Chapter 5
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Battlestar Galactica.
"Kara, it looks like she has pneumonia, and maybe a new onset of asthma," Dr Cottle reported after reading the x-rays.
"Do you know if she has ever been diagnosed with asthma before?" He asked.
"I don't think so; I mean I'm not really sure. She was healthy when she was born," Kara replied hesitantly.
"So you really don't know. Don't you think you should notify her parents, or whatever you want to call them, since they have been the ones taking care of her the last 20 months." He said gruffly, he knew Kara's story now. Well at least part of it. There were parts she still did not plan on revealing to anyone.
"No, I can take care of her she is my daughter and is doing just fine with me. You said it is not life threatening, and that she is going to get better. There is no need to call them Sir, and I would appreciate it if you kept this all confidential. I don't even want your nurse over their knowing anything about what I just told you."
"Fine Starbuck, whatever you say. The nurse is going to have to come in and start an IV line on her, we need to get some antibiotics going to fight the infection in her lungs."
"Okay, just tell her to hurry up."
Kara had just about enough of this nurse. She had stuck Leah 3 times and still not gotten IV access. Leah was crying and starting to wheeze again. "Could you go and find someone else who knows how to do their job." Kara snapped at the already frustrated nurse.
"Listen Miss Thrace, the baby is very sick, her veins are tiny, this is not easy. If you think you can do better be my guest," the nurse snapped back.
"I am not trained to do this. I am trained to shoot Cylons out of the sky, now if you want to jump in my Viper and do my job, maybe I will give yours a try, but I'm practicing on you first," Kara managed to get the entire verbal threat out without raising her voice once. She kept stroking Leah's hair through the entire conversation.
"I um, I think I will go get Dr. Cottle to try," the nurse stammered, all her bravado gone. Not many people could stand toe to toe with Kara.
The Doc got the I.V without any problems. The antibiotics did seem to help and Leah's fever broke. She was able to sleep through the rest of the night. Something changed in Kara during those hours. She had always loved Leah cared about her, but the love she was feeling for her was different. It was a love unlike Kara had ever known. She would do anything to protect this child. She wanted to love her, and wanted Leah's love in return. She wanted her to know she was her mother, to call her Mama, not Eve.
She appreciated Eve and Marks help, but it was time for her to care for her daughter now. It was not going to be easy explaining this to everyone, but since when was Kara Thrace's life ever easy.
That afternoon Mark and Eve returned to Galactica. They were surprised to find Kara's hastily scribbled not saying she and Leah were in sick bay. Eve took off on a mad dash toward her little girl.
"Kara, what happened, what did you do to her?" Eve demanded as she burst in the curtain area where Leah was sleeping peacefully on Kara's stomach.
"What did I do to her? What kind of question is that Eve? She has pneumonia, I know I have screwed things up before, but I don't think you can blame me for this." Kara replied disgusted by the question her friend was throwing at her.
"Pneumonia?" Eve replied.
"Yes pneumonia, the doc said he thinks she may have asthma as well. She is doing much better and should be able to be released tomorrow morning." Kara explained.
"I'm sorry Kara, I was just so worried when I read your note. I'm her now though, I am sure you are anxious to be back on duty. Give her to me," she said holding out her arms.
"Eve, Mark, there are some things we need to discuss." Kara said holding tightly to her daughter. "Why don't you have a seat."
They both looked at each other quickly, and Kara did feel bad about the look of fear that passed between them.
"You both know this was a temporary situation. I have appreciated you taking care of Leah, and I believe I have more than compensated you with my wages. I am going to be keeping her with me from now on. I think it is time for her to know I am her mother."
"Kara, you can't do this." Eve replied her voice shaking.
"Eve, I have no intention of keeping her from you. You could still see her, I mean it would help me out greatly if you could watch her when I am on shift. You have known this. This is why I would not let you adopt her. She is my daughter."
"Kara we are her parents. We are all she has ever known. You are just some crazy pilot that comes by to play with her now and then. She is our daughter!" Mark joined in, but his voice was not so controlled. He was practically yelling at her.
The yelling drew the attention of the nurse. Even though she was trying to avoid Kara, she had to see what was going on. "What is the problem in here?" She questioned the angry looking group. "Eve," she said recognizing the other woman, "What are you doing here?"
