Middle Ground
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Times are strange, seems like nothing lasts
I watch the changes go by so fast
If there's a future, it makes you long for the past
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Times were definitely strange, no question about that. How did a man who desperately wanted out of his military life end up as CAG on a ship he didn't belong on, and military advisor (against his father's wishes) to a woman who had been an unknown face in politics but was now the President of all humanity? It made no sense. But then again, neither did the cylons attacking after forty years of silence.
Lee yearned for the simplicity of the past. Long past that is - back when Zack was still alive. Everything had seemed easier before his brother had died and ripped their family into shreds. Not that he blamed Kara - she blamed herself enough for the both of them.
Life was becoming difficult - fraught with unpleasant choices. Three months earlier it had been simple - fight or die. Now that the immediate threat was gone, it was time to figure out how to live again.
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Over my head, got in too deep
Weighted down with promises I could not keep
Between a rock and a hard place, no room to be found
'Cause there ain't no middle ground
There ain't no middle ground
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He was definitely in over his head. His father and the President had been drifting further and further apart of late, and Lee could feel the big explosion coming soon. Every time the two of them were together sparks flew - and not the good kind either.
He should never have accepted the position of military advisor to the President. He was the best person for the job, but his duty to Galactica and to his father clouded his judgment.
And then there was Kara. Talk about clouding his judgment! The President had been right - he couldn't see straight when it came to her. He loved her, he hated her. He needed her, he wished she'd just disappear and uncomplicate his life.
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Everywhere you look some kind of war's going on
And no man's land is never gonna stay that way for long
Better climb off that fence boy, before somebody shoots you down
And they'll say "just whose side are you on anyway?"
But I haven't got the heart to act my part out in their play
But in the end you've got no choice - it's the only game in town
'Cause there ain't no middle ground
There ain't no middle ground
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"I didn't realize we were choosing sides."
"That's why you haven't chosen yet."
His father's words came back to haunt him. In the three months they'd worked together, he'd learned to trust his father unquestioningly, but at this moment, pointing his gun at the Presidents guards, he realized his father was wrong. It wasn't about choosing sides, it was about doing what was right.
He knew his military career was likely over and he'd spend the rest of the journey in the brig (if not on the Astral Queen), but he had to do what was right. What was the point of saving humanity if truth and justice were thrown out the airlock every time someone made a decision you didn't like?
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So hard not to lose ourselves along the way
Sometimes you've got to hold your breath and take that blind leap of faith
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As Lee sat on the Astral Queen, looking back at his actions and wondering if he did the right thing, Kara came unbidden to his mind. For the first time since she'd jumped away, he finally understood why. He'd always known she was upset with him over the events leading up to her departure, but it was only now that he truly understood how she could go and risk everything for a story that likely wasn't true.
Faith. She had faith. She believed in the scriptures. She believed Roslin was the dying leader in the prophecy. She believed it was her destiny to fulfil this part of the prophecy. Faith. It was strong enough to overcome all obstacles.
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Last night I dreamed of a long-forgotten place
High upon a hill, with the cool wind in my face
And the air was clean and clear
And I could see for miles around me
And in my heart I knew I had come home
And in my soul there was a peace I'd never known
And so I lay my claim to this sacred place I found
And I'll stand the middle ground
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He didn't know how it was possible, but he believed Kara. They were standing on earth. And Lee felt a sense of peace he hadn't felt in years. Since Zack died. His life had changed so much since then, and he'd spent many hours wandering - lost and confused.
Suddenly it all came clear. It was all put into perspective, and he saw his life as a continuous arc, full of ups and downs, leading him to this moment, this place. He was finally able to see a future beyond surviving another day.
He saw himself standing on a hill in the warm sunshine, happy and content at last. There was a woman standing beside him, hand clasped in his. He couldn't see her face, but out of the corner of his eye he saw her blonde hair waving in the breeze.
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And I'll stand the middle ground
Stand the middle ground.
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(Middle Ground - Rik Emmett)