice President of the Colonies a frakwit was not exactly good form, but Lee couldn't help but love the fire in his beautiful wife.
Luckily, Baltar just looked flabbergasted, turned, and walked away towards another beautiful woman on the dance floor. Lee and Kara looked at one another and laughed.
"Get lost, frakwit?" asked Lee, his face contorted with laughter.
"Well, I had to keep you from getting into a fight with him," said Kara. "I remember what happens when other people ask me to dance when you are around."
"Oh, gods, déjà vu, huh?" asked Lee.
"No kidding," said Kara. "But then as now, I only dance with you. Speaking of dancing, of sorts. I've made some post-party arrangements for us. Dee helped me place a call to Cloud Nine. We have reservations for a private room under the name of Mr. and Mrs. Buckland."
"Buckland?" asked Lee.
"Well, I thought 'Starbuckland' would be pushing it," replied Kara, with a smirk. "Our gang of allies will help cover for us until we get back tomorrow."
"Sounds like we have a date," said Lee.
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Later that night, Lee and Kara covertly met in front of the room Kara reserved under the false names. As Kara unlocked the door, Lee surprised her by picking her up by her legs and back, lifting her into his arms.
"Lee, what are you DOING?"
"Carrying my wife over the threshold," said Lee.
"You did that when we were married, you moron."
"I know. I liked it. Although I might not remember correctly, but it seems you've gotten heavier since then."
"You better not be callin' me fat, or all you will be getting is a good nights sleep."
The door closed behind them as he watched them from the doorway of his own room. A waiter had just brought him and his companion a bottle of fine ambrosia, and the man was paying for it as the young couple came to the doorway just down the hall. He heard the whole conversation, and recognized them both.
"Saul," said a feminine voice from inside. "Bring that bottle in here. What are you standing there for?"
"Coming," said the gruff voice of Colonel Saul Tigh, as he closed the door to the hallway behind him.
End of Chapter Twenty-Four. Chapter Twenty-Five coming soon. As always, feedback/reviews are welcomed and appreciated.