"Lori, you have to help us. Kara here is trying to take our daughter from us." Eve said hysterically.
"This is your Leah? Oh Eve I had no idea, what is this woman doing with her?" The nurse asked looking at Kara as if she had two heads.
"Yes she is our daughter, the Lieutenant here was a friend of the family and was helping us out." Mark added quickly. "Now she has attached herself to our daughter and won't return her."
"They are lying!" Kara hissed. "Leah is mine and they know it, where is Cottle?"
"Dr. Cottle is on a medical emergency on another ship. Miss Thrace, I looked in your files and it says you have never been pregnant, never given birth. I have been trying to figure out the story behind this child all night. You need to return her to her parents and leave the area at once," the nurse commanded.
"I am not leaving." Kara replied firmly.
"Have it your way. Get security in her now," the nurse yelled at the other woman sitting at the desk.
Soon Kara was surrounded by three armed security guards. None of which she knew. Probably civilians drafted for the lowly duty of security patrol of sick bay. "Sir, this woman is delusional, she is holding this baby hostage." The nurse said falsely explaining the situation.
"Miss, you need to give the baby back to her mother," the guard said.
"Frak you, and its Lieutenant not Miss. This is my child and I am not giving her up." Kara did not know why she was fighting so hard. It was a motherly instinct she had never felt before, but she felt if she gave up now on Leah she would be giving up on everything.
Kara was surprised no shocked, when one of the guards pulled his weapon on her. They obviously had no idea who she was. "Hand the baby to her mother and step away." The man commanded.
This time Kara obeyed, but if the man thought she was being submissive he missed the look of rage in her eyes as she handed Leah over to Eve. Kara followed the man a few steps away from where Eve was standing, and in seconds the man was flat on his back, his weapon in Kara's hands, her foot on his throat.
"You just pointed a gun at me while I was holding my baby. I was not even armed you stupid frakker." Kara hissed at the man.
"And you!" She said looking at Mark and Eve. "I knew this would hurt you, but I did not think you would take it this far. Calling me a liar, delusional, you know I have the paper work proving she is mine." Kara said, forgetting she had a weapon in her hand.
It was then she noticed the other two guards had their weapons drawn on her, and she realized the position she had just put herself in. "Frak."
"Drop the weapon and get on the ground! Now!" The guard yelled.
Kara did not have a death wish. They were trained to shoot and probably would if she did not obey. She carefully laid the weapon down, and then obeyed the man's instructions. She closed her eyes as she felt the cold of the cuffs around her wrist. What had she done?
They took her to the brig. The officer in charge happened to be a triad buddy of hers. "What did you do this time Lieutenant?" he asked with a grin.
"I screwed up big time Jim. Could you please get the Admiral down here as soon as possible, I need to speak with him." Kara pleaded.
"I will try Kara, but the Admiral does not take orders from me." The man said with a little laugh.
"Just try," she asked again not in the mood for humor.
It was late in the evening before Admiral Adama made his way to the brig. He was not surprised about finding out that Kara had landed herself in hack again. What he was amazed about was the reason why. He went down to sickbay and talked to the nurse and security guards himself. They had even caught Kara's little stunt on the surveillance camera. She did indeed assault a guard and wave a gun around in a room full of people.
He went and saw the parents of the little girl Kara claimed was hers. They insisted the girl was theirs and Kara was only a friend that helped out from time to time. He did not believe a word they said. Kara was not the type to baby-sit children, but there would be time for that later. He did not get a good look at the little girl, but if the blonde hair was any indication, Kara was indeed her mother. Doctor Cottle had still not returned to answer any questions, and they were not sure when he would.
Now on to the last piece of the puzzle, Kara, he was very intrigued by what the explanation his favorite pilot was about to give him.
He found her lying on the cot, starring at the ceiling. "Lieutenant."
At the sound of his voice she jumped to attention, saluting the Admiral.
"Sir, I wasn't sure if you were coming."
"I'm here, you can start explaining now Kara," he said letting himself into the cell to sit on the bed beside her.
"I don't even know where to begin."
"Okay, I will tell you what I know you fill in the rest. You have been hiding a little girl on my ship since you have been here, and today you caused a huge scene in sickbay, assaulting a security guard. They say you claim the girl is your daughter. You can take it from there."
"I had a baby sir, before I came aboard Galactica."
"Is that why you did not come when I first requested?"
"Yes sir, I am sorry I had to lie to you," she said fighting the tears that threatened to spill.
"Kara, why did you feel you couldn't tell me," he asked his tone starting to soften.
"It's complicated. You did not know me well then. Would you have honestly given me the job if you knew?" she asked.
"Is the baby Zacks?" he asked the question she knew had probably been plaguing him from the moment he knew she had a child.
"I wish to God it was, but I'm sorry no."
"You're right, I would not have given you a position," he replied sharply. "Who is the father?"
How did she answer that. What a loaded question. It was not fair of her to tell him when even Lee did not know. They would kill her, or at least want to. So she did what she had done most of Leah's life. She lied.
"I'm not sure."
"What do you mean you're not sure?"
"It could be one of several," she said tightly.
"Kara I know you better than that. You are not the type to get pregnant and not even know who by," he said this time his fatherly concern starting to show through.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you sir," she said dropping her head. She was doing just that disappointing a man who had been nothing but good to her.
"Do you really want her Kara?" He asked changing the subject.
"Yes sir, more than anything. I love her. Please though, I need your advice not as my commander, but as a.." She couldn't say it. She wanted to say as a father, but she could not get the words out. "Like you advise Lee," she finished.
"I'm listening Kara, although I am not sure I have the answers you are looking for."
"Am I doing the right thing? I know I have no right trying to mother anyone. Maybe I should just let her stay with Eve. Is it wrong for me to take her from what she knows just because I want her?"
He thought for a moment before answering. "If you were doing this in 5 years, yes you would. Right now she is still young. You are her mother and you could be a good mother. Kara you can do anything you set your mind too. If this is what you want I will help you."
"Thank you sir, you don't know how much this means to me. I have all the paperwork to prove she is mine. It is in a locked box under my bunk. Here is the key." She said removing the key that hung around her neck with her dog tags.
"I will come back Kara, when I have more news. I am sorry, but you will have to stay in here until tomorrow for the little scene you caused if not longer," he said rising to exit her cell.
"Sir, one more thing, I am supposed to be filling the position of CAG while Lee is gone."
"I know Starbuck, I have already taken care of that. Kat is filling your place."
"Kat?" She did not hide the surprise.
"I think she has more than proved herself capable don't you?" He asked.
"I guess, just one more thing for her to ride me about. I am never going to hear the end of this." Kara said suddenly very frustrated by her situation.
He couldn't help it, in spite of the seriousness of the situation he had to smile. She could not hide that competitive nature, even in the midst of blossoming new motherhood. The girl never ceased to amaze him, he just hated the days she shocked him.
"It won't be for long Lee will be back next week," he said trying to reassure her.
"Oh frak, you aren't going to tell Lee are you?" she said suddenly.
"Why, do you not want me too?" He asked surprised by her sudden outburst.
"I, um I think he is not going to be happy with me. Maybe we should wait until he is back on board Galactica." She did not want Lee to find out, not like this. If he found out now he would probably come straight back just to interrogate her himself, and if he didn't it would just give him more time to become angry with her and make it even worse.
"I think that is a wise decision. Get some sleep Kara, you look like you need it. Goodnight," he said placing a kiss on her forehead.
"Goodnight sir, and thank you for helping me."
As she watched him leave she knew things would be alright. If she had the Admiral on her side she could do anything. That is until he finds out there is a lot more to the story then what she told him. For now she would take his advice and sleep.
The next few days were not easy ones for Kara. The Admiral with the help of the president found a judge in the fleet that would hear the case. The paper work was presented, it was pretty cut and dry. Unfortunately for Eve and Mark, Kara was smart enough to have her paperwork in order so nothing like this could ever happen.
She felt bad for them. They really loved Leah, but they had brought this upon themselves. They were the ones who decided to play hardball. When they handed her over to Kara, they could not bring themselves to even look at her, much less speak to her. At the moment she had little to say to them. Maybe the relationship could be mended, but not today.
It was a strange feeling walking out of the room with her daughter in her arms. She doubted she would have to explain the situation to many people. She was sure by now the news was all over the ship.
"Well Leah, we might as well make your entrance into fleet life a grand one. Let's go to the mess hall, face them all at once," she said to her daughter. The little girl clung to her neck, her life was changing and even at one she was smart enough to know.
They went through the line, Kara picking out food that she thought Leah could chew; there was not a lot to choose from. She found a table, not her normal one, that was at the back of the room, and unoccupied. It was not long though until she was spotted.
Kat was the first one, and probably the only one brave enough to approach her. "Hey Starbuck, nice kid, looks like you found something else to help you keep from doing your job."
"Go annoy someone else Kat." Kara replied not even looking up.
"Just teasing Starbuck, really she is a cute kid, surprised coming out of you, her father must be a looker," she said not knowing when to shut up.
"Frak off Kat, that's an order," she said to the loud mouth kid, although she had actually missed her favorite student and the way she kept Kara on her toes.
"Um sorry Lieutenant you can't order me to do anything. You are on leave, and I am acting CAG now, so technically I can annoy you all I want. Call it payback for making my first few weeks on Galactica hell, but I won't because your kid looks like she is about to cry. See ya around Starbuck."
"I want to cry when I look at you too Kat, I don't blame her," she called out to the retreating brunette.
"Hey, what's wrong?" She questioned the little girl whose lower lip was trembling and the tears were threatening to spill. She pulled her up into her lap and held her tight, trying to comfort the little girl the best she could.
"Ahh what a sweet picture Kara, your going to be such a great mommy," said Helo sliding into the chair across from her. "Thanks for letting your best friend know you had a kid. Almost two years ago!"
"Helo, it's complicated."
"Yeah, I gathered that."
"Leah, I want you to meet someone. This is your Uncle Helo, I am sure you and him are going to be great friends," she said pulling the little girls face from her neck.
"She's a beautiful baby Kara," he said studding Leah's face. "She reminds me of someone."
"Um, Helo I am her mother," she said rolling her eyes.
"No not you, too cute. Who's the father?"
"None of your business Helo," she snapped.
"You know everyone is dying to know, who knocked up Starbuck."
"If you weren't my friend I would deck you."
"Kara, I'm just telling you the gossip," he said with a grin.
"It happened on Caprica, you all wouldn't know him, so it's no ones business."
"Fine Kara, mum's the word on the baby's daddy."
"I really could hit you now, I can't believe you just used that phrase in my presence, you know I hate that phrase."
"Yeah, I know, its great isn't it," he replied with a smirk she so longed to wipe of his face.
Leah did not like her new bed. She freaked when Kara tried to set her up in the bunk. Finally Helo had to change her beds and let her sleep on the lower bunk. Leah broke down she cried a mere thirty minutes before, Kara's room mates began to complain.
"I guess this is why there are rules against having your children with you on the battlestar," was the first comment.
"Come on Starbuck, some of us have to fly Cap in a few hours."
There were several after that, getting more and more bitter as the crying continued.
She ignored them all.
"This is ridiculous, just because you are Adama's favorite shouldn't give you the right to keep us all up."
"You can all just shut up. If you want I can join a civilian fleet tomorrow and you can all go out and fight the cylon's by yourself, because I am sick of it, and sick of you. You didn't hear me complaining Kat your first few weeks on Galactica when you would wake up screaming with nightmares in the middle of the night, and Hotdog what about your snoring, because I guarantee you it is louder than any sound coming out of my daughter. Oh and Trainwreck, you talk in your sleep. Just last week you woke me up calling for your mommy, but I don't think I rubbed it in your face the next morning. You are all trained to get sleep even in the most uncomfortable situations, so if one crying little girl is keeping you awake, you all suck!"
No one said a word after that. Besides Leah's wailing there was nothing but silence. Another 30 minutes went by and still she was crying. This girl had a set of lungs on her. She was not just upset she was mad, and she was letting Kara know about it. Kara's patience was starting to wear thin.
"Okay, is anyone awake?" Kara asked the quiet room. She was immediately answered by a chorus of "Yeeeeees."
"Anyone have any ideas?" She asked hopefully.
"Warm milk."
"Tape."
"Spank her butt."
"Walk her around."
"Sing."
Suddenly they were all experts on children. Kara liked the last two suggestions the best. She picked her up and started swaying around the room. Kara was not a great singer, but she could hum. Within ten minutes she was sound asleep, and by the snoring coming from around the room so was everyone else.
Thanks so much for reading and reviewing. Hopefully you all won't be to mad at me for leaving you in suspense with Lee. Love to hear your thoughts!